RESOLUTION B3-0791/92

Resolution on human rights violations in Côte d'Ivoire

The European Parliament,

-having regard to Article 5 of the Lomé IV Convention, the Council resolution on human rights, democracy and development and Parliament's own resolution of 12 March 1992Minutes of that sitting, Part II, Item 4(h),

A.whereas a demonstration by the opposition was violently broken up in Abidjan on 18 February 1992,

B.having regard to the prison sentences imposed on the Secretary-General of the FPI, the President of the League of Human Rights and a Vice-President of the National Assembly,

C.having regard to the new sentences imposed on 30 April 1992,

1.Condemns the unacceptable attempts to suppress the opposition in the Côte d'Ivoire, which run counter to the government's recognition of multi-party politics;

2.Calls for the release of political prisoners and the restoration of their civil rights;

3.Calls on the Commission and the Council to put pressure on the Côte d'Ivoire authorities to this end and, if this meets with no success, to provide for penalties against that country, including the suspension of cooperation programmes;

4.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, and the Côte d'Ivoire authorities.