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 Michael Gahler, Anders Wijkman, Laima Liucija Andrikienė, Bernd Posselt, Eija-Riitta Korhola
on behalf of the PPE-DE Group
on Human Rights in Ethiopia

B6‑0259/2007

European Parliament resolution on Human Rights 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 the Addis Abeba city Council during the May 2005 election,

B.  Whereas the charges against opposition leaders, journalists, civil society activists includes "instigating and organizing rebellion against the government" and outrage against the Ethiopian constitutional order,

C.  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,

D.  Whereas the whole 18-month long process of trial is far from respecting any international standards for fair and equitable trial respecting the rights and dignity of defendants,

E.  Whereas most of the charges carry death penalty,

F.  Deeply concerned by the arbitrary detention without trial of several foreign nationals suspects in relation to the fight against "terror" launched by the Ethiopian authorities,

G.  Recalling that the national parliament established a government backed Commission of Inquiry to investigate the June and November 2005 post-election killings and this Commission had been pressured by the Government to alter the findings that were implicating the national security forces and as a result, four of these Commissioners including the Chairman and vice-chairman have been forced to flee the country,

H.  Whereas, despite the professional work carried out by the EU Election Observer Mission in building voters confidence, the credibility of the EU is damaged by the absence of a coherent post electoral policy when it comes to addressing the derailed democratic process in Ethiopia,

I.  Whereas as Ethiopia needs a reconciliation process to put back the derailed democratic gains and pave the way for sustainable development respectful of fundamental human rights, political pluralism and rule of law,

J.  Whereas Ethiopia is a signatory of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement whose article 96 stipulates that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is an essential element of ACP-EU cooperation,

1.  Condemns the recent trial which does not respect international standard for free and equitable trial;

2.  Calls on the Ethiopian government to suspend the verdict against the 38 and immediately release all political prisoners without any preconditions;

3.  Condemns the arbitrary renditions and detention without trial of mainly foreign suspects nationals and individuals on matters of terrorism;

4.  Urgently 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.  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, that will avoid further deterioration of human rights situation in Ethiopia which may have far reaching consequences in the region.

7.  Calls on the Commission and the Council to take a coordinated stance consistent with Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement,

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.