B3-0353/94

Resolution on the situation in Burundi

The European Parliament,

-recalling its resolution of 10 February 1994 on the situation in Burundi,

A.horrified by the latest massacre of at least 200 civilians perpetrated by the army in Bujumbura on 7 March 1994,

B.concerned for the health and safety of the reported 800 000 refugees and 150 000 displaced persons that live in extremely precarious conditions in refugee camps, inside and outside Burundi, and suffer from hunger, malnutrition and epidemics,

C.judging the response of the international community so far as largely inadequate,

1.Condemns unreservedly the massacre of the civilian population of Bujumbura perpetrated by the army and asks that the military chiefs responsible for this horrific crime be identified and brought to justice without delay;

2.Appeals to all ethnic groups in Burundi to stop the killing and engage in negotiations in a spirit of national reconciliation;

3.Calls on the UN Security Council to respond to the request by the Burundian authorities for UN intervention to prevent further killing and to build up a new environment conducive to good governance;

4.Welcomes the recent decision of the OAU to send a small peace-keeping force to Burundi and calls on the international community, and in particular on the Commission and on the EU Member States, to contribute to the cost of this initiative;

5.Calls also on the Commission to step up humanitarian aid to displaced persons in Burundi and to the refugee camps in neighbouring countries, in particular Rwanda, many of which face severe food shortages;

6.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the governments of the Member States, the UN, the OAU and the Government of Burundi.