Source: European Parliament
The EU is continuously engaging with the Cambodian authorities and relevant stakeholders on the ground as well as in all available international fora.
On 21 November 2023, the Commission published a Report on EU Enhanced Engagement with Cambodia[1], which contains a public assessment of the developments in Cambodia in the areas of concern.
A detailed discussion took place at the 12th EU-Cambodia Joint Committee and its Subcommittees held in Brussels on 22-25 April 2024. A substantial discussion covered inter alia civil and political, labour and women’s rights.
Regarding the Everything But Arms trade scheme, the EU’s current focus is on implementation of the decision taken in 2020 to partially withdraw preferences[2].
The EU will also continue to support human rights and democracy in Cambodia through its cooperation instruments. The EU Delegation and Member States continue to engage with diverse civil society actors and monitor court hearings of human rights defenders, politicians and activists.
In 2024, the EU managed eleven grants addressing a broad range of human rights issues including inter alia freedom of expression, labour rights and in support of networks of civil society organisations, and support to human rights defenders.