MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

20.5.2008

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 John Bowis, Jürgen Schröder, Filip Kaczmarek, Bernd Posselt, Eija-Riitta Korhola, Tunne Kelam
on behalf of the PPE-DE Group
on Rising tension in Burundi

B6‑0267/2008

European Parliament resolution on Rising tension in Burundi

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the security and human rights situation in Burundi;

- having regard to the numerous UN Security Council resolutions and statements

- having regard to the UN Integrated Office (BINUB) reports

- having regard to the report of the EP Development Committee fact finding mission to Burundi, November 2007;

- having regard to the EU Presidency declaration on the recent April fighting in Burundi;

- having regard to Rule 115 of its Rules of Procedure;

A.  Dismayed by the attacks and fighting taking place since 17 April 2008 in the immediate vicinity of Bujumbura and in Kayanza province between the government and the Palipehutu; whereas the FNL (Forces Nationales de Libération), the last rebel hold-out group, signed the agreement in September 2006, but has suspended negotiations ever since;

B.  Whereas this armed confrontation has inflicted unnecessary suffering on the civilian population around the capital, Bujumbura, and jeopardizes the implementation of the Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement;

C.  having regard to the genocide of Rwanda and various smaller genocides in Burundi which might occur again with rising tensions since the two countries have a similar ethnic composition;

D.  Whereas Burundi is attempting to rebuild itself, with the support of the UN Integrated Office in the country (BINUB), after a brutal civil war between its Hutu majority and the Tutsi minority, through implementation earlier peaceful commitments;

F.  Whereas the demands by the Palepehutu-FNL to amend the constitution to include FNL-PALEPEHUTU will contravene a deal arrived at earlier not to promote ethnic based identities;

E.  Whereas Burundi is the only third country, besides Uganda and Ethiopia, to contribute to the African Union Peacekeeping contingent, codenamed AMISOM, by sending 800 soldiers to Mogadishu- Somalia, despite its fragile security situation back home;

F.  Whereas scores of civilians suspected of supporting the FNL-PALEPEHUTU have been arrested by the police since the start of April, and are at grave risk of torture;

1.  Expresses its serious concern at the recent military confrontations in Burundi between the National Defence Forces and the Palepehutu-FNL that resulted into loss of innocent lives.

2.  Condemns the use of violence, and calls again on the two parties to scrupulously respect the ceasefire concluded on 7 September 2006.  

3.  Calls on both parties to resume their dialogue to overcome the obstacles that hinder the implementation of the Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement and delay the conclusion of the peace process, which is a fundamental expectation of the Burundian people,

4.  Urges the Palipehutu-FNL to return immediately and without any preconditions to the Joint Verification and Monitoring Mechanism that was established in the wake of the ceasefire accord.

5.  Stresses that any attempt to jeopardize peace in Burundi through violent means is unacceptable, and calls on the international community to consider possible more measures, as appropriate, in support of peace and stability in that country;

6    Calls on the EU Member States represented on the UN Security Council to bring before it the need for an international embargo on arms and munitions exports to Burundi;

7.  Calls on the international community and the EU in particular, to step up humanitarian and social aid to those in danger, displaced persons and Burundian returning refugees;

8.  Re-affirms its support for the South African facilitation and for the regional initiatives and remains resolved, as part of the political directorate, to play an active part in removing obstacles to implementation of the action plan adopted in Cape Town (22 and 23 February 2008) and to assist in all efforts to reactivate negotiations and consolidate peace in Burundi.

9.  Notes the progress in stability that has come to Burundi since the coming into force of a new constitution followed by general elections but calls for the establishment of the peace and reconciliation commission as a confidence building measure that will help to restore a climate of confidence and stability among the different interested parties and calls on governments of EU Member States to support such an initiative financially and logistically;

10.  Expresses concern at the recent arbitrary arrest of scores of civilians suspected of supporting the FNL and urges the authorities to release them unless they are to be charged with recognisably criminal offences in order not to increase hostilities between the Burundian people;

11    Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the EU Commission, Council, the Co-Presidents of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, the governments of the EU Member States, the UN Security Council, the African Union and the governments of the Great Lakes Region.