P6_TA(2006)0278

East Timor

European Parliament resolution on East Timor

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on East Timor,

- having regard to the statement on East Timor made by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on 31 May 2006,

- having regard to the briefing given by the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative to the Security Council (5432nd meeting),

- having regard to Rule115 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas East Timor has been torn apart by violence since the dismissal in April 2006 of nearly 600 soldiers, comprising a third of the total armed forces; and whereas on 28 to 29 April 2006, an armed confrontation between the armed forces and the dismissed troops and their civilian supporters caused a disputed number of fatalities,

B. whereas, as a consequence of the unrest, riots and gang violence, many people have been killed, many more wounded, and tens of thousands of people have fled the capital in panic and remain in the surrounding hills or have been displaced under the protection of the Church, the UN, or embassies,

C. whereas, according to UN information, soldiers opened fire on unarmed police officers on 25 May 2006, killing nine and wounding 27,

D. whereas the political instability in East Timor is continuing, despite the resignation of the Interior Minister and the Defence Minister and other efforts made and measures adopted by the East Timorese authorities,

E. whereas protesters have been demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri,

F. whereas the deterioration in the dramatic security and political crisis has led the East Timorese authorities to request foreign troops to help to control wanton violence and restore law and order,

G. encouraging the efforts undertaken by President Xanana Gusmão and Senior Minister Ramos Horta on behalf of the government, seeking the reinstatement of political and social stability, including talks with representatives of dismissed soldiers and police officers and agents who left their organisational structures in the presence of UN observers,

H. whereas the UN High Commissioner for Refugees has reported that more than 100000 displaced persons were uprooted in recent weeks as a result of the turmoil sparked by the dismissal of a third of the armed forces and the fragmentation of the police force, and perpetuated by gang violence,

I. whereas the mandate of the UN mission in East Timor (currently Unotil), once numbered some 11000 troops and civilian staff, but scaled down to 130 staff members, police and military advisers, is due to expire on 20 June 2006, having been extended by the UN Security Council in May 2006 for one month only, despite the UN Secretary-General's proposal that it should have been prolonged for one year;

J. whereas the level of unemployment in East Timor hovers around 80 %, with 40 % living under the poverty line and 60 % aged 18 and under;

K. having regard to the inalienable sovereign rights of the people of East Timor, in particular over their natural resources,

1. Urges all parties in East Timor to refrain from violence, to be involved in an all-inclusive dialogue to settle political differences and to participate in the democratic process within the legal and constitutional framework, thus contributing to restoring social and political stability;

2. Welcomes the decision by the authorities of East Timor to call for an international inquiry into the events of 28 and 29 April 2006, and 23, 24 and 25 May 2006, when armed confrontations between the East Timorese armed forces and previously dismissed soldiers and their civilian supporters resulted in a disputed number of fatalities;

3. Urges the government and the president of East Timor to take all the necessary steps to end violence and restore a secure and stable environment in full compliance with the East Timorese constitution;

4. Notes that the role to be played by the international community, and in particular the UN and its Security Council, is of vital importance to the process of consolidating the state of East Timor and its independence and sovereignty, and to strengthen democracy in this young nation;

5. Stresses that the process of gradual reduction of the UN mission in East Timor over the last four years must be reversed and asks for the urgent deployment of a UN-led police force to help restore stability and a UN mandated peace-keeping force, as requested by the East Timorese authorities on 13 June 2006;

6. Welcomes the extension of the UN's mandate according to the Secretary-General's proposals and calls for peacekeeping units and civilian police units to remain in East Timor until the country's own armed forces and police can take over these tasks themselves;

7. Recommends, with due respect for the sovereign authorities of East Timor and the specificity of the mandate conferred on each of the international forces currently in the country under UN supervision and monitoring, the establishment of efficient channels of horizontal communication and cooperation between international forces, in order to serve the best interests of the East Timorese people, the effective restoration of public order and a prompt return to full institutional normality;

8. Welcomes East Timor's admission to the ACP group of States;

9. Recognises East Timor's need for political, technical and financial support in rebuilding the infrastructure and administrative structures which are essential to resume the implementation of its development plan;

10. Calls on the European Union and international community to maintain and step up its support to consolidate democracy and a democratic culture in East Timor, focusing on a multi-party culture and institution-building — namely the parliament, the government, the judiciary, security, defence and law enforcement forces — and to assist in the urgent extension of media coverage to the whole country, as well as in strengthening the education and health networks, with particular attention to the needs of children and women;

11. Calls on the international community to substantially increase support for effective human rights monitoring in East Timor and to provide assistance for the development of local human rights groups as well as for local services for victims of abuse;

12. Calls on the Council and Commission to urge the East Timorese authorities to prohibit, disband and disarm any paramilitary groups, armed gangs and armed civilians, and to raise European concerns over police violence with the government of East Timor in all official meetings and at the highest level;

13. Calls on the state representatives of East Timor to uphold international human rights standards and to ensure that the police and armed forces' treatment of citizens conforms to international human rights norms and standards;

14. Decides to send an ad hoc Parliamentary delegation to East Timor in autumn 2006 to assess the political situation and examine the adequacy of EU assistance programmes;

15. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the East Timorese state authorities (namely, the president, the parliament and the government), the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative, and the UN Security Council.

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