The European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Thursday, has been organizing a debate to discuss the issue concerning Mr. Kem Sokha, a well-known opposition leader in Cambodia. In her speech, Federica Mogherini, High Representative/Vice-President at the European Parliament, mentioned about a possibility to suspend the development cooperation with Cambodia if the current political situation in the country would not be changed.
"[...] any consideration regarding the possible suspension of cooperation would have to be carefully evaluated in terms of its impact, especially on the poor and vulnerable population, on people' livelihoods and on better access of children to schools that are the first priority we have in helping the Cambodian people," said Ms. Mogherini.
According to Ms. Mogherini, the EU is today biggest export market for Cambodia; and the access to European markets under the "Everything But Arms" scheme is an important driver for Cambodian economic growth. As a result, if the cooperation with the EU is suspended, the Kingdom of Cambodia would lose all these unique opportunities.
Regarding the current political situation in Cambodia, Ms. Mogherini said that the EU is looking to the Cambodian authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure that all political parties, civil society, and media can function normally without fear «as it should be the case in any functioning democracy.»
Besides the EU, the US also has been calling for Mr. Kem Sokha's immediate release, for a normal functioning of media and civil society and for a dialogue between the government, opposition, and civil society.
"We join the European Union in calling for Mr. Kem Sokha’s immediate release. The normal functioning of Cambodia’s media market should be restored. Pressure on civil society should cease. And, perhaps most importantly, the government, opposition, and civil society should begin a dialogue about the future of Cambodia’s democracy in an open, respectful, and pressure-free environment," said Ambassador Heidt in his opening statement in a press conference on Tuesday at the US Embassy in Phnom Penh.
Mr. Sokha was arrested on September 3 early morning around midnight at his house in Phnom Penh following an alleged video clip posted on the Internet for which Prime Minister Hun Sen has accused Mr. Sokha for high treason.
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