The European Parliament resolution adopted a resolution on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ECR, ALDE, GUE/NGL and Greens/EFA groups.
Members remained deeply concerned at the deterioration of the political, security and humanitarian situation in the DRC. They called for the opening of an independent and comprehensive committee of inquiry, including UN experts, in order to shed light on the violence in the Kasai region where in August 2016 armed clashes broke out between the Congolese army and local militias, causing a humanitarian crisis and resulting in the internal displacement of over one million civilians and the massacre of more than 500 civilians. Member States are called upon to politically and financially support a committee of inquiry.
Violations of human rights: Parliament condemned all violations of international humanitarian law and demanded the immediate release of those unlawfully detained, including journalists, opposition members and civil society representatives. It asked all political stakeholders to pursue political dialogue.
Members recalled the duty of government to respect, protect and promote fundamental freedoms as a basis for democracy.
Members also called for putting an end to unlawful recruitment and use of child soldiers, which could constitute war crimes under international law. In this regard, they support the use of EU targeted sanctions against individuals responsible for serious human rights violations.
Free and fair elections: recalling the commitment made by the Government of the DRC for transparent, free, and fair elections to be held in a credible manner, leading to a peaceful transfer of power, Members called for the immediate creation of a national council for monitoring the agreement and electoral process, in accordance with the 2016 political agreement reached under the auspices of the National Episcopal Conference of the Congo (CENCO) which envisages a political transition to end with free and fair presidential elections to be held by the end of 2017 without changing the constitution.
Humanitarian situation: concerned about the alarming humanitarian situation in the DRC, which includes displacement, food insecurity, epidemics and natural disasters, Parliament urged the EU and its Member States to increase financial and humanitarian aid through reliable organisations, in order to meet the urgent needs of the population.
Lastly, Parliament reiterated its support for the United Nations, the International Organisation of La Francophonie and the African Union in facilitating political dialogue and called for an intensification of engagement in the Great Lakes region in order to prevent further destabilisation.