ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
B4-0979, 0993, 0994, 0995, 0996, 0997 and 0998/97

Resolution on the Guarantee Fund to promote cinema and television production

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the proposal for a Decision establishing a European Guarantee Fund to promote cinema and television production ((OJ C 41, 13.2.1996, p. 8.)),

- having regard to its opinion thereon of 22 October 1996 ((OJ C 347, 18.11.1996, p. 33.)) giving a very broad measure of approval to that proposal, while calling for a five-year trial period,

A. whereas the increase in the number of channels is leading to an increase in demand for programmes,

B. whereas the EU's deficit in terms of cultural trade (cinema, TV, video) with the US rose from USD 2.1 billion in 1988 to USD 6.3 billion in 1995,

C. whereas European instruments, such as the Media and Eurimages programmes, have contributed to the development of some forms of cinema production throughout Europe,

D. whereas, however, in order to cope with current market developments the Union must quickly provide itself with the means of guaranteeing the existence of a strong and competitive European audiovisual sector which gives expression to our wide range of cultures and makes them available to the European public,

E. emphasizing that the involvement of banking institutions in the financing of the cinematographic industry and audiovisual programmes is essential if backing is to be provided for the expansion of audiovisual production and the renewal of European film industries,

F. whereas the consideration of the Guarantee Fund is on the agenda for the next Council of Ministers of Cultural Affairs on 24 November 1997,

1. Reiterates its support for the establishment of a European Guarantee Fund designed to reduce the risks run by financial backers in the private sector and encourage them to step up their investment in the audiovisual sector;

2. Takes the view that the audiovisual market, which is undergoing major expansion, is a cultural and commercial sector of the future whose potential for creating skilled jobs should not be disregarded and that it is important, therefore, to stimulate investment in the production sector;

3. Regrets the fact that, in spite of its abovementioned favourable opinion of 22 October 1996, the Council has still not reached an agreement;

4. Urges, therefore, the Council of Ministers of Cultural Affairs, at its meeting on 24 November 1997, to reach a political agreement on the establishment of such a Guarantee Fund which is eagerly awaited by the audiovisual industry and the financial sector;

5. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission and the Council.
B4-0369 and 0374/98

Resolution on Nicaragua's external debt

The European Parliament,

A. whereas a meeting of the Consultative Group for Nicaragua's debt will be taking place in Geneva in April 1998,

B. whereas Nicaragua's per capita debt is the highest in the world; whereas 38% of development cooperation for the period 1990-1995 was used to pay for external debt, which represents three times the total value of the country's exports,

C. whereas international aid has fallen to less than half its previous level,

D. whereas international cooperation is not being exploited sufficiently, since external debt is the main obstacle to development,

The European Parliament,

1. Urges the governments and institutions in the Consultative Group for Nicaragua to increase international cooperation with Nicaragua and direct it as a priority towards programmes and projects for reviving production and investing in social infrastructure;

2. Considers that such programmes should incorporate the active participation of production bodies and the organizations of civil society;

3. Requests that consideration be given to including Nicaragua in the HIPC initiative (for highly indebted poor countries);

4. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the Government and Congress of Nicaragua and the governments and institutions in the Consultative Group.

12
B4-0409, 0411, 0412 and 0420/98

Resolution on the arrest and detention of the Italian citizen Dino Frisullo in Turkey

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the human rights situation in Turkey,

A. whereas Dino Frisullo, an Italian citizen, was arrested on 21 March 1998 in Diyarbakir for taking part in celebrations to mark the Kurdish New Year ('Newroz') and for demonstrating in support of the fundamental rights of the Kurdish people,

B. whereas the charge brought of 'incitement to violence' is not warranted by Dino Frisullo's behaviour, which involved the exercise of the fundamental rights of freedom of assembly and freedom of expression,

C. whereas numerous Community citizens, including many politicians and members of parliament, took part in the 'Newroz' celebrations,

D. outraged by the behaviour of the Turkish police who, during the celebrations, arrested a large number of people indiscriminately, in many instances after having subjected them to arbitrary beatings,

E. having regard to the diplomatic steps taken by the Italian Government to secure the immediate release of its national,

F. reminding the Turkish authorities of the obligations they entered into by signing the European and international conventions on human rights,

1. Calls on the Turkish authorities to release the Italian citizen Dino Frisullo immediately, and supports the request to this effect made by the Italian Government;

2. Deplores the actions of the Turkish security forces during the peaceful 'Newroz' celebrations;

3. Calls on the Turkish Government to show respect for fundamental human rights, as required by the international conventions that Turkey has signed, and in particular to guarantee the rights of freedom of opinion and freedom of expression;

4. Points out that closer cooperation between the European Union and Turkey is conditional, first and foremost, upon full respect for human rights;

5. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Government and Parliament of Italy and the Government and Parliament of Turkey.

