MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

10.3.2009

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 Inese Vaidere, Eoin Ryan, Ewa Tomaszewska, Mieczysław Edmund Janowski, Konrad Szymański, Gintaras Didžiokas, Adam Bielan
on behalf of the UEN Group
on the situation in the Philippines

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B6-0121/2009

B6‑0125/2009

European Parliament resolution on the situation in the Philippines

The European Parliament,

having regard to its resolutions of 18 July 1997 and 14 January 1999 on supporting peace negotiations in the Philippines,

- having regard to its resolution of 26 April 2007 on the human rights situation in the

Philippines,

– having regard to the UN International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from

Enforced Disappearance of 2006,

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

A.  whereas in past years the Government of the Republic of the Philippines has engaged in peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Mindanao, with the latest round of talks breaking down in August 2008,

B.  whereas on 14 October 2008 the Supreme Court of the Philippines declared a draft agreement between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Philippines government unconstitutional,

C.  whereas in March 2009 the Philippine Government declared that the arrest of certain MILF leaders was no longer a precondition for the resumption of peace talks,

D.  whereas the number of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances dropped significantly in 2008, whereas, however, human rights defenders, journalists and activists are still at risk from harassment and surveillance by security forces, threats, arbitrary arrests, ill-treatment and torture in police custody, extended periods of detention, disappearances and extra-judicial killings,

E.  whereas the separatist conflict in the southern Philippines has claimed more than 120,000 lives over the last three decades and has resulted in hundreds of thousands of persons being displaced,

F.  whereas the recent kidnapping and killing of the daughter of a regional commander of the New People's Army rebel group has cast into doubt the possibility of the resumption of peace talks between the Philippines government and communist rebel groups,

1.  Urges all parties in the Philippines to work towards comprehensive agreements on social, economic, political and constitutional reforms with the aim of achieving a just and lasting peace;

2.  Supports all efforts on the part of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and all other actors in the Philippines to pave the way for a just and lasting peace;

3.  Welcomes the European Union's continuing aid commitment to civilians displaced by the conflict in the southern Philippines; calls for enhanced national and international action to protect and to work towards the rehabilitation of the hundreds of thousands of displaced in the southern Philippines;

4.  Calls for increased engagement in peace talks in the southern Philippines and the strengthening and maintenance of ceasefire mechanisms in place as well as the construction and strengthening of social, political and judicial institutions;

5.  Is concerned that the Human Security Act introduced in February 2007 could be used to constrain freedoms in the Philippines.

6.  Requests that the Commission and Council provide and facilitate support and assistance to the Parties in carrying out their formal peace negotiations and further support development, relief and rehabilitation programmes in the Philippines;

7.  Instructs its President to forward this Resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments of the Member States and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines