Madagascar

The European Parliament,

     having regard to its previous resolutions on Madagascar, particularly those of 7 May 2009 and of 11 February 2010,

–   having regard to the Maputo Accords of 8 and 9 August 2009 and the Addis Ababa Additional Act of 6 November 2009, signed by the four leaders of the political groupings in Madagascar,

–   having regard to the suspension of Madagascar from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU),

–   having regard to the recent roadmap proposed by the mediation team of the SADC,

–   having regard to the SADC Extraordinary Summit on Madagascar of 19 May 201,

- having regard to Rule 122(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

 A.  Whereas the political crisis in Madagascar has plunged the country in a political uncertainty and deep socio-economic crisis since the coup d'état in March 2009,

 B.  Whereas a peaceful and democratic settlement of the political crisis, which has been negotiated under the auspice of African Union between the current president Rajoelina and other stake holders, did not achieve any positive result,

C.  Where as violation of human rights, absence of political pluralism put the country under a critical situation where by the majority of the population suffer,

 D.  whereas the current process of negotiations under international mediation led by President Joaquim Chissano continues, as decided by the SADC Troika on March 31 last,

 E.  whereas on 17 November 2010, the de facto authority organised a constitutional referendum boycotted by the opposition and generally ignored by the international community which led to the adoption of a new fundamental law,

 F.  Whereas the European Union decided in June 2010 to close the consultations with the Republic of Madagascar and adopted appropriate measures under article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement - in this case suspension of aid,

 G. whereas the Joint Parliamentary Assembly ACP-EU Co-presidents called on May 17 2011, for instalment of a neutral, consensual and inclusive transitional government with a mission to launch a transparent and independent electoral process leading towards democratic elections under the monitoring of the international community, first step for a sustainable return to constitutional order,

 1.  Reiterates its strong condemnation of the process by which Mr. Rajoelina seized power and remains concerned about the current situation in Madagascar;

2.  Condemns the many violations and abuses by current Malagasy security forces against its own population and calls for full respect of civic and political rights of all citizens and the restoration of the rule of law in Madagascar; calls for the immediate release of all political prisoners; calls for a safe return of exile and political leaders;

3.  Expresses its deep concern about the looting of precious woods and the illegal exploitation of mineral resources; supports the conservation groups in their struggle to stop illegal rosewood trade from National parks;

4.  Stresses the urgent need for a return to institutional normality in Madagascar and urges to move rapidly towards free and transparent elections by democratic standards under the supervision of the international community;

5.  Believes that political pluralism, basic democratic freedoms, respect for human rights and rule of law can only be ensured as a result of consensual and inclusive dialogue to address the root causes of the country's wide range of problems including economic, social and environment,

6.  Stresses that credibility, including the lawfulness of the electoral process, implies that all political movements can take part in these elections freely and unconditionally and have an impaired access to the media;

7.  Calls for a satisfying exit strategy of current deadlock situation in order to install a neutral, consensual and inclusive transitional government and takes note of the observations and recommendations made in SADC report in view of Extraordinary June 2011 Summit; urges next SADC Summit in July to definitely put an end to the political deadlock in Madagascar;

8.  Stresses that the African Union has confirmed, at its Summit on 31 January 2011, individual and selective sanctions agreed at the summit on 17 March 2010, against Mr. Rajoelina and over a hundred other people who support the High Authority of the Transitional Government ;

9.  Supports the efforts of the former President of the Republic of Mozambique, Mr Joaquim Chissano, the SADC mediator in this process and calls on the AU, the SADC and the international contact group to bring the transition process to a satisfactory conclusion;

10.  Fully supports EU's appropriate measures taken on 7 June 2010 after the conclusion of the consultation procedure under Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement;

11.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President/High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Commission, the Council of the European Union, the UN, the AU and ACP-EU Council