MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Egypt
10.2.2011
pursuant to Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure
Ioannis Kasoulides, José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra, Elmar Brok, Cristian Dan Preda, Monica Luisa Macovei, Tokia Saïfi, Mario Mauro, Simon Busuttil, Vito Bonsignore, Joachim Zeller, Filip Kaczmarek, Elena Băsescu, Inese Vaidere, Michael Gahler, Alf Svensson on behalf of the PPE Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0120/2011
B7‑0120/2011
European Parliament resolution on Egypt
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on Egypt,
– having regard to Union policy on human rights and democratisation in third countries, as adopted by the Council in December 2005,
– having regard to its resolution on 16 February 2006 on the human rights and democracy clause in European Union agreements,
– having regard to the Commission’s Communication of 4 December 2006 on strengthening the European Neighbourhood Policy (COM(2006)0726),
– having regard to the Commission Communication entitled ‘Implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy in 2009: progress report on Egypt’ (COM(2010)0207 - SEC(2010)0517),
– having regard to the European Union-Egypt Association Agreement from 2004 and the Action Plan agreed in 2007,
– having regard to its resolution of 14 May 2010 on EU policies in favour of human rights defenders,
– having regard to the European Council Declaration on Egypt and the region of 4 February 2011,
– having regard to the statements made by Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, on the situation in Egypt and on journalists and human rights defenders in Egypt of 4 February 2011,
– having regard to Rule 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas recent demonstrations in several Arab countries in Northern Africa and the Middle East have called for political, economic and social reforms and have expressed strong popular demand for freedom, democracy and better living conditions for the citizens,
B. whereas from 25 January, ongoing peaceful protests against the Egyptian regime were met with violent repression from police using teargas water cannons, rubber bullets as well as real bullets resulting in the death of hundreds of people,
C. whereas subsequently the police withdrew but left the neighbourhoods uncovered to allow common law looting and theft to make the point that it is either the police or the chaos, and whereas gangs and thugs supporting President Mubarak were allowed to come in contact with the demonstrators resulting in further deaths and injuries,
D. whereas responding to the popular demand for freedom and social justice in Egypt requires a serious and open dialogue with the participation of all political forces that respect democracy, uphold the rule of law and respect human rights and fundamental freedoms,
E. whereas government talks with opposition groups are a step in the right direction, but have so far fallen short of setting up a fully inclusive national political dialogue,
F. whereas Council, in its conclusions of 31 January 2011, confirmed the EU’s commitment to accompany, through a partnership, the Egyptian transformation process by mobilising, renewing and adapting existing instruments to support political, economic and social reforms as well as that the EU stands ready to assist the Egyptian people in this transformation process, taking into account further developments,
G. whereas the European Union has yet to develop a genuine foreign policy that is consistent and effective vis-à-vis its partners and where it speaks with one strong voice; reiterating its call for human rights clauses in association agreements to be systematically backed up by a mechanism to implement those clauses; having regard in this context to the ongoing and necessary review of the neighbourhood policy,
H. whereas Egypt is a key partner in the Arab world, both for Israel and the European Union, playing an active and crucial role of support in the Middle East Peace Process and in the inter-Palestinian reconciliation,
1. Expresses its solidarity with the Egyptian people and its support for legitimate democratic aspirations; Strongly condemns the violence and disproportionate force used against protesters and deeply regrets the resulting considerable loss of life and the high number of injuries; Extends its condolences to the families of the victims; Calls for an independent enquiry into the incidents leading to death, injuries and imprisonments, and for those responsible to be brought to justice;
2. Calls on the Egyptian Authorities to put an immediate end to further violence; underscores that violence is not a solution for any of the problems expressed by the Egyptian people through their protests; reminds the Egyptian authorities and the security forces of their obligation to ensure the security of all citizens and their property, as well as to protect cultural heritage;
3. Calls on the Egyptian Authorities to respond swiftly to the widespread calls for democratic reforms, to lift the State of emergency, to restore all communication networks, including the Internet, without delay and fully to respect the freedom of information, expression and association; condemns the intimidation and aggression directed at journalists, foreign media and human rights defenders; Calls for the immediate release of all peaceful protesters, journalists and human rights defenders;
4. Calls on the Egyptian Authorities to ensure a peaceful transition, including creating the necessary conditions for free and fair elections allowing for all democratic forces to take part in that election; Calls in this context for a genuine national political dialogue on reform including all key political and civil society actors in order to provide it with legitimacy and to secure support of the people;
5. Calls on the EU and its Member states to actively support a rapid transition towards a peaceful, pluralist and just Egypt; Urges the current Egyptian authorities not to be an obstacle to such a transition;
6. Expresses its strong support for reforms towards democracy, the rule of law and social justice; stresses the importance of strengthening good governance, the fight against corruption, the independence of the judiciary and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Egypt, with special regard to freedom of conscience, religion, and thought, freedom of expression, freedom of press and media, freedom of association, women’s rights and the protection of minorities;
7. Notes the announcement of the Egyptian Government of the creation of three committees charged with amending the Constitution, implementing agreements reached in a national dialogue and investigating the clashes having taken place during the protests and referring the results to the prosecutor-general; Underlines, however, the importance of making the committee work as transparent and inclusive as possible in order to reach a national consensus on the way forward;
8. Calls, furthermore, on the Egyptian authorities to considerably accelerate economic and social reforms since freedom, economic development and a higher standard of living are essential for political and social stability in the country;
9. Calls for significant and efficient EU support for democratic transformation as well as for economic and social development in Egypt, and in other southern neighbours concerned, by mobilising, reviewing and adapting existing EU instruments aimed at assisting political, economic and social reforms; asks the High Representative/Vice-President of the European Commission to use more intensively the EU Instrument for the Promotion of Democracy and Human Rights;
10. Calls on the EU, the Member states, parties and foundations to help the democratic opposition and the organisations of the civil society to organise themselves better in order to be able to participate fully in the transition to democracy;
11. Emphasizes that events in Egypt, and in other countries in the region, highlight again the urgent need to develop more ambitious and efficient policies and instruments to encourage and support political, economic and social reforms in the EU’s southern neighbourhood; stresses that the ongoing Strategic Review of the European Neighbourhood Policy must reflect current developments in the region and must come up with new improved ways to meet the needs and aspirations of the peoples;
12. Reiterates its demand for the European Union to revise its democracy and human rights support policy so as to create an implementation mechanism for the human rights clause in all agreements with third countries; insists that the review of the neighbourhood policy must prioritise criteria relating to the independence of the judiciary, respect for fundamental freedoms, pluralism and freedom of the press and the fight against corruption; calls for better coordination with the Union’s other policies vis-à-vis those countries;
13. Calls on the Union for the Mediterranean to urgently reflect and act on recent events in order to put forward proposals on how to best promote democracy and human rights in its Member States and in the region and on possible reforms in order to make its own role stronger and more efficient;
14. Considers that, good governance, the fight against corruption and the strengthening of the rule of law in third countries are fundamental criteria to meet people’s expectations as well as to attract external investment; Underlines the need for suspected cases of corruption to be investigated and for all responsible to be held accountable;
15. Recognizes the crucial role of Egypt in the Arab world and in the Middle East Peace Process and the importance of the Peace Agreement with Israel; in this context, urges Egypt to continue to be committed to and to play an active and constructive role as mediator in all efforts aimed at finding lasting peace in the Middle East, with special regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Palestinian reconciliation;
16. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean and the Egyptian Government.