MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Somalia
13.9.2016 - (2016/2881(RSP))
pursuant to Rule 135 of the Rules of Procedure
Javier Nart, Hilde Vautmans, Petras Auštrevičius, Beatriz Becerra Basterrechea, Izaskun Bilbao Barandica, Dita Charanzová, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Louis Michel, Nedzhmi Ali, Gérard Deprez, Marian Harkin, Urmas Paet, Pavel Telička, Ramon Tremosa i Balcells, Marietje Schaake, Johannes Cornelis van Baalen, Hannu Takkula, Carolina Punset, Martina Dlabajová, Cecilia Wikström, Marielle de Sarnez, José Inácio Faria, Ivo Vajgl, María Teresa Giménez Barbat, Paavo Väyrynen, Ivan Jakovčić, Frédérique Ries, Petr Ježek, Charles Goerens, Jasenko Selimovic, Filiz Hyusmenova, Valentinas Mazuronis on behalf of the ALDE Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B8-0989/2016
The European Parliament,
–Having regards to its previous resolution on Somalia,
–Having regards to its previous resolution on fighting against terrorism,
–having regards to the Council conclusion on Somalia on18 July 2016,
–having regards to the statement by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini on the decision on an electoral model for Somalia in 2016 on 28 January 2016, and the latest Statement of the Spokesperson for EEAS on Somalia,
–Having regards to the statement of Michael Keating, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia,
–having regard to the commitment of State Parties to the Organization of African Unity Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism to cooperate towards the eradication of terrorism pursuant to Article 4 of the Convention;
–having regard to the 4th pillar relating to the fight against violent extremism and radicalisation, the EU strategy for security and development of the Sahel of September 2011;
–Having regard to the EU programme for fighting against terrorism;
–having regard to the Cotonou Partnership Agreement between the ACP and the EU, in particular Articles 11A and 2 thereof;
–having regard to the Organization of African Unity Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism, adopted in 1999;
–having regard to the Communication of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union at its 455th meeting of 2 September 2014 on the prevention and combating of terrorism and violent extremism in Africa;
–having regard to the mandate of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to promote and protect human and peoples’ rights under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights;
–having regard to Article 4 of the African Charter which requires respect for the right to life and physical and moral integrity of human beings;
–having regards to Rule 135(5) of its Rules of Procedure.
A.Whereas Somalia is subject to the barbaric jihadist terrorism in an internal armed struggle; whereas the Somalian people are the main target, putting at risk the entire social balance of the country;
B.Whereas the people of Somalia is struggling and suffering the consequences of continuous barbaric attacks from warlords and terrorists,
C.Whereas since 2012, when a new internationally-backed federal government was installed, Somalia has been inching towards stability, but the new authorities still face a challenge from Al-Qaeda-aligned Al-Shabab insurgents; Welcomes the decisive work of the AMISOM mission in restoring peace and security in Somalia and its extension until May 31, 2017 (rés.2297 UNSC),
D.Whereas according to 2016 World Press Freedom Index, Somalia is ranked 167 out of 180 countries, where 46 journalists and media workers were killed and 311 journalists and media workers are still imprisoned,
1.Firmly condemns the perpetrators of those attacks, attributed to the Al-Shabaab insurgent group, strongly condemns this attempt to destabilise the people’s legitimate aspiration for a stable country and to disrupt political progress,
2.Expresses its full solidarity to the survivors of those barbaric attacks and conveys its condolences to all the families who lost loved ones due to these attacks;
3.Calls on the European Union and its international partners to continue supporting the people and Government of Somalia in their work to build peace and stability in the country and the region as a whole,
4.Highlights the encouraging progress towards more inclusive elections and an accountable government since 2012; highlights the attempt to rebuild the State institutions and the adoption of important new laws, including one on political parties and one on the creation of an independent National Human Rights Commission;
5. Expresses the need for an all-inclusive dialogue between the country’s social sectors, including clan and tribal that compose the Somalian nation, to allow for mutual understanding and to establish a consensus for a long-lasting and stable peace;
6.Reminds that efforts still need to be made in the security sector, to provide security to all Somalis so they can live in a safe and stable country;
7.takes note of the postponement of the legislative electoral timing until September 24, 2016, of the presidential election until October 30, 2016 and of Universal elections to 2020, however welcomes the step by step approach in the electoral process; notes that in 2012, the 275 members of the Lower House were selected by 135 clan elders, but this year they will be chosen by some 14,000 delegates; Recalls the commitment made by the Federal Government of Somalia to give 30% of the seats of both chambers to women; stresses that the current electoral process represents a historic opportunity to provide the Somali people of a more representative system of governance, reflecting its diversity;
8.Recalls that the electoral process in 2016 is expected to be a first step for the organisation of elections with universal suffrage in 2020, by applying the principle of one person, one vote; welcomes the decision of the National Leadership Forum to promote the establishment and registration of political parties in the next two years, in anticipation of the 2020 elections ;
9.Recalls that there cannot be security without development, nor development without security; Calls for more coherence between security and development actions, for the strengthening of programs to both promote economic and social development and to fight underdevelopment, causes and basis of terrorism; Recalls the need to provide basic services and support to the released people, in particular to ensure the sustainable reintegration of returning refugees in the country; stresses the need to accelerate the consolidation of the administrative structure of the Somali state and of the institutions providing such services;
10.Calls on the Somali government to end the recruitment and use of children in security forces as soldiers and as informants, including the use of captured or deserting child soldiers;
11.recalls that the fight against terrorism requires a strengthening of military and security capabilities in the countries concerned and an improvement of the living conditions of the population by integrating local authorities,
12.Recalls the need to strengthen the rule of law; regrets that freedom of expression continues to be significantly limited; strongly condemns the numerous killings, arrests, intimidation and closure of critical media outlets, confiscation of equipment and blocking of websites; according to the UN report, 120 cases of arbitrary arrest and detention of media workers between January 2014 and July 2016 can be identified; since January 2015, only ten of the 48 journalists and media workers who have been arrested have been brought before a court,
13.calls for a reinforcement of the justice system to enable a better protection of human rights, and request that the fight against impunity be taken at; is concerned about the lack of independence of the judicial system as it continues to be shaped by clan-based politics, corruption and lack of oversight; calls on actions by the national authorities to fully investigate, irrespective of the identity of the perpetrators;
14.recalls that freedom of expression plays a central role in the building of democratic States, especially in times of political transformation; expresses its concerns about the limitation of this fundamental right, therefore welcomes the UN report on freedom of expression, of 4 September 2016, describing progress in state-building, but also its concern about the difficult environment that continues to confront journalists, human rights defenders and political leaders,
15.calls on the Somali authorities to fully respect freedom of expression, freedom of association and media freedom, as the Cotonou Agreement upholds, especially in article 2;
16.Expresses its concern about the increasing number of forced evictions of displaced people from public and private infrastructure in the main cities of Somalia; recalls that these expulsions must comply with relevant national and international frameworks; asks the Somali Federal Government and all actors to find sustainable concrete solutions to problems of displaced persons; asks the Government of Somalia to create, with the support of its partners, the conditions of the voluntary return of refugees in dignity once the security situation in the country permits;
17.Condemns the numerous attacks against humanitarian personnel and calls on all parties to respect and protect persons, installations and humanitarian goods; condemns the embezzlement of humanitarian aid,
18.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 African Union, the Somali authorities, the Secretary General of the United Nations, the special representative of the United Nations responsible for the issue of sexual violence in times of conflict, the United Nations security Council and the Council of human rights of the United Nations and to the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly.