Congressman Lowenthal Applauds EU Moves To Crack Down On Cambodian Government Human Rights And Democracy Abuses

Statement

Congressman Alan Lowenthal (CA-47) today issued the following statement regarding the European Union decision to revoke Cambodia's favored trading status with the EU. The step is being taken by the EU over human rights and democracy abuses by the government of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

"I want to applaud the European Union for taking a stand against the abuses of Prime Minister Hun Sen's regime on the people of Cambodia. The United States must also examine our own preferred trading relationship with Cambodia--a process my legislation, the Cambodian Trade Act, would begin. Neither the EU, the U.S., or any other nation should be rewarding Hun Sen's bad behavior with economic benefits that only strengthen his regime's hold on Cambodia.

"Hun Sen remains the major obstacle to free and fair elections in Cambodia, epitomized by his regime's continued restriction of guaranteed basic freedoms to the Cambodian people and repeated violations of the Cambodian Constitution."

"This is a first step from the international community to hold Hun Sen accountable for uprooting democracy in Cambodia. I only hope that the U.S. will follow suit."

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