Phnom Penh, June 3,
2019: We, the undersigned Non-Governmental Organizations,
Associations, Trade Unions, Members of the Cambodian Civil Society and citizens
are deeply concerned about the current political and economic situation in
Cambodia after respect for human rights and democratic principles has declined
following the 2018 general elections in which a group of politicians that has
the support of almost half of population of Cambodia in the 2013 general
election and the 2017 commune election] was dissolved and banned from engaging
in political activities and participating in the 2018 general election, as well
as the closure of independent media outlets and the baseless accusation of the
civil society of having a colour revolution inclination. If this situation
continues, Cambodia could well face economic sanctions, insecurity and instability
as in the past.
According to the Paris Peace Accords
of October 23, 1991 and Cambodia’s 1993 Constitution, the Kingdom of Cambodia
must adhere to the principles of liberal democracy, pluralism, and respect for
human rights. The decline of the human rights situation, the recent
intimidation of human rights and political activists have shown that the
situation is getting worse as testified by repeated and insistent calls by the UN
Special Rapporteur for Human Rights, the European Union and several signatories
to the Paris Peace Accords on the Government of Cambodia to restore the human
rights situation and democracy so as to avoid the loss of the current
preferential tariff preferential treatment.
We
recall and wholly support the spirit of the Paris Peace Accords which stipulate
that the country's development must be linked to respect for human rights and
democracy in order to prevent the repeat of the country’s bitter history.
Implementing democratic principles should ensure equal participation of all
citizens and political parties without discrimination in the process of free and
fair elections. Free and fair elections are the only mechanism to ensure that
only the sovereign Cambodian people will decide on the future destiny of the
nation, and to avoid the use of violence in any competition for power.
Cambodia's history has shown that the lack of mechanisms of free
and fair elections brought harrowing suffering, family separations and deaths to
the Cambodian people during the Cold War. It is this bitter experience that
actually gave birth to these Paris Peace Accords. The governance and
development of the country without regard to human rights and genuine democracy
can lead Cambodia to descend into the same tragedy as in the past.
Therefore,
we call upon all leaders, civil servants, stakeholders, and Cambodian citizens
of all political tendencies, who are masters of the nation’s destiny, to join
forces to protect and uplift the spirit of the Paris Peace Accords and the
Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Furthermore, the Cambodian government
should negotiate with the European Union and the international community to
address the political and democratic issues in Cambodia so as, for the benefit
of all Cambodians, to avoid losing the EBA and GSP preferential tariff
treatment.
Endorsed by:
1. Dr.
Meas Nee, Independent Commentator
2. Dr.
Loa Monghay, Independent Commentator
3. Mr.
Sok Sam Oeun, Acting President of Executive Committee Members of (COMFREL)
4. The
Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC)
5. Centre of Alliance for Labor and Human
Rights (CENTRAL)
6.
Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia (COMFREL)
7. The
People Center for Development and Peace (PDP-CENTER)
8. Youth
Resource Development Program Cambodia (YRDP)
9.
Coalition of Cambodian Farmers Community Association (CCFC)
10. The
Cambodian Human Rights Action Coalition (CHRAC)
11.
Cambodia Alliance of Trade Union (CATU)
12.
Independent Democratic of Informal Economy Association (IDEA)
13.
Cambodia Domestic Workers Network (CDWN)
14. The
Cambodian Food and Service Workers Federation (CFSWF)
15. Cambodia's
Independent Civil Servant Association (CICA)
16.
Ponlok Khmer (PKH)
17. Minority Rights Organization (MIRO)
18. Cambodian Youth Network (CYN)
19.
Youth Coalition for Unity and Development (YCUD)
20. Coalition for Integrity and Social
Accountability (CISA)
21. Community Development for Peace and
Sustainability (CDPS)
22. Neutral and Impartial Committee for Free
and Fair Elections in Cambodia (NICFEC)
23.
Building and Wood Workers Trade Union Federation of Cambodia (BWTUC)
24.
Cambodia Tourism Workers Union Federation (CTUWF)
25.
Union Alliance of Labor (UCL)
26.
Cambodian Grassroots Cross-sector Network (CGCN)
27. Kemley Foundation (KLF)
28.
