The European Parliament passed resolutions on organ harvesting in China, situation in Sri Lanka and condemning violence in Central African Republic

Strasbourg, France / Brussels, Belgium, 16-12-2013 — /EuropaWire/ — Parliament passed three separate resolutions on Thursday, asking for an immediate end to the practice of organ harvesting from prisoners of conscience in China; calling on the Sri Lankan government to implement the recommendation of the Reconciliation Committee in full; and condemning the violence and human rights violations in the Central African Republic.

China

Parliament calls on the Chinese government “to end immediately the practice of harvesting organs from prisoners of conscience and members of religious and ethnic minority groups”, stating that phasing out of this practice “only by 2015 is not acceptable”.

It demands a “full and transparent investigation by the EU into organ transplant practices in China and the prosecution of those involved in such unethical practices”.

It calls for the “immediate release” of all prisoners of conscience in China, including Falun Gong practitioners.

Sri Lanka

MEPs appreciate the restoration of peace and welcome the first ever elections in the Northern Province. However, they note with concern that “the presence of government military forces in the former conflict areas remains considerable” and that there are continuing reports of intimidation and human rights violations.

The government must intensify its efforts to fully implement the recommendations concerning credible investigations, demilitarisation, and the establishment of land dispute resolution mechanisms, amongst others.

Central African Republic (CAR)

Parliament expresses its “deep concern” about the complete breakdown of law and order in the CAR, followed by the absence of the rule of law and sectarian violence.

It “strongly condemns” human rights and humanitarian law violations and calls on the international community to make all necessary contributions to the scaling-up of the primarily African international security presence and ensure the implementation of its mandate.

The EU and members states should continue supporting the practical establishment of the African Capacity for Immediate Reaction to Crisis launched in 2013, add MEPs.

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