Strasbourg, 16/11/2007 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament was highly divided in Strasbourg on Thursday 15 November 2007 over the scale of sanctions to be levied against Uzbekistan, particularly the visa ban. Meeting of minds materialised again, however, when it came to firm condemnation of all acts of violence perpetrated against Christian communities around the world and the serious violations of international humanitarian rights and human rights committed by all sides in the conflict in Somalia.
Uzbekistan. By a narrow majority (35 to 28 with one abstention), the European Parliament rejected a common resolution moved by the PES, ALDE, Greens/EFA and GUE/NGL group, calling for the EU to seriously consider suspension of the EU's partnership and cooperation agreement with Uzbekistan, to extend the visa ban on government high officials and freeze their assets in extra-territorial EU banks. By 39 to 27 with one abstention, the EP adopted a less harshly worded resolution from the EPP-ED and UEN groups expressing deep concern at the human rights situation in Uzbekistan but noting that the campaign of targeted sanctions had not yet had any positive impact. The EP simply backs the decision by the General Affairs Council of 15 October 2007 to suspend the visa ban on Uzbek officials for six months. The EP welcomed overall improvement in EU-Uzbekistan over the course of 2007, noting the Uzbek authorities' desire to hold dialogue with the EU by organising two series of debates among experts on the Andijan crackdown and an initial series of discussions on human rights issues between the EU and Uzbekistan. The Uzbek authorities are, however, urged to make more progress in the field of human rights. MEPs also urge the Uzbek government to release fifteen imprisoned Uzbek human rights activists.
Christian communities. In a common resolution moved by five groups (EPP-ED, PES, ALDE, UEN, IND/DEM) adopted by a wide majority (57 to 2 with one abstention), the EP 'strongly condemns all acts of violence against Christian communities, wherever they happen, and urges the governments concerned to bring to justice the perpetrators of these crimes'. A string of intolerance, attacks and repression of Christian communities has been taking place in Africa, Asia and the Middle East - Iraq, Pakistan, Gaza, Egypt, Turkey, the Philippines, Sudan, China and Vietnam. The EP 'points out that the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion is a fundamental human rights which is guaranteed by various international legal instruments' and 'calls on the Commission and Council to raise the subject of the situation of the Christian communities in the framework of the political dialogue with the countries where they are threatened, through the promotion of a strategic commitment from the countries concerned on the basis of the international treaties on human rights' and recommends that the relevant EU and member states' committees 'consider the situation of Christian communities, notably in the Middle East.'
Somalia. The European Parliament 'strongly condemns the serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law committed by all parties to the conflict in Somalia and calls for an immediate end to hostilities.' In a common resolution moved by five of the 6 political groups at the EP (EPP-ED, PES, ALDE, Greens/EFA, GUE/NGL) adopted by a resounding majority (61 to 3), the EP 'demands that all warring factions refrain from indiscriminate attacks on civilians, and calls for an independent panel to investigate war crimes and human rights violations.' The EP 'calls on the EU-Africa Summit (8-9 December 2007, Ed.) to give urgent consideration to the grave situation prevailing in Somalia.'
The EP welcomes the African Union's 'efforts to assemble a peacekeeping force to help with the process of national reconciliation but deplores the fact that so far, only 1600 soldiers out of the 8000 that the African Union had agreed to send, have actually been deployed.' The EP 'calls for the violators of the Somalia arms embargo to start being held accountable.' (L.C.)