MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Egypt, notably the situation of human rights defenders

11.12.2018 - (2018/2968(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, Tomáš Zdechovský, Elisabetta Gardini, Thomas Waitz, Tunne Kelam, Csaba Sógor, Pavel Svoboda, Roberta Metsola, Milan Zver, Lorenzo Cesa, Adam Szejnfeld, Richard Sulík, Deirdre Clune, Ivana Maletić, Anders Sellström, Andrey Kovatchev, Seán Kelly, Richard Sulík, Ivo Belet, Marijana Petir, Laima Liucija Andrikienė, Inese Vaidere on behalf of the PPE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B8-0568/2018

B8‑0581/2018

European Parliament resolution on Egypt, notably the situation of human rights defenders

(2018/2968(RSP))

The European Parliament,

-having regard to its previous resolutions on Egypt, in particular that of 6 February 2014 on the situation in Egypt, 17 July 2014 on freedom of expression and assembly in Egypt, 15 January 2015 on the situation in Egypt, 17 December 2015 on Ibrahim Halawa, potentially facing the death penalty, 10 March 2016 on Egypt, notably the case of Giulio Regeni and 8 February 2018 on executions in Egypt,

-having regard to the EU-Egypt Association Agreement of 2001, which entered into force in 2004, strengthened by the Action Plan of 2007; having regard to the EU-Egypt partnership priorities for 2017-2020,

-having regard to Protocols 6 and 13 to the European Convention on Human Rights,

-having regard to Article 2 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union,

-having regard to the EU Guidelines on the Death Penalty,

-having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the 2nd Optional Protocol thereof,

-having regard to Rule 135(5) and 123(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas Egypt has gone through several difficult political challenges since the 2011 revolution and is in need of support and assistance from the international community to address its economic, political and security challenges;

B. whereas the EU’s level of engagement with Egypt should be incentive-based, in line with the ‘more for more’ principle of the European Neighbourhood Policy, and should depend on progress in reform of democratic institutions, the rule of law and human rights;

C. whereas the 6^th meeting of the Egypt-EU Association Committee took place the 8^th November 2018 and served as an opportunity to consider the progress in the implementation of the Partnership Priorities, as well as the development of cooperation on human rights, judicial, security, anti-terrorism and migration areas; whereas these discussions will follow in the upcoming meeting of the Association Council in December 2018;

D. whereas, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to housing condemned the forced evictions, housing demolitions, arbitrary arrest, intimidation and reprisals against persons she met during her official country visit to Egypt from 24 September to 3 October 2018;

E. whereas, the 8th of September 75 death penalties were confirmed in a mass trial in Egypt, and the circumstances of this mass trial cast serious doubts on the respect of due process and in particular the defendants' rights to a fair trial;

F. whereas there is an increasing number of arrests of human rights defenders, political activists and bloggers in the latest weeks in Egypt;

G. whereas the sentencing of UNESCO-awarded Egyptian photojournalist Mahmoud Abu Zeid, known as Shawkan, to five years in prison as part of the same trial paves the way for his forthcoming release based on time already served; whereas the European Union is relieved that he will soon be released, although the sentence and conditions for his release appear not to be in line with Egypt's Constitution and international obligations; 

H. whereas in July 2018, a new media law was adopted broadening the definition of the press to include any social media account with over 5000 followers, making these accounts liable to prosecution for publishing “false news” or anything deemed to constitute incitement to break the law;

I. whereas, respect for civil liberties – including freedom of expression and media freedom - is an essential part of the foundations of a democratic society, and journalists should be free to exercise their profession without fear of prosecution or imprisonment;

J. whereas serious security challenges exist within Egypt, particularly in Sinai, where terrorist groups have staged attacks on security forces; whereas a number of devastating terrorist attacks have occurred within Egypt;

K. whereas Coptic Christians, who constitute approximately 10 percent of the mostly Muslim Egyptian population, borne the brunt of sectarian violence; whereas on 2 November 2018 an attack perpetrated by Islamic militants on a bus of Coptic Christian pilgrims in Minya killing seven and leaving 19 wounded, demonstrates the security challenges that Egypt is facing;

L. whereas Egypt is an important regional player in a region defined by instability and conflict;

1. Reminds the Egyptian Government that the long-term success of Egypt and its people depends on the protection of universal human rights and on the establishment and anchorage of democratic and transparent institutions also engaged in protecting citizens’ fundamental rights; calls, therefore, on the Egyptian authorities to fully implement the principles of the International Conventions to which they have adhered to;

2. Underlines the importance that the EU attaches to its cooperation with Egypt as an important neighbour and partner; stresses the important role of Egypt for stability in the region; stresses its solidarity with the Egyptian people and its support to Egypt in the process of strengthening its democratic institutions; reminds that, in a moment when Egypt is seeking to consolidate democracy and the rule of law, the respect for peaceful expression of opinion and of criticism is important;

3. Therefore, urges the Egyptian authorities and security forces to ensure safety for all citizens, irrespective of their political views, affiliations or confession; and to put an end to all forms of harassment, including at the judicial level, against civil society activists, journalists, NGOs, trade union activist and human rights defenders in Egypt, ensuring that they are able to carry out their legitimate and peaceful human rights work without fear of hindrance or reprisals;

4. Reiterates its call on the Egyptian authorities to shed light on any alleged case of enforced disappearances without further delay and on the circumstances of the death of Giulio Regeni and Eric Lang and hold those responsible to account, fully cooperating with the authorities of the concerned Member States on these cases; 

5. Welcomes the step taken by the government on 5 November 2018 to revise Egypt’s NGO law (Law 70 of 2017) on Associations and Other Foundations Working in the Field of Civil Work and supports President Sisi’s statements to hold a national dialogue on the law’s amendment and the committee to amend Law 70;

6. Welcomes the conditional release of Mr. Wael Abbas and UNESCO-awarded Egyptian photojournalist Mahmoud Abu Zeid but remains concerned about the increasingly severe clampdown on the media and on political opposition in Egypt; urges the Egyptian authorities to promptly release all journalists imprisoned for carrying out legitimate news reporting activities in exercise of their fundamental human rights, as well as other persons detained solely for having exercised their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly;

7. Strongly condemns the attacks against Coptic Christian pilgrims, and all other sorts of discrimination and anti-Christian violence;

8. Firmly condemns the terrorist attacks suffered since 2011 mainly in the North Sinai Governorate and all other acts of terrorism against Egyptians which target mainly members of the security forces and their infrastructure; underlines that the EU and the international community must stand firmly and cooperate with Egypt in its fight against terrorism;

9. Highlights the importance of Egypt as an international actor and hopes that it will continue to play an active role in the peace negotiations that will put an end to the Arab-Israeli conflict; trusts, furthermore, in Egypt’s constructive contribution to the search for stability in the Mediterranean region, currently notably in Libya and in the Middle East, which are currently facing great challenges; reiterates the willingness of the EU to work with Egypt as a partner in the region to address these serious threats;

10. 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 and the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Egyptian Government, the Egyptian Parliament, the UN Secretary‑General and the UN Human Rights Council.