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Torsdagen den 13 september 2018 - Strasbourg Preliminär utgåva

4.2. Burma/Myanmar, särskilt fallet med journalisterna Wa Lone och Kyaw Soe Oo
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  Przewodniczący. – Kolejnym punktem porządku dziennego jest debata nad sześcioma projektami rezolucji w sprawie Mjanmy/Birmy, w szczególności w sprawie dziennikarzy Wa Lone i Kyaw Soe Oo (2018/2841(RSP)).

 
  
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  Barbara Lochbihler, Verfasserin. – Herr Präsident! Die burmesischen Journalisten Wa Lone und Kyaw Soe Oo haben es gewagt, in ihrem Land zur Ermordung von zehn Rohingyas im Dorf Inn Din zu recherchieren. Diese Verbrechen fanden statt im Zuge der Militäroffensive, bei der Hunderttausende Rohingyas ermordet oder vertrieben wurden. Sie wurden verurteilt, weil Militär und Regierung alles daransetzen, die grausamen Verbrechen an den Rohingya undokumentiert und ungesühnt zu lassen. Wir fordern ihre Freilassung sofort und ohne Bedingungen.

Die UN-Untersuchungskommission dokumentiert eindrucksvoll, dass das myanmarische Militär für Verbrechen gegen die Menschlichkeit und Kriegsverbrechen in seinem Land und gegen die Rohingya möglicherweise auch für Völkermord verantwortlich ist. Sie nannten explizit den Militärchef Min Aung Hlaing und fünf weitere Offiziere. Wenn nächste Woche im UN-Menschenrechtsrat über den Bericht beraten wird, muss die EU deutlich und unmissverständlich die Strafverfolgung der verantwortlichen Militärs durch den Internationalen Strafgerichtshof oder einen Ad-hoc-Gerichtshof fordern und gegebenenfalls auch ihre eigenen gezielten Sanktionen anpassen.

 
  
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  Sajjad Karim, author. – Mr President, for some time now my delegation has been very hesitant to call for the trade relationship we have with Myanmar to be reviewed. But today, following this latest development, we find ourselves in a situation where we can no longer simply say that Myanmar is a country that deserves the trade access we provide to it. There needs to be a fundamental review of that relationship.

Furthermore, the United Nations today has provided us with a report which is very clear in its findings. As part of the international community and as a set of institutions, Europe must ensure that it provides its support to the international community. So, at United Nations level, we must do the right thing and ensure that the voices we have at the table there are not allowing Myanmar to go unchecked. Our voices must be the loudest at that table.

(Applause)

 
  
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  Soraya Post, author. – Mr President, we will not and cannot allow ourselves to stand by while crimes against humanity and genocide have been happening in Myanmar. The Rohingya people are victims of ethnic cleansing. They are being punished, killed, raped and displaced from their homes. They are suffering and dying in refugee camps like Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh.

Journalists have been persecuted simply for reporting on the atrocities committed against Rohingya people. The Myanmar military and the Government led by Aung San Suu Kyi have to be held accountable. We call for justice for the Rohingya people and for all those who stand up for their rights and investigate and report on these crimes against humanity. We demand the immediate release of the two Reuter journalists. There are reasons for us to consider whether we should continue to give economic support to the Myanmar regime.

 
  
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  Ignazio Corrao, author. – Mr President, the decision to jail Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, two Reuter reporters, while they were investigating the massacre of Rohingya is unacceptable. The military regime wanted to send a severe warning to whoever dares to look into military abuses: a real example of censorship through fear for anyone who fights to uncover uncomfortable truths and expose wrongdoing by those in power, and whoever tries to report inconvenient truths.

Investigative journalism is the link between the truth and us, and that is precisely why it is vital for democracy. That is why we will always stand up and fight for freedom of thought for journalists, activists and lawyers who express critical views.

We must adopt targeted individual sanctions against the leaders of the military regime so long as Myanmar legislation is not aligned with basic international human rights law and standards. We urge the Myanmar authorities to free the two journalists immediately and to repeal the Official Secrets Act and all the other laws that allow the authorities to arrest or harass whoever fights to inform people about the atrocities they are perpetrating.

 
  
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  Miguel Urbán Crespo, autor. – Señor presidente, aquí estamos otra vez hablando una vez más de la vulneración de los derechos humanos en Myanmar. Hay que recordar que el 23 de agosto fue el aniversario del inicio del genocidio de los rohinyás. Una ocasión para recordar nuestro fracaso a la hora de hacer rendir cuentas a los responsables.

Para recordar, también, que la expulsión continúa y responde también, sobre todo, a grandes negocios de los que nadie habla. En las tierras expoliadas se construyen bases militares y se está permitiendo la entrada masiva de capital transnacional promoviendo el extractivismo, la agroindustria y el acaparamiento de tierras que están detrás de la expulsión de los rohinyás.

