MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the UAE, notably the situation of human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor

2.10.2018 - (2018/2862(RSP))

with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 135 of the Rules of Procedure

Karol Karski, Charles Tannock, Notis Marias, Raffaele Fitto, Bolesław G. Piecha, Ruža Tomašić, Pirkko Ruohonen‑Lerner, Branislav Škripek, Monica Macovei, Urszula Krupa, Valdemar Tomaševski on behalf of the ECR Group

B8‑0458/2018

European Parliament resolution on the UAE, notably the situation of human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor

(2018/2862(RSP))

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the United Arab Emirates;

 

- having regard to the Cooperation Agreement between the European Union, its Member States, and countries of the Cooperation Council for Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) of 1988;

 

- having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948;

 

- having regard to the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders of 1998;

 

- having regard to Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;

 

- having regard to the UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, including Article 15 thereof;

 

- having regard to the Arab Charter on Human Rights of 2004, notably Articles 14 and 32, to which the United Arab Emirates is a party;

 

- having regard to the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam of 1990;

 

- having regard to Rule 135 of its Rules of Procedure;

 

A. Whereas Ahmed Mansoor was arrested on 20 March 2017 and accused of publishing false information and rumours online and inciting hatred and defaming the country;

 

B. Whereas Ahmed Mansoor has been held in solitary confinement and was sentenced to 10 years on 29 May 2018 and fined Dh1 million for charges which include insulting the status and prestige of the United Arab Emirates and its symbols including its leaders, seeking to damage the relationship of the United Arab Emirates with its neighbours by publishing false reports and information on social media, disrupting public order and propagating incitement and hatred;

 

C. Whereas Ahmed Mansoor was cleared of charges for conspiring with a terrorist organisation;

 

D. Whereas Ahmed Mansoor has the right to appeal the judgement issued by the Court of First Instance and is exercising his right by filing for an appeal;

 

E. Whereas Ahmed Mansoor was previously jailed in 2011 for three years on charges which included insulting officials and was sentenced to a three years prison sentence along with four other activists, also known as the UAE Five; whereas Ahmed Mansoor did not serve that sentence as he received a presidential pardon; whereas he was subsequently stripped of his passport and not allowed to leave the country;

 

F. whereas Ahmed Mansoor is a prominent human rights activist and the 2015 Laureate for the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders;

 

G. Whereas a group of UN human rights experts have called on the United Arab Emirates government to release Mansoor describing his arrest as a direct attack on the legitimate work of human rights defenders in the United Arab Emirates;

 

H. whereas the United Arab Emirates is a key ally of the European Union in the Arabian Gulf, including in areas of political and economic relations; whereas the stability of the Arabian Gulf region is of strategic interest to NATO and there is a mutual interest in further deepening the partnership so as to better respond to future security challenges;

 

1. Expresses concern about the 10-year sentence handed down to Ahmed Mansoor and supports his rights to file for an appeal;

 

2. Expresses grave concern about reports that Ahmed Mansoor has been subjected to forms of torture or ill-treatment while in detention and that he is being held in solitary confinement; reminds the United Arab Emirates authorities that prolonged and indefinite solitary confinement can amount to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment under international human rights law;

 

3. Calls for greater freedoms in the United Arab Emirates and urges the authorities to ensure the protection of freedom of speech, thought and expression both online and offline for all its citizens and to comply with all provisions of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, in particular Articles 1, 6(a), and 12.2;

 

4. Encourages continued dialogue between the European Union, its Member States, and the United Arab Emirates, on issues relating to human rights, as well as in other areas in the interests of mutual prosperity and security;

 

5. Supports cooperation and technical assistance, training and best practise sharing between the European Union, its Member States and the United Arab Emirates on human rights related issues;

 

6. Welcomes the United Arab Emirates commitment to advancing values of moderation and constructive role in defying extremism;

 

7. Welcomes the United Arab Emirates participation in the fight against international terrorism, including terror financing and combatting transnational organised crime;

 

8. Respects the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the United Arab Emirates, and further welcomes the ongoing and historic relationship between the European Union, its Member States, the United Arab Emirates;

 

9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the EEAS, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, the parliaments and governments of the Member States, the Cooperation Council for Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), and the Federal Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates.