MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Sudan, the case of Dr. Amin Mekki Medani
16.12.2014 - (2014/3000(RSP))
pursuant to Rule 135 of the Rules of Procedure
Louis Michel, Frédérique Ries, Ramon Tremosa i Balcells, Ivo Vajgl, Pavel Telička, Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, Izaskun Bilbao Barandica, Marietje Schaake, Ivan Jakovčić, Fernando Maura Barandiarán, Jozo Radoš, Petras Auštrevičius, Antanas Guoga, Marielle de Sarnez, Javier Nart, Johannes Cornelis van Baalen, Gérard Deprez on behalf of the ALDE Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B8-0389/2014
B8‑0394/2014
European Parliament resolution on Sudan, the case of Dr. Amin Mekki Medani
The European Parliament,
– having regard to Partnership Agreement 2000/483/EC between the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States of the one part, and the European Community and its Member States of the other part, signed in Cotonou (Benin) on 23 June 2000 and revised successively in 2005 and 2010,
– having regard to the second revision of the Partnership Agreement 2000/483/EC between the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, of the one part, and the European Union and its Member States, of the other part (the Cotonou Agreement), and to the human rights and public health clauses and commitments contained therein, particularly Articles 8(4), 9, and Article 96,
– having regard to the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1966 Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
– having regard to the provisions of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 9, 1998, especially Article 1, Article 5 and Article 12.2 on the freedom to participate in non-profit organizations and the state's responsibility to protect individuals from violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of her rights,
– having regard to the 2005 Comprehensive peace agreement and the 2012 Addis Agreement
– having regard to the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights
– having regard to the Instrument for Stability,
– having regard to Rules 122(5) and 110(4) of its Rules of Procedure
A. Whereas Sudan is experiencing waves of popular protests and the political situation is fragile;
B. Whereas through general elections held in April 2010, the first multiparty elections since 1986 in Sudan, Omar al-Bashir was re-elected President of the Sudan; whereas the Election Observation Mission of the European Union, said that the elections did not meet international standards;
C. Whereas despite the independence of South Sudan in 2011, relations between Sudan and South Sudan deteriorated; whereas the borders with the south are tense, and variety of rebel groups is active in the peripheries, contributing to a climate of instability;
D. Whereas previously since January 2012, and following the Arab spring, the opposition is calling for the government to be replaced by means of public demonstration which started in the poor suburbs of the capital city Khartoum and gradually spreading throughout the whole country;
E. Whereas students, teachers, activists and members of the political opposition are being detained arbitrarily at NISS headquarters and held incommunicado; whereas number of activists, opposition political party members and civil society leaders were arrested at their homes and their homes were searched by NISS agents; whereas there have been summary trials, such as the arrest of Madji Saleem, a well-known human right defender;
F. Whereas Dr. Amin Mekki Medani , a renowned human rights activist, former President of the Sudan Human Rights Monitor (SHRM) has been arrested arbitrarily from his house on the evening of December 6, 2014, on his return from political negotiations held in Addis Ababa between Sudanese political and armed opposition groups, by the Sudanese National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) and is currently arbitrarily detained as a reprisal to sanction his legitimate human rights activities.;
G. Whereas Dr. Amin Mekki Medani signed the Sudan Call, a Declaration on the establishment of a state of citizenship and democracy under which co-signatories committed to work towards the end of the conflict raging in different regions of Sudan and towards legal, institutional and economic reforms;
1. Is concerned about the instability in Sudan; calls on Sudanese authorities to take into account the complaints expressed by its population; is deeply concerned about reports that a significant number of people have been killed during the late September demonstrations over fuel subsidy cuts across Sudan, including the capital, Khartoum;
2. Voices deep concern at the large number of Sudanese citizens detained since these mass protests erupted, whereby detainees are being held incommunicado with no access to lawyers or their families and urges the Government of Sudan to allow the detainees access to their families, legal representation and medical care;
3. Expresses its solidarity with Dr. Medani and calls for his immediate release;
4. Calls on the Government of Sudan to treat Dr. Medani with all appropriate respect for both the rule of law and human rights that he has fought for all of his life, and to ensure his well-being as a Sudanese citizen;
5. Calls for an immediate end to the harassment and unlawful arrest of all human rights activists and members of the opposition for the lawful and peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of expression and assembly;
6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the President and the Government of Sudan, the Council of EU, the Commission, the governments of the EU Member States and the European External Action Service;