MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Human Rights violations in Zimbabwe, notably the case of Farai Maguwu

6.7.2010

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 122 of the Rules of Procedure

Judith Sargentini, Heidi Hautala on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0415/2010

B7‑0441/2010

European Parliament resolution on Human Rights violations in Zimbabwe, notably the case of Farai Maguwu

The European Parliament,

having regard to its previous resolutions on human rights situation in Zimbabwe

–   having regard to Rule 122(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas Zimbabwe has committed itself to the system of certification of the Kimberley Process, which requires its members to certify that the selling of raw diamonds does not finance armed conflicts,

B.  recognising that the Kimberley Process discriminates between diamonds minded, polished or traded under direct governmental guidance or by other parties, the first automatically not being regarded as conflict diamonds as such,

C.  whereas numerous reports question whether Zimbabwe is meeting the requirements of the Kimberley Certification Scheme,

D.  whereas Farai Maguwu, Zimbabwean citizen, is the founder and Head of the Centre for Research and Developpment (CRD), a non governmental organisation based in Mutare; whereas he has denounced Human Rights violations in Marange diamond fields,

E.  whereas on 3 June 2010 Farai Maguwu was arrested by the Zimbabwean state authorities, issued with charges of publishing information which is prejudicial to the Zimbabwean state,

F.  whereas an Intersession meeting of the Kimberley Process members was held in Tel Aviv from 21 June to 23 June 2010,

G.  whereas Farai Maguwu is now in detention and in unknown conditions since 3 June 2010, waiting for trial,

H.  whereas his legal team states that since his detention, Farai Maguwu has been denied the rights that he entitled to under Zimbabwean law, notably the right to be presented to a judge in a 48 hours time limit,

I.  whereas Farai Maguwu asked to be released on bail on 2 July, but his request has been denied,

J.  whereas Zimbabwe is frequently accused of Human Rights violations towards political dissidents,

 

1.  Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Farai Maguwu and condemns the conditions of his arrest and detention, like the withholding of medical attention;

2.   Calls on the Zimbabwe government to respect the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights including the right to life and physical integrity, freedom of association and freedom of assembly,

3.  Calls on the Zimbabwean authorities to honour their commitments made in the framework of the Kimberley Process and to comply fully with the requirements of the Kimberley Process certification Scheme;

4.  Calls for the members of Kimberley Process, particularly the European Commission, to broaden the scope of their certification scheme for rough diamonds to those stones not minded, traded or polished in conditions were human rights are under pressure, and not to discriminate between direct governmental guidance and mining, trading or polishing by other parties.

5.  Calls for Zimbabwe to guarantee the respect of Human Rights and fundamental rights on its territory, so that civil society can freely express its opinions without fear of persecution and that Zimbabwean citizens enjoy political rights and fundamental freedoms they are entitled to under the UN convention on Human Rights;

6.  Calls for the Kimberley Process to release Mr. Abbey Chikane from his duties as the monitor for Zimbabwe as his role has let to misunderstandings on the situation in the diamond mining areas of Zimbabwe / not been perceived as productive by Zimbabwean and international civil society.

7.  Emphasizes the importance of dialogue between the European Union and Zimbabwe and welcomes the encouraging progress that has been made in this direction;

8.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign and Security Policy, the President of the Council of the European Union, and to the Zimbabwean authorities.