MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

22.4.2008

with request for inclusion in the agenda for the debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 115 of the Rules of Procedure
by Marie-Hélène Aubert
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
on Chad

B6‑0205/2008

European Parliament resolution on Chad

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions

–  having regard to Rule 115 of its Rules of Procedure,

• A.Worried by the arrest of ordinary supporters of opposition parties and leaders including Mr. Ibni Oumar Mahamat Saleh, speaker of the opposition coalition parties, following the rebels attempt to overthrow president Deby last February,
• B.Whereas president Deby seems to be using the current conflict with armed opposition as a cover for arresting peaceful civil opposition leaders,
• C.Extremely worried by the enforced disappearance of Mr. Ibni Oumar Mahamat Saleh, speaker of the opposition coalition parties and other political prisoners,
• D.Whereas the fighting between the Chadian army and the rebels in the capital city N'djamena has caused several casualties,
• E.Recalling that President Deby took power in 1990 coup d'état after having formed his own rebel movement in Sudan with the backing of Khartoum,
• F.Whereas human rights violations including extrajudicial killings and arbitrary arrests against the civilian sector in Chad have increased as the conflict in Darfur has become a cross border conflict,
• G.Whereas the security forces of Chad have committed extrajudicial killings and torture and arbitrary arrests with impunity; whereas human rights defenders and journalists continue to be at risk of detention, unfair trial and imprisonment in violation of the right to freedom of expression,
• H.Whereas as the conflict in Sudan has spilled over into Chad, civilians in Chad have suffered human rights abuses such as burning and looting of villages in the east as well as violence against women including rape,
• I.Recalling that despite calls from the African Union and national human rights organisations to postpone the presidential election, President Idriss Deby was elected in May 2006 by amending the constitution to allow him to run for a third five year term,
• J.Whereas the deployment of EUFOR CHAD/CAR, designed to contribute to protecting the civilian population, has been decided ,

1.  Condemns the persecution and arbitrary arrest of political opposition parties, senior leaders, journalists and ordinary supporters of opposition parties,

2.  Calls on the Chadian authorities to release all political prisoners and further urges that an end be put to impunity and that those who are responsible for extrajudicial executions, arbitrary arrest and sexual violence be brought to justice,

3.  Express its deep concern at the enforced disappearance of Mr. Ibni Oumar, speaker of the opposition coalition parties, and other political prisoners; calls on the French government to disclose publicly all information it has about the fate of Mr. Mahamat Saleh and other political prisoners,

4.  Recalls that the Chad government has an international obligation to notify the whereabouts of the political prisoners to their respective families,

5.  Asks the government of Chad to respect all international human rights instruments to which the country is signatory,

6.  Stresses that there is a need for a dialogue aiming at establishing a comprehensive peace process that addresses the root causes of the conflict in Chad by involving all political actors including armed and non-armed opposition in Chad as well representatives of civil society organisations,

7.  Believes that the peacekeeping mission in the eastern part of Chad and the northern part of the CAR can not be successful without a genuine political dialogue and a reconciliation process and without respect for human rights in Chad as well as in Sudan;

8.  Considers that the deployment of ESDP force must be conditional upon respect for human rights in Chad and must reflect the diversity of the EU member states and should make a clear distinction between ESDP and the French "Epervier" deployment,

9.  Requests the demobilization all children under 18 from all Chadian National Army (ANT) forces, including self-defence militias and all other paramilitary groups receiving Chadian government support, and transfer them to their families or to appropriate child protection agencies;

10.  Calls upon the Chad government and all armed groups to respect human rights and international humanitarian law by refraining from any indiscriminate attacks on civilians including sexual violence against women,

11.  Instructs its president to forward this resolution to Council, the Commission, EU Member States, to the AU and the Chad government