MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Guinea-Bissau
6.6.2012 - (2012/2660(RSP))
pursuant to Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure
João Ferreira, Inês Zuber, Patrick Le Hyaric, Jacky Hénin, Marie‑Christine Vergiat, Willy Meyer, Younous Omarjee on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0277/2012
The European Parliament,
– having regard to Rule 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas the military coup in Guinea-Bissau on 12 April 2012 toppled the Interim President and the Government formed by the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC);
B. whereas the coup was also aimed at cutting short the presidential election;
C. whereas the UN Security Council adopted a resolution (Resolution 2048 (2012)) on 18 May 2012;
1. Condemns the military coup staged in Guinea-Bissau on 12 April;
2. Considers that the only way to resolve the present situation in Guinea-Bissau is to restore and respect the country’s constitutional framework so as to enable the people of Guinea-Bissau to decide their fate free of outside interference;
3. Recognises the legitimacy of Guinea-Bissau’s constitutional authorities – the exercise of sovereignty having been imperilled by the military coup – and appeals to all countries and international organisations to do likewise;
4. Rejects any decisions and measures which, in the absence of the legitimate representatives of Guinea-Bissau’s institutions, are seeking to present or impose the aims of the military coup as faits accomplis;
5. Urges that the necessary conditions be put in place to allow the safe return of the Interim President, Raimundo Pereira, the Prime Minister, Carlos Gomes Júnior, and all those forced to leave Guinea-Bissau because of the military coup;
6. Demands the immediate and unconditional release of all Guinea-Bissau citizens being held as political prisoners as a result of the military coup;
7. Condemns the repressive measures directed against, and the persecution of, members of the constitutional authorities, PAIGC leaders and activists, and citizens of Guinea-Bissau who have been speaking out against the coup;
8. Considers the free and democratic resumption of the presidential election, which was cut short by the military coup, to be central to the sovereignty of Guinea-Bissau’s people;
9. Rejects any outside attempts to exploit the present situation and hence to undermine the sovereignty of Guinea-Bissau’s people and the territorial integrity and independence of Guinea-Bissau;
10. Expresses its solidarity with the people of Guinea-Bissau and calls for measures to be taken to meet their most pressing needs – for instance by supplying food, medicines, medical appliances and surgical instruments, drinking-water, and fuel – and their legitimate wishes and for the country’s economic activity to be protected from speculation;
11. Calls for genuine aid and cooperation to help overcome the problems and difficulties and satisfy the country’s perceived needs, without encroaching on the right of Guinea-Bissau’s people to decide freely on their sovereignty and their fate;
12. Condemns the policies of the IMF, the World Bank, the WTO, and the EU, which bear a share of the blame for the economic and social situation in Guinea-Bissau; considers that the actions of these institutions have further undermined Guinea-Bissau’s already fragile production system, pushing the country into a cycle of indebtedness and channelling the wealth produced into debt servicing, thus impoverishing the people and denying them their right to development;
13. Condemns the pressure being exerted to secure approval of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between West African countries (including Guinea-Bissau) and the EU; considers that if the agreements are approved, the EU will be able to control Guinea-Bissau’s economy and take possession of its natural resources, leading to greater exploitation of workers and further deterioration in the living conditions of the country’s population;
14. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the UN, the African Union, ECOWAS, and the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP).