MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Madagascar, notably the situation of the rights of the child, specifically in regards to child mica miners

11.2.2020 - (2020/2552(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 144 of the Rules of Procedure

Anna Fotyga, Karol Karski, Assita Kanko, Angel Dzhambazki, Carlo Fidanza, Raffaele Fitto, Emmanouil Fragkos, Ruža Tomašić, Jadwiga Wiśniewska, Adam Bielan, Joanna Kopcińska, Jan Zahradil, Veronika Vrecionová
on behalf of the ECR Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B9-0102/2020

B9‑0105/2020

European Parliament resolution on Madagascar, notably the situation of the rights of the child, specifically in regards to child mica miners

(2020/2552(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to previous resolutions on Madagascar, most recently on 16 November 2017,

– having regard to previous resolutions concerning child labour, most notably on 14 March 2012,

– having regard to the Council’s adoption of the “Guidelines for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of the Child (2017) - Leave No Child Behind” on 6 March 2017,

– having regard to the Joint Statement of 11 June 2019 by the High Representative and the European Commission on the occasion of the World Day against Child Labour,

– having regard to the 7th Meeting of the Joint Council on Constitutional Justice, the “Mini-Conference” on Social Rights,

– having regard to the EU Guidelines on the Rights of the Child,

– having regard to EU Convention on Fundamental Rights,

– having regard to Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948,

– having regard to the Cotonou Agreement,

– having regard to the Minimum Age Convention of 1973,

– having regard to the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention of 1999,

– having regard to the International Labour Organization Child Labour Tool for Business

– having regard to the International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC),

– having regard to the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child,

– having regard to the Constitution of Madagascar,

– having regard to its Decree N° 2007-563 by former Prime Minister Charles Rabemananjara,

– having regard to Rule 144 of its Rule of Procedure,

A. whereas according to the World Bank, an estimated 74.1% of the Malagasy people live in poverty with 75% living off €1.73 per day;

B. whereas according to UNICEF, only 30% of Malagasy children have access to primary school;

C. whereas over 230 400 Malagasy children are involved in the mining industry; whereas half of the 20 000 people working in the mica mining industry are children involved in mining and sorting;

D. whereas nearly 90% of all the mica mined in Madagascar is being exported directly to China where its price is inflated nearly 500 times its initial value while en-route to China;

E. whereas many of the mines are currently operating without licenses, operating illegally and in direct contravention to OECD guidelines;

F. whereas mica mining and processing is considered to be one of the worst forms of child labour, primarily due to the hazards it is associated with;

G. whereas the child workers are subject to harsh conditions, which are exacerbated by the climate of Madagascar, forcing children to work in the evenings or before noon in order to avoid the harsh weather;

H. whereas children work in conditions that consist of low oxygen levels, poorly constructed mine shafts, and high levels of dust; exposing them to silicosis, a potentially deadly lung disease;

I. whereas mining is the most mortally dangerous sector for children, with the average fatality rate of 32 per 100 000 children between the ages of 5 and 17;

J. whereas children suffer from pain in their backs and muscles due to having to carry heavy loads, utilizing crowbars, and lifting hammers; whereas children suffer from headaches due to the extreme heat and lack of water and oxygen in the mines;

K. whereas the government is not able to provide adequate access to healthcare, education, or clean drinking water facilities to many of the mining communities;

L. whereas in many mica mining sites, young girls have been sexually exploited by traders in exchange for larger sums;

1. Resolutely opposes the use of  child labour in all of its forms, especially in mining procedures;

2. Is appalled by the use of child labour in Malagasy mines, and the harsh conditions the child miners face; implores the Republic of Madagascar to guarantee the safety and wellbeing of children working in artisanal mines;

3. Urges Madagascar to recognize that the rights of the child are human rights;

4. Urges Madagascar to act in accordance with its commitments to international conventions and agreements;

5. Encourages Madagascar to adopt measures to combat poverty and unjust labour in a manner to alleviate the burden on child miners;

6. Reiterates that if the Malagasy government seeks to strengthen its relationship with the EU, then it should abide by the appropriate standards of behaviour and labour, and uphold children rights;

7. Believes numerous Malagasy children have been deprived of their protection and rights, representing flagrant violations of Madagascar’s obligations under international law;

8. Urges Madagascar to recognize labour in mines as a Worst Form of Child Labour, as the wellbeing of the child is directly endangered by the hazardous conditions presented by this form of labour; stresses that mining is among the most dangerous professions that a human may hold;

9. Urges Madagascar to work with the international community to sustainably develop its mining industries; stresses that Madagascar prioritizes its commitment to international agreements and initiatives, such as the Responsible Mica Initiative;

10. Calls on the government of Madagascar to protect children’s rights and promote the eradication of child labour;

11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the European External Action Service, 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 President of the Republic of Madagascar, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Madagascar, and the Members of the Parliament of Madagascar.