MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on India: Execution of Mohammad Afzal Guru and its implications

21.5.2013 - (2013/2640(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

Véronique De Keyser, Jo Leinen, Ana Gomes, Liisa Jaakonsaari, Mitro Repo, Joanna Senyszyn, Lidia Joanna Geringer de Oedenberg on behalf of the S&D Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0237/2013

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

B7‑0241/2013

European Parliament resolution on India: Execution of Mohammad Afzal Guru and its implications

(2013/2640(RSP))

The European Parliament,

-   having regard to United Nations General Assembly Resolution 62/149 of 18 December 2007 calling for a moratorium on the use of the death penalty, and the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 63/168 calling on the implementation of the 2007 General Assembly resolution 62/149 adopted by the UNGA on 18 December 2008,

 

-    having regard to the final declaration adopted by the 4^th World Congress against the Death Penalty, held in Geneva from 24 to 26 February 2010, which calls for universal abolition of the death penalty,

 

- having regard to the revised and updated version of the EU Guidelines on the Death Penalty, adopted by the Council on 16 June 2008,

- having regard to the World Day against Death Penalty and the establishment of a European Day against the Death Penalty on 10 October each year,

-    having regard to its previous resolutions, on the abolition of the death penalty,

 

-    having regard to Rule 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

 

 

A.      whereas the European Union is strongly committed to working towards the abolition of the death penalty everywhere and is striving to achieve universal acceptance of this principle,

 

B.     Whereas according to Amnesty International, in 2012 at least 679 new death sentences were imposed in the Asia-Pacific region.

 

C.       whereas 43 countries worldwide retain the death penalty including the Republic of India that had pledged to maintain moratorium on death penalty since 2004

 

D.     Whereas Mohammad Afzal Guru was sentenced to death in 2005, after being convicted of an attack on the Indian Parliament in December 2001.

 

 

1.      Reiterates its long standing opposition to the death penalty in all cases and under all circumstances and calls once again for an immediate moratorium on executions in those countries where the death penalty is still applied;

 

2.      Condemns the government of India’s secret execution of Afzal Guru at New Delhi’s Tihar Jail on 9^th February 2013 and expresses regret that Afzal Guru’s wife and other family members were not informed of his imminent execution.

 

3.      Calls on the Government of India, as well as neighbouring states who have not done so, to adopt legislation introducing a permanent moratorium on executions with the goal of abolishing the death penalty in the near future;

 

4.      Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the President, Government and Parliament of India, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Commission, and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.