Motion for a resolution - B7-0148/2014Motion for a resolution
B7-0148/2014

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Egypt

4.2.2014 - (2014/2532(RSP))

to wind up the debate on the statement by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
pursuant to Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure

Fiorello Provera, Lorenzo Fontana, Mara Bizzotto, Rolandas Paksas, Juozas Imbrasas, Jaroslav Paška, Nikolaos Salavrakos, Jacek Włosowicz, Tadeusz Cymański on behalf of the EFD Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0145/2014

Procedure : 2014/2532(RSP)
Document stages in plenary
Document selected :  
B7-0148/2014
Texts tabled :
B7-0148/2014
Debates :
Texts adopted :

B7‑0148/2014

European Parliament resolution on the situation in Egypt

(2014/2532(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–       having regard to its previous resolutions on Egypt,

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

–       having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 1966, to which Egypt is party,

–       having regard to the Constitutional Declaration issued in Egypt on 8 July 2013, proposing a roadmap for constitutional amendments and new elections,

–       having regard to the statements on Egypt by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 11 January, 19 January and 24 January 2014,

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

A.     whereas in September 2013 an Egyptian court banned the Muslim Brotherhood and the military-backed interim government declared the movement to be a terrorist group following the December 2013 bombing in the city of Mansoura;

B.     whereas on 24 January 2014 four bomb blasts killed at least six people in and around Cairo, and whereas the terrorist group Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis claimed responsibility for the attack; whereas the same terrorist group claimed responsibility for the shooting‑down of a military helicopter in Egypt’s Sinai peninsula on 25 January 2014, killing five people;

C.     whereas a referendum on Egypt’s new constitution concluded on 14 January 2014 produced a turnout of 38 %, with a 98 % yes vote; whereas clashes which erupted during the polls led to the deaths of at least 10 people and left 29 wounded;

D.     whereas at least 49 people died, 247 were wounded and 1 000 were arrested during the celebrations of the third anniversary of the 25 January 2011 revolution;

E.     whereas on 31 January 2014 Egyptian security forces, in response to terrorist attacks, killed 13 Al-Qaida-inspired fighters in the Sinai peninsula, and four soldiers were killed and 9 others wounded in a bus attack in Sinai on 26 January 2014;

F.     whereas on 28 January 2014 gunmen killed General Mohamed Saeed, head of the technical office of the Minister of the Interior, outside his home in Cairo;

G.     whereas interim President Adly Mansour has called on the Prosecutor-General to review the cases of those detained, in particular university students, and to release whoever has been proven not to have committed a crime;

H.     whereas Egyptian Coptic Christians have been the subject of numerous attacks and more than a hundred churches, homes and businesses have been targeted, and frequently perpetrators are not brought to justice;

I.      whereas interim President Mansour issued a decree on 23 January 2014 stipulating that the High Elections Commission should commence procedures towards presidential elections within 30 to 90 days of constitutional ratification and the presidential vote is expected before the end of April, with parliamentary elections due to take place before the end of July;

1.      Strongly condemns all terrorist and violent attacks which have taken place in Egypt, leading to the deaths of dozens of civilians;

2.      Condemns the violent clashes that took place during the referendum on Egypt’s new constitution and in the days that followed, and reiterates that political claims should be made within a legal framework;

3.      Calls for prompt, independent and impartial investigations into the deaths of civilians, and for the findings to be made public and those responsible to be brought to justice in accordance with international human rights standards;

4.      Recognises the large turnout for the referendum on the draft constitution, and supports the authorities who helped organise the voting process;

5.      Welcomes the fact that the constitution enshrines fundamental rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression and assembly and women’s rights, as well as the fact that legislation will have to comply with the new constitution and its provisions will be fully and swiftly implemented;

6.      Endorses Egypt’s constitutional roadmap and calls on the Egyptian authorities to protect the freedoms of expression, assembly and association both before and after the coming electoral period;

7.      Welcomes the release of 13 journalists and employees who were accused of airing false news to incite violence against the police and army;

8.      Calls on the Egyptian authorities to review the cases of arrested protesters and release those who did not commit crimes or actions forbidden by law;

9.      Calls on the authorities to endorse the principles of human rights, democratisation and freedom of religion, and to protect the Coptic Christian minority and other vulnerable populations such as Baha’is and Shia Muslims;

10.    Supports Egypt on its path towards democracy and in its goal of achieving stability, both within its borders and with its neighbours, in particular with the state of Israel;

11.    Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States and the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt.