MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
2.7.2008
by Marco Pannella, Marco Cappato, Jorgo Chatzimarkakis
on behalf of the ALDE Group
on the situation in China after the earthquake and before the Olympic Games
B6‑0338/2008
European Parliament resolution on the situation in China after the earthquake and before the Olympic Games
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on Tibet, in particular, that on the dialogue between the Chinese Government and Envoys of the Dalai Lama of 15 February 2007, and that of 10 April 2008,
– having regard to its resolution of 13 December 2007 on the EU-China Summit - EU/China human rights dialogue,
– having regard to its resolution of 22 May 2008 on the natural disaster in China,
– having regard to its resolution of 10 April 2008 on Tibet,
– having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas EU-China relations should be based on shared common values,
B. whereas democratic values and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms should constitute the fundamental basis of the relationship between the EU and China,
C. whereas China has experienced impressive economic growth, its influence in the world has thus increased considerably over the last decade, and this has been matched with some improvements in its political system,
D. whereas there are still reports of political repression, widespread use of the death penalty and systematic repression of freedom of religion, speech and media,
E. whereas the Olympic Games in Beijing should be an extraordinary opportunity to bring about democratic reforms in China and make significant progress, in particular as regards the question of ethnic minorities, such as Tibetans and Uighurs,
F. whereas the Muslim Uighur minority in Xinjiang province is subject to severe violations of basic human rights through official policies aimed at eradicating alleged separatism and religious extremism,
G. whereas the EU-China human rights dialogue established in 2000 has so far achieved no tangible results; whereas the lack of results is also the consequence of an uncoordinated and ineffective EU common foreign policy towards China,
1. Takes note of the developments in EU-China relations and their closer cooperation to deal with a wide range of issues;
2. Calls on both sides to strengthen their efforts to tackle problems connected to energy, climate change and the environment in order to ensure a global sustainable growth and social development;
3. Welcomes the new openness, improved transparency and enhanced cooperation in EU-China relations;
4. Regrets that, while relations with China have made important progress in the trade and economic fields, this has not been accompanied by substantial achievements as regards human rights and democracy issues;
5. Deplores that China's human rights record remains a matter of concern due to widespread and systematic human rights abuses; recalls the commitments as regards human rights made by China when the country was awarded the Olympic Games;
6. Condemns the frequent use of the death penalty and calls on the Chinese authorities to establish a moratorium on executions;
7. Welcomes the resumed dialogue between China and Taiwan and is convinced that Taiwan should enjoy the right to participate in some international organisations;
8. Welcomes the reopening of Tibet to foreigners but is concerned about respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular the situation of the protesters still in jail;
9. Underlines the importance of dispatching international independent monitors to evaluate the human rights situation in Tibet and the Xinjiang Autonomous Region; in this regard, calls on the Chinese authorities to issue a standing invitation to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN mechanisms;
10. Regrets that the seventh round of talks between the Beijing authorities and the representatives of the Dalai Lama scheduled for 11 June has been postponed; calls on the Beijing authorities to engage before the Olympic Games in result-oriented negotiations without preconditions between HH the Dalai Lama and top-level Chinese officials;
11. Reiterates, in this regard, its call on the Council to appoint a special envoy for Tibetan issues in order to facilitate the dialogue between the parties and closely follow the negotiations once they are resumed;
12. Calls on the Council to adopt a common position with regard to the attendance of the Heads of State and Government and Javier Solana, the EU High Representative, at the Olympic Games opening ceremony;
13. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the parliaments of the Member States, the President and Prime Minister of the People's Republic of China and the International Olympic Committee.