MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia
15.2.2011
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure
Elmar Brok, Bernd Posselt, Mario Mauro, Cristian Dan Preda, Bogusław Sonik, Tunne Kelam, Elena Băsescu, Monica Luisa Macovei, Eija-Riitta Korhola, Sari Essayah, Jarosław Leszek Wałęsa, Martin Kastler on behalf of the PPE Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0132/2011
B7‑0138/2011
European Parliament resolution on border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its resolutions of 13 January 2005[1], 10 March 2005[2] 19 January 2006[3] 15 March 2007[4] and 21 October 2010 on Cambodia and its resolution of 20 May 2010 on Thailand as well as its resolution of 1 December 2005 on the human rights situation in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam[5],
– having regard to the Judgment of the International Court of Justice of 15 June 1962 on the case concerning the temple of Preah Vihear (Cambodia vs. Thailand), I.C.J. Reports 1962m, p.6.
– having regard to the 1954 Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict which has been signed by both Thailand and Cambodia,
– having regard to the statement of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton of 7 February 2011,
– having regard to the statement of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon of 7 February 2011,
– having regard to Rule 122 (5) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas since the beginning of February 2011 there have been fights between the armed forces of Thailand and Cambodia at the Cambodian - Thai border, amongst others near the temple of Preah Vihear,
B. whereas the Preah Vihear temple has been the centre of renewed boundary disputes between Thailand and Cambodia over the last century,
C. whereas the ruling of the International Court of Justice of 15 June 1962 finds that the temple of Preah Vihear is situated in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia,
D. whereas Prasat Preah Vihear has been inscribed on the list of World Heritage sites by the UNESCO on 7 July 2008,
E. whereas the international community has a special responsibility to preserve the monuments inscribed on the World Heritage list,
F. whereas Preah Vihear temple has allegedly been damaged by shelling during the recent border clashes,
G. whereas reports state that on both sides there have been casualties and injured civilians and that in the neighbouring area thousands of civilians had to be evacuated,
H. whereas several news reports state the use of cluster bombs,
1. Condemns the armed border clashes between the armed forces of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Kingdom of Thailand and urges all parties to exercise utmost restraint and to take the necessary steps to reduce tension and to resume their dialogue in view of a peaceful solution to their differences, and to accept the assistance of ASEAN and the United Nations;
2. Deeply regrets the loss of life during the recent border clashes and expresses its sincere condolences to the families of the victims;
3. Calls on both governments to ensure that the civilians displaced as a consequence of the armed clashes are provided with the necessary aid;
4. Calls on both countries to respect the 1962 judgment of the International Court of Justice and find a peaceful settlement of the dispute regarding the border area close to the Preah Vihear temple;
5. Calls on both countries to ensure that Art. 4 (1) of the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, which forbids any use of cultural property situated within their own territory as well as within the territory of other High Contracting Parties which is likely to expose it to destruction or damage in the event of armed conflict, is not violated by their actions and to refrain from any act of hostility, directed against such property;
6. Welcomes the planned mission of the UNESCO to assess the damage caused to the Preah Vihear temple and calls on both sides to the dispute to cooperate with this mission;
7. Calls on both countries to find a solution that allows direct access from their territories to Preah Vihear temple and not to obstruct citizens from the respective other country to enter the temple and the border area;
8. Condemns the alleged use of cluster munitions and calls on both countries to refrain from using such munitions under any circumstances;
9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union, the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand, the UN Secretary‑General, the UNESCO Secretary-General and the governments of the ASEAN Member States.