B4-0072 and 0087/99

Resolution on the situation in Sierra Leone

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on Sierra Leone,

- having regard to the statement made by the European Union on 12 January 1999,

A. extremely disturbed by the recent outbreak of civil war in Sierra Leone between the government and the rebels,

B. whereas Freetown has become the scene of extremely violent clashes between the rebels and the regular army supported by the troops of the West African force which is supposed to guarantee the security of President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah's civilian government,

C. whereas these clashes have already resulted in many deaths, particularly amongst the civilian population; whereas the situation is critical in Freetown, which is cut off from the rest of the country and in which there is neither drinking water nor electricity and where over 60 000 people have nothing to eat, in particular because the fighting has obliged the World Food Programme to suspend the distribution of foodstuffs and because 90% of food supplies used to come from the country's interior,

D. whereas, since the elected President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah was returned to power in March 1998 and the junta was driven from power several months after its military coup d'état, the fighting has not ceased in Sierra Leone, and continues to inflict great suffering on the country's people,

E. recalling the efforts being made at regional level by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) with a view to finding a peaceful solution to the crisis in Sierra Leone,

F. condemning the execution on 19 October 1998 of approximately 20 members of the military junta who had been condemned by a court-martial in blatant disregard of their right to appeal against their sentence to a court of appeal, and firmly believing that these executions did nothing to help the process of peace and national reconciliation,

G. condemning the campaign of terror and intimidation which has been conducted by the rebels over the last few months against the civilian population and, in particular, the atrocities committed against women and children,

H. deeply worried at the dramatic humanitarian situation resulting from the current crisis which has provoked a fresh exodus of refugees to neighbouring countries and internal displaced persons,

1. Condemns the rebels' attempt to seize power in Sierra Leone;

2. Calls on the government and, in particular, the rebels to declare and observe a lasting ceasefire and to re-open negotiations with a view to relaunching the process of national reconciliation and thus create a framework for a lasting peace;

3. Calls on the European Union to contribute towards a negotiated settlement of this crisis;

4. Reaffirms its support for the mediation efforts being made by the ECOWAS Member States with a view to re-establishing peace in Sierra Leone;

5. Calls on the warring parties, and in particular the rebels, to put an immediate stop to the atrocities being committed against the civilian population and to end the climate of terror currently prevailing in the country;

6. Calls on the Government of Sierra Leone to fulfil the international human rights obligations which it has contracted and, in particular, the International Pact on Civil and Political Rights; calls on it in particular to ensure that each individual is fully entitled to a fair trial and to establish appeal procedures for military trials;

7. Calls on the international community and the European Union in particular to provide increased humanitarian aid for the people of Sierra Leone who are suffering greatly as a result of the conflict;

8. Urges the parties involved in the conflict to cooperate fully with the various providers of humanitarian aid in order to enable supplies to reach and be distributed in Freetown and also the rest of the country, and to guarantee the security of those working for humanitarian organisations;

9. Calls on the European Union to provide assistance to the neighbouring countries which are faced with ever-greater numbers of refugees from Sierra Leone;

10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the Co-Presidents of the ACP-EU Joint Assembly, the Government of Sierra Leone and the members of the ECOWAS.