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 Charles Tannock, Bogusław Sonik and Bernd Posselt,
on behalf of the PPE-DE Group
on human rights in Moldova and in Transnistria in particular

B6‑0174/2006

European Parliament resolution on human rights in Moldova and in Transnistria in particular

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on Moldova, in particular its resolutions of 18 December 2003 and 24 February 2005,

- having regard to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Moldova and the European Union (EU) which was signed on 28 November 1994 and entered into force on 1 July 1998,

- having regard to the statements of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Summit in Istanbul of 1999 and the OSCE Ministerial Council in Oporto of 2002,

- having regard to the Action Plan for Moldova adopted by the seventh EU-Moldova Cooperation Council on 22 February 2005,

-   having regard to the interim resolution adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 1 March 2006 concerning the judgment of the European Court of human Rights (ECHR) of 8 July 2004 in the case of Ilascu and others against Moldova and the Russian Federation,

- having regard to Rule 115 of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas the European Neighbourhood Policy recognises Moldova's European aspirations and the importance of Moldova as a country with deep historical, cultural and economic links to the Member States,

B.  whereas a genuine and balanced partnership can only be developed on the basis of shared common values with regard, in particular, to democracy, the rule of law and respect for human and civil rights,

C.  whereas Transnistria declared independence in 1992, after an armed conflict involving Russian military support, thereby destabilizing the whole Moldovan Republic,

D.  whereas there are concerns notably with regard to Transnistria, about the serious level of criminal activity, the pervasiveness of corruption throughout society, the existence of a deeply rooted unofficial economy and the lack of respect for fundamental rights and human rights,

E.  whereas the self-proclaimed Transnistrian authorities continue to refuse compliance with the ECHR ruling to put an end to the unlawful and arbitrary detention of Mr Andrei Ivantoc and Mr Tudor Petrov-Popa,

1.  Strongly condemns the harassment of representatives of independent media and the opposition by the Transnistrian regime; deplores the unwillingness of this regime to engage fully in efforts to reach a peaceful and comprehensive solution to the Transnistrian conflict; welcomes therefore the extension of the EU visa ban on members of the Transnistrian regime;

2.  Alarmed about reports that Mr Andrei Ivantoc has been on hunger strike since 27 February 2006 in protest at the inhuman and degrading treatment applied by the employees of the penitentiary in Tiraspol;

3.  Calls on the Moldovan authorities to continue their efforts towards putting an end to the unlawful and arbitrary detention of Mr Andrei Ivantoc and Mr Tudor Petrov-Popa and securing their immediate release; strongly urges the Russian authorities to pursue actively all effective avenues capable of putting an end to the unlawful and arbitrary detention of both prisoners and secure their immediate release; calls on the Council, the Commission and the Member States to demand the immediate release of these prisoners;

4.  Calls on the Moldovan authorities, with regard to the high profile and controversial conviction of former Defence Minister, Valeriu Passat, to ensure that the appeal process will be allowed to proceed in a transparent manner in accordance with international legal norms;

5.  Calls on the Moldovan Government to further respect democratic principles, fundamental rights and human rights; stresses the need for reforms to improve the rule of law and redress corruption in the institutions; urges the Moldovan authorities to prevent any trafficking in human beings;

6.  Welcomes the constructive cooperation between the different political parties in the Moldovan Parliament; recognizes the importance of the reforms regarding the independence of the Judiciary, the intelligence services, legislation on elections and the Court of Auditors; underlines the importance of the implementation of these and other reforms without delay;

7.  Supports initiatives on legislation aimed at reforms of state institutions, at establishing public broadcasting and at empowering local government; stresses the need for a revision of the constitution on the election and powers of the President, the investiture of the Government and the powers of the Judiciary, in particular those of the General Prosecution Office which is part of the Public Prosecution Office and whose officers should have the status of independent magistrates;

8.  Is convinced that reforms in Moldova will only be successful when they receive popular support and are carried out with respect for the rule of law and fundamental freedoms; urges that all parties concerned, including members of civil society, work together to foster the further development of the country's democracy; regrets that the recent elections in Moldova did not succeed in meeting certain obligations required for a full competitive electoral process;

9.  Welcomes the implementation of the Joint Declaration on Customs of the Ukrainian and Moldovan Prime Ministers of 30 December 2005; calls on the economic agents of the Transnistrian region of Moldova to register with the relevant authorities in Chisinau in order to promote the unimpeded flow of goods across the border; calls on the self-proclaimed Transnistrian authorities not to block this registration;

10.  Welcomes the deployment of the European Union's Border Mission to Moldova and Ukraine, which might contribute to wider efforts to find a viable and sustainable solution to the Transnistria conflict;

11.  Stresses that any solution to the conflict between Moldova and Russia should respect the Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Moldova and the constitutional provisions concerning the independence, sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the state;

12.  Takes note of the positive, though on some points critical, declaration of the Moldovan Parliament on the Ukrainian initiative to settle the Transnistria conflict; calls on all the parties involved to fully engage themselves in the 5+2 negotiations and come to a political settlement of the Transnistria conflict;

13.  Calls on Russia to reaffirm its commitment to Moldova's territorial integrity and to withdraw its troops, including their heavy weaponry and munitions, unconditionally; underlines that the troops, according to the decision taken at the 1999 OSCE Summit in Istanbul, should have been withdrawn by the end of 2002;

14.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Government and Parliament of Moldova, the Government of Romania, the Government of Ukraine, the Government of Russia, the Government of the United States of America, the Secretary-General of the OSCE and the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe.