On Tuesday 12 November, the European Commission continued its proceedings against the Cambodian authorities with a potential withdrawal of the tariff preferences granted to its Asian partner, while noting an improvement in the conditions of detention of the Cambodian opposition leader.
“We have completed our report on the temporary suspension of trade preferences to Cambodia”, said Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström. This report covers the findings of the investigation opened in February 2019 as part of a procedure that may recommend the suspension of ‘Everything but arms’ (EBA) tariff preferences, from which 5.3 billion euros of Cambodian imports benefit (see EUROPE 12191/12).
The Cambodian government has been accused of “serious and systematic violation” of the principles set out in the human rights conventions and the work of the regulation on the System of Trade Preferences. “We are very concerned about the human rights situation in this country”, Malmström added on Twitter.
Phnom Penh now has one month to respond to this preliminary report. “We will make our final decision in February next year”, concluded the European Commissioner. The Commission will determined the extent and duration of the withdrawal, if necessary.
Relaxation of conditions of detention for the Opposition Leader
The day before, the European External Action Service spokesperson welcomed the decision by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court to ease the detention conditions of Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha, calling it a “first step in the right direction”.
However, Kem Sokha remains under court supervision, his case is not closed and he is prohibited from engaging in any political activity whatsoever. The spokesperson therefore called for his release and restoration of his rights and, more broadly, for the restoration of political rights to all opposition members banned from political life and the release of all recently detained opposition members, supporters and activists.
“It is important that the Cambodian authorities take immediate steps to open up the political space in the country, create the necessary conditions for a credible and democratic opposition and initiate a process of national reconciliation through a genuine and inclusive dialogue”, the spokesperson said in a statement (see EUROPE 12080/16).
Kem Sokha was arrested in September 2017. At the same time, 118 opposition members were banned from political activity (see EUROPE 11907/9). (Original version in French by Hermine Donceel and Camille-Cerise Gessant)