Statement on developments relating to restrictions of the political space in Cambodia

On 3 September 2017 the EEAS Spokesperson made a statement on developments relating to restrictions of the political space in Cambodia.

Subsequently, on 16 November 2017, Cambodia’s Supreme Court struck a further blow to democratic rights in the country when it ordered the dissolution of the main political opposition, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP).

'Respect of fundamental human rights is a prerequisite for Cambodia to continue to benefit from the EU's preferential Everything But Arms scheme'.

In a statement the EEAS said 'The decision ... to dissolve the Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) is a significant step away from the path of pluralism and democracy enshrined in Cambodia's constitution and supported over more than two decades by Cambodia's international partners including the European Union'.

• Primary Source

Chatham House: Expert Comment, 23.11.17: After Crackdown, Where Does Cambodia Go From Here? https://www.chathamhouse.org/expert/comment/after-crackdown-where-does-cambodia-go-here

EU: EEAS: Cambodia and the EU https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/1006/cambodia-and-eu_en

EU: EEAS: Statement, 16.11.17: Statement by the Spokesperson on the dissolution of Cambodian National Rescue Party https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/35751/statement-spokesperson-dissolution-cambodian-national-rescue-party_en

BBC News, 16.11.17: Cambodia top court dissolves main opposition CNRP party http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-42006828

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