MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

13.11.2007

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 André Brie
on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
on Uzbekistan

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

B6‑0471/2007

European Parliament resolution on Uzbekistan

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Uzbekistan,

–  having regard to the conclusions of the Council meeting of 23-24 May 2005 concerning the events in Uzbekistan, in particular the incidents in eastern city of Andijan, and the conclusions of the Council of 15th October 2007,

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

A.  recalling its resolution on the excessive use of force by the Uzbek security forces against participants of the Andijan events in May 2005, during which a number of civilians were killed, injured or arrested; whereas many of those arrested are still in custody,

B.  concerned that police investigations were characterised by a lack of transparency and accountability and the series of trials related to the Andijan events staged by the Uzbek authorities failed to clarify the scale of and the responsibility of the events,

C.  deploring the fact that the Uzbek Government refused to respond to the call for an international, independent inquiry into the incidents and has even rejected any contact with the international community to discuss launching such an enquiry,

D.  pointing out that respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law is a fundamental element of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Uzbekistan, which includes a human rights clause,

E.  considérant que le Conseil Affaires générales et relations extérieures du 15 octobre 2007 a décidé de renouveler les sanctions à l'encontre de l'Ouzbékistan pour une période de 12 mois, tout en suspendant l'application des interdictions de visa pour une période initiale de 6 mois, with the intention of triggering a positive response from the Uzbek authorities,

G.  whereas alleged politically motivated murders continue to take place in the country,

1.  Condemns all human rights abuses in Uzbekistan and urges the Uzbek authorities to respect all of Uzbekistan's obligations under international law;

2.  Deplores the fact that the Uzbek authorities failed to launch serious investigations into cases of abuse of human rights and have failed to prosecute the perpetrators of these crimes;

3.  Deplores the fact that requests by a number of U.N. different mechanisms, including the special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions and the special representative for human rights defenders for access to Uzbekistan, remained unanswered;

4.  Urgently calls on the Uzbek authorities to ensure the immediate release of all political prisoners and resume investigations regarding the alleged politically motivated murders;

5.  Points out that the policy of sanctions has not produced any positive results so far, therefore calls on the Commission and Council to review the situation carefully in order to find other ways and means to remedy this situation;

6.  souhaite ardemment que les affirmations de progrès économiques soient vérifiées par une réelle et concrète amélioration du niveau de vie de la population ouzbek notamment dans les domaines de l'éducation et de la santé; reiterates its support for all efforts aimed at promoting and attaining economic, social and cultural rights in Uzbekistan;

7.  Insists on the continuation of the embargo on arms sales and military transfers and calls for the immediate closure of the German military base in Termez, which is also often used by other member states of NATO;

8.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, Commission, Uzbek Parliament and Government.