MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
15.1.2008
pursuant to Rule 115 of the Rules of Procedure
by Pasqualina Napoletano, Véronique De Keyser
on behalf of the PSE Group
on the situation in Egypt
B6‑0029/2008
European Parliament resolution on the situation in Egypt
The European Parliament,
- having regard to its previous resolutions on the Euro-Mediterranean partnership
- having regard to the Barcelona Declaration of November 1995
- having regard to the communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on "Reinvigorating EU actions on human rights and democratisation with Mediterranean partners - strategic guidelines"
- having regard to the first conference of the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network in Cairo on 26-27 January 2006
- having regard to the work programme adopted at the Barcelona Summit between the Heads of State and Government at the Barcelona Summit in November 2005
- having regard to the conclusions of the 5th Conference of the European Presidents of Parliaments, adopted on 26 November 2005 in Barcelona
- having regard to the resolutions adopted by the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (APEM) on 27 March 2006 and the declaration of its President
- having regard to its resolution on 19 January 2006 on the Euro-Mediterranean Neighbourhood Policy
- having regard to Rule 115(5) of the Rules of Procedure
A. Whereas the promotion of respect for democracy, human rights and civil liberties are fundamental principles and aims for the European Union and constitute a common ground for the development of the Euro-Mediterranean area;
B. Whereas the EU has defined a European Neighbourhood Policy aiming at enhancing and strengthening the political dialogue and integrating partner countries into EU policies in order to promote peace, stability and democracy in neighbouring countries;
C. Whereas the European Parliament attributes great importance to relations with Egypt and considers fair and transparent elections as the only way to make progress toward a more democratic society;
D. Concerned by the fact that President Mubarak had promised to put an end to the imprisonment of journalists in cases related to publishing but that this promise was left unfulfilled as a wave of jail terms has hit journalists.
E. Concerned about the closing of the Centre for Trade Unions and Workers´ Services and its branches where for the first time an advocacy NGO is closed down by an executive decision and the ensuing verdict of the human rights activist Kamal Abbas, the general coordinator of the centre for committing libel against Mohammed Mostafa, after an essay published in Kalam Sanya.
F. Concerned by the treatment by Egyptian security forces on migrants and asylum seekers at the border between Egypt and Israel.
G. Concerned by the trial of 33 leading civilians active within the Muslim Brotherhood before Military Court which violates the minimum standards of fair trials.
1. Stresses the positive and moderate role that Egypt plays in the Middle East Peace Process and the importance that the EU--Egypt relations have for the entire Euro-Mediterranean area; recalls that respect for human rights is a fundamental value of the EU-Egypt Association Agreement and reaffirms the importance of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership for promoting the rule of law and fundamental freedom;
2. Calls on the Egyptian Government to end all forms of harassment, including judicial measures and detention, against media professionals, and more generally the human rights defenders and activists calling for reforms, and fully respect freedom of expression, in conformity with the EU guidelines on Human Rights and article 19 of the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ratified by Egypt in 1982.
3. Takes the view that lifting the Emergency Laws is absolutely necessary to live up to democracy;
4. Strongly supports measures to guarantee academic freedom, freedom of media and private religious belief and in so doing rescind arbitrary administrative measures such as those taken against the Centre for Trade Union and Workers´ Services and the Association for Human Rights Legal Aid; calls for the release of Kamal Abbas;
5. Stresses the need to fully implement the principles of the OAU Convention 1969 and the International Convention 1993 concerning the rights and the protection of Migrant Workers and their families;
6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission, the governments and the parliaments of the member states and the Mediterranean countries signatories to the Barcelona Declaration and the President of the Euro-Mediterranean Assembly.