MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
11.3.2008
pursuant to Rule 115 of the Rules of Procedure
by Marie Anne Isler Béguin
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
on Armenia
B6‑0110/2008
European Parliament resolution on Armenia
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on Armenia and the South Caucasus with regard, in particular, to the resolution of 17 January 2008 on a more effective EU policy for the South Caucasus: from promises to actions,
- having regard to its resolution on a Black Sea Regional Policy Approach of 17 January 2008,
– having regard to its resolution on the European Neighbourhood Policy of 15 November 2007,
– having regard to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Armenia, of the other part, which entered into force on 1 July 1999,
– having regard to the ENP Action Plan endorsed by the EU-Armenia Cooperation Council on 14 November 2006 that allows for the implementation of a whole package of reforms with EU assistance,
– having regard to the statement of preliminary findings and conclusions of the International Election Observation Mission of the Presidential Elections of 19 February 2008,
– having regard to the declaration of the Presidency on behalf of the EU of 1 March 2008,
– having regard to the statements of Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner of 21 February 2008 and 4 March 2008,
– having regard to Rule 115 (5) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas close to 400 international observers monitored the Presidential elections of 19 February for the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly and the European Parliament,
B. whereas according to the preliminary conclusions of the International Observation Mission the Presidential election was administered mostly in line with OSCE and Council of Europe commitments and standards though some problems with the vote count were noted,
C. whereas further requirements were deemed necessary in order to address remaining problems (such as the absence of a clear separation between state and party functions, ensuring equal treatment of election contestants and the conduct of the count) and restore public confidence in the electoral process,
D. whereas the official results, which showed a first-round victory for Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian, were challenged by his main rival former president Levon Ter-Petrossian who affirmed that the elections were marred by serious violations; whereas the Constitutional Court rejected on 8 March the complaints of the opposition and confirmed the official results of the Presidential elections;
E. whereas on 20 February opposition forces organised a peaceful rally and mass march through the streets of Yerevan disputing the results and demanding a rerun; whereas the peaceful demonstrations continued until 1 March,
F. whereas television stations controlled by the government have virtually ignored the rallies, which often numbered tens of thousands, and protesters said attending them was the only way to get news,
G. whereas on the morning of 1 March the police moved in on several hundred protesters sleeping in tents pitched on Freedom Square in central Yerevan allegedly in reaction to information that weapons had been distributed among the demonstrators; whereas violence broke out and during the turmoil eight people died, including one police officer, with more than 150 wounded,
H. whereas after the incidents tanks blocked the central streets in the capital; whereas the outgoing president Kocharian declared the state of emergency until 20 March,
I. whereas under martial law, local journalists are barred from disseminating any information that is given by a source other than the government; whereas, as a consequence, seven leading newspapers, some independent and some linked to the opposition, refused to operate under such conditions and suspended publication; whereas internet and satellite connections of some independent papers have been blocked as well as the Armenian service of Radio Free Europe,
J. whereas at least 30 people have been arrested and charged with mass riot, using violence against representatives of the authorities, and attempting to usurp the power of the state; whereas on 4 March the Armenian parliament gave the green light for four of its members, normally protected by an immunity clause, to be arrested and face criminal charges,
K. whereas every effort should be made by the EU in order to help Armenia to continue the pace of reforms and develop a fully functioning democracy; whereas the ENP Action Plan provides Armenia with the opportunity to get closer to the EU and embrace and share its founding values,
1. Expresses its deep concern at the deterioration of the political situation in Armenia, calls on all parties to show openness and restraint, tone down statements and engage in a constructive and fruitful dialogue aimed at supporting and consolidating the democratic institutions;
2. Calls for a prompt, thorough, transparent, independent and impartial investigation of the events which led to the violent and tragic crackdown of the police on the demonstrators and to punish and bring to justice all those responsible for misconduct and acts of violence;
3. Calls on the Armenian authorities to lift the state of emergency, mitigated by a presidential decree on 10 March 2008, restore media freedom and take all the measures necessary to ensure the return to normality; urges them, furthermore, to take due account of and to address the shortcomings pointed out in the official report released by the Republic of Armenia Ombudsman that says that the current situation in the country "is conditioned by rough governing system, over-centralisation of power, artificial essence of checks and balances, social and economic polarisation, combination of business and authorities, absence of control over authorities, deficiency of civil liberties";
4. Urges the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the OSCE envoy to continue with their efforts aimed at facilitating the dialogue between the parties, defusing tension and contributing to restore mutual confidence;
5. Calls on the Armenian authorities to refrain from all measures that could look like acts aimed at intimidating and silencing the opposition or could undermine the legitimate right of people to peaceful assembly; stresses that the lifting of immunity of members of parliament is a very grave and serious decision that must be based on solid legal grounds;
6. Underlines that the priority area 1 of the ENP Action Plan deals with the strengthening of democratic structures and the rule of law; urges, in this regard, the Commission to focus its assistance to Armenia on the independence of the judiciary and the training of police and security forces and calls on the Armenian authorities to swiftly implement all the remaining recommendations required by the International Election Observation Mission;
7. Stresses the role that the Armenian civil society can play in such a polarised and tense situation; calls on the Yerevan authorities to make the most of the proposals coming from NGOs and to engage in a broad and deep dialogue with all of its components;
8. Expresses its deep concern at the breach of the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh that took place over the last days, which was the heaviest since the ceasefire line was agreed in 1994, and caused the death of around 15 people; calls on the parties to immediately stop all fighting and make all efforts so as to bring back negotiations on rails within the OSCE framework;
9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Member States, the President and the Parliament of Armenia, the OSCE and the Council of Europe.