MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Iraq: the plight of minority groups, in particular Iraqi Turkmen

12.3.2013 - (2013/2562(RSP))

with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure

Krzysztof Lisek, Mario Mauro, Esther de Lange, Cristian Dan Preda, Bernd Posselt, Tunne Kelam, Roberta Angelilli, Filip Kaczmarek, Eija-Riitta Korhola, Sergio Paolo Francesco Silvestris, Giovanni La Via, Monica Luisa Macovei, Sari Essayah, Philippe Boulland, Jean Roatta, Elena Băsescu, Petri Sarvamaa, Eduard Kukan, Zuzana Roithová on behalf of the PPE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0147/2013

B7‑0147/2013

European Parliament resolution on Iraq: the plight of minority groups, in particular Iraqi Turkmen

(2013/2562(RSP))

The European Parliament,

           having regard to its previous resolutions on Iraq,

 

-          having regard to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Iraq, of the other part,

 

-          having regard to the 1981 UN Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination based on Religion or Belief,

 

-          having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 1966, to which Iraq is a party,

-                                having regard to Rule 122 of its Rules of Procedure,

 

A.       whereas there have been a series of attacks against ethnic Turkmen in Iraq, including an attack on 23 January 2013 in Tuz Khurmatu of the funeral of a civil servant, in which at least 42 people were killed and a further 117 wounded;

 

B.        whereas attacks on the Turkmen in Iraq have been increasing at an alarming rate in recent months;

 

C.       whereas tensions between the Kurdish and Turkmen population in Iraq have been rising;

 

 

1.        Expresses its deep concern about the recent attacks against the Turkmen community and its solidarity with the families of the victims;

 

2.        Welcomes the statement of 25 January 2013 issued by the spokesperson of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, in which she condemned the attack of the funeral in Tuz Khurmatu;

 

3.        Calls on the Iraqi Government to take measures to increase stability in the country and guarantee the security for all its citizens;

 

4.        Calls on the Iraqi Government and on the political forces represented in the Council of Representatives to guarantee that cultural, social and political rights of all minorities in the country are respected, within a secure living environment, and to prevent any discrimination against minority groups;

 

5.        Calls on the Iraqi Government to condemn the recent attacks and to take all the initiatives needed to prevent further conflicts, notably by encouraging reconciliation between the different political factions and by urging a national dialogue;

 

6.        Calls on the International Community and the EU to support the Iraqi Government in organising peaceful, free and fair regional elections in April;

 

7.        Strongly supports initiatives that promote dialogue and mutual respect between all the religious and ethnic communities in Iraq;

 

8.        Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Council, the Commission, the Governments and the Parliaments of the Member States, the Government and Council of Representatives of Iraq, the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the United Nations Human Rights