The European Parliament adopted a resolution on Yemen: persecution of juvenile offenders, in particular the case of Muhammed Taher Thabet Samoum.
The resolution had been tabled by the ALDE, EPP, Greens/ALE, S&D and ECR groups.
It calls on the President of Yemen and the Yemeni authorities to halt the execution of Muhammed Taher Thabet Samoum, and calls on the Yemeni authorities to commute the death sentences imposed on Muhammed Taher Thabet Samoum and Fuad Ahmed Ali Abdulla. Members recall that Muhammed Taher Thabet Samoum was sentenced to death in September 2001 by the Criminal Court in Ibb, following his conviction for a murder he allegedly committed in June 1999, when he was supposedly under the age of 18. In the absence of a birth certificate his death sentence was upheld by an appeal court in May 2005, confirmed by the Supreme Court in April 2010 and has since been ratified by the President of Yemen. However, Muhammed Thabet Samoum was granted a temporary reprieve by the Yemeni Attorney-General. Parliament notes that Yemen lacks adequate means of determining the age of defendants without birth certificates, including the necessary forensic facilities and staff. It condemns all executions, wherever they take place, and emphasises once again that the abolition of the death penalty contributes to the enhancement of human dignity and the progressive development of human rights.
The resolution also expresses deep concern at the long-standing political and socio-economic problems in Yemen, and calls for considerable efforts by the international community to prevent the escalation of the current crisis. Members express solidarity with demonstrators who are demanding democratic reforms and improved living conditions. They welcome President Saleh's announcement that he will step down in 2013, and call on the authorities to stop all violence against peaceful protesters and to release all demonstrators who have expressed their dissent peacefully. The resolution stresses the need for reforms in Yemen, as called for by so many demonstrators in the streets, in order to improve living conditions for the population and guarantee free and fair elections, respect for human rights, particularly freedom of the media and the right to a fair trial, and equal treatment for men and women.
Parliament wants the Council and the Commission, in particular following the establishment of the European External Action Service, quickly to implement a coordinated and comprehensive EU approach towards Yemen.
It calls on the Yemeni authorities to: