The European Parliament called on the Cambodian authorities on Thursday 11 March to start a process of national reconciliation through a concrete and inclusive dialogue with opposition political parties and civil society.
In a joint resolution adopted by the Greens/EFA, The Left, S&D, Renew Europe, EPP and ECR groups (610 votes in favour, 43 against and 37 abstentions), MEPs call on the government to put an end to all forms of politically motivated harassment, intimidation and criminal prosecution of members of the opposition, trade unionists, human rights defenders, the media and civil society representatives.
They say they are “appalled” by the escalation of human rights violations in the country and call for respect for the rights of all citizens to a fair trial and to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.
The authorities should immediately and without compensation revoke the sentences handed down on 1 March to nine opposition leaders (see EUROPE 12669/29), the European Parliament demands. More generally, all those detained for exercising their human rights must be released and the charges against them dropped, it adds.
European Parliament calls for sanctions
Parliament calls on the EU Council to adopt restrictive measures against political leaders and heads of security forces responsible for serious human rights violations, the dissolution and repression of the opposition. In its view, Member States should suspend all bilateral financial assistance to the government and focus on civil society organisations and opposition parties.
MEPs also call on the Commission and the Council of the EU to develop a comprehensive strategic initiative for democracy in the ASEAN countries and to present it to Parliament within 6 months. They also call on the European Council to adopt an official position on the situation in Cambodia.
See the resolution: http://bit.ly/30xrB1d (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)