MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the discrimination against young girls in Pakistan, in particular the case of Malala Yousafzai

23.10.2012 - (2012/2843(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

Fiorello Provera; Oreste Rossi; Francesco Enrico Speroni; Jaroslav Paška; Juozas Imbrasas; Bastiaan Belder on behalf of the EFD Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0477/2012

B7‑0480/2012

European Parliament resolution on the discrimination against young girls in Pakistan, in particular the case of Malala Yousafzai

(2012/2843(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Pakistan, in particular that of 10 March 2011,

 

– having regard to the statement of 10 October 2012 by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the shooting of a young Human Rights Defender in Pakistan, Malala Yousafzai

 

- having regard to the statement by UN Secretary General of 10 October 2012

 

-having regard to the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders of 1998, in particular, Article(s) 1, 6 (c) and 12.2

 

- having regard to Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)

 

– having regard to Article 19 of the Pakistani Constitution on freedom of speech

 

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

 

whereas on 9 October 2012 14 year-old Malala Yousufzai was shot and wounded by three gunmen on her way home from school in Mingora town in the Swat Valley as punishment by the Taliban for her efforts to fight for education rights for girls;

 

whereas female human rights activists in north-west Pakistan are faced with constant threats at the hands of the Taliban and other militant groups and in the last year at least two women's education activists have been killed by the Taliban in this region;

 

whereas the Taliban is responsible for bombing hundreds of schools for girls in Pakistan's tribal regions and in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which contributes to disparities in quality of education and illiteracy rates among girls of 25% in rural Pakistan;

 

whereas Pakistani girls still are subject to systematic forms of discrimination such as domestic violence, forced marriages, "honour killings" and acid attacks;

 

Strong condemns the brazen attack by the Taliban against Malala Yousufzai, which has left her critically wounded and all attacks and discrimination against women and girls fighting for their fundamental rights to education and equality;

 

Commends the courage and determination shown by Malala Yousufzai and considers her fight as an inspiration to all individuals fighting against fundamentalism, not only in Pakistan, but globally;

 

Calls on the Pakistani government to carry out a thorough investigation into finding the perpetrators of the attack on Malala Yousufzai and to continue efforts to ensure all girls living in north-western Pakistan are provided adequate protection in schools and educational facilities;

 

Urges the Pakistani government take all necessary measures to ensure that citizens are able to express their views without fear of intimidation and reprisals;

 

Remains concerned by the deplorable conditions of women's rights in Pakistani rural areas, in particular in the North West region, as well by religious intolerance and fundamentalism;

 

Calls on the Government of Pakistan to take swift steps into investigating and prosecuting all cases of discrimination and violence targeting young women and girls;

 

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the European External Action Service, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States and the Government and Parliament of Pakistan.