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 Colm Burke, Rolf Berend, Michael Gahler, Filip Kaczmarek, Jürgen Schröder, Eija-Riitta Korhola, Urszula Gacek, Bernd Posselt
on behalf of the PPE-DE Group
on the situation in Chad

B6‑0190/2008

European Parliament resolution on the situation in Chad

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the European Parliament resolution of 26 September 2007 on the ESDP operation in Chad and the Central African Republic (CAR),

–  having regard to the decision of the European Council on 29 January 2008 to launch the military bridging operation EUFOR Chad/RCA in Chad and CAR,

–  having regard to UN Security Council resolution 1778 of 25 September 2007, which provides for the deployment of a multidimensional international presence in eastern Chad and the north-eastern CAR including the ESDP mission EUFOR CHAD/RCA,

–  having regard to the political agreement signed between the Chadian Presidency and the unarmed opposition in N’Djamena on 13 August 2007, with a view to the reinforcement of the democratic process in Chad by all relevant Chadian political parties in the majority and in the opposition and on the preparation for legislative elections foreseen for 2009,

-  having regard to the non-aggression agreement signed on 13 March 2008 in Dakar between the Head of States of Chad and Sudan on the fringes of the CIS conference and under the auspices of President Wade and President Bongo,

-  having regard to the Cotonou ACP-EU Partnership Agreement, and in particular the chapter on humanitarian and emergency assistance,

–  having regard to the international conventions and instruments on Human Rights,

• A.preoccupied by the security situation in the eastern part of Chad, which has deteriorated since 2006 as a result of clashes between Chadian security forces and Chadian rebels, and incursions of Janjaweed militias and armed groups from Sudan, to which banditry and attacks on humanitarian organisations must be added,
• B.whereas on 2 February 2008 several columns of armed rebels, some of which came from outside the country, attacked the Republic of Chad with the stated aim of overthrowing the government of Mr Idriss Deby,
• C.whereas that attempted coup claimed many innocent lives (several hundred dead, especially among the civilian population) and brought about a worrying humanitarian situation, forcing some 15 000 Chadians to flee to Cameroon,
• D.whereas there are already more than 250 000 Sudanese refugees located in 12 camps in eastern Chad; whereas there was a further influx of at least 12,000 new refugees in February of this year when tensions became rife in Darfur,
• E.whereas there are also over 57,000 refugees from the Central African Republic (CAR) in Chad, the vast majority of them being located in four camps in the country's south; whereas in addition to these refugees, there are approximately 180,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in eastern Chad who have moved and continue to move internally fleeing inter-ethnic violence; whereas the deployment of EUFOR may help create the conditions for the return of IDPs but this return should not be rushed;
• F.whereas a number of rebel groups continue to occupy part of the Chadian territory and are present on both sides of the Chad-Sudan border,
• G.whereas according to the defence minister of Chad, there is an imminent risk of a new rebel attack from Sudan,
• H.whereas Chad has accused Sudan of breaking the non-aggression agreement, training and arming rebels to launch new attacks against the Chadian government; whereas the Sudanese government denies any involvement with the rebels,
• I.whereas the new Prime Minister, Mr. Youssouf Saleh Abbas, has said that he will seek reconciliation and a peace agreement with eastern rebel groups,
• J.whereas the solution to this crisis requires addressing its root causes in an all inclusive political reconciliation process, backed by the population, in order to achieve peace, security and development,
• K.whereas over 4.5 million people in Darfur and eastern Chad now live in need of humanitarian aid, and the continuing fighting is hampering the operations of the World Food Programme (WFP) in eastern Chad, denying it access to some refugee camps and delaying food dispatches to others,
• L.whereas less than 20 % of the $ 290 million requested in the 2008 Humanitarian Appeal for Chad, proposed by eight UN agencies and 14 Non-Governmental Organisations, has been provided so far,
• M.whereas the World Food Programme is now faced with the daunting challenge of pre-positioning six months of food supplies in the refugee camps and IDP sites before the rainy season arrives,
• N.whereas the steep increase in food prices is another challenge faced by WFP which means that this agency will require even greater support in the coming months to meet food requirements in this region,
• O.whereas only 20% of children attend school in Chad while it is estimated that between 7-10,000 children (under the age of 18) are considered to be child soldiers,

1.  Assures the Chadian people, and in particular the victims of the ongoing conflict, of its solidarity;

2.  Strongly condemns the continuing armed activities of rebel groups in Chad; emphasises that the rebel attacks and the overall violence in Chad underscore the urgent need for full deployment of EUFOR Chad/Central African Republic without further delay; underlines that the EU Member States and the UN have a 'responsibility to protect' refugees and internally displaced persons in this region; stresses that these forces must have and use all means necessary, in full compliance with international human rights and humanitarian law, to protect civilians at risk;

3.  Reiterates its deep concern at the increasingly serious humanitarian and security situation in Chad and calls on the international community to scale up its aid to meet the 2008 Humanitarian Appeal for Chad; stresses that donor contributions are urgently required to ensure that purchases are completed in the coming months so that food reaches eastern Chad on time; underlines that such funding is required at least a year in advance in order to meet such pressing needs;

