MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

24.4.2007

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 Francis Wurtz, Luisa Morgantini, André Brie
on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
on Alan Johnston, BBC journalist kidnapped in Gaza

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

B6‑0177/2007

European Parliament resolution on Alan Johnston, BBC journalist kidnapped in Gaza

The European Parliament,

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

• A.whereas Alan Johnston, correspondent for the British Broadcasting Corporation was abducted on 12 March 2007 near his office as he was returning from the Erez crossing between Gaza and Israel,
• B.seriously concerned by the fact that more than one month has now passed with no news of Alan Johnston,
• C.whereas the Palestinian people and authorities are calling for his release and are proving the extent to which his work is appreciated by the local population,
• D.whereas, according to Reporters without Borders, 14 foreign journalists have been kidnapped in the Gaza strip since August 2005 and not one of the abductors have been caught or prosecuted,
• E.whereas no group has claimed responsibility for Alan Johnston's abduction, which has been condemned by President Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Ismael Haniyeh and the heads of the leading Palestinian movements, such as Marwan Barghouti,

1.  Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the kidnapped journalist; express its solidarity with Alan Johnston and his family and joins the Palestinian people who have publicly stated their support for his release;

2.  Calls on the Palestinian Authority to pursue its efforts to ensure the immediate release unharmed of Alan Johnston;

3.  Calls on the Palestinian Authority to ensure that all attacks against journalists and other civilians are investigated thoroughly and that those responsible for such crimes are brought to justice in fair trials without recourse to the death penalty;

4.  Believes that all too many abductions of journalists have taken place recently in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as in Gaza and this constitutes a serious threat to media professionals to freedom of expression and also to the freedom of the press;

5.  Commends the determination and courage of journalists who continue to do their work despite the growing frequency of such abductions;

6.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the High Representative for CFSP, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the President of the Palestinian Authority, the Palestinian Legislative Council and the UN Secretary-General.