B3-1467 and 1502/93

Resolution on the situation in Equatorial Guinea

The European Parliament,

-recalling its resolution of 21 January 1993 on Equatorial Guinea and the resolution adopted by the ACP-EEC Joint Assembly on 7 October 1993,

A.disturbed at the social and political situation in Equatorial Guinea which is impeding the peaceful transition to a democratic regime,

B.having regard to recent events in Equatorial Guinea, culminating in the mass arrest of opponents of the regime and the acts of bloody repression committed on 14 and 15 August 1993 by the army on the island of Annobón (Pagalu), which led to the fatal shooting of Manuel Villarubia Napoleón and Simplicio Llorente,

C.whereas ten persons, most of whom were members of opposition parties, including José Abeso, Angel Federico Eyí Obamba and Lucas Oylo Nsué, were arrested in Malabo, the capital of the island of Bioko, and whereas some of them were then taken to the national police headquarters and later to an unknown destination, whilst others were kept in Malabo,

D.whereas a general election has been scheduled for November of this year,

E.reaffirming its commitment to the principles of constitutional government and the ideals of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms,

F.determined to give resolute and effective support to all governments undertaking the transition to democracy, and to reduce aid of whatever type to governments which do not act democratically or which violate fundamental human rights,

1.Condemns the massacre on Annobón (Pagalu) and all violations of fundamental rights, and calls on the government of General Obiang Nguema to respect all international agreements on human rights to which Equatorial Guinea is a signatory;

2.Calls once again on President Obiang's government to put an end to the repression of the political opposition in Equatorial Guinea;

3.Calls on the government to enter into an electoral agreement with the 'Plate-forme de l'Opposition Conjointe' (POC) to guarantee legal recognition of all political parties, the release of all detainees and political prisoners, a proper non-restrictive population census, the monitoring of the electoral process by foreign observers and, finally, the transparency of the election results;

4.Records its conviction that the future of Equatorial Guinea should lie in peace, democracy, liberty, political pluralism and respect for human rights;

5.Calls on the Council and Commission to lend active support to the transition to democracy in Equatorial Guinea;

6.Calls on EPC to take all measures which may be necessary to establish the whereabouts, state of health and legal position of all the prisoners and to secure their release, unless they are accused without delay of a recognizable crime and their cases brought before a court of law in the proper fashion;

7.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the government of Equatorial Guinea and the POC.