195 Amendments of Jean ROATTA
Amendment 18 #
2013/2152(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 23 a (new)
Citation 23 a (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 25 November 2010 on human rights and social and environmental standards in international trade agreements,
Amendment 19 #
2013/2152(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 23 b (new)
Citation 23 b (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 25 November 2010 on international trade policy in the context of climate change imperatives,
Amendment 20 #
2013/2152(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 23 c (new)
Citation 23 c (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 25 November 2010 on corporate social responsibility in international trade agreements,
Amendment 25 #
2013/2152(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas Article 21 of the Lisbon Treaty further strengthened the EU’s commitment to act on the international scene guided by the principles of democracy, the rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for human dignity, the principles of equality and solidarity, and respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and international law;
Amendment 108 #
2013/2152(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 8
Subheading 8
Human rights conditionality in trade preferences and external agreementsin the EU's trade policy
Amendment 109 #
2013/2152(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Supports the EU's practice of including legally binding human rights clauses in the EU’s international agreements, and considers that these clauses should also be included in all sectoralbe systematically included in trade agreements;
Amendment 126 #
2013/2152(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. WRecalls that the revised GSP scheme will come into force on 1 January 2014; welcomes the continuation of the GSP+ scheme whereby countries can enjoy additional preferential tariffs as incentives foronce they have ratificationed and implementation ofed the 27 core human rights, labour and environment conventions; stresses that GSP+ preferences must only be granted to countries that have ratified and effectively implemented the conventions; recalls also the possibility of temporal withdrawal of GSP+ preferences for countries in violation of human rights; calls therefore on the European Commission, when conducting the monitoring exercise, to open genuine channels of communication and carry out broad consultations with a wide range of partners, including the European Parliament and local civil society and social actorrecalls the possibility of suspending GSP, GSP+ and Everything But Arms (EBA) preferences in the event of serious human rights violations; calls on the European Commission to make the assessments for GSP+ eligibility publicly available, in order to increase transparency and accountability;
Amendment 130 #
2013/2152(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
Amendment 209 #
2013/2152(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 a (new)
Paragraph 41 a (new)
41a. Welcomes the efforts by the European Union and the VP/HR to find a way out of the crisis in Egypt; recalls however that in its report, the Court of Auditors described aid to Egypt as support that is ‘well intentioned but ineffectiveʼ, calls therefore for coordination and transparency so that the fundamental values championed by the European Union are upheld;
Amendment 214 #
2013/2152(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Remains deeply concerned about the crisis in Syria; strongly deplores the excessive use of force and violence against the civilian population in the country, and abhors the scale of state abuses that may constitute crimes against humanity; calls on all armed factions to put an immediate end to violence in the country; expresses grave concern at the on-going humanitarian crisis and the implications for neighbouring countries; applauds however the European Unionʼs efforts to bring aid to refugees and displaced peoples; believes that the key to solving the conflict lies in political mechanisms and diplomatic processes;
Amendment 244 #
2013/2152(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50
Paragraph 50
50. Expresses its serious concerns about the recent repressive laws and their arbitrary enforcement by the Russian authorities, often leading to theand condemns the discriminatory laws against the LGBT community, which often lead to harassment of NGOs, civil society activists, human rights defenders and minorities;
Amendment 264 #
2013/2152(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53
Paragraph 53
53. Expresses its deepest concern regarding the deteriorating human rights situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), draws attention to the emergency resolution adopted by the European Parliament, and calls on the DPRK to engage in a meaningful dialogue on human rights with the European Union; calls on the DPRK to put an end to extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, to release political prisoners and to allow its citizens to travel freely, both within and outside the country; calls on the DPRK to allow free expression and press freedom for national and international media, and to allow its citizens uncensored access to the internet;
Amendment 270 #
2013/2152(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54 a (new)
Paragraph 54 a (new)
54a. Calls on the European Union to embark on a coordinated and inclusive strategy in the Sahel to improve security in the region on the one hand and to promote human rights on the other, so that human rights violations such as torture, the often arbitrary arrest of opponents and journalists, the suppression of peaceful demonstrations, acts of violence against women such as rape, forced marriage or genital mutilation, and ethnic or caste-based discrimination come to an end, thereby helping to establish the rule of law guaranteeing fundamental rights and freedoms;
Amendment 339 #
2013/2152(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 77
Paragraph 77
77. Calls for a targeted campaign on the rights of the child with a specific focus on violence against children, on the enlistment of children in armed groups, or even forced labour as occurs in gold mines; looks forward to efficient implementation of the integrated EU Strategy towards the Eradication of Trafficking in Human Beings 2012-2016, which identified child labour as a root cause of trafficking in human beings;
Amendment 10 #
2013/2135(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Urges the Commission and the Member States to phase out all subsidies and state aid for fossil fuels and nuclear energy and to finalise the internal electricity market in a manner that benefits renewable energy;
Amendment 3 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas South Sudan’ is highly reliancet on oil production, which accounts for approximately 88 % of national revenue, and which is currently entirely dependent on the Republic of the Sudan for its export is not only economically unviable but also serves as a tool exerting pressure on, and whereas this over-reliance puts the new country, thereby’s economy at risk, causing additional tensions and even conflict, particularly with Sudan and between ethnic groups, as has been demonstrated over the past two years; whereas South Sudan has concluded agreements with neighbouring Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti to explore the possibility of two new pipelines linking its oil fields to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean;
Amendment 5 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the international community has given important political and material support to South Sudan’s independence and viability and its economic and social development and whereas the EU has played a very positive, although not always fully recognised role; whereas the EU and its Member States pledged, on the occasion of South Sudan’s independence, to develop a close and long-term partnership with the Republic of South Sudan and its people;
Amendment 6 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas the international community and international humanitarian organisations have been very responsive to the need to relieve the suffering of people in the region and to which, even though they are barred from certain areas by rebel groups and by the Sudanese Government, and whereas the EU has provided and continues to provide substantial levels of humanitarian aid, including EUR 110 million in 2012 alone;
