B4-0335, 0348, 0361, 0367, 0411 and 0414/96

Resolution on the 52nd session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the resolutions it adopted on human rights in 1995 and 1996 and in particular its resolution of 26 April 1995 on human rights in the world in 1993/1994 ((OJ C 126, 22.5.1995, p. 15)),

A. whereas the UN Commission on Human Rights is the international body which may be considered the most important annual forum for discussing human rights,

B. whereas human rights are one of the principal objectives of the common foreign and security policy (CFSP); whereas the European Union has begun to pursue a more vigorous human rights policy, for example by the systematic incorporation of human rights clauses in agreements with third countries ((See COM(95)0216 of 23.5.1995: 'on the inclusion of respect for democratic principles and human rights in agreements between the Community and third countries'.)) and by other measures or initiatives aimed at promoting human rights ((See COM(95)0567 of 22.11.1995: 'The European Union and the external dimension of human rights policy: from Rome to Maastricht and beyond'.)),

C. having regard to the final declaration and the action programme adopted by the International Human Rights Conference in Vienna, conclusions that were strongly supported by the European Union,

D. recalling that the European Union has consistently stressed the universality, the interdependence and the indivisibility of human rights,

E. whereas the positions adopted by bodies representing the Union at international conferences must be consistent with those of other Union institutions,

F. having regard to the appointment of a High Commissioner for Human Rights, which must be supported by the European Union,

1. Calls on the Council clearly to establish a limited number of well-defined priorities for initiatives or actions to be pursued during the meeting of the Commission on Human Rights, on the basis of positions adopted by the European Parliament;

2. Insists in particular on the importance attached by the Union to supporting the process of democratization in Africa, particularly in Sudan and Nigeria, and to the situation of street children, the exploitation of women and children who are victims of prostitution and forced labour, the human rights situation in Turkey, in Iran, Iraq and other Gulf states, and the question of East Timor;

3. Emphasizes in particular the importance it attaches to the human rights situation in China and, notably, the imprisonment of Wei Jing Sheng, the Pan Am project, the question of the Panchen Lama appointed by the Chinese authorities and the situation in orphanages;

4. Calls for a particular focus on action to prevent conflicts and on the human rights situation and the plight of minorities in the regions where there is armed conflict such as Chechnya, Azerbaijan, Armenia and the former Yugoslavia;

5. Calls on the Council, acting through the Member States represented in the Commission on Human Rights, to take into account, in formulating its priorities, the resolutions and positions adopted by the European Parliament during 1995 and 1996;

6. Calls for special care to be taken to ensure that the international tribunals considering the war crimes committed in former Yugoslavia and Rwanda function properly;

7. Calls on the Commission and Council to do everything in their power to support the High Commissioner for Human Rights;

8. Asks the Council to raise the issue of the fatwa against Salman Rushdie and insists on the need for the Iranian Government to make a written declaration stating that the fatwa must not be carried out;

9. Calls on the Council to take initiatives with a view to identifying ways and means of strengthening efforts to promote respect for human rights everywhere in the world;

10. Calls on the Council to report to it and to its Committee on Foreign Affairs following the meeting of the UN Commission on Human Rights to explain the objectives and strategy of, and the results achieved by, the Union at this meeting;

11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission.