PHNOM PENH – Cambodia has dismissed a European Parliament resolution condemning the country's shrinking civil space as "biased" and "misleading." The government urges the EU body to reconsider its stance and conduct a comprehensive and objective evaluation.

On November 28, the European Parliament passed a resolution criticizing Cambodia for suppressing civil liberties and demanding the release of political prisoners, activists, journalists, human rights defenders, and others imprisoned for political reasons.

“The European Parliament 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 organizations, including Equitable Cambodia and Mother Nature Cambodia, in promoting labor and human rights and defending the environment,” stated the resolution.

Cambodia’s National Assembly immediately criticized the European Parliament's resolution, stating that it is misleading and biased and impacts Cambodia's efforts to promote human rights and democratic principles.

The National Assembly spokesperson stated in a letter issued on November 30 that the demands for the rapid release of journalists, activists, and political prisoners are misplaced.

“In Cambodia, there have been no political prisoners in jail,” it said. “The assertion that authorities are employing criminalization as a tactic to silence civil society is unfounded.

“Legal actions are taken in accordance with established laws and procedures, aimed at preserving public order and accountability. The rule of law is the foundation of democracy.”

The European Parliament calls for Cambodian authorities to amend the Trade Union Law, the Law on Associations and Non-Governmental Organisations (LANGO), and other relevant legislation to align with international human rights and labor standards.

With more than 6,000 officially recognized civil society organizations and around 2,000 uncensored traditional and digital media outlets, Cambodia exhibits a free and open civic and political environment, stated the National Assembly letter.

“Cambodia makes significant efforts and progress in addressing the challenges facing the CSOs and fostering effective and genuine Government-CSO partnership through, inter alia, the regular bi-annual Government-CSO consultative forum at both national and sub-national level, and the working group to amend the Law on Association and NGOs at the CSOs' request,” it said. 

The European Parliament, citing CENTRAL's evaluation of the ILO's Better Factories Cambodia program – which triggered an investigation against CENTRAL – alleges violations of freedom of association, non-compliance with labor standards, and government suppression of independent voices.

The resolution states, “The parliament 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.”

Cambodia claimed that it was the first nation to adopt one of the most effective ILO projects, which has since been copied by other nations under the Better Work Program name. 

Among nations with comparable rates of economic growth, Cambodia has the lowest unemployment rate, and it is lower than other nations in the region, the National Assembly cited the most recent ILO report.

“Cambodia values the close relations and fruitful partnership with the European Union based on shared values, mutual understanding and mutual respect,” the National Assembly spokesperson said in the letter.

“Therefore, we would like to invite the concerned members of the European Parliament to visit Cambodia and engage with all related stakeholders on democratic space and labor rights in Cambodia.”

The European Parliament urges EU companies sourcing from Cambodia to conduct thorough human rights due diligence. It also calls on the European Commission and Member States to evaluate tariff changes under the Everything but Arms scheme, with a focus on improving human rights and safeguarding civil society freedoms.

The National Assembly of Cambodia, in the letter, underscores the importance of human rights in democratic governance and reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding individual rights within the rule of law.

The spokesperson stated, "The National Assembly strongly encourages the Members of the European Parliament who proposed this motion for resolution to reconsider their perspectives and undertake an objective and balanced assessment."