MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Pakistan, in particular the situation following the Peshawar school attack
13.1.2015 - (2015/2514(RSP))
pursuant to Rule 135 of the Rules of Procedure
Charles Tannock, Mark Demesmaeker, Ruža Tomašić, Jana Žitňanská, Arne Gericke on behalf of the ECR Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B8-0050/2015
The European Parliament,
having regard to its previous resolutions on Pakistan,
– having regard to Articles 3, 18 and 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948,
– having regard to the UN Convention on the rights of the child of 1989
– having regard to the Council conclusions of 16 November 2009 on freedom of religion or belief, in which the Council emphasises the strategic importance of this freedom and of countering religious intolerance,
– having regard to the EU-Pakistan five-year engagement plan of March 2012, which contains priorities such as good governance and dialogue on human rights, as well as the closely related 2nd EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue of 25 March 2014,
– having regard to the statement of 16 December 2014 by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini on the attack on a school in Peshawar
– having regard to the statement of 16 December 2014 by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on the Pakistan school killings,
– having regard to the report of 5 August 2011 to the UN General Assembly, on the protection of education during emergencies by the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to education
– having regard to its resolution of 12 March 2014 on Pakistan’s regional role and political relations with the EU,
– having regard to Rule 135 of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas on 16 December 2014 a group of Taliban militants from Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) attacked the Army Public School in Peshawar killing more than 140 people, including 132 school children, and leaving many more injured;
B. whereas, following the attack on 16 December 2014, the Pakistani army has broadened its operations against militants, which began earlier that year in North Waziristan;
C. whereas for many years, terrorism and religious extremism have taken its toll on the Pakistani people, in particular, children for whom access to education is often made impossible or extremely dangerous;
D. whereas the freedom of belief and religious tolerance in Pakistan is both threatened by terrorist violence and the widespread abuse of blasphemy laws;
E. whereas terror attacks on schools and colleges around the world have risen to higher levels than at any point in more than 40 years and that the highest number of attacks have taken place in Pakistan;
F. whereas Pakistan plays an important role in fostering stability in South Asia and must therefore lead by example in strengthening rule of law and human rights;
1. Is deeply shocked by the Taliban attack on the Peshawar Army Public school and strongly condemns the brutal murder of more than 140 people, including 132 school children; shares its deep grief and sympathy with the families of the victims of this terrorist attack and shows solidarity with the Pakistani people who must continue to deal with the scourge of terrorism and violent extremism in all of its manifestations;
2. Expresses its full commitment to tackling the threat posed by terrorism and religious extremism and its readiness to further assist the Pakistani government in this; is concerned, however, about links of the Pakistan armed forces and intelligence services with some Taliban groups in the past and underlines therefore that no form of terrorism or extremism should be supported by the authorities;
3. Notes the decision of the Pakistani government to lift the moratorium on the death penalty following the Peshawar school attacks, is concerned by comments by a minister for Punjab province, who stated that executions of terrorists boost the morale of the nation; calls on the government to fully respect human rights and uphold the rule of law by fulfilling its obligations including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;
4. Recognises Pakistan’s continued commitment to fight terrorism on both sides of its border, and encourages the authorities to take bolder steps to further limit the possibilities for the recruitment and training of terrorists on Pakistan’s territory, which constitutes a phenomenon that is making certain areas of Pakistan a safe haven for terrorist organisations,
5. Calls on the Pakistani Government to fulfil its security obligations and responsibilities by further engaging in the fight against extremism, terrorism and radicalisation, with the implementation of strict and uncompromising security measures and law enforcement, as well as by addressing issues likely to fuel the radicalisation of Pakistani youth;
6. Encourages the government to withstand pressure from religious groups and some opposition political forces to maintain the use of blasphemy laws in Pakistan; calls on the Pakistani government to reinstate the moratorium as a matter of urgency and to carry out a thorough review the blasphemy laws and their application, while also taking further security measures to ensure the safety of schools and ensure that children, regardless of gender, are never intimidated while going to school;
7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the European Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Secretary-General of the UN, the UN Human Rights Council, and the Government and Parliament of Pakistan.