8
B4-0636, 0646 and 0651/98

Resolution on Chad

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in Chad,

A. having regard to the serious human rights violations in Chad since October 1997 which reached their peak with the massacre of 100 unarmed civilians in the Logone region in march 1998, along with executions, arbitrary arrests and torture by the Chadian security forces, as denounced by Amnesty International and Chadian human rights organizations,

B. whereas Ngarledji Yorongar, an opposition member of parliament, was arrested on 2 June 1998 on charges of defamation,

C. deeply concerned about the recent arrests of the journalists Koumbo Synga and Polycarpe Togamessi,

D. whereas Mr Yorongar has been a strong critic of the Chad - Cameroon oil extraction and pipeline project, which is led by an international consortium and is awaiting World Bank approval which is conditional on the conclusion of an environmental impact assessment due before the autumn,

E. whereas the international consortium has stated in public that it will not proceed with this project without World Bank involvement,

F. noting the vulnerability of the local communities in the area covered by the project due to the persistent political instability and human rights violations; noting also the importance of the region for the country's agriculture,

1. Urges the Council, the Commission and the Member States to put pressure on the Chad Government to respect human rights and the rule of law throughout the country and to suspend immediately military activities in the southern region;

2. Calls for the immediate release of Ngarledji Yorongar and urges the Chadian Government to respect democratic discussion on the situation in the country as well as on the planned oil project in the Doba region;

3. Calls on the Chad Government and the international consortium to proceed with the oil extraction project only if the World Bank assessment is positive, and to provide the following guarantees among others:

- improved public dissemination of information regarding the oil project;

- protection of indigenous peoples and adequate compensation for displaced local populations in strict respect for human rights;

- the most stringent environmental protection rules, including oil-spill prevention, pipeline routing, air quality, disease control and accident prevention;

- local re-investment of an adequate share of the revenue from the project;

4. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments of the Member States, the Chad and Cameroon governments and parliaments and the World Bank.

10
B4-1117, 1124 and 1148/98

Resolution on the cases of Mr Osmani, Mr Demiri, Mr Bexheti and Mr Dauti in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM)

The European Parliament,

A. whereas, on 5 February 1998, Mr Rufi Osmani, the Mayor of Gostivar, and Mr Refik Dauti were sentenced to seven and two years' imprisonment respectively and whereas, on 5 May 1998, Mr Alajdin Demiri, the Mayor of Tetovo, and Mr Vehbi Bexheti were sentenced to two years' imprisonment following demonstrations which had taken place in those towns,

B. having regard, furthermore, to the declaration of 4 June 1998 by its Delegation for relations with the countries of South-East Europe,

C. having regard to the establishment of a new government majority in FYROM,

D. welcoming the growing number of statements from leading FYROM political figures regarding the need for the issue involving Mr Rufi Osmani, Mr Refik Dauti, Mr Alajdin Demiri and Mr Vehbi Bexheti to be resolved,

E. having regard to the many calls from the international community for Mr Rufi Osmani, Mr Refik Dauti, Mr Alajdin Demiri and Mr Vehbi Bexheti to be released,

The European Parliament,

1. Calls on FYROM's highest authorities to respond favourably to these calls for Mr Osmani, Mr Dauti, Mr Demiri and Mr Bexheti to be released (calls which come both from within FYROM society and from the international community) by declaring an amnesty or by taking any other action which would enable them to recover their freedom;

2. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the President, government and parliament of FYROM.
B4-0931/98

Resolution on human rights in Georgia

The European Parliament,

A. concerned at the situation in Georgian prisons,

B. having regard to the report and the decision of the UN Commission on Human Rights of 6 April 1998,

C. aware that the Government of Georgia is not only employing persistent delaying tactics in this matter, and still has not done anything to release the political prisoners, but is also holding them in conditions that give cause for grave concern about their health and indeed their survival,

The European Parliament,

1. Urges the Council to bring pressure to bear on the Georgian Government to comply immediately with the demands made by the UN Commission on Human Rights;

2. Calls on the Georgian Government to bring the situation in prisons in line with the standards set out in the European Convention on Human Rights;

3. Looks to the Council and Commission to support the Georgian Government in this matter and to orient TACIS aid for democracy accordingly;

4. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Government of Georgia.
B4-0045, 0061, 0073, 0080 and 0100/99

Resolution on Western Sahara

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions and its recommendation to the Council of 10 March 1998 on the situation in Western Sahara ((OJ C 104, 6.4.1998, p. 29.)),

- having regard to the report by the Secretary-General of the United Nations of 11 December 1998 (S/1998/160) and the observations and recommendations contained therein,

- having regard to UN Security Council Resolutions 1204(1998) of 30 October 1998 and 1215 (1998) of 17 December 1998,