Si tras un genocidio, hasta ahora confirmado incluso por Naciones Unidas, la cláusula de derechos humanos incluida en nuestros acuerdos comerciales no se aplica ¿cuándo será el momento entonces de aplicarla? ¿Cuando no tengamos intereses económicos? Si no tomamos medidas contundentes para asegurar el fin de la violencia, el acceso a la justicia y las medidas de no repetición, seremos cómplices indirectos de estos crímenes.

 
  
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  Seán Kelly, Údar. – A Uachtaráin, a Choimisinéir Mogherini, fáiltím roimh an tuarascáil seo agus go háirithe aontaím leis, gur cheart an bheirt iriseoirí Wa Lone agus Kyaw Soe Oo a ligean saor.

Ní dhearna siad aon rud mídhleathach; ní dhearna siad ach scríobh faoi choireanna uafásacha i gcoinne cearta daonna a rinne fórsaí míleata Mhaenmar. Ní féidir cur suas leis seo. Agus dar le tuarascáil idirnáisiúnta, tá rudaí imithe ar gcúl go mór i Maenmar maidir le saoirse agus go háirithe maidir le muintir Róihinse.

Ceaptar gur cuireadh ar a laghad 10 000 díobh chun báis. Tá 700 000 duine tar éis an tír a fhágáil agus leathmhíle díobh siúd ina leanaí. Dá bhrí sin, caithfimid rud éigin a dhéanamh agus caithfimid féachaint go háirithe ar an ngaol trádála atá againn leo – go háirithe an gaol trádála ‘Gach Ní Seachas Airm’ – go dtí ar a laghad go gcuireann siad ar ceal an dlí uafásach sin, an tAcht um Rúin Oifigiúla.

 
  
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  Urmas Paet, author. – Mr President, the conviction of the two journalists reporting human rights violations by the Myanmar forces is a clear example of the undermining of press freedom. The journalists must be freed at once.

As regards the Rohingyas, the situation has not improved. The UN fact-finding mission recently concluded that the Myanmar authorities had committed the most serious human rights violations and the gravest crimes under international law, including genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The EU and the international community must spare no effort to make the Myanmar authorities stop these atrocities and to ensure that those responsible will be brought to justice. The EU must therefore use all the tools it has, including a review of the trade preferences that Myanmar benefits from under the ‘Everything But Arms’ scheme.

The EU needs to take the lead in the UN Security Council on referring the situation to the International Criminal Court, and the UN Security Council must impose a global, comprehensive arms embargo on Myanmar, as well as adopting targeted individual sanctions against those responsible for these heinous crimes.

 
  
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  Neena Gill, on behalf of the S&D Group. – Mr President, High Representative, other Members have already outlined the case of Myanmar journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who were sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment on 3 September for investigating and reporting on human rights violations in Rakhine State. Wa Lone had been writing in-depth stories on sensitive subjects including land grabs by the powerful military and the murder of prominent politician Ko Ni. It’s appalling that he’s not even able to see his new-born daughter. Kyaw Soe Oo worked on an investigative story about Myanmar’s plan to harvest the crops of Rohingya farmers who fled to Bangladesh. He also reported how some Buddhists were enforcing local-level segregation in central Rakhine. And it was only because of these brave journalists that the world got to know about the severe injustices and violations of human rights.

Collecting information, High Representative, is not a crime, therefore I am deeply disappointed by Aung San Suu Kyi, who has defended the court’s decision to jail Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo.

With this resolution, Parliament is not just urging the authorities in Myanmar to release immediately and unconditionally the two journalists, but also urging the High Representative and the Commission to ensure that wherever we have harassment of journalists we take action in terms of our trade agreements, and that we take action in this case. I think it’s important that in Myanmar we actually have a review of the archaic laws that facilitate these attacks. I hope, High Representative, that you will join us in this call: we do need to act now.

 
  
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  Younous Omarjee, au nom du groupe GUE/NGL. – Monsieur le Président, Madame la Haute représentante, de débat en débat, nous avons l’impression que la situation au Myanmar ne cesse de se dégrader. Désormais, ce sont les journalistes qui sont persécutés, condamnés, emprisonnés au motif qu’ils rapportent ce qui s’y passe, témoignent de la cruauté sans fin du pouvoir birman et continuent à témoigner du nettoyage ethnique des Rohingyas qui est, selon l’ONU, un génocide.

C’est pourquoi nous exigeons, encore une fois, des sanctions et la mise en place urgente d’une enquête internationale. Nous appelons aussi le Conseil de sécurité de l’ONU à faire traduire les responsables devant la justice internationale.

