On Thursday 13 March, MEPs adopted a resolution on the political, humanitarian and human rights crisis in Sudan by 575 votes to 7, with 35 abstentions. They denounce, in particular, sexual violence and child rape.
Drawing on UNICEF reports, the European Parliament “strongly condemns the indiscriminate attacks on civilians and widespread sexual violence against women and children committed by both the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces”.
The resolution also “emphasises the need for supports for survivors, including healthcare, treatment and psychosocial support, and sexual and reproductive healthcare services”.
Parliament calls on the belligerents to cease hostilities immediately and to respect the commitments made under the Jeddah Declaration (see EUROPE 13362/16). It is calling for unrestricted access to humanitarian aid, in particular food and medical supplies, for the 13 million or so displaced people in Sudan.
Parliament urges the EU and its Member States to strengthen sanctions against violations of the arms embargo, to support international investigations into crimes in Darfur, and to fund programmes to support victims and promote human rights.
Debate. On Wednesday evening, the Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen, spoke to MEPs on behalf of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.
“In Sudan, we have to continue to push for peace. Together with our regional and international partners, including the African Union and the United Nations, we call for an immediate ceasefire and a sustainable political solution to the conflict. The EU continues to engage with both warring parties, mainly through the work of the EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa”, he said.
Although the European External Action Service has issued a number of statements (see EUROPE 13597/39, 13590/19) in recent months, the major crisis affecting Sudan has not been at the top of the agenda at the recent Councils of Ministers chaired by Ms Kallas (see EUROPE 13585/1, 13565/1, 13545/14).
However, targeted EU sanctions have been adopted on several occasions (see EUROPE 13546/33, 13499/39).
Link to the resolution: https://aeur.eu/f/fx4 (in French) (Original version in French by Bernard Denuit)