MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Zimbabwe

5.4.2011

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

Fiorello Provera, Giancarlo Scottà, Oreste Rossi, Nikolaos Salavrakos, Niki Tzavela, Lorenzo Fontana, Jaroslav Paška, Rolandas Paksas, Juozas Imbrasas on behalf of the EFD Group

B7‑0239/2011

European Parliament resolution on Zimbabwe

The European Parliament,

-          having regard to its numerous previous resolutions on Zimbabwe,

 

–         having regard to the African Charter on Human and Peoples‘ Rights, which Zimbabwe has ratified,

 

–         having regard to the EU-ACP Partnership Agreement (Cotonou Agreement), signed on 23 June 2000,

 

–         having regard to Rule 122(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

 

A.       whereas instability characterizes the current political situation in Zimbabwe, between the forces of President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC and MDC-N;

 

B.        whereas the term of the government of national unity established under the Global Political Agreement signed in September 2008 expired in February and polls will be organized, although a timetable has not been set;

 

C.       whereas in recent weeks ZANU-PF supporters and officials have intensified the use of intimidation and violence against opponents; whereas cases of bribery involving 5 MPs have been reported in connection with the election of the new Speaker of the House;

 

D.       whereas Robert Mugabe has been president for more than 30 years and is allegedly involved in illegal arms smuggling to countries under embargo, such as Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of Congo;

 

E.        whereas the EU has decided to extend the targeted sanctions against Zimbabwe, including travel restrictions and a freeze on assets, citing a lack of progress towards political reforms and a recent spike in violence instigated by ZANU-PF;

 

1.        Strongly condemns the intimidation campaign carried out by ZANU-PF supporters and officials against political opponents;

 

2.        Calls on the parties involved to reach an agreement on a timetable for elections in the country and to reduce tension in order to accomplish all the necessary steps to organize credible electoral procedures;

 

3.        Remains concerned by the use of revenues from diamonds smuggling to finance ZANU-PF elections campaigns;

 

4.        Calls on the High Representative of the EU through its delegation in Harare to closely monitor the political situation in Zimbabwe and urge neighbouring countries to facilitate a dialogue between the parties;

 

5.        Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments of the Member States and candidate countries, the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Governments and Parliaments of Zimbabwe and South Africa, the Co-Presidents of the EU-ACP Joint Parliamentary Assembly, the African Union institutions, including the Pan-African Parliament, the UN Secretary-General, the Secretary-General of the SADC and the Commonwealth Secretary-General.