MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on recent violence in Iraq
8.10.2013 - (2013/2874(RSP))
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure
Cristian Dan Preda, Alejo Vidal-Quadras, Bernd Posselt, Mariya Gabriel, Tunne Kelam, Eduard Kukan, Roberta Angelilli, Laima Liucija Andrikienė, Petri Sarvamaa, Monica Luisa Macovei, Eija-Riitta Korhola, Philippe Boulland, Jean Roatta, Sergio Paolo Francesco Silvestris, Giovanni La Via, Sari Essayah, Krzysztof Lisek, Tokia Saïfi on behalf of the PPE Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0446/2013
The European Parliament,
- having regard to its previous resolutions on Iraq;
- having regard to the Statements by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton of 5 September 2013 on the recent violence in Iraq, and that of 23 September 2013 on the latest attacks in Iraq;
- 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;
- having regard to Rule 122 of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas according to casualty figures released by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), a total of 979 Iraqis were killed and another 2,133 were wounded in acts of terrorism and violence in September 2013;
B. whereas on 21 September 2013 at least 104 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack in Sadr City; whereas on 29 September 2013 6 people were killed in a rare bomb attack in Erbil; whereas on 1 October 2013 at least 55 people were killed in a bomb attack in Baghdad;
C. whereas 52 residents of Camp Ashraf were killed on 1 September 2013;
D. whereas the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq has said that that political, religious and civil leaders as well as the security services must work together to end the bloodshed and ensure that all Iraqi citizens feel equally protected;
1. Strongly condemns all terrorist attacks in Iraq and extends its condolences to the families of the deceased;
2. Is deeply concerned at the continuing acts of violence perpetrated against the civilian population, vulnerable groups and all religious communities, including Christian minorities; reiterates its call on the Iraqi authorities to step up their efforts to protect Christian minorities and all vulnerable minorities, and to do everything in their power to bring the perpetrators to justice;
3. Welcomes the recent Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton in which she expresses concern about the escalation of sectarian violence in Iraq and the threat it poses to the stability of the country, while encouraging political leaders in Iraq to spare no effort in searching for ways to reduce tensions; calls on the EU to use the institutions established by Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Iraq to convey this message to the Iraqi side;
4. Reiterates its calls on the Iraqi authorities to improve security and public order and to combat terrorism and sectarian violence throughout the country;
5. Welcomes the initiatives by Iraqi political leaders to address their differences and promote reconciliation as a means of achieving lasting peace;
6. Calls on the Iraqi Government and on the political forces represented in the Council of Representatives to guarantee that cultural, social and political rights of all the minorities in the country are respected, within a secure living environment and to prevent any discrimination against them;
7. Strongly condemns the attack on Camp Ashraf on 1st September 2013 by Iraqi forces which left 52 Iranian refugees dead and the abduction of 7 residents including 6 women who, as stated by High Representative Baroness Ashton on 19 September, are believed to be held in Baghdad, and calls for their immediate and unconditional release;
8. Demands an independent, international investigation into the massacre of 1 September in Ashraf by Iraqi forces and calls on the Iraqi government to fully cooperate with that probe to bring those responsible to justice; calls on the United Nations to send monitors and peacekeepers to protect the remaining 3000 Iranian refugees in Camp Liberty from further attacks;
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 EU Special Representative for Human Rights, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Government and Council of Representatives of Iraq, the Regional Government of Kurdistan, the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the United Nations Human Rights Council.