RESOLUTION B3-1155/92

Resolution on continued human rights abuses in Malawi and the expulsion of the Irish priest, Father Leahy

The European Parliament,

-having regard to its earlier resolutions on human rights abuses in Malawi, most recently that of 9 April 1992OJ No. C 125, 18.5.1992, p. 227;

A.whereas human rights organizations have been expressing concern at human rights abuses in Malawi such as indefinite detention without charge or trial which is permitted under the frequently invoked public security regulations,

B.Noting that, on 29 August 1992, 10 clerics, including Father Leahy, were arrested, reportedly over a proposed church-organized rally in support of a referendum on political reforms; whereas the rally was supposedly illegal according to the government; whereas the clerics were later released but Father Leahy and Rev Aaron Longwe were subsequently re-arrested; whereas the government then decided to expel Father Leahy but Rev. Longwe is still in detention,

C.whereas, in April 1992, the Malawi Government deported another Irish-born cleric, Monsignor John Roche, who was a signatory to a pastoral letter which criticized Malawi's human rights record and called for improved basic freedoms,

1.Welcomes the courageous attitude of the Malawi clergy and others who have made public their criticism of current trends in Malawi politics;

2.Calls on the Malawi Government to release Rev. Aaron Longwe and to give a full explanation of the reasons for Father Leahy's expulsion;

3.Calls on EPC to condemn systematic violations of human rights in Malawi, to continue to intercede with a view to securing the safety of clerics who oppose the government and to express their concern to the Malawi Government in the context of the Lomé Convention;

4.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, EPC, the Bureau of the ACP-EEC Joint Assembly, the OAU and the Malawi Government.