European Commission statement on the expulsion of certain NGOs from Sudan

Here is a copy of a statement from the European Commission Spokesman for Development and Humanitarian Aid on the explusion of certain NGOs (13, so far) from Sudan.

BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, March 5, 2009 via African Press Organization:

Statement On the expulsion of certain NGOs from Sudan

“The European Commission is seriously concerned by this action by the Sudanese government and we are monitoring the situation closely. Clearly, If the status and access for these NGOs is not reinstated immediately then this would seriously affect the continuation of humanitarian life-saving operations in Darfur. Let’s be very clear: the lives of hundreds of thousands of people are at stake. This situation could also further destabilise the Darfur region and this would be in nobody’s interest. We would urge the Government of Sudan to urgently restore these NGOs to their full operational status. Furthermore, it is important to underline that humanitarian aid is provided on the basis of the needs, in an impartial and non-discriminatory way to all Sudanese affected by the conflict and independently from any political agenda. It is essential that the humanitarian access and security be guaranteed.” John Clancy, European Commission Spokesman for Development and Humanitarian Aid

The lives of hundreds of thousands of people are at stake eh? No doubt the European Commission (EC)thought about that before it backed the move by the International Criminal Court against Sudan. So what if Khartoum does not reinstate the NGOs, what is the EC going to do about it? Surely it now has no alternative but to pressure members of the UN Security Council to suspend the arrest warrant against Sudan's President Al-Bashir. And, to be fair, they ought to pressure the ICC for arrest warrants against the Sudanese and Chadian rebel group leaders and those responsible for the slaying for Darfur peacekeepers at Haskanita, And, while they are at it, expel any Sudanese and Chadian rebel group member from Europe, especially chubby cheeked fat cat Nur sitting on his backside in Paris, France directing the Darfur war from his armchair while "his people" suffer and starve.