How will Hun Sen respond to the European Parliament and the United Nations’ recommendations?

On October 26, 2010, seventeen opposition National Assembly members including Sam Rainsy wrote to Prime Minister Hun Sen asking the Government to elaborate on its position and action plan following last week’s Resolution from the European Parliament strongly condemning human rights violations in Cambodia and calling for corrective measures.

In their letter the 17 Parliamentarians reminded Hun Sen of the following points:

• In its “Resolution on Cambodia, in particular the case of Sam Rainsy,” the European Parliament specifically calls on the Cambodian government to “engage in political and institutional reforms to build a democratic state governed by the rule of law and founded on respect for fundamental freedoms.”
  
  
• The European Parliament also calls on the Cambodian government to “draw up an action programme and timetable for implementing the recommendations made in the June 17, 2010 report by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia”. This UN report notably “deplores external interference in the work of the judiciary.”
  
  
• All the political groups representing the 736 Members of the European Parliament representing 27 countries in all over Europe unanimously adopted the above-mentioned October 21, 2010 “Resolution on Cambodia, in particular the case of Sam Rainsy.”

• The original text of the European Parliament document, "Resolution on Cambodia, in particular the case of Cambodia,” released last October 21, 2010 can be obtained here


The Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly Bureau and the Working Group on Rules gathered in Antigua, Guatemala from  26 to 27 February 2009. ALDE MEP Josu Ortuondo Larrea took part in the meetings, which were opened by the Guatemalan President Álvaro Colom. Colom highlighted the important work of EuroLat as a crucial mechanism of parliamentary diplomacy between Europe and Latin America in advancing integration and the common search for solutions to the shared needs of the two regions, among them the protection of the environment and hydro resources and social cohesion.  

Manifesto for a Liberal-Democratic Network in the EUROLAT Parliamentary Assembly

Preamble

The Latin American Democrat and Liberal Parliamentarians and the Members of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe in the European Parliament - Members of the EUROLAT Parliamentary Assembly - have launched a formal network within the EUROLAT Parliamentary Assembly to strengthen the liberal-democratic values within the Assembly and beyond.

This network is extended to Democrat and Liberal Members of Parlatino (Latin American Parliament), Parlandino (Andean Parliament), Parlacen (Central American Parliament) and Parlasur (Mercosur Parliament) and in general, to Democrat and Liberal Members of national Parliaments from Latin American countries not represented within the EUROLAT parliamentary Assembly or in the above mentioned Latin American integration Parliaments.

The Members of Parliament adhere to the present manifesto in their own name.

This cooperation aims at reiterating the commitment to further promote and strengthen the bi-regional strategic partnership to a mutually beneficial relationship promoting economic and social progress in a spirit of mutual respect, equality and solidarity, building on the special historical and cultural links to maximise the potential for joint action.

Basic Principles

Each member of the network is committed to the following basic principles:

- Democracy is a universal value based on the freely expressed will of the people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural future. We believe that all countries have the capacity to determine their own potential;

- Freedom, Responsibility, Ownership and Solidarity are the keywords of a new vision on international relations;

- Above all, we are commitment to the Liberal and Democrat fundamental principles and values of Democracy, the Rule of Law, the respect, promotion and protection of Human Rights, Gender Equality, the rights and Fundamental Freedoms of persons belonging to minorities at all levels, free market economy, poverty eradication, social and economic development and respect for international law;

- We hold that racism is incompatible with democracy and we will spare no effort to fight racism, all forms of discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance;

- We will intensify our efforts to define common liberal democrat positions and joint actions;

Objectives of the network

- To ensure better Parliamentary oversight of  EU - Latin America relations

- To guarantee that the EUROLAT Parliamentary Assembly will be more involved in future policy revisions of the Bi-regional Strategic Association established in the context of the EU-LAC (European Union-Latin American and Caribbean) Summits.

