The European Parliament,

–   having regard to its previous resolutions on Syria and Yemen,

–   having regard to its report of 24 March 2011 on EU relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council,

–   having regard to the Statements by the EU High Representative/Vice-President of the Commission on Bahrain of 10 March, 15 March and 17 March 2011,

–   having regard to the Statements by the EU High Representative/Vice-President of the Commission on Yemen of 10 March, 12 March and 18 March 2011,

–   having regard to the Council conclusions on Yemen and Bahrain of 21 March 2011,

–   having regard to the conclusions of the European Council of 24 and 25 March 2011,

–   having regard to the Statements by the EU High Representative/Vice-President of the Commission on Syria of 18, 22, 24 and 26 March 2011,

–   having regard to Rule 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas, in Bahrain, Yemen and Syria, as well as previously in other Arab countries such as Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, protesters organize demonstrations calling for better economic conditions, reducing social inequalities, fighting corruption and nepotism, implementation of democratic reforms, rule of law and fundamental human rights,

B.  whereas the excessive use of force against protestors by security forces in Bahrain, Yemen and Syria has resulted in the serious loss of life and injuries,

C. whereas, like in Syria in 1963, in Bahrain and in Yemen a state of emergency has been recently declared,

D. whereas according to reports, medical personnel, human rights defenders and political activists have been detained in Bahrain, and hospitals have been taken over by security forces, while in Yemen ambulances bringing wounded anti-government protesters to hospitals were hindered by security forces,

E.  whereas security forces belonging to Gulf Cooperation Council countries Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait have been deployed in Bahrain, following the request of the Government of Bahrain,

F.  whereas the EU High Representative/Vice-President of the Commission has expressed concern about the situation in Syria, where many casualties have been reported after protestors were violently repressed by security forces,

1.  Extends its deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives;

2.  Expresses its solidarity with the people in Bahrain, Yemen and Syria, applauds their courage and determination, and strongly supports their legitimate democratic aspirations;

3.  Strongly condemns the use of force against protestors and deeply deplores the injuries and loss of life caused; urges the authorities to refrain from the use of violence against protestors and respect their right to assemble freely; stresses that those responsible for the loss of life and injuries caused should be held accountable and brought to justice; calls on the authorities to immediately release all political prisoners and all those detained in relation to their peaceful activities in the context of the protests;

4.  States that the use of violence by a state against its own population must have direct consequences on its bilateral relations with the European Union; recalls the EU High Representative/Vice-President of the Commission that the EU can use numerous tools to deter from such actions, ranging from asset freeze or travel ban to the suspension of development aid in selected sectors; recalls however that the populations should never be affected by such a review of bilateral relations;

5.  Calls on the authorities to respond swiftly to the widespread calls for democratic, economic and social reforms; expresses its strong support for reforms leading towards democracy, the rule of law and social justice in Bahrain, Yemen and Syria;

6.  Calls on the EU High Representative/Vice-President of the Commission to support the calls for an independent investigation to be carried out by the United Nations (UN) or the International Criminal Court into the attack on protestors on 18 March in Sana'a, Yemen, where 54 people were killed and more than 300 were injured;

7.  Condemns the interference by the authorities in Bahrain and Yemen in the provision of medical treatment and the denial and the limiting of access to health facilities;

8.  Calls on the Government of Bahrain and other parties to engage in a meaningful and constructive dialogue without delay or preconditions, in order to bring about reforms; welcomes the UN Secretary-General's announcement that the UN stands ready to provide support to nationally-led efforts, if requested to do so;

9.  Calls on President Saleh of Yemen to take concrete steps towards the implementation of his pledge to ‘transfer power peacefully through constitutional institutions’; calls on all parties, including the opposition, to act responsibly, to engage in an open and constructive dialogue without delay, in order to achieve an orderly political transition, and to include all parties and movements representing the Yemeni people in this dialogue, including the Houthis, the al-Hirak movement as well as the ‘independent protesters’ and the youth;

10. Calls on President Assad of Syria to lift the state of emergency, which has been considered, and to enter into a broad, meaningful dialogue with other parties in order to address the legitimate demands and aspirations of the protestors;

11. Calls on the EU to facilitate a process of democratic and peaceful change in Bahrain, Yemen and Syria; calls on the EU High Representative/Vice-President of the Commission to formulate proposals to this end;  

12. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission, the Council, the Commission, the UN Secretary-General, the King, Government and Parliament of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the President, Government and Parliament of the Republic of Yemen and the President, Government and Parliament of the Syrian Arab Republic.