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2015/2712(RSP) Resolution on Swaziland, the case of human rights activists Thulani Maseko and Bheki Makhubu

Progress: Procedure completed

Legal Basis:
RoP 144

Events

2015/05/21
   EP - Results of vote in Parliament
Documents
Results of vote in Parliament
2015/05/21
   EP - Debate in Parliament
Documents
Debate in Parliament
2015/05/21
   EP - Decision by Parliament
Details

The European Parliament adopted by 579 votes to 6, with 58 abstentions a resolution on Swaziland, and the case of human rights activists Thulani Maseko and Bheki Makhubu.

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

It called for the immediate and unconditional release of Mr Maseko and Mr Makhubu , respectively, a lawyer working for the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland, and editor-in-chief of The Nation, considered to be the country’s sole independent newspaper. Both were arrested for criticising the lack of independence of the judicial system, convicted for contempt of court by the High Court of Swaziland and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. Parliament noted that that their imprisonment related directly to the legitimate exercise of their right to freedom of expression and opinion. It also called for the immediate and unconditional release of all prisoners of conscience and political prisoners and noted further that the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland, the Amalgamated Trade Unions of Swaziland, the Federation of Swaziland Employers and Chamber of Commerce have all been dissolved.

Members considered the imprisonment of political activists and the banning of trade unions to be in clear contravention of commitments made by Swaziland under the Cotonou Agreement to respect democracy, the rule of law and human rights, and also under the sustainable development chapter of the SADC Economic Partnership Agreement , which would come before the European Parliament in the second half of 2015 for possible approval.

Parliament stated that its support for the latter would depend on respect for the commitments entered into, including the commitment to abide by core ILO standards such as Conventions Nos 87 and 98.

It recalled that the EU grants GSP trade preferences to Swaziland in order to provide trade incentives with a view to ensuring respect for core human and labour rights and good governance, and it considered that the banning of trade unions and the imprisonment of political opponents run counter to these aims.

The Commission was therefore asked to honour its obligation to monitor Swaziland’s adherence to human rights and to labour and environmental conventions under the GSP, and to open an investigation to determine whether there has been a serious and systematic violation of the labour rights protected under the GSP. Parliament noted in this connection that in November 2014 Swaziland lost its preferential trade agreement with the USA under the African Growth and Opportunity Act after the government failed to take reform measures.

Documents
T8-0212/2015
2015/05/21
   EP - End of procedure in Parliament
2015/05/19
   EP - Motion for a resolution
Documents
B8-0473/2015
2015/05/19
   EP - Motion for a resolution
Documents
B8-0475/2015
2015/05/19
   EP - Motion for a resolution
Documents
B8-0476/2015
2015/05/19
   EP - Motion for a resolution
Documents
B8-0479/2015
2015/05/19
   EP - Motion for a resolution
Documents
B8-0481/2015
2015/05/19
   EP - Motion for a resolution
Documents
B8-0483/2015
2015/05/19
   EP - Motion for a resolution
Documents
B8-0485/2015
2015/05/19
   Joint motion for resolution
Documents
RC-B8-0473/2015

Documents

Activities

Votes

RC-B8-0473/2015 - § 9/1 #

2015/05/21 Outcome: +: 571, -: 50, 0: 11
DE IT ES PL RO GB FR CZ SE AT NL BE PT BG EL HU SK LT FI HR IE DK SI LV CY LU MT EE
Total
81
58
39
39
25
60
68
21
19
18
23
18
15
14
20
18
13
10
10
10
8
11
7
6
6
5
5
4
icon: PPE PPE
175

Germany PPE

28

Italy PPE

9

Spain PPE

11

Poland PPE

16

Romania PPE

11

France PPE

17

Czechia PPE

7

Sweden PPE

3

Austria PPE

5

Netherlands PPE

5

Belgium PPE

3

Portugal PPE

5

Bulgaria PPE

6

Greece PPE

Against (1)

Georgios KYRTSOS
5

Hungary PPE

11

Slovakia PPE

6

Lithuania PPE

2

Finland PPE

2

Croatia PPE

5

Ireland PPE

2

Denmark PPE

For (1)

Bendt BENDTSEN
1

Slovenia PPE

5

Latvia PPE

3

Cyprus PPE

2

Luxembourg PPE

2

Malta PPE

2

Estonia PPE

For (1)

Tunne KELAM
1
icon: S&D S&D
167

Germany S&D

25

Italy S&D

26

Spain S&D

10

Poland S&D

4

Romania S&D

12

United Kingdom S&D

17

France S&D

13

Czechia S&D

4

Sweden S&D

6

Austria S&D

5

Netherlands S&D

3

Belgium S&D

4

Portugal S&D

8

Bulgaria S&D

3

Greece S&D

4

Hungary S&D

3

Slovakia S&D

4

Lithuania S&D

1

Finland S&D

2

Croatia S&D

For (1)

Biljana BORZAN
1

Ireland S&D

For (1)

Nessa CHILDERS
1

Denmark S&D

3

Latvia S&D

1

Cyprus S&D

2

Luxembourg S&D

For (1)

Mady DELVAUX
1

Malta S&D

3

Estonia S&D

For (1)

Marju LAURISTIN
1
icon: ALDE ALDE
61

Germany ALDE

3

Spain ALDE

7

Romania ALDE

2

United Kingdom ALDE

1

France ALDE

7

Czechia ALDE

4

Sweden ALDE

3

Austria ALDE

For (1)

Angelika MLINAR
1

Netherlands ALDE

7

Belgium ALDE

5

Portugal ALDE

1

Bulgaria ALDE

4

Lithuania ALDE

4

Finland ALDE

3

Croatia ALDE

2

Ireland ALDE

For (1)

Marian HARKIN
1

Denmark ALDE

2

Slovenia ALDE

For (1)

Ivo VAJGL
1

Luxembourg ALDE

For (1)

Charles GOERENS
1

Estonia ALDE

2
icon: ECR ECR
59

Germany ECR

6

Poland ECR

15

United Kingdom ECR

Abstain (1)

Sajjad KARIM
17

Czechia ECR

2

Netherlands ECR

For (1)

Bas BELDER
1

Belgium ECR

4

Bulgaria ECR

1

Greece ECR

For (1)

Notis MARIAS
1

Slovakia ECR

3

Lithuania ECR

1

Finland ECR

2

Croatia ECR

For (1)

Ruža TOMAŠIĆ
1

Denmark ECR

4

Latvia ECR

For (1)

Roberts ZĪLE
1
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
41

Germany GUE/NGL

7

Italy GUE/NGL

3

Spain GUE/NGL

8

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

1

France GUE/NGL

3

Czechia GUE/NGL

3

Sweden GUE/NGL

For (1)

Malin BJÖRK
1

Netherlands GUE/NGL

2

Portugal GUE/NGL

For (1)

Marisa MATIAS
1

Greece GUE/NGL

5

Finland GUE/NGL

For (1)

Merja KYLLÖNEN
1

Ireland GUE/NGL

4

Cyprus GUE/NGL

2
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
41

Germany Verts/ALE

10

Spain Verts/ALE

3

United Kingdom Verts/ALE

5

France Verts/ALE

5

Sweden Verts/ALE

4

Austria Verts/ALE

3

Netherlands Verts/ALE

2

Belgium Verts/ALE

For (1)

Bart STAES
1

Hungary Verts/ALE

2

Lithuania Verts/ALE

For (1)

Bronis ROPĖ
1

Croatia Verts/ALE

For (1)

Davor ŠKRLEC
1

Denmark Verts/ALE

For (1)

Margrete AUKEN
1

Slovenia Verts/ALE

For (1)

Igor ŠOLTES
1

Latvia Verts/ALE

1

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

Claude TURMES
1
icon: EFDD EFDD
39

Italy EFDD

16

Poland EFDD

1

United Kingdom EFDD

18

Czechia EFDD

Against (1)

Petr MACH
1

Sweden EFDD

2

Lithuania EFDD

For (1)

Rolandas PAKSAS
1
icon: NI NI
48

Germany NI

2

Italy NI

4

Poland NI

3

United Kingdom NI

For (1)

Diane DODDS
1

France NI

23

Austria NI

4

Netherlands NI

3

Belgium NI

Abstain (1)

Gerolf ANNEMANS
1

Greece NI

5

Hungary NI

2

RC-B8-0473/2015 - § 9/2 #

2015/05/21 Outcome: +: 335, -: 271, 0: 17
IT ES SE DE EL PT DK NL IE LT BE AT FI EE RO CY CZ LU MT BG HR SK LV SI HU GB FR PL
Total
58
39
19
81
18
14
12
23
8
9
17
17
10
4
24
6
21
5
5
14
9
12
6
7
18
61
66
39
icon: S&D S&D
164