Amendment 19 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Proposes that the governments of Sudan and South Sudan consider referring the outstanding problems with regard to the border between the two countries to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) so that they may be resolved legally and peacefully;
Amendment 23 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on all groups and parties within South Sudan to develop a joint vision for their country and its peaceful, prosperous and equitable development; proposes that the Government of South Sudan consider setting up a reconciliation commission or launching an inclusive national debate with a view to ending inter-ethnic conflict and envisaging peaceful relations;
Amendment 24 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on South Sudan to ratify without delay the international agreements protecting human rights;
Amendment 27 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Calls on the state not to prevent NGOs from reaching people in conflict zones; points out that impeding NGOs in this way constitutes a breach of international humanitarian law;
Amendment 46 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls on the South-Sudanese Government to set out a national action plan to end child marriages, in particular by improving young people’s access to education and promoting the role of women in society;
Amendment 47 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Points out that the custom of child marriage is widespread in South Sudan but that certain traditional practices constitute discrimination against women; calls on the state to put a stop to such practices and to work with NGOs on providing human-rights training for law- enforcement personnel;
Amendment 15 #
2013/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas corruption may undermine economic development by obstructing business and investment on occasion;
Amendment 25 #
2013/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas corruption in high places can seriously undermine and destabilise the countries concerned and strike at the very heart of the State;
Amendment 44 #
2013/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
L. whereas emergency situations and incoming aid offer opportunities for corruption due to the nature of the activities and the complexity of actions and actors executing them, and whereas these ‘opportunities’ include bribery, extortion faced by aid agency staff, misconduct by aid agency staff, fraud, false accounting, diversion of aid received, and exploitation of the needy and desperate by those in power; whereas the misappropriation of humanitarian aid is a serious violation of international humanitarian law;
Amendment 1 #
2013/2020(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Asserts that the addressing of security- related concerns across the Sahel region, as defined in the European Union Strategy for Security and Development in the Sahel of 2011 is a precondition for the framing of development policies, security and development in the countries of the Sahel are inextricably linked; points up the importance - for the sustainable success of development policies - of a stable security situation, economic stability, political stability and stability in terms of observing human rights and fundamental freedoms in the Sahel;
Amendment 3 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
Citation 1 a (new)
Amendment 4 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 b (new)
Citation 1 b (new)
- having regard to the Cotonou Agreement of 23 June 2000, revised on 22 June 2010,
Amendment 5 #
2013/2020(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph A a (new)
Paragraph A a (new)
Aa. whereas at the London summit of July 2012 more than a hundred governments, international agencies and NGOs set themselves the objective of investing an additional USD 4 billion by 2020 in increasing the number of women using contraception in the world's 69 poorest countries, which include the Sahel countries, by 120 million on top of the current figure of USD 10 billion;
Amendment 6 #
2013/2020(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls on the international community and local, regional and national authorities, in association with civil society, to continue to strengthen civil and/or military arrangements for the security of population groups, including responses to humanitarian emergencies;
Amendment 13 #
2013/2020(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the countries of the Sahel and the local and regional authorities to introduce policies aimed at ensuring the safety of refugees, at combating thedisplaced persons and the most vulnerable, with a view to combating terrorism, violence, exploitation and trafficking (of drugs, weapons, human beings and goods and at combating terrorism);
Amendment 15 #
2013/2020(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Expresses its support for the International Support Mission to Mali, the Mali peacekeeping mission and the EUCAP Sahel Mission; calls on the United Nations to extend its mission to cover the whole of the Sahel regionUnited Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali, which took over on 1 July 2013, and the EUCAP Sahel Mission; welcomes with satisfaction the proposal by the Secretary- General of the United Nations on 14 June 2013 to establish a ‘United Nations integrated strategy for the Sahel', which should tackle all aspects of the crisis: enhancing governance, combating crime (trafficking of drugs, people, weapons and cigarettes; money laundering), combating terrorism, and humanitarian aid; welcomes in particular the strategy’s objectives in seeking to enhance inclusive and effective governance throughout the region and to integrate humanitarian and development plans and interventions so as to ensure long-term resilience;
Amendment 16 #
2013/2020(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses the need for all the countries of the Sahel to introduce policies establishing intra-Sahel networks (basic social infrastructure and basic networks (sanitation, network of medical advisers, transport, telecommunications, etc.) to ensure the successful and efficient channelling of humanitarian aid; expects those countries and local and regional authorities to ensure the permanency of those infrastructure facilities and networks;
Amendment 19 #
2013/2020(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Acknowledges the important role which women play in stabilising and developing the Sahel, and calls for a strengthening of their leadership function in conflict prevention, peace-keeping and peace-building, and in the security field, politics and economic development; encourages development partners to allocate financial support for projects with the specific aim of empowering women in the region;
Amendment 21 #
2013/2020(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Invites the EU to introduce development policies, based on an approach rooted in human rights and fundamental freedoms, which are aimed at alleviating the food crisis and the problems of malnutrition and famine, at ensuring drought resistance and at providing responses to natural disasters; calls on the Commission to make optimum use of the funds earmarked for combating malnutrition (EUR 123.5 million in 2012);
Amendment 22 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the Sahel is one of the poorest regions of the world, which confronts grave problems regarding human rights, the rule of law, security and armed conflict, as well as economic and social development, and whereas the extreme poverty in the region is reflected in the UN Human Development Index for 2012, ranking Niger (186th), Chad (184th), Burkina Faso (183rd) and Mali (182nd) among the six least developed countries in the world;
Amendment 24 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas establishing democracy, peace and good governance is a crucial challenge for the Sahel states, whereas these states must embark on the process of promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms, eradicating discrimination against women and minorities and promoting education and ethnic reconciliation;
Amendment 24 #
2013/2020(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls for the introduction of, and follow- up to, effective health and education policies for the most vulnerable groups, such as women and children, which are geared towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs): universal primary education, improved maternal health, universal access to health care, and the combating of HIV/AIDS and other diseasesall infectious diseases; calls on the EU, under the 11th EDF, to make youth a priority of its action in the Sahel and to develop an ambitious education policy; points to the importance of dedicated policies on women and on access to employment;
Amendment 25 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the scope of this resolution encompasses the countries identified by the EU Sahel Strategy, specifically Mauritania, Mali, Niger, and relevant parts of Burkina Faso and Chad; whereas the broader geographic and ecological definition of the Sahel also remains crucial with regard to the region’s shared human rights challenges; whereas this report will also discuss thesecurity and human rights situation in Western Sahara and the Tindouf campsissues in the countries neighbouring the Sahel which have a direct impact on the current situation in the Sahel, such as Western Sahara and the Tindouf camps in Algeria, Libya and the consequences of the Libyan conflict, Nigeria and the presence of terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, and terrorist groups and drug trafficking in West Africa;
Amendment 26 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the scope of this resolution encompasses the countries identified by the EU Sahel Strategy, specifically Mauritania, Mali, Niger, and relevant parts of Burkina Faso and Chad; whereas the broader geographic and ecological definition of the Sahel also remains crucial with regard to the region’s shared human rights challenges; whereas this report will also discuss thesecurity and human rights situation in Western Sahara and the Tindouf camps; issues in the countries neighbouring the Sahel which have a direct impact on the current situation in the Sahel, such as Western Sahara and the Tindouf camps in Algeria, Libya and the consequences of the Libyan conflict, Nigeria and the presence of terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, and terrorist groups and drug trafficking in West Africa;
Amendment 29 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the Sahel states are rich in natural resources, particularly oil, gold and uranium, but whereas the income from the extraction of these resources is not fed back into the local economy to enable these states to develop;
Amendment 30 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
Ba. whereas part of these countries’ populations do not have access to care and suffer from numerous endemic diseases such as cholera, meningitis, measles and HIV/AIDS; whereas the death toll from HIV/AIDS is high, with 11 000 dying every year in Chad, 7 100 in Burkina Faso, 4 400 in Mali and 4 300 in Niger;
Amendment 31 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)
Recital B c (new)
Bc. whereas civil wars and ethnic conflicts are leading to population movements and the establishment of refugee camps such as those in Mentao (Burkina Faso), Mangaize (Niger), M’Bera (Mauritania) and Breijing (Chad); whereas living conditions and hygiene in these camps are deplorable;
Amendment 32 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the extreme poverty in the region is reflected in the UN Human Development Index for 2012, ranking Niger (186th), Chad (184th), Burkina Faso (183rd) and Mali (182nd) among the six least developed countries in the world; whereas the maternal mortality rate in Mali, estimated to be 1 100 deaths per 100 000 live births, is the highest in the world according to UN data; whereas the UN Human Development Report 2013 singles out Niger and Mali as having particularly high under-five child mortality rates, rising above 200 deaths per 1 000 live births where mothers are lacking any education; whereas the World Bank estimate of the primary school enrolment rates for Niger and Mali are among the worst in the world, at 62 and 63 % respectively; whereas the European Commission estimates that, in all, 10.3 million people are at risk of hunger in the Sahel region in 2013, among them 4.2 million are Malians;
Amendment 34 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the European Commission estimates that, in all, 10.3 million people are suffering from hunger in the Sahel region in 2013, of whom 4.2 million are Malians; whereas according to the AGIR- Sahel programme, 18 million people are affected by hunger in the Sahel and West Africa, one million of whom are children; whereas the European Union must continue its efforts to improve the resilience of these countries; whereas the humanitarian aid provided by the European Union for the Sahel totals EUR 650 million;
Amendment 36 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas Tuareg resentments in northern Mali were exploited by extremist groups who in early 2012 allied with, and subsequently displaced, the secular National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) in their rebellion; whereas these groups, in particular Ansar Dine, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO), further benefited from the instability arising from the subsequent coup in Bamako; whereas the systematic violations of human rights in the north, combined with the impending existential threat to the Malian state itself, precipitated the armed intervenational interventions to help shore up democracy, restore the rule of law and improve the situation of by French forces to halt the atrocities and human rights violations committed by the terrorist groups, restore democracy and the authority of the Malian state and re-establish respect for human rights;
Amendment 42 #
2013/2020(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls on the Sahel countries to step up their cooperation with a view to launching awareness campaigns on women's rights with NGOs, civil society, the UN and the EU;
Amendment 43 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the presence of terrorist groups in the Sahel causes serious instability and insecurity in the region, with hostage-taking and violent attacks; whereas the Sahel is a transit zone for drug-trafficking by criminal gangs from Latin America, and whereas drug- traffickers are often linked to terrorist groups which provide security for them while in transit; whereas the presence of these traffickers is a source of instability both for the Sahel and for the European Union, which is often the final destination of this trade;
Amendment 44 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
Dc. whereas the intervention of NATO forces in Libya in 2011 brought into circulation more than 20 million weapons which have ended up in the hands of Tuaregs or mercenaries who have joined terrorist groups; whereas the head of the MNLA, Mohamed Ag Najim, is a former colonel in the Libyan army;
Amendment 45 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the governments of the Sahel region need to involve the populations concerned in order to reach a durable solution to the crisis; whereas, in particular, the participation of women to the resolution of the Sahel crisis is a necessary condition for reaching long- term stability;
Amendment 46 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas fight against impunity, including for gender-based violence during conflict, is fundamental for the stability of the region and building lasting peace;
Amendment 47 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the EU has recently paid increased attention to the Sahel, as evidenced by the adoption of the EU Sahel Strategy for Security and Development in the Sahel in 2011, the launching of EU Capacity Building (EUCAP Sahel) and the EUTM Mali mission, and the nomination of an EUSR for the Sahel; whereas the mandate of the new EUSR, adopted on 18 March 2013, includes a strong human rights component;
Amendment 55 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas the Sahel countries are parties to the Cotonou Agreement, and whereas partnership with the European Union is based on development aid, good governance, promotion of human rights and humanitarian aid;
