MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Kyrgyzstan, homosexual propoganda bill

13.1.2015 - (2015/2505(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, Arnaud Danjean, Tunne Kelam, Giovanni La Via, Davor Ivo Stier, Csaba Sógor, Jiří Pospíšil, Seán Kelly, Tomáš Zdechovský, Jeroen Lenaers, Luděk Niedermayer, Jaromír Štětina, Bogdan Brunon Wenta, Stanislav Polčák, Agnieszka Kozłowska-Rajewicz, Lara Comi on behalf of the PPE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B8-0054/2015

B8‑0064/2015

European Parliament resolution on Kyrgyzstan, homosexual propoganda bill

(2015/2505(RSP))

The European Parliament,

 

–        having regard to its previous resolutions on Kyrgyzstan,

 

–         having regard to the Thirteenth meeting of the Cooperation Council between the European Union and the Kyrgyz Republic of 18 November 2014,

 

–         having regards to the European Union-Kyrgyz Republic Human Rights Dialogue of 8 April 2014,  

 

–        having regard to the Joint Progress Report of 14 June 2010 by the Council and the Commission to the European Council on the implementation of the EU Strategy for Central Asia,

 

–        having regard to its resolution of 20 February 2008 on an EU Strategy for Central Asia,

–        having regard to the EU Strategy for a New Partnership with Central Asia adopted at the European Council meeting of 21/22 June 2007,

–        having regard to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between the EU and Kyrgyzstan, which entered into force in 1999,

–        having regard to Rule 135 of its Rules of Procedure,

 

A. whereas the EU has a clear interest in a peaceful, democratic and economically prosperous Kyrgyzstan; whereas the EU has committed itself, in particular through its Central Asia Strategy, to act as a partner of the countries in the region;

 

B. whereas the EU- Kyrgyzstan relations are based on a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement since 1999;

 

C. whereas the countries of Central Asia face a number of common challenges, such as poverty and serious threats to human security and the need to strengthen democracy, respect of human rights, good governance and the rule of law;

 

D. whereas a group of United Nations human rights experts have urged the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan to reject a bill that would introduce criminal and administrative sanctions for acts aimed at forming “a positive attitude towards non-traditional sexual orientation;

 

1. Notes that laws that discriminate against one group of people threatens the fundamental rights of all people;

 

2. Expresses concern on the advancement in the Jogorku Kenesh of legislation that fundamentally threatens human rights, notably the October 9 passage of legislation on non-traditional relations on its first reading;

 

3. Notes that the draft law passed its first reading and must be voted on twice more before going to the President for signature;

 

4. Stresses that the adoption of any legislation on non-traditional relations should not go against Kyrgyzstan’s human rights obligations and commitments;

 

5. Notes that the explanatory note accompanying the bill defines non-traditional sexual relations as ‘sodomy, lesbianism, and other forms of non-traditional sexual behavior’ and it proscribes the dissemination of information in the media and internet, as well as the organization and participation in peaceful assemblies on these issues;

 

6. Urges the Kyrgyz authorities to fight against all forms of violence and discrimination in Kyrgyzstan;

 

7. Calls on the Members of the Jogorku Kenesh to oppose legislation that would criminalize expressions of identity or limit civil society;

 

8. Calls on the Kyrgyz authorities to take all the measures needed to ensure that human rights defenders can carry on their work to promote and protect human rights without hindrance;

 

9. Welcomes the progress made by Kyrgyz authorities in the domain of human rights in the period between the fourth and fifth round of EU-Kyrgyz Republic Human Rights Dialogue; strongly urges the Kyrgyz authorities to continue progress in this field;

 

10. Urges Kyrgyzstan, in the period leading to the Fourteenth meeting of the Cooperation Council between the EU and the Kyrgyz Republic, to continue reforms leading to transparency, independence of the judiciary, inter-ethnic reconciliation and respect for human rights as these are key factors for the long-term sustainable development of the country;

 

11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Council, the Commission, the parliaments and governments of the Member States, the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Government and Parliament of Kyrgyzstan.