Brussels, 27/03/2003 (Agence Europe) - MEPs Ari Vaatanen, Paulo Casaca, Nicole Thomas-Mauro, Gianfranco Dell'Alba, Benedetto Della Vedova and Olivier Dupuis on 27 March awarded the Passport to Freedom to Princess Vacheahra Norodom, President of the Cambodian Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, and sister of King Sihanouk. Vacheahra Norodom said that in this gesture, she saw recognition of her actions for democracy and human rights in Cambodia, and "protection, as the spirit of this passport is protecting those who endanger their lives or liberty to defend democracy". "This protection is welcome, as over the last few weeks I have been threatened of withdrawal of Parliamentary immunity, attempts to try and imprison me, and to prevent me from standing at the upcoming elections", she said.