MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

9.7.2007

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 103(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck, Sajjad Karim, Marco Cappato and Marios Matsakis
on behalf of the ALDE Group
on Pakistan

B6‑0279/02

European Parliament resolution on Pakistan

The European Parliament,

• -having regard to the Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on Partnership and Development, the conclusion of which was approved by Parliament on 22 April 2004,
• -having regard to the EU-Pakistan Joint Declaration signed in Berlin on 8 February 2007,
• -having regard to its report on Jammu and Kashmir (Nicholson of Winterbourne's report) adopted on 24 May 2007,
• -having regard to the first session of the PAK-EC Joint Commission held on 24 May 2007 in Islamabad,

A.  whereas at least 16 people have died and scores were hurt after the clash between students and security forces around the Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) in Islamabad,

B.  whereas the Red Mosque has been at the forefront of a vigilant campaign to enforce a form of Islamic Sharia law in Pakistan,

C.  whereas more than five years after President Pervez Musharraf declared his intention to regulate the network of madrasas (religious schools), much evidence exists to show that these have not been as effective as required,

D.  whereas insurgency-related violence continued through the country, causing numerous casualties,

E.  whereas internal security concerns rose after the 28 April suicide bombing, which killed 30 and wounded the Interior Minister, Aftab Ali Sherpao, at a political rally in Peshawar; on that occasion Islamabad admitted military involvement for first time,

F.  whereas the independence of the judiciary was threatened by President Musharraf's suspension of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary on 12 March, sparking a wave of judiciary resignations and protests over the independence of the judiciary,

G.  whereas there continues to be a military-ruled government, despite promises to end the situation, and President Musharraf ruled out the return of former PMs Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif before end-of-year elections scheduled to take place by the end of 2007,

H.  whereas the US has increased pressure on Pakistan over its failure to clamp down on terrorism,

I.  whereas the European Union has thus far enforced human rights clauses in trade and cooperation agreements where economically and politically expedient,

J.  whereas the European Union provides significant funding to Pakistan for poverty alleviation and social-sector development,

1.  Urges the EU to take a firm stand on upholding the democracy and human rights clause in the third-generation Cooperation Agreements, seeking an intensive political dialogue on human rights;

2.  Supports the establishment of expert-level meetings in a variety of policy areas, including: interfaith dialogue, counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics, non-proliferation and human rights and good governance, as established in the EU-Pakistan Joint Declaration signed in Berlin on 8 February 2007; calls, in particular, for consideration of the possibility of setting up a specific human rights dialogue with Pakistan and the establishment of a specific human rights subcommittee;

3.  Stresses that any move to disrupt the electoral process would be unacceptable and that a constitutional way out of the crisis has to be found; calls on the European Commission to send an EU election mission to monitor the forthcoming elections, which should take place by the end of 2007;

4.  Calls on the international community to urge President Musharraf to fulfil his commitments, notably his 1999 pledge that 'the armed forces have no intention of staying in charge any longer than is absolutely necessary to pave the way for true democracy to flourish in Pakistan' and, in particular, to enforce genuine controls of the madrasas under the control of violent sectarian groups and to allow full and fair national elections in 2007, and to restore civilian rule as a matter of urgency;

5.  Welcomes the European consensus on development and the EU's clear commitment to addressing countries affected by conflict or state fragility and its equally clear commitment to helping to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), including universal education policy; welcomes the fact that in Pakistan, education was a priority jointly agreed between the Commission and the Pakistan authorities and that some new education projects are already being prepared in the Sindh and North West frontier provinces; calls on the EU to continue its financial and technical support for the government of Pakistan in this regard; calls on the government of Pakistan to significantly increase financial support to the public school system, and to work towards reforming the system, notably through removing sectarian and pro-jihad elements; and to take immediate steps to restore the independence of the judiciary;

6.  Draws attention to the 2002 general election process, which was widely judged to be flawed;

7.  Regrets that the military continue to dominate politics and government in Pakistan, with implicit support from the United States and the European Union since 2001; remains extremely disturbed, at present, by the serious recurrent human rights abuses in Pakistan;

8.  Draws attention to the international community's serious concern about Pakistan's role in the proliferation of nuclear weapons;

9.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments of the Member States and the government of Pakistan.