13 October 1994

Doc. 7175

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

on Rwanda and the prevention of humanitarian crises

presented by Mr FLÜCKIGER, Switzerland, LDR,

and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

      The undersigned, members of the Assembly,

1. With reference to the Council of Europe mandate for the protection of human rights and democratic principles, observe that these rights and principles transcend the boundaries of Europe and should be seen in a context of worldwide interdependence and solidarity, in conformity with the Declaration of the Committee of Ministers of 5 May 1989 on the future role of the Council of Europe in European construction and with the Vienna Declaration of 9 October 1993;

2. Accordingly, they regret that the international community has been unable to prevent the massacres in Rwanda. They do, however, appreciate the commitment of a number of countries which, following France's lead and with a United Nations mandate, helped to or are helping to protect the civilian population and provide humanitarian aid;

3. They call on member states to continue their efforts and to step up their aid to the two million or so Rwandans who have fled their country and are surviving in refugee camps, where disastrous sanitation conditions are responsible for an unacceptably high death rate;

4. They express their great respect for both the governmental and the non-governmental organisations for the work they are doing on the spot to deal with this humanitarian tragedy, in conditions that are as difficult as they are dangerous;

5. Given that the refugees' voluntary return depends on the capacity of the Rwandan Government to restore peace and security, they call on member states to assist the Government and ensure that it guarantees the safety of refugees returning to Rwanda and actually takes the steps needed to restore the population's confidence;

6. In this connection they endorse the proposal to the effect that an international court be set up to try those accused of crimes against humanity in Rwanda;

7. They insistently urge that instruments to prevent further massacres and other human rights violations be introduced under the auspices of the United Nations; these are all the more necessary as the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), in particular, has reported that bloody acts of revenge have been perpetrated against Hutu refugees on their return to Rwanda, and as there appears to be a threat of civil war in Burundi;

8. Given that such situations could arise in other parts of the world, they consider it essential that member states should actively help to devise and implement a rapid and effective intervention system;

9. They would remind member states that the Council of Europe North-South Centre is available as a forum for discussion and initiatives designed to consolidate Europe's partnership with Africa.

Signed:

Flückiger - Switzerland - LDR

Franck - Sweden - SOC

Akselsen - Norway - SOC

Iwinski - Poland - SOC

Cucó - Spain - SOC

Poças Santos - Portugal - LDR

Guirado - Spain - SOC

Böhm - Germany - EPP

Golu - Romania - SOC

Aguiar - Portugal - LDR

Hadjidemetriou - Cyprus - SOC