MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

13.3.2007

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 Pasqualina Napoletano, Raimon Obiols i Germà, Elena Valenciano Martínez-Orozco, and Emilio Menéndez del Valle,
on behalf of the PSE Group
on Guatemala

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

B6‑0101/2007

European Parliament resolution on Guatemala

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its resolutions of 18 May 2000, 14 June 2001, 11 April 2002, 10 April 2003, 7 July 2005 and 25 October 2006 on Guatemala,

– having regard to the ICC Statute, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the European Convention on Human Rights,

- having regard to the agreement signed on 12 December 2006 between the government of Guatemala and the United Nations aiming to the establishment of an International Commission of Inquiry against impunity in Guatemala (CICIG),

– having regard to its firm and permanent commitment to ensuring compliance with the peace agreements and with human rights in Guatemala,

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

A.  having regard to the murder in Guatemala on 19 February 2007 of the Salvadorian Members of the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN) William Pichinte, Eduardo D'Aubuisson and José Ramón Ramírez, as well as the murder of the driver Gerardo Ramírez,

B.  whereas the alleged authors of these crimes (Luis Arturo Herrera López, José Estuardo López, José Adolfo Gutiérrez y Marvin Escobar Méndez) who held responsible positions in the Police Department of Guatemala, were killed in the high security prison where they were detained,

C.  whereas there are suspicions that these killings are an attempt to hamper the investigations seeking to uncover the masterminds of the murder of the members of PARLACEN,

D.  whereas trade unionists, peasant leaders and their families have also been killed earlier this year and whereas threats, breaking and entering and burglaries are being suffered by witnesses of the cases of genocide under investigation, as well as by the legal representatives of the victims of genocide and by different human rights organisations,

E.  having regard to the resignations of the Minister of Home Affairs, Carlos Vielmann, of the director of the Police, Eduardo Sperinse, and of the director of the Penitentiary System, Víctor Rosales, accused by the opposition political parties of being responsible for the death of the members of PARLACEN,

F.  whereas following an international arrest warrant issued by the Spanish judicial authorities, two former Guatemalan military officers have been detained, accused of genocide, torture and illegal detention, but whereas five other persons accused of these crimes against humanity remain free,

G.  whereas there is a growing atmosphere of impunity and a deterioration in the security situation for citizens,

• 1.Urges the Parliament of Guatemala to ratify the agreement signed on 12 December 2006 with the United Nations setting up an International Commission of Inquiry against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG);
• 2.Asks the European Union and the government of Guatemala to summon the Consultative Group with the donor countries to support the implementation of the CICIG and to promote a national dialogue against impunity;
• 3.Urges the Parliament of Guatemala to ratify the Statute on the International Criminal Court and to adapt its internal legislation in accordance with the obligations deriving from the Rome statute;
• 4.Asks the government of Guatemala to adopt measures in order to protect the judiciary agents, the victims of crimes against humanity who are looking for justice, the human rights defenders and the witnesses who can enable the trials to make progress;
• 5.Welcomes the restructuring and purge of the security forces introduced by the government;
• 6.Expresses its support for the Guatemalan people and authorities; calls on them to continue to uphold the rule of law and foster economic, social and political development, which will contribute to peace and national reconciliation
• 7.Urges the Commission to strengthen, in the cooperation strategy with Guatemala for the period 2007-2013, the promotion of the rule of law, the fight against impunity, full respect for human rights, and support for the government with a view to capacity building of the security forces in order to ensure human security;
• 8.Asks its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Member states of the European Union, European Commission, the government of Guatemala, the governments of the Central American countries and the PARLACEN.