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Motion for a resolution - B8-1004/2016Motion for a resolution
B8-1004/2016

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Philippines

13.9.2016 - (2016/2880(RSP))

with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 135 of the Rules of Procedure

Pier Antonio Panzeri, Victor Boştinaru, Knut Fleckenstein, Josef Weidenholzer, Richard Howitt, Clara Eugenia Aguilera García, Eric Andrieu, Nikos Androulakis, Maria Arena, Zigmantas Balčytis, Hugues Bayet, Brando Benifei, Vilija Blinkevičiūtė, Simona Bonafè, Biljana Borzan, Soledad Cabezón Ruiz, Nicola Caputo, Andrea Cozzolino, Andi Cristea, Miriam Dalli, Viorica Dăncilă, Nicola Danti, Isabella De Monte, Monika Flašíková Beňová, Doru-Claudian Frunzulică, Eider Gardiazabal Rubial, Enrico Gasbarra, Lidia Joanna Geringer de Oedenberg, Michela Giuffrida, Theresa Griffin, Sylvie Guillaume, Jytte Guteland, Sergio Gutiérrez Prieto, Neena Gill, Liisa Jaakonsaari, Agnes Jongerius, Eva Kaili, Afzal Khan, Cécile Kashetu Kyenge, Javi López, Krystyna Łybacka, David Martin, Edouard Martin, Emmanuel Maurel, Costas Mavrides, Marlene Mizzi, Sorin Moisă, Alessia Maria Mosca, Victor Negrescu, Momchil Nekov, Norbert Neuser, Demetris Papadakis, Gilles Pargneaux, Vincent Peillon, Pina Picierno, Tonino Picula, Kati Piri, Miroslav Poche, Inmaculada Rodríguez-Piñero Fernández, Siôn Simon, Monika Smolková, Claudiu Ciprian Tănăsescu, Claudia Țapardel, Marc Tarabella, Elena Valenciano, Julie Ward, Flavio Zanonato, Damiano Zoffoli, Carlos Zorrinho on behalf of the S&D Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B8-0990/2016

Procedure : 2016/2880(RSP)
Document stages in plenary
Document selected :  
B8-1004/2016
Texts tabled :
B8-1004/2016
Texts adopted :

B8‑1004/2016

European Parliament resolution on Philippines

(2016/2880(RSP))

The European Parliament,

-having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in the Philippines,

 

-having regard to the statements of the EU Delegation and the Spokesperson the High Representative,

 

-having regard to the Framework Agreement on partnership and cooperation between the European Union and its member states, of the one part, and the Republic of the Philippines, of the other part,

 

-having regard to the EU guidelines on Human Rights,

 

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

 

-having regard to Rule 135 of its Rules of Procedure,

 

A.  whereas, in an attempt to fight drug-related crimes, recently elected President Rodrigo Duterte has ignited anti-drugs operations apparent to a real war;

 

B.  whereas he publicly stated that he will not pursue law enforcement officers and citizens who killed drug dealers who resisted arrest;

 

C.  whereas the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon denounced the series of extrajudicial killings as illegal and a breach of fundamental rights and freedoms;

 

D.  whereas the Philippines’ national police chief has said that more than 1000 people have been killed in police operations and by vigilante groups since 1 July;

 

E.  whereas the Philippine Senate and the commission on human rights have undertaken their own independent inquiries into the deats;

 

F.  whereas Gloria Capitan, an environmental activist opposed to the construction and presence of coal stockpile facilities in Lucanin was assassinated on 1 July 2016;

 

1.  Deplores the extrajudicial killings by armed forces and vigilante groups in the context of President Duterte’s hardline war on drugs;

 

2.  Recalls that public order is the responsibility of the State and it can be maintained without having recourse to violence;

 

3.  Urges the authorities to ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards and international instruments ratified by the Philippines;

 

4.  Invites the authorities to launch an immediate investigation together with international partners on the extrajudicial killings by armed forces;

 

5.  Welcomes the assurances by the Filipino government that it does not condone the actions of vigilante groups and is investigating their responsibility in the killings;

 

6.  Insists that the fight against illegal drugs must prioritise justice, legislative reforms and treatment;

 

7.  Urges the authorities of the Philippines to conduct an immediate, thorough, effective and impartial investigation in order to identify all responsible, bring them before a civil competent and impartial tribunal and apply the penal sanctions provided by the law;

 

8.  Asks the authorities to take all necessary steps to put to an end any kind of harassment against all human rights defenders in the Philippines, recognise theirl egitimate role, and ensure in all circumstances that they are able to carry out their activities without any hindrance or fear of reprisals;

 

9.  Urges the EU to use all available instruments to assist the government of the Philippines in respecting its international human rights obligations, notably through the Framework Agreement;

 

9.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the VP/High Representative for CFSP, the governments of the Member States, the government and parliament of the Philippines, the government of ASEAN Member States, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Secretary-General of the United Nations.