MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
3.2.2009
pursuant to Rule 115 of the Rules of Procedure
by Vittorio Agnoletto
on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
on the situation in Sri Lanka
B6‑0072/2009
European Parliament resolution on the situation in Sri Lanka
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on placeplaceSri Lanka,
– having regard to Rule 115(5) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas in the past few months, the situation in Sri Lanka has politically and militarily deteriorated, some 300.000 people displaced from their homes and deprived of essential food and water supplies as well as shelters, medicines and other humanitarian supplies,
B. whereas the LTTE has retreated in the northern Vanni area since the start of the government offensive in October 2008, forcing civilians deeper into territory they control; whereas the Government of Sri Lanka is carrying out important military operations in areas with a civilian population,
C. whereas credible information indicates that several civilians in the so-called "safe zones" have been killed or sustained injuries as a result of bombardment,
D. whereas the International Press Freedom Mission that took place in October 2008 noted lack of press access and independent information flow in placeplaceSri Lanka and namely in the conflict zones,
E. recalls the primacy of respect for human rights and humanitarian norms by all parties to the conflict, not only as an immediate response to the worsening situation but as a fundamental building block in a just and enduring resolution of the conflict,
1. Deplores the resumption of large-scale and widespread violence between the government forces and the LTTE by targeting civilians and preventing them from escaping to safety;
2. Condemns the operations which have resulted in enormous humanitarian suffering and the death of hundreds of civilians;
3. Deplores the shelling on 24 and 25 January against a compound sheltering UN national staff inside the safety zone, killing at least nine civilians and wounding more than twenty;
4. Condemns the culture of impunity and indifference over killings and attacks on journalists in placeplaceSri Lanka; urges the government to accept the creation of an international and independent commission to enquiry on the attacks in line with requests by Sri Lankan journalists and media institutions;
5. Underscores the long-term need for a wide-ranging human rights agreement between the parties and its facilitation by an effective, independent international monitoring mission;
6. Emphasises the need for international monitors to assess the humanitarian needs of a quarter of a million people trapped in the Wanni area and to ensure proper distribution of food and other humanitarian assistance;
7. Calls upon the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE to give assurances of unimpeded humanitarian access to provide for the immediate material needs of the displaced and assure their safety;
8. Calls therefore for an immediate, comprehensive and verifiable end to hostilities and calls on the LTTE to resume peace negotiations on a constructive basis with the Government of Sri Lanka without delay;
9. Calls for respect for human rights and humanitarian norms by all parties to the conflict, not only as an immediate response to the worsening situation but as a fundamental policy aiming to an enduring resolution of the conflict;
10. Calls on the Government and the LTTE to grant unhindered access for humanitarian aid workers, UN organisations and truce monitors to all parts of the country and to ensure their security;
11. Calls on the Government of Sri Lanka to accelerate the process of issuing work permits for international staff working with NGOs;
12. Calls on the Council, the Commission and the Governments of the Member States to increase their efforts to help bring a stable and just peace to Sri Lanka and restore security and social development;
13. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the