MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Angola
8.9.2015 - (2015/2839(RSP))
pursuant to Rule 135 of the Rules of Procedure
Ignazio Corrao, Fabio Massimo Castaldo, Piernicola Pedicini, Laura Ferrara, Laura Agea, Rolandas Paksas on behalf of the EFDD Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B8-0846/2015
The European Parliament,
having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to the UN human rights conventions and the optional protocols thereto
having regard to the European Convention on Human Rights, the European Social Charter and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights,
having regard to the EU Strategic Framework and Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy, adopted on 25 June 2012,
Having regard to the EU Council conclusions of 23 June 2014 on 10th Anniversary of EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders
having regard to the Agreement of Cotonou and in particular to its article 8 on the political dialogue
having regard to the commitment taken by EU and Angola during the First Angola-European Union Ministerial Meeting of October 2014 when the Parties agreed to exchange information on Good Governance and Human Rights in a formal political dialogue according to Article 8 in Luanda at least once a year.
Whereas The Republic of Angola is a member of the United Nations and the African Union and it has ratified many UN Human Rights Conventions thus accepting binding international commitments to adhere to the standards laid down in these universal human rights documents.
Whereas Government members admitted that 9 policemen and 13 civilians have been killed in a dispute with Police Forces, alleging this was because the sect refused to send children to school and to vaccinate whereas the opposition parties' and civil society organisations' reports that hundreds, possibly over 1,000 men and mostly women and children, were killed at a serious clash between Police Forces and the members of the sect "Luz do Mundo", led Mr Jose Kalupeteka a charismatic leader of a religious sect now stillin prison since May 2015
Whereas Mr. Marcos Mavungo, a human rights activist and an economist working for Chevron in Cabinda, in jail since March 14 2015 for attempting to organise a protest against bad governance and human rights violations in the province of Cabinda, risks a 12 years of imprisonment on the charge of inciting rebellion in a judgement that could likely be pronounced next September 16, 2015.
Whereas last since last 20 March 2015, Mr Arão Bula Tempo, human rights lawyer and President of the Provincial Council of the Angolan Bar Association in Cabinda was charged with accusations of “collaboration with foreigners to constrain the Angolan state” and “rebellion”, in relation to a peaceful demonstration to denounce corruption, human rights violations and bad governance in Cabinda, which was scheduled to take place on the day of his arrest. Whereas he has been conditionally released pending trial after two months of imprisonments; whereas the trial could lead to an imprisonment of 12-15 years
Whereas Mr Rafael Marques de Morais a prominent Angolan journalist and human rights defender whose work focuses on government corruption and abuses in the diamond industry was sentenced last 28 May 2015 to six-months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, for defaming army generals in his book ''Blood Diamonds: Torture and Corruption in Angola" published in 2011.
Whereas 15 young activists were arrested while they were discussing non-violent protest methods on 20 June 2015 Afonso Matias “Mbanza Hamza”, Albano Bingobingo, Arante Kivuvu, Benedito Jeremias, Domingos da Cruz, Fernando Tomás “Nicola Radical”, Hitler Jessia Chiconda “Itler Samussuku”, Inocêncio de Britoo “Drux”, José Hata “Cheik Hata”, Luaty Beirão, Nelson Dibango, Nito Alves, Nuno Álvaro Dala, Osvaldo Caholo and Sedrick de Carvalho Whereas Captain Zenóbio Zumba, was detained a posteriori for supposed friendship with Osvaldo Caholo, and is known now as political prisoner number 16. Whereas more than 60 days have passed since they were accused of plotting a coup against President José Eduardo dos Santos without any formal charges brought against the 15 +1 young activists.
.Whereas it is clear that these activists are detained solely for exercising, peacefully, their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, and for actively denouncing human rights violations, including arbitrary detention, torture and summary executions, corruption and abuses of public resources
1. Calls on the Angolan authorities to stop any further attack on rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly
2. Urges Angolan authorities to ensure that none of these activists is submitted to torture or other ill-treatment and all of them are allowed to maintain regular contact with their families and their lawyers;
3. Calls on the Angolan authorities to release all the human rights defenders still in prison for their political views or participation in non-violent demonstrations or other activities linked to the exercise of political rights and freedom of speech like denouncing corruption cases, human rights violations and bad governance
4. Reminds that Angolan judicial authorities should assert their independence and ensure the protection of rights recognised by the international human rights treaties ratified by Angola.
5. Calls on EU and Member States to deliver on their commitments to support and protect HRDs worldwide, making specific reference to the EU HRD guidelines and the Council Conclusions of June 2014 on the 10th anniversary of the EU HRD guidelines and to the EU Strategic Framework, in which the EU commits to "continue to throw its full weight behind advocates of liberty, democracy and human rights throughout the world”.
6. Calls on Member States to engage concretely with the Angolan government revitalizing the Political dialogue under art. 8 of the Cotonou agreement as promised in the 1st EU Angola Ministerial of October 2014 and to ensure Angola upholds its national and international human rights commitments, including through political dialogue, diplomatic engagement at highest levels and inclusion of human rights concerns
7. Calls on EU and Member States to step up all forms of action to support and protect HRDs, including trial observation and public statements,
8. Calls for the EU and EUMS to quickly and strongly act and speak out to secure the release of those detained and the dropping of all charges in these cases.
9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Government of Angola, the Governments of G8 countries, the African Union and the African Union Commission, the African National Development Bank, the EU-ACP Joint Parliamentary Assembly.