MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Sudan: the situation in Southern Kordofan and the eruption of fighting in Blue Nile State

13.9.2011

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 122 of the Rules of Procedure

Mariya Nedelcheva, Filip Kaczmarek, Mario Mauro, Michèle Striffler, Cristian Dan Preda, Bernd Posselt, Monica Luisa Macovei, Tunne Kelam, Sari Essayah, Elena Băsescu, Eija-Riitta Korhola, Zuzana Roithová, Joachim Zeller, Sergio Paolo Francesco Silvestris, Bogusław Sonik on behalf of the PPE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0501/2011

B7‑0508/2011

European Parliament resolution on Sudan: the situation in Southern Kordofan and the eruption of fighting in Blue Nile State

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Sudan,

– having regard to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed between the Sudanese parties on 9 January 2005,

– having regard to the Council conclusions on Sudan on 31 January 2011,

– having regard to the statement of 6n September 2011 by the spokesperson of EU HR Catherine Ashton on the eruption of fighting in Blue Nile State,

– having regard to the declaration of 10 August 2011 by the EU HR Catherine Ashton on the situation in Southern Kordofan,

– having regard to the statement of 26 August 2011 by Commissioner Georgieva on the lack of humanitarian access to Southern Kordofan,

– having regard to the statement of 16 July 2011 by EU HR Catherin Ashton on the signing of an agreement between the Government of Sudan and the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM),

– having regard to the UN Security Council Resolution 1978(2011),

– having regard to Rule 122 of its Rules of Procedure,

 

A. whereas the security situation in Sudan has critically deteriorated since fighting began in Southern Kordofan between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) on 5 June 2011,

B. whereas on 2 September 2011, the Sudanese Government announced a state of emergency in Blue Nile, following bloody clashes between the Sudanese army and forces aligned to South Sudan in the area, whereas this has already caused the exodus of thousands of residents,

C. whereas Amnesty International and HRW have reported serious violations of human rights and humanitarian law by both parties to the conflict, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and widespread looting,

D. whereas, despite the unilateral two week cease fire in Southern Kordofan declared by the government on 23 August 2011, the SAF has recently engaged in indiscriminate attacks and bombing from high altitude against a number of villages in the southern and western parts of Sudan,

E. whereas, since early June 2011, over 160,000 people have been forced to flee their homes due to the conflict, whereas this number may increase significantly over the coming months as fighting in the region continues,

F. whereas the humanitarian situation is becoming alarming, whereas the government blocks all humanitarian assistance, whereas international aid organizations are impeded in their efforts to provide aid to open camps and gain free access to the civilian population,

G. whereas the Southern Sudan independence day coincided with the end date of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), whereas the Sudanese Government rejected the request for UN peacekeepers to stay in Southern Kordofan, Blue Nile and Abyei after the south's independence,

H. whereas Darfur rebels asked the international community to impose a no-fly zone and to establish safe corridors to provide civilians with humanitarian assistance in the Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan,

I. whereas UN officials were denied access to many parts of the state, keeping them from investigating and carrying out an independent assessment mission on the ground,

 

1. Is deeply concerned by the escalation of violence in Southern Kordofan, which has been going on since 5 June 2011, and the outbreak of fighting in Blue Nile State between the SAF and the SPLM on 1 September 2011;

2. Strongly condemns all violations of human rights and breaches of humanitarian law committed by both parties to the conflict; reminds them of their responsibility to protect civilians; calls on the Sudanese authorities to immediately cease all indiscriminate bombing in Southern Kordofan and stop the ongoing attacks against civilian populations;

3. Is worried that only government controlled bodies and local aid workers can distribute humanitarian assistance, while stocks and supplies of basic items are running out; urges the government to grant unimpeded access for humanitarian organizations and enable them to reach affected populations;

4. Is concerned by the reports of government attempts to force displaced persons to return to areas where their lives and safety could be at risk; calls for the respect of the rights of internally displaced persons;

5. Welcomes Commissioner Georgieva's commitment to increase EU's humanitarian assistance to the affected populations throughout South Kordofan;

6. Calls on the Government of Sudan to promote peace and security, not only in Sudan but also in the region as a whole;

7. Reaffirms the importance of a negotiated political solution to the conflict; calls the parties to the conflict to engage in a constructive dialogue on all unresolved issued of the CPA in order to facilitate long-term security and stability for both Sudan and South Sudan;

8. Expresses its commitment to developing a close partnership with both parties to the CPA in order to accompany a sustainable North-South relationship;

9.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the EU Council and Commission, the HR/VP Catherine Ashton, the UN Security Council and the UN Secretary General, the institutions of the African Union, the ACP-EU Parliamentary Assembly and the governments and parliaments of EU Member States.