Πληρη πρακτικα των συζητησεων

Τρίτη 6 Ιουλίου 2021 - Στρασβούργο

15. Η κατάσταση στην Τιγραία της Αιθιοπίας (συζήτηση)

  Presidente. – Segue-se o debate sobre as declarações do Conselho e da Comissão sobre a situação em Tigré, Etiópia (2021/2778(RSP)).

  Anže Logar, President-in-Office of the Council. – Mr President, for the past eight months, we have been following with concern the situation in Ethiopia. The messages sent by the European Union have been clear from the start. We have clearly condemned the situation and we have made additional efforts together with international partners, namely the United States, to put a halt to the violence in Tigray. The recent offensive of the Tigray Defence Forces and the fall of several towns, including Mekelle, has changed the landscape in the Tigray region with the Ethiopian National Defence Forces moving out of the region.

As far as we know, fighting still continues, albeit at a smaller level. In continuing their offensive, the Tigray Defence Forces are meeting only low resistance. Eritrean forces still seem to be present in the north and the Amhara militia is controlling Western Tigray. We welcome the unilateral humanitarian ceasefire declared by the government as a step in the right direction, but it needs to be consolidated and accompanied by efforts from all parties to protect civilians and get humanitarian assistance in. The parties to the conflict have responsibilities also in these circumstances.

We are assessing the situation on the ground. The four priorities that the EU has identified from the start of the crisis remain: first, to secure humanitarian access; second, to call all parties to protect civilians and to avoid further human rights violations; third, to ensure the withdrawal of Eritrean troops from Tigray; and, fourth, to establish a political dialogue for a sustainable solution.

Humanitarian access and the provision of humanitarian assistance remain the first priority: 91% of the population is in urgent need of assistance and 900 000 people face famine. There are worrying reports indicating a possible blockage of humanitarian deliveries. In order to protect civilians, we urgently need a full cessation of hostilities accepted by all parties. Ethiopian troops have left most of Tigray, but all parties must ensure the protection of civilians and assist the population. Human rights abuses need to cease and also need to be investigated.

We welcome the ongoing joint investigation by the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission. Yesterday, the EU tabled a resolution in the Human Rights Council to be sure that the High Commissioner will be able to brief the Human Rights Council accordingly.

Eritrean leaders and Eritrean defence forces were asked to leave Tigray. Our leaders repeated that appeal in the European Council on 25 June. Asmara tells us that the Eritrean defence forces are now at the Eritrean—Ethiopian border and do not engage in fighting unless provoked by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). What we see is that fighting has reduced in intensity, possibly an indication that the Eritrean Defence Forces (EDF) have indeed withdrawn from most of Tigray.

Finally, we need a political solution through an inclusive dialogue organised by the Ethiopian Government in the whole of the country. The EU is ready to contribute to such a dialogue to preserve Ethiopia’s integrity and unity. The country has just held federal and regional elections, which were overall peaceful and well organised. Organising an inclusive national dialogue should be the next step.

The Foreign Affairs Council has discussed the situation regularly, notably in March, adopting conclusions, and in June. Next week, on 12 July, we will come back to the matter. As I said, at its recent meetings the European Council also addressed the issue. It condemned the ongoing atrocity, ethnic—based and sexual violence and other human rights violations in Tigray, and welcomed the ongoing investigations to bring accountability and justice. It called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and impeded humanitarian access to all areas and, as I recalled before, the immediate withdrawal of Eritrean forces. Finally, it also reiterated the commitment of the EU and Member States to support Ethiopia in the implementation of democratic reform and reconciliation efforts.

  Janez Lenarčič, Member of the Commission. – Mr President, eight months into the conflict the European Union remains extremely concerned at the situation in Tigray. Today, over five million children, women and men are in need of emergency assistance, with roughly two million people internally displaced. Famine is now a reality in Tigray. We are estimating that up to 900 000 civilians are facing famine conditions throughout Tigray. Another one million are one step below famine.

