MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Egypt
2.7.2013 - (2013/2697(RSP))
pursuant to Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure
Guy Verhofstadt, Marietje Schaake, Angelika Werthmann, Izaskun Bilbao Barandica, Alexandra Thein, Hannu Takkula on behalf of the ALDE Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0362/2013
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on Egypt of 16 February 2012[1], 15 March 2012[2] and 14 March 2013[3],
– having regard to the Council conclusions of 27 February, 25 June, 19 November, and 10 December 2012 on Egypt, of 31 January 2013 on EU Support for Sustainable Change in Transition Societies, and of 8 February 2013 on the Arab Spring,
– having regard to the EU-Egypt Task Force meetings of 13 and 14 November 2012, and to its conclusions,
– having regard to the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), the 2011 ENP review and, in particular, the Commission’s progress report on its implementation of 20 March 2013,
– having regard to the statement by Egypt’s Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) of 1 July 2013,
– having regard to the EU-Egypt Association Agreement of 2004 and the Action Plan agreed in 2007,
– having regard to the interim opinion on the draft law on civic work organisations of Egypt, adopted by the Venice Commission on 15 June 2013,
– having regard to the statement by 40 Egyptian civil society organisations of 30 May 2013,
– having regard to the special report of the European Court of Auditors on ‘EU cooperation with Egypt in the field of governance’ of 18 June 2013,
– having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 1966, to which Egypt agreed to be a party and, in particular, to its Article 22, which stipulates that ‘everyone shall have the right to freedom of association with others, including the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests’,
– having regard to its resolution on the freedom of the press and media in the world of 13 June 2013[4],
– having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948,
– having regard to Rule 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas democratic transition in Egypt has not materialised following the toppling of President Hosni Mubarak two years ago;
B. whereas economic hardship, high unemployment, increased crime rates, a looming fuel crisis, and mounting political polarisation have led to continued street protests and violent clashes;
C. whereas Egypt is facing fundamental challenges in the fields of the rule of law, economic recovery and reforms, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; whereas women and minorities are particularly vulnerable;
D. whereas the grass-roots opposition movement Tamarod called for a demonstration on 30 June 2013, the first anniversary of President Morsi’s inauguration in office, and whereas millions of Egyptians took to the streets across the country in peaceful protests of an unprecedented size to demand that President Morsi leave power; whereas, according to Tamarod, they have collected more than 22 million signatures in support; whereas supporters of President Morsi staged demonstrations in support of the President and the Muslim Brotherhood; whereas several people were killed and many injured in the demonstrations;
E. whereas demonstrators and opposition movements accuse the President of failing to start a national dialogue and to tackle socio-economic, security, and human rights problems, and of refusing to work inclusively by pushing a Muslim Brotherhood agenda;
F. whereas Egypt’s army, in a statement, has given the country’s rival parties 48 hours to resolve a deadly political crisis; whereas President Morsi has rejected the army’s ultimatum;
G. whereas several ministers and officials have resigned in support of the massive popular protest movement;
H. whereas an inclusive political process based on consensus, joint ownership and a genuine national dialogue with meaningful participation of all democratic political forces is the only way to overcome the current political and social divisions, to build deep and sustainable democracy in Egypt and to allow for necessary economic reform and governance; whereas the European Union remains ready to engage in a partnership with Egypt to support the democratic transition; whereas stability and economic recovery go hand in hand with reform;
I. whereas on 4 June 2013, the North Cairo Criminal Court convicted 43 Egyptian and international NGO workers,
J. whereas civil society has a crucial role to play in Egypt’s ongoing democratic transition and must be allowed to operate freely; whereas any new law on associations has to be in line with international standards and Egypt’s obligations;
K. whereas an independent and free press and media form a key part of society in a true democracy, providing access to information, a crucial check on power;
L. whereas between 2007 and 2013 Egypt received approximately EUR 1 billion in EU aid; whereas 60 % of these funds are channelled to the Egyptian Government through sector budget support (SBS); whereas the EU has also made much smaller amounts available directly to civil society organisations (CSOs), notably through the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR); whereas a recent special report by the European Court of Auditors on ‘EU cooperation with Egypt in the field of governance’ is very critical of the accountability and management of EU aid to Egypt;
M. whereas the EU has committed EUR 5 billion in aid, which can only become fully available once conditions tied to those set by the IMF are met; whereas the new European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI), currently under negotiation between the Council, the Commission and Parliament, will introduce clear benchmarks and accountability mechanisms, including clear mechanisms to implement the concept of ‘more for more’;
1. Expresses its solidarity with the Egyptian people in the difficult transition to democracy; is deeply concerned at the recent events in Egypt, condemns all forms of violence and urges the government to show restraint, so as to avoid further violent escalation; urges the President and the Government of Egypt to fulfil their responsibility to ensure the security of all citizens; expresses its sincere condolences to the families of the victims of ongoing violent clashes;
2. Expresses its deep concerns about sexual violence against women during protests, and urges the authorities and demonstrators to ensure the safety of all protestors;
3. Stresses the right to freedom of assembly and calls on all parties in the country to respect this right and to uphold the law;
4. Is concerned about the statement made by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces; stresses that Egypt should not slide back into a situation where military leaders dominate politics or civilians are tried in military courts;
5. Stresses that a possible re-imposition of emergency laws would be a huge cause for concern, and not the right way forward in democratic transition;
6. Stands ready to assist the Egyptian people in their efforts to complete their challenging democratic transition and economic reforms in a peaceful and inclusive way;
7. Reiterates its call to the Egyptian Government and authorities to ensure full respect for freedom of association and assembly, freedom of expression and speech, freedom of the media, human rights and fundamental freedoms, including women’s rights, freedom of religion, conscience and thought, digital freedoms and freedom to ensure the protection of minorities and non-discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation, which are essential elements of a deep and sustainable democracy;
8. Is deeply concerned about the legislative proposals restricting the work of civil society and the recent court ruling in Egypt sentencing employees of NGOs;
9. Urges the Egyptian authorities to put an immediate end to all the forms of harassment and intimidation to which independent civil society organisations are subjected and, especially, to drop all criminal charges against civil society workers; strongly supports the independent civil society in Egypt as part of the commitments of the new European Neighbourhood Policy;
10. Calls for swift, objective and transparent investigations of all cases of death, torture, degrading treatment or harassment of peaceful protestors and for those responsible to be brought to justice;
11. Calls for democratic processes to deal with the current political crisis, such as free and fair elections to both houses of parliament; reiterates its offer to deploy an independent election observation mission;
12. Calls on the Egyptian authorities to take responsibility and to meet the necessary requirements to make IMF and EU aid available; recalls that the EU is ready to assist Egypt with know-how and aid, in order to ensure that economic recovery and reforms are addressed responsibly and swiftly;
13. Is concerned about the findings of the special report of the European Court of Auditors on ‘EU cooperation with Egypt in the field of governance’ of 18 June 2013, and calls on its Committee on Budgetary Control to ensure appropriate follow-up to this report in the European Parliament; calls for action towards more transparency and accountability concerning the way EU funding is spent in Egypt, with special regard to projects fostering civil society and protecting minorities and women’s rights;
14. Calls on the HR/VP and the EEAS to ensure that the EU closely monitors the situation on the ground, especially the safety and the rights and freedoms of the Egyptian population;
15. Calls on the HR/VP to explore venues and partnerships within the EU-Egypt Task Force to facilitate joint efforts by Egyptian and European business to cooperate in finding solutions to the current economic hardship and unemployment;
16. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, 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, the Egyptian authorities and all parties concerned in Egypt.
- [1] Texts adopted, P7_TA(2012)0064.
- [2] Texts adopted, P7_TA(2012)0092.
- [3] Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0095.
- [4] Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0274.