B4-0267 and 0314/94

Resolution on the situation in Equatorial Guinea

The European Parliament,

A.having regard to its desire to contribute to ensuring respect for human rights, whether individual or collective,

B.convinced that the cooperation of the Union with third countries should be conditional on respect for human rights on the part of the beneficiary countries,

C.having regard, in this connection, to the conclusions of the meeting of the ACP-EU Joint Assembly held in Gabon in October 1994,

D.whereas Equatorial Guinea is a signatory to the Fourth Lomé Convention and, therefore, to its Article 5 on respect for human rights and democracy,

E.voicing its concern at the Equatorial Guinea Government's obstruction of the process of democratization,

F.concerned at the continued systematic violations of human rights by the government in Malabo, by means of the imposition of curbs on the exercise of the rights of association and expression and the right to demonstrate, which have been condemned by institutions and bodies such as Amnesty International,

G.shocked at the news that Mr Plácido Micó, Mr José Mecheba and Mr Victoriano Bolekia, who represented the Joint Opposition Platform of Equatorial Guinea as participants in the work of the Joint Assembly, were quite unjustifiably arrested on returning home,

1.Condemns unequivocally the illegal arrest of Mr Micó, Mr Mecheba and Mr Bolekia as an attack on the normal and free workings of the ACP-EU Joint Assembly;

2.Reminds President Obiang's government of the need to fulfil the undertakings made at the meeting of donors held with the opposition and the countries concerned in June 1994;

3.Demands compliance with the recommendations of the United Nations special rapporteur;

4.Calls for an end to the repressive actions against leaders and members of the democratic opposition parties;

5.Calls on the Government of Equatorial Guinea to practise strict respect for human rights and to establish democratic and constitutional institutions;

6.Calls on the Council and Commission to urge the government in Malabo to take action to the above end, and to ensure that cooperation with Equatorial Guinea is subject to whatever reservations are necessary as long as the authorities persist in their authoritarian attitudes;

7.Calls for compliance with the previous resolutions adopted by the European Parliament on the subject of Equatorial Guinea;

8.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the UN Commission on Human Rights, the Joint Opposition Platform of Equatorial Guinea, the Government of Equatorial Guinea and the signatory states to the Lomé Convention.