MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Egypt, in particular the case of blogger Alaa Abdel Fatah

15.11.2011

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

Charles Tannock, Peter van Dalen, Geoffrey Van Orden, Ryszard Antoni Legutko, Tomasz Piotr Poręba, Ryszard Czarnecki on behalf of the ECR Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0595/2011

B7‑0595/2011

European Parliament resolution on the situation in Egypt, in particular the case of blogger Alaa Abdel Fatah

The European Parliament,

–   Having regard to the EU-Egypt association agreement and in particular Article 2 thereof,

–   Having regard to the statement by the High Representative, Catherine Ashton, of 10 October 2011, on the violence in Egypt,

–   Having regard to the statement by its President, of 10 October 2011, on violent clashes in Egypt,

_ Having regard to the European Parliament Resolution on the 27 October 2011 on

the situation in Egypt and Syria, in particular of Christian communities

 

–   Having regard to the Joint Communication on ‘A new response to a changing neighbourhood’ of the European Commission and the High Representative to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of Regions of 25 May 2011,

–   Having regard to the UN Security Council Presidential Statement of 3 August 2011,

–   Having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948,

–   Having regard to Rule 110 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. Whereas on 9 October 2011 what started as a peaceful demonstration by Coptic Christians following an attack on a Coptic church in Marinab village in the Governorate of Aswan, was brutally crushed by the Egyptian army, resulting in the death of over 25 people, mostly Coptic Christian, and leaving several hundred wounded, and notes that Coptic Christians represent around 10% of the Egyptian population; whereas there have been recurrent acts of violence against Coptic Christians in Egypt over recent years and whereas the security situation of the Copts seems to have deteriorated since the start of the revolution,

B.  Whereas more violence was incited by the Egyptian state television when people were called to "protect the army", whereas at the same time two independent media outlets were stormed and forcibly closed by security forces;

C. Whereas the Egyptian Constitution guarantees freedom of belief and freedom to practise religious rites,

D.  Whereas the European Union is one of the main international donors of Egypt and has made significant financial and other commitments to support the political transition;

E.  Whereas the European Union has repeatedly expressed its commitment to freedom of thought, freedom of conscience and freedom of religion and has stressed that governments have a duty to guarantee these freedoms all over the world,

F.  Whereas various rounds of parliamentary elections are due to take place in the coming months, beginning on 28 November 2011,

G. Whereas Egyptian blogger Alaa Abdel Fatah 29, and his wife have written a blog criticizing the way the Egyptian military has used its power, and has worked at the forefront of anti regime struggles for a decade and was a political prisoner during the Mubarak era;

H. Whereas on the 9th of October when violence erupted at a Coptic Christian protest in central Cairo, Abd El Fattah was among those who spoke against the army's alleged involvement in the violence and was subsequently summoned to Cairo's C28, headquarters of the military prosecutors and has now been taken into custody by the country's military rulers on charges of inciting violence against the military, assaulting military personnel and additional charges of stealing weaponry;

I. Whereas Abd El Fattah is the latest in a number of targets against journalists, media figures, bloggers and activists by the new regime;

1.  Strongly condemns the violence perpetrated against the Copts on 9 October 2011 by the Egyptian army and extremists and any other sectarian violence and expresses its condolences to the victims and their relatives;

2.  Urges the Egyptian authorities to immediately release Abd El Fattah, whose detention has been extended past the 15 days expected;

3. Stresses the need for a free and independent media, and calls for the full respect of freedom of thought, expression, and belief;

4.  Calls on the High Representative and the Commission to review the EU's financial commitments towards Egypt and to guarantee a strict conditionality so that financial aid is only disbursed when the Egyptian authorities can prove they have done all in their power to guarantee fundamental human rights, including freedom of religion or belief, to all Egyptians;

5.  Urges the Egyptian authorities to guarantee the independence and impartiality of the various investigations by allowing proper oversight;

6.  Expresses deep concern about reports of violent clashes, as well as the use of Military courts to investigate and try civilians;

7.  Welcomes furthermore the initiation of a fact finding mission by the National Council for Human Rights in Egypt;

8.  Urges the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) to review their decision to not allow foreign observers to be present for the parliamentary elections due to start on 28 November 2011; asks the SCAF to receive a delegation of members of the European Parliament for an Election Observation Mission;

9.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces of Egypt and the Secretary-General of the Arab League.