Il n’y aurait rien de pire que de s’habituer à l’horreur. Et j’ai peur, parfois, que nos yeux finissent par s’habituer aux horreurs commises en Birmanie depuis trop d’années déjà.

 
  
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  Wajid Khan (S&D). – Mr President, one year on the Myanmar Government has failed to take any credible steps to investigate the crimes against Rohingya and hold those with blood on their hands to account. Instead they are focused on targeting two brave journalists who dare to expose the military’s atrocities. I welcome the ICC ruling that it has jurisdiction over Myanmar’s deportation of the Rohingya population to Bangladesh. It is a crucial step towards ending impunity. However Myanmar’s military leaders have been accused of acting with genocidal intent. Therefore a referral to the ICC for the full scope of human rights violations is Rohingya’s main hope for justice. The international community may take responsibility, must take responsibility, and I ask you, Madam High Representative, to take the lead. Failing to do so sends the signal that Myanmar can continue to commit these atrocities against the Rohingya and other ethnic minorities in northern Myanmar. The longer we wait, the more time Myanmar officials have to destroy evidence in Rakhine State. We must take a united stand now.

 
  
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  Pier Antonio Panzeri (S&D). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, signora Mogherini, vorrei condividere con lei oggi questo pensiero, perché il caso dei due giornalisti a me sembra un ulteriore elemento di prova che il processo di transizione democratica fatica a farsi largo in quel paese, e forse dovrebbe imporre a tutti noi la necessità di rivedere l'approccio nelle nostre politiche.

La scorsa settimana l'Alto commissario delle Nazioni Unite per i diritti umani, Michelle Bachelet, nel corso di un discorso tenuto a Ginevra, ha definito sconvolgenti i risultati della missione di inchiesta internazionale. E del resto anche lo scorso febbraio ho fatto parte della delegazione del Parlamento europeo che si è recata in Myanmar, ed è triste constatare che a distanza di mesi quasi nulla è cambiato.

Ora, è del tutto evidente che l'Unione europea non può stare a guardare. Non chiediamo solo la liberazione dei due giornalisti, ma anche che si utilizzino tutti gli strumenti a nostra disposizione per tentare di cambiare il corso delle cose in quel paese.

 
  
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  Goffredo Maria Bettini (S&D). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, signora Mogherini, io ho avuto l'onore di partecipare alla missione degli osservatori del Parlamento europeo durante le ultime elezioni in Myanmar. Fummo colpiti dalla partecipazione popolare, dall'organizzazione, soprattutto delle donne, in occasione di quella festa della democrazia e di quell'inizio della transizione alla libertà dopo la vittoria della leader San Suu Kyi.

Sapevamo che la Costituzione sarebbe rimasta arretrata, il peso delle forze armate importante e vincolante. E sapevamo anche di forme di buddismo estremista, violento e xenofobo, e che già allora non venne frenato dalla leader vittoriosa.

Ma quello che è successo in seguito in Birmania al popolo Rohingya va oltre ogni previsione più pessimistica: uno sterminio etnico, un genocidio, un susseguirsi di violenze ampiamente documentato. Giornalisti indipendenti arrestati, gli assassini impuniti, media fomentatori dell'odio. Noi dobbiamo dire basta. Ha ragione l'on. Panzeri a dire che questo basta non sono solo provvedimenti specifici, ma che occorre cambiare una linea generale.

La Birmania è in bilico: se non si muove, tornerà a essere un esempio di vergogna agli occhi di tutti i democratici del mondo.

 
  
 

Zgłoszenia z sali

 
  
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  José Inácio Faria (PPE). – Senhor Presidente, Senhora Alta Representante, os jornalistas da Reuters Wa Lone e Kyaw Soe Oo, que investigavam o assassinato de dez homens e crianças muçulmanos rohingyas descobertos numa vala comum na aldeia de Inn Din no Estado de Rakhine foram presos em dezembro do ano passado e agora condenados a sete anos de prisão, acusados de terem violado a arcaica lei de segredos oficiais do Myanmar.

Caros colegas, o único delito destes dois corajosos jornalistas - nomeados na categoria de jornalistas internacionais do ano pela One World Media - foi fazer o seu trabalho, investigar as atrocidades cometidas após a ofensiva do exército birmanês em Inn Din, em agosto de 2017, que originou a fuga de 700 mil pessoas para o Bangladesh, e denunciar os crimes de guerra cometidos em nome de uma inaceitável limpeza ética.

Senhora Alta Representante, quero felicitá-la pelo seu difícil trabalho em relação a seguramente uma das suas maiores dores de cabeça que é precisamente o dossiê sobre o Myanmar, mas a verdade é que, de forma constante neste Parlamento, apresentamos resoluções sobre este país. Cumpre-nos agora a nós, representantes do povo europeu, dizer que estamos do lado de quem defende uma imprensa livre e independente e os que condenam a manipulação da justiça, os crimes contra a humanidade e a impunidade de quem os pratica.

