Brussels, 17/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - In a joint resolution adopted on Thursday 16 February, MEPs deplored the violent clashes in a sports stadium in Port Said, Egypt, on 1 February which resulted in the deaths of 47 people and injury to hundreds more. Concerned by claims that the clashes were politically motivated, they called on the Egyptian authorities to open an investigation into the events and to bring those responsible to justice. MEPs are concerned, too, at the “alarming” situation of NGOs in the country and call for the criminal charges against NGOs and political foundations to be dropped “immediately”. Parliament also expressed its “strong support” for reforms leading to democracy in Egypt.
Death penalty in Belarus and Japan.
In a second resolution, on Belarus, the European Parliament condemned the use of the death penalty and called on the authorities to pardon Dzmitry Kanavalau and Uladzislau Kavalyou who have been sentenced to death “for allegedly committing terrorist attacks”. According to reports by human rights organisations, there are arguments showing that the trial was unfair and that the investigation was marred by serious human rights abuses. MEPs call for a moratorium on the death penalty. They also yet again condemn the persecution of human rights activists and members of the democratic opposition, and, once more, demand the unconditional immediate release of all political prisoners.
In a last resolution, this time on Japan, MEPs “urgently” called on Japanese Minister of Justice Toshio Ogawa not to approve any execution order in future. According to press reports, Ogawa had announced that he did not wish to continue his predecessor's policy of “caution”. MEPs also called on Japan to “sustain its efforts” towards returning to the de facto moratorium in place from 1989 to 1993 and to encourage to a public debate on the use of capital punishment in the country. 2011 was the first year since 1992 with no executions in Japan. Some 130 persons sentenced to death are currently on death row. (CG/transl.rt)