MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

19.2.2008

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 Luisa Morgantini
on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
on North Kivu

B6‑0084/2008

European Parliament resolution on North Kivu

The European Parliament,

-  having regard to its resolution of 17 January 2008 on the situation in the DRC and the rape as a war crime,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on violation of human rights in the DRC,

–  having regard to the ACP-EU JPA resolution of 22 November 2007 on the situation in the DRC, in particular in the East and its impact on the region,

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

A.  whereas many years of armed conflict have resulted directly and indirectly in over 5 million direct and indirect victims and caused the displacement of at least 1.5 million people, as well as destruction of the socioeconomic infrastructures of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),

B.   deeply concerned by the violence in the Eastern part of the country, namely in the province of North Kivu, where some 800 000 people have fled their homes because of fights between government forces, rebel troops of General Laurent Nkuda, soldiers of the Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda (FDLR) and other armed groups,

C.  deeply worried about serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, which have been reported, including unlawful killings, rapes, acts of torture, enforced disappearances and illegal detentions, is also worried about the high number of children recruited to the army,

D.  considering the presence of foreign armed groups, including the ex-Rwandan Armed Forces (ex-FAR)/Interahamwe (Democratic Forces for the Liberalisation of Rwanda (FDLR)), which continue to commit, with impunity, atrocities such as murder, rape, torture and raids, thereby forcing civilians to become displaced to the east of DRC and in the neighbouring countries, which constitutes a threat to the security, stability and development of the country,

F.  concerned about the situation of insecurity which makes hardly possible for humanitarian organisations to reach the vulnerable populations with food and non-food items, such as medicines, so there is a risk of epidemic of malaria, HIV and other serious diseases,

G.  whereas it is imperative to take all necessary measures to put an end to the conflicts, dismantle the armed groups and all paramilitary groups and forestall any future conflict so as to consolidate peace and democracy, promote stability and development in the region for the wellbeing of all the peoples of the Great Lakes region,

H.  whereas the "Conference for Peace, Security and Development in North and South Kivu" took place in December 2007, aiming at finding a global plan for security, stability and progress in these provinces,

1.  Strongly condemns all the human rights abuses in North Kivu and calls the Congolese authorities to make sure that all those crimes will be investigated, prosecuted and punished in accordance with national and international criminal law;

2.  Calls on all forces participating in conflicts in DRC to respect human rights and international humanitarian law, to cease all attacks on civilians and to allow humanitarian agencies to come to the assistance of the civilian population;

3.   Takes due note of the mutual commitments by Burundi, the DRC, Uganda and Rwanda, and in particular the Joint Communiqué signed by the Governments of Rwanda and the DRC in Nairobi on 9 November 2007, with a view to finding a concerted and lasting solution to the security problem in the region, and commends the parties for their efforts;

4.  Welcomes the signature of peace agreement ("Actes d´engagement") in Goma on 23 January 2008 as a result of the "Conference for Peace, Security and Development in North and South Kivu", which includes the ceasefire among all warring parties, the disarmament of all non- governmental forces, the return and resettlement of all displaced peoples in the Eastern DRC and the installation of temporary mechanism of a cease-fire monitoring,

5.  Calls the DRC and its neighbouring countries in the Great Lakes region to fully implement and put into practice the commitments from the "Actes d´engagement" as an important step towards restoring lasting peace and stability in the region, urges the international community to engage and support the peace process started with the Goma conference; hopes that United Nations Mission in the DRC (MONUC) will contribute to monitor and enforce a sustainable ceasefire, in line with its own mandate and with requests included in the Actes d´engagement,

6.  Believes that the reform of security sector, including disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of former combatants is one of the key elements for the success of the transition process in DRC,

7.  Calls for zero tolerance of the sexual violence against girls and women, which is used as a weapon of war, and demands severe criminal penalties against the perpetrators of these crimes; recalls the importance of access to reproductive health services in conflict situations and refugee camps,

8.  Expresses grave concern regarding the situation and the number of internally displaced persons and refugees who are still in neighbouring countries and calls on the DRC authorities and the host countries to do everything in their power to facilitate the safe return of the Congolese refugees;

9.   Calls for an agreed and peaceful solution to the problem of foreign refugees and combatants still present in Eastern DRC; in the meantime, urges DRC's neighbouring countries to abstain from any military intervention in DRC motivated by the presence of their citizens;

9.  Urges all interested parties and the international community to find a global, peaceful solution on the basis of mutual dialogue and cooperation in order to maintain peace and security, to promote the protection of civilians and the respect of human rights;

10.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, to the UN Secretary-General, UN Security Council, to the President and the National Assembly of DRC and to the President and the National Assembly of Rwanda.