MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

19.6.2007

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 Luisa Morgantini, Feleknas Uca
on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
on Human rights situation in Ethiopia

B6‑0247/2007

European Parliament resolution on Human rights situation in Ethiopia

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on the post-election crisis and serious human rights violations in Ethiopia, in particular the crackdown on political opposition members and journalists since July 2005,

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

• A.Extremely disturbed by the recent trial in Ethiopia and the court's guilty verdict on    38 opposition leaders and journalists, some of whom were elected to the federal    parliament and Addis Abeba Council during the May 2005 elections,
• A.Whereas the charges against opposition leaders, journalists, civil society activists includes "instigating and organizing rebellion against the government" and outrage against the constitutional order,
• B.Whereas among those found guilty are Hailu Shawel, President of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy, Professor Mesfin Woldemariam, former Chair of the Ethiopian Human Rights Council, Dr Yacob Hailemariam, former UN Special Envoy and former Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, Ms Birtukan Mideksa, former judge, all declared prisoners of conscience by Amnesty International,
• C.Whereas the whole 18-month long process of trial is far from respecting any international standards for fair and equitable trial respecting the rights of defendants,
• D.Whereas most of the charges carry death penalty,
• E.Extremely concerned by the arbitrary detention of several foreign nationals in relation to the fight against "terror" launched by the Ethiopian authorities and their American allies,
• F.Recalling that the national parliament established a government backed Commission of Inquiry to investigate the June and November 2005 killings and this Commission had been pressured by the Government to alter the findings and four of these including the Chairman and vice-chairman have been forced to flee the country,
• G.Whereas as Ethiopia needs a reconciliation process to put back on track the derailed democratic gains and pave the way for sustainable development respectful of fundamental human rights, political pluralism and rule of law,
• H.Whereas Ethiopia is a signatory of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement which stipulates that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are an essential element of ACP-EU cooperation,
• 1.Condemns the recent verdict on 38 opposition leaders and journalists, sentence which does not respect international standards for free and equitable trial;
• 2.Calls on the Ethiopian government to release all political prisoners, journalists, trade union activists, human rights defenders, as well as ordinary citizens without any preconditions;
• 3.Condemns the arbitrary detention and renditions of suspect individuals of interest to Addis Abeba and their American allies in their fight against "terrorism" who are mainly foreign nationals;
• 4.Calls on the UN Secretary General to appoint a special rapporteur to fully investigate the human rights situation, post election violence and killings as well as treason and outrage against the constitutional order charges against opposition leaders, journalists and civil society activists;
• 5.Calls on the Ethiopian government to respect its international obligations and to comply with international instruments, especially the Universal Declaration of Human Rights including the right to peaceful assembly respect, freedom of opinion and to guarantee the independence of the judiciary system;
• 6.Requests the Commission and the Council to take concrete action to put back on the track the derailed democratic process and avoid further deterioration of human rights situation in Ethiopia which may have far reaching consequences in the region if it is not addressed properly and without delay;
• 7.Calls on the Commission and the Council to explore ways and means to facilitate an all inclusive inter-Ethiopian dialogue aimed at launching a process of national reconciliation and put back on the track the derailed democratisation process and to work out a lasting solution to the current political crisis;
• 8.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the African Union Commission, the Ethiopian Government and the General Secretary of the United Nations.