Amendment 67 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas a ceasefire in Western Sahara between the Moroccan Government and the Polisario Front has been in place since 1991; whereas the UN considers Western Sahara a non-self-governing territory; whereas no country recognises Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara; whereas the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is currently recognised by the AU and over 45 UN states, but not by the UN collectively or by any EU Member State; whereas the UN and EU do not explicitly consider Morocco to be an occupying power; whereas a referendum on the status of Western Sahara, first agreed on principle in 1988, has still not taken place; whereas the Kingdom of Morocco proposed a draft autonomous status for the Southern Provinces in 2007;
Amendment 68 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas a ceasefire in Western Sahara between the Moroccan Government and the Polisario Front has been in place since 1991; whereas the UN considers Western Sahara a non-self-governing territory; whereas no country recognises Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara; whereas the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is currently recognised by the AU and over 45 UN states, but not by the UN collectively or by any EU Member State; whereas the UN and EU do not explicitly consider Morocco to be an occupying power; whereas a referendum on the status of Western Sahara, first agreed on principle in 1988, has still not taken place; whereas the Kingdom of Morocco proposed a draft autonomous status for the Southern Provinces in 2007;
Amendment 74 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the refugee camps near Tindouf in Algeria, having first been established thirty-seven years ago, remain the second longest-operating in the world; whereas a political stalemate precludes any realistic, in spite of the discussions between the various parties there is still no prospect of their dissolution, or the resettlement or repatriation of their inhabitants, in the near future;
Amendment 83 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) is the only UN mission not to include a human rights dimension in its mandate, and offers no mechanism for alleged human rights violations to be reported; whereas the UN Security Council rejected the proposal to include human rights in MINURSO’s mandate its Resolution 2099 (2013) of 25 April 2013; whereas both the Moroccan Government and the Polisario Front have been accused of human rights violations;
Amendment 88 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that the situation of human rights in the Sahel has acquired greater international prominence as a result of the armed conflict in Mali and the intervenational response to by the French army supported by the international community; acknowledges that this conflict has created specific problems in that country, as well as exacerbating fundamental underlyingstructural challenges already present in Mali and elsewhere in the region; stresses, however, that the immediate concerns in Mali should not deflect attention from the chronic and pervasive problems that seriously impact on human rights in the rest of the Sahel, in particular, slavery and human trafficking, jihadi extremism and radicalisation, fragile governance and institutional corruption, and systemic and debilitating poverty, child soldiers and discrimination against women;
Amendment 96 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the increased attention to human rights in EU policy; notes that the UN has also taken steps to develop a comprehensive strategy on the Sahel with a strong human rights dimension; recalls that the EU and the countries of the Sahel, as signatories to the Cotonou Agreement, have assumed mutual obligations to protect human rights and democratic principles, based on the rule of law and transparent and accountable governance; points out that the Sahel states are parties to most international treaties for the protection of human rights, women’s rights and the rights of the child;
Amendment 109 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises that women have borne the brunt of the violence against civilians in Mali; specifically condemns as a war crime the use of abduction and rape, rape, gang rape, forced marriages, and the humiliation of women belonging to a different ethnic group (Bella) as weapons of war; expects the EU and other international partners of Mali to cooperate closely with the Malian authorities to implement the commitments inherent in the UN Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820 and in the EU Comprehensive Approach;
Amendment 114 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Abhors the grave violations against children in Mali, including the reported use of child soldiers by all of the armed groups active in the north; applauds the action of UNICEF, which is assisting in the social reintegration of demobilised Malian child soldiers; emphasises the importance of allocating sufficient recourses to the tasks of demobilisation and rehabilitation of child soldiers; condemns in the strongest terms the sexual violence against girls, forced marriages, abductions and attacks on schools and hospitals that have occurred during the Mali conflict; draws attention to the capture and detention of children for intelligence purposes as a worrying emerging trend that needs to be addressed as a matter of the utmost urgency;
Amendment 117 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on all the Sahel countries to embark on a policy of prevention and protection aimed at ensuring that children will not be recruited by force by armed groups; calls on the Sahel countries to refrain from recruiting children to their regular armies and to condemn any person guilty of this war crime;
Amendment 136 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Considers the need to fight impunity and hold all perpetrators of serious human rights violations accountable, irrespective of affiliation and status, as key to ensuring lasting peace and stability in Mali; welcomes therefore the Malian Government’'s referral of the situation to the ICC and the ICC Prosecutor’'s opening of formal investigations; calls on the EU and other international partners of Mali to help the government to pursue its objective of investigating and prosecuting perpetrators of abuses; calls onwelcomes the fact that the Malian Government to consider establishing a Truthhas established a Dialogue and Reconciliation Commission, along the South African lines,nd appointed a government emissary to carry on a dialogue with the armed groups in northern Mali in order to encourage dialogue and foster trust between communities;
Amendment 141 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Notes with great concern the role of these factors in facilitating the regional surge in international organised crime and jihadi networks; emphasises the serious threats that they pose to human rights and regional stability, and the need to confront such threats for the benefit of Sahelian populations; expresses particular alarm at the ‘trafficking highways’ across Africa from west to east, and south to north from the West African coast, transporting arms, narcotics, cigarettes, and people; notes that the Sahel risks further destabilisation from the proliferation of light weaponry originating in Libya; further condemns the region’s increased incidences of kidnapping and hostage-taking, which have proved highly lucrative for criminal and terrorist groups, and welcomes the work of the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Group on the impact of terrorist hostage-taking on human rights; draws attention to the impact of these activities on the wider region, as well as the EU, which is the destination for much of the illicit traffic;
Amendment 146 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Further condemns the region’s increased incidences of kidnapping and hostage-taking, which have proved highly lucrative for criminal and terrorist groups, and welcomes the work of the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Group on the impact of terrorist hostage-taking on human rights; draws attention to the impact of these activities on the wider region, as well as on the EU, which is being targeted by this hostage-taking; notes that the hostage-taking is intended to offer a show of force in relation to European countries;
