Plenary sitting
11.9.2012 B7‑0443/2012
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure
on South-Africa: massacre of striking miners
( 2012/2783(RSP) )
Véronique De Keyser, Ana Gomes, María Muñiz De Urquiza, Michael Cashman, Liisa Jaakonsaari, Mitro Repo
on behalf of the S&D Group
European Parliament resolution on South-Africa: massacre of striking miners
( 2012/2783(RSP) )
The European Parliament,
– having regard to Rule 122 of its Rules of Procedure,
– having regard to the South Africa-EU Strategic Partnership Joint Action Plan,
– having regard to the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement (‘Cotonou Agreement’),
– having regard to the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and its Follow-up,
– having regard to the UN Global Compact and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises,
– having regard to the International Council for Mining and Metals' Sustainable Development Framework,
– having regard to President Jacob Zuma's press statement of 17 August 2012,
– having regard to the remarks by High Representative Catherine Ashton of 24 August 2012 following the 11th South Africa-EU Ministerial Political Dialogue with Foreign Minister Nkoana-Mashabane,
– having regard to the ACP-EU JPA resolution of 30 May 2012 on the social and environmental impact of mining in the ACP countries,
A. whereas 34 people were shot dead and at least 78 were injured on 16 August 2012 in clashes between police and striking miners at Marikana Lonmin platinum mine in North West Province, South Africa; whereas this was preceded by several days of violent strike action in which 10 people were killed, including two security guards and two police officers;
B. whereas 270 mineworkers were arrested at the strikes and charged for the deaths of their own companions;
C. whereas, following public outcry, prosecutors have dropped the murder charges against the mineworkers arrested on 16 August while the public violence case against them has been postponed until the completion of investigations;
D. whereas the shooting constitutes the bloodiest incident involving the police since the end of apartheid in 1994;
E. whereas the incident is to be seen in the wider perspective of the huge socioeconomic imbalances the country has been facing;
F. whereas the lack of a reform of the labour dispute mechanisms has led to considerable economic costs for South Africa and has been a deterrent to foreign investment;
G. whereas intense political and union rivalry has contributed to the dispute, in particular tensions between the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU);
H. whereas the expelled former African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) president Julius Malema has been seen supporting the striking miners and the AMCU;
I. whereas London-based Lonmin is the world's third-largest platinum producer;
J. whereas minerals and mining products from South Africa are exported, including to the countries of the European Union;
K. whereas the mining sector is affected by depressed demand and increased operating costs;
L. whereas some workers at Marikana Lonmin platinum mine are still on strike for better salaries;
M. whereas a strong police force was present on 5 September 2012 when more than 3000 striking miners marched through the streets near the Marikana mine, constituting the largest, non-violent protest since the 16 August shooting;
N. whereas action has spread to other mines and four people were wounded on 5 September in a confrontation at Gold One Modder East mine when security guards fired rubber bullets at striking miners;
1. Expresses its heartfelt sympathy to the families of the victims;
2. Is deeply concerned by the violence which resulted in such loss of life, including the use of force by the South African Police Service;
3. Welcomes the prompt action of President Zuma to set up a judicial commission of inquiry to look into the conduct of Lonmin, the South African Police Service, the National Union of Mineworkers and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union, loose groupings and individuals, as well as the role played by the relevant government departments and agencies;
4. Calls on the commission of inquiry to uphold transparency, to act thoroughly independently and impartially and to ensure that its investigations complement those of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID);
5. Urges all affected parties to work with the commission of inquiry to establish the facts about what happened at Marikana;
6. Calls on the South African authorities and Lonmin to ensure that the victims and the families of the victims have access to justice, are compensated and taken care of;
7. Regrets Lonmin's failure to treat the labour dispute with the necessary sensitivity it deserved and not to assume any responsibility, but welcomes the company's announcement not to dismiss strikers should they not go back to work, contrary to the company's previous demand;
8. Is deeply concerned by the threat of violence expressed by striking miners, in particular in view of the reported intimidation of mineworkers who have been threatened with death if they continued working; calls on all parties involved to ensure protests remain peaceful;
9. Is concerned that the confrontation at Gold One Modder East mine is a sign that the labour unrest may spread to the gold sector, leading to a possible spread of violence;
10. Reminds all parties of their obligation to respect international law, including ILO principles and priorities, and the South African Constitution which guarantees the rights of association, assembly and freedom of expression;
11. Calls on the South African authorities, the trade unions and Lonmin to continue to do their utmost to reach a swift, comprehensive and fair solution to the conflict and to the wage dispute with the objective of bringing peace and stability to the area;
12. Welcomes the signing of a peace accord at Marikana on 6 September 2012 to pave the way for wage negotiations but regrets that the AMCU and representatives of non-unionised workers have not signed the accord;
13. Calls on the AMCU and other workers' representatives to return to the negotiating table at Lonmin in order to reach a sustainable solution;
14. Insists that the issue of appropriate salaries for the workers in South African mines and inequity in the pay scale be addressed;
15. Acknowledges that the South African government has taken a series of steps to improve working conditions in the mining industry and urges the authorities to continue their efforts;
16. Calls on the South African government to address the need for skills development within the South African Police Service, in particular in containing violent demonstrations;
17. Asks the European Commission for the setting up of a control mechanism aiming at preventing the import in the EU of mining products extracted without social, labour, safety and environmental guarantees; encourages the European Commission to establish a label of quality for mining products extracted according to minimum social, labour, safety and environmental standards;
18. Is ready to continue its support for South Africa and emphasises the need for a sustained and more focused partnership to help the country address the socio-economic challenges it faces;
19. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Parliament and Government of South Africa, the co-presidents of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, the Pan-African Parliament and the African Union.