Italy S&D

26

Spain S&D

10

Sweden S&D

6

Germany S&D

25

Greece S&D

3

Portugal S&D

8

Denmark S&D

3

Netherlands S&D

3

Ireland S&D

For (1)

Nessa CHILDERS
1

Lithuania S&D

1

Belgium S&D

4

Austria S&D

4

Finland S&D

2

Estonia S&D

For (1)

Marju LAURISTIN
1

Romania S&D

11

Cyprus S&D

2

Czechia S&D

4

Luxembourg S&D

For (1)

Mady DELVAUX
1

Malta S&D

3

Bulgaria S&D

3

Croatia S&D

For (1)

Biljana BORZAN
1

Slovakia S&D

4

Latvia S&D

1

Hungary S&D

3

United Kingdom S&D

18

France S&D

12

Poland S&D

4
icon: ALDE ALDE
59

Spain ALDE

7

Sweden ALDE

3

Germany ALDE

2

Portugal ALDE

1

Denmark ALDE

3

Netherlands ALDE

7

Ireland ALDE

For (1)

Marian HARKIN
1

Lithuania ALDE

3

Belgium ALDE

5

Austria ALDE

For (1)

Angelika MLINAR
1

Finland ALDE

3

Estonia ALDE

2

Romania ALDE

2

Czechia ALDE

4

Luxembourg ALDE

For (1)

Charles GOERENS
1

Bulgaria ALDE

4

Croatia ALDE

2

Slovenia ALDE

For (1)

Ivo VAJGL
1

United Kingdom ALDE

1

France ALDE

6
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
42

Italy GUE/NGL

3

Spain GUE/NGL

8

Sweden GUE/NGL

For (1)

Malin BJÖRK
1

Germany GUE/NGL

7

Greece GUE/NGL

6

Portugal GUE/NGL

For (1)

Marisa MATIAS
1

Netherlands GUE/NGL

2

Ireland GUE/NGL

4

Finland GUE/NGL

For (1)

Merja KYLLÖNEN
1

Cyprus GUE/NGL

2

Czechia GUE/NGL

3

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

1

France GUE/NGL

3
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
41

Spain Verts/ALE

3

Sweden Verts/ALE

4

Germany Verts/ALE

10

Denmark Verts/ALE

For (1)

Margrete AUKEN
1

Netherlands Verts/ALE

2

Lithuania Verts/ALE

For (1)

Bronis ROPĖ
1

Belgium Verts/ALE

For (1)

Bart STAES
1

Austria Verts/ALE

3

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

Claude TURMES
1

Croatia Verts/ALE

For (1)

Davor ŠKRLEC
1

Latvia Verts/ALE

1

Slovenia Verts/ALE

For (1)

Igor ŠOLTES
1

Hungary Verts/ALE

2

United Kingdom Verts/ALE

5

France Verts/ALE

5
icon: EFDD EFDD
39

Italy EFDD

16

Sweden EFDD

2

Lithuania EFDD

For (1)

Rolandas PAKSAS
1

Czechia EFDD

Against (1)

Petr MACH
1

United Kingdom EFDD

18

Poland EFDD

1
icon: NI NI
47

Italy NI

4

Germany NI

For (1)

Udo VOIGT

Against (1)

Martin SONNEBORN
2

Greece NI

5

Netherlands NI

3

Austria NI

4

Hungary NI

2

United Kingdom NI

Against (1)

Diane DODDS
1

France NI

23

Poland NI

3
icon: ECR ECR
60

Germany ECR

7

Greece ECR

For (1)

Notis MARIAS
1

Denmark ECR

4

Netherlands ECR

Against (1)

Bas BELDER
1

Lithuania ECR

Against (1)

Waldemar TOMASZEWSKI
1

Belgium ECR

4

Finland ECR

2

Czechia ECR

2

Bulgaria ECR

Against (1)

Angel DZHAMBAZKI
1

Croatia ECR

Abstain (1)

Ruža TOMAŠIĆ
1

Slovakia ECR

2

Latvia ECR

Against (1)

Roberts ZĪLE
1

United Kingdom ECR

Abstain (1)

Sajjad KARIM
17

Poland ECR

16
icon: PPE PPE
170

Italy PPE

9

Spain PPE

11

Sweden PPE

3

Germany PPE

28

Greece PPE

3

Portugal PPE

4

Denmark PPE

Against (1)

