MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

14.11.2006

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 Luisa Morgantini
on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
on Ethiopia

NB: This motion for a resolution is available in the original language only.

B6‑0596/2006

European Parliament resolution on Ethiopia

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on Ethiopia,

–  having regard to Rule 115(5) of its Rules of Procedures,

A.  whereas two European Commission officials have been expulsed from the country on the allegation that they tried to help Ms Yalem Zewd Bekele, a lawyer and women's rights campaigner to get out of Ethiopia; whereas Ms Yalem Zewd Bekele was released on 27 October 2006,

B.  whereas there are reports of continuing arrests, harassment, arbitrary detention, humiliation and intimidation of opposition politicians, civil society activists, students and other ordinary citizens,

C.  concerned over the recent arrest of Wassihun Melese and Anteneh Getne, members of the Ethiopian Teachers Association (ETA), and that these new arrests seem to be a response to the association's complaints against government interference in its activities,

D.  whereas Ethiopia is a signatory to the Cotonou Agreement, article 96 of which stipulates that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is an essential element of ACP-EU cooperation,

1.  Welcomes the EU efforts for the release of Ms Yalem Zewd Bekele and deeply regrets the expulsion of two EU officials from Ethiopia;

2.  Calls on the Ethiopian Government to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners, journalists, trade union activists, human rights defenders and to fulfil its obligations with respect to human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law;

3.  Calls on the Ethiopian Government to disclose the total number of persons detained throughout the country, to allow visits by the International Committee of the Red Cross, and to allow all detainees access to their families, legal counsel and any medical care that their health situation may require;

4.  Asks the Commission and the Council to closely monitor the situation in Ethiopia and considers that development co-operation programmes under the Cotonou agreement should depend on respect for human rights and good governance,

5.  Calls on the Commission and the Council to explore ways and means to organise an all inclusive inter-Ethiopian dialogue with the participation of political parties, civil society organisations and all stakeholders in order to work out a lasting solution to the current political crisis,

6.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Ethiopian Government, the Secretary General of the United Nations and the African Union.