MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Zimbabwe: Detention of human rights activists
5.2.2013 - (2013/2536(RSP))
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure
Filip Kaczmarek, Cristian Dan Preda, Bernd Posselt, Roberta Angelilli, Mario Mauro, Sergio Paolo Francesco Silvestris, Zuzana Roithová, Monica Luisa Macovei, Sari Essayah, Giovanni La Via, Philippe Boulland, Jean Roatta, Tunne Kelam, Mariya Gabriel, Elena Băsescu, Petri Sarvamaa, Eduard Kukan, Jarosław Leszek Wałęsa, Thomas Mann, Joanna Katarzyna Skrzydlewska, Anna Záborská on behalf of the PPE Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0057/2013
B7‑0070/2013
European Parliament resolution on Zimbabwe: Detention of human rights activists
The European Parliament,
- having regard to the Partnership Agreement between the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific ( ACP ) Group of States, of the one part, and the European Community, on the other part, signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000 (the Cotonou Agreement),
- having regard to the EU Council Conclusions on Zimbabwe of 23 July 2012 and Council Decision 2012/124/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Zimbabwe
- having regard to the statement issued by the EU Delegation in Zimbabwe on 12 November 2012 on recent incidents of harassment of human rights defenders, journalists and civil society ;
- having regard to Rule 122 of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas provisions regarding good governance, transparency in political offices and human rights, in accordance with Articles 11b, 96 and 97 of the Cotonou Agreement have to be respected,
B. whereas although the current situation in Zimbabwe with regard to human rights, and democracy has shown signs of improvement, there remain many challenges for future cooperation between the Union and Zimbabwe, notably full implementation of the Global Political Agreement (GPA), and an end to all form of harassment and human rights abuses against human rights defenders, journalists and members of civil society in Zimbabwe,
C. whereas several human rights defenders have faced arbitrary detention and judicial harassment in recent weeks, including Mr. Okay Machisa, National Executive Director of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights), Mr. Leo Chamahwinya, Education Programs Officer, Ms. Dorcas Shereni, member and Highfields local chapter Chairperson, and Secretary Ms. Faith Mamutse,
D. whereas Ms. Faith Mamutse and Mr. Okay Machisa have been released since, but Ms. Dorcas Shereni and Mr. Leo Chamahwinya remain in arbitrary detention,
E. whereas these arrests occurred just a few weeks after ZimRights denounced the trend of increasing police brutality across Zimbabwe and called for urgent action by competent authorities to address these human rights violations,
F. whereas the economic recovery of the country is still fragile and certain State policies represent a threat for the future economic relations between the Union and Zimbabwe,
1. Calls upon the authorities of Zimbabwe to release Ms. Dorcas Shereni and Mr. Leo Chamahwinya immediately and unconditionally;
2. Calls upon the authorities of Zimbabwe to guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Messrs. Okay Machisa, Leo Chamahwinya, Ms. Dorcas Shereni and Ms. Faith Mamutse, and to put an end to any kind of harassment - including at the judicial level – against members of ZimRights as well as against all human rights defenders in Zimbabwe;
3. Calls upon the authorities of Zimbabwe to conform with the provisions of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 9, 1998, and to ensure in all circumstances the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and with international and regional human rights instruments ratified by Zimbabwe;
4. Stresses that the freedom of assembly, association and expression are essential components of democracy to which Zimbabwe fully committed under the Global Political Agreement;
5. Stresses that under the circumstances the suspension of EU development cooperation (Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement ) should be maintained but the EU remains committed in its support to local population;
6. Supports the EU's Targeted Measures currently in place, which are a response to the political and human rights situation in Zimbabwe, with annual decisions allowing the EU to keep under constant review senior figures in the Zimbabwe Government;
7. Calls on the EU delegation in Harare to continue to offer its assistance to the Zimbabwe's government of National Unity in order to improve the human rights situation in view of peaceful and credible elections in line with standards the EU would expect of any of its trading partners;
8. Instructs its President to forward this Resolution to the European Commission, the Council, the High Representative/VP of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and the Parliaments of the Member States, the EEAS, the government and the Parliament of Zimbabwe, the governments of the South African Development Community.