MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Egypt and Syria, in particular of Christian communities

24.10.2011

to wind up the debate on the statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
pursuant to Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure

Willy Meyer, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, Marie-Christine Vergiat, Helmut Scholz on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group

B7‑0547/2011

European Parliament resolution on the situation in Egypt and Syria, in particular of Christian communities

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to its previous resolutions,

–   having regard to both articles 18 of the UN Charter and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and article 10 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU,

–   having regard to the 1981 UN Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and Discrimination based on Religion and Beliefs,

–   having regard to the UNCHR resolutions to combat 'defamation of religions',

–   having regard to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon statement on October 11, in which he stated that the Egyptian government should 'guarantee the protection of human rights and civil liberties for Egyptians of all faiths',

–   having regard to the statement of Rupert Colville, the spokesman for U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, who urged the Egyptian authorities 'to ensure the impartiality and independence of any investigation undertaken into the incident',

–   having regard to Rule 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas according to both articles 18 of the UN Charter and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and article 10 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU 'everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance';

B.  whereas several UNCHR resolutions call on 'all States, within their national legal framework, in conformity with international human rights instruments, to take all appropriate measures to combat hatred, discrimination, intolerance and acts of violence, intimidation and coercion motivated by religious intolerance, including attacks on religious places, and to encourage understanding, tolerance and respect in matters relating to freedom of religion or belief';

C. whereas freedom of thought, conscience and religion applies to adherents of religions, but also to atheists, agnostics and people without beliefs;

D. whereas inter-community dialogue is crucial to promoting peace and mutual understanding between peoples;

E.  whereas the discontent of the people in those countries who are dealing with economic and social problems generated by neoliberal policies;

F.  whereas the Christian communities in Egypt and Syria constitute around the 10% of the population of each country;

G. whereas on Friday 7th a Copt church on a renovated village in the southern province of Aswan was attacked and burned;

H. whereas on Sunday 9th October a protest against this attack was organised by Copts in front of the state TV building Maspero with a result of 25 people killed and more than 300 injured allegedly by military police;

I.   whereas there are 28 people in custody, both Muslims and Christians, pending for investigations;

J.   whereas Egypt's deputy prime minister Hazem al-Beblawi resigned after the incidents;

K. whereas in recent weeks there have been several killings of prominent people in Homs (Syria), including a nuclear engineer, university professors and physicians and most of those targeted were members of minority such as Alawites, Christians and Shiites;

1.  Strongly condemns the violence allegedly by military police in Egypt during the demonstration where 25 people were killed and more than 300 were injured;

2.  Expresses its condolences to the families of the victims and of those injured in the recent attacks in Egypt and all the attacks against religious denominations;

3.  Recalls the demand of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights for an impartial and independent investigation of the events in order to assure that they do not remain unpunished and that those responsible are judged in civil trials; points out that the investigation should specifically address the killing of the Coptic Christian demonstrators who appear to have been run over by military vehicles;

4.  Is concerned by these incidents and hopes that they will not undermine the process started with the uprising in Tahrir Square and that the result of this process will give an answer to the demands for improvement in living conditions, of social and labour rights and of freedom and democracy;

5.  Unequivocally condemns the use of force and lethal violence against peaceful protesters and other grave human rights violation in Syria, such as arbitrary executions and detention, enforced and involuntary disappearance, torture and systematic persecution and intimidation of human rights defenders and journalists by the Syrian authorities, expresses its condolences to the families of the victims and wounded;

6.  Urges the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic to immediately put an end to all human rights violations and fully respect all human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression and freedom of assembly;

7.  Supports the courageous struggle of the Syrian people against the regime and insists that the future destiny of Syria must firmly rest in the hands of the Syrian people, without any external interference;

8.  Rejects any foreign military intervention against the country;

9.  Deeply denounces all kinds of violence, discrimination and intolerance based on religion and belief, against religious people, apostates and non-believers;

10. Stresses that the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion is a fundamental human right guaranteed by international legal instruments that should be respected in every country, including Egypt and Syria; reiterates at the same time its commitment with the fundamental concept of inalienability of all human rights;

11. Denounces the instrumentalisation of religion in various political conflicts; supports all initiatives aimed at promoting dialogue and mutual respect between religious communities; calls on all governments and religious authorities to promote tolerance, respect for freedom of religion and to take initiatives against hatred; asks the governments to guarantee freedom of religion and belief; reiterates its commitment to the value of secularism;

12. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affaire and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member states, the governments and parliaments of Egypt and Syria and the African Union.