MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on South Africa: the Marikana mine tragedy

11.9.2012 - (2012/2783(RSP))

with request for inclusion in the agenda for a 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, Giles Chichester on behalf of the ECR Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0443/2012

NB: This motion for a resolution is available in the original language only.

B7‑0447/2012

European Parliament resolution on South Africa: the Marikana mine tragedy

(2012/2783(RSP))

The European Parliament,

A. whereas 34 people were killed on Thursday 16 August 2012 in clashes between police and striking miners at the Marikana platinum mine, near Rustenburg, North West Province, South Africa;

B. whereas this followed several days of violent strike action in which 10 people were killed, including two police officers;

C. whereas the violence marked the most severe clash between police and protesters in post-apartheid South Africa;

D. whereas the striking miners were in a pay dispute with mine's owner, Lonmin, and are demanded that salaries be increased from 400 Euros to 1250 Euros per month;

E. whereas a judicial commission of inquiry has been set up to investigate the events at the Marikana mine;

F. whereas the tragic death of the miners has been attributed in part to the lack of skills of the SA Police Service (SAPS) in containing violent demonstrations and for its limited restrain in using live ammunition;

1. expresses its sincere condolences with the family and friends of the dead and the people of South Africa as a whole;

2. is concerned that the industrial action has in the meantime spread to other mines, namely gold mines in the North West Province, also with violent protests that could potentially escalate even further;

3. urges all parties to engage in a civil process of reconciliation to overcome the complex cocktail of social and political issues that have contributed to the unrest;

4. acknowledges that continued strike action in South Africa also has high economic costs and discourages inward investment; believes there that labour dispute mechanisms in South Africa are in need of reform for both social and economic reasons;

5. is alarmed that the pay dispute that initially led to the strike has been exacerbated by tensions between two rival trade unions, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) - a new union seeking to challenge the NUM's dominant position;

6. calls on the leaders of the rival unions, the NUM and AMCU to restore calmness to their rivalries, so that they can coexist and represent their members in a civil and peaceful fashion and subsequently regain credibility amongst both Government and Society;

7. calls on the South African Police Force (SAPS) to review their procedures and preparedness in relation to violent demonstrations so that the further tragic loss of lives can be avoided;

8. welcomes the decision to drop the murder charges against 259 of the protesting miners;

9. welcomes the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the events at the Marikana mine, and urges all those involved, in particular the South African Government and the trade unions, to learn from its conclusions and to seriously consider implementing its recommendations;

10. instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Government of the Republic of South Africa;