Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2015-06-10-Speech-3-621-000"
| Predicate | Value (sorted: default) |
|---|---|
| rdf:type | |
| dcterms:Date | |
| dcterms:Is Part Of | |
| dcterms:Language | |
| lpv:document identification number |
"en.20150610.32.3-621-000"2
|
| lpv:hasSubsequent | |
| lpv:speaker | |
| lpv:spoken text |
"Madam President, firstly let me say that I welcome the fact that the Commission and the External Action Service have announced EUR 1.5 million to assist the refugees. It is clear that the instability in Burundi is not the fault of its neighbours, and its neighbours should not pay the price of that instability. So any assistance we can give is very welcome.
Can I also thank the Commissioner for his kind comments on my role as the Chief Observer and reciprocate by saying that, while in Burundi, I was very impressed by the level of engagement of both the External Action Service and the Commission in trying to find constructive solutions to the very serious problems that Burundi faces. While I was there, Article 8 discussions took place and Article 96 actions were seriously considered, so I welcome the fact that we are fully engaged in the country.
As the Commissioner has said, the immediate cause of the unrest in Burundi is the decision of President Nkurunziza to try to seek a third term, and that is clearly – no matter what he has forced his own constitutional court to say – in breach of the Arusha Agreement. And the consequence of his attempt to achieve a third term has been violence on the streets – not by the demonstrators, but by government-backed militias, the Imbonerakure – who have tried to put down these peaceful demonstrations and forced demonstrators off the streets. The first thing that needs to happen in Burundi is that the official security services need to rein in this unofficial militia.
The second thing, if we are going to have real elections in Burundi, is there has to be space for the opposition to campaign, and in the short 5-day period I spent there, it was clear to me that government-backed parties were able to hold rallies and encourage supporters, while any attempt by the opposition to get public space was ruthlessly put down.
A third thing that needs to happen – and the Commissioner mentioned this – is we need to make sure that the media is reopened. I have to say, I saw a level of cynicism I have rarely seen anywhere when, on the one hand, firstly they banned the radio stations and refused them permission to broadcast, then in the attempted coup, the radio stations were blown up and it was impossible for them to broadcast, and then the government said ‘now you are free to broadcast’ – having destroyed the facilities needed to actually carry out any broadcasting.
So the conditions for credible elections do not look good; they need to be restored. I understand today Burundi has announced that the elections will now take place on 29 June and 15 July. If they do restore conditions for credible elections I would recommend we go back to Burundi, but at the present time it is not possible for the European Union to observe these elections."@en1
|
| lpv:spokenAs | |
| lpv:unclassifiedMetadata | |
| lpv:videoURI |
Named graphs describing this resource:
The resource appears as object in 2 triples