MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on South-Africa: massacre of striking miners

11.9.2012 - (2012/2783(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 122 of the Rules of Procedure

Charles Goerens, Morten Løkkegaard, Louis Michel, Robert Rochefort, Graham Watson, Sonia Alfano, Marielle de Sarnez, Sarah Ludford, Kristiina Ojuland, Johannes Cornelis van Baalen, Jelko Kacin, Izaskun Bilbao Barandica, Marietje Schaake on behalf of the ALDE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0443/2012

B7‑0450/2012

European Parliament resolution on South-Africa: massacre of striking miners

(2012/2783(RSP))

The European Parliament,

- Having regard to the trade, development and cooperation agreement signed between the European Union and South Africa in 1999, completed in 2009 with provisions on political and economic cooperation;

- Having regard to its strategic EU-South Africa partnership, signed in 2007, which is the sole partnership of its kind concluded between the EU and an African country to date;

- Having regard to the 5th Annual EU-South Africa Summit scheduled to take place on 18 September;

- Having regard to High Representative Catherine Ashton's statements of 23 and 24 August 2012;

 

 

A. Whereas, on 16 August 2012, 34 people were killed in clashes between police and striking miners at the Marikana platinum mine, near Rustenburg, North West Province and whereas this follows several days of violent strike action during which 10 people were killed, including two police officers;

 

B.  Whereas these shootings marked the bloodiest clash between police and protesters in post-apartheid South Africa;

 

C. Whereas, those on strike at the Marikana platinum mine were fighting to obtain from the mine's owner, Lonmin, an increase in their salaries;

 

D. Whereas criticism is directed at Lonmin mining company for failing to treat the labour dispute with the sensitivity it deserved;

 

E. Whereas reports suggest that the dispute was exacerbated by tensions between two rival trade unions, the National Union Mineworkers (NUM) and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU);

 

F. Whereas after these bloody events, President Zuma publicly deplored this tragic state of affairs;

 

G. Whereas an enquiry committee has been set up, charged with investigating all facts surrounding the events, as well as an inter-ministerial committee responsible for finding a lasting solution to the problems which caused these killings;

 

H. Whereas since the events, police have maintained a presence in the area, although there have been no gatherings of workers, and whereas work at the Marikana mine has not resumed entirely, with workers still on strike for better salaries;

 

I. Whereas violent protests have, in the meantime, emerged in other mines, namely gold mines, in the North West Province;

 

 

 

J. Whereas, since the fall of the apartheid regime, South Africa has succeeded in building a democratic state, but the country is still facing crucial economic and social challenges, with the persistence of great inequality, as well as a high rate of poverty and unemployment;

 

K. Whereas the EU is South Africa's main trading partner (28% of total exports), the first foreign investor in the country (77,5% of foreign direct investment) and its most important development partner (70% of all external assistance);

 

 

1.  Strongly condemns the senseless violence at Marikana and expresses its condolences to the family of all who have lost their lives in these killings;

 

2.  Calls for a swift investigation of the Marikana killings and for those responsible to be brought to trial in order to establish full truth, ensuring justice and providing redress for the victims and their families;

 

3.  Welcomes the appointment of the Judicial Commission of Enquiry which needs to maximum transparency, be thoroughly independent and impartial;

 

4.  Calls for the immediate release of all those arrested pending proper, impartial and transparent police investigation;

 

5. Stresses the lack of skills of the South African Police Service (SPAPS) in containing violent demonstrations; SAPS is frequently criticized for its lack of restrain and use of life ammunition, a lasting legacy of apartheid era; calls for intensification of police training cooperation between EU and South Africa;

 

6.  Considers a failure to ensure justice, both at an individual and institutional level, will be an unprecedented blow to South Africa's democracy;

 

7.  Stresses the rights of miners working in South Africa to bargain for decent wages and enjoy acceptable working and living conditions;

 

8.  Stresses the urgent need to reform labour dispute mechanisms in South Africa whose inefficiency have often resulted in lengthy strikes with high economic costs for South Africa;

 

9.  Recalls that the EU and South Africa share common values based notably on the peaceful resolution of conflicts;

 

10.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the United Nations Human Rights Council, the African National Congress (ANC), the Organization of African Unity (OUA), Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Government and Parliament of the Republic of South Africa.