MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Sudan: the situation in Southern Kordofan and the eruption of fighting in Blue Nile State
13.9.2011
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure
Judith Sargentini, Bart Staes, Raül Romeva i Rueda, Barbara Lochbihler on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0501/2011
B7‑0502/2011
European Parliament resolution on Sudan: the situation in Southern Kordofan and the eruption of fighting in Blue Nile State
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on Sudan,
- having regard to the declaration by the EU and its Member States on 9 July 2011 on
the Republic of South Sudan's independence,
- having regard to the declaration of 6 September 2011 by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton on the eruption of fighting in Blue Nile State and of 26 August 2011 on the situation in South Kordofan,
- having regard to the Statement of 26 August 2011 by Commissioner Georgieva on humanitarian access to South Kordofan,
- having regard to the African Union Statement of 20 August 2011 on the Agreement between the Government of Sudan and the Government of South Sudan on the Border Monitoring Support Mission,
- having regard to the Framework Agreement on the Political and Security arrangements in the Blue Nile and Kordofan States signed on 28 June 2011,
– having regard to Rule 122 of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas armed conflict between the Sudan Armed Forces and the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement in South Kordofan, which provoked loss of life and flight of the population to neighbouring countries,
B. whereas heavy fighting started in June 2011 in southern Kordofan where the Sudanese army launched aerial bombardment in the Nuba mountains,
C. whereas arbitrary arrest, indiscriminate bombing, torture and ill treatment against the civilian population of south Kordofan have been reported by human rights organisations,
D. whereas some important issues of the CPA remain outstanding, including popular consultations in South Kordofan and Blue Nile and the Abyei referendum,
E. whereas humanitarian agencies have not been able to obtain the authorization to work in South Kordofan since the conflict broke out in June 2011 and needs assessments have not been carried out,
F. whereas South Sudanese security forces have been reported to be interfering with the work of humanitarian organizations including commandeering of vehicles, physical assault of relief workers and raiding of compounds of international organizations including the UN,
G. whereas a large part of the population in the region remain food insecure, a situation which has been aggravated by the conflict, rising commodity prices and famine in the Horn of Africa,
1 Condemns the recent violence in this region and regrets the loss of life human rights abuses and the lack of humanitarian access in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states; urges all parties to immediately cease fighting and seek a political solution based on the agreement of 28 June 2011;
2 Demands a halt to Sudan’s indiscriminate aerial bombings and call on all parties to stop the fighting and solve the outstanding issues through a constructive political dialogue;
3 Reminds all parties of their obligation to respect international humanitarian and human rights law; demands, therefore, that all sides to allow humanitarian agencies to have immediate, unhindered access to all those in need free from intimidation and violence; firmly underlines the obligation to protect civilians and humanitarian workers,
4 Calls on the Commission, EU Member States and the International Community to honour their funding commitments to the region, in particular to address severe shortages in food aid, emergency shelter and protection; calls for close attention to the food security situation and measures to be put in place should the situation worsen;
5 Urges the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan to engage in political dialogue on all the remaining unresolved issues of the CPA; reiterates the EU's commitments to engage with Sudan and South Sudan to help democratic governance and respect for human rights for all Sudanese people;
6 Calls on the Sudanese and South Sudanese armed forces to demilitarize the Southern Kordofan region and engage in a constructive dialogue for a peaceful solution and ensure the safety and security of the population;
7 Is highly concerned about the reported increased use of land mines in the region; recalls its firm opposition to the use of mining and demands such activity stops immediately;
8 Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, Commission, EU High Representative, the EU special representative to South Sudan, the Government of Sudan, the Government of South Sudan, the African Union institutions and the Chairman of the African Union High-Level Panel on Sudan