MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

25.10.2004

to wind up debate on statements by the Council and Commission
pursuant to Rule 103(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Elisabeth Schroedter, Joost Lagendijk, Angelika Beer, Rebecca Harms and Milan Horáček
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
on the forthcoming presidential elections in Ukraine

B6‑0103/2004

European Parliament resolution on the forthcoming presidential elections in Ukraine

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on Ukraine,

–  having regard to the European Neighbourhood Policy, which aims to project peace and stability onto countries bordering the EU with a view to closer cooperation and to sharing the values of democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights and civil liberties,

–  having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  having regard to the forthcoming presidential elections, which are due to take place on 31 October 2004,

B.  whereas Ukraine recently adopted a new package of election legislation and whereas the new election laws reflect a number of important recommendations made by the OSCE/ODHIR,

C.  pointing out that significant issues of election legislation remain to be addressed,

D.  whereas domestic non-partisan observer groups have been excluded from the election process, contravening paragraph 8 of the Copenhagen Document,

E.  whereas the ODHIR conducted a Needs Assessment Mission from 9 to 12 June 2004 with plans to deploy some 600 short-term observers shortly before the election day; whereas most of the Needs Assessment Mission interlocutors welcomed the presence of an OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission for the presidential elections on 31 October 2004 and a number of them stressed the need for an exceptionally high number of international observers,

F.  stressing that the Needs Assessment Mission received messages of concern in relation to potential freedom of speech issues,

G.  pointing out that the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media referred to monopolisation of television broadcasting, domination of airwaves by the government view, homogenisation of coverage of public issues, non-pluralistic licensing of frequencies, and closing down of broadcasts by Western radio stations known worldwide for providing objective information and diverse points of view,

H.  deeply concerned at the report of pressures being exerted by the present head of government, presidential candidate Viktor Yanukovych, to force all members of the administration (teachers, soldiers, officials and administrative employees) to vote for him,

I.  extremely worried by the series of raids and searches carried out by the security services and the police on opposition buildings and student organisations,

J.  having regard to the mass demonstration which took place in Kiev on Saturday 23 October calling for free and fair elections,

K.  underlining the lack of progress in investigating the murder of the journalist Heorhiy Gongadze,

L.  stressing the pivotal role that Ukraine should play in the development of the European Neighbourhood Policy as it moves towards closer relations with the EU,

M.  highlighting in this context the importance of the Action Plan as a step-by-step approach enabling Ukraine to move forward and integrate into EU policies and programmes,

N.  pointing out the economic difficulties and environmental problems linked to the Chernobyl disaster, which have not yet been overcome,

1.  Expresses its deep concern at the way the electoral campaign is being managed by the Ukrainian authorities and condemns all undemocratic practices aimed at conditioning the free choice of Ukrainian citizens;

2.  Calls on the Kiev Government to provide all guarantees to ensure that the last days of the campaign can take place in an environment where all candidates are given equal opportunities to present their opinions to the Ukrainian people;

3.  Believes that these elections should represent a turning point for Ukraine and constitute a fundamental yardstick of its efforts to move closer to the EU and respect the undertakings of the Action Plan;

4.  Calls on the government of Ukraine not to miss this opportunity to deepen relations with the EU through the development of a genuine partnership within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy on the basis of the values of democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law being fully shared;

5.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission, the Government and Parliament of Ukraine, and the OSCE.