European Parliament asks U. E to extend its penalties against perpetrators of crimes mentioned in the UN report of the Mapping Project ,18/09/2020

 

The European Parliament, in a resolution specified on Thursday, 17 September 2020 on the situation in the DRC, invited the Union to maintain sanctions against perpetrators of violence and human rights violations in the DRC and calls on the extension of these penalties to perpetrators of the crimes mentioned in the United Nations report of the mapping project.

In addition, Parliament condemns the use of sexual violence against women in conflict and calls on the international community to step up its efforts to eliminate the scourge of sexual and gender-based violence in armed conflict and wars, to protect Victims, to end impunity for perpetrators of violence and to guarantee survivors access to justice, reparations and remedies.

′′ The European Parliament welcomes the progress made in ratifying the Maputo protocol on women's rights; underlines the importance of implementing this protocol ", says the resolution.

In the wake, the European Parliament reminds us that violence in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo is perpetrated by armed groups of domestic and foreign rebels, which are funded by ore trade and are fighting for access to this trade.

It also points out that all companies, persons, States or actors linked to a State that contribute to the perpetration of such crimes must be brought to justice.

However, the European Parliament congratulates the entry into force of the regulation on ores from conflict zones scheduled for the Union in January 2021, which represents the first of the many steps the international community must take to address this problem deeply rooted.

′′ The European Parliament underlines the urgent need to take additional measures regarding the duty of mandatory diligence and responsible behavior of companies operating in conflict zones ", continues the resolution.

In addition, the European Parliament urged cross-border cooperation in the African Great Lakes region and the implementation of a regional strategy by neighbouring countries to fight violence and human rights violations in the DRC.