MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Afghanistan, in particular the killings in the province of Zabul

24.11.2015 - (2015/2968(RSP))

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 135 of the Rules of Procedure

Cristian Dan Preda, Tomáš Zdechovský, Elmar Brok, Patricija Šulin, József Nagy, Eduard Kukan, Bogdan Brunon Wenta, Milan Zver, Jarosław Wałęsa, Giovanni La Via, Davor Ivo Stier, Jiří Pospíšil, Joachim Zeller, Ivan Štefanec, Pavel Svoboda, Agnieszka Kozłowska-Rajewicz, Ildikó Gáll-Pelcz, Andrey Kovatchev, Tunne Kelam, Michaela Šojdrová, Tadeusz Zwiefka, Jaromír Štětina, Lefteris Christoforou, Jeroen Lenaers, Luděk Niedermayer, Marijana Petir, Dubravka Šuica, Andrej Plenković, Adam Szejnfeld, Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso, Roberta Metsola, Therese Comodini Cachia on behalf of the PPE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B8-1258/2015

B8‑1265/2015

European Parliament resolution on Afghanistan, in particular the killings in the province of Zabul

(2015/2968(RSP))

The European Parliament,

 

-   having regard to its resolution of 15 December 2011 on the situation of women in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and its resolution of 13 June 2013 on the Negotiations on an EU-Afghanistan cooperation agreement on partnership and development,

 

-   having regard to the EU Local Strategy for Human Rights Defenders in Afghanistan

in 2014,

 

-   having regard to the conclusions of the EU Council on Afghanistan of 20 July 2015,

 

-   having regard to the Conference on the Implementation and Support of the National

Action Plan (UNSCR 1325) on Women, Peace and Security on 20 September 2015,

 

-   having regard to the conclusions of the Council on Afghanistan of 26 October 2015,

 

-   having regard to the article 135 of its Rules of Procedure,

 

A.   whereas the EUPOL mission supports the training of Afghan police forces from 2007,

  which helps to establish a penal / judiciary system under Afghan administration;

 

B.   whereas the Council decided on December 2014 to extend the European Union Police Mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL) until 31 December 2016;

 

C.   whereas, the mission of the international Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was

completed at the end of 2014; whereas the new "Resolute Support Mission" was

launched from January 2015 to provide further training, advice and assistance for the

Afghan security forces and Institutions;

 

D.   whereas, in Afghanistan the ethnic, religious minorities represent most vulnerable

groups such as women and children;

 

E.   whereas the Hazara people are an ethnic minority recognized by the new Constitution of Afghanistan;

 

F.   whereas security throughout Afghanistan continues to be a matter of serious concern,

caused by terrorist activities of the Taliban;

 

G.   whereas a serious new threat is posed by activities of various "Daesh" (ISIL) groups

   operating in different parts of Afghanistan;

 

H.   whereas the call of the Al Qaeda leader Al Zawahiri addressed to ISIL fighters, to wage a fight against the international coalition is a further threat to NATO forces present in Afghanistan;

 

 1.   Strongly condemn the barbaric murder and beheading of 7 Hazari people (2 women, 4

men   and a little girl) found in Zabul, in south-eastern Afghan province on the border with Pakistan who fell victim of fights between alleged rival Taliban factions in the area;

 

 

2.  Condemns the Taliban attacks against Afghan civilians, Afghan National Defence and Security Forces, democratic institutions and civil society, causing record numbers of casualties;

 

3.   Calls to support the Afghan authorities to take swift and appropriate action in order to ensure that the killers of innocent civilian victims face justice and to reaffirm the rule of law in the country;

 

4.   Believes that murders of civilian hostages, including women and children, must be treated as war crimes; reminds that killing of innocent civilians is prohibited by the International Humanitarian  Law, reminds that this law must be obeyed by all sides of the conflict, including irregular formations;

 

5.  Expresses serious concern about the serious security situation, constant increase of violence, terrorist acts that result in a spike of casualties and the constant threat on the population forced to live in a growing climate of fear and intimidation;

 

6.   Considers that national security is an essential basis for social and economic development, political stability and the future of Afghanistan;

 

7.   Reaffirms its support for the Afghan government and its people in this critical phase; reminds of the casualties which the Afghan Defence and Security Forces have born since the end of the ISAF mission at the end 2014; encourages the government to continue efforts to step up the efficiency and operational effectiveness of the defence and security forces in order to provide the population at large with security and stability;

     

8.   Recalls the commitments made by the Afghan government with the International Community

with regard to the rights and protection of ethnic / linguistic / religious minorities, as well as for women and children;

 

9.   Reminds that it is of utmost urgency that the Afghan government and all partners in the region engage credibly to end the conflict and ensure a stable environment; reminds that only an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process remains the prerequisite to any sustainable and long-lasting solution;

 

10.   Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Council, the Commission, the Governments and Parliaments of the Member States, and the Government and the Parliament of Afghanistan.