EU Presidency Statement - United Nations Security Council: Humanitarian situation in Sudan

Mr. President,

I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union.

First of all, I would like to thank Mr. Rashid Khalikov of OCHA for his briefing.

Mr. President,

Let me inform you that on March 16 the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the EU met in Brussels and adopted conclusions in which they called upon the Government of Sudan to urgently reconsider their decision to expel 13 international humanitarian NGOs and revoke the licenses of three local NGOs. The ministers also called on the Government of Sudan to ensure that humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable people in Sudan be continuously guaranteed, guided by principles of human rights and international humanitarian law.

Moreover, the ministers recalled the declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the EU. In this declaration, Mr. President, the EU expresses its belief that the continued delivery of humanitarian assistance in Sudan is of the highest importance to save lives and is crucial in creating a conducive environment for the implementation of all peace processes in Sudan, which the EU will continue to support strongly.

The Government of Sudan's decision to expel 13 international humanitarian NGOs from Sudan and to revoke the licenses of three local NGOs is a direct and immediate threat to the continuity of international humanitarian assistance in Darfur and damages aid operations in the rest of Northern Sudan. These NGOs provide a vital service to some millions of vulnerable Sudanese civilians, guided by the principles of human rights and international humanitarian law.

Thank you, Mr. President.

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• Sudan: EU High Representative's Declaration on 5th anniversary of Comprehensive Peace Agreement (11/1/2010)
• EU Council conclusions on Sudan (15/9/2009)
• EU Presidency Statement - United Nations Security Council: Debate on the Reports of the Secretary-General on the Sudan (24/7/2009)
• Sudan: EU and US Declaration following the Permanent Court of Arbitration's decision on the determination of the boundaries of the Abyei Area  (22/7/2009)
• Sudan: EU Presidency Declaration on the announcement of elections (15/4/2009)
• EU Council Conclusions on Sudan (16/3/2009)
• EU Parliament resolutions on human rights in Guinea-Bissau, the Philippines, and Sudan (12/3/2009)
• EU Commissioner Michel urges Sudanese to allow all international NGOs to carry-out humanitarian operations (5/3/2009)
• Sudan: EU Presidency Declaration following ICC decision concerning the arrest warrant for President Al-Bashir (4/3/2009)
• Sudan: EU Presidency Declaration on First Round of Doha Talks on Darfur (20/2/2009)