Rising tension in Burundi
Greens/EFA motion for a resolution
Tabled by Raül Romeva i Rueda, Mikel Irujo Amezaga
on behalf of the Greens/EFA Group
The European Parliament,
having regard to Rule 115 of its Rules of Procedure,
A. Worried by the recent fighting between the army and Forces Nationale de Liberation (FNL), which pushed at least 20 000 people to fled their homes near the Bujumbura since renewed violence erupted in April,
B. Recalling that FNL is the only armed rebel group out side the peace agreement despite signing a cease fire agreement with the government in September 2006,
C. Whereas according to some reports cases of banditry and killings are on the rise in various parts of Burundi where FNL combatants have a presence,
D. Worried by the fact that around 500 children are in the hands of the Palipehutu, which reignited its fight against the government last April,
1. Expresses its serious concern at the recent military confrontations in Burundi between the National Defence Forces and the Palepehutu-FNL that resulted into loss of innocent lives.
2. Condemns the use of violence, and calls again on the two parties to scrupulously respect the ceasefire concluded on 7 September 2006.
3. Welcomes the recent release of 232 children, which was made possible by eight months of negotiations with dissident faction of the Palipehutu-FNL by the Burundian government, civil society UN agencies and others,
4. Calls on the FNL and the government of Burundi to resume their dialogue which stalled in July 2007, in order to implement the ceasefire agreement signed between the two parties and to pave the way for peaceful political agreement,
5. Urges the Palipehutu-FNL (Forces Nationales de Libération) to return immediately and without any preconditions to the Joint Verification and Monitoring Mechanism that was established in the wake of the ceasefire accord.
6. Stresses that any attempt to jeopardize peace in Burundi through violent means is unacceptable, and calls on the international community to consider further possible measures, as appropriate, in support of peace and stability in that country;
7. Reiterates its support for the South African facilitation and for the regional initiatives and calls for assistance to be given to all efforts to reactivate negotiations and consolidate peace in Burundi.
8. Calls on the EU Member States represented on the UN Security Council to bring before it the need for an international embargo on arms and munitions exports to Burundi;
9. Calls on the international community and the EU in particular, to step up humanitarian and social aid to those in danger, displaced persons and Burundian returning refugees;
10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, Council, the Co-Presidents of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, the governments of the Member States, the UN Security Council and the African Union.
