Posėdžio stenograma

Antradienis, 2018 m. spalio 2 d. - Strasbūras

14. Padėtis Jemene (diskusijos)

  Der Präsident. – Als nächster Punkt der Tagesordnung folgt die Aussprache über die Erklärung der Vizepräsidentin der Kommission und Hohen Vertreterin der Union für Außen- und Sicherheitspolitik zur Lage im Jemen (2018/2853(RSP)).

  Christos Stylianides, Member of the Commission,on behalf of the Vice—President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. – Mr President, the war in Yemen has been raging for more than three years now. It has taken a tremendous toll on this country, where millions are suffering the consequences of the conflict. We see images of Yemenis eating tree leaves and parents forced to watch their babies starve to death. This is completely unacceptable. The figures are appalling: almost 18 million are literally starving. The UN recently warned that they may be unable to prevent a massive famine – unless the security situation improves.

The escalation of hostilities along the coast has worsened an already disastrous situation: civilians and civilian infrastructure continue to be targeted, in clear violation of international humanitarian law. More than half a million people have been displaced from Hodeidah, where several hundred thousand more remain trapped. Public salaries in the northern part of the country, controlled by the Houthi, have not been paid in years. Instead of going to school, children are being recruited to fight on the frontlines.

With the collapse of basic services, Yemenis have been deprived of health facilities and drinking water. This has led to the worst cholera epidemic ever recorded in the country. The war has also disrupted imports of basic commodities, driving prices up and pushing more and more Yemenis into poverty and destitution. Smuggling and war profiteering are thriving on the back of a suffering population. Lawlessness has allowed terrorist groups like al-Qaeda or Daesh to gain a foothold in the country.

The war has also had an impact in the region. Saudi Arabia has become a regular target of missiles coming from Houthi-controlled areas. Maritime traffic between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean has been affected, as several ships have been targeted by rockets. But perhaps more importantly, the war has increased regional tensions. Indeed, Yemen remains a catalyst for instability and regional turmoil.

There is no easy fix for Yemen. A political settlement will require concessions from all sides, continued banking and diplomatic pressure from the international community. That is why we believe it is more crucial than ever at this time to lend as much support as possible to the United Nations and their Special Envoy, Martin Griffiths.

Let me thank him for his attempt to resume consultations in Geneva among the parties. It is unfortunate that the Houthi did not attend. As Griffiths put it, resumptions of talks are always a delicate, fragile moment. Our support, from the EU and our Member States, is now truly essential. We will therefore continue to call on the parties to remain engaged in the UN-led process in view of achieving a comprehensive political settlement to this really unacceptable war.

We will not just ‘declare’ our political commitment. We are looking into ways to provide concrete support to the UN Special Envoy team in areas identified by Mr Griffiths. The idea is to add value to his ongoing work and complement his efforts where needed.

Furthermore, the European Union is already contributing EUR 173 million of development assistance to several projects in Yemen, ranging from rural resilience, health and nutrition, food security and support to displaced persons. These projects are meant to lay the groundwork for a stable Yemen by supporting crisis-affected communities and helping maintain the basic functions of local authorities.

Likewise, the EU has allocated EUR 233 million in humanitarian aid alone through our partner organisations since the beginning of this conflict in 2015. Our humanitarian aid has been directed to the areas most in need and we have continued our advocacy efforts in international fora, even last week during the UN General Assembly.

In this regard, we believe that the mandate of the Group of Eminent Experts set up by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights should be renewed. Its last report points to violations of international humanitarian law committed by all sides. Accountability is crucial, not only to a real resolution of the conflict, but also to an effective and inclusive reconciliation process in Yemen.

The people of Yemen have suffered for too long. Building a more cooperative regional dynamic is in everyone’s interest – and it is becoming more and more urgent. This is my view, dear colleagues, and thank you for your attention.

  Ramona Nicole Mănescu, on behalf of the PPE Group. –The consequences of the ongoing conflict on Yemen have passed the critical level. Casualties amongst civilians, destruction of civil infrastructure, which includes schools, medical facilities, water systems and transport routes, and the horrific humanitarian situation can no longer be accepted.

We supported the efforts made by the Special Envoy, Mr Martin Griffiths, and we consider it essential for him to have access to all relevant parties in Yemen. The EU’s intention is to help the Yemeni population, and this is why we need to support the efforts in identifying a political solution as soon as possible using dialogue and negotiations. We need to understand that all parties in the conflict must comply with their obligations under international law. All parties must attend the negotiation meeting; they need to end the recruitment of children; they need to seize the current escalation and effectively involve the United Nations. We can no longer accept the Iran-backed Houthi rebels’ systematic refusal to engage in dialogue. You must strongly call on Iran to cease any military support and push Houthi rebels to an effective dialogue.

We must also strongly condemn the launch of ballistic missiles by the Houthi rebels against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the use of sea mines. The European People’s Party is deeply concerned by the reports of the denial of freedom of religion and aggression towards the Bahá’i faith by the Houthi rebels. We cannot endlessly repair the damage without understanding and addressing the causes, and we can no longer ignore the obligation to ensure effective, impartial and independent investigations into all alleged violations of human rights and humanitarian law. As the Commissioner has already said, the EU will continue to provide humanitarian aid and put pressure on all parties for a political solution.

  Victor Boştinaru, on behalf of the S&D Group. – Mr President, Mr Commissioner, it was difficult to imagine in our debate in the first part of this year that the already dramatic humanitarian situation in Yemen could further deteriorate. Sadly, we are here today to remind the international community that Yemenis are dying every day under indiscriminate bombing and shelling, and our so-called economic partners on both sides are contributing to this violence. The brutal and bloody long-term conflict in Yemen is about to get even worse, as the violent and indiscriminate attacks and blockade on civilians continue.

As a consequence, today 75% of civilians are already completely dependent on humanitarian aid, and more than 17 million people are facing food insecurity. The Saudi-led blockade on all Houthi controlled territories since November 2017 prevents all other imports from entering the territory. The humanitarian aid is proving to be insufficient, and the Houthi rebels have themselves blocked the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Considering the dire humanitarian situation on the ground and the grave risk of further regional destabilisation, the S&D Group calls on all relevant actors to put pressure on the coalition to halt any further assaults and to allow humanitarian aid to reach the people in need in order to stop any further starvation and death. We condemn the violent attacks on all sides, condemn the belligerence and call on the proxies, including Saudi Arabia and Iran, to immediately stop all armed forces and militias under their control, as well as to prevent any indiscriminate attacks against the civilian population. Finally we call for an investigation into war crimes.

