Cambodian assembly disputes European Parliament resolution
PHNOM PENH: The Cambodian Parliament has hit back at a European Parliament (EP) resolution that condemned the political and human rights situation in Cambodia.
Calling it yet another display of double standards, the Cambodian National Assembly (NA) said in a statement that the resolution was “misleading, biased, politicised, one-sided, and totally disrespectful of a sovereign state”.
It also reminded the EP that Cambodia was an independent nation and was fully within its rights to manage its state affairs to protect its core national interests in line with the national and international laws.
According to a report in the Phnom Penh Post, the EP resolution included a warning that Cambodia could be excluded from its Everything But Arms (EBA) trade scheme, which offers preferential access to European markets.
The NA said according to the United Nations Charter and the 1976 Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, all states have equal sovereignty and right to self-determination.
On May 5, the EP adopted the resolution, titled “Continuous crackdown of political opposition in Cambodia”.
The six-page document raised various alarming claims relating to the political situation in Cambodia.
This includes the prosecution of opposition politicians, trade unionists, human rights defenders, journalists, environmentalists, students and others for expressing their opinions and also under the guise of enforcing Covid-19 measures.
The EP also called on the European Commission vice-president and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to closely monitor the situation in Cambodia, particularly to ensure that the current main opposition Candlelight Party was not dissolved like the former leading opposition party, the Cambodia National Rescue Party.
It further called on the commission to monitor the upcoming local elections.
Should they find evidence of unfair elections, it said a complete suspension of Cambodia’s EBA status and other sanctions should be considered.
The NA retorted that the EP resolution and their previous statements on Cambodia have deliberately ignored the progress in human rights and democratic reforms in the country.
“The EP totally disregards Cambodia’s national law and democratic principles that do not grant special privileges for any individual or political party who has broken Cambodian laws,” NA said.
“Cambodia is fully committed to protecting and promoting human rights and democracy under the Constitution, within the rule of law, and in accordance with the social, historical, and cultural context of the country.
“Cambodia remains steadfast in its (endeavour) to enhance democracy and political pluralism, to ensure a long-lasting peace, security and stability for the country,” the statement said.