European Parliament resolution March 11, 2021 on the mass trials against the opposition and civil society in Cambodia
March 11, 2021 — European Union Parliament adopted a long list of human rights abuses by Cambodia ruling one-party state since 2018 that Prime Minister Hun Sen has committed against his rival Sam Rainsy and his top senior officials by sentencing Sam Rainsy to 25 years in prison and 8 others from 20 to 22 years in jail for participating in the “November 9 2019” — an attempt that Rainsy tried to return to Cambodia but was blocked by Hun Sen government from entering the country.
After the European Parliament Resolutions, the National Assembly of Cambodia issued a statement claiming that the mass trial of individuals linked to “November 9, 2019 plot” are within the kingdom’s Constitution and laws. Prime Minister Hun Sen claimed Rainsy’s attempt to return to Cambodia from exile was an attempt to overthrow his government.
“Any attempt to plot an insurrection through the use of defamatory languages, incitement to violence and a call upon the armed forces to overthrow a legitimate government are unlawful and must be denounced,” the statement said.
“We therefore urge the European Parliament to have an objective assessment on the political development in Cambodia and continue to constructively engage with diverse political groups in Cambodia based on the principles of mutual trust, mutual respect, and mutual interest,” the statement added.
Furthermore it claimed as an independent and sovereign state, Cambodia is entitled to pursuing its policy of self-determination in order to protect its national interests, including peace, stability, and prosperity.
Sam Rainsy is the former leader of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) — the Cambodia Supreme Court dissolved the party on November 16, 2017 a move that Charles Santiago, Chairman of ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights, called “the final nail in the coffin for Cambodian democracy”.
European Parliament resolution called on the Cambodia government to immediately release all detainee without delay and take responsibility on international standards for human rights. The resolution noted that “the trials staged by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court violate the procedural and substantive requirements of a fair trial reflected in the Cambodian Criminal Code and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights” and calls for the national political reconciliation through genuine and inclusive dialog process. The E.U. Parliament further notes that this year’s Asia-Europe Meeting Summit is plan to take place in Phnom Penh and the EU should not accept this location unless democracy is restored.
Khmer Post USA publishes the entire resolution in Khmer and English attached to this article. Please read inside this edition for the full European Parliament resolution of 11 March 2021 on the mass trials against the opposition and civil society in Cambodia in English and for Khmer translation, please click here –> EU Parliament Resolution March 11, 2021-Khmer
