MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
13.1.2009
pursuant to Rule 115 of the Rules of Procedure
by Vittorio Agnoletto
on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
on Press Freedom in Kenya
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B6-0038/2009
B6‑0055/2009
European Parliament resolution on Press Freedom in Kenya
The European Parliament,
- having regard to the African Charter of Human and Peoples' rights,
- having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
- having regard to Rule 115(5) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas on Friday, 2 January 2009 President Kibaki assented to the http://www.kenyalaw.org/Downloads/Bills/2008/The_Kenya_Communications%20_Amendment_%20Bill_2008.pdf which amended the http://www.lawsofkenya.com/allnew/view_cap.asp?PublicationID=615,
B. whereas the bill, as it is, disregards the rights to freedom of expression and press freedom as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and echoed by other international conventions that the Kenyan Government has signed and ratified, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights,
C. whereas according to a press release issued by the East African Journalists Association (EAJA), the media bill would introduce direct media censorship by the government,
1. Rappelle son attachement à la liberté de la presse ainsi qu'aux droits politiques fondamentaux qui concernent la liberté d'expression, d'information et d'organisation; regrets the signing of the Kenyan Communications (Amendment) Bill by Kenyan authorities who neglected to take widely reported reservations to this bill into consideration at the time of signature;
2. Welcomes President Kibaki's recent move to revise the media law, and his gesture to consider amendments to the legislation proposed by members of the media; lui demande, ainsi qu'à son Premier Ministre, d'être le garant que la version adoptée de cette nouvelle loi sur les média au Kenya soit compatible avec les principes de liberté d'expression et d'information;
3. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the government and parliament of placeplaceplaceKenya.