Bendt BENDTSEN
1

Netherlands PPE

5

Ireland PPE

2

Lithuania PPE

2

Belgium PPE

3

Austria PPE

5

Finland PPE

2

Estonia PPE

Against (1)

Tunne KELAM
1

Romania PPE

11

Cyprus PPE

2

Czechia PPE

7

Luxembourg PPE

2

Malta PPE

2

Bulgaria PPE

6

Croatia PPE

4

Slovakia PPE

6

Latvia PPE

3

Slovenia PPE

5

Hungary PPE

11

France PPE

17

Poland PPE

15

RC-B8-0473/2015 - Résolution #

2015/05/21 Outcome: +: 579, 0: 58, -: 6
DE IT FR GB ES PL RO CZ SE BE HU NL AT PT BG EL SK LT FI HR IE DK SI LU LV CY EE MT
Total
82
59
69
62
39
41
25
21
19
19
18
23
17
15
14
21
13
10
10
10
8
12
7
6
6
6
5
5
icon: PPE PPE
179

Germany PPE

28

Italy PPE

9

France PPE

18

Spain PPE

11

Poland PPE

17

Romania PPE

11

Czechia PPE

7

Sweden PPE

3

Belgium PPE

4

Hungary PPE

11

Netherlands PPE

5

Austria PPE

5

Portugal PPE

5

Bulgaria PPE

6

Greece PPE

5

Slovakia PPE

6

Lithuania PPE

2

Finland PPE

2

Croatia PPE

5

Ireland PPE

2

Denmark PPE

For (1)

Bendt BENDTSEN
1

Slovenia PPE

5

Luxembourg PPE

3

Latvia PPE

3

Cyprus PPE

2

Estonia PPE

For (1)

Tunne KELAM
1

Malta PPE

2
icon: S&D S&D
169

Germany S&D

25

Italy S&D

27

France S&D

13

United Kingdom S&D

19

Spain S&D

10

Poland S&D

4

Romania S&D

12

Czechia S&D

4

Sweden S&D

6

Belgium S&D

4

Hungary S&D

3

Netherlands S&D

3

Austria S&D

4

Portugal S&D

8

Bulgaria S&D

3

Greece S&D

4

Slovakia S&D

4

Lithuania S&D

1

Finland S&D

2

Croatia S&D

For (1)

Biljana BORZAN
1

Ireland S&D

For (1)

Nessa CHILDERS
1

Denmark S&D

3

Luxembourg S&D

For (1)

Mady DELVAUX
1

Latvia S&D

1

Cyprus S&D

2

Estonia S&D

For (1)

Marju LAURISTIN
1

Malta S&D

3
icon: ALDE ALDE
62

Germany ALDE

3

France ALDE

7

United Kingdom ALDE

1

Spain ALDE

7

Romania ALDE

2

Czechia ALDE

4

Sweden ALDE

3

Belgium ALDE

5

Netherlands ALDE

7

Austria ALDE

For (1)

Angelika MLINAR
1

Portugal ALDE

1

Bulgaria ALDE

4

Lithuania ALDE

4

Finland ALDE

3

Croatia ALDE

2

Ireland ALDE

For (1)

Marian HARKIN
1

Denmark ALDE

3

Slovenia ALDE

For (1)

Ivo VAJGL
1

Luxembourg ALDE

For (1)

Charles GOERENS
1

Estonia ALDE

2
icon: ECR ECR
61

Germany ECR

7

United Kingdom ECR

17

Poland ECR

16

Czechia ECR

2

Belgium ECR

4

Netherlands ECR

For (1)

Bas BELDER
1

Bulgaria ECR

1

Greece ECR

For (1)

Notis MARIAS
1

Slovakia ECR

Abstain (1)

Richard SULÍK
3

Lithuania ECR

1

Finland ECR

2

Croatia ECR

For (1)

Ruža TOMAŠIĆ
1

Denmark ECR

4

Latvia ECR

For (1)

Roberts ZĪLE
1
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
42

Germany GUE/NGL

7

Italy GUE/NGL

3

France GUE/NGL

3

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

1

Spain GUE/NGL

8

Czechia GUE/NGL

3

Sweden GUE/NGL

For (1)

Malin BJÖRK
1

Netherlands GUE/NGL

2

Portugal GUE/NGL

For (1)