This famine is entirely man—made and is a disgrace to those who are responsible for it. To avoid the loss of thousands of lives, urgent humanitarian assistance must be delivered now. However, after the declaration of the recent unilateral ceasefire by the Ethiopian authorities, Tigray once again has been cut from the external world. Its regional borders have been closed. Essential infrastructure for supply delivery has been damaged. There is an embargo on flights to Tigray. Internet and telecommunications have been cut. Telecommunication outlets that were essential to humanitarian operators have been confiscated. Humanitarians are prevented from entering Tigray and from delivering much—needed assistance.

The voices of millions are being silenced. It is not a ceasefire: it is a siege, and starvation is used as a weapon of war.

Unspeakable atrocities continue also to be reported, with credible allegations of serious violations of international humanitarian law, human rights law and international refugee law. These include armed forces subjecting women and girls to sexual violence and rape, extrajudicial killings of civilians, starvation used as a method of war, deportation of Eritrean refugees back to Eritrea, looting and the deliberate destruction of livelihoods like crops and livestock. Deliberate denial of humanitarian actions by armed forces, forced relocation and destruction and looting of health facilities. What has been happening may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Since the beginning of the crisis, with High Representative Borrell we have issued a number of statements on the situation in Ethiopia. I was myself in Addis in December and then again in April, and we are in contact with all our partners on the ground. We continue to call for additional efforts by all parties to cease hostilities, protect civilians and provide unfettered humanitarian access to avert a major humanitarian catastrophe. And Eritrean troops must withdraw from all of Tigray.

To avoid a humanitarian catastrophe, to preserve core EU values, we must act directly and indirectly, quickly and robustly. I will participate with High Representative Borrell and Commissioner Urpilainen in the next Foreign Affairs Council to this end. I will appeal for a consensus amongst our Member States in line with our consistent efforts to reach a concerted approach over the last months.

Our priorities are very clear. First, we need to engage with the parties to the conflict and agree on the mechanism to facilitate and secure aid operations in areas controlled by the Tigrayan forces. Ethiopian authorities notably shall be reminded that impartial humanitarian activities do not constitute in any way support to the enemy or to terrorism. Tigray’s borders must be opened to humanitarian relief operations. Relief actors need to be able to carry out their work independently, freely and in safety at all times.

Second, the protection of civilians caught in the Tigray conflict is at the heart of our preoccupations. We must not tolerate these serious violations of human rights, international refugee and humanitarian law. I am strongly convinced that this is an existential question for our common foreign policy. The EU continues to support civilians affected by the conflict in Ethiopia and beyond through our humanitarian response efforts. Together with our Member States, we have mobilised almost EUR 118 million in assistance to Ethiopian refugees living in neighbouring Sudan. My colleague, Commissioner Urpilainen, has also acted swiftly by deciding to postpone budget support disbursements last December, and she is exploring further options on the way ahead. It is clear that the conditions that we have spelled out in a clear way need to be fulfilled before we can resume our financing and programming of our cooperation assistance.

The European Union has also called upon neighbouring leaders and like—minded partners to step up their efforts in support of the Tigrayan people and to engage more actively to find a solution to the conflict. We support the joint investigation by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Ethiopian Commission for Human Rights. We are ready to take concrete steps with international partners in order to achieve an end to hostilities in Tigray and the resumption of a national dialogue. This will be necessary if we are to see a permanent ceasefire to the conflict and find a long—lasting solution to the situation in Ethiopia.

In conclusion, I wish to thank you for having facilitated this important debate, and I am looking forward to hearing your views and opinions.

  Michael Gahler, on behalf of the PPE Group. – Mr President, I’m glad to see that apparently there’s broad consensus in the analysis, both from the Council, the Commission, and I assume also from us here in Parliament, when we assess the situation in Ethiopia. I think it is a high need to get our act together and to push towards those who are responsible on the ground allowing, in the first place, the access of humanitarian assistance.

