SP(2007)4733

SP(2007)4170

Results of vote in Parliament

The European Parliament adopted a resolution tabled pursuant to Rule 91 of the Rules of Procedure by the Committee on Development on the situation in Darfur.

MEPs ask Member States of the EU to monitor more strictly the arms embargo against Khartoum and to enforce a no-fly zone over the region. They also call for an in-depth investigation on unpaid African-Union mission soldiers.

The European Parliament deplores the human rights situation in Darfur, where the conflict has directly affected more than 4.5 million people and more than 3 million depend on food aid. The UN is called to act in line with its "Responsibility to Protect", basing its action on the failure of the Government of Sudan (GoS) to protect its population in Darfur from war crimes and crimes against humanity, and also its failure to provide humanitarian assistance to its population.

It calls on the Secretary-General of the UN, Ban Ki-moon, to exert more pressure on the GoS to comply with the positions taken by the UNSC and to emphasise that lack of compliance with UN calls will result in punitive measures.

The Member States, the Council and the Commission are urged to assume their responsibilities and make every possible effort to provide effective protection for the people of Darfur from a humanitarian disaster.

The Parliament condemns the blatant violation of the UN arms embargo by the GoS and invites the Member States to introduce forthwith stricter monitoring and verification procedures to ensure compliance with the UN Security Council Resolution 1591 (2005) and EU Council Common Position 2005/411/CFSP of 30 May 2005 concerning restrictive measures against Sudan.

MEPs welcome the acceptance by the GoS on 12 June 2007 of the AU/UN hybrid force, recalling however that the GoS has made previous unfulfilled commitments to allow the hybrid force into Sudan. They stress the importance of making adequate preparation for the hybrid force and of the swiftest possible deployment and continued cooperation of the Sudanese authorities. They call, therefore, for a rapid deployment of the AU/UN hybrid force with a mandate which enables it to efficiently protect civilians. They point out that any solution to the conflict will be a political and not a military one.

Parliament calls on the EU and other international donors to urgently provide additional support to AMIS under its present structure, including long-term funding commitments as well as much needed technical support for a transitional period until the hybrid force is completely implemented. It calls for an in-depth investigation into the fact that at least some AMIS soldiers have not received any pay for many months.

The Government of Sudan is called on to :

- address environmental issues and in particular to reduce the environmental impact of its oil industry and agricultural practices and prevent local conflicts over natural resources;

- publish the amount of its oil revenues in a transparent way and calls on the Member States to encourage divestment of European companies and funds from Sudan;

- ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access to those affected by the conflict and to respect international humanitarian law;

- urgently establish a road map for the resettlement of the Internally Displaced Persons and refugees, for the restitution of their property and compensation, for a special fund for the victims of rape, women who have been rejected by their families or borne children as a result of rape, and their rehabilitation.

Lastly, the Parliament welcomes the signs that China is now more willing to promote peace in Darfur. It further calls on China to cease exporting arms to Sudan and to cease blocking decisions on targeted sanctions against the GoS in the UNSC.

T6-0342/2007

B6-0311/2007

The Council adopted the following conclusions on the situation in Darfur:

Humanitarian aid : the Council is particularly alarmed by the continuation of violence and condemns the renewed bombings of civilians by the Sudanese Air Force in clear violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1591. It reiterates its call upon all conflict parties to abide by the existing ceasefire agreements to ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access throughout Darfur. The EU welcomes the first steps taken towards implementation of the Joint Communiqué on Facilitation of Humanitarian Activities in Darfur agreed by the Government of Sudan and the UN. As member of the High Committee charged with monitoring its implementation, the EU will continue to urge further progress. The EU for its part will undertake to identify options for improving humanitarian access. It stands ready to consider further measures, notably in the UN framework, to ensure humanitarian deliveries and protection of civilians; Peaceful resolution of the crisis : the Council recalls that is the primary responsibility of the Sudanese parties to end the suffering of the people of Darfur by finding a sustainable political solution to the root causes of the conflict. In line with Resolution 1591, the Council will consider any party failing to constructively engage in this process as an obstacle to peace and will promote appropriate further measures against them, notably in the UN framework; Political solution to the conflict in Darfur : the EU reaffirms its full support for the joint African Union (AU) and United Nations initiative to revitalise the political track. It welcomes the consensus reached in Tripoli on 29 April by all relevant regional and international actors that their efforts shall be co-ordinated under the leadership of the AU and UN Special Envoys. The Council further welcomes the proposal by the Special Envoys for a Road Map towards negotiations as well as the first steps taken by them to increase capacity of the Joint Mediation Support Team; Sustainable peace : the Council underlines that a failure in the peace process could jeopardize the situation in Darfur. The Council urges the parties to intensify their efforts to speed up its implementation and calls upon all other political forces to constructively engage in this process. Of particular importance will be the full redeployment of armed forces by July 2007 in accordance with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, and an acceleration of the preparations for national elections; Financial assistance : the EU reiterates its continued support for African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) and stresses the need to strengthen the mission in the period of transition to the AU/UN hybrid mission. In this context, the Council welcomes recent decisions, including by the ACP-EU Council of Ministers, securing the continuation of much-needed EU financial support for AMIS through the replenishment of the African Peace Facility. As a first step, a sum of EUR 40 million will be released in June 2007. The Council also welcomes the announcements of voluntary contributions by Member States; Maintain the peacekeeping mission in Darfur : the Council welcomes Sudan's acceptance on 12 June of the AU/UN hybrid. It expects the Sudanese Government to swiftly take action to effectively facilitate the deployment of the UN Heavy Support Package to AMIS, and, subsequently, the hybrid operation. It calls upon the AU and the UN to ensure a speedy transition to the hybrid operation and reiterates its readiness to consider further measures, notably in the UN framework, against any party which obstructs its implementation; Neighbouring countries : the Council expresses its continued deep concern about the impact of the Darfur crisis on the humanitarian and security situation in neighbouring countries. It however notes as a positive development the recent high-level contacts in Saudi Arabia between the governments of Sudan and Chad aimed at improving their bilateral relations, and encourages both countries to continue and intensify these efforts. The Council supports endeavours by the UN to prepare the deployment of a multidimensional UN presence in Eastern Chad and North-Eastern Central African Republic.

Conclusion : the Council will continue to look at how best to reinforce and develop its engagement in pursuit of the objectives set out in these conclusions and invites the General Secretariat of the Council, the Commission and the relevant bodies of the Council to work in this regard with a view to possible decisions.