MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
24.10.2005
pursuant to Rule 115 of the Rules of Procedure
by Eva-Britt Svensson, Roberto Musacchio
on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
on the situation in Uzbekistan
European Parliament resolution on the situation in Uzbekistan
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on Uzbekistan,
– having regard to the partnership and cooperation agreement between the EU and Uzbekistan, which includes a human rights clause,
– having regard to the EC Strategy Paper for Central Asia 2002-2006,
- having regard to the EU Presidency declarations on the situation in Andijan of
May 2005,
- having regard to the resolution of the UN Commission on Human Rights of 2004 on the human rights situation in Uzbekistan,
- having regard to Uzbekistan's obligations under the ICCPR, the ICESCR, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and other major human rights treaties,
- having regard to Rule 115(5) of the Rules of Procedure,
A. pointing out that respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law are a fundamental element of the Partnership and Cooperation agreement with Uzbekistan,
B. whereas Uzbekistan has a longstanding record of torture, ill-treatment and serious abuses of detainees, human rights activists and political opponents,
C. whereas the already appalling human rights situation in Uzbekistan has deteriorated dramatically following the 13 May 2005 repression of the uprising in Andijan,
D. whereas law enforcement authorities have since unleashed mass persecution of dissenters, human rights activists and opposition leaders, whereas many have been illegally arrested, threatened, beaten, coerced into signing false confessions of belonging to extremist religious organizations and bearing arms while participating in the protest or placed under house arrest in the name of “national security”,
E. whereas the Uzbek president rejected calls from the UN, EU and US for an international, independent enquiry into the incident, saying that the Uzbek authorities will conduct their own probe,
F. concerned by the lack of transparency and accountability that characterizes police investigations into instances of law enforcement misconduct;
1. Strongly condemns all human rights abuses in Uzbekistan and urges the Uzbek authorities to respect all of Uzbekistan’s obligations under international law;
2. Urges the Uzbek authorities to allow a prompt, international independent investigation into the events, make the findings public, ensure a transparent accountability process for those responsible and consequently bring them to justice;
3. Calls on the Uzbek authorities to provide information such as the names, whereabouts and possible charges against those detained and arrested in connection to the 13 May 2005 unrest;
4. Calls on the Uzbek Government to ensure open and fair proceedings which meet international standards of fairness and also to ensure that independent observers are granted access to the trials which were scheduled to begin on 20 September 2005;
5. Asks the Uzbek authorities to allow members taking part in the 6th EU-Uzbekistan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee to travel to Andijan and to have unimpeded access to members of the opposition, NGOs and the independent media;
6. Calls on the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting on 3 October 2005 not to suspend its Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Uzbekistan;
7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the President and the Parliament of Uzbekistan and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.