MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia
15.2.2011
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure
Marc Tarabella on behalf of the S&D Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0132/2011
B7‑0139/2011
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 the statement of Secretary-General of ASEAN on the deterioration of situation along the Thai-Cambodian border of 5th February 2011,
– having regard to Rule 122(5) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas armed clashes between Cambodia and Thailand erupted around their common border area on the 4 and 6 of February 2011 and the armed troops remain in the area till present time;
B. whereas exchange of fire resulted in serious damage to the ancient Hindu temple Preah Vihear, UNESCO World Heritage Site, claimed a number of lives and led to the displacement of civilians and destruction of property;
C. whereas the disputed temple has been the centre of renewed boundary disputes between Thailand and Cambodia over the last century;
D. whereas the International Court of Justice decided in favour of Cambodia in 1962 as far as the Temple, Preah Vihear is concerned while the areas adjacent to the Temple remain under dispute;
E. whereas the worsening of the situation at the border between Thailand and Cambodia is threatening peace and stability in the region;
F. whereas the incident took place right after the successful conclusion of the 7th Meeting of the Joint Commission on the Bilateral Cooperation between Thailand and Cambodia (JC) on 3-4 February 2011 where both countries agreed to expand their cooperation in all areas and to hold a meeting of the Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC) in Thailand in the near future;
G. whereas Indonesia, the current Chair of ASEAN, steps up its diplomatic efforts to help the two sides to arrive at a temporary solution to trigger bilateral mechanisms to accomplish the objective of border demarcation and general peace in the areas;
H. whereas the ASEAN Charter foresees the creation of a dispute settlement mechanism that would offer enhanced possibility of assistance in resolving bilateral disputes;
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. Deplores the loss of lives and urges both governments to ensure that the civilians displaced as a consequence of the armed clashes are provided with the necessary aid;
3. Calls on both countries to respect the border demarcations confirmed by the 1962 International Court of Justice judgment;
4. 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 is not violated by their actions 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; and to refrain from any act of hostility, directed against such property;
5. Welcomes the planned mission of the UNESCO to assess the damage caused to the Preah Vihear temple and calls on the Thai government to allow access to the area;
6. Welcomes the efforts undertaken by Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, as ASEAN Chair, in order to facilitate dialogue between the two countries so that the dispute can be resolved in a peaceful manner;
7. Calls at the UN Security Council to intervene should the regional mediation fail to solve the longstanding border dispute;
8. 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.