Marisa MATIAS
1

Greece GUE/NGL

6

Finland GUE/NGL

For (1)

Merja KYLLÖNEN
1

Ireland GUE/NGL

4

Cyprus GUE/NGL

2
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
42

Germany Verts/ALE

10

France Verts/ALE

5

United Kingdom Verts/ALE

5

Spain Verts/ALE

3

Sweden Verts/ALE

4

Belgium Verts/ALE

For (1)

Bart STAES
1

Hungary Verts/ALE

2

Netherlands Verts/ALE

2

Austria Verts/ALE

3

Lithuania Verts/ALE

For (1)

Bronis ROPĖ
1

Croatia Verts/ALE

For (1)

Davor ŠKRLEC
1

Denmark Verts/ALE

For (1)

Margrete AUKEN
1

Slovenia Verts/ALE

For (1)

Igor ŠOLTES
1

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

Claude TURMES
1

Latvia Verts/ALE

1

Estonia Verts/ALE

For (1)

Indrek TARAND
1
icon: EFDD EFDD
39

Italy EFDD

16

United Kingdom EFDD

18

Poland EFDD

1

Czechia EFDD

Abstain (1)

Petr MACH
1

Sweden EFDD

2

Lithuania EFDD

For (1)

Rolandas PAKSAS
1
icon: NI NI
48

Germany NI

2

Italy NI

4

France NI

23

United Kingdom NI

For (1)

Diane DODDS
1

Poland NI

3

Belgium NI

Abstain (1)

Gerolf ANNEMANS
1

Hungary NI

2

Netherlands NI

3

Austria NI

4

Greece NI

5

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)

2021-12-18Show (11) Changes | Timetravel
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events/2
date
2015-05-21T00:00:00
type
Decision by Parliament
body
EP
docs
url: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-8-2015-0212_EN.html title: T8-0212/2015
summary
events/2
date
2015-05-21T00:00:00
type
Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
body
EP
docs
url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-8-2015-0212_EN.html title: T8-0212/2015
summary
2020-01-19Show (9) Changes | Timetravel
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2019-07-12Show (2) Changes | Timetravel
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  • date: 2015-05-21T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=25814&l=en type: Results of vote in Parliament title: Results of vote in Parliament url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20150521&type=CRE type: Debate in Parliament title: Debate in Parliament url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2015-0212 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T8-0212/2015 body: EP type: Results of vote in Parliament
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    • date: 2015-05-19T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B8-2015-0473&language=EN title: B8-0473/2015 type: Motion for a resolution body: EP
    • date: 2015-05-19T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B8-2015-0475&language=EN title: B8-0475/2015 type: Motion for a resolution body: EP
    • date: 2015-05-19T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B8-2015-0476&language=EN title: B8-0476/2015 type: Motion for a resolution body: EP
    • date: 2015-05-19T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B8-2015-0479&language=EN title: B8-0479/2015 type: Motion for a resolution body: EP
    • date: 2015-05-19T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B8-2015-0481&language=EN title: B8-0481/2015 type: Motion for a resolution body: EP
    • date: 2015-05-19T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B8-2015-0483&language=EN title: B8-0483/2015 type: Motion for a resolution body: EP
    • date: 2015-05-19T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B8-2015-0485&language=EN title: B8-0485/2015 type: Motion for a resolution body: EP
    • date: 2015-05-19T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=P8-RC-2015-0473&language=EN title: RC-B8-0473/2015 type: Joint motion for resolution
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    • date: 2015-05-21T00:00:00 type: Results of vote in Parliament body: EP docs: url: https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=25814&l=en title: Results of vote in Parliament
    • date: 2015-05-21T00:00:00 type: Debate in Parliament body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20150521&type=CRE title: Debate in Parliament
    • date: 2015-05-21T00:00:00 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2015-0212 title: T8-0212/2015 summary: The European Parliament adopted by 579 votes to 6, with 58 abstentions a resolution on Swaziland, and the case of human rights activists Thulani Maseko and Bheki Makhubu. The resolution was tabled by the ECR, EFD, Greens/EFA, ALDE, GUE/NGL, EPP and S&D groups. It called for the immediate and unconditional release of Mr Maseko and Mr Makhubu , respectively, a lawyer working for the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland, and editor-in-chief of The Nation, considered to be the country’s sole independent newspaper. Both were arrested for criticising the lack of independence of the judicial system, convicted for contempt of court by the High Court of Swaziland and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. Parliament noted that that their imprisonment related directly to the legitimate exercise of their right to freedom of expression and opinion. It also called for the immediate and unconditional release of all prisoners of conscience and political prisoners and noted further that the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland, the Amalgamated Trade Unions of Swaziland, the Federation of Swaziland Employers and Chamber of Commerce have all been dissolved. Members considered the imprisonment of political activists and the banning of trade unions to be in clear contravention of commitments made by Swaziland under the Cotonou Agreement to respect democracy, the rule of law and human rights, and also under the sustainable development chapter of the SADC Economic Partnership Agreement , which would come before the European Parliament in the second half of 2015 for possible approval. Parliament stated that its support for the latter would depend on respect for the commitments entered into, including the commitment to abide by core ILO standards such as Conventions Nos 87 and 98. It recalled that the EU grants GSP trade preferences to Swaziland in order to provide trade incentives with a view to ensuring respect for core human and labour rights and good governance, and it considered that the banning of trade unions and the imprisonment of political opponents run counter to these aims. The Commission was therefore asked to honour its obligation to monitor Swaziland’s adherence to human rights and to labour and environmental conventions under the GSP, and to open an investigation to determine whether there has been a serious and systematic violation of the labour rights protected under the GSP. Parliament noted in this connection that in November 2014 Swaziland lost its preferential trade agreement with the USA under the African Growth and Opportunity Act after the government failed to take reform measures.
    • date: 2015-05-21T00:00:00 type: End of procedure in Parliament body: EP
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      Eswatini (ex-Swaziland)
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      Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 135
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      • 6.10.08 Fundamental freedoms, human rights, democracy in general
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      Fundamental freedoms, human rights, democracy in general
      2015-11-04Show (5) Changes | Timetravel
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      • The European Parliament adopted by 579 votes to 6, with 58 abstentions a resolution on Swaziland, and the case of human rights activists Thulani Maseko and Bheki Makhubu.

