Resolution on recent attacks on medical aid workers in Pakistan

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on recent attacks on medical aid workers in Pakistan.

The resolution was tabled by the ECR, Greens/EFA, GUE/NGL, EPP, ALDE, and S&D groups.

Parliament recalls that attacks occurred on 1 January 2013 when six medical aid workers and one doctor were gunned down in the north-western Swabi region. It notes the suspicion that this and other attacks also occurring in the north-western region, were linked to campaigns to vaccinate Pakistani children against polio and Islamic extremist groups allege that the vaccine is intended to make Muslim children sterile.

Members strongly condemn the multiple killings and call on Pakistan to bring to justice those responsible for the attacks in recent months, noting that suspending the vaccination programme in Pakistan is a serious blow to worldwide efforts to eradicate polio.

They are concerned that international aid workers are being increasingly linked by militants to western intelligence agents, and call on Pakistan significantly to increase security measures for aid organisations.

Parliament also:

• calls on the Commission and the European External Action Service to look at working with the World Health Organisation in supporting the Lady Health Worker Programme, aimed at increasing access to basic preventive health services, particularly in rural areas;
• reiterates the EU’s readiness to provide assistance for the forthcoming elections in Pakistan.