MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the disappearance of 43 teaching students in Mexico
21.10.2014 - (2014/2905(RSP))
pursuant to Rule 135 of the Rules of Procedure
Dita Charanzová, Marielle de Sarnez, Louis Michel, Robert Rochefort, Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, Ramon Tremosa i Balcells, Marietje Schaake, Martina Dlabajová, Gérard Deprez, Pavel Telička, Jozo Radoš, Ivan Jakovčić, Izaskun Bilbao Barandica, Petr Ježek, Antanas Guoga, Gesine Meissner, Javier Nart on behalf of the ALDE Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B8-0161/2014
B8‑0177/2014
European Parliament resolution on the disappearance of 43 teaching students in Mexico
The European Parliament,
- having regard to its previous resolutions on Mexico, in particular the one on 11 March 2010 on the escalation of violence in Mexico,
- having regard to the Economic Partnership, Political Coordination and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the United Mexican States,
- having regard to its Recommendation to the Council of 12 March 2009 on an EU-Mexico Strategic Partnership,
- having regard to the Commission Communication to the Council and the European Parliament of 15 July 2008 entitled ‘Towards an EU-Mexico Strategic Partnership’ (COM(2008)0447),
- having regard to the Mexico-EU Strategic Partnership Joint Executive plan on 16 May 2010,
- having regard to the declarations of the summits of heads of state and government of the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean (EU-CELAC),
- having regard to the joint statement of 17 June 2012 by the VII Mexico-EU summit held in Los Cabos,
- having regard to the joint statement by the XII meeting of the EU-Mexico Joint Committee, held in Mexico City on 10-11 June 2013,
- having regard to Rule 135 of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas Mexico and the European Union share common values that find expression in our democratic, pluralist societies, defending fundamental freedoms, human rights, environmental protection and sustainable development, and the commitment to consolidating democracy, legal certainty, fighting poverty and equitable economic and social development,
B. whereas our democratic systems have a duty and obligation to safeguard the operation of the rule of law and respect for human rights, and whereas the enjoyment and full exercise of freedoms and the right to the integrity of the human person are thus one of the basic pillars of the rule of law,
C. whereas on the 26 September 2014, 6 students were killed by police forces during clashes between the authorities and protesting teaching students in the City of Iguala, Guerrero state; whereas since then 43 students remain unaccounted for; whereas according to various sources those students were rounded up and driven away by police officers and handed over to unidentified armed men linked to a drug cartel;
D. whereas according to Mexican government 48 persons linked to the crimes have been arrested, most of them police agents from the municipalities of Iguala and Cocula; whereas the Mayor of Iguala, his wife, and the head of the municipal police were wanted for questioning and are currently fugitives; whereas on 14 October the Attorney General declared that after forensic analyses the 28 bodies found in clandestine graves near Iguala on 4 October 2014 did not correspond to those of the missing students;
E. whereas the President of Mexico has instructed the Federal Government and his Security Cabinet to take immediate and conclusive measures; whereas the OAS and the UN have urged the Mexican government to investigate the disappearances, punish those responsible, and protect the families of the missing students;
F. whereas violence has spread in the state of Guerrero; whereas many students and teachers throughout Mexico are protesting for the safe return of the missing students and their claim that authorities are not doing enough to find the students; whereas on 13 October 2014 a government building in Chilpancingo was attacked;
G. whereas the causes of violence and insecurity in Mexico cannot be disconnected from the structural problems of poverty, inequality and marginalisation as well as drug trafficking and alleged collaboration between particular authorities and organised criminal groups; whereas there is a need for an integrated strategic vision of inclusive development, including in the long-term, in order to move forward with social cohesion;
H. whereas forced disappearances and abuses of power in Mexico have to be considered a human rights crisis of major proportions; whereas in a number of cases the participation of state agents from all branches of the security forces has been established;
I. whereas the EU- Mexico Strategic Partnership will include enhanced cooperation on human rights, as both sides have confirmed their willingness to cooperate closely towards the common goal of attaining the highest human rights standards;
J. whereas Mexico participates in all the regional and universal fora and has signed all the international agreements on human rights and fundamental freedoms;
K. whereas the Mexican Government has demonstrated its firm commitment to improving the security situation in the country, including an appreciable increase in the security forces´ budget and reform of the public security institutions, with the aim of enhancing the effectiveness of law enforcement and the effectiveness of the legal system, thus making it possible to confront organised crime,
1. Strongly condemns the unacceptable events and crimes in Iguala and calls on the Mexican authorities to investigate all the crimes, including the finding of 28 bodies in the clandestine graves; supports the relevant authorities in taking all necessary steps to identify, arrest and bring to justice the perpetrators of such crimes and that those responsible be identified and prosecuted.
2. Welcomes President Nieto's determination to investigate and clarify these events as well as to stop gang-related violence in Mexico; calls on the Mexican authorities to protect and assist the families of the victims and keep them informed about the on-going investigations and efforts to apprehend the perpetrators.
3. Extends its sympathy and support to the families and friends of the victims, and to the Mexican people, whom it encourages to continue to fight to defend democracy and the rule of law.
4. Supports the Mexican Government in its determination to combat organised drug trafficking, while voicing its deep concern at the increase of the violence, and the alleged collaboration between particular authorities and organised criminal groups, and the lack of respect for any form of authority and sense of impunity displayed by the drugs cartels;
5. Condemns all forms of violence, in particular the violence and persistent death threats to which activists engaged in promoting and defending freedom of speech and human rights in Mexico and calls for the Mexican authorities to step up efforts to provide legal and personal protection to such groups; calls, furthermore, on the EU to apply the guidelines on the protection of human rights defenders in an effective manner;
6. Supports the Mexican authorities efforts to collaborate with international organisations such as, European Union, the International committee of the Red Cross and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR); Underlines that the government of Mexico will provide the financial resources necessary so that the IACHR can implement a technical assistance program than can complement national actions with regard to the investigation of the facts that occurred in Guerrero;
7. Underlines that Mexico is a strategic partner for the EU; encourage the Mexican Government to continue with its efforts to strengthen state institutions, and to consolidate the rule of law, with a view to tackling some of the structural problems that are at the root of the human rights violations, specifically with reference to reform of the judicial system; highlights, accordingly, the importance of an independent judiciary which stands as a guarantee of impartiality and resolute action to combat impunity;
8. Calls on the EU and its Member States, in their bilateral relations with Mexico, and on the European institutions to step up the support they provide for human rights through cooperation programmes and financial and technical resources; calls on them also to increase the budgetary resources allocated to cooperation in strengthening and reforming the judiciary, law enforcement agencies and prosecution services, with a view to prosecuting and punishing offenders, and to set up effective systems for protecting witnesses and victims and their families.
9. 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 Member States, the Secretary-General of the Organisation of American States (OAS), the Eurolat Parliamentary Assembly and the President and Congress of Mexico.