MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

11.12.2007

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 Ryszard Czarnecki, Adam Bielan, Ewa Tomaszewska, Hanna Foltyn-Kubicka, Eugenijus Maldeikis, Ģirts Valdis Kristovskis, Mieczysław Edmund Janowski
on behalf of the UEN Group
on recent unrest in Eastern Chad and the urgency of the deployment of EUFOR CHAD/CAR

B6‑0527/2007

European Parliament resolution on recent unrest in Eastern Chad and the urgency of the deployment of EUFOR CHAD/CAR

The European Parliament,

− having regard to having regard to its previous resolutions on human rights in Chad,

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

− having regard to having regard to the joint action adopted by the Council on 15 October 2007 on the EUFOR CHAD/CAR operation,

− having regard to the UN Security Council resolution 1778 of 25 September 2007 which approved the establishment of a UN Mission in Chad and the Central African Republic (MINURCAT) and authorised the EU to deploy forces in these countries for a period of 12 months from the declaration of Initial Operating Capability,

− having regard to UN Security Council Resolution 1769(2007) of 31 July 2007 establishing, for an initial period of 12 months, an AU/UN hybrid operation in Darfur (UNAMID),

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

A.  whereas fighting between government forces and different rebels groups is breaking out in many parts of eastern Chad and whereas during last two weeks Chadian rebels and Chadian army have been involved in intense fighting, which have shattered a month-long ceasefire,

B.  whereas on Monday 26 November several hundred rebels were killed along the Chad eastern border by Chadian army soldiers and hence fighting has not stopped intensifies,

C.  whereas fighting has been concentrated mainly in the Farchana, Iriba, Biltine and Guereda areas, located to the north and east of the major town of Abeché, the main operational base for at least 12 refugee camps; whereas the areas near refugee camps to the south of Abeché such as Goz Beida have also become less secure,

D.  whereas security concerns based on reports of rebel movements in the eastern Chad area and fierce fighting have compelled the UN World Food Programme agency to suspend for one day its deliveries of food aid to refugees and displaced persons in the region,

E.  whereas several humanitarian agencies report that its operations are becoming increasingly difficult and are being hampered by the growing unrest; whereas over 200 humanitarian staff have been relocated from Abeche,

F.  whereas the worsening humanitarian situation in Chad where about 238 000 refugees from Sudan, 44 600 refugees from the Central African Republic and 170 000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are hosted in 12 camps along Chad's eastern border with Sudan,

G.  whereas on 15 October 2007 the Council adopted a joint action on the operation EUFOR CHAD/CAR designed to contribute to protecting civilians in danger, particularly refugees and displaced persons, to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and the free movement of humanitarian personnel by helping to improve security in the area of operations and to contribute to protecting UN personnel, facilities, installations and equipment and to ensuring the security and freedom of movement of its staff and UN associated personnel,

H.  whereas the deployment EUFOR CHAD/CAR which has been expected to start before the end of November is on hold for now,

I.  whereas international concerns over the conflict have heightened since the UFDD (Union of Forces for Democracy and Development), another rebel group, threatened to attack the French or any other foreign force deployed in the EUFOR CHAD/CAR mission,

1.  Preoccupied by the security situation in the eastern part of Chad, which has deteriorated since 2006, due to clashes between Chadian security forces and Chadian rebels;

2.  Emphasises that the recent violence and unrest in Chad underscores the urgent need for the deployment of EUFOR CHAD/CAR without further delay; underlines that the countries of the EU and the UN have a "responsibility to protect" refugees and internally displaced persons in this region;

3.  Reiterates that the mission EUFOR CHAD/CAR must support humanitarian activities and create the conditions for a secure environment for the work of the UN police force, the return of the internally displaced persons and the continuation of the dialogue between the political forces in the region;

4.  Regrets that this mission still faces a lack of necessary equipment such as airplanes, helicopters, medical and logistical units; underscores that in order to deter any aggressor EUFOR must be visible and equipped appropriately;

5.  Calls on the EU and its Member States to provide this mission with more appropriate financial and logistical support;

6.  Welcomes Commission funding of over € 50 million for this mission, including €10 million from the Instrument for Stability for the UN police training component of this peace-keeping operation; observes that this is evidence of a coherent inter-institutional EU approach to European security and defence policy

7.  Is strongly preoccupied by aid workers’ reports that both rebels and the government have visited refugee camps to recruit children into their forces;

8.  Emphasises the regional dimension of the Darfur crisis and the urgent need to address the destabilising impact of the crisis on the humanitarian and security situation in neighbouring countries;

9.  Recalls that no peacekeeping mission in the eastern part of Chad and the northern part of the CAR can be successful without a genuine political reconciliation process;

10.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the African Union, the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Presidents, Governments and Parliaments of Chad, the CAR and Sudan.