A. noting that substantial progress has been made over recent months in the referendum process for Western Sahara and that all parties involved in this process have publicly declared their willingness to further accelerate this process,

B. concerned that, as time passes, the prospects of a referendum being held are becoming increasingly remote,

C. noting that all necessary measures for the repatriation of Saharan refugees eligible to vote have to be taken as soon as possible, and that the UNHCR has presented to all parties involved a protocol to this end,

D. emphasising the need for the European Union to give its fullest possible support to the UN Secretary-General in his efforts to bring about the referendum process in Western Sahara as soon as possible,

E. whereas the European Union should further encourage the mediating role of the United Nations, in particular of its Secretary-General, and should continue its humanitarian support in the area,

1. Welcomes the progress achieved by the UN Secretary-General on the referendum process in Western Sahara and calls on the parties to maintain and strengthen the political will they showed during the negotiations;

2. Urges the Government of Morocco to accept within the deadlines fixed by the United Nations the proposals made by the UN Secretary-General in order to move forward with the implementation of the settlement plan;

3. Calls on the Government of Morocco and the Polisario Front to cooperate fully with the United Nations in the holding without further delay of a free, fair and impartial referendum for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara;

4. Calls upon the parties and the interested States to sign as soon as possible the proposed refugee repatriation protocol with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; urges the Government of Morocco to formalise the presence of the UNHCR in the Territory, and requests both parties to take concrete action to enable the UNHCR to carry out the necessary preparatory work;

5. Calls on the Commission and the Council to give their fullest support to the further preparatory work for the referendum process in Western Sahara;

6. Calls on the Commission to step up its humanitarian aid for the Sahrawi people in accordance with the demands of the NGOs, notably in the fields of food and health;

7. Asks that a delegation of observers be sent to monitor the referendum in Western Sahara;

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the UN Secretary-General, the OAU and the Government of Morocco and the Polisario Front.
B4-0234, 0275 and 0288/99

Resolution on support for the peace process in the Caucasus

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the Caucasus, in particular those of 18 June 1987 ((OJ C 190, 20.7.1987, p. 119.)), 18 January 1990 ((OJ C 38, 19.2.1990, p. 81.)), 21 January 1993 ((OJ C 42, 15.2.1993, p. 165.)) and 27 May 1993 ((OJ C 176, 28.6.1993, p. 173.)),

A. whereas the autonomous region of Nagorno-Karabakh declared its independence following similar declarations by former Soviet Socialist Republics after the collapse of the USSR in September 1991,

B. whereas the war has caused serious humanitarian problems, in particular as a result of the displacement of more than one million persons from Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan,

C. whereas the cease-fire has generally been respected since 1994,

D. whereas Armenia and Azerbaijan have both expressly applied to join the Council of Europe,

E. whereas the strengthening of democracy and respect for human rights are prerequisites for a peaceful solution to the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh,

F. whereas the presidential elections in Azerbaijan in October 1998 were marked by irregularities and fraud which have been condemned by international observers, and whereas irregularities were also noted during the Armenian presidential elections in March 1998,

G. whereas so far the negotiations on a political solution to the conflict involving Nagorno- Karabakh have not produced a positive outcome,

H. whereas an approach which takes account of all the problems and all the recent political developments in the region is likely to produce a lasting peace,

I. whereas the three Presidents in the Minsk Group representing Russia, the United States and France, who have been instructed by the OSCE to draw up a plan for a lasting peace, have proposed a fair basis for negotiations on a peaceful solution to the conflict,

1. Endorses the peace plan proposed by the Minsk Group;

2. Takes the view that these proposals constitute a basis for discussion likely to end the negotiating deadlock;

3. Calls on the OSCE's Minsk Group to continue its efforts to seek a lasting solution to this conflict;

4. Considers that a strong human rights component should be a part of any verification or observer mission under the auspices of the OSCE sent to Nagorno-Karabakh to ensure a lasting peace and to provide early warning of incidents that could lead to a resumption in the fighting;

5. Considers that aid provided by the European Union to this region must be linked to tangible progress in the areas of human rights and democracy in both countries;

