Source: Reuters
By Prak Chan Thul
PHNOM PENH, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Cambodian rights groups urged the European Union on Friday to investigate what they said were human rights violations by local firms exporting sugar to European countries under a free trade scheme.
"We are calling on the EU to investigate the gross human rights abuses that have been perpetrated in connection with the production of sugar that is being exported to Europe free of tariffs under the Everything but Arms agreement," David Pred, executive director of land rights group Bridges Across Borders Cambodia, told Reuters.
The "Everything But Arms" initiative lets developing countries export certain products tariff-free to the EU.
Pred said the initiative had not benefited poor Cambodian farmers, who had been forced off their land by the authorities and companies wanting to develop sugar production.
"We are simply asking the EU to implement its regulations, which require the European Commission to take precautionary measures to bring Cambodia into compliance with its international obligations," he said.
"If those measures are not successful, the preferential treatment of Cambodian sugar should be suspended in accordance with EC rules," Pred said.
According to local rights group Licadho, at least 1,214 families are involved in land disputes with a sugar plantation operator and senator, Ly Yong Phat, in three provinces. Ly Yong Phat declined to discuss the allegation when contacted on Friday.
Rafael Dochao Moreno, charge d' affaires of the EU delegation to Cambodia, said it was unjustified to blame the EBA initiative for violations of human rights or land rights.
"EBA is a trade preferential scheme that supports the economic and social development of Cambodia," Moreno said.
"We believe that questions related to forced evictions need to be dealt with by the Cambodian government and we encourage an open and inclusive process to address those concerns," he added.
In a bid to attract foreign investment, Cambodia has awarded big land concessions to companies, mainly from China, Vietnam and South Korea, to run mines, power plants and lately sugar plantations.
At the start of 2010, Cambodia launched its first sugar factory in 40 years in the southern province of Koh Kong.
The $90.6 million plant is a joint venture between Cambodia's Koh Kong Sugar Industry Company Limited, Thailand's Khon Kaen Sugar Industry Pcl and Taiwan's Vewong Corp.
Cambodia's Mong Reththy Group is planning to build the country's second-biggest sugar factory, worth $100 million. (Editing by Alan Raybould)
PHNOM PENH, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Cambodian rights groups urged the European Union on Friday to investigate what they said were human rights violations by local firms exporting sugar to European countries under a free trade scheme.
"We are calling on the EU to investigate the gross human rights abuses that have been perpetrated in connection with the production of sugar that is being exported to Europe free of tariffs under the Everything but Arms agreement," David Pred, executive director of land rights group Bridges Across Borders Cambodia, told Reuters.
The "Everything But Arms" initiative lets developing countries export certain products tariff-free to the EU.
Pred said the initiative had not benefited poor Cambodian farmers, who had been forced off their land by the authorities and companies wanting to develop sugar production.
"We are simply asking the EU to implement its regulations, which require the European Commission to take precautionary measures to bring Cambodia into compliance with its international obligations," he said.
"If those measures are not successful, the preferential treatment of Cambodian sugar should be suspended in accordance with EC rules," Pred said.
According to local rights group Licadho, at least 1,214 families are involved in land disputes with a sugar plantation operator and senator, Ly Yong Phat, in three provinces. Ly Yong Phat declined to discuss the allegation when contacted on Friday.
Rafael Dochao Moreno, charge d' affaires of the EU delegation to Cambodia, said it was unjustified to blame the EBA initiative for violations of human rights or land rights.
"EBA is a trade preferential scheme that supports the economic and social development of Cambodia," Moreno said.
"We believe that questions related to forced evictions need to be dealt with by the Cambodian government and we encourage an open and inclusive process to address those concerns," he added.
In a bid to attract foreign investment, Cambodia has awarded big land concessions to companies, mainly from China, Vietnam and South Korea, to run mines, power plants and lately sugar plantations.
At the start of 2010, Cambodia launched its first sugar factory in 40 years in the southern province of Koh Kong.
The $90.6 million plant is a joint venture between Cambodia's Koh Kong Sugar Industry Company Limited, Thailand's Khon Kaen Sugar Industry Pcl
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