MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Guinea Conakry, notably violence towards protesters

11.2.2020 - (2020/2551(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 144 of the Rules of Procedure

Michael Gahler, David Lega, Željana Zovko, David McAllister, Sandra Kalniete, Andrey Kovatchev, Krzysztof Hetman, Milan Zver, Lefteris Christoforou, Stelios Kympouropoulos, Arba Kokalari, Loucas Fourlas, Loránt Vincze, Isabel Wiseler‑Lima, Romana Tomc, Michaela Šojdrová, Vladimír Bilčík, Vangelis Meimarakis, Magdalena Adamowicz, Ivan Štefanec, Liudas Mažylis, Michal Wiezik, Tomas Tobé, Frances Fitzgerald, Deirdre Clune, Tomáš Zdechovský, Inese Vaidere, Jiří Pospíšil, Stanislav Polčák
on behalf of the PPE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B9-0104/2020

B9‑0111/2020

European Parliament resolution on Guinea Conakry, notably violence towards protesters

(2020/2551(RSP))

The European Parliament,

-  having regard to its previous resolutions on Guinea, most recently on 22 October 2009,

 

-  having regard to the report of 11 November 2019 of the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on Guinea,

 

-  having regard to the statement of the  Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) of 5 November 2019,

 

-  having regard to the press release of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Right of 9 November 2019,

 

-  having regard to the joint statement of the United Nations, the European Union and the Embassies of the United States and France in Guinea on 5 November 2019,

 

-  having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

 

-  having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,

 

-  having regard to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights,

 

-  having regard to the Partnership Agreement between the Members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States of the one part, and the European Community and its Member States, of the other part (the Cotonou Agreement), and the human rights clauses contained therein, in particular Article 9,

 

-  having regard to Rule 144 of its Rule of Procedure,

 

1. whereas Guinea, ranked as number 174 of the world’s countries in the UNDP Human Development Index, is facing a political and humanitarian crisis;

 

2. whereas, demonstrations against a new Constitution have been organized across the country since October 14 2019, mainly by the National Front for the Defence of the Constitution(FNDC) which comprises the main opposition parties and civil society groups; whereas political opponents fear the new constitution is a way for the president to remain in power;

 

3. whereas, on 19 December 2019, President Alpha Condé confirmed his desire to adopt a new constitution through a public referendum; whereas the proposal for a new constitution increases the presidential term from five to six years;

 

4. whereas, despite the ongoing protests in the country since mid-October, President Alpha Condé announced on 4 February 2020 that the government will hold a referendum on 1 March 2020;

 

5. whereas, since the start of demonstrations, there have been allegations of grave human right violations and use of excessive force against protesters;

 

6. whereas at least 17 people were allegedly killed by the security forces during the protests in October and November 2019, and at least one member of the security forces was killed by protesters; whereas many deaths in custody has also been reported;

 

7. whereas on 22 October 2019 twelve opposition and civil society leaders in Guinea were convicted and sentenced to prison, for varying lengths, for organizing protests against a possible change to the constitution;

 

8. whereas both the ECOWAS and the African Commission on Human and Peoples´ rights called for the fundamental rights of demonstrators to be respected and for the security forces to improve their management of demonstrations;

 

9. whereas the electoral commission of Guinea has postponed the legislative elections planned for December 2019 until February 16, 2020;

 

10. whereas, journalists covering the protests have also been targeted in repression from the government; whereas Guinea ranks 107 in the 2019 World Press Freedom Index, which is three ranks lower than the previous year;

 

11. whereas, between 2014 and 2020, the European Union supported Guinea through the 11th EDF national indicative programme, amounting to €244 000 000 focusing on state reform and modernisation of the administration, urban sanitation, health, road transports and support to the National Authorising Officer;

 

1. Expresses its deep concern about the current political and humanitarian rights situation in Guinea; strongly regrets the breaches that have been made to basic freedoms, including freedom of speech and assembly, and freedom from violence;

 

2. Strongly condemns any form of violence in the context of the ongoing protests, including the killing of protestors or the targeting of journalists by law enforcement officials, and all incidents of excess use of force by the police;

 

3. Urges both sides to avoid violence under all circumstances to prevent further instability and suffering of the population;

 

4. Calls on the Guinean government to take urgent measures to ensure that the right to demonstrate freely and peacefully is respected;

 

5. Urges the Guinean government to initiate a prompt, impartial, independent and effective investigation into the allegations of excessive use of force or other human rights violations by law enforcement officials; reminds the Government of Guinea that the fight against corruption and ending impunity should also be made priority;

 

6. Emphasises the importance of ensuring and promoting a pluralist, independent and free media landscape in the service of democracy; calls on the Guinean government to respect the individual rights of journalists working in the country and to guarantee the safety of journalists and human rights defenders covering or monitoring the political and human rights situation in the country;

 

7. Shares its commitment to supporting the Guinean people on their path to stability, development and democracy, including the rule of law;

 

8. Recalls the commitments made by the Guinean government under article 9.2 of the Cotonou Agreement concerning human rights, democracy and the rule of law;

 

9. Calls on the European Commission to closely follow the situation in Guinea and report back to the European Parliament on a regular basis;

 

10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Government and Parliament of Guinea, the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly and the African Union and its institutions.