EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/186

(2004/C 84 E/0226)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0258/04

by Olivier Dupuis (NI) to the Commission

(3 February 2004)

Subject: Cambodia: Assassination of members of the Opposition

On 22 January 2004, Chea Vichea, a Cambodian trade union leader, was assassinated in broad daylight in the centre of Phnom Penh. Chea Vichea, aged 36, was the President of the Cambodian Free Trade Union of Workers, a movement that he had himself founded in 1996 together with the leader of the Opposition, Sam Rainsy. With more than 38 000 members, it is by far the most active and most significant trade union. In July 2003, Chea Vichea had received a death threat over his mobile telephone — a text message threatening him with death. The police had succeeded in identifying the person who had sent the message. However, since the person involved was very powerful, the police had told Chea Vichea that it could not protect him and advised him to leave the country. Chea Vichea had also protested about this episode to the UN Human Rights Bureau. The US State Department immediately issued a strong denunciation of the assassination, the latest in a long series of politically-motivated murders and attempted murders which, over recent months and weeks, have targeted activists in the Sam Rainsy Party, the Opposition party which, together with Funcinpec, constitutes the Alliance of Democrats. For example, Mr Lay Kong was murdered on 10 January 2004. On 15 January, Mr Chhin La and Mr Keo Chan suffered the same fate. On 16 January, Mr Chhoeum Chhoeung miraculously escaped assassination by taking refuge in the regional headquarters of the SRP. A large number of political analysts blame the Prime Minister, Hun Sen, and his cohorts for this atmosphere of tension and terror which has been created so as to ensure that the Opposition bows to the wishes of the Prime Minister with regard to the formation of the new government.

Has the Commission issued an official response to the murders of eminent politicians and political activists over the last few weeks in Cambodia? What measures has it taken, or will it take, so as to make it crystal clear to the Prime Minister, Hun Sen, that these methods are totally unacceptable? Does not the Commission feel that a situation of this nature demands a strong and consistent approach from the international community? In that connection, does not the Commission feel that it might usefully propose to the Council that it launch a joint initiative with the United States, Japan and Australia so that it may play a leading role in the devising of a political solution to the serious crisis that is currently affecting Cambodia?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(4 March 2004)

The Commission fully shares the concerns expressed by the Honourable Member regarding the recent acts of violence and the climate of intimidation and impunity that still prevails in Cambodia.

The Commission sincerely hopes that the Cambodian authorities will take all the necessary steps, in accordance with due process of law, to tackle the recent acts of violence. It also supports calls on all political parties in Cambodia to continue to pursue negotiations, in a constructive and peaceful manner, which would lead to the swift formation of a new government.

The Commission and Member States in Phnom Penh will continue to follow the situation in Cambodia closely and remain ready to consider any further actions which could lead to a solution of the political impasse.