Amendment 149 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14b. Points out that terrorist operations know no borders and organisations are joining forces to pursue them; notes that the Boko Haram group is established in much of Nigeria and threatening the stability of Niger and that AQMI, led by three Algerians (Abou Zeid, Yahya Abou Al-Hammam, and Mokhtar Belmokhtar), is attempting to destabilise southern Algeria; welcomes the EUBAM Libya mission, aimed at securing Libyan borders; calls on the Sahel countries, therefore, to coordinate their efforts to make the entire region secure, starting with the borders, and to intensify counterterrorism cooperation with all the countries concerned, including Algeria, Nigeria, Morocco, and Libya; calls on the EU, the AU, ECOWAS, and the international community to provide the Sahel countries with every necessary form of technical, material, and human support;
Amendment 151 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 c (new)
Paragraph 14 c (new)
14c. Calls on the Sahel countries to establish intensive cooperation with Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, and Ghana, which are transit ports for drugs originating from Latin American criminal groups and bound for Europe; calls on the EU to help the Sahel countries fight this trafficking;
Amendment 152 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 d (new)
Paragraph 14 d (new)
14d. Notes that organised crime engenders corruption that permeates every sphere of state; calls on the Sahel countries, therefore, roundly to condemn all forms of corruption;
Amendment 160 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Welcomes the peaceful settlement of the border dispute between Niger and Burkina Faso brought by those two countries before the International Court of Justice, which handed down its ruling on 16 April 2013, and calls on the Sahel countries to follow this example;
Amendment 161 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b. Urges the governments of the Sahel countries to respect the independence and the impartiality of the courts, since these are essential guarantees of democracy and the rule of law; calls on the Sahel countries to continue their efforts to improve judicial training; and calls on the EU to support NGO projects aimed at raising human rights awareness among judicial practitioners;
Amendment 162 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 c (new)
Paragraph 16 c (new)
16c. Calls on the Sahel countries to cooperate with the ICC so as to enable it to conduct investigations freely and with complete impartiality; calls on states parties to execute international arrest warrants issued by the ICC and enforce its decisions with all due dispatch; proposes that the UN should help the Sahel countries to set up impartial and independent judicial bodies to try international crimes, following the example of the Special Court for Sierra Leone;
Amendment 165 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Encourages all countries in the region to tackle the persistent reports of alleged arbitrary arrests, ill-treatment and abuses, even torture, despite legislation prohibiting such practices; expresses concern over the reports of alleged forced disappearances of convicted prisoners in Mauritania and Chad, and points out that forced disappearances are considered a war crime under the Rome Statute; is troubled by reports of extremely poor conditions in some of the region’s prisons, which inflict great suffering on their inmates; calls on the Sahel countries to improve living conditions for prisoners and, in particular, to guarantee the safety and security of the most vulnerable groups, such as women and children;
Amendment 170 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Supports the UN Security Council resolution commitment to assist the transitional authorities of Mali to implement the road map towards the full restoration of constitutional order, democratic governance and national unity; considers it essential to create conditions conducive to the holding of cfrediblee, fair and democratic elections, in keeping with international standards; stresses the need to overcome challenges related to the voting arrangements in the IDP and refugee camps, to avoid further political marginalisation; calls for immediate action on this issue by the Malian Government and its international partners; welcomes the agreement signed on 18 June 2013 in Ouagadougou between the government and the Tuareg rebels that paves the way for the return of the Malian army and administration in the North and removes a major obstacle for the holding of the Presidential elections in July; emphasises the need to ensure the safe participation of women in the electoral process; welcomes the intention of the EU to send an electoral observation mission to Mali;
Amendment 182 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Calls on the Sahel countries to cease all arbitrary arrests and intimidation campaigns aimed at the press and the media, human rights defenders, or opposition activists; calls on the Sahel- Sahara countries, including the North African countries, fully to respect the freedom of expression of non-violent groups and their freedom to demonstrate; calls on the judicial authorities to try imprisoned opposition figures fairly and in accordance with the law in force; calls on the Sahel countries to promote a multiparty system and both to allow political groupings which abide by the rule of law to contest elections without fear of reprisals and to enable the people to participate in elections;
Amendment 188 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Calls on the EU to support all measures being taken by Sahel countries, NGOs, and civil society to improve access to care, especially for the most vulnerable populations; calls on international organisations to continue the efforts to eradicate HIV-AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and meningitis, which cause numerous deaths; points out that some Sahel populations are nomadic and cannot easily gain access to care, and calls for support to be given to care- related awareness and training campaigns;
Amendment 197 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Notes, with due gravity, the frequent food crises and other humanitarian emergencies in the Sahel region, and their effect on the most fundamental human rights; welcomes the strong involvement of the EU and its Member States in the humanitarian crisis efforts in the Sahel; emphasises, however, the need for humanitarian action to be coordinated with longer term EU support in the context of development cooperation and human rights protectionnotes that in 2012 the Commission provided aid totalling EUR 338 million, including EUR 174 million in emergency humanitarian aid, to address food crises and that DG ECHO made EUR 172 million in humanitarian aid available, EUR 58 million of which was used in Mali; welcomes the budget of EUR 1.5 million granted to AGIR-Sahel under the 11th EDF with the aim of increasing the resilience of the Sahel States;
Amendment 207 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Notes, furthermore, with great concern, that slavery persists across the wider Sahel region, with large numbers of people in bonded labour in Mali, Niger and elsewhere; urges the responsible national and international authorities to take action in this regard, with particular attention to the position and vulnerability of women and girls, inter aliaby stamping out the practice employed by the Wahaya in Niger of forcing girls to have sexual relations with men who become their masters, assisting victims' rehabilitation and reintegration, collecting data, and organising awareness- raising campaigns;
