MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Situation of women in Afganistan and Pakistan

13.12.2011

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

Charles Tannock, Marina Yannakoudakis, Marek Henryk Migalski, Ryszard Antoni Legutko, Tomasz Piotr Poręba, Valdemar Tomaševski, Ryszard Czarnecki, Adam Bielan, Michał Tomasz Kamiński, Tadeusz Cymański, Andrea Češková, Geoffrey Van Orden on behalf of the ECR Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0702/2011

B7‑0704/2011

European Parliament resolution on the Situation of women in Afganistan and Pakistan

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to its previous resolutions on human rights and democracy in Pakistan and Afghanistan,

 

–   having regard to Article 18 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR),

–   having regard to the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR),

–   having regard to the 1981 UN Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination based on Religion and Belief,

–   having regard for the outcomes of the 10th Annual Afghanistan Conference held in Bonn on 5 December 2011 where a high female presence was noted,

–   having regard to the speech given by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on November 2011 at the Women's Rights Forum in Tripoli on the rights of women in the world,

–   having regard to the speech given by Director of UN Women, Michelle Bachetet on 10 December 2011 on Human Rights Day,

–   having regard to Rule 122(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

 

 

A.       whereas gender discrimination, gender- based violence and equality between men and women remains a problem in both Pakistan and Afghanistan,

 

B.        whereas in a recent survey of 1000 Afghan women, 72% felt that things had improved for them as a woman since 2001; two- thirds of respondents said they felt safer than in 2001 and 86% said they were fearful of a return to a Taliban- style of government,

 

C.       whereas Pakistan has been led by a female prime minister; Benazir Bhutto led Pakistan twice and was the first female prime minister of a Muslim country,

 

D.       whereas women fill nine percent of total decision making and policy positions within the Afghan government departments and ministries ,

 

1.        Condemns tolerance, at all levels, of violence against women in Pakistan and Afghanistan and urges the authorities to take a stronger position in cases involving rape;

 

2.        Urges the Pakistani authorities to take stronger action in order to prevent "honour" killings; states that Pakistan's judicial system must punish those found guilty of such an act; states that "honour" killings being carried out in accordance with tribal traditions will not be tolerated by the International Community;

 

3.        Notes that the practice of female genital mutilation has been reported in rural Pakistan; states that female genital mutilation is a serious violation of women's human rights and urges the Pakistani authorities to investigate such claims;

 

4.        States serious concern over the disparity of access to education for girls in both Pakistan and Afghanistan; reiterates that equal access to education is a vital aspect of the equality agenda;

 

5.        Recognises that equality for women is a principle that has been enshrined in Afghanistan's New Constitution but states concern over how this principle is applied to daily life; recalls that the Shi'a Personal Status Law of 2009 has formalised discrimination against Shi'a women;

 

6.        Strongly condemns the execution of any pregnant women and of girls;

 

7.        Views the recent talks at the BONN Conference as encouraging; stresses that there must be more than just rhetoric about peace, democracy, rule of law, justice and human rights;

 

8.        Recalls that Afghanistan has the second highest rate of maternal mortality in the world; urges that more needs to be done in the area of maternal health;

 

9.        Notes that women are insufficiently represented among the Afghan police force and judiciary; out of 1577 there are only 119 women judges;

 

10.      Reiterates that serious problems still remain in terms of women's access to justice and equality and notwithstanding the progress that has been made; Pakistani and Afghan authorities must do more to protect and safeguard women and girls against social injustice; violence and discrimination;

 

11.      Calls in particular on the Commission to strength its assistance to projects designed to promote and protect the human rights of women and girls;

 

12.       Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and to the concerned authorities in Afghanistan and Pakistan.