The joint parliamentary delegation from Africa, Caribbean 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.