![[Start of Doc]](/icons/up.gif){kind=icon}
![[Previous]](/icons/prevrtxt.gif){kind=icon}
![[Next]](/icons/nextrtxt.gif){kind=icon}
Diplomats thwarted in Belarus
(B4-0728/98)
Thursday 16 July - MEPs voted to call on President Lukashenko and the Belarus Government to
restore immediately the full and unimpeded use of the EU Ambassadors' residences in Minsk. They
also called on the Belarus Government to take the necessary steps in the process of economic and
democratic reform and to ensure adequate respect for human rights.
Human Rights
Election in Togo
(B4-0725/98)
Thursday 16 July - The House voted to express its deep concern at the conduct of the recent
presidential election in Togo and had serious doubts about the credibility of the election results.
They called on the EU not to resume its cooperation with Togo until democratic principles were fully
respected in the country.
Conflict in Guinea-Bissau
(B4-0740/98)
Thursday 16 July - In this resolution MEPs called on the warring factions in Guinea-Bissau to cease
their hostilities immediately and for the reestablishment of constitutional order. They also urged
all parties to allow humanitarian aid to reach its destination and called for the withdrawal of all
foreign troops.
Human rights abuses in Burma
(B4-0731/98)
Thursday 16 July - In this resolution MEPs once again condemned the military dictatorship in Burma
and the atrocities that it committed, including its persecution of the leaders of the democratic
opposition. They called on the Human Rights Commissioner, Mary Robinson, to send permanent
observers to investigate the human rights situation in the areas inhabited by minorities who are being
oppressed.
Call for ceasefire in Sudan
(B4-0724/98)
Thursday 16 July - MEPs called for an immediate ceasefire to the conflict in Sudan and urged all
parties in the conflict to stop their exploitation of famine to promote their political objectives. They
wanted sanctions against the Sudanese government to be maintained and urged the Commission to
provide increased support to the non-governmental organisations delivering humanitarian aid to
Sudan civilian population.
Attack on Georgians in Abkhazia
(B4-0729/98)
Thursday 16 July - In this resolution MEPs strongly condemned the recent violent actions against
the Georgian population of the Gali region of Abkhazia, Georgia. They called for strict adherence
to the 1994 Moscow agreement on a ceasefire, and urged all parties to enter negotiations within the
framework of the UN-led peace process. In an amendment they stressed the importance of the
Council of Europe's Confidence Building Measures Programme in the reconciliation process
between the Georgian and Abkhazian communities. In another amendment they also urged member
states to finance a Council of Europe sponsored radio company which seeks to establish inter-ethnic
dialogue.
Vietnam
(B4-0736/98)
Thursday 16 July - In this resolution the House called on the Vietnamese authorities to quash the
convictions of Doàn Viêt Hoat and other political prisoners. They also urged Hanoi to afford proper
respect for human rights including freedom of opinion, religion, and the press.
Disasters
Earthquakes in Azores
(B4-0727/98)
Thursday 16 July - In this resolution MEPs expressed their regret at the loss of life caused by the
earthquake in the Azores and called on the Commission to help the Portuguese authorities to provide
as much assistance as was necessary.
Earthquake in Turkey
(B4-0764/98)
Thursday 16 July - MEPs voted to express their condolences to the families of those killed in the
earthquake in Adana, Turkey. They called on the Commission to continue with the provision of aid
to help alleviate the situation.
Greek Fires
(B4-0776/98)
Thursday 16 July - By adopting this resolution MEPs expressed their sympathy with the victims of
the large number of recent fires in Greece. They urged the Commission to send emergency aid to
repair the damage and took the view that EU funding for forests and forest fire prevention was still
"strikingly inadequate".
Restitution of property belonging to Holocaust victims
(B4-0763/98)
Thursday 16 July - In voting for this resolution MEPs called on the EU to bring every pressure to
bear on governments, in particular the Swiss government, to ensure that the assets of Holocaust
victims were disclosed by banks and returned to their original owners or those now entitled to them.
Petitioning Parliament
(A4-0250/98 - Fontana)
Thursday 16 July - In adopting this resolution MEPs voted in favour of the resolution of Alessandro
Fontana (I, EPP) which emphasised the right of petition enshrined in the Treaties.
The Annual report of the Ombudsman
(A4-0258/98 - Newman)
Thursday 16 July - MEPs voted in favour of a resolution by Eddie Newman (Greater Manchester
Central, PES) which supports the work of the European Ombudsman and underlined the
importance of explaining his role to the general public and the possibilities for petitioning him. The
resolution also calls on the Ombudsman to work closely with Parliament's Petitions Committee and
to develop an effective computerised data-base in order to improve communication with Europe's
citizens.
Transparency and access to documents
(A4-0265/98 - Thors)
Thursday 16 July - MEPs voted in favour of a resolution by Astrid Thors (Fin, ELDR) welcoming
the own initiative enquiry by the European Ombudsman into public access to EU documents.
