MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

10.3.2009

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 Vittorio Agnoletto
on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
on the expulsion of international aid agencies in Darfur, Sudan

B6‑0129/2009

European Parliament resolution on the expulsion of international aid agencies in Darfur, Sudan

The European Parliament,

having regard to its previous resolutions on Sudan,

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

A.   whereas the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber issued an arrest warrant against Sudan's President Omar Hassan Al- Bashir in connection with alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur,

B.  whereas, as a reaction to the decision of the ICC, the Sudanese government decided to expel 13 leading non-governmental organisations from Sudan's conflict-ridden province of Darfur; whereas this decision, if not revoked, could have catastrophic consequences, as it will be impossible to administer humanitarian aid to millions of civilians in Darfur without their assistance,

C.   whereas aid operations in Darfur are the largest humanitarian emergency in the world; whereas the United Nations reports up to 4.7 million people, including 2.7 million internally displaced persons are in need of assistance,

D.  whereas outbreaks of infectious diseases, such as diarrhoea and respiratory infections are possible, if the NGOs no longer are available to monitor the emergence of disease,

E.   whereas the hundreds of thousands of men, women and children have been beaten, killed, raped, displaced or otherwise victimised in the conflict in Darfur since 2003,

F.  dismayed by the fact that, since the issuance of the arrest warrants, the Government of Sudan has repeatedly refused to cooperate with the ICC;

1.   Reiterates its full support and respect for the International Criminal Court and its key role in the promotion of international justice;

2.   Finds the decision of the Sudanese government to expel the aid agencies the conflict-ridden province of Darfur unacceptable; demands that the government of Sudan immediately rescinds this decision and readmits the expelled aid agencies into Darfur;

3.   Insists that Sudan cooperates with the ICC it as required by the UN Security Council, including the 2005 resolution referring the situation in Darfur to the ICC for investigation and prosecution;

4.   Calls on the Council and Commission to step up diplomatic efforts with the African Union and the Arab League to convince the Sudanese government to rescind its decision to expel the aid agencies from Darfur;

5.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the EU Special Representative for Sudan and the Government of Sudan.