  Ryszard Czarnecki, w imieniu grupy ECR. – Panie Przewodniczący! Dyskutując o sytuacji w Jemenie warto pamiętać o paru podstawowych faktach. Po pierwsze, obecny konflikt zaczął się 3 lata temu od obalenia legalnie wybranego prezydenta przez szyickich Hutich wspieranych przez Iran. Po drugie, oczywiście przestępstwa wojenne popełniają obie strony, trzeba tu być uczciwym i obiektywnym, ale warto pamiętać, że była parę miesięcy temu w lutym rezolucja Rady Bezpieczeństwa ONZ, która potępiała udział Iranu i łamanie przez Iran embarga na dostawy broni i została ona zawetowana przez Federację Rosyjską. Wreszcie po trzecie, konflikt w Jemenie jest pożywką dla takich grup terrorystycznych jak Al-Kaida, a Hezbollah szkoli rebeliantów w Jemenie. Wreszcie, mówiąc w imieniu EKRu, my w projekcie naszej rezolucji wzywamy do negocjacji i pokojowego zakończenia konfliktu.

  Marietje Schaake, on behalf of the ALDE Group. – Mr President, why is it that in the face of the worst conflicts, whether it is the conflict in Syria or Yemen as we’re discussing today, EU Member State governments fail to reach a common EU position. I would ask the Commissioner to also convey this question to the Austrian Presidency, because we need to solve the fragmentation – and therefore the lack of maximum EU efforts – as bloodshed on an unprecedented scale goes on and on.

Twenty-two million people need humanitarian assistance, and 8.4 million people are on the brink of starvation. It is 2018. Children are being bombed, recruited as soldiers, or facing all kinds of epidemics that can also kill them. Babies too weak to cry are dying, and this is all because of a man-made problem. It is a crying shame.

We should focus, of course, on reining in Iran as it helps the Houthi rebels. But just as we do not allow the sale of weapons to these militants, an embargo should finally be adopted vis-à-vis Saudi Arabia. When the Dutch Government, along with the Canadian Government, sought an independent investigation into what was happening in Yemen, Saudi Arabia pushed back. But the fact that France and the United Kingdom helped water down the work of allies is unacceptable.

The Saudis led, and Europeans followed. Frankly, it is an image I never wish to see. Instead, all focus should be on ending the bloodshed and the violence, so we support the UN Group of Eminent Experts, as well as the Special Envoy, Mr Griffiths. I believe that a referral to the ICC, or to other mechanisms for accountability, is very much needed for peace.

  Bodil Valero, för Verts/ALE-gruppen. – Herr talman! FN menar att konflikten i Jemen är världens just nu värsta humanitära katastrof. Under det tre år långa inbördeskriget har tiotusentals människor dött, många har flytt och 22 miljoner är i behov av humanitärt stöd. Såväl regeringstrupperna som rebellerna har anklagats för krigsbrott av människorättsorganisationer.

Enligt EU:s gemensamma vapenexportregler får vi inte exportera till länder i krig. Ändå gör så gott som alla vapentillverkande EU-länder det, mer eller mindre, och i de länder som först beslutat att stoppa vapenexporten har man strax därefter återupptagit den. Den spanska regeringschefen uttryckte till och med i en tv-sändning att Spanien inte har något ansvar för vad som sker med de vapen som levereras när de lämnat Spanien. Han har fel.

I många EU länder driver civilsamhället på för att stoppa vapenexporten. Det har lett till en striktare vapenexportlagstiftning i mitt hemland men inte till stopp för exporten. Även Sverige fortsätter att exportera.

Parlamentet har många gånger uttalat sig för ett embargo. Det behövs nu.

Ofta används arbetstillfällen och europeiska bolags fortlevnad som ursäkt, helt i strid med det gemensamma regelverket. Hur kan europeiska arbetstillfällen vara viktigare än att få slut på den jemenitiska befolkningens lidande? Europa är i högsta grad delaktigt i detta krig.

  Ángela Vallina, en nombre del Grupo GUE/NGL. – Señor presidente, señor comisario, lamento de verdad la hipocresía de esta Unión. Por un lado, pide a los Estados miembros que aumenten la ayuda humanitaria, pero usted sabe muy bien que los refugiados los provocan las guerras, y, sin embargo, ustedes miran hacia otro lado y muchos Estados, como España —el mío—, siguen haciendo negocios con la venta de armas. Matar para seguir matando.

El informe del grupo de expertos de las Naciones Unidas confirma lo que ya temíamos: la coalición liderada por Arabia Saudí es responsable de los bombardeos indiscriminados sobre civiles e infraestructuras, hospitales, autobuses escolares, etc. Su bloqueo, de facto, retrasa deliberadamente la entrada de mercancías y medicamentos. Matar, además de con bombas, con hambre, con cólera a la población civil.

Escuchen a este Parlamento: inicien el procedimiento para aplicar un embargo sobre la venta de armas a los países implicados —a todos— en este conflicto.

Nuestro ministro de Asuntos Exteriores ha declarado que el próximo envío de armas de España a Arabia Saudí será de cuatrocientas bombas láser de precisión y que estas no provocan daños colaterales. No seamos cínicos: no hay bombas indoloras. Abramos los ojos de una vez.

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo, a nome del gruppo EFDD. – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, parlando in quest'Aula del disastro umanitario in Yemen si fa spesso riferimento all'ipocrisia che sottende il sanguinoso conflitto. Oggi voglio darvene due esempi emblematici: venerdì scorso il Consiglio diritti umani dell'ONU ha votato in favore dell'estensione del mandato di un gruppo di eminenti esperti incaricati di investigare sulle violazioni di diritti umani in Yemen.

Questo gruppo di esperti aveva adottato una relazione accusando le parti nel conflitto, già il 28 agosto tra loro, Arabia Saudita ed Emirati Arabi, di possibili crimini di guerra. Non è sorprendente che Riad e Abu Dhabi abbiano espresso voto contrario, lo è molto di più che sia Arabia Saudita che Emirati Arabi siedano eletti nel Consiglio, il più importante organismo mondiale per il rispetto dei diritti umani.

Ancora più assurda è la situazione in casa nostra, come tutti sapete, l'Unione europea si è dotata di una posizione comune vincolante per l'esportazione di armi. Le vendite a Riad violerebbero quanto meno due degli otto criteri della posizione, ma se si viola non ci sono sanzioni e questo non sembra importare a nessuno. Recenti sono i casi e le polemiche in Spagna e in Germania, emblematico il reportage uscito venerdì in cui è documentata una storia di corruzione e vendita di carri armati Leclerc da parte della Francia verso gli Emirati. Quegli stessi carri armati sono oggi attivamente utilizzati nel conflitto per scopi difensivi, tuona il ministro della Difesa, evviva l'ipocrisia!

Altri paesi sono coinvolti, incluso il mio, spero ancora per poco, ma d'altra parte, nessuno Stato membro vuole rinunciare ai propri ricchi contratti, ben conscio che i suoi mancati export sarebbero semplicemente rimpiazzati con buona pace della posizione, anzi dell'ipocrisia comune. All'ombra di questa ipocrisia, più di 15 000 morti e 17 milioni di persone che fanno la fame, tra loro, più di 5 milioni di bambini e una nuova offensiva nella zona di Hodeida con oltre mezzo milione di persone in fuga.

