MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

13.6.2006

with request for inclusion in the agenda for the debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 115 of the Rules of Procedure
by Pasqualina Napoletano and Ana Gomes
on behalf of the PSE Group and
John Bowis, José Ribeiro e Castro, Joao de Deus Pinheiro, Charles Tannock, and Bernd Posselt,
on behalf of the PPE-DE Group
on Timor-Leste

B6‑0364/06

European Parliament resolution on Timor-Leste

The European Parliament,

- Having regard to its previous resolutions on Timor-Leste,

- Having regard to the statement of 31 May 2001 on Timor-Leste made by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union,

- Having regard to the UN Secretary General's Special Representative briefing for the Security Council (5432nd meeting)

- Having regard to Rule115 in the Rules of Procedure

A.  Whereas the country has been torn by violence since the dismissal in April of nearly 600 soldiers, a third of the total armed forces;and whereas on 5 May an armed confrontation between the armed forces and the dismissed troops and supporting civilians caused a disputed number of fatalities;

B.  Whereas following the unrest, riots and violence from gangs, dozens of people have been killed, many more are wounded, and tens of thousands of panicked residents have fled the capital and remain in the surrounding hills or are displaced under the protection of the church, the UN or embassies;

C.  Whereas according with UN information, on 25 May soldiers opened fire on the unarmed police, killing nine and wounding 27 others;

D.  Whereas the political instability in Timor-Leste continues, despite the resignations of the Interior Minister and the Defence Minister;

E.  Whereas the deterioration of the dramatic security and political crisis led the East Timorese authorities to request foreign troops to help control wanton violence and restore law and order;

F.  Encouraging the efforts undertaken by President Xanana Gusmão and Senior Minister Ramos Horta seeking the return of political and social stability, including talks with rebel representatives in the presence of UN observers;

G.  Whereas the UN High Commissioner for Refugees has reported more than 100,000 displaced persons who were uprooted in recent weeks as a result of the turmoil sparked by the dismissal of a third of the armed forces, the fragmentation of the police force and furthered by gang violence;

H.  Whereas the mandate of the UN mission in Timor-Leste (currently UNOTIL), once numbered some 11,000 troops and civilian staff, but scaled back to 130 staff members, police and military advisers, is due to expire on 20 June, having been extended by the UN Security Council last May just for one month, despite the UN Secretary-General proposal that it should have been prolonged for one year;

I.  Whereas the level of unemployment in Timor-Leste hovers around 80%, 40% of which living under the poverty line and 60% aged 18 and under;

1.  Urges all parties in Timor-Leste to refrain from violence, to be involved in an all-inclusive dialogue to settle the political differences and to participate in the democratic process within the legal and constitutional framework, thus contributing to resume social and political stability;

2.   Welcomes the decision by the authorities of Timor Leste to call for an international inquiry into the events of May 5, when an armed confrontation between the Timorese armed forces and previously dismissed soldiers and supporting civilians resulted in a disputed number of fatalities;

3.   Urges the Government and the President of the Republic of Timor-Leste to take all necessary steps to put an end to violence and to restore a secure and stable environment in full respect of the Constitution;

4.   Notes that the role to be played by the international community, and in particular the United Nations and its Security Council, is of vital importance to the process of consolidation of the state of Timor-Leste and to consolidate democracy in this young nation;

5.  Stresses that the process of gradual reduction of the U.N. mission in Timor-Leste over the last four years has to be reversed and asks for an urgent deployment of U.N.-led police force to help restore stability;

6.  Welcomes the extension of the UN’s mandate according to the Secretary-General proposals and calls for peacekeeping units and civilian police units remain in Timor-Leste until this country's own armed forces and police can take over these tasks themselves;

7.   Recommends, within the respect of the sovereign authorities of Timor-Leste and of the specificity of the mandate conferred to each one of the international forces currently in the country under the supervision and monitoring of the United Nations, the establishment of efficient channels of horizontal communication and cooperation between international forces, in order to serve the best interests of the East Timorese people, the effective restoration of public order and the prompt return to full institutional normality;

8.   Welcomes Timor-Leste's admission to the ACP group of States;

9.   Recognises Timor-Leste's need for political, technical and financial support in rebuilding the infrastructure and administrative structures which are essential to resume the implementation of its development plan;

10.   Calls on the European Union and international community to maintain and step up the support required to consolidate democracy and democratic culture in Timor-Leste, focusing in multiparty culture and institutional building - namely the Parliament, Government, Judiciary, security, defence and law enforcement forces-, and to assist in the urgent extension of media coverage to the whole country, as well as in strengthening the education and health networks, with particular attention addressed to the needs of children and women;

11.   Calls on the EU's Council and Commission to urge East Timorese authorities to prohibit, disband and disarm any paramilitary groups armed gangs and armed civilians, and to raise European concerns over police violence with the government of Timor-Leste in all official meetings, and at the highest level;

12.   Calls on the Timor-Leste state representatives to uphold international human rights standards and to ensure that police and armed forces treatment of citizens conforms to international human rights norms and standards;

13.   Decides to send a mission to Timor-Leste next Autumn to assess the political situation and examine the adequacy of EU assistance programs

14.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the state institutions of Timor-Leste (namely the President, the Parliament and the Government), the European Commission, the High Representative for the CFSP, the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the UN Security Council;