MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Angola
8.9.2015 - (2015/2839(RSP))
pursuant to Rule 135 of the Rules of Procedure
Cristian Dan Preda, Davor Ivo Stier, Tunne Kelam, Eduard Kukan, Patricija Šulin, Lorenzo Cesa, Brian Hayes, Claude Rolin, Giovanni La Via, Marijana Petir, Jiří Pospíšil, Bogdan Brunon Wenta, Andrej Plenković, Therese Comodini Cachia, Mariya Gabriel, Tomáš Zdechovský, Agnieszka Kozłowska-Rajewicz, Barbara Kudrycka, László Tőkés, Monica Macovei, Ivan Štefanec, Jaromír Štětina, David McAllister, Pavel Svoboda, Michaela Šojdrová, Tadeusz Zwiefka, Luděk Niedermayer, József Nagy, Francesc Gambús, Stanislav Polčák, Dubravka Šuica, Lara Comi, Roberta Metsola on behalf of the PPE Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B8-0846/2015
The European Parliament,
- having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in Angola, notably those of 5 September 2001 and 3 July 2002,
- having regard to the statement of 12 May 2015 by the spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Angola,
- having regard to the joint statement of 17 October 2014 following the First Angola-European Union Ministerial Meeting,
- having regard to the EU-Angola Joint Way Forward that was signed on 23 July 2012,
- having regard to the African Charter of Human and Peoples’ Rights of June 1981, ratified by Angola,
- having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
- having regard to the Cotonou Agreement,
- having regard to Rule 135 of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas in the beginning of 2015, two human rights defender, Arao Bula Tempo and José Marcos Mavungo, were charged with crimes against the security of the state after organising a peaceful protest to denounce corruption, human rights violations and bad governance in their region; whereas on 28 August, the Public Prosecutor requested 12 years of imprisonment for Mr. Mavungu, the maximum penalty allowed by law for "inciting rebellion";
B. whereas in July 2015, four human rights defenders and a Radio Deutsche Welle correspondant were arrested while they were visiting other activists in a prison in the Luanda province, on the accusation of intending to make politics in prison;
C. whereas on 21 June 2015, at least 15 human rights activists, mainly artists and intellectuals, were arrested in Luanda during a political debate on human rights violations and bad governance under the regime of President José Eduardo dos Santos;
D. whereas Rafael Marques de Morais, an Angolan and internationally rewarded journalist, faced 24 criminal charges for exposing serious crimes and human rights violations in his book "Blood Diamonds", and for defamation against seven Angolan generals; whereas on 21 May 2015 a settlement was reached between all parties in order to drop all charges; whereas in spite of this agreement and only a week later, the prosecutors went ahead and issued a six-month sentence suspended for two years;
E. whereas the current situation in Angola with regard to human rights, fundamental freedom and democratic space is worsening; whereas harassment and human rights abuses against human rights defenders, journalists and members of civil society is continuously reported;
F. whereas freedom of assembly, association and expression are essential components of any democracy;
G. whereas in April 2015, according to the civil society, hundreds of civilians have been killed, in the central province of Huambo, during a confrontation between national police forces and the members of the religious sect "Luz du Mondo"; whereas the government only acknowledged the death of 9 policemen and 13 civilians;
H. whereas in May 2015, the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) called on the Angolan Government to ensure a truly meaningful, independent and thorough investigation on this alleged massacre to ensure accountability of those responsible; whereas to date, Angolan officials have note followed up on this recommendation;
I. whereas in October 2014, Angola reaffirmed its commitment to the political dialogue and cooperation agreed in the Angola-EU Joint Way Forward of which good governance, democracy and human rights are essential pillars;
1. Is deeply concerned by reports of human rights organisations of increasing political violence and harassment of political opposition, as well as the severe restrictions and intimidations faced by human rights defenders who are often beaten by the police and arrested on false charges;
2. Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all prisoners of conscience and political prisoners, and calls on the Angolan government to take all necessary measures to prevent and combat all acts of harassment, intimidation and persecution of political dissidents and human rights activists;
3. Is highly concerned about the reports of forced disappearances, extra-judiciary killings and tortures led by security forces; urges the Angolan authorities to investigate allegations of excessive use of force and other human rights abuses by police and state officials;
4. Strongly condemns the massacre of Kalupeteka sect followers, and joins OHCHR's call to open an independent and impartial investigation to make the light on these events and hold those who are responsible accountable;
5. Recalls the Angolan authorities' obligations to guarantee fundamental rights, including access to justice and the right to a fair trial; further calls on them to fully implement the provisions of the UN Declaration on Human Rights, the African Charter of Human and Peoples' Rights and other international and regional human rights instruments ratified by Angola;
6. Recalls the commitment made by Angola under the Cotonou Agreement to respect democracy, the rule of law and human rights principles which include freedom of expression and freedom of the media;
7. Instructs its President to forward this Resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Commission Vice-President / EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the African Union, and the President, Prime Minister and Parliament of Angola.