MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Eritrea case of Dawit Isaak

13.9.2011

with request for inclusion in the agenda for the debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure

Véronique De Keyser, Ana Gomes, Marita Ulvskog on behalf of the S&D Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0505/2011

B7‑0510/2011

European Parliament resolution on Eritrea case of Dawit Isaak

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to Articles 2, 3, 6(3) and 21(2)(a) (b) of the Treaty on the European Union,

 

–   having regard to Article 9 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement as revised 2005 (the Cotonou Agreement), of which Eritrea is signatory,

 

–   having regard to the Declaration by the Council Presidency on political prisoners in Eritrea, 22 September 2008; and of subsequent Council and Commission statements on Eritrea and the human rights situation since then,

 

–   having regard to its previous resolutions on Eritrea and in particular those concerning human rights and the case of Mr Dawit Isaak,

–   having regard to Rule 122 of its Rules of Procedure,

 

A. whereas the EU is strongly and clearly committed to the protection of human rights as a fundamental value; and whereas press freedom and freedom of speech are among those universal and vital rights;

 

B.  whereas the rule of law is a principle which must never be compromised;

 

C. whereas Swedish citizen Mr Dawit Isaak has on 23 September 2011 spent 10 full years imprisoned, without charges, trial or legal hearing, considered internationally a prisoner of conscience;

 

D. whereas a legal opinion presented to the European Parliament President in September 2010 underlines the fact that EU has a legal and moral obligation to protect its citizens in accordance with the European Convention of Human Rights and as established by case law in the European Court;

 

1.  Notes with great concern the continued deplorable human rights situation in Eritrea; notably the lack of freedom of expression and the continued existence of political prisoners held in contradiction to the principles of rule of law;

 

2.  Regrets that Mr Dawit Isaak has not yet regained his freedom; deeply regrets that he has by now had to spend ten years as a prisoner of conscience; fears for the life of Mr Dawit Isaak under the well known harsh conditions of Eritrean prison and without access to necessary health care;

 

3.  Underlines with the strongest emphasis the seriousness and urgency of the matter;

 

4.  Reiterates its calls on the State of Eritrea to immediately release all political prisoners including Mr Dawit Isaak; demands that, if such release cannot be directly executed, medical and legal assistance be immediately extended to these and other prisoners by the State of Eritrea; demands furthermore access by EU or EU Member State representatives to Mr Dawit Isaak in order to establish his needs in terms of health care and other support;

 

5.  Calls on the Council to urgently consider applying targeted sanctions on relevant Eritrean authorities including visa restrictions for President Afewerki on travelling to the EU;

 

6.  Calls on the Council to decide on unilaterally suspending development assistance until the State of Eritrea does respond to these demands;

 

7   Calls on the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy to map all efforts by EU or its Member States for the release of Mr Dawit Isaak until present date and to publicly present the results in order to increase transparency and accountability in these matters;

 

8.  Appeals to the African Union as a partner to the EU and with an expressed commitment to the universal values of democracy and human rights to step up its actions regarding the regrettable situation in Eritrea and work together with the EU for the release of Mr Dawit Isaak and other political prisoners;

 

9.  Follows with interest the judicial process of a Habeas Corpus appeal raised in the Eritrean Supreme Court, July 2011, by European lawyers on the case of Mr Dawit Isaak;

 

10. Extends its heartfelt support and sympathy to the families of these political prisoners;

 

11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, 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 parliament and government of Eritrea, the Pan-African Parliament and the African Union.