MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the human rights situation in Kazakhstan
16.4.2013 - (2013/2600(RSP))
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure
Charles Tannock, Janusz Wojciechowski, Valdemar Tomaševski, Cristiana Muscardini, Ryszard Antoni Legutko, Marek Henryk Migalski on behalf of the ECR Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0167/2013
B7‑0178/2013
European Parliament resolution on the human rights situation in Kazakhstan
The European Parliament,
- having regard to its previous resolutions on Kazakhstan, including its resolution of 15 March 2012 on Kazakhstan[1], its resolution of 15 December 2011 on the state of implementation of the EU Strategy for Central Asia[2] and its resolution of 17 September 2009 on the case of Yevgeni Zhotis in Kazakhstan[3];
- having regard to its reports of 22 November 2012 containing the European Parliament's recommendations to the Council, the Commission and the European External Action Service on the negotiations for an EU-Kazakhstan enhanced partnership and cooperation agreement (2012/2153(INI));
- having regard to the statement of the UN Committee on Human Rights of 17 December 2011;
- having regards to the statement of International Partnerships of Human Rights of 20 March 2013 on "Overview of Human Rights concerns in Kazakhstan";
- having regard to Art 122 of its Rules of Procedures;
A. whereas relations and cooperation between the EU and the Republic of Kazakhstan have been growing at all levels; whereas Kazakhstan plays a crucial role with regard to the stability and security of Central Asia and the economic development of the region as a whole; whereas the EU has very good relations and dialogue with Kazakhstan,
B. whereas n 21 December 2012 the Almaty District Court banned the unregistered opposition party "Alga!" on charges of extremism; whereas on 25 December 2012 a number of opposition media outlets were banned, on the same charges; whereas this decision was confirmed by the Court of Appeal on 22 February 2013 with the effect that affected journalists were banned from exercising their profession;
C. whereas during recent months, several opposition leaders and human rights defenders have been subject of harassment and legal prosecution leading in several cases to prison sentences;
D. whereas on 13 March 2013, the Court of Cassation refused to grant appeal in the case of Vladimir Kozlov, who was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison; whereas Vladimir Kozlov is currently filing an appeal to the Supreme Court as the last instance for appeal in his case;
E. whereas on 7 December 2012 the human rights defender Vadim Kuramshin was sentenced to 12 years in prison for blackmailing the district attorney's assistant; whereas the sentence was confirmed by the Appeal Court on 14 February 2013;
F. whereas the Kazak government is considering to start work on a new National Human Rights Action plan for 2013-2020;
G. whereas Kazakhstan took chairmanship of the OSCE in 2010 and committed itself to a series of democratic reforms and to respect the basic principles of this organisation;
1) Stresses the importance of the relations between the EU and Kazakhstan and strengthening the economic and political cooperation in all areas; underlines that Kazakhstan is an increasingly important international partner in the region; encourages therefore the Kazak authorities to live up to the international commitments they have signed up to;
2) Is concerned about the Court decision to ban opposition parties on charges of extremism, including the unregistered opposition party "Alga!", and independent media actors which violates the principles of freedom of expression and assembly and raises great concerns with regard to subsequent repression of media and opposition;
3) Reiterates its concern over the detentions of opposition leaders, journalists and lawyers on the basis of trials which fall short of international standards; calls on the Kazakh authorities to guarantee detention conditions according to international standards and to allow medical treatment for prisoners;
4) Calls on Kazakhstan to create a climate where opposition activists, journalists and lawyers can freely exercise their activities; stresses the EU's commitment to support Kazakhstan in this work;
5) Welcomes the dialogue with the delegation of the Venice Commission for the new Code of criminal procedure and encourages further collaboration with the Venice Commission in order to draw profit to the maximum possible extent from the experience of the Commission;
6) Encourages and supports Kazakhstan in its work to develop a new Human Rights Action plan for 2013-2020;
7) Underlines the importance of human rights dialogues between the EU and Kazakh authorities and welcomes the constructive approach of the Kazakh counterparts;
8) Welcomes the draft law to strengthen local self government which should lead to devolution of competences to the regions and welcomes the direct election of regional "akims", instead of appointment by the President, which are still scheduled for the current year;
10) Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the European External Action Service, the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the UN Human Rights Council and the government and parliament of Kazakhstan;