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EU Parl Watch

Adopted text, 28 November 2024

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

Document TA-10-2024-0053 · P10_TA(2024)0053 · PE766.504

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This resolution condemns the shrinking civic space in Cambodia and calls for the release of political prisoners, activists, journalists, and human rights defenders held on politically motivated charges. It urges Cambodian authorities to drop charges against CENTRAL and other civil society groups, amend laws to meet international standards, and urges EU companies to conduct human rights due diligence. It calls on the Commission and Member States to assess tariff preferences based on Cambodia's human rights record, and urges the EU and international community to take action, including sanctions and support for civil society.

Key points

  1. Condemns the shrinking of civic space in Cambodia and calls for the immediate release of all political prisoners, activists, journalists, human rights defenders and other civil society actors held on politically motivated charges.
  2. Calls on Cambodian authorities to dismiss politically motivated charges against CENTRAL and its members, halt audits and smear campaigns, and respect the role of civil society organisations.
  3. Urges Cambodia to amend the Trade Union Law, the Law on Associations and Non-Governmental Organisations (LANGO) and other legislation to align with international human rights and labour standards.
  4. Calls on EU companies sourcing from Cambodia to conduct thorough human rights due diligence in their supply chains and leverage their influence to promote workers' rights.
  5. Calls on the Commission and Member States to assess changes to tariff preferences under the Everything but Arms scheme based on Cambodia's non-cooperation on human rights.
  6. Urges the EU and Member States to explore adoption of multilateral instruments on business and human rights.
  7. Calls for the EU and international community to take immediate action, including targeted sanctions against those responsible for political repression, until all political prisoners are released.
  8. Calls on Member States and the EEAS to increase all forms of support, including financial, for Cambodian civil society and provide protection for human rights defenders and persecuted opposition members.

Who is affected

  • Cambodian authorities and government-aligned organisations, who are urged to release prisoners and amend laws.
  • Civil society organisations in Cambodia, including CENTRAL, Equitable Cambodia and Mother Nature Cambodia, who face repression and are to be protected.
  • EU companies sourcing from Cambodia, who must conduct human rights due diligence.
  • The Commission and Member States, who must assess tariff preferences and provide support.

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Full text

Text 15 paragraphs

European Parliament resolution of 28 November 2024 on the shrinking space for civil society in Cambodia, in particular the case of the labour rights organisation CENTRAL (2024/2952(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–having regard to its previous resolutions on Cambodia,

–having regard to Rule 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.whereas Cambodia’s civic space has been shrinking since 2017, with the Cambodian authorities and organisations aligned with the government targeting trade unions, the political opposition, human rights defenders, journalists, labour rights organisations and environmental defenders, including the Center for Alliance of Labour and Human Rights (CENTRAL), Equitable Cambodia and Mother Nature Cambodia;

B.whereas the CENTRAL published an evaluation of the ILO’s Better Factories Cambodia programme that highlighted widespread violations of freedom of association, non-compliance with international labour standards and the government’s efforts to silence independent voices; whereas following this report CENTRAL and its programme manager, Khun Tharo, have faced baseless legal threats and harassment;

1.Condemns the shrinking of the civic space in Cambodia; calls for the immediate release of all political prisoners, activists, journalists – including award-winning journalist Mech Dara –, human rights defenders and other civil society actors held on politically motivated charges; calls for the immediate cessation of all repression and harassment targeting civil society actors;

2.Calls on the Cambodian authorities to dismiss all politically motivated charges against CENTRAL and its members, to halt politically motivated audits and smear campaigns, and to respect the role of civil society organisations, including Equitable Cambodia and Mother Nature Cambodia, in promoting labour and human rights and defending the environment;

3.Urges the Cambodian authorities to amend the Trade Union Law, the Law on Associations and Non-Governmental Organisations (LANGO) and any other relevant legislation to align it with international human rights and labour standards, ensuring the protection of workers and civil society;

4.Calls on companies operating in the EU that source from Cambodia to conduct thorough human rights due diligence in their supply chains, ensuring responsible sourcing practices and leveraging their influence to promote and defend workers’ rights;

5.Calls on the Commission and the Member States to assess changes to tariff preferences (under the Everything but Arms scheme) based on the Cambodian Government’s non-cooperation on remedying and preventing human rights violations, as well as to send a clear message that improving human rights and safeguarding civil society freedoms are preconditions for economic cooperation, trade and investment;

6.Urges the European Union and its Member States to further explore and engage on the adoption of ambitious and effective multilateral instruments on business and human rights;

7.Calls for the EU and the international community to take immediate and effective action, including targeted sanctions against those responsible for political repression, to exert pressure on the Cambodian Government until all political prisoners are released;

8.Calls for the Member States and the EEAS to increase all forms of support, including financial support, for Cambodian civil society and provide protection for human rights defenders, civil society representatives and persecuted opposition members;

9.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the EU institutions, the Member States, the Cambodian authorities and the secretariat of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.