MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on organ harvesting in the People's Republic of China

10.12.2013 - (2013/2981(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

Marie-Christine Vergiat on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group

B7‑0581/2013

European Parliament resolution on organ harvesting in the People's Republic of China

(2013/2981(RSP))

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on China,

- having regard to the Declaration of Istanbul on Organ Trafficking and Transplant Tourism, Istanbul Summit on Organ Trafficking and Transplant Tourism from 30 April to 1 May 2008,

- having regard to Council of Europe Recommendation 2009 adopted on 23 January 2013, Towards a Council of Europe convention to combat trafficking in organs, tissues and cells of human origin,

- having regard to Chinese State Council Regulation on Human Organ Transplants from May 2007,

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

A.  whereas China is on second place in the world according the world transplantation statistics, with more than 10,000 transplantations annually of which almost 60 percent are from executed prisoners;

B.  whereas illegal organ trafficking is world-wide problem, including in China due to its less restrictive related regulations;

C.  whereas in China the organ trade and harvesting of the organs of humans without their consent are prohibited by law since 2007, however in practice this rules have been frequently ignored;

D.  whereas in past ten years China has become a popular transplant tourism destination for foreigners in search of transplant organs;

E.  whereas Chinese Medical Association decided to stop commercial organ harvesting from convicted prisoners and to follow Istanbul Declaration regarding the human organ trafficking, transplant tourism and transplant commercialism;

F.  whereas in 2008 liver-transplant registry system was established in China with a proposal to incorporate information on individual driving permits for those wishing to donate their organs;

G.  whereas Chinese Government announced a plan of phasing out controversial practice of using executed prisoners for organ harvesting by 2015;

1.  Reiterates its strong opposition against the use of the death penalty in all cases and under any circumstances and its call on the authorities in China to commute all death sentences and introduce a moratorium on executions as a first step towards abolition of capital punishment;

2.  Calls Chinese authorities for implementation of the plan to stop controversial practice of using executed prisoners for organ harvesting in China;

3.  Calls the EU Member States to raise the issue of organ harvesting in China and find a lasting solution on a bilateral level;

4.  Is concerned with the issue of organ trafficking and transplant tourism, in China particularly; notes the activities of the Council of Europe to combat trafficking in organs, tissues and cells of human origin; calls the EU Member States to deal more decisively with organ trafficking problem, which occurs worldwide going beyond the territory of the Council of Europe's member States

5.  Calls the EU Member States to promote organ's donations programs across the world as a long-term solution of the problem of shortage of organs;