Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2015-10-07-Speech-3-015-000"
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"en.20151007.6.3-015-000"2
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"Mr President, on behalf of my Group I extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of all those who have tragically lost their lives in the attack in Kunduz. Our thoughts are with their families. We pay tribute to the Doctors Without Borders staff who bravely and selflessly worked as fighting raged in Kunduz over the past week. We also applaud all other heroic doctors and other medical staff around the world who risk their lives every day trying to save others.
The hospital was clearly marked and the exact location of the hospital was communicated to all parties to the conflict. More than 22 civilians were killed in the attack – 12 medical staff and 10 patients, three of them children – and 37 more were injured. We, as a Group, strongly condemn this attack. Under the rules of international humanitarian law, a hospital is a hospital, and the people inside are patients and medical staff. To target a medical facility in this way is a violation of that law, whatever the circumstances.
Given the seriousness of the harm and the gravity of the alleged legal violations, it is critical that there is a prompt and full independent investigation to ensure maximum transparency and accountability, and those responsible must be brought to justice. Constantly we see certain measures adopted to counter terrorism violating international laws. We learned earlier this month of David Cameron’s decision to carry out a British drone attack, killing citizens extrajudicially outside the UK.
The US routinely violates the airspace of Pakistan and carries out drone attacks resulting in the death of civilians. The objectives are to save human lives and dignity in the face of a terrorist threat. Combating terrorism cannot be used as an excuse for the violation of international laws.
There always needs to be a strong response from the EU, and respect for human rights and the rule of law must prevail.
We also condemn the Taliban for the violence that they have carried out. The Taliban successes in and around Kunduz are the consequences of corrupt and abusive governance. The Afghan Government needs to be united and needs to focus on legitimate grievances and community consensus building. A political transition which features a genuine inclusive effort is needed, otherwise the security situation is likely to worsen further.
The EU and the international community should assist in this through diplomacy and negotiations. Regional cooperation, with the objective of promoting long-term peace, stability and security in the wider region, is essential. The cooperation with Pakistan is especially important: we welcome their assistance in the new conciliation process and encourage continuing progress on the path of improved relations and cooperation between Kabul and Islamabad. Afghanistan must not be forgotten in more pressing crisis. We welcome the help that has been announced this morning for the civilians in the Kunduz area.
Although thousands of kilometres away, we in Europe have been experiencing the effect of the increased instability in Afghanistan. Many Afghans, too, are giving up on their country. Afghans have been devastated by over three decades of conflict. They urgently deserve peace.
The US states that this attack was a mistake, but they have now offered four different accounts, hence the need for an independent inquiry. The attack has implications not only in Afghanistan but also for medical NGOs across the world. We have a responsibility to ensure that this type of tragedy does not happen again."@en1
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