EP - Human rights - situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Joint motion for a resolution on the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo
Doc.: B6-0218/2004, B6-0220/2004, B6-0222/2004, B6-0224/2004, B6-0229/2004, B6-0232/2004
Debate/Vote: 16.12.2004

Vote

In adopting a joint resolution on the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, MEPs condemn the unilateral military action by Rwanda and calls for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of its troops from Congolese territory. Parliament considers that this unilateral action may have serious consequences for the peace process and stability in the Great Lakes region. Parliament stresses that all commitments must be respected. The House calls on the Government of Rwanda to respect the territorial integrity of the DRC and on all parties to the conflict to respect and comply with the 2003 peace agreements and United Nations Security Council resolutions. MEPs stress that at the International Peace and Security Conference on the Great Lakes, held on 20 November in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, the heads of state committed themselves to ending conflicts in the region. The House strongly condemns the sexual violence and rapes committed in very large numbers in the DRC by armed groups and by certain members of the military and civilian personnel of MONUC.

Parliament calls on the Government of the DRC to implement an emergency medical programme for victims of sexual violence in the eastern part of the DRC. MEPs call on the Government of the DRC, in connection with the restoration of the rule of law, to bring to justice all the individuals responsible for acts of violence. The House welcomes the decision by the United Nations to carry out an inquiry into the allegations of acts of sexual violence against women and, pending the conclusions of the inquiry, calls for the persons involved to be suspended.

Parliament calls on the Council to take all measures to support the African Union which are necessary in order to organise, in liaison with MONUC and under a UN mandate, the disarmament of the illegal armed groups within the territory of the DRC, particularly those of the former Rwandan authorities (the Interahamwe and ex-FAR). The House hopes that the armed forces of Member States of the European Union will participate actively in the formation of the peace-keeping forces of the African Union and of the Congolese unified national army. MEPs call on the United Nations Security Council to impose sanctions (travel restrictions, bans on banking services) on persons who are known to have participated in the pillaging of assets and on any person whose actions jeopardise the peace process. Finally, MEPs call for the timetable for the elections to be respected so that the people of the DRC can freely and democratically choose their leaders.

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