Valenciano Martínez-Orozco (PSE). – (ES) Mr President, the situation which has inspired this Resolution today demonstrates that human rights and respect for life, as higher values, are never entirely enjoyed and we democrats throughout the world must be alert at all times.

Despite the fact that the death penalty has not reduced crime rates in any country, we are very concerned to see that 83 countries in the world continue to maintain and apply it. Today we must regret and condemn the fact that President Arroyo has changed her position on the death penalty in the Philippines. Furthermore, we must not forget that in the Philippines there are cases of minors who have been sentenced to death.

The European Union must draw certain red lines, which we must never cross. One of them is precisely the death penalty. The fact that a country such as the Philippines can backtrack on what was a victory by means of the moratorium, is of great concern to all us democrats in the world at the moment, and in particular the democrats in the European Union.

Therefore, in view of this situation, we have promoted this Resolution, which the Philippines authorities absolutely must take account of, so that we can continue to believe that it is possible that the values we have advocated as higher values are never jeopardised. Today my group will vote in favour of this Resolution.