• EN - English
Motion for a resolution - B6-0173/2006Motion for a resolution
B6-0173/2006

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

14.3.2006

with request for inclusion in the agenda for the debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 115 of the Rules of Procedure
by Albert Jan Maat,
on behalf of the PPE-DE Group
on Kazakhstan

NB: This motion for a resolution is available in the original language only.
Procedure : 2006/2543(RSP)
Document stages in plenary
Document selected :  
B6-0173/2006

B6‑0173/2006

European Parliament resolution on Kazakhstan

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Partnership Agreement and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States of the one part and the Republic of Kazakhstan of the other part which entered into force on 1 July 1999,

- having regard to the EU statement on the death of Mr Altynbek Sarsenbayev in Kazakhstan issued on 16 February 2006,

- having regard to Rule 115(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas Altynbek Sarsenbayev, co-Chairman of True Ak Zhol Party and co-leader of the opposition coalition "For a Fair Kazakhstan", was murdered on 11 February 2006 together with his driver and his bodyguard,

B.  whereas five members of a KNB elite security forces unit and the head of the administration of the Kazakhstan Senate have been arrested in relation with the murders,

C.  whereas a banned demonstration to protest against the murder of Altynbek Sarsenbayev took place in Almaty on 26 February 2006 and some members of the opposition coalition "For a fair Kazakhstan" were given jail sentences from five to 15 days or fines for organizing it,

D.  whereas an other opposition politician Zamanbek Nurkadilov was found dead in November 2005 in very mysterious conditions,

E.  whereas opposition newspapers are still facing severe difficulties and some opposition political parties are not granted official registration,

F.  whereas political prisoner Galymzhan Zhakianov was released from his internal exile at the end of 2005,

G.  whereas Kazakhstan has made known its interest in chairing the OSCE from 2009,

1.  Urges the Kazakhstan authorities to carry out a thorough enquiry in all transparency and independence and would be grateful to be informed about the results of the investigation;

2.  Welcomes the arrest of the persons suspected of having perpetrated the murders as well as President Nazarbayev's statement of 21 February 2006 condemning the murders and promising severe punishment for the persons involved;

3.  Regrets that opposition political parties, particularly True Ak Zhol and Alga, have not yet been officially registered and hopes that they will soon be;

4.  Calls on the Kazakhstan authorities to ensure freedom of the press, freedom of demonstration and freedom of political activities;

5.  Welcomes the release of Galymzhan Zhakianov from his internal exile;

6.  Stresses the importance of Kazakhstan as an important economic actor and as a stability factor in the Central Asia region;

7.  Reiterates the importance it attaches to the cooperation between Kazakhstan and the European Union in economic as well as political and cultural fields and asks its Foreign Affairs Committee to examine a possible future inclusion of Kazakhstan in the EU Neighbourhood Policy;

8.  Hopes that the next meeting of the EU-Kazakhstan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, which is due to take place in Brussels on 29 and 30 May 2006, will provide both sides with the opportunity to exchange current information about these issues;

9.  Stresses that respect for the principles of democracy, the rule of law and human rights, clearly laid down in the PCA, are a prerequisite if Kazakhstan is to chair the OSCE;

10.  Expresses its sincere condolences to Altynbek Sarsenbayev's family and friends;

11.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the EU Special Representative for Central Asia, the Secretary General of the OSCE, the President, the Government and Parliament of Kazakhstan.