Strasbourg, 13/03/2009 (Agence Europe) - In a joint resolution adopted on Thursday 12 March, the European Parliament strongly condemns the expulsion of 13 humanitarian aid agencies by Sudan. These expulsions were ordered in response to the international arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
According to the United Nations, 4.7 million people, including 2.7 million internally displaced persons, are in need of aid. The expulsion of the aid agencies could have dramatic consequences for the people. MEPs want the Sudanese government to immediately rescind its decision to expel the 13 NGOs and to “allow them to continue their essential work in ensuring the survival of vulnerable populations in Darfur”.
The Parliament calls on the Sudanese government to take positive steps to ensure that human rights workers in Sudan are not persecuted if they speak out in support of the ICC decision, and to refrain from any harassment of intimidation of human rights activists. (L.C./transl.rt)