The European Union gives to Cambodia and Myanmar trade preferences. Since both countries are in breach of human rights, threatens the EU with the withdrawal of these privileges. Experts warn of unintended consequences.
Cambodia and Myanmar have benefited since 2012 from the so-called EBA Status. EBA stands for “everything but arms” (“everything but arms”). Both countries should therefore implement all Goods except arms and ammunition duty-free into the European Union. The Status of the EU countries, whose economy is little developed, granted.
However, the EU granted special status in the case of Cambodia in February 2018 and in the case of Myanmar since the end of 2017 to the test, because the Status is subject to conditions, as from the relevant regulation of the EU from the year 2012: The preferential arrangements can be withdrawn from it temporarily if the country commits serious and systematic breaches of the Convention of the United Nations and the International labour organization (ILO), human rights and workers ‘ rights.
In the case of Myanmar, the EU is criticized, especially the ongoing fighting and grave violations of human rights in the Union States with national minorities, such as Shan and Kachin state, and in particular in Rakhine state, out of the almost 700,000 Rohingya to Bangladesh fled. In the case of Cambodia, an investigation Commission of the EU came to the end of 2018, to conclude that serious and systematic breaches of key human and labor rights are being violated.
Rohingya on the run
Cambodia under intense scrutiny
At the beginning of February 2019, the Commission was in the case of Cambodia, to the next step and launched a “procedure for the time of suspension of the trade preferences a”. The EU Commissioner for trade, Cecilia Malmström, stated in a press release: “today’s action is neither a final decision nor the end of the process. But the clock is ticking and we expect to see significant action.” This means that, for The next six months is to be observed in Cambodia by the EU. In a further three months is then used to create a report that can serve as a decision basis for the temporary suspension of the EBA Status.
The decision on whether Myanmar threatens the same procedure should be like in the next few weeks. In view of the situation in the country, it is highly likely that the procedure will be opened. Of Myanmar, the Commission calls for months, among other things, improved cooperation with the UN assistance in the investigation of crimes against humanity and unrestricted access for humanitarian aid in these countries.
Concern for local economy to grow
The threats and actions of the EU in the two countries since a long time in the headlines. The people are troubled, because the end of the EBA Status would burden the already weak economies hard. Around 40 per cent of total exports of Cambodia went to the official data of the country in 2017 to Europe. Myanmar exports to 2017, just under ten per cent of its Goods to the EU, like the UN-foreign trade Bank, Comtrade. In both cases, textiles make up the bulk of the exports. The end of the EBA Status of the textile industries in both countries under considerable pressure.
2014 escalated protests of textile workers in Phnom Penh
The Ministry of economic Affairs in Cambodia announced as a reaction to the announcement of the EU on 14. February to Meet with the principal export companies, such as the “the Khmer Times” reported. It is to be advise on how you can be met with the threat of the end of the EBA Status. Concrete measures or a timetable, the Ministry announced.
Social and political consequential damages
Many experts see the move by the EU is critical, although they welcome the commitment to human rights and labour protection. The measures would, in all probability, the Wrong meeting. Cambodia-expert Jan Noorlander of the organization’s CARE pointed to the DW back in November, 2018, the termination of the Trade preferences for Cambodia in the first line of the 800,000 workers in the clothing industry were affected, of which 80 per cent were young women. Also Socheat Lam of the Cambodian NGO API is convinced that the measure would meet, first of all, the poor people.
A similar view of the Burma represents niche Journalist and publisher of the weekly newspaper “The Voice,” Zeya Thu: the end of the EBA Status could have serious social consequences. As in Cambodia, the majority of workers in Myanmar’s textile industry are women from the country. Without EBA, many would lose their Job. “Most of them will not go back, but in the Prostitution.”
“A suspension of the EBA would be” so Zeya Thu, a “politically, a serious blow to Myanmar. We have difficulties, with the democratic and economic reforms. For this, we rely on the help of the international community and the EU.” One end of the EBA would be tantamount to a withdrawal of the international community. “I’m afraid, a kind of Domino effect,” said Zey Thu Deutsche Welle. EBA would be the first stone.
Hun Sen reactive Cambodia since 1985. In the elections of 2018, which have been qualified in the absence of Opposition internationally as a “sham elections”, he was re-elected to the office of Prime Minister
Not least of all, critics like Zeya Thu, a fear as a result of a suspension of the EU trade preference for a stronger approach if not dependence on both countries of China, now both countries are dominated economically and politically. The influence of the EU in the Region would continue to decline.
Reactions of the governments
That Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen, the measures taken by the EU do not fear, shows his reaction to the announcement of the EU on Facebook: He’s not going to give up the independence and sovereignty of the country for trade privileges. The signs are therefore rather confrontational. In Myanmar the situation is, according to the assessment of Zeya Thu is still a little different. The government have recognised that they will respond, and in particular the situation in Rakhine state needs to improve. However, so far, happens from the point of view of the EU.
Video 02:07 Share
Rohinga conflict is detrimental to regional economic
Send Facebook Twitter google+ Tumblr VZ Mr. Wong Xing Newsvine Digg
Permalink https://p.dw.com/p/3DrpU
Rohinga conflict is detrimental to regional economic