 
  
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  Doru-Claudian Frunzulică (S&D). – Mr President, I strongly support the calls upon the Government of Myanmar and the security forces to put an end immediately to the ongoing violations against the Rohingya people and other ethnic minorities in northern Myanmar and to ensure that security and the rule of law prevail. The international community must adopt a united and strong stand on this situation. The European Union and the Member States have to take the lead in the UN General Assembly and the upcoming 39th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council and step up their efforts towards the establishment of an international mechanism to back investigations into alleged atrocity crimes and to seek justice by prosecuting those responsible for atrocity crimes. Finally, as is emphasised in this resolution, thousands of Rohingya people, many of whom are children, are internally displaced and in urgent need of humanitarian assistance and protection. Against this background it is paramount to continue to call for immediate and unhindered access throughout the country for the delivery of humanitarian aid.

 
  
 

(Koniec zgłoszeń z sali)

 
  
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  Federica Mogherini, Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. – Mr President, a few days ago a Myanmar court sentenced two Reuters journalists to seven years in prison. At the time of their arrest they were working on an investigation into the killing of ten Rohingya men in a village in Rakhine State. We have been following this case very closely from the beginning, almost one year ago. Following their arrest on 18 December last year we requested their immediate release. Our delegation to Myanmar has observed all relevant court hearings, and, together with Member States, we continuously raise the issue with the Myanmar Government.

When the court decided to press charges against the two journalists last year on 7 July we again reacted publicly. Many observers saw this trial as a test of media freedom, democracy and the rule of law. It is pretty clear that the test was failed, and we made this clear in our statements released right after the sentence, which will also intimidate other journalists, who could fear undue arrest or prosecution for doing their job.

Throughout the years, we’ve always accompanied Myanmar on its path towards democracy and I still have hope that Myanmar can go back to that path and become an inclusive and free country for all its citizens.

So we ask once again that the prison sentences be reviewed and that the two journalists be released immediately and unconditionally.

The report that they were working on, published almost a year ago, shed light on what was happening in Rakhine State. It contains the same kind of stories, exactly the same kind of stories, that I heard myself from Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. Those stories have also led to the preliminary report from the United Nations fact-finding mission.

The UN report confirms the need for pressure and engagement to make the situation change as soon as possible, and this is exactly what we’ve been doing so far as the European Union. As you know, we were one of the strongest voices calling for a fact-finding mission in 2017 and we are now sponsoring a resolution at the ongoing session of the Human Rights Council to support the recommendations and conclusions of the fact-finding mission. So, for those of you who asked us to do that, we are currently doing it.

The resolution will aim in particular to establish an international accountability mechanism. I discussed the issue with all my interlocutors at the ASEAN regional forum last month in Singapore, in particular with Bangladesh and also with China and Indonesia. We will also discuss the situation when we meet at the upcoming Asia-Europe meeting that we will host next month in Brussels, and of course I will use the UN General Assembly Ministerial Week 10 days from now to discuss how to improve the situation with all the relevant interlocutors, not only in the region, but also in the UN system.

There are some urgent measures to be taken. First and foremost guaranteeing full and immediate humanitarian access inside Rakhine State. We are already among the largest humanitarian donors for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, but it is vital that aid reaches those in need inside Myanmar.

To address these kinds of issues, as well as to improve the overall human rights situation and address the lack of accountability for those who have committed crimes, we are putting pressure on relevant individuals and institutions in Myanmar. We have put in place restrictive measures against seven senior army and police officers associated with serious human rights violations in Rakhine State. In light of the UN report we are considering strengthening these restrictive measures.

We’ve also made it clear to the Myanmar authorities that our trade preferences with Myanmar are linked to clear conditions on human rights and democracy and that to preserve our current trade arrangements we need to see decisive action to improve the situation.

Finally, we’re working closely with the civilian Government of Myanmar to address the root causes of conflict in accordance with the Annan report. The people of Myanmar have asked to turn the page, to go towards a democratic system and country, and they deserve better than this. They deserve a country where journalists are free to do their job and keep the state institutions accountable for their actions and they deserve a country where all citizens, all of them, have the same rights, whatever their faith or the background.

So we will continue to put pressure and to engage so that the country can advance again on its path towards democracy. Thank you very much, and especially I would like to thank all of you who are engaging strongly and closely with the country: parliamentary diplomacy – as always, but especially in this case – is key.

(Applause)

 
  
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  Przewodniczący. – Zamykam debatę.

Głosowanie odbędzie się po zakończeniu debat.

 
Senaste uppdatering: 19 september 2018Rättsligt meddelande - Integritetspolicy