MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Malaysia

15.12.2015 - (2015/3018(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, Jeroen Lenaers, Davor Ivo Stier, Bogdan Brunon Wenta, Brian Hayes, Roberta Metsola, Patricija Šulin, Lorenzo Cesa, Jarosław Wałęsa, Claude Rolin, József Nagy, Eduard Kukan, Andrey Kovatchev, Luděk Niedermayer, Jaromír Štětina, Ivan Štefanec, Milan Zver, Tomáš Zdechovský, Giovanni La Via, Ildikó Gáll-Pelcz, Csaba Sógor, Pavel Svoboda, Agnieszka Kozłowska-Rajewicz, Tunne Kelam, Marijana Petir, Andrej Plenković, Dubravka Šuica, Lefteris Christoforou, Adam Szejnfeld, Seán Kelly, Francesc Gambús, Lara Comi, Therese Comodini Cachia, Romana Tomc on behalf of the PPE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B8-1412/2015

B8‑1418/2015

European Parliament resolution on Malaysia

(2015/3018(RSP))

The European Parliament,

-   having regard to its previous resolutions on Malaysia,

-  having regard to the Statement by the EEAS Spokesperson of 10 February 2015 on the conviction of Malaysian opposition politician Anwar Ibrahim,

-  having regard to the Statement by the EEAS Spokesperson of 17 March 2015 on the arrest of Nurul Izzah, opposition Member of Parliament in Malaysia,

-   having regard to the Statement by the EEAS spokesperson of 15 April 2015 on the Sedition Act in Malaysia,

-   having regard to the Statement by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights of 9 April 2015 on the Draft anti-terror and sedition laws,

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

A. whereas the EU regards Malaysia as a key political and economic partner in South East Asia; whereas the EU and Malaysia are negotiating a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement;

B. whereas on 3 December 2015 the National Security Council Bill was passed in the Malaysian Parliament by a majority vote;

C. whereas the Sedition Act has been applied in many instances to curb the legitimate exercise of freedom of expression in Malaysia;

D. whereas opposition politician Anwar Ibrahim has been convicted and sentenced in February 2015;

E. whereas the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has questioned the Prime Minister in connection with graft allegations;

F. whereas the recommendations of the Universal Periodic Review for Malaysia were submitted on 4 December 2013; whereas the recommendations addressed to Malaysia focused on freedom of expression, association and assembly;

G. whereas the 27th ASEAN Summit was held in Kuala Lumpur from 18 to 22 November 2015;

H. whereas the second online anti-Daesh center may open in Malaysia;

 

1. Reaffirms the EU's strong commitment to the Malaysian people with whom the EU has strong and longstanding political, economic and cultural ties and people to people contacts;

2. Expresses its concern on the adoption of the National Security Council Bill, which gives the Council widespread powers to impose strict policing in an area deemed to face a security risk;

3. Welcomes Malaysia’s efforts to enhance its international role, cooperation and partnerships;

4. Notes that Malaysia accepted in principle the Universal Period Review recommendation to "repeal the Sedition Act"; regrets that despite this commitment Malaysia continues to prosecute under this law;

5. Calls on the Malaysian government to repeal the Sedition Act, which is a threat to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, and to review the cases of all those who have been charged under the Sedition Act;

6. Calls on the Malaysian authorities to immediately release Anwar Ibrahim and reinstate his political rights; expresses its serious concerns regarding the conviction and sentencing of opposition leaders that raises questions about due process of law;

7. Underlines the importance of independent and transparent investigations into the graft allegations, and of full cooperation with the investigators; recalls that a fair justice system is a key element of the democratic process;

8. Calls for a constructive dialogue between the EU and Malaysia on the protection of human rights in Malaysia; reaffirms the importance of the EU and ASEAN policy dialogue on Human Rights as a useful tool to exchange good practices and promote capacity building initiatives;

9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Government and Parliament of Malaysia, the EU High Representative, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the governments of the ASEAN Member States.