Colleghi, ogni volta che muore un bambino muore tutta l'umanità e nello Yemen questo succede ogni dieci minuti. Non è più sufficiente continuare a ripetere le solite frasi trite e ritrite e non basta nemmeno il nostro ingente aiuto umanitario. Serve un segnale forte e ribadisco che l'Alto rappresentante deve avviare immediatamente un'iniziativa per imporre un embargo sulle armi nei confronti dell'Arabia Saudita.

  Marie-Christine Arnautu, au nom du groupe ENF. – Monsieur le Président, Monsieur le Commissaire, la sale guerre qui sévit au Yémen est l’une des facettes tragiques d’un Proche-Orient en proie à une dynamique du chaos largement attisée par les puissances occidentales.

Il ne nous appartient pas de prendre parti dans ce conflit qui oppose les tribus yéménites pour des raisons politiques, historiques ou religieuses, mais on ne peut pas non plus faire abstraction des choix diplomatiques des gouvernements occidentaux, notamment français, suivant aveuglément leur allié saoudien par crainte de voir de juteux contrats d’armement s’envoler.

Nos gouvernements savent se montrer de pointilleux défenseurs des droits de l’homme pour condamner la Syrie et ses alliés russe et iranien qui luttent sans états d’âme contre les mouvements islamistes. En revanche, ils gardent un silence gêné sur les centaines de milliers de bombes déversées au Yémen et sur l’embargo humanitaire imposé par la coalition arabe formée par l’Arabie saoudite. Sur les décombres du Proche-Orient prospèrent les djihadistes que nos gouvernements font ensuite mine de combattre.

Pour sortir de cette situation, mettons fin à cette hypocrisie aussi insupportable que dangereuse.

  Γεώργιος Επιτήδειος (NI). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, η κατάρα της Υεμένης –ας μου επιτραπεί αυτή η έκφραση– οφείλεται στο γεγονός ότι η χώρα αυτή έχει τεράστια στρατηγική σημασία και θέση. Βρίσκεται στο νότιο άκρο της Αραβικής Χερσονήσου, ελέγχει τα στενά του Bab-el-Mandeb, που είναι ένας δίαυλος μέσω του οποίου διεξάγεται εμπόριο, αλλά και μεταφορά πετρελαίου από την Ερυθρά Θάλασσα μέσω του Κόλπου του Aden προς την Ευρώπη και την Ασία. Γι’ αυτό ακριβώς τον λόγο είναι «λογικό» πολλές χώρες να θέλουν να ελέγξουν αυτή την περιοχή.

Μετά το 2009, η Σαουδική Αραβία επανεμφανίζεται το 2015 ως επικεφαλής ενός αραβικού συνασπισμού για να υποστηρίξει τον σουνίτη πρόεδρο Hadi εναντίον των σιιτών ανταρτών Χούτι, οι οποίοι υποστηρίζονται διακριτικά και με αποστολή όπλων από το Ιράν. Αυτή η προσπάθεια κυριαρχίας στην περιοχή δίνει τη δυνατότητα στους εμπολέμους να μάχονται. Οι Χούτι αυτή τη στιγμή έχουν ισορροπήσει την κατάσταση και έτσι μάχονται όλοι εναντίον όλων και μάχονται και με αντιπροσώπους.

Αυτή η κατάσταση όμως έχει επιπτώσεις στους μόνους χαμένους που είναι οι άμαχοι: 10.000 νεκροί, 40.000 τραυματίες, 2 εκατομμύρια έχουν εγκαταλείψει τα σπίτια τους, 7 εκατομμύρια διατρέχουν τον κίνδυνο να προσβληθούν από λιμό και άλλο 1 εκατομμύριο έχει προσβληθεί από χολέρα. Δεν μπορεί να λήξει αυτή η κατάσταση –και εδώ υπάρχει υποκρισία– διότι όλες οι μεγάλες δυνάμεις της Ευρώπης και της ...

(Ο Πρόεδρος διακόπτει τον ομιλητή)

  David McAllister (PPE). – Herr Präsident, meine sehr geehrten Damen und Herren! UNO-Generalsekretär António Guterres hat im April dieses Jahres die Situation im Jemen wie folgt beschrieben: „Der Jemen ist die weltweit schlimmste humanitäre Krise. Mehr als 22 Millionen Menschen, also drei Viertel der Bevölkerung, sind auf humanitäre Hilfe und Schutz angewiesen.“ In der Tat, die vom Menschenrechtsrat der Vereinten Nationen eingesetzte Expertengruppe hat festgestellt, dass das humanitäre Völkerrecht im Jemen von allen Seiten verletzt wird. Wie die Vorrednerinnen und Vorredner bereits ausgeführt haben, teile auch ich die Auffassung: In diesem Konflikt, der über die Jahre immer mehr zu einem Stellvertreterkrieg regionaler Mächte geworden ist, kann es keine Gewinner geben.

Wie geht es nun weiter? Aus meiner Sicht drei kurze Anmerkungen. Erstens: Es ist bedauerlich, dass die Huthi-Delegation bei dem Versuch, die Friedensgespräche in Genf wieder aufzunehmen, nicht erschienen ist. Die Bemühungen des Sonderbeauftragten Martin Griffith, die Konfliktparteien noch im Oktober zu Gesprächen zusammenzubringen, gilt es auch hier zu unterstützen. Dieser Konflikt kann, wie gesagt, nur politisch gelöst werden.

Zweitens: Das erste Ziel auf dem Weg zur Befriedung des Landes sollten vertrauensbildende Maßnahmen zwischen den Konfliktparteien sein. Hierbei geht es insbesondere um den innerjemenitischen Dialog ohne Einbeziehung anderer regionaler Mächte.

Und drittens: Unabhängige Untersuchungen über Menschenrechtsverletzungen sind notwendig, und sie sind auch im nationalen Interesse. Denn schwerste Verletzungen der Menschenwürde, wie sie im Jemen leider tagtäglich geschehen, dürfen nicht ohne Folgen bleiben.

  Pier Antonio Panzeri (S&D). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, basta guardare la cartina geografica per rendersi conto dell'importanza strategica dello Yemen e per capire come questa sporca guerra sia manovrata da interessi lontani, da quei territori che contrappongono gli Stati Uniti e il loro alleato saudita all'Iran e che arricchiscono i produttori di armi sparsi per il mondo.

Sono proprio questi interessi a condannare la popolazione a vivere ben al di sotto degli standard accettabili di vita. In uno stato di oltre 24 milioni di abitanti, infatti, il 75% degli yemeniti dipende dall'aiuto umanitario, fame ed epidemie sono utilizzate come armi di assedio, azioni che si possono identificare come crimini di guerra.