I think what has been described – that is a ceasefire since the 28 June and that the troops have to withdraw and talks have to start – is positive to note. That is right, but the most urgent thing now is to get the EU humanitarian aid to the millions of people who are internally displaced and who are exposed to immediate famine.

Accordingly, I think one thing that is really doable is to ask the responsible people in Addis to allow the airports to be used, because I think that is the access that is possible. If bridges are destroyed and there is no road access, at least the airports must be made available. There should be no such thing as a flying prohibition. That is, I think, what we have to concentrate on.

We also call for a UN—mandated, independent, transparent and impartial international investigation on the alleged war crimes, which is indispensable to start a process of national reconciliation.

  Hannes Heide, im Namen der S&D-Fraktion. – Herr Präsident, Herr Kommissar, Herr Außenminister! Bereits zum dritten Mal diskutieren wir seit November des letzten Jahres über die aktuelle Lage in Tigray, und das bedeutet nichts Gutes. Die Situation ist weiterhin katastrophal und kann sich jederzeit verschärfen.

Hunger und sexuelle Gewalt werden als Waffen eingesetzt. 60 000 Flüchtlinge haben die Grenze zum Sudan, der mittlerweile eine Million Flüchtlinge beherbergt, übertreten. Über 1,7 Millionen Menschen bei einer Bevölkerung von 6 Millionen wurden bisher aus ihrer Heimat in Tigray vertrieben. Die Vereinten Nationen warnen, dass 5,5 Millionen Menschen in der Region Nahrungshilfe benötigen und 400 000 Menschen vom Hungertod bedroht sind. Die Unicef berichtet, dass circa 10 % der Kinder unter fünf Jahren an schwerer Unterernährung leiden. Das sind über 70 000 Kinder. Daher ist ein uneingeschränkter Zugang internationaler Organisationen in alle Regionen notwendig, um humanitäre Hilfe zu ermöglichen, damit die Bevölkerung, vor allem Frauen und Kinder, vor dem Hungertod bewahrt werden kann.

Die Europäische Union muss gezielte Sanktionen gegen jene äthiopischen und eritreischen Personen setzen, die für das Leid und für Massaker verantwortlich zeichnen. Es muss Konsequenzen für dieses angerichtete Leid geben.

  Bernard Guetta, au nom du groupe Renew. – Monsieur le Président, mes chers collègues, il suffit d’ouvrir un atlas, de regarder une carte de l’Afrique pour comprendre l’ampleur de ce drame aux frontières du Soudan – du Soudan déchiré, du Soudan ensanglanté, du Soudan crucifié. Le conflit dans lequel sont aujourd’hui plongés l’Érythrée, l’Éthiopie et le Tigré prolonge d’une manière absolument dramatique les conflits du Sahel jusqu’à l’océan Indien.

D’un océan à l’autre, ou presque, aujourd’hui se dessine, s’est dessinée une zone de guerre totale qui coupe en deux le continent africain. Ces armées, ces conflits violent, détruisent les récoltes, brûlent les silos, renversent, crèvent les réservoirs d’eau et mènent cette partie du continent à la famine. Une immense famine menace ce continent. Et si nous ne sommes pas mobilisés et mus par le devoir de protéger, soyons mobilisés par la crainte, par la peur que ces conflits ne mènent sur nos côtes, demain, des centaines et des centaines de milliers de réfugiés qui n’auront que le choix entre la certitude de la mort sur place ou le risque de la mort.

Alors, il faut intervenir, non pas militairement, mais politiquement, diplomatiquement. Il faut que notre Union contacte rapidement, immédiatement l’Union africaine pour qu’ensemble, les deux unions cherchent à jeter les bases des compromis historiques qui permettraient d’éviter la prolongation et l’amplification de ce conflit. C’est une urgence pour l’Afrique, c’est une urgence pour nous.

