EU ministers fail to take strong action against Sudan – GAERC

March 5, 2007 (LONDON) -– European Union (EU) Foreign Ministers meeting in Brussels on 5 March failed to follow the lead of the European Parliament by imposing tougher measures against the genocidal regime in Khartoum.

In a letter to Margaret Beckett on 1 March, lobby groups Waging Peace and Sudan Divestment UK (SDUK) urged the British Foreign Secretary to support stronger action by the EU against the Sudanese Government.

EU Foreign Ministers meeting at the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Brussels on Monday reconfirmed their commitment to support AMIS and expressed their readiness to replenish the African Peace Facility with funds from the EU aid budget and voluntary contributions from European Member States. Whilst Canada has recently pledged $41 million, more funds are urgently needed.

Waging Peace and Sudan Divestment UK (SDUK) welcome the European Union’s continued financial support to AMIS, but warn that additional measures are urgently needed to put an end to the continuing atrocities committed in Darfur.

On 15 February, the European Parliament expressed its support for stronger action against the genocidal regime in Khartoum and urged the EU to support the enforcement of a no-fly zone over Darfur and the implementation of EU-level targeted economic sanctions, including an oil embargo, against those who impede the peace process.

However, European Ministers meeting on Monday failed to take decisive action and merely reiterated their “readiness to consider further measures, notably in the UN framework, against any party which obstructs [the] implementation [of the AU-UN hybrid operation]”. EU Ministers also underlined their support for urgent consideration by the UN Security Council of further measures under Security Council Resolution 1591, but refused to impose sanctions at the EU level.

“Over the past four years, the European Union has failed to apply genuine pressure on the Sudanese regime and hold it accountable to its obligations under the Darfur Peace Agreement and other agreements and resolutions”, says Waging Peace Director Louise Roland-Gosselin. “Despite support for stronger action by EU governments including the UK, Germany and Denmark, the European Union has refused to take any substantive action in Darfur”.

SDUK Director Hamish Falconer adds “The time of empty threats is over and the EU must now take the lead in imposing tougher military, political and economic measures against the Government of Sudan, including targeted economic sanctions and a no-fly zone”.

Given the continuing deterioration of the crisis in Darfur, Waging Peace and Sudan Divestment UK call on the EU to:

Consolidate and ensure EU commitment of logistical support for the implementation of a no-fly zone over the region

Secure European support and troop contributions for the UN peacekeeping forces in Chad and Central African Republic

Secure an agreement at EU level on targeted economic sanctions such as travel bans and asset freezes against individuals who impede the peace process and commit violations of international law in Darfur

Discuss EU actions to target Sudanese oil revenue in line with recent US proposals to do so.

Discuss EU level action for targeting foreign companies providing the direct investment which supplies the Government of Sudan with a booming oil revenue while it wages war on its own civilians. Particular attention should be given to those European companies (including Rolls Royce and Petrofac in the UK) who are part of this industry, as well as those companies external to the EU such as Petrochina who trade on European stock markets.

Notes to Editors:

In the last three years, the European Union has committed $530 million to the African Union force through the African Peace Facility (AFP) and Member States contributions. However a further $260 million is required for the transition from the existing force into the hybrid AU-UN operation and AFP funds have run out.

Waging Peace is a London-based human rights organisation that has been campaigning since 2004 for international action to put an end to the genocide in Darfur.

Sudan Divestment UK campaigns for an end to the genocide in Darfur by encouraging universities and local government councils to divest funds from targeted companies with commercial interests in Sudan. Waging Peace advises the SDUK campaign.

For more information, please contact:

– Hamish Falconer
– Director, Sudan Divestment UK
– Telephone: 0784 308 2618
– Email: [email protected]

– Louise Roland-Gosselin
– Director, Waging Peace
– Telephone: 0797 156 1035
– Email: [email protected]

Louise Roland-Gosselin

Director

Waging Peace

Queensway Business Centre

32 Queensway

London W2 3RX

Telephone: 0207 243 0300

Mobile: 07971561035

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.wagingpeace.info