MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

04.07.2005

tabled for the debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 115(5) of the Rules of Procedure
by Philippe Morillon and Fiona Hall on behalf of the ADLE group
on the situation in Ethiopia

NB: This motion for a resolution is available in the original language only.

B6-0418/2005

European parliament resolution on the situation in Ethiopia

The European parliament,

-  having regard to its previous resolutions on the human rights situation in Ethiopia;

-  having regard to the commitment made by the EU's mission to Ethiopia on 17 May 2005 concerning both positive aspects and reported irregularities during the elections;

A.  worried by the recent post-election acts of violence;

B.  recalling that the pre-election period and the day of the election were overwhelmingly peaceful and that, despite some irregularities, the election was held without major confrontation between the government and opposition parties;

C.  whereas large numbers of demonstrating students have been detained in the two days of protests following the announcement of provisional results;

D.  stressing that the democratic process in Ethiopia must be reinforced;

E.  stressing that Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries in the world;

1.  Expresses its concern over the violence following the polling;

2.  Expresses its sympathy and solidarity with the people of Ethiopia and stresses that democracy and regional stability have to prevail;

3.  Stresses, furthermore, that the successful resolution of the situation is vital, not only for Ethiopia, but also for the Horn of Africa more broadly, and for the EU's relationship with the entire continent;

4.  Calls for the establishment of an independent and impartial committee of inquiry to fully investigate the deaths of at least 36 people during the post-election violence in mid-June and to bring to justice those responsible for the killings;

5.  Calls on the people of Ethiopia to honour the commitment to democratic values shown by them during the elections and on all parties involved to fully respect the agreement signed on 10 June, aimed at ensuring that the current electoral process is concluded in a transparent manner and to the satisfaction of all parties involved and in a manner which is credible in the eyes of the Ethiopian people;

6.  Reiterates the importance it attaches to fundamental freedoms and recalls that respect for human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law is laid down in the Cotonou Agreement;

7.  Reiterates its firm support for the general inter-Ethiopian dialogue;

8.  Calls on the European Union to do its utmost to foster the dialogue for peace and reconciliation in Ethiopia;

9.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the co-Presidents of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, the AU and the Ethiopian Government.