B4-1231, 1244, 1255, 1261 and 1291/95

Resolution on the murder of two missionaries and a volunteer in Burundi

The European Parliament,

A.appalled by the barbaric murder of the Saverian missionaries Father Ottorino Maule and Father Aldo Marchiol and the lay volunteer Catina Gubert at the mission in Buyengero, Burundi, on 30 September 1995,

B.whereas the murders were premeditated, as emerges clearly from the details and circumstances of the killing, although the victims were defenceless missionaries who had been working in the country for more than twenty years,

C.concerned at the growing climate of violence and intimidation caused by extremist forces, directed in particular against those who express their opposition courageously and offer practical humanitarian help to the population,

D.whereas this serious incident is a product of the climate of violence which, since the coup of 21 October 1993 in which the first democratically- elected President, Melchior Ndadaye, was murdered, has claimed a great many innocent victims, including several local clergy - crimes whose authors have yet to be identified,

1.Strongly condemns these murders and expresses its sympathy for the families of the victims and the Order of the Saverian Fathers;

2.Calls on the Government of Burundi immediately to launch a thorough investigation into the deaths of the two Italian missionaries and lay volunteer;

3.Reaffirms its full support for all those working for development cooperation throughout the world, whether in a religious capacity or as laymen;

4.Calls on the Council to ensure that its efforts to promote preventive action to put an end to violence throughout the region take account, above all, of the need to protect and support in an appropriate way all those who are working to alleviate the suffering of the population by their humanitarian activities;

5.Calls on the European Union and the international community to step up cooperation with Burundi in the field of justice and to meet the requests of the Bujumbura Government, which for some time has been asking for assistance with the training and personal protection of judges, and for help in ensuring that the system of justice starts to function once again;

6.Again urges the Council and Commission to implement without delay all decisions already taken in respect of Burundi, and in particular the global action plan laid down by the Council at Carcassonne;

7.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Government of Burundi, the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the OAU.