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

        It called for the immediate and unconditional release of Mr Maseko and Mr Makhubu, respectively, a lawyer working for the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland, and editor-in-chief of The Nation, considered to be the country’s sole independent newspaper. Both were arrested for criticising the lack of independence of the judicial system, convicted for contempt of court by the High Court of Swaziland and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. Parliament noted that that their imprisonment related directly to the legitimate exercise of their right to freedom of expression and opinion. It also called for the immediate and unconditional release of all prisoners of conscience and political prisoners and noted further that the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland, the Amalgamated Trade Unions of Swaziland, the Federation of Swaziland Employers and Chamber of Commerce have all been dissolved.

        Members considered the imprisonment of political activists and the banning of trade unions to be in clear contravention of commitments made by Swaziland under the Cotonou Agreement to respect democracy, the rule of law and human rights, and also under the sustainable development chapter of the SADC Economic Partnership Agreement, which would come before the European Parliament in the second half of 2015 for possible approval.

        Parliament stated that its support for the latter would depend on respect for the commitments entered into, including the commitment to abide by core ILO standards such as Conventions Nos 87 and 98.

        It recalled that the EU grants GSP trade preferences to Swaziland in order to provide trade incentives with a view to ensuring respect for core human and labour rights and good governance, and it considered that the banning of trade unions and the imprisonment of political opponents run counter to these aims.

        The Commission was therefore asked to honour its obligation to monitor Swaziland’s adherence to human rights and to labour and environmental conventions under the GSP, and to open an investigation to determine whether there has been a serious and systematic violation of the labour rights protected under the GSP. Parliament noted in this connection that in November 2014 Swaziland lost its preferential trade agreement with the USA under the African Growth and Opportunity Act after the government failed to take reform measures.
      activities/0/type
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      Swaziland, the case of human rights activists Thulani Maseko and Bheki Makhubu
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      Resolution on Swaziland, the case of human rights activists Thulani Maseko and Bheki Makhubu
      2015-05-25Show (3) Changes | Timetravel
      activities/0/docs
      • url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2015-0212 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T8-0212/2015
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      2015-05-15Show (5) Changes
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      • date: 2015-05-21T00:00:00 body: EP type: Debate in plenary scheduled
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          Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 135
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          Swaziland, the case of human rights activists Thulani Maseko and Bheki Makhubu
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          Swaziland
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          Awaiting Parliament 1st reading / single reading / budget 1st stage
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          6.10.08 Fundamental freedoms, human rights, democracy in general
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