MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Thailand

18.5.2010

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 122 of the Rules of Procedure

Barbara Lochbihler, Raül Romeva i Rueda, Christian Engström, Emilie Turunen, Gerald Häfner, Heidi Hautala, Frieda Brepoels, Nicole Kiil-Nielsen on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0278/2010

B7‑0281/2010

European Parliament resolution on Thailand

The European Parliament,

-   having regard to Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) of 1948,

-   having regard to Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) of 1966,

-   having regard the statements by High Representative Catherine Ashton of 8 and 13 April 2010 on the political situation in Thailand,

-   having regard the statement by the Secretary-General of ASEAN of 12 April 2010 on the situation in Thailand,

-   having regard to Rule 122 of its Rules of Procedure,

 

 

A. whereas Thailand has been entrenched in a violent crisis which started nine weeks ago and has already claimed the lives of at least 66 people, opposing the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, the so-called "red-shirt" demonstrators - representing in their majority the socially disadvantaged and the rural poor - with the government and the army supported by the "yellow-shirt" movement,

 

B. whereas the protest movement has been backed by Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister and telecommunications billionaire, who was removed from power in a military coup four years ago,

 

C. whereas the government of Prime Minister Abhisit came to power in a controversial parliamentary vote 16 months ago and whereas the protesters claim that Mr. Abhisit has been installed by an elite intent on preventing a broader distribution of political and economic power,

 

D. whereas tension has continued to rise to the brink of civil war with the news on Monday morning that Major General Khattya Sawasdipol, a renegade army officer and high-profile member of the protest movement, had died in hospital three days after being shot in the head by a sniper and after the government moved in to try to end more than nine weeks of protests by cordoning off the protest site to prevent supplies and reinforcements reaching the "red-shirt" protesters,

 

E.. whereas the protesters are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government and new elections and whereas two weeks ago the Prime Minister made an offer - since withdrawn - to hold a ballot more than a year early in November 2010 but the deal broke down after the protesters set a series of conditions,

 

F. whereas both the government and "red shirts" have ruled out face-to-face talks despite international offers of mediation and whereas the leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship have offered negotiations only if they are mediated by the United Nations and preceded by a troop pull-back while the government is only willing to negotiate with the protesters once their demonstration has ended,

 

1. Expresses its serious concern over the present unrest in Thailand and conveys its condolences to the victims of the violence and the families of the deceased;

 

2. Is concerned that significant parts of Thailand's population seem to have lost trust in the country's institutions and believes that only a quick return to the negotiating table can prevent a further decline into violent conflict;

 

3. Urges the Thai authorities to honour their pledge to establish an independent committee to launch impartial investigation into the incidents that occurred on 10 April 2010;

 

4. Acknowledges the roadmap presented by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on 3 May 2010 and urges both sides to resume dialogue;

 

5. Calls on all sides to show the utmost self-restraint and condemns the use of lethal violence by the state forces towards the demonstrators who are mainly unarmed civilians; condemns the use of violence by the protesters to achieve political goals;.

 

6. Calls on the Thai Government to ensure that the declaration of a state of emergency does not lead to any disproportionate restrictions of fundamental rights and individual freedoms; urges the government to repeal the declaration at the first feasible opportunity;

 

7. Urges all parties to engage immediately in a constructive dialogue in order to seek a negotiated settlement and to solve the current situation through peaceful and democratic means;

 

8. Stresses its will to support democracy in Thailand taking into consideration the excellent EU-Thai relations and the role of Thailand as a source of prosperity and stability in the region;

 

9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the HR/VP Baroness Ashton, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the governments of the ASEAN and ASEM member states, the UN Secretary-General, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Thai Government and Parliament.