Brussels, 16/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - MEPs condemn the smuggling and trafficking of people in the Sinai, the raids by Israeli forces against two Palestinian television stations, and the permanent violations of human rights in Bahrain. As their plenary session closed on Thursday 15 March, they had adopted three resolutions on these matters.
Refugees in the Sinai. MEPs call on Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, to put pressure on Israel and Egypt so that the authorities of those countries protect refugees from Eritrea, Sudan and Ethiopia, threatened in the Sinai by gangs carrying out human smuggling and trafficking. They are particularly concerned by the situation of the Eritrean refugee, Solomon, who escaped from human organ traffickers in the area of Rafah (Sinai Mahadya, Egypt) and whose life is now in danger. European Commissioner Viviane Reding, who is responsible for justice, said during debates with MEPs that she regretted the very limited progress being made in this respect.
Freedom of expression in Palestine. The European Parliament is also keeping a close eye on attacks on freedom of expression. Under the cover of wave interference with an Israeli airport, soldiers from the Israeli defence forces confiscated material from Palestinian television channels, Wattan TV and Al Quds Educational TV, and even detained employees for hours at a time. Although the EPP is rallying for the resolution to be adopted, members of that group prefer to minimise the magnitude of the damage done. Elena Basescu (ALDE, Romania) said it was first of all necessary to see this as a technical dispute, as she fears that the Parliament's approach will increase tension in the region. On this subject, the European commissioner said that Israeli manoeuvres “were counter to the Oslo agreements and undermine efforts being made for Palestine. (…) We are calling on the Israeli authorities to give back material seized.”
Human rights in Bahrain. Finally, the Parliament adopted a resolution calling on Bahrain to no longer resort to violence, repression, torture, or the illegal detention of peaceful demonstrators and other activists. MEPs also call for the immediate and unconditional release of all such prisoners. (MD/transl.jl)