MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Thailand
18.5.2010
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure
Charles Tannock, Ryszard Antoni Legutko, Tomasz Piotr Poręba, Adam Bielan, Julie Girling, Ryszard Czarnecki, Jacek Olgierd Kurski on behalf of the ECR Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0278/2010
B7‑0289/2010
European Parliament resolution on the situation in Thailand
The European Parliament,
- having regard to the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
- having regard to the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
- having regard to the 1990 United Nations Basic Principles on the use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials,
- having regard to the ongoing EU-Thailand negotiation for a Partnership Cooperation Agreement,
- having regard to the statements made by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the political situation in Thailand on 8 and 13 April 2010 and by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on a Call for Peaceful Dialogue in Thailand on 12 April 2010,
- having regard to Prime Minister of Thailand Abhisit Vejjajiva's address to the Thai People on the government's actions to be taken following the incidents of 10 April 2010,
- having regard to the statement made by the Secretary-General of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Dr Surin Pitsuwan on the situation in Thailand on 12 April 2010,
- having regard to the Press Conference given by the Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban on current developments in Thailand on 16 April 2010,
- having regard to the press conference given on 18 April by Dr. Panitan Wattanayagorn, Deputy Secretary General to the Prime Minister and Acting Government Spokesman on the authorities to prevent further expansion of unlawful protests,
- having regard to Rule 122 of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas the Thai Government decided at its meeting on 11 May 2010 to step up measures against the United front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), where these include cutting off the basic necessities from the protest area (electricity, water, etc.), the reason given for this being the claim that the general public was dissatisfied with the protests,
B. whereas on 7 April 2010 the current 'red-shirt' protest led by the United front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) that began on 12 March 2010 ceased to be a peaceful movement when they forced their way into the Thai Parliament building, forcing members of Parliament to be airlifted to safety,
C. whereas the Prime Minister of Thailand, Abhisit Vejjajiva, enacted emergency law under the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in a State of Emergency (Emergency Decree) following the protestors' invasion of Parliamentary grounds on 7 April 2010,
D. whereas Section 17 of the Emergency Decree contains an immunity provision that is a violation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
E. whereas the state of emergency declared by the Thai Government led to censorship of a satellite television station, several radio and television stations, and internet sites, which led to a further violent clash on 9 April 2010 between the protestors and government soldiers at the Thaicom satellite station that resulted in several injuries on both sides,
F. whereas Bangkok's worst political violence since 1992 broke out on Saturday, 10 April 2010, when the Thai Government mobilized more than 1 000 soldiers in an attempt to forcibly disperse the protestors that resulted in over 21 killings, including a Reuters television cameraman of Japanese citizenship Hiro Muramoto, and causing 800 injuries on both sides,
G. whereas during the 10 April 2010 clash, soldiers used water cannons and fired rubber bullets and teargas against the protestors, while protesters hurled petrol bombs against the soldiers and both sides were accused of firing live rounds,
H. whereas Prime Minister Vejjajiva declared a halt to the dispersal operations as casualties amounted and insisted that the soldiers would only have fired live rounds "into the air and in self-defense",
I. whereas the persisting turmoil in Thailand led to the cancelation of an April summit of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) as the protesters stormed the summit venue in the seaside resort of Pattaya,
J. whereas the government's position on prohibiting the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) from expanding their demonstrations beyond Ratchaprasong Intersection was reiterated by the Acting Government on 18 April 2010 following the proposition of some UDD leaders and thus additional police forces will be deployed in the Silom area to ensure the safety of people living and working there,
1. Deplores this outbreak of political violence in Thailand, which has been the most violent since 1992 and has resulted in over 21 killings, including two foreign nationals, and has caused 800 injuries, mainly among civilians;
2. Expresses its sincere sympathy with and condolences to the families and friends of all the victims;
3. Calls on all parties to cease political violence;
4. Takes note of the Thai Government's decision to establish an independent committee to launch official investigations of an impartial nature into the killings on 10 April 2010 by both the soldiers and the protestors;
5. Strongly believes that this incident is a breach of the principles of free speech, democracy and peaceful political opposition;
6. Calls on the Thai Government to end any censorship and restraints on the rights to freedom of expression;
7. Calls on the Thai Government and the protestors to settle their differences through constructive dialogue and peaceful means;
8. Urges the Thai Government to restore stability and the rule of law in order to advance EU-Thailand bilateral relations;
9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the UN Secretary General, the Secretary-General of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), and to the Government of Kingdom of Thailand.