4.  Urges all forces involved in the conflict to observe human rights and humanitarian law, to halt all attacks on refugees, displaced persons and civilians in the areas concerned and to allow humanitarian agencies to aid the suffering civilian population;

5.  In this context, calls on the governments of Chad and Sudan to respect and uphold their non-aggression agreement of 13 March;

6.  Calls for human rights violations, crimes against humanity, sexual violence against women and children and forced recruitment of men and children in refugee camps and IDP sites to be identified, reported, prosecuted and punished in accordance with international provisions on human rights;

7.  Calls on the Government of Chad, the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) and the European forces (EUFOR) to try to guarantee safety in the refugee camps and IDP sites, for humanitarian personnel, for NGOs and for the civilian population on Chadian territory;

8.  Calls on the EU to monitor the strict neutrality and impartiality of the EUFOR force and emphasises the importance of a clear distinction between EUFOR and the French military mission "Epervier"; notes with approval that 14 countries have made contributions to EUFOR, thereby reflecting the diversity of EU Member States; stresses that EUFOR must realise that the local population in eastern Chad also requires attention and protection and not just the IDPs and refugees; underlines the importance of a public information campaign containing clear messages so that EUFOR can sensitise not only the local population, but also NGOs, to the benefits of its presence in the region;

9.  Notes that while EUFOR will be under pressure to show some early successes, the mission should not be driven by political results; notes that EUFOR may certainly be of help in the coming year in the establishment of a safe and secure environment in this region, but it may only be able to address the consequences of Chad's humanitarian crisis;

10.  Expresses its disappointment that EUFOR troops have not yet been deployed to the Guereda area which is one of the more complicated regions in terms of ethnic disputes and refugee influx; is concerned that this area has been left somewhat exposed and urges for EUFOR troops to be deployed as soon as possible to provide security in this precarious vicinity;

11.  Stresses that any solutions to the IDP problem in Chad must take into account the local population itself as well as the government; suggests that reconciliation projects should include IDPs as well as local populations;

12.  Underscores that human rights must be entrenched within Chadian educational systems and that Action Plans on human rights education for primary and secondary schools must be implemented as soon as possible; notes that EUFOR could play a role in preventing children from being recruited by rebel groups by working with community leaders to sensitise them to this danger posed to their children;

13.  Is deeply concerned by the negative impact of this humanitarian crisis on regional stability; welcomes the re-launching of a diplomatic dialogue between Chad and its neighbours, which should constitute an important step in favour of peace and security between the states which led to the Dakar non-aggression agreement between Chad and Sudan and asks all parties involved to implement its content in good faith and in its entirety; suggests that an international regional conference should be convened soonest to address the complexities of Chad's relationship with its neighbours;

14.  Condemns the persecution and arbitrary arrest of opposition politicians and journalists; Calls on the Chadian Government to clarify the situation of any opposition politicians or journalists still being detained, to deal with their cases in accordance with the principles underpinning the rule of law, to cease any arbitrary arrests and to put an end to impunity and to bring to justice those who are responsible for human rights violations;

15.  Expresses in particular its grave concern with the situation of Mahamat Saleh, Spokesperson of the opposition coalition, from whom there has been no news since his arrest on 3 February 2008; Holds the Chadian authorities directly responsible for his physical well-being;

16.  Recalls that no Member of Parliament should be imprisoned without the prior lifting of his/her immunity;

17.  Calls on the EU to continue to follow up on the implementation of the Agreement of 13 August 2007 aiming at the urgent resumption of an all-inclusive political reconciliation process respecting democratic rules;

18.  Stresses the need for politics in Chad to become more ethnically and geographically representative; underlines that the Darfur crisis is not responsible for the entirety of Chad's woes, being a humanitarian situation that has only emerged in the last six years; emphasises that Chad has had its own internal domestic problems for well over four decades; denounces any attempt by the Chadian government to use Sudan and Darfur as a smokescreen for hiding political dissention within Chad, prolonging political unrest in this country;

19.  Calls on the participating parties, and in particular the government, to honour their commitments to lay the foundations for free and fair elections, scheduled for 2009;

20.  Encourages Chad's authorities and other political players to renew and continue their efforts for a national dialogue, with due regard for the constitutional framework; urges President Deby to put in place a transitional government soonest with an enlarged opposition giving political opponents, especially those from the CPDC (the Coordination of Political Parties for the Defence of the Constitution) more seniority;

21.  Reaffirms that a real and comprehensive all inclusive inter-Chadian dialogue must be convened as soon as possible; underlines the importance of bringing the rebel groups into the political process and encourages all parties, including the Chadian government and the EU, to find ways to negotiate with the armed opposition once it agrees to a full and unconditional ceasefire;

22.  Underlines that EU Member States and the UN have a 'responsibility to protect' refugees and internally displaced persons in this region and calls on the European Union, the ACP Group of States, the United Nations, the African Union and other international humanitarian organisations to do their utmost to provide effective aid for suffering refugees, displaced persons and civilian populations;

23.  Calls on the African Union to facilitate an all inclusive dialogue aiming at a global peace process and the preparation of democratic elections;

24.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the African Union, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Co-Presidents of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly and the Presidents, Governments and Parliaments of Chad, the CAR and Sudan.