Europe ahoy
Europe reacted with great enthusiasm to the advent of the Arab
Spring. The President of the Council of the European Parliament Jean Claude
Mignon discusses Europe's relationship to the region with Samia Fakhry
In his speech to the second ordinary part-session of the European Parliament
Jean Claude Mignon, president of the Council of the European Parliament
reiterated Europe's commitment to democracy and human rights in North Africa.
"Our aim, as ever, is to ensure that democratic changes in the south
Mediterranean are as peaceful as possible, with full respect for fundamental
human rights," Mignon stressed.
He asserted that the greatest obstacle to this end was the ongoing crisis in
Syria. "Confrontations between the forces of Bashar Al-Assad and those opposing
his regime are continuing, causing mass violations of human rights. The
massacres being committed by the armed forces are a genuine humanitarian
disaster. We cannot remain silent in the face of such atrocities."
Mignon placed the European efforts to address this crisis in the context of
ongoing actions of the international community assuring "full support for the
work of the UN and Arab league special envoy Kofi Anan," Mignon explained.
"The ceasefire negotiated by Anan is not being fully respected and we have
serious doubts as to the credibility of the commitments entered into by
President Al-Assad's regime. Having said that I remain optimistic: UN Security
Council Resolution 2042, which was unanimously adopted recently, and Anan's six
point peace plan highlight the basic conditions for settling the conflict."
Along with support for Arab countries as they make the transition to
democracy, Mignon also emphasised the role of Europe in highlighting its core
values: "Two weeks ago we were all shocked by the execution of three prisoners
by the authorities in Gaza. I would remind our colleagues at the Palestinian
National Council that the death penalty has no place in the Council of
Europe.
"However we should not forget generally that the Arab Spring has given rise
to an impressive dynamic for democratic change."
The session also heard from Saadeddin Al-Otmani, the Moroccan minister for
foreign affairs, who reported on the progress achieved since Morocco was granted
Partner for Democracy status, and Fathi Saidi who opened debate on aspects of
gender equality in the context of the Arab Spring.
What exactly is the Parliamentary Assembly doing to support democracy and
human rights in North Africa?
In fact, the Parliamentary Assembly is already doing a great deal as it has
on two occasions granted opportunities first to the Moroccan Parliament and then
to the National Palestinian Council to address the assembly. We have very close
relations with Tunisia and this week we will hear from women representative of
protest movements in Syria, Libya, Egypt and Yemen. During the next session in
June we will give importance to Tunisia and we have also been following closely
what has been happening in that part of the world. This morning we had a lengthy
debate on the subject of Syria. I hope that very soon I will be going to
Palestine and Israel and I know that Morocco would similarly welcome me. We
touch upon what we call neighbourhood policy.
What can the Council of Europe do to encourage democracy in the region?
What the council can do is make available to these countries a number of fair
judgements and recommendations. We can foster exchanges between governments
where free governments exist.
Why has the focus of this week been on Tunisia and Morocco without any
reference to Egypt?
Simply because in a part session of parliament the agenda is set far in
advance. We cannot deal more than so much on a given date. But please note that
we must closely follow what is happening in Egypt as well. And recently the
political affairs committee joined me here in Strasbourg. And we heard from
Egyptian women representative of political groups in Egypt at this moment.
Are there any plans for the Parliamentary Assembly to engage with the newly
formed National Assembly in Egypt?
Yes. The faster we can foster relations the better. This can't exclude any
democratic assembly and Egypt is of course a very important country in this
regard. Given its geographical position -- it is a neighbouring country with
Israel and Egypt has highlighted many of the concerns for democracy in the
region over the past year.
With the prospect of more Islamic governments coming to power in North Africa
and the Middle East, particularly in Egypt, are you confident that the rights of
women and minorities such as Christians will be protected rather than
eroded?
My foremost concern is the safeguarding of women's rights. For any discussion
to take place between the Council of Europe and any country in any part of the
world, we have to have guarantees as to the rights of minorities, whether women
or Christian, and their protection. Otherwise, there will be no discussion.
Do you see a prospect for any of the North African emerging democracies to
become observer states of the Council of Europe?
I can't answer questions as to observer this, observer that and various
possibilities within emerging democracies.
France can be said to have special ties to North Africa. As a French
politician, do you feel you have a special insight into the problems facing
emerging democracies there?
I think the best that Europe can do with regard to emerging democracies in
North Africa is to offer support.
Do you have any plans to make an official visit to Egypt?
If I receive an official invitation to Egypt I will accept it thankfully.
" منقول من الأهرام ويكلى "
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