MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Sudan, the case of Dr. Amin Mekki Medani

16.12.2014 - (2014/3000(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 135 of the Rules of Procedure

Cristian Dan Preda, Davor Ivo Stier, Bogdan Brunon Wenta, Lorenzo Cesa, Tunne Kelam, Monica Macovei, Philippe Juvin, Franck Proust, Andrej Plenković, Jaromír Štětina, Francesc Gambús, Jarosław Wałęsa, Giovanni La Via, Dubravka Šuica, Jeroen Lenaers, Lara Comi, Tomáš Zdechovský, Seán Kelly, Maurice Ponga, Csaba Sógor, Alessandra Mussolini, Andrzej Grzyb, Eduard Kukan, Pál Csáky, Pavel Svoboda, Stanislav Polčák, Michaela Šojdrová on behalf of the PPE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B8-0389/2014

B8‑0390/2014

European Parliament resolution on Sudan, the case of Dr. Amin Mekki Medani

(2014/3000(RSP))

The European Parliament,

 

- having regard to the European Parliament resolution on clashes in Sudan and subsequent media censorship, of 10 October 2013

 

- having regard to the European Parliament resolution on the situation in Sudan and South Sudan, of 13 June 2012

 

- having regard to the EU Foreign Affairs Council Meeting conclusions on Sudan, of 11 November 2014

 

- having regard to the EU statement on the release of political detainees in Sudan, of 15 July 2014

 

- having regard to the Report of the UN HRC Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Sudan, of 4 September 2014

 

- having regard to the Agreements on the National Dialogue and Constitutional Process signed in Addis Ababa on 4 September 2014,

 

- having regard to the "Sudan Call" declaration on the "Establishment of a State of Citizenship and Democracy",

 

- having regard to the Sudan's National human rights plan adopted in 2013, based on the principles of universality and equality of all,

 

- having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,

 

- having regard to the Rule 135 of the Rules of Procedure

 

 

 

A. Whereas on 6 December 2014, the Sudanese National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) arrested Dr. Amin Mekki Medani, a renowned human rights activist, former President of the Sudan Human Rights Monitor (SHRM) from his house in Khartoum,

 

B. Whereas Dr. Medani embodies a strong commitment to human rights, humanitarianism and the rule of law and he has combined academic scholarship with taking up high level positions with a range of different national and international institutions among others the judiciary in Sudan, the democratic transitional government of Sudan, as cabinet minister for peace, reconciliation and elections, and the United Nations,

 

C. Whereas Dr. Medani was arrested shortly after his return from Addis Ababa where he co-signed a Declaration on the “Establishment of a State of Citizenship and Democracy” named the “Sudan Call” on behalf of civil society organizations,

 

D. Whereas the “Sudan Call” co-signatories ( representatives from political and armed opposition parties, including the National Umma Party, the National Consensus Forces and the Sudan Revolutionary Front) committed to work towards the end of the conflicts raging in different regions of Sudan and towards legal, institutional and economic reforms,

 

E. Whereas Dr. Medani has been at the forefront of civil society engagement in the Arab world Organisations and as lawyer and human rights defender, Dr. Medani has represented victims of violations and has persistently spoken out against abuse of power,

 

F. Whereas Sudan is in a critical period of ongoing conflict and fragile political dialogue and Dr. Medani is needed to bring his expertise to bear and play a constructive role in the reform process,

 

G. Whereas there are serious concerns for the safety of Dr. Medani who is 76 years of age and suffers from high blood pressure,

 

H. Whereas together with four other human rights defenders, Dr. Medani was awarded by the EU Delegation in Sudan "Heroes for Human Rights Award 2013" for his local and international efforts in promoting human rights,

 

 

1. Strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest and detention of Dr. Medani as an unlawful breach of his peaceful political activities; calls for his immediate and unconditional release;

 

2. Urges the Sudanese authorities to put an end to all acts of harassment and intimidation against human rights defenders and to comply with the relevant international norms and standards, in particular the United Nations (UN) Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 9, 1998, and regional and international human rights instruments ratified by Sudan;

 

3. Welcomes recent signs of a political momentum, in particular the Agreements on the National Dialogue and Constitutional Process signed in Addis Ababa on 4 September 2014; calls on all groups to renounce violence as a means for political change and to seize this opportunity for a political solution to Sudan's challenges through dialogue and negotiation without delay;

 

4. Remains deeply concerned at the ongoing conflicts in Sudan, notably in Darfur, Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile and the accompanying violations of humanitarian and human rights law, as well as a serious humanitarian emergency which continue to cause enormous human suffering and internal displacements and pose a risk to regional stability;

 

5. Is concerned about the ongoing detention and condition of opposition party members, youth activists, human rights defenders and journalists in Sudan; urges the Government of Sudan to guarantee the peaceful exercise of the freedoms of expression, association and assembly;

 

6. Calls on the Government of Sudan for a constructive engagements with Civil society organizations which promote human rights awareness;

 

7. Welcomes the signing of the Agreements on the National Dialogue and Constitutional Process urging all groups to renounce violence as a means for political change and committing to national dialogue and negotiation without delay; stresses that the National Dialogue process, which is the best opportunity to make progress towards national peace, reconciliation and democratic governance in Sudan;

 

8. Underlines that the National Dialogue will only succeed if carried out in an atmosphere where freedoms of expression, of media, of association and assembly are guaranteed. Therefore calls for all political prisoners to be released, and practices of arbitrary detention immediately stopped;

 

9. Calls on the Commission and EEAS to support the National Dialogue and African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) and commends President Mbeki for his efforts to promote a genuine National Dialogue;

 

10. Similarly calls on all international stakeholders to support the AUHIP to create a comprehensive platform for the facilitation of the National Dialogue that will integrate the different peace and dialogue processes for Sudan's regional conflicts;

 

11. Calls on the Government of Sudan, the opposition and the armed movements to use the momentum of the National Dialogue to demonstrate the leadership necessary to put Sudan on a path to peace, prosperity and justice. Once again underlines the importance of fighting impunity;

 

12. Calls on the EU and its Member States to continue its commitment to supporting Sudan and the Sudanese people in their transition to an internally reformed democracy through;

 

13. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Government of Sudan, the African Union, the United Nations Secretary-General, the Co-Presidents of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly and the Pan-African Parliament (PAP).