6. Considers that the European Union should increase its assistance under the Tacis-Democracy programme to non-governmental organisations in Armenia and Azerbaijan interested in fostering discussion and political education on issues relating to conflict resolution;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Council of Europe, the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE, the Presidents in the OSCE's Minsk Group, the parliaments of Armenia and Azerbaijan and the representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh.
8. Human rights: Egypt
B5-0052, 0066 and 0069/2000
European Parliament resolution on the recent violence in Upper Egypt
The European Parliament,
ydash having regard to Article 18 of the 1948 UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
ydash having regard to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons belonging to National or Ethnic Reli-
gious and Linguistic Minorities,
ydash having regard to the Council of Europe’s 1995 Framework Convention for the Protection of National
Minorities,
ydash having regard to the Barcelona Declaration adopted at the Euro-Mediterranean Conference on 27 and
28 November 1995,
ydash having regard to the Cooperation Agreement of 27 September 1978 between the European Economic
Community and the Arab Republic of Egypt, demonstrating the parties’ desire to strengthen theirfriendly relations in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter,
A. concerned by the recent sectarian clashes between Copts and Muslims in Egypt, which resulted in the
deaths of more than 20 Egyptian citizens in several villages in Upper Egypt on 1 and 2 January 2000,
B. whereas these acts of violence follow several attacks on Egyptian and foreign civilians, particularly
in March 1992 and in February and August 1997, and are bound to impair the harmonious economicand social development of the Egyptian population,
C. concerned by the fact that religious hatred leads to violence in many countries around the world,
D. whereas one of the key aims of the Barcelona Declaration lies in strengthening democracy and respect
for human rights; whereas the Arab Republic of Egypt is a signatory to that declaration,
E. whereas the Egyptian constitution guarantees absolute equality of rights and duties for all and the
freedom to practise any religion without suffering discrimination,
1. Notes the efforts made by the Egyptian Government to combat fundamentalism and all forms of
extremism; with that in mind, calls on the state of Egypt to raise awareness about religious tolerance andrespect for human rights and minority freedoms by launching a campaign on sectarian hatred and vio-lence, and to consider initiatives to abolish the death penalty;
2. Supports the Egyptian Government’s endeavours to strengthen national unity;
3. Supports the Egyptian authorities’ efforts to conduct a full investigation into the events and calls on
them to bring those responsible for the violence to justice; welcomes the Egyptian Government’s decisionto compensate those citizens who suffered injury or loss during the violence;
4. Calls on the Council to plan measures under the MEDA Programme with a view to raising awareness
about democracy, human rights and religious tolerance;
5. Calls on the United Nations Organisation to disseminate information seeking to promote tolerance
amongst ethnic and religious minorities worldwide;
6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Secretary-Gen-
eral of the United Nations, the Egyptian Government and all Euro-Mediterranean partners.C 304/208 EN 24.10.2000 Official Journal of the European Communities
Thursday 20 January 2000
4. Calls upon the Council and Commission likewise to condemn this act of the Namibian authorities, to
take appropriate steps to convince the Namibian Government to refrain from further homophobic acts,and to raise this case in meetings with Namibia at all levels;
5. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the President-in-Office of the Council, the Council,
the Commission, the Government of Namibia, the President of Namibia, Mr Nujoma, and the High Com-missioner for Human Rights of the United Nations.
22. Situation in Mexico
B5-0262, 0275, 0283, 0289 and 0297/2001
European Parliament resolution on the situation in Mexico
The European Parliament,
 having regard to its previous resolutions on the state of Chiapas,
A. whereas the new political situation has created unexpected hopes for national reconciliation between
the indigenous peoples of Mexico and the rest of the Mexican nation,
B. noting the success of the peaceful march for the dignity of indigenous peoples and the colour of the
land organised by the EZLN (Zapatista National Liberation Army) and supported and encouraged bythe Government of Mexico and President Fox,
C. whereas the new Government, by accepting the Zapatistas conditions, has demonstrated a positive
attitude, which has created the conditions for a resumption of dialogue and the possible adoption of a
law recognising the fundamental rights of the indigenous peoples of Mexico,
1. Welcomes the moves towards peace and reconciliation in Chiapas;
2. Welcomes the initiatives by the President and the Congress with regard to the conflict in Chiapas,
which have paved the way for a commitment by the EZLN to a resumption of negotiations with a view toputting an end to a situation both inappropriate and anachronistic in a modern society;
3. Welcomes, in this regard, the statements by the Clandestine Revolutionary Indigenous Committee
before the Mexican Congress;
4. Affirms its support for the Mexican Government, Mexican lawmakers and the EZLN in the process of
political dialogue;
5. Reiterates its support for dialogue as the most appropriate means of seeking a solution, and rejects all
forms of expression that incite violence; calls on all the parties involved to intensify their efforts to secure
progress in this respect;
6. Calls on the elected representatives of the Mexican people to approve the law on indigenous rights
and cultures on the basis of the proposal from the Commission for Reconciliation and Peacemaking;
7. Calls on the Joint Council created under the auspices of the economic partnership and cooperation
agreement between the European Union and Mexico to give consideration to measures to assist the devel-opment of the indigenous peoples of Mexico;
8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council and the President
and Congress of the United Mexican States.C 21 E/356 EN 24.1.2002 Official Journal of the European Communities
Thursday 5 April 2001