Labor Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employee of Nagaworld (L.R.S.U)
29. Dei Tali Chek Meas Community of Svaychrum
District Svay Rieng Province
30. Samaki C.E.5 Community of Sihanouk Province
31. Prek Tabek, Tamor Thom, Andoung Tek Community
of Preynob District Sihanouk Province
32. Dei Tali O Damrei Community of Steunghav
District Sihanouk Province
33. Samaki Romeas Hek Community of Svay Rieng
Province
34. Kasikor Tomloung Srok Memot Community of
Tboung Khmom Province
35. O’da Kampuchea Srok Prey noup Community of
Sihanouk Province
36. Community-Based Human Rights and Land Development in
Kandal Steung District, Kandal Province
37. Kasikor Samroung Meanchey Community in Svay
Chroum District of Svay Rieng Province
38. Kasikor Sré Brang Community in Dambé
District of Tboung Khmom Province
39. Dei Tali Kbalhong Tik Community in Pry Noup
district of Sihanouk Province
40. Dei Tali O-Kasach Community in Steung Hav
District of Sihanouk Province
41. Prek Treng in Strung Hav Community district
of Sihanouk Province.
42. O’ Trachak Chet Community in Prey Noup
district of Sihanouk Province
43. Dei Tali Bat Ka Tas Community in Prey Noup
district of Sihanouk Province
44. Andoung Tamor Community in Prey Noup
district of Sihanouk Province
45. Dei Tali Spean Ches Community in Sihanouk
district of Sihanouk Province
46. Dei Tali Omlang Community in Tapong
district of Kampong Speu Province
47. Dei Tali Traping Chour Community in Oral
district of Kampong Speu Province
48. Dei Tali Rasmey Samaki Community in Oral
District of Kampong Speu Province
49.
Kror
Vean Land Community, Memot Dostrict, Tboung Kkmum Province
50.
Chong
Khum 1 Commune, Memot District, Tboungkhum Province
51.
Samaky
Andong Trabek Land Cummunity, Remeasheak, Svay Reing Province
52.
Meanchey
Community, Romdoul Commune, Svay Reing Province
53. Kampong
Umpel Land and Forest Conservation Community, Romdoul Commune, Svay Reing
Province
54.
Thamor
Thom Community, Andoung Tek Prek Trabek, Preynop, Sihanouckville
55.
Kampong
Umpel, Kaychreach Communue, Prey Veng Province
56.
Sang
Kveng farmer Community, Kamchaymea, Prey Veng Province
57. Prosre Community, Bhaphnom, Prey Veng
58.
Ang
Svay Farmer Cummunity, Chouk Commune, Kampot Province
59.
Kok
Tharea Community, Samrong Commune, Takeo Province
60.
Veay
Chhanas Community, Sarong Commune, Takeo Province
61. Cambodia Human Rights Task Forces
(CHRTF)
62.
Cambodian
Migrant Alliance (CMA)
63.
Farmers
Association for Livelihood of Development (FALD)
64.
Trapeng
Threa Farmer Community, Samrong Commune, Takeo Province
65.
Kandal
Farmer Community, Samrong Commune, Takeo Province
66. Kanleng Kla Farmer Community, Bati
Commune, Takeo Province
67.
Doug
Por Farmer Community, Samrong Commune, Takeo
68.
Trapeng
Krosang Farmer Community, Bati Commune, Takeo Province
69.
Action
Networks for Community, Preah Vihear Province
70.
Prey
Preach Roka Community Networks, Preah Vihear Province
71.
Forest
Community Networks, Preah Vihear Province
72.
Ingenious
Community Networks, Preah Vihear Province
73.
Malour
Prey Network
74. Civil
Society Networks, Preah Vihear Province
75. Asian Network for Free Elections
(ANFREL)
76. National Fisheries Solidarity Movement,
Sri Lanka. National Convener
77. Struggle to Economize Future
Environment (SEFE), Cameroon
78.
The
People Coalition Food for Sovereignty
79.
Asia
Peasant Coalition (Philippine)
80. Youth for Food Sovereignty
81. Peasant Coalition Mekong River
(Thailand)
82. All Nepal Youth Peasants' Federation
83. National Alliance of People's Movements (India)
84.
Farm
Workers Federation of Labor Rights Sector of the People of India
85. People
Solidarity for Equitab of Pakistan
Phnom Penh, June 3,
2019: We, the undersigned Non-Governmental Organizations,
Associations, Trade Unions, Members of the Cambodian Civil Society and citizens
are deeply concerned about the current political and economic situation in
Cambodia after respect for human rights and democratic principles has declined
following the 2018 general elections in which a group of politicians that has
the support of almost half of population of Cambodia in the 2013 general
election and the 2017 commune election] was dissolved and banned from engaging
in political activities and participating in the 2018 general election, as well
as the closure of independent media outlets and the baseless accusation of the
civil society of having a colour revolution inclination. If this situation
continues, Cambodia could well face economic sanctions, insecurity and instability
as in the past.
According to the Paris Peace Accords
of October 23, 1991 and Cambodia’s 1993 Constitution, the Kingdom of Cambodia
must adhere to the principles of liberal democracy, pluralism, and respect for
human rights. The decline of the human rights situation, the recent
intimidation of human rights and political activists have shown that the
situation is getting worse as testified by repeated and insistent calls by the UN
Special Rapporteur for Human Rights, the European Union and several signatories
to the Paris Peace Accords on the Government of Cambodia to restore the human
rights situation and democracy so as to avoid the loss of the current
preferential tariff preferential treatment.
We
recall and wholly support the spirit of the Paris Peace Accords which stipulate
that the country's development must be linked to respect for human rights and
democracy in order to prevent the repeat of the country’s bitter history.
Implementing democratic principles should ensure equal participation of all
citizens and political parties without discrimination in the process of free and
fair elections. Free and fair elections are the only mechanism to ensure that
only the sovereign Cambodian people will decide on the future destiny of the
nation, and to avoid the use of violence in any competition for power.
Cambodia's history has shown that the lack of mechanisms of free
and fair elections brought harrowing suffering, family separations and deaths to
the Cambodian people during the Cold War. It is this bitter experience that
actually gave birth to these Paris Peace Accords. The governance and
development of the country without regard to human rights and genuine democracy
can lead Cambodia to descend into the same tragedy as in the past.
Therefore,
we call upon all leaders, civil servants, stakeholders, and Cambodian citizens
of all political tendencies, who are masters of the nation’s destiny, to join
forces to protect and uplift the spirit of the Paris Peace Accords and the
Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Furthermore, the Cambodian government
should negotiate with the European Union and the international community to
address the political and democratic issues in Cambodia so as, for the benefit
of all Cambodians, to avoid losing the EBA and GSP preferential tariff
treatment.
Endorsed by:
1. Dr.
Meas Nee, Independent Commentator
2. Dr.
Loa Monghay, Independent Commentator
3. Mr.
Sok Sam Oeun, Acting President of Executive Committee Members of (COMFREL)
4. The
Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC)
5. Centre of Alliance for Labor and Human
Rights (CENTRAL)
6.
Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia (COMFREL)
7. The
People Center for Development and Peace (PDP-CENTER)
8. Youth
Resource Development Program Cambodia (YRDP)
9.
Coalition of Cambodian Farmers Community Association (CCFC)
10. The
Cambodian Human Rights Action Coalition (CHRAC)
11.
Cambodia Alliance of Trade Union (CATU)
12.
Independent Democratic of Informal Economy Association (IDEA)
13.
Cambodia Domestic Workers Network (CDWN)
14. The
Cambodian Food and Service Workers Federation (CFSWF)
15. Cambodia's
Independent Civil Servant Association (CICA)
16.
Ponlok Khmer (PKH)
17. Minority Rights Organization (MIRO)
18. Cambodian Youth Network (CYN)
19.
Youth Coalition for Unity and Development (YCUD)
20. Coalition for Integrity and Social
Accountability (CISA)
21. Community Development for Peace and
Sustainability (CDPS)
22. Neutral and Impartial Committee for Free
and Fair Elections in Cambodia (NICFEC)
23.
Building and Wood Workers Trade Union Federation of Cambodia (BWTUC)
24.
Cambodia Tourism Workers Union Federation (CTUWF)
25.
Union Alliance of Labor (UCL)
26.
Cambodian Grassroots Cross-sector Network (CGCN)
27. Kemley Foundation (KLF)
28.
Labor Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employee of Nagaworld (L.R.S.U)
29. Dei Tali Chek Meas Community of Svaychrum
District Svay Rieng Province
30. Samaki C.E.5 Community of Sihanouk Province
31. Prek Tabek, Tamor Thom, Andoung Tek Community
of Preynob District Sihanouk Province
32. Dei Tali O Damrei Community of Steunghav
District Sihanouk Province
33. Samaki Romeas Hek Community of Svay Rieng
Province
34. Kasikor Tomloung Srok Memot Community of
Tboung Khmom Province
35. O’da Kampuchea Srok Prey noup Community of
Sihanouk Province
36. Community-Based Human Rights and Land Development in
Kandal Steung District, Kandal Province
37. Kasikor Samroung Meanchey Community in Svay
Chroum District of Svay Rieng Province
38. Kasikor Sré Brang Community in Dambé
District of Tboung Khmom Province
39. Dei Tali Kbalhong Tik Community in Pry Noup
district of Sihanouk Province
40. Dei Tali O-Kasach Community in Steung Hav
District of Sihanouk Province
41. Prek Treng in Strung Hav Community district
of Sihanouk Province.
42. O’ Trachak Chet Community in Prey Noup
district of Sihanouk Province
43. Dei Tali Bat Ka Tas Community in Prey Noup
district of Sihanouk Province
44. Andoung Tamor Community in Prey Noup
district of Sihanouk Province
45. Dei Tali Spean Ches Community in Sihanouk
district of Sihanouk Province
46. Dei Tali Omlang Community in Tapong
district of Kampong Speu Province
47. Dei Tali Traping Chour Community in Oral
district of Kampong Speu Province
48. Dei Tali Rasmey Samaki Community in Oral
District of Kampong Speu Province
49.
Kror
Vean Land Community, Memot Dostrict, Tboung Kkmum Province
50.
Chong
Khum 1 Commune, Memot District, Tboungkhum Province
51.
Samaky
Andong Trabek Land Cummunity, Remeasheak, Svay Reing Province
52.
Meanchey
Community, Romdoul Commune, Svay Reing Province
53. Kampong
Umpel Land and Forest Conservation Community, Romdoul Commune, Svay Reing
Province
54.
Thamor
Thom Community, Andoung Tek Prek Trabek, Preynop, Sihanouckville
55.
Kampong
Umpel, Kaychreach Communue, Prey Veng Province
56.
Sang
Kveng farmer Community, Kamchaymea, Prey Veng Province
57. Prosre Community, Bhaphnom, Prey Veng
58.
Ang
Svay Farmer Cummunity, Chouk Commune, Kampot Province
59.
Kok
Tharea Community, Samrong Commune, Takeo Province
60.
Veay
Chhanas Community, Sarong Commune, Takeo Province
61. Cambodia Human Rights Task Forces
(CHRTF)
62.
Cambodian
Migrant Alliance (CMA)
63.
Farmers
Association for Livelihood of Development (FALD)
64.
Trapeng
Threa Farmer Community, Samrong Commune, Takeo Province
65.
Kandal
Farmer Community, Samrong Commune, Takeo Province
66. Kanleng Kla Farmer Community, Bati
Commune, Takeo Province
67.
Doug
Por Farmer Community, Samrong Commune, Takeo
68.
Trapeng
Krosang Farmer Community, Bati Commune, Takeo Province
69.
Action
Networks for Community, Preah Vihear Province
70.
Prey
Preach Roka Community Networks, Preah Vihear Province
71.
Forest
Community Networks, Preah Vihear Province
72.
Ingenious
Community Networks, Preah Vihear Province
73.
Malour
Prey Network
74. Civil
Society Networks, Preah Vihear Province
75. Asian Network for Free Elections
(ANFREL)
76. National Fisheries Solidarity Movement,
Sri Lanka. National Convener
77. Struggle to Economize Future
Environment (SEFE), Cameroon
78.
The
People Coalition Food for Sovereignty
79.
Asia
Peasant Coalition (Philippine)
80. Youth for Food Sovereignty
81. Peasant Coalition Mekong River
(Thailand)
82. All Nepal Youth Peasants' Federation
83. National Alliance of People's Movements (India)
84.
Farm
Workers Federation of Labor Rights Sector of the People of India
85. People
Solidarity for Equitab of Pakistan