Amendment 210 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Expresses deep concern about evidence of child labour in Malian gold mines, agriculture and forestry, reportedly involving children as young as six years old; notes Malian lawthe laws in force in the Sahel States prohibiting child labour, and the particularly hazardous nature of gold mining; calls, therefore, on the Malian authorities to implement the policy proposals in its Action Plan for the Fight against Child Labour (PANETEM) of June 2011, and to promote universal education more actively; calls on the EU to work with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and other national and international organisations, to eradicate fully child labour in Mali; calls on all the Sahel States to combat child labour and promote education;
Amendment 211 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Expresses deep concern about evidence of child labour in Malian gold mines, agriculture and forestry, reportedly involving children as young as six years old; notes Malian lawthe laws in force in the Sahel States prohibiting child labour, and the particularly hazardous nature of gold mining; calls, therefore, on the Malian authorities to implement the policy proposals in its Action Plan for the Fight against Child Labour (PANETEM) of June 2011, and to promote universal education more actively; calls on the EU to work with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and other national and international organisations, to eradicate fully child labour in Mali; calls on all the Sahel States to combat child labour and promote education;
Amendment 215 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Points out that the European Union endorses the principles underpinning the Kimberley Process, implements the FLEGT programmes and endeavours wherever possible to encourage compliance with basic international standards in the areas of social protection, employment and the environment and corporate social responsibility (CSR); calls on the European Union and the Sahel States to consider introducing a gold traceability process along the lines of the Kimberley Process for diamonds; emphasises the need for European firms which have subsidiaries in the countries of the region to satisfy themselves that these basic standards and international guidelines on CSR are being complied with; points out that the European Union is shortly to introduce the principle of country-by-country reporting;
Amendment 218 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Calls on the Sahel States to promote access to education for all children, both boys and girls, and for nomad peoples, with no discrimination on the grounds of race, caste or ethnicity; calls on the States to promote policies on vocational training and access to higher education and employment, in order to offer young people in the Sahel a future and thus keep them out of the clutches of terrorist groups; emphasises that conditions for children in schools must meet minimum criteria as regards health, safety and dignity and that steps must be taken to ensure that children are not mistreated or forced to engage in begging by their tutors;
Amendment 219 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Notes the discrimination faced by women and girls in much of the region, the manifestations of which include forced marriage, child marriage, sexual exploitation, under- education and, particularly in Chad, widespread female genital mutilation, including infibulation; calls on the EU to assist local women's groups and civil so, and traditional practices such as sororate or levirate marriage; calls for the implementation, in cooperation with all the development actors on the ground, of policietys to tackle oppression, and enable women to lead lives that they have freely chosensafeguard human rights and gender equality, in particular respect for and the safeguarding and promotion of the rights of women, including sexual and reproductive rights, with no discrimination on the grounds of race, caste, age, ethnicity, religious belief, marital status, origin or status as a migrant or non-migrant;
Amendment 229 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Points out that the Sahel population consists of transfrontier ethno-cultural communities and that the continuing tensions between these communities and the exploitation of those tensions are making the establishment of democratic States and a lasting peace more difficult; takes the view that it is time to consolidate the close links between these groups and to put an end to the conflicts between them; calls on the Sahel States to arrange inclusive inter-ethnic dialogues;
Amendment 241 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)
Paragraph 35 a (new)
35a. Urges Senegal, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco to play a leadership role in the Sahel region and in so doing create a genuine regional dynamic which will boost the economic development of the region and safeguard human rights;
Amendment 244 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Notes the April 2013 report of the UN Secretary-General on the situation concerning Western Sahara, which stresses 'the critical importance of addressing the Western Sahara conflict as part of a broader strategy for the Sahel', and that 'the issue of human rights remains important for any resolution of the conflict'; further notes that the conclusions of many observers that Western Sahara risks becoming destabilised by the conflict in the Sahel and the groups participating in itgoing conflicts in the Sahel, and in particular the presence of terrorist groups such as AQMI in northern Mali and southern Algeria, are factors destabilising Western Sahara;
Amendment 245 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Notes the April 2013 report of the UN Secretary-General on the situation concerning Western Sahara, which stresses 'the critical importance of addressing the Western Sahara conflict as part of a broader strategy for the Sahel', and that 'the issue of human rights remains important for any resolution of the conflict'; further notes that the conclusions of many observers that Western Sahara risks becoming destabilised by the conflict in the Sahel and the groups participating in itgoing conflicts in the Sahel, and in particular the presence of terrorist groups such as AQMI in northern Mali and southern Algeria, are factors destabilising Western Sahara;
Amendment 250 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
Amendment 253 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Emphasises the need for human rights in Western Sahara to be considered without anticipating any final political settlement or expressing a view on such a settlement; reiterates, nevertheless, that self- determination is a fundamental human right, as specified by Article 1 of the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and that territorial integrity is a principle enshrined in international law; moreover, recalls UN Security Council Resolution 1754, urging the parties to enter into negotiations in good faith, without preconditions, 'with a view to achieving a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, which would provide for the self- determination of the people of Western Sahara'; fears that the 25-year delay in arranging a referendum is increasing Sahrawi alienation and the potential for violence, particularly amongst the young;
Amendment 264 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Expresses deep concern at the recent report from the UNSR on torture, who found evidenceobtained credible testimony stating that Moroccan officials have detained individuals on political grounds, inflicted torture and rape on Sahrawi inmates, kidnapped and abandoned protesters in the desert to intimidate them, and deliberately and frequently targeted pro-independence advocates, including in their homethat these types of treatment, which are contrary to international law, are being suffered by both Moroccan citizens and Sahrawis; notes further widespread allegations of forced disappearances and unfair trials; draws particular attention to the dismantling of the Gdeim Izik protest camp in November 2010, where significant violence claimed Moroccan and Sahrawi lives, and the subsequent trial of 25 Sahrawis, many of them known human rights activists, in February 2013; notes Morocco's insistence regarding the trial's fairness and due process, and the positive conclusions of some international observers, but also recalls the UNSR's concern at the use of a military court, the allegations of torture, and the Moroccan authorities' failure to investigate them; notes the conclusions by some NGOs and human rights observers relating to the case's alleged politicised prosecutions, deficient evidence and excessive sentences; calls thereforenotes that the King of Morocco has endorsed the proposal made by the Moroccan National Human Rights Council urging that civilians should not be tried by military tribunals; calls on the Moroccan authorities to work with civil society and other actors to guarantee the transparency and fairness of its judicial processes, and to investigate and prosecute security officials alleged to have been involved in arbitrary detentions, torture and other abuses of power;
