Cambodia’s National Assembly blasts EU resolution on garment preferences

Khmer Circle: 

The long-suffering people of Cambodia are being held in ransom here and, have been so for over four decades. Subsidise us or else! Apart from the vast majority of Cambodians who are being denied of civil, political and constitutional rights and protections, the regime has been selectively criminalising and physically or mentally torturing the brave few who cannot stand indifferent in the face of its treason and callous abuses of these liberties, causing untold harm and pain to them and their loved ones even as we speak.  

There must be a better way forward than the 'business as usual' approach witnessed up to now from the rest of the civilised community in dealing with this despicable regime. 

^^^

Trade concessions from the European Union prop up Cambodia’s key garment export industry.

By RFA Khmer

2024.12.02

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola attends a press conference at the EU summit in Brussels, Oct. 17, 2024. (Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP)

 

“The assertion that authorities are employing criminalization as a tactic to silence civil society is unfounded,” the statement said. “Legal actions are taken in accordance with established laws and procedures, aimed at preserving public order and democracy

The National Assembly has criticized the European Union’s parliament over a resolution urging member nations to consider changes to tariff preferences for Cambodia and targeted sanctions against Cambodians responsible for political repression in the country.

Lucrative trade concessions under the EU’s “Everything But Arms,” or EBA, scheme prop up Cambodia’s dominant garment export industry by allowing access to the European market without tariffs.

The EU withdrew about 20% of the EBA scheme in 2020 – equivalent to about US$1.1 billion of Cambodia’s Europe-bound exports – and in March 2023, the regional bloc threatened to further raise tariffs if Cambodia didn’t improve its human rights record.

The EU Parliament’s Nov. 28 resolution condemned “the shrinking of the civic space in Cambodia” and called 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.”

It urged Cambodian authorities to amend the country’s Trade Union Law and its law overseeing non-governmental organizations so that it aligns with international human rights and labor standards, and ensures the protection of workers and civil society.

 

The resolution also called on companies operating in the EU that source from Cambodia “to conduct thorough human rights due diligence in their supply chains” and recommended that member states look into changes to the EBA scheme “based on the Cambodian Government’s non-cooperation on remedying and preventing human rights violations.”

That would “send a clear message that improving human rights and safeguarding civil society freedoms are preconditions for economic cooperation, trade and investment,” it said.

Assembly’s response

A statement from the assembly, which is dominated by the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, called the Nov. 28 resolution “misleading and biased,” and criticized it as being based on false claims and one-sided reports.

“The assertion that authorities are employing criminalization as a tactic to silence civil society is unfounded,” the statement said. “Legal actions are taken in accordance with established laws and procedures, aimed at preserving public order and democracy.”

Cambodia has a large presence of more than 6,000 civil society organizations as well as more than 6,000 trade unions and employers’ associations, the statement said. Concerned EU Parliament members are invited to visit Cambodia “to engage with all related stakeholders on democratic space and labor rights.”

Cambodia’s garment industry depends on the EU trade preferences, said Moeun Tola, executive director of Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights, or CENTRAL, which was mentioned in the EU resolution.

“I recommend that Cambodia consider this matter by restoring civic and democratic space, in particular the essential role of civil society which has no intention to seek power from the state except to assist citizens to understand their rights,” he said.

Kem Sophen, a representative for workers at the Zhen Tai Garment Cambodia factory, told Radio Free Asia that he’s worried that investment and the number of jobs will decline if the EU moves to further withdraw the EBA.

“I insist that relevant institutions, especially the top leaders of the government and the labor minister, take this issue seriously,” he said.

Translated by Sovannarith Keo. Edited by Matt Reed.