P6_TA(2005)0369

Vojvodina

European Parliament resolution on the defence of multi-ethnicity in Vojvodina

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its resolution of 16 September 2004 on the harassment of minorities in Vojvodina [1],

- having regard to the report of 2 March 2005 on a fact-finding mission by its ad hoc delegation to Vojvodina and Belgrade,

- having regard to the Communication from the Commission of 12 April 2005 on the preparedness of Serbia and Montenegro to negotiate a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the European Union (COM(2005)0476),

- having regard to Rule 115(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas the EU and its Member States have been promoting democratisation and respect for human and minority rights in the Republic of Serbia and the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro,

B. whereas breaches of human and minority rights in Vojvodina continue to be reported by political forces and civil society, including harassment and physical assault of non-ethnic Serbs and threats against ethnic Hungarian political leaders,

C. whereas in recent years central and local authorities in Serbia have failed to improve respect for human and minority rights or to bring to justice the perpetrators of violent acts and acts of harassment,

D. whereas both its resolution of 16 September 2004 and its fact-finding mission have had a positive effect on the situation in Vojvodina,

E. whereas no real progress has been made in reversing the deterioration in the conditions for national and ethnic minorities in Vojvodina, thereby jeopardising their future in the region, or facilitating their participation in the field of education or their representation in public administration, the judiciary and the police force, or guaranteeing equal access to and equal treatment before the courts and the institutions of a state based on the rule of law,

F. whereas the Government of Serbia has failed to set up two committees dealing respectively with individual ethnically motivated incidents and ethnic relations in general, despite the declarations made by Mr Kostunica in September 2004,

G. whereas the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro is bound by international and European human rights conventions and must secure their full implementation as a condition for further progress towards integration into the European Union,

1. Expresses its deep concern at the repeated breaches of human rights and the lack of law and order in the province of Vojvodina;

2. Calls on the authorities in the Republic of Serbia and the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro to acknowledge these violent acts as criminal acts in breach of the laws in force, and insists on the importance of immediate and effective action, so that similar offences are prevented in the future and their effects are not left unremedied;

3. Intends to continue monitoring the situation in Vojvodina, in particular with regard to the content and principles of the Stability and Association Agreement, and requests regular consultations with the Commission and Council during this procedure;

4. Supports the initiative taken by its Interparliamentary Delegation for relations with the countries of South-East Europe for a public hearing on the minority and political situation in Vojvodina;

5. Reaffirms its willingness to use its budgetary powers both to assist and bring pressure to bear on Serbia-Montenegro, in order to encourage respect for fundamental human rights and freedoms, including minority rights;

6. Calls on the authorities in the Republic of Serbia and the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro to reinstate the autonomy Vojvodina enjoyed until 1990 and to reinstate the real powers of the regional parliament of Vojvodina in the field of education and the media, so as to enable the regional parliament to develop adequate policies in this multi-ethnic region;

7. Urges the Commission, the Council and the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy to monitor closely developments in Vojvodina, paying closer attention to the high security risk which the harassment of minorities in Vojvodina represents, and calls, therefore, for EU monitors (EUMM) to be sent to the province;

8. Reminds the Government of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro and the Government of Serbia that the principles of liberty, democracy, and respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the founding elements of the Stabilisation and Association process and the rule of law are prerequisites for Parliament's assent to the conclusion of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and any future partnership with the European Union in general;

9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy the Commission, the Government of Serbia, the Government of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro and the authorities of Vojvodina.

[1] OJ C 140 E, 9.6.2005, p. 163.

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