Directorate-General for External Policies of the Union Secretariat of the Subcommittee on Human Rights

Press release

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT DELEGATION’s VISIT TO

THE KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA

30 March - 2 April 2016

A Delegation of the ’s Subcommittee on Human Rights conducted a visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia from 30 March to 2 April 2016 to obtain information on the human rights situation in the country and exchange views with a wide range of stakeholders. The EU is the first export market for Cambodia and the largest donor of grant development aid and the Delegation’s goal was also to evaluate what impact the EU’s policies and cooperation have on Cambodia’s human rights record.

In Phnom Penh the EP Delegation met with the Chairman of the Committee for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Information of the National Assembly. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) also held exchanges of view with representatives of the Government- including the Chairman of the National Commission on Human Rights, the Minister of Justice, the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Interior- and representatives of the opposition political party. Members of the EP delegation held a roundtable discussion with civil society organisations, met with the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Cambodia and with the judges and prosecutors of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC). On their last day, they visited an EU- funded project that aims to strengthen the capacity of local civil society organisations to advocate for human rights and access to justice for vulnerable populations.

The parliamentary delegation was chaired by Josef Weidenholzer (Socialists & Democrats/ ).The other participating MEPs were Barbara Lochbihler (Greens/ ), Andrey Kovatchev (European People's Party/ Bulgaria), David Martin (Socialists & Democrats/ United Kingdom), Lars Adaktusson (European People's Party/ ), Petras Auštrevičius (ALDE/ Lithuania) and Enrique Guerrero Salom (Socialists & Democrats/ Spain).

Members of the European Parliament expressed appreciation for the open discussions during their visit and look forward to further dialogue with the national authorities on judicial and electoral reforms in order to promote good governance, fight against corruption and build up an open, just and democratic society based on the rule of law. They received detailed information on the new

electoral law and the law governing the National Election Committee which are key elements for the next elections in 2017 and 2018.

MEPs expressed concern, as mentioned in the resolution adopted by Parliament on 26 November 2015, on the recent actions taken by the Government in relation to opposition politicians and activists. The case of Senator Hong Sok Hour, who has been held in pre-trial detention since August 2015, was specifically raised with both the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Justice. MEPs insisted on the importance of democratic pluralism, opposed attempts to discredit opposition leaders and advocated for fundamental freedoms including freedom of speech and assembly, particularly in the period leading to the elections. "There is an urgent need to resume the culture of dialogue" said Mr Weidenholzer. They also discussed with their interlocutors the law on trade unions and the law on associations and NGOs, and noted that there is a risk for reduced space for civil society and activists although they play a legitimate and useful role in contributing to Cambodia's development. Land-grabbing, forced evictions and labour rights were identified as issues that need attention.

The European Parliament is one of the EU's most important institutions. It is elected every five years by the people of Europe. Parliament's main responsibilities are to pass European legislation and approve the EU’s annual budget. The Sub-committee on Human Rights promotes in third countries the values on which the is founded, namely the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law.

The EP resolutions and the CVs of all participating MEPs can be found at http://www.europarl.europa.eu.html

For further information, please contact: European Parliament, Brussels