MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on a political solution to the problem of piracy off the Somalian coast
23.11.2009
pursuant to Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure
Adrian Severin, Roberto Gualtieri, María Muñiz De Urquiza, Brian Simpson on behalf of the S&D Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0158/2009
B7‑0158/2009
European Parliament resolution on a political solution to the problem of piracy off the Somalian coast
The European Parliament,
- having regard to its resolution of 23 October 2008 on piracy at sea[1],
- having regard to its resolution of 19 June 2008 on the routine killing of civilians in Somalia[2],
- having regard to the conclusions of the External Relations Council meeting of 27 July 2009 (12353/2009),
- having regard to the conclusions of the External Relations Council meeting of 17 November 2009 (15649/2009),
- having regard to Council Decision 2008/918/CFSP of 8 December 2008 on the launch of a European military operation to contribute to the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast (Atalanta)[3],
- having regard to United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1814 (2008), 1816 (2008) 1838 (2008), 1846 (2008), 1851 (2008) and 1863 (2009),
- having regard to the exchange of letters between the European Union and the Government of Kenya on the conditions and modalities for the transfer of persons suspected of having committed acts of piracy and detained by the European Union-led naval force (EUNAVFOR), and seized property in the possession of EUNAVFOR, from EUNAVFOR to Kenya and for their treatment after such transfer,
- having regard to an exchange of letters concluded on 30 October 2009 between the EU and the Republic of Seychelles allowing the transfer of suspected pirates and armed robbers apprehended by Atalanta in the operation area,
- having regard to the guiding principles agreed by the parties to the Djibouti Peace Agreement on 25 November 2008, in particular the establishment of a unity government and an inclusive parliament,
– having regard to Rule 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas the Council decided on 8 December 2008 to launch a European Union military operation mandated to provide protection for vessels chartered by the World Food Programme, provide protection for merchant vessels, employing the necessary measures, including the use of force, to deter, prevent and intervene in order to bring to an end acts of piracy and armed robbery which may be committed in the areas where they are present,
B. whereas, since December 2008, Operation Atalanta has provided crucial protection for 50 World Food Programme ships that have delivered roughly 300 000 tons of food, ultimately benefiting 1.6 million Somalis directly,
C. whereas merchant ships and fishing vessels are advised to register in advance on the website of the Maritime Security Centre - Horn of Africa,
D. whereas on 17 November the Council recalled its intention to extend Operation Atalanta for another year following the end of the current mandate on 12 December 2009,
E. whereas military personnel involved in the operation can arrest, detain and transfer persons who are suspected of having committed acts of piracy or armed robbery in the areas where they are present; whereas the suspects can be prosecuted by an EU Member State or by Kenya under the agreement signed with the EU on 6 March 2009 giving the Kenyan authorities the right to prosecute,
F. whereas on 27 July 2009 the Council decided to step up the EU's engagement to promoting peace and development in Somalia, and to this end has studied possibilities for the EU to contribute to international efforts, including in the security area,
G. whereas on 17 November 2009 the Council approved a Crisis Management Concept on a possible ESDP mission to contribute to the training of Transitional Federal Government Security Forces and requested further planning work, without prejudging subsequent decisions on a possible ESDP action,
H. whereas such piracy in part results from but also contributes to violence and political instability in Somalia, has a knock-on effect on the rest of the Horn region, and has concomitant consequences for the civilian population of Somalia in terms of exposure to threats, lack of development and interruptions to food aid and other humanitarian efforts,
I. whereas the continuing conflict and political instability in Somalia have given rise to acts of piracy, armed robbery and human trafficking,
J. whereas the overall approach to combating piracy cannot be limited to an international naval force, but must be part of an overall plan to address the root causes,
K. whereas the Djibouti Peace Agreement represents the basis for a resolution of the conflict in Somalia,
L. whereas there are around 1.5 million internally displaced persons in the country and whereas another 160 000 people have been uprooted since early May by fighting between Government forces and Al Shabaab and Hisbul-Islam opposition groups,
M. whereas assassinations, abductions and threats against aid workers have rendered the delivery of assistance extremely dangerous, while ongoing fighting and drought are increasing the need for life-saving support,
N. whereas the unhindered passage of vessels plying their trade legally on the high seas is an absolute precondition for international trade,
1. Welcomes the successful contribution made by Operation Atalanta to maritime security off the coast of Somalia by protecting World Food Programme chartered vessels delivering aid to Somalia, vessels supplying critical shipments to the African Union peace support operation in Somalia (AMISOM) and other vulnerable vessels, notably in the Gulf of Aden and in the Somali Basin;
2. Welcomes the unique cooperation that has been achieved in the case of Operation Atalanta with partners, notably China, Egypt, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the Seychelles and Yemen, some of which are cooperating with the EU for the first time;
3. Calls on ship-owners and operators in transit through the Gulf of Aden or off the coast of Somalia to register in advance on the website of the Maritime Security Centre - Horn of Africa; calls on all vessels to follow EU NAVFOR - Atalanta recommendations in order to ensure the best possible level of security and thus reduce the risk of attack or capture;
4. Calls on the Council to extend Operation Atalanta for another year following the end of the current mandate on 12 December 2009 and to extend its geographical scope as appropriate;
5. Stresses the need to seek sustainable solutions for the prosecution of suspected pirates; commends, in this respect, the crucial contribution made by Kenya to the detention and prosecution of suspected pirates apprehended by Atalanta's warships, and welcomes the exchange of letters concluded on 30 October 2009 between the EU and the Republic of Seychelles for the transfer of suspected pirates and armed robbers apprehended by Atalanta;
6. Calls on the Council to further examine the possibility of an ESDP mission, in parallel with the naval operation Atalanta, to contribute to the training of Transitional Federal Government security forces; welcomes, in this connection, the Crisis Management Concept for a possible new ESDP action;
7. Is supportive of the launching of a new European non-executive mission aimed at training and equipping the Federal Government security forces, while reinforcing the commitment to respect human rights and the rule of law;
8. Condemns all acts of piracy and stresses that piracy is a symptom of wider problems in Somalia itself; considers, therefore, that the only sustainable solution would be effective governance, the establishment of the rule of law and security institutions, and the creation of alternative livelihoods in Somalia with a view to stable and economic growth;
9. Strongly supports the Djibouti Peace Agreement and stresses the importance of broad-based and representative institutions established through a political process ultimately inclusive of all; encourages the Transitional Federal Government, therefore, in its efforts, and calls on the Somali parties and other stakeholders to uphold the principles of the Djibouti Peace Agreement, to cease hostilities, to ensure without delay unhindered humanitarian access and assistance to the Somali people, to terminate all acts of armed confrontation, and to reach agreement on permanent ceasefire mechanisms;
10. Calls on the Commission and the international community to deploy all the necessary human and financial resources to help establish a stable democratic regime in Somalia, with a view to effectively combating piracy on the high seas;
11. Expresses concern for the safety of humanitarian and relief workers on the ground in Somalia;
12. Asks the international community, and in particular the European Union, to support the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia in improving basic infrastructures for fisheries activities, marine resource conservation and waste management, in order to encourage employment, which will reduce the recruitment of young people in piracy and militia activities;
13. Welcomes the announcement made by the incoming EU Spanish Presidency on the organisation of an International Conference on Somalia, under the auspices of the United Nations, to tackle the country's problems in an integral manner;
14. Condemns categorically the trade in weapons and ammunition with organised bands that commit acts of piracy; asks the competent international organisations to recommend suitable measures for preventing weapons from reaching the hands of such pirate groups;
15. Calls on the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, in cooperation with the UN and the African Union, to treat piracy and armed robbery committed from the Somali coast against vessels as criminal acts and to arrest the perpetrators under existing international law;
16. Calls on the Council and the Commission to encourage coastal states and all Member States to ratify the 2005 Protocol to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation;
17. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.
- [1] Texts adopted, P6_TA(2008)0519.
- [2] Texts adopted, P6_TA(2008)0313.
- [3] OJ L 330, 9.12.2008, p.19.