Amendment 265 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Expresses deep concern at the recent report from the UNSR on torture, who found evidenceobtained credible testimony stating that Moroccan officials have detained individuals on political grounds, inflicted torture and rape on Sahrawi inmates, kidnapped and abandoned protesters in the desert to intimidate them, and deliberately and frequently targeted pro-independence advocates, including in their homethat these types of treatment, which are contrary to international law, are being suffered by both Moroccan citizens and Sahrawis; notes further widespread allegations of forced disappearances and unfair trials; draws particular attention to the dismantling of the Gdeim Izik protest camp in November 2010, where significant violence claimed Moroccan and Sahrawi lives, and the subsequent trial of 25 Sahrawis, many of them known human rights activists, in February 2013; notes Morocco's insistence regarding the trial's fairness and due process, and the positive conclusions of some international observers, but also recalls the UNSR's concern at the use of a military court, the allegations of torture, and the Moroccan authorities’ failure to investigate them; notes the conclusions by some NGOs and human rights observers relating to the case's alleged politicised prosecutions, deficient evidence and excessive sentences; calls thereforenotes that the King of Morocco has endorsed the proposal made by the Moroccan National Human Rights Council urging that civilians should not be tried by military tribunals; calls on the Moroccan authorities to work with civil society and other actors to guarantee the transparency and fairness of its judicial processes, and to investigate and prosecute security officials alleged to have been involved in arbitrary detentions, torture and other abuses of power;
Amendment 273 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)
Paragraph 38 a (new)
38a. Draws attention to the dismantling of the Gdeim Izik protest camp in November 2010, where significant violence claimed the lives of 11 Moroccan security forces and 2 Sahrawi men, one of them a minor;
Amendment 284 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
Amendment 287 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Welcomes the significant economic and infrastructural development implemented by the Moroccan Government in Western Sahara; welcomes the regional development model for the southern provinces drawn up by Morocco's Economic, Social and Environmental Council, which would allow the people of the area to exercise their economic, social and cultural rights to the full and to prepare to make the Moroccan autonomy initiative a success; remains concerned, however, by the ongoing dispute over the exploitation of the territory's natural resources, particularly relating to phosphate mines, fisheries, and preliminary oil exploration; recalls the UN Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs' advice in 2002, which stressed the Western Saharan people's 'inalienable rights' to their territory's natural resources, and determined that further exploitation 'in disregard of the interests and wishes of the people of Western Sahara' would be illegal; draws attention to the UN Secretary- General's statement to the effect that Morocco was seeking to improve living conditions in the territory and, to that end, to draft a new regional development strategy for the area; stresses, therefore, that Western Saharan goods and resources should be exempt from any trade agreements between Morocco and the EU unless the Sahrawi population's consent and benefit can be clearly demonstrated; expresses particular concern that the EU should not re-institute a fisheries agreement with Morocco while this controversy remains unresolved;
Amendment 311 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. Expresses concern that the poverty in Tindouf, coupled with an absence of long- term prospects for many refugees, leaves them vulnerable to radicalisation along religious fundamentalist lines; points to the danger of young people being recruited by criminal or terrorist organisations and draws attention to the region's porous borders, which risk facilitating deeper infiltration of the camps by jihadi groups from northern Mali and elsewhere; stresses, therefore, the paramount importance of ensuring the safety and security of the camps;
Amendment 312 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. Expresses concern that the poverty in Tindouf, coupled with an absence of long- term prospects for many refugees, leaves them vulnerable to radicalisation along religious fundamentalist lines; points to the danger of young people being recruited by criminal or terrorist organisations and draws attention to the region's porous borders, which risk facilitating deeper infiltration of the camps by jihadi groups from northern Mali and elsewhere; stresses, therefore, the paramount importance of ensuring the safety and security of the camps;
Amendment 323 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. Welcomes efforts to improve the documentation of alleged human rights abuses in Western Sahara, in particular through the institution of the Moroccan National Council for Human Rights (CNDH), with offices in Laayoune and Dakhla; notes the positive work of the CNDH, and calls on the Moroccan Government to help strengthen its independence and remit, and to ensure the implementation of its recommendations; welcomes the adoption in 2012 of five recommendations on the human rights situation in Western Sahara; furthermore welcomes Moroccan invitations to, and acceptances of, ad-hoc international delegations, including the UNSR on torture, and urges all relevant parties to continue such engagement with UN human rights bodies;
Amendment 324 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. Welcomes efforts to improve the documentation of alleged human rights abuses in Western Sahara, in particular through the institution of the Moroccan National Council for Human Rights (CNDH), with offices in Laayoune and Dakhla; notes the positive work of the CNDH, and calls on the Moroccan Government to help strengthen its independence and remit, and to ensure the implementation of its recommendations; welcomes the adoption in 2012 of five recommendations on the human rights situation in Western Sahara; furthermore welcomes Moroccan invitations to, and acceptances of, ad-hoc international delegations, including the UNSR on torture, and urges all relevant parties to continue such engagement with UN human rights bodies;
Amendment 328 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
Amendment 339 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 a (new)
Paragraph 46 a (new)
46a. Calls upon the governments of Morocco and Algeria to further improve their relations as to avoid increasing the tensions in the region;
Amendment 2 #
2013/0315(NLE)
The Committee on Development calls on the Committee on Fisheries, as the committee responsible, to propose that the Parliament give its consent. The Committee on Development considers that the Commission should take due account of the following points when implementing the Protocol: (a) the need to safeguard democratic principles and fundamental rights, and to suspend the application of the Protocol as provided for in Article 8 thereof in the event that these principles and rights are violated; (b) the importance of forwarding to Parliament and the Council the annual reports on the use of the sectoral budget in order to promote transparency and to guarantee that this additional budget, which is designed to support the sectoral fisheries policy, is used effectively and that this Protocol has a beneficial economic and social impact on local communities.
