The Council adopted the following conclusions on the resolution on Ethiopia. It :

- expressed its grave concern about the tense and volatile situation in the border region and reaffirmed its commitment to see peace and security restored;

- reiterated its full support for United Nations Security Council Resolution 1640(2005), which, inter alia, demands that Eritrea immediately reverse the decision to ban UNMEE helicopter flights and all other restrictions imposed on UNMEE, that both parties return to the 16 December 2004 levels of deployment of their troops, and that Ethiopia accept fully the final and binding decision of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission;

- expressed its concern at Eritrea's request that the European and North American members of UNMEE should be withdrawn. The Council supported the UN's demand that the Eritrean government immediately and unequivocally rescind its decision without preconditions;

- underlined the urgent need for immediate concrete steps to be taken by Ethiopia to enable the Ethiopia Eritrea Boundary Commission to demarcate the border completely and without delay. The start of the demarcation process has to be accepted promptly by both parties in a constructive spirit in order to bring to an end current tension;

- called upon both countries to refrain from any threat or use of force against each other and, to contribute to de-escalation, to redirect funds that are used for military expenditure towards development;

- agreed on the need for continued international diplomatic engagement on Ethiopia / Eritrea. In this regard, the Council welcomed the proposed EU troika visit to Addis Ababa and Asmara. The Council further expressed its support for the United Nations Security Council's determination to consider further appropriate measures, including under Article 41 of the Charter of the United Nations, if one or both parties fail to comply with the demands to return to 16 December 2004 levels of deployment within 30

days of the adoption of Resolution 1640(2005), or if Eritrea fails to reverse the ban on UNMEE helicopter flights and additional restrictions;

- reiterated that the EU would keep the situation in the border region under constant review.

In a resolution on the situation in Ethiopia, the European Parliament expressed serious concern that the political dialogue between the government and the opposition, opened on 2 October 2005, was broken by the ruling party. Parliament urged all parties to resume dialogue and to work to allow multiparty democracy to start functioning with the rights of the opposition fully respected by the government and the ruling party.

Parliament welcomed the key role played by the head of the Commission's delegation in Ethiopia and the Council Presidency through its British Ambassador in realising the political talks. It commended the opposition's commitment to working within the constitutional framework without resorting to violence, and called on the government also to respect the fundamental principles of the constitution, especially fundamental freedoms and human rights. The government is asked to guarantee opposition access to the media, as was made available in the run-up to the 15 May 2005 election.

Parliament also expressed its serious concern at the government's attempts to reverse the democratic process, including the introduction of an absolute majority requirement for the submission of agendas in the forthcoming parliament, which render the opposition's gains meaningless. It called on all political parties to work towards a political solution that will secure the Ethiopian Parliament's democratic prerogatives. The European Parliament also called for an end to the persecution and intimidation of representatives of the opposition political parties and the immediate release of those still detained. The Ethiopian Government must guarantee that detainees will not be subjected to ill-treatment and will have access to their families and medical care.

Furthermore, all political prisoners must be before the courts within 48 hours of their initial apprehension, as prescribed under Ethiopian law, or released without further delay.

Finally, the European Parliament expressed strong concern about the denial to opposition members of the right to take the floor, about the bill passed stripping parliamentary immunity from all elected opposition members who did not take their seats and about the bill to extend the previous administration of municipalities in disregard of electoral results. There must be a prompt reversal of such measures, since they are incompatible with minimum democratic standards and further exacerbate political tensions and mistrust.

T6-0383/2005
OJ C 233 28.09.2006, p. 0019-0116 E

Results of vote in Parliament

In a resolution on the situation in Ethiopia, the European Parliament expressed serious concern that the political dialogue between the government and the opposition, opened on 2 October 2005, was broken by the ruling party. Parliament urged all parties to resume dialogue and to work to allow multiparty democracy to start functioning with the rights of the opposition fully respected by the government and the ruling party.

Parliament welcomed the key role played by the head of the Commission's delegation in Ethiopia and the Council Presidency through its British Ambassador in realising the political talks. It commended the opposition's commitment to working within the constitutional framework without resorting to violence, and called on the government also to respect the fundamental principles of the constitution, especially fundamental freedoms and human rights. The government is asked to guarantee opposition access to the media, as was made available in the run-up to the 15 May 2005 election.

Parliament also expressed its serious concern at the government's attempts to reverse the democratic process, including the introduction of an absolute majority requirement for the submission of agendas in the forthcoming parliament, which render the opposition's gains meaningless. It called on all political parties to work towards a political solution that will secure the Ethiopian Parliament's democratic prerogatives. The European Parliament also called for an end to the persecution and intimidation of representatives of the opposition political parties and the immediate release of those still detained. The Ethiopian Government must guarantee that detainees will not be subjected to ill-treatment and will have access to their families and medical care.

Furthermore, all political prisoners must be before the courts within 48 hours of their initial apprehension, as prescribed under Ethiopian law, or released without further delay.

Finally, the European Parliament expressed strong concern about the denial to opposition members of the right to take the floor, about the bill passed stripping parliamentary immunity from all elected opposition members who did not take their seats and about the bill to extend the previous administration of municipalities in disregard of electoral results. There must be a prompt reversal of such measures, since they are incompatible with minimum democratic standards and further exacerbate political tensions and mistrust.

T6-0383/2005

B6-0540/2005

B6-0541/2005

B6-0542/2005

B6-0544/2005

B6-0545/2005

RC-B6-0540/2005

Debate in Parliament