MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Egypt: Recent Developments

14.2.2012

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, Ryszard Antoni Legutko, Tomasz Piotr Poręba, Ryszard Czarnecki, Valdemar Tomaševski on behalf of the ECR Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0079/2012

B7‑0082/2012

European Parliament resolution on Egypt: Recent Developments

The European Parliament,

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

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

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

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

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

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

–   having regard to its 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 its previous resolutions, in particular those of 17 February 2011⁽¹⁾ on the situation in Egypt and of 27 October 2011⁽²⁾ on the situation in Egypt and Syria, in particular of Christian communities,

–   having regard to its resolution of 17 November 2011 on Egypt, in particular the case of blogger Alaa Abd El-Fattah Thursday, 17 November 2011,

–   having regard to the Statements by the High Representative Catherine Ashton on EU response on the football tragedy in Egypt, 2 February 2012,

–   having regard to the Statement by High Representative Catherine Ashton on the opening session of the Egyptian Parliament,

–   having regard to Rule 122 of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  Whereas in January 2012 Egyptians voted in three phases over a six-week period to elect the 498 members of the People's Assembly; whereas 10 further members are appointed by the ruling military in which the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) won the largest number of seats under Egypt's complex electoral system;

B.  Whereas violent unrest and instability continues within Egypt;

C.  Whereas at least 74 people have been killed in clashes between rival fans following a football match in the Egyptian city of Port Said; where armed football fans reportedly invaded the pitch after a match between football clubs al-Masry and al-Ahly;

D.  Notes that this is the biggest disaster in the country's football history, said the Egyptian deputy health minister;

E.   Whereas Egypt is going through a critical period of democratic transition and faces considerable challenges and difficulties in this process;

F.  Notes the continued discrimination against minority groups, including Coptic Christians, and women;

G.   whereas the social media have played an important role in Arab Spring events, including in Egypt; and stresses the importance that bloggers, journalists and human rights defenders are free from intimidation, and stresses the importance of the independence of the media;

 

1. Notes that as Egypt passed the first anniversary of the January 25 civilian revolt that toppled the 30-year rule of Hosni Mubarak, there is still a long way to go to guarantee long term democratic stability within Egypt;

2. Urges the Egyptian authorities to carry out a full and thorough and independent investigation into the tragic events at the Football match in Port Said;

3. Notes concern over the continued use of trying civilians in military courts, and stresses that an impartial civilian judicial court and access to a fair trial are core values in any democratic country;

4. Notes the negative impact on the Egyptian economy and foreign investment, following Egypt's continued instability, which has led to significant poverty for some Egyptian citizens;

5. Stresses the importance for true equality of women to be recognised within Egypt, and the importance for freedom of thought, expression, speech, and belief for all;

6.  Reiterates its solidarity with the Egyptian people in this critical period of democratic transition in the country and continues to support their legitimate democratic aspirations; calls on the Egyptian authorities to ensure full respect of all fundamental rights, including freedom of thought, freedom of conscience and freedom of religion, freedom of expression and of internet, freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of association;

7. Urges the Egyptian authorities and Government to comply with international law, and international Human Right Law, and cooperate with the international Community in establishing long term stability within Egypt;

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, and 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.