MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Myanmar, notably the situation of Rohingyas

5.7.2016 - (2016/2809(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, Tunne Kelam, Davor Ivo Stier, Tomáš Zdechovský, Andrey Kovatchev, Luděk Niedermayer, Lefteris Christoforou, Patricija Šulin, Pavel Svoboda, Michaela Šojdrová, Claude Rolin, Marijana Petir, Jarosław Wałęsa, Milan Zver, Ivana Maletić, Ildikó Gáll-Pelcz, Agnieszka Kozłowska-Rajewicz, Roberta Metsola, David McAllister, Sven Schulze, Therese Comodini Cachia, Csaba Sógor, József Nagy, Dubravka Šuica, Jiří Pospíšil, Francesc Gambús, Adam Szejnfeld, Giovanni La Via, Eva Paunova, Ivan Štefanec, Eduard Kukan, Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso on behalf of the PPE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B8-0910/2016

B8‑0914/2016

European Parliament resolution on Myanmar, notably the situation of Rohingyas

(2016/2809(RSP))

The European Parliament,

-   having regard to its previous resolutions on Myanmar,

-  having regard to the Joint Communication: 'Elements for an EU strategy vis-à-vis Myanmar/Burma: A Special Partnership for Democracy, Peace and Prosperity' of 1 June 2016,

-  having regard to the Council conclusions on EU strategy with Myanmar/Burma of 20 June 2016,

-  having regard to the Resolution of the United Nations Human Rights Council on Situation of human rights of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar of 3 July 2015,

-  having regard to the Resolution of the United Nations Human Rights Council on Situation of human rights in Myanmar of 24 March 2016,

-  having regard to the Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on Situation of human rights of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar of 20 June 2016,

-  having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 10 December 1948,

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

A.  whereas Myanmar is undergoing significant transformation since wide-ranging reforms began in 2011;

B.  whereas Nobel Peace Prize and Sakharov Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, assumed the post of state counsellor, foreign minister and president's office minister in a civilian government;

C.  whereas ongoing clashes in Kachin, Shan and Rakhine States result in continued human suffering and undermine confidence in the peace process;

D.  whereas the EU has taken positive note of the efforts of the Government of Myanmar/Burma to begin work towards addressing the challenges of Rakhine State, including the situation of the Rohingya;

E.  whereas Rohingya represent the largest percentage of Muslims in Myanmar, with the majority living in Rakhine State; whereas most Rohingya are stateless;

F.  whereas human rights violations and lack of opportunities have triggered irregular migration flows of Rohingya from Rakhine State to Thailand and Malaysia; whereas trafficking and smuggling networks have facilitated these flows;

G.  whereas there is a pattern of human rights violations against the Rohingya that affect fundamental civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights;

1.  Welcomes the Council conclusions on EU strategy with Myanmar/Burma of 20 June 2016; underlines that the EU has a strategic interest in strengthening its relationship with Myanmar: believes that the new government has an historic opportunity to consolidate democracy and to achieve peace, national reconciliation and prosperity;

2.  Welcomes the decision of the Government of Myanmar to make peace and national reconciliation a key priority; stresses that fighting has to cease immediately and disputes need to be resolved through negotiation;

3.  Expresses its concern about the human rights situation and the discrimination of the Rohingya in Myanmar;

4.  Calls on the Government of Myanmar to ensure that Rohingya can enjoy all their human rights and fundamental freedoms without discrimination and in full equality before the law and to take all necessary measures to end trafficking of Rohingya;

5.  Stresses that addressing the challenges of Rakhine State, including the situation of the Rohingya, will require inclusive development in all areas and a political process, including solving citizenship for stateless persons in a non-discriminatory manner through a transparent, voluntary and accessible procedure and ending displacement;

6.  Calls on the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to address the situation of the Rohingya at the highest possible political level in her contacts with Myanmar and with other ASEAN member countries;

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