Motion for a resolution - B7-0123/2014Motion for a resolution
B7-0123/2014

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Thailand

4.2.2014 - (2014/2551(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

Cristian Dan Preda, Bernd Posselt, Filip Kaczmarek, Tunne Kelam, Elena Băsescu, Monica Luisa Macovei, Mariya Gabriel, Philippe Boulland, Jean Roatta, Eduard Kukan, Roberta Angelilli, Petri Sarvamaa, Eija-Riitta Korhola, Giovanni La Via, Sergio Paolo Francesco Silvestris, Sari Essayah, Seán Kelly, Krzysztof Lisek, Joachim Zeller, Laima Liucija Andrikienė, Davor Ivo Stier, Salvador Sedó i Alabart, Jarosław Leszek Wałęsa on behalf of the PPE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0122/2014

NB: This motion for a resolution is available in the original language only.
Procedure : 2014/2551(RSP)
Document stages in plenary
Document selected :  
B7-0123/2014
Texts tabled :
B7-0123/2014
Texts adopted :

B7‑0123/2014

European Parliament resolution on the situation in Thailand

(2014/2551(RSP))

The European Parliament,

-    having regard to its previous resolutions on Thailand, in particular the one of 20 May 2010,

-    having regard to the statements by the Spokesperson of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton of 26 November 2013 on the political situation in Thailand, of 13 December 2013, of 23 January 2014 on the recent events in Thailand and of 30 January 2014 on the coming elections in Thailand,

-    having regard to the statement issued by the European Union Delegation in agreement with the EU Heads of Mission in Thailand of 2 December 2013,

-    having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948,

-    having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) of 1966,

-    having regard to the United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials of 1990,

-    having regard to Rule 122(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

 

A. whereas on 15 November 2013, Thailand's senate began a second reading of a flashpoint political amnesty bill that could pave the way for the return of the exiled former leader Thaksin Shinwatra;

 

B.  whereas on 20 November 2013, the Constitutional Court rejected a proposed amendment to the Constitution transforming the Senate in a fully elected body and also rejected an opposition petition to dissolve the Pheu Thai Party, which led to violent protests;

 

C. whereas after a failed motion of no-confidence against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on 28 November 2013 the protests continue;

 

D. whereas the Thai Government declared a 60-day state of emergency in the capital Bangkok and surrounding provinces, which came into effect on 22 January 2014;

 

E.  whereas Kwanchai Praipana, a leader of Thailand's pro-Government "red shirt" movement, was shot and wounded on 22 January 2014 in a drive-by shooting in the northeastern town of Udon Thani in what police said appeared to be a politically motivated attack;

 

F.  whereas Suthin Tharatin, a Thai anti-government movement leader, was shot dead in Bangkok by unknown assailants on 26 January 2014;

 

G. whereas since November 2013, at least 10 people have died and nearly 600 have been wounded;

 

H. whereas general elections were held in Thailand on 2 February 2014 and voting started on 26 January 2014; whereas the main opposition party, the Democrat Party, decided to boycott the elections; whereas the Constitutional Court ruled on 24 January 2014 that elections could be postponed; whereas following a meeting with the Election Commission on 28 January 2014 the Prime Minister confirmed that the elections would take place on 2 February 2014;

 

I.  whereas the general elections were disrupted by anti-Government protesters, who want to continue protesting; whereas in 89 % of the polling stations voters were able to vote; whereas by-elections will have to be held for the 8.75 million voters that couldn’t vote;

 

1.  Expresses its deep concern about the violent conflict between demonstrators and security forces in Thailand, which poses a threat to democracy in the country, and expresses its solidarity with the Thai people and all families who have suffered the loss of loved ones during the past weeks;

 

2.  Notes with concern that the elections held on 26 January 2014 and 2 February 2014 were disrupted by anti-Government demonstrators; stresses that, despite the tensions, many voters insisted on casting their ballots; calls on all parties to calmly await the elections results and to respect these results;

 

3.  Calls on the Democrat Party and its Leaders to follow democratic rules and to stop their campaign against a Parliament elected by the People of Thailand; regrets the fact that the Democrat Party boycotted the elections;

 

4.  Urges all parties to engage immediately in a constructive dialogue in order to seek a quick, negotiated settlement to the current crisis, which should be solved by peaceful and democratic means; appeals to all concerned to avoid escalation, to show the utmost self-restraint and to halt political violence;

 

5.  Recalls that the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials provide that authorities must, as far as possible, apply non-violent means before resorting to the use of force and firearms and, whenever the lawful use of force and firearms is unavoidable, must use restraint and act in proportion to the seriousness of the offence;

 

6.  Welcomes all efforts by Prime Minister Yingluck Sinawatra and her Government to stabilize democracy in Thailand in the last three years;

 

7.  Asks the Thai Government to reconsider its decision to detain former deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban;

 

8.  Underlines that the proposal of the People's Democratic Reform Committee for an unelected “people’s council” that should replace the Government and rule the country for up to two years is unacceptable;

 

9.  Welcomes the National Human Rights Commission's calling of a consultative meeting of intellectuals, representatives of social movements, religious leaders and the four former Prime Minsters Anand Panyarachun, Banharn Silapa-acha, Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and Chuan Leekpai to look for and put forward a solution to end this crisis;

 

10. States its support for the democracy in Thailand, while noting the excellent nature of EU-Thai relations, and Thailand's role as a source of prosperity and stability in the region;

 

11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Member States, the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Government and Parliament of Thailand, the Secretary-General of ASEAN and the Secretary-General of the United Nations.