Motion for a European Parlament Resolution

(excerpts)

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Central Asia, in particular those of 26 October 2006 on Uzbekistan(1), of 12 May 2005 on Kyrgyzstan(2) and of 16 March 2006 on Kazakhstan(3),

– having regard to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreements (PCAs) concluded between the EU and Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Kazakhstan, all in force since 1999, to the Interim Agreement on Trade and Trade-Related Matters between the EU and Tajikistan(4), signed on 11 October 2004, to the PCA between the EU and Tajikistan, which has not yet been ratified, and to the Commission's proposal for an Interim Agreement on Trade and Trade-Related Matters between the EU and Turkmenistan,

– having regard to the human rights clauses in those agreements,

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A. whereas the five countries referred to collectively as Central Asia (Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) lie at a key intersection between Europe and Asia and whereas, historically and traditionally, they have represented an important meeting and transit point between the two continents,

B. whereas the EU insists on the need for, and has a clear interest in seeing progress towards, greater stability and rising levels of economic, democratic and human development and human security throughout Central Asia and must always uphold its commitment to mainstream human rights in all agreements with third states and to promote democracy through coherent policies and the use of the means best suited for those purposes; whereas this will safeguard its credibility and ultimately contribute to making it an increasingly efficient actor vis-a-vis the region, as well as beyond,

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Ae. whereas most of the Central Asian countries suffer from human rights violations, from the lack of an appropriate judicial system, from restrictions imposed on opposition parties and independent civil society bodies, and from lack of media freedom,

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Kazakhstan

44. Notes that Kazakhstan is a key ally and strategic partner in the fight against international terrorism, drug trafficking and religious extremism; recognises Kazakhstan's tradition of racial and religious harmony in a country which is home to more than 100 different ethnic groups and 45 different religions; calls on the Council and the Commission to prioritise support for the Government of Kazakhstan as well as its civil society with a view to consolidating the rule of law and to the further promotion of democratic elections in the future;

45. Stresses Kazakhstan's importance for the EU's trade in energy, as its main trading partner in Central Asia; recalls the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding focused on promoting cooperation with the EU with a view to developing safe energy and industrial cooperation; notes – recalling that Kazakhstan has the world's third largest uranium reserves – that this memorandum has been supplemented by an agreement on energy cooperation and a declaration on the peaceful use of nuclear energy by Euratom and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan;

46. Welcomes Kazakhstan’s interest in strengthening cooperation with the European Union, and recognises the mutual importance of strengthened political and economic relations between the EU and Kazakhstan; considers that the EU should continue its approach of positive engagement towards Kazakhstan but emphasises that the development of EU-Kazakhstan relations cannot be disconnected from Kazakhstan’s efforts to honour its international and OSCE obligations in the field of human rights, fundamental freedoms and democracy;

47. Stresses that the last parliamentary elections, held on 18 August 2007, failed, despite some improvements, to meet OSCE and other international standards; expresses its concern that all the seats in the parliament were taken by the ruling, pro-presidential party, which will lead to monopolisation of power on the part of President Nazarbayev and his supporters; calls upon the Kazakh Government to abolish all disproportionate restrictions on the registration of new political parties, for example the unrealistic number of members (50 000) necessary to form a political party; notes that, if no progress towards meeting democratic standards is made, Kazakhstan cannot be regarded as ready to assume the presidency of the OSCE, and strongly encourages Kazakhstan to make the necessary progress in order to make its bid succeed; calls on Kazakhstan to comply with the rules of the OSCE and to fulfil its other international obligations, including in the fields of political pluralism, electoral law, transparency, media freedom and freedom of speech, in order to be able and ready to assume that presidency;

48. Urges the government to move more determinedly towards a democratic institutional system, recalling the continuous progress that has been made since Kazakhstan declared independence in 1991;

49. Underlines the absence of any real freedom of the press, and expresses concern about presidential control of all major media and the systematic prosecution of opposition journalists; furthermore, expresses concern over the new draft media law which would render journalists liable for disseminating disparaging information and strengthen the criminalisation of defamation and insulting the dignity of others, and under which suit may be brought against any journalist for publishing information concerning a public figure’s private life; notes that the existing laws provide sufficient protection against unethical journalists;

50. Welcomes the signing by Kazakhstan of the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture, and calls for its speedy ratification and implementation;

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Source:            www.kub.info, 11.02.08