MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Iraq: plight of minority groups, in particular Iraqi Turkmen
12.3.2013 - (2013/2562(RSP))
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure
Véronique De Keyser, Silvia Costa, Maria Eleni Koppa, Liisa Jaakonsaari, Pino Arlacchi, Mitro Repo on behalf of the S&D Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0147/2013
B7‑0148/2013
European Parliament resolution on Iraq: plight of minority groups, in particular Iraqi Turkmen
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in Iraq,
– having regard to the Council conclusions adopted on 16 November 2009 on freedom of religion or belief, underlining the strategic importance of this freedom and of countering religious intolerance,
– having regard to the 1981 UN Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination based on Religion or Belief,
– having regard to its annual reports on the situation of human rights in the world and its previous resolutions on religious minorities in the world,
– having regard to Rule 122(5) of its Rules of Procedure,
– having regard to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Iraq, of the other part[1],
A. Whereas Iraq continues to face serious political, security and socio-economic challenges and the political scene is extremely fragmented and plagued by sectarian undercurrents to the severe detriment of the legitimate claims of the Iraqi people and which could hamper the country's democratic transition.
B. Whereas the Iraqi Constitution guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and belief for other Muslim and non-Muslim communities, such as Sunnies, Shiiti, Yazidis, Mandaeans, Shabaks and Kakai´s of Kirkuk and Christians. Nevertheless, concerns about their safety and security remain after recent attacks.
C. Whereas on April 2012 Iraqi Parliament approved the High Commission for Human Rights - the first independent human rights commission in the country's history, but is not yet fully functional,
D. Whereas in the political dialogue with its Iraqi counterparts, the European Parliament should focus on the human rights situation in Iraq, which continues to be of serious concern, with an unsatisfactory situation for all vulnerable groups, including minorities,
E. Whereas the EU-Iraq agreement and its human rights clause emphasises that the EU-Iraqi political dialogue should focus on human rights and strengthening democratic institutions,
F. Whereas on the 23rd of January, an attack on a Turkmen funeral in Tuz Khurmato for a civil servant left at least 42 dead and injured a further 117.
G. Whereas Turkmens have been subjected to terrorism, bombing, kidnappings and assassinations, which violates their rights and their security;
1. Remains deeply concerned at the continuing acts of violence perpetrated against the civilian population, vulnerable groups and all religious communities and calls on the Iraqi authorities to continue to improve security and public order and combat terrorism and sectarian violence throughout the country, in particular the Iraqi Turkmen who are the victims of the collateral damage caused by conflict between Kurds and Arabs and have not received adequate protection from either;
2. Expresses its grave concerns over - and strongly condemns- the recent attacks on the Turkmen community in Iraq and reaffirms its full support for the population of Iraq against the threat of violence terrorism.
3. Welcomes EU High Representative Catherine Aston´s condemnation of the funeral attack at Tuz Khurmato, but the European Union can and should do far more to adress these issues. Condemnation alone will not stop the individuals and gangs who perpetrate these brutal attacks on innocent civilians from continuing to target minorities. Instead, we must use the many tools at our disposal to put pressure on the Iraqi government to put measures into place that guarantee the safety and security of all Iraqi people and particularly those minority groups - such as the Turkmen- who are vulnerable to targeted violence.
4. Stressed that the Iraq government and all the official organizations have to take the necessary actions to provide security and protection for all Iraqi citizens generally and the Turkmen especially because they have been targeted on a large scale and more than one time recently.
5. Calls on the Iraqi authorities to step up their efforts to protect all the vulnerable minorities, to guarantee all Iraqi citizens the right to practise their faith or affirm their identity in freedom and safety, to take more determined measures to combat inter-etnic and inter-religious violence, to protect the secular population in keeping with the rule of law and international standards.
6. Calls the Iraqi government to work for the national reconciliation of an extremely fragmented society and to ensure that the country's resources are used in a transparent and responsible way to the benefit of the totality of Iraqi people including Turkmen community.
7. Emphasises the need to ensure that action coordinated between the Iraqi authorities and the international aid organisations is taken with a view to assisting all these vulnerable groups and creating adequate conditions to ensure their security and dignity.
8. Calls on the Council and the Commission, in particular the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affaires and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, to address the security problem of vulnerable groups and minorities , in particular the Turkmen community in Iraq, as a priority issue;
9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the UN Secretary-General, the President of the UN General Assembly, the governments of the UN member states and the Government and Parliament of Iraq.
- [1] OJ L 204, 31.7.2012, p. 20.