B3-0060, 0118, 0125 and 0128/94

Resolution on Equatorial Guinea

The European Parliament,

-having regard to its resolutions of 21 January 1993 on Equatorial Guinea and 28 October 1993 on the situation in Equatorial Guinea,

-having regard to the resolution of the ACP-EEC Joint Assembly of 7 October 1993,

A.whereas the results of the elections of 21 November were rigged by the regime of Colonel Obiang,

B.whereas the persecution and imprisonment of activists of legalized parties, the lack of judicial guarantees, the monopoly on information and, in general, the systematic infringement of the fundamental rights of the citizens of Equatorial Guinea by the military regime have made it impossible to hold truly democratic elections,

C.whereas the democratic opposition in Equatorial Guinea grouped under the United Opposition Platform boycotted the elections because of the lack of the most basic democratic conditions,

D.whereas political opponents have been imprisoned without trial, tortured - particularly in the Playa-Negra prison, within the very precincts of the Presidential palace - and sentenced to hard labour (cf. Amnesty International report),

1.Considers that the 'multi-party' elections held on 21 November 1993 have no democratic legitimacy since they were boycotted by 70% of the electorate and were not monitored by an international commission;

2.Denounces the part played by the 'Ninjas', a force led by General Obiang's own brother, who regularly beat up opposition militants;

3.Calls for the cancellation of all trade and financial aid from the Union and its Member States to the military regime in Equatorial Guinea with the sole exception of strictly humanitarian aid delivered directly to the intended recipients;

4.Is confident that the people of Equatorial Guinea will rid themselves of the dictatorship as soon as possible and follow the path of peace, democracy and progress;

5.Protests at the arbitrary expulsion of the Spanish Consul in Malabo by the authorities of Equatorial Guinea;

6.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Government of Equatorial Guinea and the United Opposition Platform.