Io penso che dobbiamo squarciare il velo di indifferenza che nasconde tutto ciò. Bisogna essere netti nel giudizio politico verso i paesi vicini, sia nei confronti della coalizione, sia nei confronti dell'Iran e denunciare ad alta voce le responsabilità dei diversi paesi europei nei confronti di questo conflitto.

È qui che si svela l'ipocrisia europea ed è qui, io credo, che abbiamo una responsabilità in più, come Parlamento europeo per indicare una via di marcia per risolvere politicamente questo conflitto.

  Sajjad Karim (ECR). – Mr President, Commissioner, I could not support your words more today. We really are, as a parliament, facing the grave danger that our text will leave us open to misrepresentation. Our intentions and actions must be to support international efforts for peace. The world’s worst humanitarian crisis, according to the United Nations – Yemen is a theatre of conflict where almost every immediate neighbour has found itself drawn in due to remote interests sowing discord and destabilising not just Yemen itself, but the entire neighbourhood.

Saudi Arabia finds itself targeted with missiles, Houthis utilise public facilities to have cover; all the time remotely supported and directed. The propaganda machine seeks to distort and detract, so that the world is misinformed. Within that vacuum grows extremism. The ultimate agenda of which is to cause chaos. That should not be our agenda, and neither should we allow anybody to misrepresent our position.

  Patricia Lalonde (ALDE). – Monsieur le Président, Monsieur le Commissaire, la seule solution pour mettre un terme au conflit est d’appuyer un règlement inclusif négocié et politique. Il est regrettable que le dernier cycle des consultations à Genève n’ait pas pu aboutir. Nous appuyons les efforts de M. Griffiths et appelons l’Union européenne à jouer un rôle de facilitateur. Nous avons raté une occasion ici au Parlement au mois de mai, avant l’assaut de Hodeïda et l’aggravation de la situation.

Il faut absolument mettre fin au blocus, qui a fait plus de morts que les combats. Une attention particulière doit être accordée aux causes indirectes de décès de civils, qui sont référencés et documentés. Selon l’UNICEF, plus de 247 000 enfants souffrant de malnutrition sont morts depuis 2016, et 200 000 autres vont mourir à cause du blocus. Le Yémen compte plus de trois millions de déplacés internes, plus ceux de Hodeïda. Malheureusement, le financement du programme de résilience dans les zones rurales a été retardé, faute de crédits suffisants. Nous parlons quand même de la pire crise humanitaire!

Il faut saluer la position honorable de l’Union européenne au Conseil des droits de l’homme et la résolution L21, qui vient d’être votée pour proroger le mandat du groupe d’experts. Nous devons aider ce groupe et contrer les campagnes d’intimidation qui sont lancées par la coalition contre ses membres, et en particulier contre Kamel al… (le Président retire la parole à l’oratrice).

  Yannick Jadot (Verts/ALE). – Monsieur le Président, Monsieur le Commissaire, nous savons tout de l’horreur au Yémen: des crimes de guerre, des millions de personnes en risque de famine, des milliers de civils tués, des bus scolaires bombardés.

Évidemment, nous soutenons le processus onusien de paix, l’aide humanitaire et les couloirs humanitaires mais, Monsieur le Commissaire, pour que l’Union européenne soit crédible, pour que l’Union européenne soit un acteur de paix, il ne faut pas que ses États membres soient des acteurs de guerre! Quand l’Allemagne, l’Espagne, la Grande-Bretagne et la France sont des belligérants indirects de ce conflit, qu’elles fournissent des armes pour faciliter ces atrocités, nous perdons toute crédibilité – et ces États membres le font en violation à la fois du droit européen et du droit international.

Monsieur le Commissaire, nous devons, comme le dit le Parlement européen, défendre un embargo, aller devant les États membres, aller devant le Conseil, exiger publiquement un embargo sur les ventes d’armes et demander que l’Europe arrête de participer à ces atrocités!

  Ignazio Corrao (EFDD). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, continua in Yemen la guerra per procura dove nessuno vince e gli unici a perdere sono i civili, morendo a migliaia.

I civili yemeniti, infatti, sono i veri protagonisti di questa guerra, in un paese che ormai altro non è che un enorme campo di battaglia. Forse per alcuni è un gioco, forse per altri basta liquidare i danni collaterali e la morte di 6 600 civili e la distruzione di un paese intero per giustificare una catastrofe umanitaria di tale portata.

Nessuna delle parti in conflitto ha ottenuto o è vicina ad ottenere una vittoria militare, ma continuano a piovere bombe sulla testa della popolazione. Questa guerra ricorda il Vietnam per la sua totale inutilità, dove gli unici risultati alla fine saranno solo i morti da contare e le macerie di un paese da ricostruire. Una guerra in cui c'è un solo vincitore ed è l'industria bellica, anche la nostra purtroppo.

Alla luce della tragedia umanitaria in corso, esorto l'Unione ad esercitare pressione affinché la coalizione a guida saudita sospenda i bombardamenti e rimuova immediatamente l'embargo. Tale blocco, infatti, sta impedendo l'accesso alle forniture umanitarie e di altri beni assolutamente indispensabili per la popolazione, che è l'unica che sta pagando il prezzo di questa guerra.

  James Carver (NI). – Mr President, ‘the state is not in control of its natural resources. The state is simply handcuffed and cannot do anything’. This statement was made by Ahmed Ghaleb, former head of the Yemeni tax authority two days ago. It sums up the disastrous situation in this benighted country.

Let’s be clear: this is a proxy war between Iran and the Saudi-Emirati alliance, with only the Yemeni people suffering from indiscriminate attacks. So many decisions on Yemen, yet few taken by Yemenis themselves. So little interest shown by the international community in local political groups, apart from the discredited Hadi regime, has seen the splintering of normally homogenous groups. The Southern Movement, which was a broad church, has been marginalised and split into so many groups that what could have been a stabilising force has become a group of warring factions. On Sunday, seven people were killed through intra-Houthi fighting. We must engage honestly with local political leaders, respecting their concerns. Peace can only be built up from the base of local society in Yemen and we should not prejudge political outcomes before genuine discussion.

Finally, the Yemeni rial is at an all-time low. Demonstrations are planned throughout the country as ordinary people rise up against this further disaster. The crash of the rial can be blamed firmly on the international community and particularly the Gulf alliance. If there is civil unrest, we can anticipate further loss of life, and the people to suffer will be the ordinary people of Yemen. Hence, all solutions should be on the table.

  Cristian Dan Preda (PPE). – Monsieur le Président, je crois que quelques chiffres parlent très clairement: 22 millions de Yéménites ont besoin d’aide humanitaire et de protection, et 18 millions sont en situation d’insécurité alimentaire. Ils manquent de tout: nourriture, médicaments et éducation. De plus, cette situation d’impasse observée après l’échec des négociations de Genève, auxquelles les Houthis ont tout simplement refusé de prendre part, ne fait qu’augmenter le nombre de morts, de blessés et de déplacés. Dans ce contexte, l’Union européenne continue à apporter une aide au développement au Yémen en donnant la priorité aux interventions destinées à stabiliser le pays et je félicite le commissaire Stylianides pour son engagement et pour son action.

Cependant, il y a un autre plan important sur lequel on pourrait jouer un rôle essentiel: c’est le plan diplomatique. Je crois vraiment que l’Union européenne est particulièrement bien placée pour orienter les choses. Il faut donc continuer à appeler à un retour à la table des négociations et encourager toutes les parties à s’engager véritablement dans un dialogue politique sous l’égide, bien sûr, de l’Organisation des Nations unies.

En effet, aujourd’hui, il est d’une importance capitale que cet engagement se traduise par une désescalade dans les différentes zones de conflit, y compris Hodeïda, et par un accès sûr, rapide et sans entrave permettant l’acheminement des fournitures commerciales et humanitaires.

  Enrique Guerrero Salom (S&D). – Señor presidente, en el mundo hay decenas de millones de personas que huyen del hambre y de la guerra. Y hay algunos países en los cuales las mismas personas huyen de las dos cosas, del hambre y de la guerra. Es el caso de Yemen, un país pobre entre los pobres, uno de los más pobres del mundo. Tres de cada cuatro yemeníes están en riesgo de desnutrición. La población que en estos momentos en Yemen corre el riesgo cierto de morir de hambre es equivalente a la población de Bélgica. Es equivalente a la población conjunta de Hungría, Letonia y Lituania.

Las prioridades que tenemos que atender son, en primer lugar, reducir el hambre y la desnutrición. En segundo lugar, evitar los continuos brotes de cólera. En tercer lugar, proteger a los civiles. Pero hay que hacer un esfuerzo diplomático inmediato para permitir el acceso de la ayuda humanitaria. Siete millones y medio de yemeníes no están disponibles para la llegada de esa ayuda.

Actualmente hay más de ciento cincuenta organizaciones no gubernamentales que están trabajando para ayudar a esta población en riesgo, pero no serán los actores humanitarios los que acaben con la guerra. Tendrá que ser una acción diplomática decidida que empuje a las dos partes a llegar al acuerdo que están promoviendo las Naciones Unidas.

  Charles Tannock (ECR). – Mr President, this tragic war has been ‘escalating virtually on all fronts. The level of confidence is at its lowest and [the] human and humanitarian cost is ever rising’. These are the words of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, to the Security Council last month. They sum up the continuing disaster unfolding in Yemen in a war that has tragically claimed the lives of at least 10 000 people since fighting broke out in 2015. Furthermore it is estimated that a staggering 22 million – 75% of the population – are in urgent need of humanitarian aid often encompassing the most basic of needs such as access to food, water and medicine.

The Saudi—led offensive, particularly since its push this summer into Hodeidah region, has worsened the humanitarian crisis. According to estimates from the charity Save the Children, cases of cholera have increased by 170% since June, which in a country that has seen its public health facilities – largely as a result of bombing of hospitals – decimated, poses the real threat of a worse and more deadly epidemic. It is clear that talks must now resume urgently, not only to find a lasting resolution to the conflict but also ensure ways of alleviating the humanitarian disaster situation. In this regard, it is of paramount importance that the Houthi faction engages in the UN—led process in Geneva.

I will also re—echo my previous concerns regarding the conduct of the Saudi—led coalition in its air campaign offensive and also the use by Houthis of human shields, claiming so many lives of civilians. The incident that saw 40 children killed in a bus attack in Saada last month is in the...

(The President cut off the speaker)

  Margot Parker (EFDD). – Mr President, the protracted civil war in Yemen has gone on for far too long. Internal conflict, exacerbated by regional powers, has had an unbearably high human cost. Only in August, 40 children were killed by a Saudi air strike using a bomb supplied by the United States. The UK Government continues to approve munitions knowing that they are being used in such crimes. It is brutality of the highest order that Saudi Arabia and Iran are using the people of Yemen as a field for their indirect proxy war. Both sides must stop their operations and use their influence to bring their proxies and allies around the negotiation table. As for the UK and US, we must seriously examine our role in such grave abuses of crimes of war. Our role cannot be ignored any longer.

PREȘEDINȚIA: IOAN MIRCEA PAŞCU
Vicepreședinte

  Udo Voigt (NI). – Herr Präsident! Die Menschenrechtsorganisation Human Rights Watch hat dem alliierten Militärbündnis der Saudis im Jemen mit der Bombardierung eines Schulbusses und der Tötung von 38 Kindern ein weiteres Kriegsverbrechen unterstellt und öffentlich angeklagt, dass die Allianz die grausame Serie fortsetzt, Zivilisten bei Hochzeiten, Zivilisten bei Beerdigungen, Zivilisten in Krankenhäusern und Zivilisten in Schulen zu töten. Perfider geht es kaum!

Eine der größten humanitären Katastrophen findet derzeit im Jemen statt. Wir alle hier wissen, wer die Täter sind, wir wissen, wer die Waffen liefert und, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen, wir tun nichts. Unterstützt vom Westen, etwa durch die Waffen aus den USA, Frankreich, Spanien, Großbritannien oder Deutschland finanzieren Saudi-Arabien und die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate Milizen im Jemen, die Verbindungen zum IS und zu Al-Kaida haben.

In diesem Krieg geht es um die Vernichtung der ethnischen Gruppe der Huthi. Dieser Völkermord muss gestoppt werden! Die USA und die kriegführenden EU-Mitglieder – zum Beispiel Großbritannien, Frankreich, Deutschland – müssen die Waffenlieferungen einstellen, und die dort kämpfenden Truppen müssen aufhören, die Gräueltaten und den Völkermord zu unterstützen. Fremde Truppen raus aus dem Jemen! Dann wird es dort auch Frieden geben.

  José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra (PPE). – Señor presidente, señor comisario, señorías, la dramática situación que se vive en Yemen ya la hemos debatido en este hemiciclo en otras ocasiones.

El artículo primero del proyecto de Resolución que vamos a aprobar mañana expresa nuestra preocupación por la devastadora situación que se vive en este país, que nos ha presentado el comisario y que ha sido descrita por otros diputados: 22 millones de personas en situación de emergencia humanitaria —5 millones de niños— y 77 000 niños que mueren al año. Esta situación es realmente insostenible.

Por eso, señor presidente, aparte de expresar nuestra preocupación y de buscar culpables, lo que deberíamos hacer es buscar soluciones.

En primer lugar, hemos de atender la emergencia humanitaria. Por eso es importante reconocer los esfuerzos de las Naciones Unidas y de sus mesas de negociaciones para el país. En segundo lugar, señor comisario, agradecer el esfuerzo que está realizando la Unión Europea, y particularmente el comisario, que nos acompaña hoy en este debate. Y, en tercer lugar, agradecer también la ayuda de muchos socios regionales que han puesto importantes contribuciones a disposición de las Naciones Unidas para tratar de paliar esta situación.

Por otro lado, señor presidente, es importantísimo detener y poner fin a la violencia, garantizar que prevalezca el Derecho internacional humanitario y, al mismo tiempo, tratar de proteger a la población civil.

Y, por último —yo creo que el comisario lo ha explicado de una forma meridianamente clara—, hemos de apoyar los esfuerzos del enviado especial del secretario general de las Naciones Unidas para tratar de que las dos partes se sienten en la mesa de negociaciones, conseguir que los rebeldes hutíes formen parte de este proceso de Ginebra y, al mismo tiempo, señor presidente, prestar nuestro concurso como Unión Europea para tratar de alcanzar un Yemen que sea estable, que viva en paz y que se aleje todo lo posible del extremismo.

  Neena Gill (S&D). – Mr President, it is high time that we debated Yemen given the neglect of this crisis politically and financially by the European Union and the Member States. This is extremely concerning given that it is one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Two million people displaced, continued famine and cholera outbreaks exacerbate an already dire situation.

I believe Europe has been compromised because of the arms sales to Saudi Arabia, including by the UK’s Tory government, and it risks being complicit in possible war crimes in Yemen. I believe we really have to stand up in a meaningful way and stop selling arms to Saudi Arabia.

Along with other colleagues, I deeply regret that the Geneva consultations had to be abandoned last Saturday, so I have some questions for the Commissioner. Three points. Firstly, we need a ceasefire to stop the killings and move from hostilities to negotiation. What has the EEAS done to find a political solution to the conflict? Secondly, what are the outcomes of the political consultations on regional issues with Iran on Yemen? And thirdly, any peace deal focusing on the north, and not the east and the south, will not succeed in the long term in finding a political solution. How will you ensure Yemen’s future territorial integrity?

  Michaela Šojdrová (PPE). – Pane předsedající, pane komisaři, jak už zde bylo řečeno, pokračuje třetím rokem nelítostná občanská válka v Jemenu, která je vlastně konfliktem mezi Saudskou Arábií podporovanou Západem a mezi Íránem na druhé straně. Vedle Sýrie je to nejkrvavější konflikt současného světa s tragickými humanitárními důsledky. Je tak nějak stranou hlavního světového dění, možná proto, že světové velmoci zde hrají své hry včetně USA, Velké Británie a Francie. Bohužel zde opravdu nevidíme žádnou skutečně efektivní politickou aktivitu ze strany OSN ani ze strany Evropské unie. Jediné, co můžeme a také musíme v tuto chvíli dělat, je záchrana lidských životů a já děkuji panu komisaři, že zde o tom hovořil. Hasíme požár, který druzí zapalují. EU se proměňuje vlastně v největší humanitární organizaci. To je samozřejmě dobře, že pomáháme, ale chybí zde prevence a jen zachraňovat nestačí.

Intervenții la cerere

  Julie Ward (S&D). – Mr President, the humanitarian situation in Yemen continues to deteriorate and has now become one of the worst in the world. Recently, the UN Special Envoy for Yemen stated his concern about the possibility of an imminent famine. This extremely worrying situation must be urgently addressed by the European Union and the Member States.

France and my country, the UK, have consistently been called out in this Chamber for their arms sales to the Saudi-led coalition. Their complicity in this war is unacceptable. They must be held accountable for their contribution to the US extra-judicial killings programme through the sharing of intelligence.

The EU must continue to link up efforts with the United Nations and support a political solution achieved through multilateral diplomacy, with all parties involved sitting around the table. In the meantime, the EU must also put all its efforts into finding temporary humanitarian solutions for the people who are suffering on the ground from a war they did not choose.

  Hilde Vautmans (ALDE). – Voorzitter, iedereen heeft het al gezegd: Jemen, vier jaar lang het toneel van een vreselijk conflict en de beelden die ons bereiken liegen er niet om. Uitgemergelde baby's, te zwak om te huilen. Officieel al 8,4 miljoen mensen die bedreigd worden door de hongersnood. Het is eigenlijk een echte humanitaire ramp, een echte “lost generation” die daar opgroeit, een verloren generatie. Jongere kinderen die eigenlijk gerekruteerd worden om kindsoldaten zijn, die vatbaar zijn voor misbruik. Eigenlijk is er in Jemen een echte voedingsbodem voor rekrutering door terroristische organisaties. Commissaris Hahn, we moeten onze stem verheffen, iedereen vraagt het hier, luid en duidelijk, eensgezind als Europa. Laten we de rekrutering van kindsoldaten stoppen. Waar blijft het wapenembargo tegen Saudi-Arabië? Waar blijft de Europese strategie voor Jemen? Waar blijft de Europese druk tegen de aanhoudende blokkade? Laat ons er samen werk van maken.

  Ana Miranda (Verts/ALE). –Señor presidente, ¿cómo podemos ser tan hipócritas? Son las contradicciones del capitalismo, que primero habla de la tragedia, que ve fotos para compartir en Facebook de niños muertos y que después es capaz de exportar armas a Arabia Saudí. Como las que vendió España durante el Gobierno de Rajoy —el tercer exportador de la Unión Europea, con novecientos millones de euros— a la coalición internacional liderada por los saudíes. Incluso se hizo una foto el propio rey.

Hay un incumplimiento claro del Tratado sobre el Comercio de Armas. Se bombardea indiscriminadamente a civiles, y eso está prohibido.

También el señor ministro del actual Gobierno hizo una declaración en la que decía que las armas de precisión no causan efectos colaterales. Las armas siempre causan efectos colaterales. Siempre. Cuatrocientas bombas vendidas, en este pasado mes de septiembre, de precisión láser. Se bombardea indiscriminadamente a civiles. Es nuestra vergüenza: un desastre humanitario de hambre, de epidemias y de guerras.

Por eso, señor comisario, hagan un estudio y paren esta guerra. Hagan un estudio de la exportación de armas. Y paren. Y embarguen las armas que están matando a personas.

  Τάκης Χατζηγεωργίου (GUE/NGL). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, αγαπητέ μου Επίτροπε, νομίζω ότι η διεκτραγώδηση της κατάστασης από τους Ευρωβουλευτές δεν χρειαζόταν για τα δικά σου αυτιά, γιατί είμαι σίγουρος ότι, ακόμη κι αν προστεθούν όλες οι πληροφορίες που πήρες από εδώ, οι τραγικές πληροφορίες που έχεις εσύ είναι δυστυχώς περισσότερες.

