B4-0044, 0049, 0076, 0077, 0086 and 0100/95

Resolution on the situation in Burundi and Rwanda

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in Burundi and in Rwanda, in particular its resolution of 14 December 1994 on the situation in Rwanda ((Minutes of that sitting, Part II, Item 4.)),

A. deeply concerned at the persistent instability of the situation in Burundi and the continuing killings and massacres, abductions and other violence both in the countryside and in the capital, Bujumbura, where, since mid- December, armed gangs and gangs in military uniforms have been attacking members of the public, particularly in the southern districts of Musaga, Kinindo and Kinanira,

B. fearing that this instability might trigger off yet another wave of ethnic killing, following the one in October 1993 when more than 50 000 people were killed in the wake of the assassination of the democratically elected President, Melchior Ndadaye,

C. having regard to the genocide that occurred in neighbouring Rwanda and the risk that such a tragedy might occur also in Burundi since the two countries have a similar political and ethnic composition,

D. seriously concerned at the unstable situation and the spiral of violence which began after the election of the President of the Burundi National Assembly, Jean Minani, whose resignation was demanded by the main opposition party ('Unité pour le progrès national') and who has now been replaced by Léonce Ngendakumana,

E. whereas in Burundi the 'Convention of Government' signed by the two communities in September 1994 under the aegis of the United Nations representative, which involves the opposition in the management of power is increasingly threatened by the attitude of the extremists who are thereby paralysing the process of democratic stabilization under way in the country,

F. concerned that the forces of order are not intervening to put an end to the attacks and killings,

G. whereas the causes of the conflict cannot be seen purely in terms of inter- ethnic hostilities, since socioeconomic and political divisions are also at stake,

H. regretting that so far the international community has not been able to undertake any effective preventive action to avoid the outbreak of further internal conflict in Burundi,

1. Insists on the crucial importance of preventive action to avoid the outbreak of internal conflicts, rather than waiting passively for a crisis to occur and then sending humanitarian assistance;

2. Appeals to all political leaders in Burundi to initiate a constructive dialogue with a view to reaching a political, democratic and peaceful settlement of the problems currently facing them;

3. Calls on the European Union to send a fact-finding mission to Burundi with a view to establishing, with the government there, an action plan designed to restore order and seek out those guilty of murder and killing, to disarm the armed militia who are sowing terror in Bujumbura and in the countryside, and to bring about the return of the refugees, the thorough and urgent reform of the national army and all the military institutions, seeking to subject the latter to the civil authority, and the reconstruction of the administrative and economic infrastructures needed for any resumption of the productive and social activity of the country;

4. Calls on the UN Security Council to consider forthwith the demands of the Burundi Government, to help restore a climate of confidence and stability and calls on the governments of EU Member States to support such an initiative financially and logistically;

5. Asks that the sending of the 200-strong OAU force, which has already been decided, should no longer be blocked;

6. 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 and Rwanda; calls on the Member States to end all their arms and munitions exports to these two countries;

7. Regrets that the specific measures it proposed for aiding Rwanda, especially in its above-mentioned resolution of 14 December 1994, have not yet been put into effect and calls again on the Council and Commission to offer their aid to the Rwandan Government in setting up reception facilities for the refugees and ensuring their safety;

8. Calls on the Union to send judges, experts and technical advisers to Rwanda to help with the organization of the trials at which those responsible for the genocide are to be judged;

9. Welcomes in this context the imminent mission to Burundi and Rwanda of a delegation of the Bureau of the ACP-EU Joint Assembly and asks it to explore with the governments concerned whether it would be appropriate to hold an international conference on stability in the region;

10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, Council, the Co-Presidents of the ACP-EU Joint Assembly, the governments of the Member States, the UN Security Council, the OAU and the governments of Burundi and Rwanda.