MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Chad

18.5.2021 - (2021/26955(RSP))

with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 144 of the Rules of Procedure

Anna Fotyga, Karol Karski, Jadwiga Wiśniewska, Ryszard Antoni Legutko, Assita Kanko, Elżbieta Kruk, Carlo Fidanza, Joanna Kopcińska, Valdemar Tomaševski, Raffaele Fitto, Veronika Vrecionová, Elżbieta Rafalska, Ryszard Czarnecki, Adam Bielan, Alexandr Vondra, Bogdan Rzońca, Emmanouil Fragkos, Witold Jan Waszczykowski, Eugen Jurzyca, Angel Dzhambazki
on behalf of the ECR Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B9-0290/2021

NB: This motion for a resolution is available in the original language only.

B9‑0294/2021

European Parliament resolution on the situation in Chad

(2021/2545(RSP))

The European Parliament,

 – having regard to its previous resolutions on Chad,

 -  having regard to the Council conclusions of 19 April 2021 on the EU’s integrated strategy in the  Sahel region,

  -  having regard to the statement of VP/HR Borrell of 20 April 2021 on the decease of Idriss Déby Itno,

  -  having regard to the statement of VP/HR Borrell of 27 April 2021 on the current situation in Chad,

  -  having regard to the press release of 29 April 2021 of the African Commission on Human Rights and Peoples’ Rights on the human rights situation in Chad,

  -  having regard to the press briefing notes of 30 April 2021 of the spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Chad,

  -  having regard to the situation report on Chad of 4 May 2021 of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,

  -  having regard to the Joint Statements of the G7 Foreign and Development Ministers of 5 May 2021,

  -  having regard to the final Fact Finding Mission report on Chad, 995th meeting of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union of 12 May 2021,

 

  - having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 

  - having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,

  -  having regard to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights,

  -  having regard to the Cotonou Agreement,

– having regard to Rule 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

A  whereas Chad’s President Idriss Déby Itno died on 20 April 2021 in a military confrontation with the rebels of the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT), one day after having been declared the winner of the presidential elections that would have handed him a sixth term in office;

B.  whereas the political instability in neighbouring countries and the rising threat from armed Islamist groups impacts significantly on the internal political situation in Chad, which has become a key player in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel and the Lake Chad basin in cooperation with the EU and the UN; whereas President Déby’s death could therefore trigger instability not only in Chad but also in the region;

C.  whereas the Transitional Military Council (TMC) nominated the President’s son, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, as interim head of state whose activities will be guided not by the Constitution but by a ‘transitional charter’ with the aim to return power to a civilian government and hold free and democratic elections in 18 months, while the Chadian constitution provides for the speaker of the Parliament to exercise provisional presidential powers and lead the country’s transition in case of death of the President;

D.  whereas the TMC dissolved the Government and National Assembly and named a new transition government which contains two important opposition parties but doesn’t reflect the broad inclusion asked for by the opposition and civil society;

E.  whereas apparently disproportionate force – including the use of live ammunition – was used by defence and security forces in the context of protests in Chad and six people were reportedly killed and more than 700 people have been arrested in relation to the demonstrations;

F.  whereas the FACT rebels don’t accept the TMC and continue their offensive;

G.  whereas Chad’s economy  weakened in 2020 as oil prices fell; whereas Chad remains one of the poorest countries in the world where malnutrition remains a significant problem; whereas Chad was placed last in the World Bank’s 2020 Human Capital Index, while the United Nations Development Programme ranked Chad 187th out of 189 countries in its 2020 human development index;
 

H.  whereas human rights conditions in Chad are dire and exacerbated by the poor security situation and whereas women and children are particularly vulnerable;

1.  Condemns the killing of President Idriss Déby Itno and the recent violence and loss of life in Chad;

2.  Stresses that the EU is committed to Chad's stability and integrity and underlines the need to return soon to constitutional order and to reinforce the rule of law;

3.  Recognizes that Chad is a major player and important partner for the EU in addressing the complex security situation in the region and in fighting against Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP);

4.  Calls on the TMC to create the conditions for an inclusive national dialogue and a peaceful, civilian-led and timely transition to democratic, free and fair elections;

5.  Calls on the military authorities to end the violence against demonstrators, human rights and democracy defenders and journalists; Urges the respect of Chad’s international commitments, in particular the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and to freedom of association, the right to physical integrity and the prohibition of torture and the prohibition of summary or arbitrary executions; Calls on all relevant State institutions to conduct impartial, prompt, effective and transparent investigations into any human rights violations that may have occurred;

6.  Acknowledges Chad’s significant development challenges and encourages the authorities to adopt policies designed to promote inclusive development; points to the EU’s significant contribution in terms of development cooperation and humanitarian assistance and welcomes the work of the Sahel Alliance to support development efforts led by the G5 Sahel governments;

7.  Encourages the authorities of Chad to keep up their efforts to curb corruption;

8.  Is concerned by continuing instability, increasing violence, and the deepening humanitarian crisis in the Sahel and endorses a shift towards a more integrated approach to stabilisation with a strong focus on civilian and political dimensions;

9.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the ACPEU Council of Ministers and Joint Parliamentary Assembly, the transition authorities of Chad, and the African Union.