MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Guinea
20.10.2009
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure
Eva Joly, Isabella Lövin, Catherine Greze, Raül Romeva i Rueda, Heidi Hautala on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0102/2009
B7‑0125/2009
European Parliament resolution on Guinea
The European Parliament,
- having regard to the Cotonou Agreement which enshrines respect for human rights as essential element of ACP-EU cooperation and reminding that Guinea is a signatory of this agreement,
- having regard to Rule 122(5) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. Whereas following the death of Lansana Conté, a military junta lead by Captain Moussa Camara took power in December 2008,
B. Recalling that the Junta leader Moussa Dadis Camara has vowed to organise a presidential election in 2010, when Conté’s mandate would have ended, and has said that he would not stand,
C. Whereas on 28 September 2009, the security forces opened fire on demonstrators and killed between 100 and 200 people, wounding over a thousand more, who were protesting in the Stadium against the presidential candidature of the junta leader, Moussa Dadis Camara,
D. Whereas rape and other forms of sexual violence have become endemic and whereas it is impossible to establish with any degree of accuracy the exact numbers of women and girls – of all ages – who have been affected by sexual violence,
E. Whereas violence against women amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity and all perpetrators should be brought to justice to end impunity,
F. Whereas many Guineans, including union and opposition leaders are looking forward to a democratic change to break with nearly a quarter century of corrupt, autocratic rule under President Lansana Conté,
G. Whereas the UN Secretary General has decided to establish an international commission of inquiry to investigate with a view to determining the accountability of those involved,
H. Whereas the International Criminal Court prosecutor announced that he is investigating last month's crackdown on peaceful protestors,
I. Whereas the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) imposed an arms embargo against Guinea,
J. Whereas human rights record of the Guinean authorities is very alarming, which includes the use of excessive forces by the military and the police against the civilian, arbitrary detention and detention without trial as well as attacks on freedom of expression,
K. Whereas the European Union and Guinea signed a fisheries partnership agreement in December 2008, a few days before the coup that brought Moussa Dadis Camara to power, with the first payment being due by 30 November 2009,
L. Whereas Guinea is endowed with gold, iron and bauxite, as well as fertile land and water resources which could have contributed to improve the living standard of the population if democratic accountability had prevailed in the country,
1) Condemns the brutal attacks against peaceful demonstrators by security and armed forces during a mass rally on 28 September in Conakry,
2) Condemns all acts of sexual violence against women and girls which took place during the 28 September repression and calls for medical and psychological assistance of rape victims,
3) Believes that those responsible for the death of peaceful demonstrators and sexual violence against women and girls must be brought to court to be punished in order to end the reign of impunity,
4) Welcomes the decision of ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) to impose arms embargo against Guinea
5) Call on the authorities and the military Junta to immediately release all political prisoners who detained without charge following the protest on 28 September against the presidential candidature of Moussa Dadis Camara,
6) Calls on the European Union to implement article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement provisions and suspend the current fisheries partnership agreement, until the current crisis is resolved and free and fair elections have taken place,
7) Welcomes the UN decision to set up an international commission of enquiry with close cooperation of the African Union and ECOWAS to investigate the events that led up to the crackdown against peaceful demonstrators and political opposition and to determine those who were responsible,
8) Calls on the junta to respect the right to freedom of opinion, expression and association, including the right to peaceful assembly, as expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
9) Calls on the Commission and the Council to take an initiative in order to facilitate inter Guinean dialogue and avoid the damaging consequences of violent conflict as a means of political change,
10) Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the government of Guinea, the African Union and the ECOWAS.