Resolution on the European Union human rights priorities and recommendations for the upcoming session of the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva

Parliament adopted the joint resolution on the priorities and EU proposals for the next meeting of the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva. The European Parliament welcomes the growing number of people's demands for freedom and democracy throughout the world, but deplores the persistence of flagrant violations of human rights in many countries. The resolution also regrets the growing gap between the legal situation and daily practice in some countries in respect for human rights conventions and effective inspection and control mechanisms. It calls on all countries to ratify the main international conventions on human rights and to sign and ratify the Treaty setting up the International Criminal Court. Moreover, it calls on the Council and the Member States to reaffirm their commitment to the abolition of the death penalty and welcomes diplomatic efforts in favour of a universal moratorium on capital punishment and its definitive abolition. It calls on the EU, to this end, to renew its pressure on the UN to obtain a declaration by the General Assembly in favour of a universal moratorium and the abolition of the death penalty. Among other amendments, the resolution condemns all forms of trafficking in human beings, especially in women and abuse of children and minors; the employment of under-18s to take part in armed conflict and it also welcomes the coming into force of the 182nd ILO Convention on child labour. Firm action in support of press freedom is also a priority. Furthermore, there is also concern over 'widespread human rights violations' in China and particulary Tibet, repressive action by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, and gross and systematic human rights violations in Saudi Arabia. Other places coming in for criticism are Myanmar (Burma), Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Colombia, Russia/over Chechnya and parts of Indonesia.