The European Parliament resolution of 14 September 2017 condemning the violence enacted against opposition politicians and human rights activists in Cambodia, including politically motivated charges, arbitrary detention, questioning, sentences and convictions, follows advocacy meetings between FIDH and its member organisation , the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC), and a number of high level EU representatives and key actors in September. These meetings also put forward the ongoing campaign "FreeThe5K" on behalf of the five human rights defenders from ADHOC who spent 427 days in pre-trial detention on trumped-up charges and are still awaiting trial.
The resolution strongly condemns the arrest of CNRP President Kem Sokha on politically motivated charges, calls for his immediate and unconditional release and for all charges to be dropped as detailed in FIDH’s press release calling to end repression of political opposition, independent media and civil society amid an increasing crackdown spiralling steadily into authoritarianism. The resolution further reminds the Cambodian Government of its need to fulfil obligations and commitments to democratic principles and fundamental human rights, an essential part of the EU-Cambodia Cooperation Agreement.