As the situation in Somalia becomes increasingly grim, EEPA has taken the initiative to call on the Members of the new European Parliament to continue the work of the previous Parliament and exert their right to democratic scrutiny to defend the rights of the Somali people to live a peaceful, secure and healthy life, free of the devastation and misery caused by war, violence and hunger. By querying the EC and the EU on their policy development and implementation and putting the human rights of the Somali people in the centre of EU policy, the MEPs can contribute to a rights-based approach to support for Somalia whether in the field of development, security or humanitarian aid.

Over the years the conflict situation in Somalia has become of increased concern to European decision makers, donors and humanitarian aid agencies alike. Years of fighting between warlords and clan leaders, coupled with recurring droughts have left the country and its population destitute. Over 250,000 people have been displaced from the capital, Mogadishu, since May 2009 alone, while some 3.64 million people - close to half the Somalian population - require humanitarian aid.

Yet, Somalia is one of the most difficult and dangerous environments for aid agencies to work in. Those aid agencies that have managed to continue working in the country are faced with numerous challenges, while their access to the millions of people in need is increasingly diminishing.

As a major donor the EU has been playing an important role in the political, developmental and humanitarian affairs of Somalia under the aegis of the UN. In spite of their support of the Transitional Federal Institutions and the AU peaceforce AMISOM and the EU's support to the Somali security forces, the situation in Somalia continues to deteriorate, with the Somali population as the main victims.

In the past Members of the European Parliament have regularly voiced their concerns not only for the lack of transparency and accountability in the EU's policy development and implementation in relation to support for the Transitional Federal Government and its security sector, but also in relation to the humanitarian situation and the restrictions on access to people so badly in need of humanitarian assistance. They will need to continue doing so, if the EU is to contribute effectively to bringing peace and security to Somalia and the Somali people.

Click here for the letter to the MEPs.