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

Cristian Dan Preda, Tomáš Zdechovský, David McAllister, José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez‑Neyra, Sandra Kalniete, Jaromír Štětina, Thomas Mann, Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski, Agnieszka Kozłowska‑Rajewicz, Pavel Svoboda, Marijana Petir, Lefteris Christoforou, Csaba Sógor, Željana Zovko, Patricija Šulin, Mairead McGuinness, Adam Szejnfeld, Giovanni La Via, Joachim Zeller, Michaela Šojdrová, Francis Zammit Dimech, Dubravka Šuica, Deirdre Clune, Seán Kelly, Ivana Maletić, Romana Tomc, Inese Vaidere, Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso on behalf of the PPE Group

B8‑0469/2018

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 regards to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948,

 

–having regard to Rule 135 of its Rules of Procedure,

 

 

A.Whereas Ahmed Mansoor has been convicted on five charges violating various articles of UAE law, including its penal code, for actions and behaviour that amount to defamation, the disruption of public order, and the propagation of incitement and hatred;

 

B.Whereas on 29 May 2018, the State Security Chamber of the Federal Court in Abu Dhabi, UAE, sentenced him to ten years imprisonment; he is currently being held at Al Sadr prison.

 

C.Whereas Ahmed Mansoor has appealed his sentence and proceedings are on-going;

 

D.whereas Ahmed Mansoor is member of the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR), a winner of the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders in 2015;

 

E.whereas the EU and the UAE have an active human rights dialogue since 2013 with biannual meetings;

 

F.Whereas the EU considers the UAE as an important and appreciated partner and this partnership is ever more relevant in order to further achieve the goals and objectives of mutual concern and interest;

 

 

1.Pays attention to the situation of Ahmed Mansoor; calls on the UAE authorities to ensure that he is treated in line with the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners;

 

2.Stresses that the case of Ahmed Mansoor is still under the review of the court; notes that Ahmed Mansoor is receiving due legal process and has access to legal representation of his choosing;

 

3.Notes that on 28 August 2018, Mr. Mansoor appealed the judgment issued by the Court of First Instance within the legal timeframe for the submission of such an appeal;

 

4.Notes that Mr. Mansoor is currently being held at Al Sadr prison and he is allowed the right of family visitation, which continues to be exercised and is provided any required medication;

 

5.Underlines that it is important that UAE respects its international obligations under Human Rights Law and ensures the protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression which is not only guaranteed by universal human rights instruments, but also by the Arab Charter on Human Rights, to which the UAE is a party;

 

6.Supports the reforms that UAE authorities are implementing in order to improve the human rights situation and freedoms of its citizens;

 

7.Invites the EU to raise this issue in the next EU-UAE human rights dialogue meeting;

 

8.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, the EEAS, the Governments and Parliaments of the Member States, the Government and the Federal National Council of the UAE.