2019-2024

Plenary sitting

B9-0187/2021

9.3.2021

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law

pursuant to Rule 144 of the Rules of Procedure

on the mass trials against opposition and civil society in Cambodia (2021/2579(RSP))

Michael Gahler, Seán Kelly, Isabel Wiseler-Lima, David McAllister, , Miriam Lexmann, , Vladimír Bilčík, Michaela Šojdrová, Loránt Vincze, Ivan Štefanec, , Jiří Pospíšil, Stanislav Polčák, Maria Walsh, Tom Vandenkendelaere, , , Elżbieta Katarzyna Łukacijewska, , , , Janina Ochojska, Tomas Tobé, , , Tomáš Zdechovský, Željana Zovko, Luděk Niedermayer, Inese Vaidere, Ioan-Rareş Bogdan, Stelios Kympouropoulos, Peter Pollák, on behalf of the PPE Group

RE\P9_B(2021)0187_EN.docx PE689.062v01-00

EN United in diversityEN B9-0187/2021

European Parliament resolution on the mass trials against opposition and civil society in Cambodia (2021/2579(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Cambodia,

– having regard to the Statement by the Spokesperson of the EEAS of 2 March 2021 on the mass trials conducted against opposition figures,

– having regard to the Statement by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia of 25 November 2020 on reports of mass trial of activists,

– having regard to the Statement by the Special Rapporteur on the rights of peaceful assembly and association, the Members of the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls and the Special Rapporteur on the freedom of opinion and expression of 16 November 2020 on civil society crackdown and attacks on human rights defenders;

– having regard to the Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and the Kingdom of Cambodia,

– having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,

– having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

– having regard to Rule 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas on 16 November 2017, the Supreme Court announced the dissolution of the Cambodia National Rescue Party;

B. whereas on 1 March 2021 the Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentenced nine leaders of the opposition, including Sam Rainsy, to more than 20 years in prison for their role in an alleged coup attempt in November 2019;

C. whereas the opposition politicians were tried in absentia, because they were not allowed to return to Cambodia to defend themselves in court;

D. whereas UN human rights experts have expressed concerns about tightening restrictions on civil society in Cambodia;

1. Condemns the prosecution of opposition politicians, human rights defenders, journalists, environmentalists, students and ordinary citizens for expressing their opinions;

2. Calls for politically motivated charges and rulings against opposition politicians and others to be dropped immediately;

PE689.062v01-00 2/3 RE\P9_B(2021)0187_EN.docx EN 3. Calls on the Cambodian authorities to respect the rights of all citizens to a fair trial, freedom of expression, freedom of association and peaceful assembly;

4. Calls on the Cambodian authorities to initiate a process of national reconciliation through a genuine and inclusive dialogue, because this is indispensable to build trust;

5. Reiterates its call on the Vice‑President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to closely monitor the situation in Cambodia;

6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Secretary-General of ASEAN, the governments and parliaments of the Member States and the Government and National Assembly of Cambodia.

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