Resolution on human trafficking in Sinai, in particular the case of Solomon W.
The European Parliament adopted a resolution on human trafficking in Sinai, in particular the case of Solomon W.
The resolution was tabled by the EFD, EPP, S&D, ALDE, Greens/EFA and ECR groups. It notes that in December 2011 human traffickers of the Rashaida tribe kidnapped several individuals outside a UN refugee camp in Sudan, and 27 of them, including four girls and a woman with a small child, were Eritrean and were brought to Rafah in the Sinai Mahadya in Egypt. Women in the group were battered and mistreated and some of them were killed and their bodies were thrown into the desert. Only Solomon, an Eritrean man of 25 years, has escaped from the hands of his kidnappers, and has revealed that one of the jailers showed him a plastic bag containing human organs of a refugee who did not pay the ransom. He also where the 125 prisoners are kept and witnessed the murders, tortures and rapes on the prisoners, particularly women. For the moment, Solomon is protected by the Salafist Bedouins of Sheikh Mohamed.
Parliament urges the Egyptian authorities to intervene rapidly in order to provide effective protection and secure the life of Solomon, given that the human organ traffickers are in close pursuit of him and have put a price of USD 50 000 on the fact that he knows exactly were the prisoners are kept. It calls on Egypt to protect Solomon as a victim of trafficking in persons, and all victims of trafficking in persons, especially women and children, from becoming a victim again. The Egyptian authorities are, furthermore, asked to investigate this case full of murders, tortures and rapes, and ensure that these refugees are rescued and to take appropriate measures in proceeding with the arrest and prosecution of members of trafficking syndicates.
Members note that an average of 2 000 people enter Israel through Sinai each month, and many of them have done so with the assistance of smugglers who have established a sizable network in this area. According to Israeli government estimates, around 50 000 Africans have illegally entered Israel through Sinai since 2005. The resolution calls for full access of UN agencies and human rights organisations to the areas affected by human smuggling and trafficking in Sinai. It calls on the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Commission to put this topic as a matter of high priority on the agenda of political dialogue with Egypt and to urge its government to combat human trafficking and to uphold its obligations under international refugee conventions, with a view to promoting international cooperation on taking action against trafficking in human beings.
Parliament notes that the EU has repeatedly invited Egypt and Israel to improve the quality of the assistance and protection offered to asylum seekers and refugees residing or transiting on their territory. It stresses the responsibility of Egyptian and Israeli authorities to stop the human traffickers in Sinai as well as to protect the victims, and calls for more assistance and support for the victims, with special regard to women and children. Members applaud the activities of Egyptian and Israeli human rights organisations, which provide assistance and medical treatment to victims of human traffickers in Sinai, and urge the international community and the EU to support their work. Whilst acknowledging that irregular migrants in Sinai pose a security risk for Egypt and Israel, Parliament again urges Egyptian and Israeli security forces to avoid the use of lethal force against illegal migrants. It calls on the Egyptian authorities to implement the 2010 anti-trafficking law and to undertake measures such as research, information and mass media campaigns and social and economic initiatives to prevent and combat trafficking in Lastly, Members urge Egypt, Israel and the international community to continue and further intensify their efforts to combat human smuggling and trafficking in Sinai.