Νομίζω όμως ότι υπάρχει κάτι που πρέπει να γίνει και έχει λεχθεί πολλάκις από τους συναδέλφους: Μπορούμε να πούμε καθαρά σε κράτη μέλη να παύσουν να στέλνουν όπλα στη Σαουδική Αραβία; Μπορούμε να πούμε καθαρά σε κράτη μέλη ότι αυτό το πράγμα πρέπει να σταματήσει; Εάν δεν μπορούμε να το κάνουμε αυτό, τότε εγώ αισθάνομαι μια ματαιότητα από την επανάληψη και τη διεκτραγώδηση εκ νέου όλων των κακών που επισυμβαίνουν στην Υεμένη.

11 εκατομμύρια παιδιά πεινούν...τι άλλο να πει κανείς; Βομβαρδίζονται σχολεία, γάμοι, χιλιάδες πρόσφυγες, η ζωή έχει μετατραπεί σε κόλαση. Η κατάσταση είναι σοκαριστική, κατά την έκφραση εκπροσώπου των Ηνωμένων Εθνών. Άρα εάν θέλετε να κάνετε κάτι, είναι να πείτε καθαρές κουβέντες προς τα κράτη μέλη που συμβάλλουν σε αυτό το κακό.

  Λάμπρος Φουντούλης (NI). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, η Υεμένη αντιμετωπίζει σήμερα τη χειρότερη ανθρωπιστική κρίση στον κόσμο, όπως δήλωσε ο Γενικός Γραμματέας του ΟΗΕ António Guterres, προσθέτοντας ότι η κατάσταση στην Υεμένη είναι καταστροφική.

Δυστυχώς, κράτη μέλη της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης συνεχίζουν να εγκρίνουν μεταφορές όπλων προς τη Σαουδική Αραβία, αγνοώντας τη βούληση του Συμβουλίου και της Ευρωπαϊκής Επιτροπής να επιβληθεί εμπάργκο στην πώληση όπλων από χώρες της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης εναντίον της Σαουδικής Αραβίας.

Οι ευάλωτες ομάδες, οι γυναίκες και τα παιδιά πλήττονται ιδιαίτερα από τις συνεχιζόμενες εχθροπραξίες και την ανθρωπιστική κρίση και ο αριθμός των θυμάτων μεταξύ των αμάχων εξακολουθεί να αυξάνεται. Σύμφωνα με τον ΟΗΕ, 8,4 εκατομμύρια άνθρωποι βρίσκονται στα πρόθυρα της πείνας στην Υεμένη, ο πληθυσμός της οποίας εξαρτάται ως επί το πλείστον από τρόφιμα που με δυσκολία εισάγονται. Οι ανάγκες αυξήθηκαν κι άλλο και 13 εκατομμύρια άνθρωποι σήμερα λιμοκτονούν.

Εάν δεν επιστρέψουν οι εμπόλεμες πλευρές στο τραπέζι των διαπραγματεύσεων για να τερματιστεί ο πόλεμος σε αυτή την πιο φτωχή χώρα της Αραβικής Χερσονήσου, όπου οι υποστηριζόμενες από τη Σαουδική Αραβία κυβερνητικές δυνάμεις πολεμούν τους υποστηριζόμενους από το Ιράν αντάρτες Χούτι, όσα χρήματα και να δώσει ο ΟΗΕ και Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση, η κατάσταση δεν πρόκειται να βελτιωθεί.

  Νότης Μαριάς (ECR). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, στην Υεμένη η Σαουδική Αραβία και το Ιράν ξεκαθαρίζουν τις διαφορές τους. Μόνο που τις ξεκαθαρίζουν εις βάρος ενός λαού, σε μια περιοχή όπου πραγματικά πάνω από 23 εκατομμύρια άνθρωποι βρίσκονται σε ανθρωπιστική κρίση. Έχουμε χιλιάδες αθώους οι οποίοι έχουν σκοτωθεί. Και αυτό είναι το πρώτο δεδομένο που πρέπει να λάβουμε υπόψη.

Το δεύτερο είναι ότι γίνεται τεράστια εξαγωγή όπλων από πολεμικές βιομηχανίες των κρατών μελών της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης προς τη Σαουδική Αραβία. Εάν λοιπόν θέλουμε να σταματήσει αυτό το ξεκαθάρισμα λογαριασμών του Ιράν με τη Σαουδική Αραβία που γίνεται στην Υεμένη, πρέπει να απαιτήσουμε να σταματήσει η πώληση όπλων σε οποιονδήποτε συμμετέχοντα σε αυτό τον πόλεμο και κυρίως να σταματήσει η εξαγωγή όπλων προς τη Σαουδική Αραβία από τα κράτη μέλη της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης. Τελεία και παύλα. Αυτή πρέπει να είναι η απόφασή μας.

  João Pimenta Lopes (GUE/NGL). – Senhor Presidente, são os crimes do capitalismo que impõem a barbárie. É a coligação militar liderada pela Arábia Saudita e apoiada pelos Estados Unidos, pelo Reino Unido e por França que tem bombardeado alvos civis, com a morte de centenas de pessoas e dezenas de crianças, como nos ataques de agosto passado.

São as armas produzidas naqueles países e noutros da União Europeia que mataram cerca de 16 mil pessoas, dois terços das quais civis, e feriram mais de 55 mil. Os iemenitas enfrentam a pior crise humanitária do mundo, 8,4 milhões severamente afetados pela fome, situação que se agrava com as restrições da Arábia Saudita à importação de alimentos e combustível.

São estes países que silenciam os crimes de guerra e a repressão dentro da própria Arábia Saudita, maquilhando aquele tenebroso regime de uma pretensa modernização. É tempo de os povos se mobilizarem pela paz, pelo fim de um gigantesco crime contra o povo iemenita e contra o cinismo do imperialismo, da União Europeia e das suas potências militares.

(Încheierea intervențiilor la cerere)

  Christos Stylianides, Member of the Commission, on behalf of the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. – Mr President, as I underlined in my opening remarks, in Yemen, we face not a regular humanitarian crisis, but a real humanitarian catastrophe. As I have always said, unfortunately, in humanitarian problems and in humanitarian crises, we do not have humanitarian solutions – we have only political solutions. This is why, as the European Union, we focus on some initiatives, diplomatic initiatives, including behind the scenes, to promote a ceasefire across Yemen, and of course, above all, our strategy remains peace in this very painful situation in Yemen. We have made a lot of diplomatic efforts and taken a lot of initiatives, but up till now the situation remains as you describe.

I heard many suggestions from you regarding the situation, but you know that in such a situation, you have to be pragmatic. We have to see the situation on the ground and our role as the European Union, as a regional and global actor, in order to be and to stay result oriented. Frankly, what I see in Yemen, what I can handle every day, is a very painful experience, as my compatriot Takis Hadjigeorgiou said, but at the same time, I would like to remind you that in some critical decisions, including inside our institutions, especially within the European Council, we need unanimity. So you can imagine that it is not easy to find common European positions in many of our efforts, initiatives or decisions. We have to continue to provide humanitarian and development assistance. I already gave you specific figures about our contribution in this difficult situation. We remain the biggest humanitarian and development donor in Yemen, but we have to accept the hard reality: our efforts and our initiatives to change the situation on the ground, unfortunately, have limits.

