RESOLUTION(1)

on the situation in Haiti

The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly,

- meeting in Libreville (Gabon) from 19 to 22 March 2001,

- having regard to its previous resolution on the situation in Haiti,

- having regard to Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement concerning violations of human rights and respect for democratic principles and the rule of law,

A. whereas the controversy surrounding the percentage calculation method used by the Provisional Electoral Council at the legislative and municipal elections of 21 May 2000 has still not been resolved and the country is now in political deadlock,

B. whereas a procedure for consultation between the EU and the Haitian authorities was initiated after the legislative and municipal elections of 21 May 2000,

C. whereas the European Union has suspended cooperation with Haiti pursuant to Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement, and whereas the Haitian authorities and the ACP Secretariat regard this decision as premature and precipitate,

D. having regard to the call by the ACP Secretariat for consultation procedures as provided for in Article 96 to be defined clearly and transparently and regretting the lack of genuine consultation with the Haitian authorities,

E. whereas respect for democratic principles and human rights is the only means by which Haiti will find the political stability it needs for economic and social development and is essential as a basis for the resolution of the current crisis,

1. Calls on President Aristide and the leaders of the opposition parties to find a political solution to the disputes concerning the percentage calculation method used by the Provisional Electoral Council in the legislative elections of 21 May 2000;

2. Considers that the Provisional Electoral Council must remain independent, representative and transparent and must be given the task of amending the vote calculation method in order to lead the country out of its political deadlock and create conditions conducive to the development of the country;

3. Calls on the Commission to examine ways of assisting the Haitian people;

4. Considers that it is necessary to adopt clear and transparent criteria for the consultation procedure under Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement and to assess the democratic process in terms of respect for human rights, the rule of law and the democratisation of society in general;

5. Calls on the Bureau of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly to explore ways of involving the Assembly in consultation procedures under Article 96;

6. Considers that aid to development can only be accorded subject to respect for human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law as laid down in Article 9 of the Cotonou Agreement;

7. Calls, therefore, on the Council and Commission to resume genuine consultations with Haiti, where the economic situation is increasingly precarious;

8. Calls, in any event, on the Council and Commission to suspend sanctions, resume dialogue on a realistic and clearly-defined basis and support the Haitian people by enhancing its system for the management of training, education and health;

9. Instructs its Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council, the Commission and the Government of Haiti.

(1) Adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly on 22 March 2001 in Libreville (Gabon).