Resolution on Madagascar

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on Madagascar.

The resolution was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ECR, ALDE, GUE/NGL, Greens/EFA and EFDD groups.

Whilst welcoming the elections of October and December 2013, Parliament reminded the Malagasy authorities, and first and foremost its President Hery Rajaonarimampianina, that it was incumbent upon them to support and protect the rights of their fellow citizens throughout the country as well as to respect the rule of law. It called on the international community to take all possible steps to ensure that the 2018 presidential elections are free and fair, recalling that only dialogue and consensus among all political actors could guarantee credible elections in a timely manner.

The Malagasy authorities were called upon to:

• conduct impartial and systematic investigations into extrajudicial executions involving law enforcement officials;
• respect their obligations under CITES, including by strengthening the effective enforcement of laws against illegal logging and trafficking of timber species;
• put an end to the harassment and intimidation of journalists, human rights activists and environmental activists arbitrarily arrested on false accusations;
• let justice take its course independently in the case of Claudine Razaimamamonjy, arrested for embezzlement of public funds, and in all cases of active and passive corruption.

For its part, the European Union should:

• invest in providing support and protection to human rights defenders, as key actors in sustainable development, including by means of urgent grants under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) emergency fund for human rights defenders at risk;
• pay attention to ensuring that the preparations for the forthcoming presidential elections are inclusive, transparent and accepted by all.