The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the
situation in Libya.
The resolution was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ECR,
ALDE, Greens/EFA, Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (EFD, IT) and Ignazio
CORRAO (EFD, IT).
Noting that recent weeks had seen a severe
deterioration in Libyas security situation, political
stability, and human rights and humanitarian situation, Parliament
condemned the increasing violence, in particular that against the
civilian population and civilian institutions. It noted that
clashes between Misrata and Zintan, rival militias, had intensified
and battles for control of Tripoli and Benghazi had destabilised
Libyas democratic transition, with at least 100 000 Libyans
internally displaced by the latest wave of fighting and a further
150 000, including many migrant workers, leaving the country.
Parliament called on all parties to the conflict to immediately
cease all violence and agree to a ceasefire in order to end the
escalating suffering of the population, and to engage in an
inclusive national political dialogue to build a State based on
respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law. It also
noted that attacks intentionally directed against personnel
involved in humanitarian assistance or a peacekeeping mission in
accordance with the UN Charter, meant for the protection of
civilians or civilian objects under the international law of armed
conflict, constituted a war crime under the Rome Statute of the
International Criminal Court (ICC).
Sanctions: Whilst
recalling that United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution
2174, adopted on 27 August 2014, broadened the existing
international sanctions on Libya, Parliament invited the High
Representative, the EU, its Member States and the broader
international community to look into the possibility of applying
such measures to specific individuals threatening the prospects
for peace and democratic transition in Libya and then to list them
in the same way the international community listed Gaddafi and his
inner circle.
State building: Members
supported the House of Representatives as the legitimate body
emanating from the June 2014 elections. They called on Libyas
interim government, elected House of Representatives and
Constitutional Drafting Assembly to carry out their tasks based on
the rule of law and human rights, and called on all parties to
engage in an inclusive political dialogue in order to rebuild
stability and agree on ways forward. Parliament invited members of
the House of Representatives to visit the European Parliament and
meet its newly elected members, in order to establish parliamentary
relations with them. It also called on the Commission and the EEAS
to coordinate Member States action in Libya and focus their
support on state-building and institution building and, together
with Member States, the UN, NATO and regional partners, to assist
in the creation of effective and nationally commanded and
controlled security forces (armed forces and police forces) that
could ensure peace and order in the country, as well as supporting
the initialling of a ceasefire and designing a mechanism to monitor
it. The EU should also give priority to assisting with reform of
the Libyan justice system, as well as other fields crucial for
democratic governance.
EUBAM: Parliament
recalled that the Union had launched an EU Border Mission (EUBAM)
in Libya, which had so far not been in a position to achieve its
objectives of improving the security of the countrys borders
and was currently on hold. It stressed that an EU security-related
contribution focusing only on border security was manifestly
insufficient and inconsistent with both the countrys needs
and the challenges for regional security, including that of the
EU. Accordingly, the High Representative was asked to review the
mandate of the European Union Border Assistance Mission with a view
to designing a new mission within the CSDP which took into account
the changed situation in Libya, especially with regard to the
urgent need for state-building, the strengthening of institutions
and security sector reform.
Oil: the resolution
stressed that the Libyan authorities must administer the
exploitation and sale of oil, and called on the international
community to refrain from any transactions with other
actors. It asked that international companies involved in Libya
reveal their financial dealings in the energy sector.
Regional players:
Members were deeply concerned by reports of involvement of regional
players in the violence in Libya and called on neighbouring
countries and regional players to: (i) refrain from actions which
might exacerbate current divisions and undermine Libyas
democratic transition; (ii) increase control of their borders,
including at seaports and airports, and (iii) maintain thorough
inspections of all cargo to and from Libya. Parliament remained
concerned by the proliferation of weapons, ammunition, explosives
and smuggling of arms in Libya, which poses a risk to
stability in the country and to its population.
It commended Tunisian hospitality towards the hundreds
of thousands of Libyan citizens currently in Tunisia fleeing from
violence.
Migration: expressing
deep concern by the unprecedented arrival of asylum seekers and
irregular migrants on Italian and Maltese shores, many of whom are
departing from Libyan territory, Parliament called on the EU to
follow up on the priorities identified in the Mediterranean Task
Force and launch a political dialogue on migration issues with
the Libyan government, as soon as conditions allowed. It deeply
regretted that a further 500 lives were lost after their boat was
reportedly rammed by another vessel near Malta. Members called on
the EU and the Member States to effectively help and support Italy
in its laudable efforts to save lives and to tackle the
spiralling migration flows from North Africa, particularly from
Libya.