- To widen the field of political dialogue in the EUROLAT Parliamentary Assembly;

- To make progress towards the final goal of establishing, common rules for the EU and LA as a whole so as to guarantee free movement of goods, services and capital, inter alia, creating the widest possible free trade area, without losing sight of the objectives of social cohesion;

- To promote compliance with international law and reinforce an international rules-based order;

- To prepare a joint strategy and a common position upon sensitive issues within the liberal-democratic family and to reinforce collaboration between Members of Parliament.

Method of cooperation

The members agree that in order to achieve better co-operation, they must:

- Create communication networks, i.e. by means of newsletters, mailings, web pages, information on common events and activities;

- Hold preparatory meetings prior to each meeting of the three standing committees and of the Eurolat PA session in order to prepare common positions.

- Promote and strengthen contact with Liberal Democrat Ministers and European Commissioners;

- Organise meetings, seminars and conferences on subjects of common interest, preferably on a regional basis;

Entry into force

Initially, members will subscribe on an individual basis and the network will remain open to anyone sharing the same values.

We, the undersigned, agree with the basic believes and principles as stated in the Manifesto.

NAME                                                  COUNTRY                                           SIGNATURE

ALDELAT

After the establishment in 2005 of ALDEPAC, within the framework of the ACP, the ALDE group moved to a similar network with an other region within the remit of the multilateral framework that exists between the EP and Latin America, (EuroLat).

ALDELAT is aiming above all to be an alliance of Parliamentarians from Latin America, on the one hand, and Members of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament, on the other hand, aiming to strengthen political cooperation, as well as to promote liberal democrat values. The network  pursues the innovative approach of the ALDEPAC methodology, distinct from existing partisan initiatives, to link also individual parliamentarians who subscribe to its goals and principles (The ALDELAT Manifesto);

This "ALDELAT Manifesto" will be the charter of the network. A Manifesto emphasising on liberal democrat core values, such as freedom, responsibility, ownership and solidarity while underscoring a vision on international cooperation. The Manifesto recognizes good governance, respect for human rights, principles of democracy and the rule of law as essential and universal values.

A starting point presents itself at a Conference organised by Liberal International/FNS in Cadiz from 19 to 21 March in the scope of the commemoration of 200 years of the Cadiz Constitution[1]. This seminar on the EU-Latin American relations will be held with many Latin American liberal representatives and LI is working with RELIAL and the FNS on a draft of 10 Liberal Key Points for the EU policy on Latin America. 

The parallel step would be the creation of an ALDE caucus within the framework of the EuroLat Parliamentary Assembly, even if not many liberal and democrat parliamentarians are member. ALDELAT could organise "caucuses" in the framework of EuroLat meetings whenever possible, in order to contribute to the political decision making, but moreover and mainly organise every year, a major seminar bringing together leading politicians from Latin America and Europe and eminent speakers. 

If endorsed the ALDE Group should sent a delegation of some Members a.o. the EuroLat Vice-President Mr Vattimo, the ALDE EuroLat Coordinator Renate Weber and Ms Bilbao EuroLat full member and Andean Delegation Vice President to implement the first step of this initiative.

 [1] The Constitution of Cadiz, 1812

Bourbon administrative centralism resulted in the explicit formulation of a liberal ideology that was to be a dynamic factor in Spanish history.

In his opening speech, ALDEPAC Co-President Johan Van Hecke warmly welcomed the Speakers, Deputy Speakers and Members of Parliament from Botswana, Gambia, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Burundi, RDC, Congo (Brazzaville), Djibouti, Mauritania, Rwanda, Senegal, Togo and of course Uganda; and his European colleagues from France, Slovenia, Finland, Spain and Italy. Highlighting the theme of the conference, he pointed at the daily international media feed on bad news from Africa. Radio, TV and websites feature atrocious stories and horrifying images of the tragedy in Darfur, the chaos in Somalia, the recurrent conflict in eastern Congo, etc. These stories of conflict, corruption and state brutality dominate the headlines on Africa but do not represent the whole story of Africa today. Consequently ALDEPAC puts prominence on ‘Good News from Africa’. For, despite these crises, Africa is moving slowly but surely towards durable peace, greater democracy and sustainable development. For the last 20 years, the number of democracies in Sub-Saharan Africa has doubled. Legislative and presidential elections have become the norm rather than the exception. Transparency and accountability has improved through the strengthening of parliaments. Deadly wars such as Angola, Mozambique, Burundi, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Southern Sudan have ended.

ALDEPAC ou le réseau Démocrate et Libéral des ACP a été créée afin de lancer un réseau formel pour renforcer les valeurs démocratiques libérales et  promouvoir le dialogue et les partenariats entre les membres du réseau libéral-démocrate européens et africains.

L'Unité Networking a organisé des réunions et déjeuners du caucus au cours des séances plénières de l'ACP et des réunions des Commissions à Bruxelles.  De plus, deux séminaires ont eu lieu ces trois dernières années à Bruxelles:

• Le Sommet UE-Afrique: "The Real Challenges", 13 septembre 2007, Parlement européen, Bruxelles;
• La Réunion annuelle 2008 ALDE /CALD, avec la participation de l'ALDEPAC, 15-17 avril 2008, Parlement européen, Bruxelles;
• Conférence LI/ALDE sur : L'avenir de la démocratie au Zimbabwe - L'assistance européenne sous leadership africain,  
• Trois Conférences ont été organisées en Afrique

• La première Conférence eut lieu les 29-31 octobre à Kigali, Rwanda. La conférence intitulée "Justice et Réconciliation" fut ouverte par le Président Kagame, et accueillit 25 représentants des pays ACP - Benin, Burundi, Botswana, Cameroun, Congo, Djibouti, Erythrée, Ethiopie, Ghana, Haïti, Kenya, Mauritanie, Niger, Nigeria, RDC, Rwanda, Sénégal, Sierra Leone, South Afrique, Soudan, Tanzanie, Tchad, Togo, Uganda et Zambie - avec des Membres du Parlement Européen du groupe ADLE.

• Une deuxième réunion ALDEPAC eut lieu à Dakar, Sénégal du 1er au 3 avril 2007.  Les Chefs d'Etat et de Gouvernement de différents Etats d'Afrique ont rencontré des Membres du Parlement européen du groupe ADLE et le Commissaire européen Louis Michel. Le thème était "Libéralisme et Gouvernance: L'Etat Social et Liberal". Les participants provenaient de 27 pays d'Afrique, du Pacifique et des Caraïbes et incluaient des Membres du Parlement européen du groupe ADLE.

• En 2008, une conférence d'ALDEPAC eut lieu à Lomé, Togo du 26 au 27 juin en présence de Graham Watson, Président de l'ADLE, Annemie Neyts, Présidente de l'ELDR, Pierre Buyoya, ancien Président du Burundi, des parlementaires du groupe ADLE et des Membres du Parlement de 24 pays ACP. Rassemblés autour du thème “Afrique enchaînée - Une carte routière pour l'Etat Libéral et Démocratique”, les participants à la Conférence ont adopté la Déclaration de Lomé, contenant neuf points d'importance cruciale pour les Etats africains afin de relever les défis auxquels nous sommes tous confrontés dans le contexte actuel d'une société de plus en plus globale et qui change rapidement. 

•  En février 2009, la conférence annuelle de l'ALDEPAC avait lieu à Kampala, Ouganda, en présence du Président de la république Ougandaise Yoweri Museveni, du Président Abdoulaye Wade de Sénégal et de nombreux parlementaires de Parlements africains et de représentants de la société civile.                    Le thème de la conférence était : BONNES NOUVELLES DE L'AFRIQUE , Une meilleure image de l'Afrique promue par les Parlements - incluant des sujets tels que: la bonne gouvernance, la création d'un environnement favorable à l'investissement, l'investissement dans l'éducation en tant que clé de développement et le rôle croissant des femmes dans les sociétés africaines. Nous trouvons au cœur de cette conférence la conviction qu'une nouvelle perspective de l'Afrique est nécessaire et que le temps est venu d'un nouvel optimisme concernant le continent africain. La conférence était à l'avant-garde de ce nouveau changement de politique.

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