MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

24.10.2006

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 Tobias Pflüger, Esko Seppänen,
on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
on Uzbekistan

B6‑0566/06

European Parliament resolution on Uzbekistan

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Uzbekistan,

–  having regard to the conclusions of the Council meeting of 23-24 May 2005 concerning the events in Uzbekistan, in particular the incidents in eastern city of Andijan,

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

A.  recalling its resolution on the excessive use of force by the Uzbek security forces against participants of the Andijan events in May 2005, during which a number of civilians were killed, injured or arrested; whereas many of those arrested are still in custody,

B.  concerned that police investigations were characterised by a lack of transparency and accountability and the series of trials related to the Andijan events staged by the Uzbek authorities failed to clarify the scale of and the responsibility of the events,

C.  deploring that the Uzbek government refused to respond to the call for an international, independent inquiry into the incidents and have even rejected any contact with the international community to discuss launching such an enquiry,

D.  pointing out that respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law is a fundamental element of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Uzbekistan, which includes a human rights clause,

E.  whereas in October 2005, as a consequence, the EU announced restrictions on Uzbekistan, including a partial suspension of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, embargo on its arms sales and military transfers, as well as a one-year visa ban on 12 senior government ministers and officials,

1.  Condemns all human rights abuses in Uzbekistan and urges the Uzbek authorities to respect all of Uzbekistan's obligations under international law;

2.  Deplores the fact that the Uzbek authorities failed to launch serious investigations into cases of abuse of human rights and have failed to prosecute the perpetrators of these crimes,

3.  Deplores the fact that requests by a number of U.N. different mechanisms, including the special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions and the special representative for human rights defenders for access to Uzbekistan, remained unanswered,

4.  Recommends the Uzbek authorities allow an international independent investigation into the Andijan events and cooperate with the international community to this end;

5.  Urgently calls on the Uzbek authorities to immediately release of all political prisoners,

7.  Points out that the policy of sanctions has not produced any positive results so far, therefore calls on the Commission and Council review the situation carefully in order to find other ways and means to remedy this situation,

8.  Insists on the continuation of the embargo on arms sales and military transfers and calls on immediate closure of the German military base in Termez, which is also often used by other member states of NATO,

9.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, Commission, Uzbek Parliament and Government.