MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

19.2.2008

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 Marco Cappato, Marios Matsakis, Jules Maaten
on behalf of the ALDE Group
on the situation in East Timor

B6‑0079/2008

European Parliament resolution on the situation in East Timor

The European Parliament,

-  having regard to its previous resolutions on East Timor,

-  having regard to the UN Secretary General's Special Representative briefing for the Security Council (5432nd meeting),

-  having regard to the report of the European Parliament EMO in the Democratic Republic of East Timor on 27 June to 2 July 2007 led by Ana Gomes,

-  having regard to the statement of 5 July 2007 on the legislative elections in East Timor made by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union,

-  having regard to the statement of 11 February 2008 in which the Security Council of the United Nations condemns the attack on East Timor President,

-  having regard to Rule115(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas the dismissal in April 2006 of nearly 600 soldiers in East Timor led to a very serious crisis in the country, characterised by armed confrontation between the armed forces and the dismissed troops, police disruption, riots and gang violence, where many people have been killed, many more wounded, and 150.000 of people fled to the capital and remain displaced,

B.  whereas in March 2007 a failed attempt to capture fugitive ex-Major Alfredo Reinado, an important actor in the crises of the previous year, also lead to incidents,

C.  whereas the political instability in East Timor continues, despite the free and peaceful presidential and parliamentary elections held, on 9 May 2007 and 30 June 2007 with a stronger engagement of international community under the auspices of the United Nations, responding to Timorese authorities appeals and giving hope to a definitive stabilisation of the country and the full respect of the democratic institutions,

D.  whereas, East Timor will remain in a State of emergency until 23 February following the shooting by rebel groups, on 11 February 2008, of President Jose Ramos-Horta and opened fire on the Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão in separate but coordinated attacks against the leadership of the country,

E.  whereas Mr Mari Alkatirit, Secretary General of main opposition party Fretilin, has call for early elections,

F.  whereas these attacks to Timorese democracy and leadership are still a consequence of the April 2006 crisis, making it evident that national authorities and international forces were unable in the meantime to rebuild an effective national criminal and civil justice system,

G.  whereas criticism arose against the lack of prompt response from the international forces in East Timor to the 11 February 2008 events,

H.  whereas East Timor is a full member of the ACP group of States,

I.  whereas both the European Union and the United Nations are publicly committed to support the independence of East Timor and democracy and rule of law in the country, which requires the consolidation of the State institutions and an exemplary behaviour on the part of East Timor neighbouring countries,

J.  whereas the level of unemployment in East Timor hovers around 80%, with 40% living under the poverty line and 60% aged 18 and under,

K.  having regard to the inalienable sovereign rights of the people of East Timor, in particular over their natural resources,

1.   Strongly condemns the attempted assassination of President Ramos-Horta and wishes for his full recovery and quick return to the leadership of the country;

2.   Strongly condemns the simultaneous attack against Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, which fortunately had no personal consequences, and wishes that the Timorese government together with the President of the Republic in office and the Timorese National Parliament will be able to face and to overcome these renewed threats to East Timor stability and to ensure the respect of law and order and the normal functioning of the democratic institutions, according to the Timorese Constitution;

3.   Urges all parties in East Timor to refrain from violence, to be involved in an all-inclusive dialogue to settle political differences and to participate in the democratic process within the legal and constitutional framework, thus contributing to restoring social and political stability;

4.   Urges all parties in East Timor not to try to take advantage of the fragile situation emerging from the 11 February events and to engage in the full respect and cooperation with the political bodies that emerged from the 2007 presidential and parliamentary elections;

5.   Welcomes the opening of a joint investigation on the attacks by UN and East Timor police; calls for a full preliminary report to be given as soon as possible to East Timor Prosecutor-General;

6.   Urges the main political forces in East Timor, in power and in opposition, to engage in a cross-party and national minded lasting understanding on core issues of the functioning of the State as the armed forces, the police and the judiciary system; offers the European Parliament cross-party openness and willingness to contribute and support such efforts and demarches between the East Timor parliamentary parties;

7.   Reminds that the role of the international community, and in particular the UN and its Security Council, is of vital importance to the process of consolidating the state of East Timor and its independence and sovereignty, and to strengthen democracy in this young nation;

8.   Stresses the importance of an exemplary behaviour from the East Timor neighbouring countries respecting and favouring the stability in the Timorese society and the consolidation of the national democratic institutions; acknowledges the positive gestures of Indonesia since the recognition of East Timor independence and the decisions of Australia and others to help;

9.   Calls on the Council and Commission to urge the East Timor authorities to prohibit, disband and disarm any paramilitary groups, armed gangs and armed civilians, an to rise European concerns over security capacity with the government of Timor Lest in all official meetings, and at the highest level;

10.   Calls on the government of East Timor to give a high priority to the comprehensive review of the security sector called for in UN Security Council Resolution 1704 and subsequent UN reports, delaying major reforms until it is completed; invites it to take advantage of the expertise in the UN’s Security Sector Support Unit to conduct national consultations on security sector reform.

11.  Calls on the Council, Commission and other international donors to establish a mechanism to improve coordination of assistance to the security sector;

12.   Recommends that the decisions and orders of tribunals are promptly respected and fully enforced by the Timorese authorities, with the support, whenever necessary, of the international forces in the country;

13.   Calls on the UNMIT to give the Security Sector Support Unit – the key body for dealing with the government on security sector reform – the resources and staff to assist the consultation process and comprehensive review;

14.   Reaffirms the recognition East Timor's need for political, technical and financial support in rebuilding the infrastructure and administrative structures which are essential to resume the implementation of its development plan, as well in invigorating the Timorese economy and the promotion of employment,

15.   Calls on the international institution to provide broader support to cover East Timor´s need of a reform on its fragile and politicised security sector, as its essential for a fully functioning democratic and secure state, through a widely consulting process and a systematic and comprehensive approach as recommended by the UN security Council;

16.   Calls on the European Union and international community to maintain and step up the support required to consolidate democracy and a democratic culture in East Timor, focusing on a multi-party culture and institution-building – namely the parliament, the government, the judiciary, security, defence and law enforcement forces – and to assist in the urgent extension of media coverage to the whole country, as well as in strengthening the education and health networks, with particular attention addressed to the needs of children and women;

17.   Calls on the East Timor State representative to uphold international human rights standards' and to ensure that the police's and armed forces´ treatment to citizens comply with international human rights norms and standards;

18.   Calls on the Commission to conclude as soon as possible the installation of a full fledge delegation in Dili;

19.   Recommends sending an ad hoc Parliamentary delegation to East Timor to reassess the political situation and express solidarity to democratic forces and institutions;

20.   Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the East Timor’s state authorities (namely, the president, the parliament and the government), the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, the Secretary General of the UN, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative, and the UN Security Council.