  Președintele. – Am primit șapte propuneri de rezoluție, depuse în conformitate cu articolul 123 alineatul (2) din Regulamentul de procedură.

Dezbaterea a fost închisă.

Votul va avea loc joi, 4 octombrie 2018.

Declaraţii scrise (articolul 162)

  Dominique Bilde (ENF), par écrit. – C’est l’une des plus grandes tragédies humanitaires mondiales qui se trame au Yémen, puisqu’entre mars 2015 et le début de l’année 2018, 9 245 personnes y avaient perdu la vie et 52 800 y avaient été blessées. Parmi les morts, dont le décès est largement imputable aux bombardements de la coalition saoudienne, au moins 5 558 étaient des civils au 14 décembre 2017. Les trois quarts de la population restent suspendus à l’aide humanitaire, dont huit millions de personnes dans une situation plus grave encore: « c’est-à-dire qu’elles ne savent pas quand elles prendront leur prochain repas », selon Mark Lowcock, le secrétaire général adjoint aux affaires humanitaires de l’ONU.

À ces circonstances dramatiques s’ajoutent des conditions sanitaires déplorables. Ainsi, 2 248 personnes ont été emportées par le choléra entre avril 2017 et janvier 2018.

Mais le plus sidérant est sans doute l’indifférence de la communauté internationale, alors même que l’aide humanitaire ne peut désormais plus être délivrée qu’au compte-gouttes face aux blocages. Il est donc urgent d’en garantir la livraison à ses bénéficiaires, au risque de porter une responsabilité historique dans l’alourdissement du bilan humain.

  Krzysztof Hetman (PPE), na piśmie. – Wojna w Jemenie trwa od 2015 roku i niestety, wiele wskazuje na to, że szybkie zakończenie konfliktu będzie niezwykle trudne. Wojna pochłonęła już dziesiątki tysięcy ofiar śmiertelnych. Niestety, w znacznej mierze są to cywile, w tym także dzieci. Ostatnie doniesienia organizacji Save the Children są szczególnie niepokojące. Głoduje lub poważnie niedojada nawet pięć milionów dzieci, dziesiątek tysięcy najprawdopodobniej nie da się uratować i po prostu umrą one z głodu jeszcze w tym roku. To jedna z większych katastrof humanitarnych, z jaką mamy do czynienia dziś na świecie. Dlatego też jestem zdania, że działania polityczne mające na celu wznowienie procesu pokojowego, które zostały ostatnio podjęte przez ONZ, muszą iść w parze ze wzmożoną pomocą humanitarną. Mam nadzieję, że uda się skłonić rebeliantów do przystąpienia do rozmów, ale równie ważne jest, aby bez zbędnej zwłoki docierać z bieżącą pomocą do ludności cywilnej i zapewnić im niezbędne do przeżycia wsparcie.

  Jaromír Kohlíček (GUE/NGL), písemně. – Jemen vznikl v roce 1990, po dlouholetém krvavém konfliktu, sloučením tradičních horských středisek z okolí hlavního města San´á v severní části a Jemenskou lidově demokratickou republikou, bývalou britskou kolonií Aden. Nejen dvě rozdílné části země, ale i rozdílný výklad muslimského náboženství: sunnité a šíité, dlouhodobě tuto zemi rozdělují. Politická nestabilita vyvrcholila před řadou měsíců dobytím hlavního města militantní šíitskou organizací al-Húthí a útěkem prezidenta do Adenu. Sunnitské síly dostaly masivní vojenskou podporu armády Saudské Arábie a tato v těžkém bombardování řady míst ovládaných povstalci pomalu, ale jistě stále postupuje. Světová veřejnost se znepokojením sleduje zejména těžké boje v přístavu Al-Hudajdá, kudy do severní části země proudila humanitární pomoc. Celá věc má samozřejmě širší pozadí. Šíité mají podporu Íránu, sunnité Saudské Arábie kryté širší koalicí arabských zemí. Poněkud mimo pozornost světové veřejnosti, která akcentuje zejména problém nedostatku potravin a lékařské péče, zůstává hlavní důvod, proč se soupeři o Jemen již léta ucházejí, je jím totiž Bab-al-Mandab, průliv v úžině, který spojuje Rudé moře s Indickým oceánem. Ať již konflikt dopadne jakkoliv, miliony obyvatel této země budou opět chudší a hospodářsky závislejší na pomoci ze zahraničí. To, co však Jemen nyní nutně potřebuje, je okamžitá pomoc vedoucí k zastavení bojů.

  Urmas Paet (ALDE), kirjalikult. – Kodusõda Jeemenis kestab juba neljandat aastat ning lisaks inimohvritele on riigis kohutav humanitaar- ja julgeolekuolukord. Lisaks sellele kestab ka poliitiline kriis. Sõjategevus ja vägivald ning tsiviilisikute ründamine Jeemenis tuleb viivitamatult lõpetada. Igasugune tsiviilisikute ründamine on vastuolus rahvusvahelise õigusega ning selliste rünnakute toimepanijad tuleb vastutusele võtta. On oluline toetada ÜRO eriesindajat, kes püüab tuua kõik osapooled läbirääkimislaua taha, sest konflikti võimaliku lahenduseni saab jõuda vaid nii. Kohe on vaja tagada humanitaarabi jõudmine kriisipiirkondadesse.

  Marijana Petir (PPE), napisan. – Republika Jemen je jedna od najsiromašnijih arapskih država na svijetu, a rat koji ne jenjava, nažalost, i dalje jača nestabilnost ne samo u Republici Jemen nego i u susjednim državama Bliskoga Istoka. Uzastopni zračni napadi u gradu Hodeidah ponovno su odnijeli desetke života, a mnogi su bili ozlijeđeni. Snažno osuđujem napade na civile. Europska unija očekuje od svih strana da osiguraju zaštitu civilnog stanovništva i da zaustave iskorištavanje nevine djece, kao nositelje buduće generacije, te smatram da je potreba brza reakcija cijele međunarodne zajednice radi njihove zaštite.

Pozivam na brzo rješavanje problema blokade humanitarne pomoći za žrtve rata. Izravne posljedice oružanog sukoba velikog su razmjera i ukoliko se nešto ne poduzme, izravna su prijetnja kompletnom stanovništvu. Jemenci su prošle godine prolazili kroz najgoru koleru u modernoj povijesti, s više od milijun slučajeva (od kojih su polovica bila djeca). Smatram da je potrebno brzo djelovanje Europske unije kao predvodnice mira i dijaloga.