The European Parliament adopted by 480 votes to 51, with 70 abstentions a resolution on executions in Egypt.
The resolution was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ECR, ALDE, GUE/NGL, Greens/EFA and EFDD groups.
Noting that in 2017, Egyptian courts handed down at least 186 death sentences and 16 people were executed, Parliament strongly condemned the use of capital punishment, and called for a halt to any imminent executions in Egypt. The Egyptian authorities were asked to review all pending death sentences in order to ensure that those convicted in flawed trials will have a fair retrial. Members called on the VP/HR to condemn the alarming number of recent executions in Egypt, and urged the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the Member States to continue to fight the use of the death penalty.
Furthermore, Members asked the Egyptian parliament to ensure that civilians accused of crimes punishable by death are not referred to exceptional or military courts on any grounds, since such courts do not meet the fair trial standards endorsed by Egypt in its international rights commitments and guaranteed in its Constitution.
Noting that the overall human rights situation continues to deteriorate in Egypt and that the crackdown on terrorism has been used as justification by the Egyptian authorities to conduct a large-scale repression, Parliament expressed serious concern at the mass trials by Egyptian courts and the large number of death sentences handed down by them. It called on the Egyptian judicial authorities to uphold and respect the international treaties to which Egypt is a party. Parliament urged President Sisi and his government to fulfil their commitment to genuine political reform and respect for human rights, emphasising also that credible and transparent elections are essential for a democracy.
The resolution urged the VP/HR and the Member States to ensure that human rights are not undermined by migration management or counter-terrorism actions under the EU-Egypt Partnership Priorities, and strongly urged Egypt to respect its commitment made in the Partnership Priorities adopted on 27 July 2017 to promote democracy, fundamental freedoms and human rights, in line with its Constitution and international standards. In the same way, the EU and its Member States were asked to take a clear, strong and unified position on Egypt in the upcoming sessions of the UN Human Rights Council and for as long as the country fails to show meaningful improvements in its human rights record.
Lastly, Parliament recalled its continued outrage at the torture and killing of the Italian researcher Giulio Regeni, and denounced, once again, the lack of progress in the investigation into this brutal murder.