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 Vittorio Agnoletto, André Brie, Erik Meijer and Esko Seppänen,
on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
on the human rights situation in Kazakhstan

B6‑0181/2006

European Parliament resolution on the human rights situation in Kazakhstan

The European Parliament,

The European Parliament,

-  having regard to its previous resolutions on Kazakhstan,

-  having regard to the European Union's Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) with Kazakhstan, which was signed on 23 January 1995 and entered into force on 1 July 1999,

-  having regard to the Commission's Central Asia Strategy Paper 2002-2006,

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

A.  whereas Mr Altynbek Sarsenbayev, co-Chairman of the 'true Ak Zhol' opposition party was brutally murdered on 13 February 2006 together with his escort,

B.  whereas only three months ago Mr Nurkalidov Zamanbek, opposition leader, was killed,

C.  whereas Askhat Sharipzhanov, a famous journalist, and Oksana Nikitina, the daughter of an opposition activist, were also killed,

D.  whereas twelve opposition activists as well a number of journalists were jailed for five to 15 days for holding a rally on 26 February 2006 in memory of the slain opposition leader Altynbek Sarsenbayev,

E.  whereas several of the activists are on hunger strike to protest against their imprisonment,

F.  whereas six suspects were arrested in connection with the murder of Mr Altynbek Sarsenbayev, including a former deputy prime minister and special force officers,

G.  stressing that respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law is a fundamental element of the EU-Kazakhstan Partnership and Cooperation agreement,

1.  Condemns the murder of Mr Altynbek Sarsenbayev and all other politically motivated killings and extends its condolences to the families of the victims;

2.  Calls on the Kazakhstan authorities to carry out an immediate, full and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Altynbek Sarsenbayev;

3.  Asks the Kazakh authorities fully to guarantee the freedom of expression and the freedom of the press;

4.  Condemns the jailing of opposition activists and journalists for their part in the unauthorised rally marking the death of Mr Altynbek Sarsenbayev;

5.  Urges the Kazakhstan Government to honour its commitments under the Partnership and Cooperation; calls on the Council and the Commission to put the question of respect for human rights at the core of the next Cooperation Council meeting, linking progress in this field to the further implementation of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, and to strengthen TACIS democracy programmes for Kazakhstan, aiming, in particular, at strengthening and developing democratic institutions and the independent media and stepping up the fight against corruption;

6.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the Government and the President of Kazakhstan.