MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of Ai Wei Wei in China
5.4.2011
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure
Cristian Dan Preda, Mario Mauro, Filip Kaczmarek, Krzysztof Lisek, Sari Essayah, Bernd Posselt, Tunne Kelam, Eija-Riitta Korhola, Monica Luisa Macovei, Elena Băsescu, Thomas Mann, Laima Liucija Andrikienė, Bogusław Sonik on behalf of the PPE Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0274/2011
B7‑0277/2011
European Parliament resolution on the case of Ai Wei Wei in China
The European Parliament,
- having regard to its previous resolutions on China, in particular its resolutions of, respectively, 13 December 2007 on the EU-China Summit and the EU/China human rights dialogue, and 26 November 2009 on ‘China: minority rights and the application of the death penalty’, on human rights violations in China, notably the case of Liu Xiaobo,
- having regard to Rule 122(5) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. Considering the renewed concerns regarding the breakdown of human rights in China and in particular the recent imprisonment of human rights defenders, political activists, lawyers, writers, bloggers and critics,
B. Considering the current detention of the world renowned artist Ai Wei Wei and the refusal of the Beijing police to comment on the justification for his detention,
C. Whereas Ai Wei Wei has not been seen since he was detained while passing through security checks at Beijing airport on Sunday 3 April,
D. Whereas further to his detention, his studio was allegedly raided by police, who confiscated several items,
E. Whereas last year Ai Wei Wei was prevented from travelling abroad and was held under house arrest,
F. Whereas Ai Wei Wei has allegedly been under constant surveillance and, according to his assistants, the police have visited his compound several times,
1. Condemns the unjustifiable and unacceptable detention of Ai Wei Wei in the absence of any charges,
2. Calls on the Chinese authorities to release Ai Wei Wei immediately and to provide guarantees of his wellbeing,
3. Is deeply worried about the recent developments in China concerning the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms and, more particularly, the freedom of opinion,
4. Emphasises that police have refused to provide Ai Wei Wei's wife and assistants with information regarding the reason for his detention,
5. Calls on the VP/HR to continue to raise the issue of human rights violations and the case of Ai WeiWei at the very highest level in her contacts with the Chinese authorities,
6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the High Representative of the Union for Foreign and Security Policy, the President of the Council of the European Union, the Commission and the President, Prime Minister and People’s National Assembly of the People’s Republic of China.