Strasbourg, 24/10/2008 (Agence Europe) - After its traditional debate on topical issues, the European Parliament adopted on Thursday 23 October, by 51 votes to 1, a common resolution presented by the EPP-ED, UEN and ALDE Groups on political disqualifications in Venezuela. It urges the Venezuelan government to examine administratively imposed political disqualifications with reference to the provisions of Articles 42 and 65 of the Venezuelan Constitution, under which such measures may be taken on a definitive basis by judicial authorities alone, as is customary in all democratic states. The Parliament expresses firm opposition to the harassment and arbitrary expulsion of human rights activists, and considers that expulsion sets an extremely serious precedent as regards respect for freedom of expression and the right to criticise, that are fundamental to any democratic society. It vigorously condemns the murder of the student leader, Julio Soto, and calls on the Venezuelan authorities to make every possible effort to clear up this crime as soon as possible. The Parliament calls on the Chávez government to put an end to all such practices and to foster a more participative democracy in Venezuela, in full compliance with the principles laid down in the 1999 Constitution. (O.J./transl.jl)