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Motion for a resolution - B6-0127/2009Motion for a resolution
B6-0127/2009

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

10.3.2009

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 José Ribeiro e Castro, Jürgen Schröder, Charles Tannock, Laima Liucija Andrikienė, Colm Burke, Filip Kaczmarek, Bernd Posselt, Tunne Kelam, Eija-Riitta Korhola
on behalf of the PPE-DE Group
on the expulsion of international aid agencies from Sudan

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B6-0127/2009

Procedure : 2009/2556(RSP)
Document stages in plenary
Document selected :  
B6-0127/2009

B6‑0127/2009

European Parliament resolution on the expulsion of international aid agencies from Sudan

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the EU following the International Criminal Court (ICC) decision concerning the arrest warrant for President Al-Bashir,

- having regard to the Statement of Commissioner Michel of 5 March 2009 on the expulsion of humanitarian NGOs from Sudan,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in Sudan/Darfur, expressing in particular its continuous support for the ICC,

- having regard to Rule 115(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas in reaction to the international call for his arrest for war crimes and crimes

against humanity on 4 March 2009, President Al Bashir has expelled 10 international aid agencies from Darfur and shut down the placeAmelplace Center for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Violence Victims and the placeplaceKhartoumplace Center for Human and Environmental Rights,

B.  whereas Al Bashir has expelled the agencies and revoked their licences after stating in a public address that Sudan would not “kneel to colonialists”, while accusing the organisations of violating laws and regulations,

C.  whereas the agencies and local NGOs run the largest humanitarian operation in world, providing for the basic needs of the huge population in the war torn region - 2.7 million of whom are displaced; whereas without these organisations supplies of food, clean water and health care will be extremely difficult to access,

D.  whereas the organisations have been expelled at a time when their services are vitally needed, particularly as there is currently a meningitis epidemic in West Darfur; whereas the expulsion will leave sufferers with extremely limited or no access to medical treatment,

1.  Strongly condemns the expulsion of 10 humanitarian aid agencies from placeplaceKhartoum in response to the international arrest warrant issued by the ICC against Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir on Wednesday 4 March 2009;

2.  Demands that the government of placeSudan immediately reverses its action to expel the 10 aid agencies and allow them to continue their vitally needed work to ensure the survival of vulnerable populations in placeDarfur;

3.  Demands that the government of Sudan reopens without delay the Amel Center for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence in order that they can continue providing much needed care for victims of human rights abuses and organised violence;

4.  Expresses concern that there will be an increase in the targeting of human rights activists and an intensification of censorship in reaction to the arrest warrant;

5.  Calls on the international community, and the EU in particular, to continue working with all relevant stakeholders, and through all appropriate means, contributing to peace, justice and stability in the whole of Sudan;

6.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, notably to the EU Special Representative for Darfur, the Commission, to the governments of placeplaceSudan, of the EU Member States and of the Members of the UN Security Council, to the African Union institutions, to the Arab League institutions, and to the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.