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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2024/2952(RSP))

On the shrinking space for civil society in Cambodia, in particular the case of the labour rights organisation CENTRAL

B-10-2024-0204

on behalf of the Renew Group · Rapporteur: Svenja Hahn, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Karin Karlsbro, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Urmas Paet, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar

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This resolution condemns the shrinking space for civil society in Cambodia, focusing on the harassment of the labour rights organisation CENTRAL and its programme manager Tharo Khun. It calls on the Cambodian Government to end harassment and politically motivated charges against activists, repeal restrictive laws, and release political prisoners. It urges the EU and international community to take action, including targeted sanctions, and to protect persecuted individuals.

Key points

  1. Calls for an end to all forms of harassment and politically motivated charges against opposition members, human rights defenders, journalists, trade unionists, and activists.
  2. Demands an immediate end to administrative harassment of CENTRAL and dismissal of charges against Tharo Khun and the Executive Director of Equitable Cambodia.
  3. Reiterates the call for the release of all political prisoners held under politically motivated charges.
  4. Calls on the Cambodian Government to repeal amendments to the Constitution, Penal Code, and other laws that limit freedoms and are not aligned with international standards.
  5. Reminds Cambodia of its obligations under the EU-Cambodia Cooperation Agreement regarding democratic principles and human rights.
  6. Calls on the EU and international community to take immediate action, including targeted sanctions against those responsible for political repression.
  7. Calls on EU member states and the EEAS to provide protection for human rights defenders and opposition members persecuted in Cambodia.

Who is affected

  • Cambodian Government and authorities, who are called on to end harassment and repeal restrictive laws.
  • CENTRAL and its programme manager Tharo Khun, who face harassment and charges.
  • Political prisoners, journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society actors in Cambodia.
  • EU and international community, called on to impose sanctions and provide protection.