MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo
11.12.2012 - (2012/2907(RSP))
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure
Isabelle Durant, Judith Sargentini, Barbara Lochbihler, Bart Staes, Raül Romeva i Rueda, Jean-Jacob Bicep, Jean Lambert, Malika Benarab-Attou, Rui Tavares; Nicole Kiil-Nielsen on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0562/2012
B7‑0573/2012
European Parliament resolution on the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The European Parliament,
– having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966),
– having regard to Article 3 and Protocol II to the Geneva Convention of 1949, which prohibit summary executions, rape, enforced recruitment and other atrocities,
– having regard to the UN Security Council decision to extend until 30 June 2013 the mandate of the UN Stabilisation Mission in DRC (MONUSCO), under its Resolution 2053(2012,
– having regard to its previous resolutions,
– having regard to Rule 122 of its Rules of Procedure,
A. Whereas, since April 2012, elements of the Armed Forces of DRC (FARDC) have mutinied in Kivu province, which has been transformed into an armed rebellion under the name of the March 23 Movement (M23),
B. Whereas the 23 March Movement's (M23) mutiny and attacks provoked a renewed armed conflict in eastern Congo and the Kivu region has suffered from reiterated atrocities characterised by human rights violations and war crimes, such as mass rapes, including rapes of minor girls, torture and massacres of civilians and the general enrolment of child soldiers;
C. Whereas the M23 rebels constitute one of the dozen armed groups, such as the Mai-Mai group, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and Rwandan Hutu rebels, on the one hand, and the Armed Forces of DRC (FARDC) fighting in this resource-rich region
D. Whereas according to the United Nations Group of Experts that monitors the arms embargo and sanctions violations in Congo, presented compelling evidence of Rwandan support to the M23 rebels,
E. Whereas failure of bringing to justice those responsible for human rights violation has resulted in encouraging the climate of impunity and the commitment of new crime,
F. Whereas the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden and the EU all suspended some aid to Rwanda, over a U.N report accusing Rwanda for its assistance the rebel group,
G. Whereas DRC possesses an abundance of natural resources and whereas the persistent illegal exploitation of these resources, particularly in the east of DRC, which moreover are often under the control of armed paramilitary groups, helps to finance and perpetuate the conflict and remains a source of insecurity for the region as a whole;
1. Condemns the recent massacres and ruthless attack by M23 and other armed groups against the civilian in eastern DRC, which has resulted in serious human rights violation, the destruction and looting of homes and property, as well as the mass displacement of thousands of civilians
2. Welcomes the re-establishment of DRC's control of Goma following the M23 retreat, where as the situation remains fragile in the absence of any definitive peace accord, which needs strong political commitment,
3. Calls on Great Lakes countries to commit themselves to jointly promote peace, stability and security to enhance regional economic development, paying special attention to reconciliation, respect for human rights, fight against impunity, establishment of impartial judiciary system and better government accountability,
4. Opposes any external intervention in the conflict and stresses the need to put an end to the activity of foreign-armed groups in the east of the DRC; calls on the governments of the DRC, neighbouring countries and particularly on Rwanda to take the necessary steps to achieve peace in the region,
5. Deplores once again the massacres, crimes against humanity and acts of sexual violence against women and girls, which continue in the eastern provinces, calls on all relevant authorities to take immediate action to bring the perpetrators to justice,
6. Calls on all parties to respect human rights and international humanitarian law and reminds that those responsible for international crimes will be held accountable before the ICC, which has already conducted proceedings in this country and continues its investigations.
7. Calls on the Congolese authorities to conduct an impartial and thorough investigation on human right violations and urges that the perpetrators of human rights violations, war crimes, crimes against humanity, sexual violence against women and the conscription of child soldiers be reported, identified, prosecuted and punished in accordance with national and international criminal law;
8. Calls on the Congolese authorities to rehabilitate and reform of the judicial system, the army, and the prison; also calls to provide adequate training and put at their disposal the necessary human and financial resources to combat impunity,
9. Considers that transparent access and control over the natural resources of DRC and equitable redistribution of these resources are indispensable for peace and sustainable development of the country ;
10. Urges the European Commission, the African Union and the countries of the Great Lakes region to come forward with legislative proposals, comparable to section 1502 of Dodd Frank, which requires USA listed companies to publish what they pay to government and to report the use of conflict minerals,
11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the institutions of the African Union, the United Nations Secretary-General, the UN Special Representative on sexual violence in armed conflicts.