MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

16.12.2008

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 Luisa Morgantini
on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
on Zimbabwe

B6‑0634/2008

European Parliament resolution on Zimbabwe

The European Parliament,

-  having regard to its previous resolution on placeplaceZimbabwe,

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

A.  whereas Zimbabwe is facing a humanitarian crisis of massive proportions with 5.1 million people, almost half the population, facing hunger; whereas an outbreak of cholera, the result of the breakdown of basic water and sanitation services, has killed at least 783 people and infected over 16,400 people in Zimbabwe and more than 300,000 people seriously http://www.oxfam.org.uk/oxfam_in_action/emergencies/zim_hum_crisis.html are in grave danger from the epidemic,

B.  whereas there is reliable evidence that the crisis is growing, not diminishing, especially given the fact that the cholera is spread by unclean water and exacerbated by hunger;

C.  whereas life expectancy in Zimbabwe has dropped from 60 years for both sexes to 37 years for men and 34 for women in the past decade; and whereas 1.7 million people are now living with HIV in Zimbabwe;

D.  whereas behind the health emergency, there is a worsening political and human rights crisis in Zimbabwe, with the most recent development being the unprecedented spate of abduction of human rights defenders;

E.  whereas the political agreement of 15 September 2008 on the principle of forming a government of national unity with a view to ending the crisis is a step forward, achieved through the mediation of President Thabo Mbeki,

1.  Expresses its deep concern at the catastrophic humanitarian situation in placeplaceZimbabwe as a result of the cholera epidemic and hunger; calls on the Council and the Commission to reaffirm their commitment to the Zimbabwean people through a substantial and long-standing program of humanitarian aid;

2.  Calls on the Zimbabwean authorities to lift all restrictions on humanitarian aid agencies and to ensure that humanitarian aid can be delivered;

3.  Demande au Président Mugabe de respecter les engagements concernant la partition du pouvoir avec l'opposition, qui lui-même a solennellement signé;

4.  Urgently calls for increased engagement of African countries and regional institutions such as the SADC and the AU, in negotiating and monitoring a solution to the Zimbabwean crisis; condemns the violence against members and supporters of the MDC;

5.  Expresses deep concern about the situation of Zimbabwean refugees in the region and deplores the acts of violence against Zimbabwean refugees in surrounding countries; calls on the Commission to support the neighbouring countries with financial and material assistance programmes for the refugees;

6.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the UN Security Council, the African Union and the Governments and Parliaments of the SADC.