MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Detention of human rights activists in Zimbabwe

5.2.2013 - (2013/2536(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

Judith Sargentini, Barbara Lochbihler, Nicole Kiil-Nielsen, Raül Romeva i Rueda, Rui Tavares on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0057/2013

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

B7‑0057/2013

European Parliament resolution on Detention of human rights activists in Zimbabwe

(2013/2536(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to its previous resolution

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

 

A.  Worried by the recent arrest of Mr Okay Machisa, the director of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights), Mr Leo Chamahwinya, another ZimRights official,

 

B.  Whereas the crackdown human rights defenders, political opponents include also Fidelis Mudimu, Zachariah Godi and Tafadzwa Geza, senior staff members of the Counselling Services Unit (CSU) a registered medical clinic treating victims of organized violence and torture.

 

C.  Whereas the worsening situation of human rights in Zimbabwe appears to be politically motivated to spread fears among human rights activist political opponents, as the country prepares to organise presidential, parliamentary and local government elections some time this year,

 

D.  Recalling that a coalition government was formed in 2009, following power-sharing deal was agreed in September between ZANU-PF and MDC to put an end to the political deadlock and human rights violation after the legislative and presidential elections in 2008,

 

E.  Whereas the coalition government deal includes reform of the constitution , respect for human rights and freedom of political activity, reviving the economy, end of sanction against Mugabe and Zanu -PF; whereas key political reforms are still lacking to create a peaceful environment for a new election ;

 

F.  Whereas a referendum on the new constitution is scheduled this year and whereas SADC send observers to poll, the ZANU-PF is reluctant to invite international observers,

 

G.  Whereas Zimbabwe is signatory of the Cotonou agreement where by respect for human rights is an essential element of the EU and ACP cooperation of the Cotonou agreement,

 

H.  Regretting that despite that Zimbabwe has been under sanctions for human rights violation, the EU has signed trade liberalisation agreement, under the iEPA negotiation;

 

 

1.  Condemns the continuing violation of human rights including political intimidation, harassment and arbitrary arrest of human rights activists,

2.  Calls on the government of Zimbabwe to drop all charges against Mr Okay Machisa, the director of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights), Mr Leo Chamahwinya, another ZimRights official as well as other political prisoners;

3.  Calls on the unity government to bring changes to repressive laws such as the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the Public Order and Security Act, and the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, before holding the general election, as these laws have been used to severely curtail basic rights ;

4.  Calls on the government of Zimbabwe to level the political playing field and create a rights-respecting environment for the planned elections l in 2013, which implies amending repressive laws and replacing partisan police chiefs and election officials with impartial professionals;

5.  Calls on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to assess the human rights situation and the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections before the organization of the upcoming elections in Zimbabwe

6.  Urges the Zimbabwean government to respect the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights;

7.  Calls on the EU to implement policy coherence for development in its all policy areas including coherence between trade policy and respect for human rights, disapproves the EU's policy to sign iEPA (trade liberalisation) with Zimbabwe despite that this country is under EU sanction (art 96 of the Cotonou agreement) for human rights violation;

8.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments of the Member States, Secretary-General of the United Nations and the AU.