MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Central African Republic
15.1.2013 - (2013/2514(RSP))
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure
Judith Sargentini, Barbara Lochbihler, Nicole Kiil-Nielsen, Raül Romeva i Rueda, Jean-Jacob Bicep, Rui Tavares on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0031/2013
The European Parliament,
- Having regard to the 2008 Libreville Comprehensive peace Agreement between the government of the Central African Republic and several politico-military movements,
- Having regard to the United Nations Peace building Support Office in the Central African Republic (BONUCA), established in 1999 to support Government’s efforts to consolidate peace and national reconciliation, strengthen democratic institutions and facilitate the mobilization at the international level of political support and resources for national reconstruction and economic recovery in the country,
- Having regard to the ratification of the International Criminal Court statute by the Central African Republic
- having regard to Rule 122 of its Rules of Procedure,
A. Whereas the Central African Republic has been shaken by a rebellion coalition, called Seleka, for the past few months, causing death, destruction of property, violation of human rights,
B. Whereas the Seleka, who has captured several cities and towns since it launched its offensive last December is composed by breakaway factions from four rebel groups that had signed peace deals with President Francois Bozizé in 2007
C. Whereas the Central African Republic government and the Seleka rebellion agreed to the creation of a unity government, following the peace agreement, signed in Libreville, Gabon, as igned a peace agreement result to pave the way for a political and pacific solutions
D. Whereas peaceful resolution of conflicts implies respect for human rights, access to justice, end of impunity as well as fair access to resources and redistribution of revenues,
E. Whereas as in CAR about 90,000 internally displaced persons are affected by the activities of rebel groups over many years,
F. Reminding that the CAR has been a sore of instability since its independence in 1960 where coups and bloody mutinies took place
G. Whereas despite an important reserves of gold, timber, uranium and gemstone quality diamonds, the living standard and the livelihood of the population is stricken by poverty,
H. Whereas the CAR joined the Extractive industries Transparency Initiative (ETTI) in 2008;
I. Where as President Bozize after taking power in a coup d'état in 2003, was elected in 2005 for the first time and re-elected in 2011, which the opposition boycotted over alleged fraud,
J. Whereas CAR's extensive borders have been porous and unprotected, with armed intruders from Chad, Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo crossing the border to raid villages and poach wildlife,
1. Welcomes the peace agreement, signed between the government of Central African Republic and the Seleka coalition; calls on both parties to work together for a long lasting peaceful and democratic solutions by addressing the structural causes of this recurrent crisis
2. Welcomes the ceasefire agreement between the CAR government and the Seleka coalition, as a first step and insists that a comprehensive political solution, including fair distribution of wealth and access to resources, ensuring sustainable development of the regions are the only ways to bring solutions to the conflict,
3. Calls on all parties to respect human rights, international humanitarian law and guarantee humanitarian agencies to have immediate, unhindered access to all those in need and refrain from any acts of violence against the civilian population,
4. Calls for an investigation of human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law committed by CAR forces, and rebel groups and bring before court those responsible for human rights violations,
5. Welcomes the EU for its humanitarian aid to assist people affected by conflict and displacement in CAR
6. Calls on the UN general Secretary to assesses the BONUCA mission in the light of the current conflict to identify problems,
7. Considers that transparency and public scrutiny in the mining sector is crucial to efficient mining management, to make public what mining and exporting companies pay government and the revenues that the government receives,
8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and Commission, the African Union, the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the UN Secretary-General, the UN Human Rights Council, the President of the Central African Republic and Economic Community of Central African States Secretary-General