Strasbourg, 18/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 17 September, the European Parliament called on the EU member states to help the Iraqi national and local authorities through all means possible, including appropriate military assistance, so that that they might be able to fight against Islamic State (IS). In the joint resolution that the European Parliament adopted on “the situation in Iraq and Syria and the ISIS offensive”, MEPs call on the international community to assist the Iraqi state authorities protect and help the people fleeing from areas prey to terrorism - in particular, by providing military protection to the most weakened. The MEPs welcome the US call for an international coalition against IS, and underlined the need for coordinated action from countries in the region in order to counter the threat of IS.
The European Parliament also calls on the EU to take further measures against IS, subject to a UN-imposed embargo on arms and assets. The Parliament calls on the Council to consider a more effective use of the restrictive measures in force, in particular to deprive IS of revenue from the illegal sale of oil or the sale of other resources on international markets. Concerned about the allegations that some bodies in the member states are reportedly taking part in illegal trade in oil with IS, the Parliament calls on the European Commission and the member states to ensure that an end is put to this trade immediately, if this is confirmed. The MEPs also called on the EU to impose sanctions on all actors - public authorities, and public or private companies - participating in the transport, processing, refining and trade of oil from areas controlled by IS, and to control capital movements extremely carefully in order to prevent IS from taking part in economic activities and from taking advantage of tax havens.
In their resolution, the MEPs strongly condemn the indiscriminate murders and massive violations of human rights perpetrated by IS and other terrorist organisations, adding that there would be no impunity for the perpetrators of these acts. The MEPs also call for further humanitarian support for the people affected by the conflict. (CG)