  Michèle Rivasi, au nom du groupe Verts/ALE. – Monsieur le Président, Monsieur le Commissaire, merci d’être là parmi nous, parce qu’effectivement le problème au niveau du Tigré est quand même dramatique. J’espère que ce débat au Parlement européen apportera une perspective équilibrée allant au-delà de la désinformation, car il y a beaucoup de désinformation au sujet de ce conflit, et au-delà d’une critique simpliste envers le gouvernement actuel, mais prenant en compte une perspective historique plus large de l’Éthiopie, notamment pour ce qui est du Front populaire de libération du Tigré.

Nous devons assurer une position claire et raisonnée de l’Union européenne vis-à-vis de la situation en Éthiopie. La crise humanitaire dans la région du Tigré a atteint un point critique. Les groupes de défense des droits ont fait état de massacres à grande échelle, de violences sexuelles généralisées, de bombardements aveugles, de pillages. Et que sait-on exactement? Qui le fait?

De plus, les Nations unies nous alertent sur une famine touchant au moins 350 000 personnes. Monsieur le Commissaire, je me dis que dans ce conflit, il faut appeler l’Union européenne à mettre en place une investigation internationale approfondie sur les causes profondes du problème en Éthiopie, afin de savoir exactement qui fait quoi.

Et puis, deuxième chose, par rapport à la famine que l’on observe à l’heure actuelle et qui peut toucher, comme je vous l’ai dit, 350 000 personnes, et d’autant plus qu’il y a eu la mort de trois employés de MSF qui s’ajoutent à la liste déjà longue des humanitaires ayant perdu la vie au Tigré depuis le 4 novembre 2020: nous devons peser de tout notre poids pour que toutes les parties du conflit au Tigré respectent le droit international et assurent un accès libre et sécurisé aux acteurs humanitaires. Nous devons donc aider d’un point de vue humanitaire le peuple d’Éthiopie, notamment au Tigré, car la situation est dramatique. De la clarté, une meilleure compréhension de qui fait quoi, et une aide humanitaire pour le peuple qui souffre.

  Beata Kempa, w imieniu grupy ECR. – Panie Przewodniczący! Panie Komisarzu! Panie Ministrze! Polowania na młodych ludzi, przymusowe wysiedlenia, morderstwa, gwałty, porwania osób to tylko część działań wymierzonych w tigrajską grupę etniczną w północnej Etiopii. 90% ludzi w Tigraju to osoby przesiedlone. Wojska rządowe oraz wspierające je siły Erytrei atakują kobiety z dziećmi, jak również wspomagających ich pracowników pomocy humanitarnej, księży i zakonnice. Dochodzi do codziennych masakr i prześladowań. Zawieszenie broni niestety nie przyniosło żadnych rezultatów. Mimo wstrzymania walk dalej dochodzi do ataków i działań skierowanych w jedną grupę etniczną. Co więcej, jak informują pracujący na miejscu misjonarze z Pomocy Kościołowi w Potrzebie, pomoc humanitarna, zamiast docierać do najbardziej potrzebujących, jest limitowana i stała się narzędziem nacisku na chrześcijańską mniejszość Tigraju. W kraju, w którym prawie dwie trzecie ludności żyje za mniej niż jednego dolara dziennie, szalejąca wojna przynosi gigantyczne cierpienie i braki w żywności i środkach higienicznych.

Jako społeczność międzynarodowa, i tu się zgadzam Panie Komisarzu, musimy jak najszybciej zaangażować się w stabilizację sytuacji oraz dalsze przesyłanie pomocy humanitarnej niezależnej. Fenomenalną rolę na miejscu odgrywają misjonarze, którzy każdego dnia mimo zagrożenia pomagają poszkodowanym. Chciałabym im i wszystkim pracownikom pomocy humanitarnej z całego serca podziękować.

(O debate está suspenso.)