MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

13.2.2007

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 Eoin Ryan
on behalf of the UEN Group
on Guinea

B6‑0049/07

European Parliament resolution on Guinea

The European Parliament,

- Having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in Guinea;

A.  Whereas the political, economic and social situation in Guinea has worsened over the weekend, when 11 people were killed during protests over the appointing of a new Prime Minister, Mr Eugene Camara by President Lansana Conte,

B.  Whereas over 60 people were killed in protests during last month's strike called on January 10th by trade unions over falling living standards and alleged mismanagement, when security forces fired live bullets to prevent demonstrators reaching central Conakry,

C.  Whereas Guinean security forces have abused protestors and onlookers in public strikes, killing and wounding many innocent civilians,

D.  Whereas the Guinean government has legal obligations under several international and African human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which require it to respect human rights and freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly,

E.  Whereas Guinea has been described as the most corrupt country in the world and most people live in abject poverty, although Guinea's mineral wealth makes it potentially one of Africa's richest countries,

F.  Whereas the deteriorating situation in Guinea is also causing concern for some of its neighbours; Liberia, Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast, who fear that the violence could spread across the borders,

1.  Condemns the loss of lives in Guinea over the last month and expresses compassion for the families of those who died during the demonstrations in an effort to improve the lives of the people of Guinea,

2.  Expresses concern at the force used by the Guinean authorities towards demonstrators and civilians and as such calls on the Guinean authorities to put an immediate end to all forms of violence against its people and allow civilians the right to freedom of expression in a non-violent way,

3.  Calls on the Guinean authorities to provide an immediate and fair trial to those arrested during the demonstrations this year,

4.  Calls on the Guinean security forces to abide by the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials in policing demonstrations; stresses that these principles require that law enforcement officials, in carrying out their duty, apply non-violent means as far as possible before resorting to the use of force,

5.  Fully supports the call by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for an independent, expeditious and impartial investigation into reports that security forces killed dozens of unarmed protestors in Guinea since the start of the recent nationwide strike, in order to identify all those responsible, bring them to trial and apply the penal and/or administrative sanctions as provided by law,

6.  Urges the Guinean authorities to sustain a dialogue with civil society on guaranteeing respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the country, in accordance with national laws and international humanitarian law and human rights standards,

7.  Demande à la Commission européenne d'envisager le dialogue politique prévu par l'article 96 de l'Accord de Cotonou au cas où le pouvoir exécutif ne tiendrait pas ses promesses,

8.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the EU Council, Commission and Member States, the African Union and the Guinea Government.