ACP-EU parliamentarians call for release of Madagascan political detainees
ENGLISH people's Daily Online
"We have had discussions with a number of groups," said Elie Hoareau, the co-president of the mission. He said the conclusions of their mission will be made public after the presentation and the debate of their report by the ACP-EU parliament.
The mission did not manage to meet Madagascan church leaders, but it was revealed that they were scheduled to meet with former Madagascan president Ravalomanana in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The European Union decided in June to suspend its development aid to Madagascar, terming the forceful transfer of power on March 17, 2009 as unconstitutional and undemocratic.
Madagascar was thrown into political turmoil towards the end of 2008 and this led to the overthrow of Ravalomanana in March 2009 and the coming into power of Rajoelina, who was being supported by the army.
The takeover has since been considered unconstitutional, with Rajoelina and officials of the HAT under international sanctions to press for the return to the constitutional order.
The rival political camps have not yet settled their differences over the leadership of transitional period before an election to end the crisis, despite the Maputo agreement signed in 2009.
The ACP-EU mission is part of continued efforts to find a political solution.
Source: Xinhua
21:06, July 12, 2010
The joint parliamentary delegation from Africa, Carribean, Pacific-European Union (ACP-EU) has called for the release of all political prisoners in Madagascar.
The ACP-EU team made the call on Saturday during its two-day fact-finding mission to the Indian Ocean island.
During their meeting with Madagascan Highest Transitional Authority (HAT) President Andry Rajoelina, the parliamentarians pressed for the release of political prisoners, especially journalists.
"We spoke about this issue at length and the president said he is going to take action on our demands, but he did not give a definite date," Michele Rivasi, who is a member of the European delegation, told reporters.
"I personally asked him to do this as a symbolic gesture towards political reconciliation. This is a guarantee for ending the crisis. We specifically insisted on the release of journalists and guaranteeing of true democratic environment," she added.
In a response, the Madagascan Justice Ministry reiterated the position that "there are no political prisoners in the country but criminals who broke the law."
The ACP-EU delegation visited the Antanimora prison, where 10 journalists of a private radio station associated with former president Marc Ravalomanana are incarcerated.
The 10 detainees accused of involvement in the May 20 mutiny attempt by officers of the Gendarme Intervention Force.
The ACP-EU delegation met with various groups including former members of the two chambers of parliament who were suspended after Rajoelina came to power, representatives of various political camps, as well as members of the civil society organizations.
The ACP-EU team made the call on Saturday during its two-day fact-finding mission to the Indian Ocean island.
During their meeting with Madagascan Highest Transitional Authority (HAT) President Andry Rajoelina, the parliamentarians pressed for the release of political prisoners, especially journalists.
"We spoke about this issue at length and the president said he is going to take action on our demands, but he did not give a definite date," Michele Rivasi, who is a member of the European delegation, told reporters.
"I personally asked him to do this as a symbolic gesture towards political reconciliation. This is a guarantee for ending the crisis. We specifically insisted on the release of journalists and guaranteeing of true democratic environment," she added.
In a response, the Madagascan Justice Ministry reiterated the position that "there are no political prisoners in the country but criminals who broke the law."
The ACP-EU delegation visited the Antanimora prison, where 10 journalists of a private radio station associated with former president Marc Ravalomanana are incarcerated.
The 10 detainees accused of involvement in the May 20 mutiny attempt by officers of the Gendarme Intervention Force.
The ACP-EU delegation met with various groups including former members of the two chambers of parliament who were suspended after Rajoelina came to power, representatives of various political camps, as well as members of the civil society organizations.
"We have had discussions with a number of groups," said Elie Hoareau, the co-president of the mission. He said the conclusions of their mission will be made public after the presentation and the debate of their report by the ACP-EU parliament.
The mission did not manage to meet Madagascan church leaders, but it was revealed that they were scheduled to meet with former Madagascan president Ravalomanana in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The European Union decided in June to suspend its development aid to Madagascar, terming the forceful transfer of power on March 17, 2009 as unconstitutional and undemocratic.
Madagascar was thrown into political turmoil towards the end of 2008 and this led to the overthrow of Ravalomanana in March 2009 and the coming into power of Rajoelina, who was being supported by the army.
The takeover has since been considered unconstitutional, with Rajoelina and officials of the HAT under international sanctions to press for the return to the constitutional order.
The rival political camps have not yet settled their differences over the leadership of transitional period before an election to end the crisis, despite the Maputo agreement signed in 2009.
The ACP-EU mission is part of continued efforts to find a political solution.
Source: Xinhua