MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

8 March 2004

tabled for the debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 50 of the Rules of Procedure
by Bob van den Bos and Anne André-Léonard
on behalf of the ELDR Group
on Venezuela

B5-0136/2004

European parliament resolution on Venezuela

The European parliament,

-  having regard to its previous resolutions on Venezuela in particular that of 13 February 2003 and to its resolution of 15 May 2002 on the second European, Latin America and Caribbean Summit;

A.  Whereas street protests began on 27 February 2004 after news, in the run-up to the announcement of the Consejo Nacional et Electoral (CNE) - National Electoral Council's decision that many signatures on an opposition-sponsored petition for a "referendum revocatorio" ("recall referendum") to force President Chavez to resign, must be re-authenticated;

B.  Whereas the international observers (Carter Center and the Organisation of American States ) support the decision taken by the National Electoral Council, and the Group of Friends of the OAS have issued a press statement backing the work done by the National Electoral Council;

C.  Whereas the security forces have reportedly used excessive force and detained large numbers of opposition supporters; a local opposition leader has been killed, and at least 9 other people have died and scores more injured, including a number of police officers;

D.  Whereas many of those detained around the country appear not to have been brought before a judge within the legal time limit;

E.  Whereas the policing of public demonstrations has frequently resulted in human rights violations by the police and security forces in Venezuela over the last 15 years and that the authorities have consistently failed to investigate and punish officials responsible for abuses;

F.  Whereas incidents of political violence attributed to both government and opposition supporters, during President Chavez's administration, such as the deaths and injuries during the attempted coup of 11 April 2002, have not been investigated effectively and have gone unpunished.

1.  Deplores the acts of violence which took place after the decision of the National Electoral Council and expresses its concern that there may be further politically-motivated violence and disproportionate police response;

2.  Encourages democracy via the electoral path;

3.  Stresses that the authorities have the responsibility to maintain public order and also ensure that fundamental human rights are respected;

4.  Expresses its concern at reports that the security forces have used excessive force on some occasions and failed to follow correct procedures for detention;

5.  Emphasises that the impunity enjoyed by the perpetrators of human rights violations encourages further abuses in a particularly volatile political climate;

6.  Condemns the killing, in less than one year, of 72 peasant leaders, who supported the application of the new land reform;

7.  Encourages the government to reform the justice system so that the rate of impunity existing in the country is reduced; also encourages the adoption of a law regulating the media, while allowing them the freedom of expression needed for the smooth running of democracy;

8.  Is concerned at the large number of weapons being held by the Venezuelan population and asks the Venezuelan government to accelerate the programme of disarmament, with the help of the European Union;

9.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the government of Venezuela, the UN Secretary General and the General Secretariat of the OAS.