MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

24.4.2007

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 115 of the Rules of Procedure
by Thomas Mann, Bernd Posselt, Eija-Riitta Korhola
on behalf of the PPE-DE Group
on Human rights situation in the Philippines

B6‑0183/2007

European Parliament resolution on Human rights situation in the Philippines

The European Parliament,

-  having regard to its previous resolutions on the Philippines,

-  having regard to the Preliminary note on the visit of the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Philip Alston, to the Philippines (12-21 February 2007) of 22 March 2007,

-  having regard to the Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the complete abolition of the death penalty in the Philippines of 26 June 2006,

A.  whereas over the past one to two years there has been an increase in reports of extrajudicial killings, the victims of which have included political activists, journalists, priests, human rights defenders and lawyers,

B.  whereas President Arroyo has appointed a high-level independent commission (the Melo Commission) to examine the problem and a national-level police task force (Task Force Usig) to investigate the killings promptly and bring prosecutions,

C.  whereas the Melo Commission initial report concludes that circumstantial evidence links "some elements" of the military to the killings, but given the lack of witnesses there is insufficient evidence to support successful prosecutions or convictions, and there is no official or sanctioned policy by the military or its civilian superiors to resort to illegal liquidations,

D.  whereas the Melo Commission's recommendations include: creation of an independent civilian investigative agency with authority to execute warrants and make arrests; training for prosecutors; creation of Special Courts to handle these cases; enhancement of the Witness Protection Program; increasing the investigative capabilities of the police; and orientation and training for security forces,

E.  whereas as a follow up to the recommendations of the Melo Commission, President Arroyo has issued several directives to stop extrajudicial killings, which have been implemented by the authorities, including the order that the Department of Justice shall broaden and enhance the Witness Protection Program, a request to the Supreme Court to create Special Courts to try those accused of killings of a political or ideological nature, and the order to the Department of Foreign Affairs to submit a formal proposal to the European Union (EU), Spain, Finland and Sweden to send investigators to assist the Commission,

F.  whereas President Arroyo has signed the legislation abolishing the death penalty in the Philippines on 24 June 2006,

1.  Condemns extrajudicial killings of political activists, journalists, priests, human rights defenders, lawyers and others; urges the Philippine authorities to make the necessary investigations in a timely, thorough and transparent manner and bring those responsible to justice;

2.  Welcomes the establishment of the Melo Commission and the Task Force Usig; welcomes the recommendations of the Melo Commission and the actions taken by the Philippine authorities;

3.  Urges the Council and the Commission to support the request of the Department of Foreign Affairs for technical assistance from the EU for the investigation;

4.  Welcomes the signing by President Arroyo on 24 June 2006 of the legislation abolishing the death penalty in the Philippines;

5.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and the Government and Parliament of the Philippines.