B4-1375, 1385, 1393, 1404 and 1421/96

Resolution on the situation in Algeria

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the opening of negotiations between the European Union and Algeria on a new Euro-Mediterranean association agreement with Algeria,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on Algeria,

A. noting the outcome of the referendum of 28 November 1996 on the revision of the Constitution which concentrates power in the hands of the President, prohibits parties of a religious or regional character and enshrines Arabic as the sole official national language,

B. whereas many political parties boycotted that ballot, condemned the numerous irregularities and challenged the official results,

C. whereas the fact that Arabic was enshrined as the only official national language caused the referendum to be rejected by 70% of the voters in the region of Kabylia, which has a Berber majority,

D. whereas Algeria, by ratifying the international treaties on human rights, has made a voluntary commitment to respect fundamental rights in all circumstances,

E. outraged by the criminal actions of terrorists resulting in hundreds of dead over the past few months,

F. whereas the leaders of terrorist movements are still finding refuge on the territory of certain Member States,

G. deploring the absence of any genuine process of democratic dialogue in Algeria which would enable a peaceful political solution to be found to the crisis,

1. Condemns in the strongest possible terms all terrorist acts in Algeria and the resulting massacres;

2. Considers, however, that the State's response should not be limited to the 'eradication' of terrorism by the forces of law and order, but should also include political initiatives aimed at establishing real democratic pluralism;

3. Notes the results of the referendum but considers that they are likely to make it more difficult to establish democratic and cultural pluralism in the country, and recalls its commitment to a secular state, which is the best guarantor of democratic pluralism;

4. Condemns any move to restrict freedom of expression, and freedom of the press in particular, and takes the view that censorship and the control of information can only weaken the fight for democracy and respect for the rule of law, and the campaign against fundamentalism;

5. Calls on the Algerian authorities to launch an initiative for a dialogue between all members of Algerian civil society in order to reach a consensus on true democratic reform of the country and put an end to the escalation of terrorist violence;

6. Believes that the holding of legislative elections is an essential element in any genuine democratic reform; calls for all the conditions to be established to enable the elections which have been announced to take place in circumstances which allow all political parties to take part and stresses that these will be crucial to any democratic solution to the crisis;

7. Calls on the Commission to take into account developments with regard to democratization and respect for human rights in the negotiations for a new Euro-Mediterranean agreement with Algeria;

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council and the Government of Algeria.