Verklaring van Hoge EU-vertegenwoordiger Ashton over veroordeling voorvechters mensenrechten in Cambodja (en)

EUROPEAN UNION

Brussels, 1 October 2012 A

Statement by the Spokesperson of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the sentencing of Human Rights

defenders in Cambodia

The spokesperson of Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, issued the following statement today:

"The High Representative expresses her serious concern over the sentencing of Mr Mom Sonando, head of the Association of Democrats of Cambodia and director of the Beehive radio and his co-defendants, Mr Phorn Sreoun, Mr Touch Ream and Mr Kann Sovann, by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on 1 October 2012. This conviction raises severe doubts about the impartiality and independence of the Court.

The High Representative calls on the Government of Cambodia to protect the fundamental right of all persons to hold andfreely express their opinions in a peaceful manner, in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Cambodia is a party. Governments have the obligation to protect the freedom of expression and the independence of media. This is especially important in view of the Cambodian elections in 2013."