Amendment 12 #
2012/2308(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph A – point 1 (new)
Paragraph A – point 1 (new)
(1) whereas, on the basis of Article 341 TFEU, the Protocol on the location of the seats of the institutions and of certain bodies, offices, agencies and departments of the European Union forms an integral part of the Treaties and thus of EU primary law, having been ratified, as part of the Treaty of Amsterdam, by all the Member States in accordance with their respective constitutional rules;
Amendment 17 #
2012/2308(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph A b (new)
Paragraph A b (new)
Ab. having regard to the requirements set out in the Treaty, which, following the adoption of the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1997, has formally laid down for Parliament an arrangement involving a seat in Strasbourg and two other sites in Brussels and Luxembourg;
Amendment 19 #
2012/2308(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph A c (new)
Paragraph A c (new)
Ac. whereas the seats of some European institutions were chosen on account of their symbolic significance, one such example being Strasbourg, the city which symbolises the process of Franco-German reconciliation which is at the root of the European peace project;
Amendment 22 #
2012/2308(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph A e (new)
Paragraph A e (new)
Ae. having regard to Parliament’s Environmental Statement for 2010, issued in May 2011, and in particular pages 68 to 70;
Amendment 23 #
2012/2308(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph A f (new)
Paragraph A f (new)
Af. having regard to the document drawn up by Parliament’s Secretariat entitled ‘Replies and follow-up to the discharge for 2010’;
Amendment 89 #
2012/2308(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Agrees with the principle that the European Parliament would be more effective, cost-efficient andConsiders efficiency, cost-effectiveness and the principle of respectful of for the environment if it were located in a single place; and notes that the continuation of the monthly migration between Brussels andnot to be connected with the place in which Parliament sits, but with its needs; points out that according to figures from the European Parliament’s services, the annual cost of Parliament’s seat in Strasbourg hwas become a symbolic negative issue amongst most EU citizens which is detrimental to Parliament’s reputationEUR 51.5 million in 2010, or 0.04% of the annual EU budget, which represents a cost of 10 cents per EU citizen per year, and hence considers the arguments on Parliament’s cost to be exaggerated;
Amendment 90 #
2012/2308(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 (new)
emphasises that the gross cost of holding part-sessions in Strasbourg is EUR 7 445 000 per part-session, and that 80% of these costs are fixed and would be incurred irrespective of where the part-session is held, be they for equipment, publications or translation, etc.;
Amendment 98 #
2012/2308(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 c (new)
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2c. Emphasises that almost 95% of the EU budget is intended for investment and hence for the public, adding that the European Union, with such a small and deficit-less operating budget for 500 million inhabitants, stands as an example in these times of crisis;
Amendment 100 #
2012/2308(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 d (new)
Paragraph 2 d (new)
2d. Points to the environmental example set by the European Parliament’s seat in Strasbourg, which reduced its own CO2 emissions by 57% between 2006 and 2010, meaning that these now represent 3.6% of all Parliament’s CO2 emissions;
Amendment 102 #
2012/2308(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 e (new)
Paragraph 2 e (new)
2e. Adds that the carbon footprint for travel for committee, political group and delegation meetings, which increased by 23.8% between 2006 and 2010, is significantly larger (6 350 tonnes of CO2 in 2010) than that for Parliament’s seat in Strasbourg (4 199 tonnes of CO2 en 2010);
Amendment 106 #
2012/2308(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 g (new)
Paragraph 2 g (new)
2g. Points out that holding part-sessions in Brussels rather than Strasbourg would result in a saving of EUR 1.5 million, as is specified in paragraph 28 - ‘Costs of using Strasbourg as the seat of the EP’ of the document drawn up by Parliament’s Secretariat entitled ‘Replies and Follow-up to the Discharge for 2010’;
Amendment 146 #
2012/2308(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
Amendment 154 #
2012/2308(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 4 – point 1 (new)
(1) Considers that the so-called petition No 0630/2006 is not in fact a petition because it does not meet the criteria for admissibility of petitions to Parliament under Rule 201 of its Rules of Procedure (formerly Rule 191(2)) inasmuch as it does not show the nationality and permanent address of each petitioner, and that, by implication, electronic signatures on a petition are not admissible and there can be no guarantee as to the real or virtual level of support for this initiative;
Amendment 27 #
2012/2289(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas global challenges remain – hunger and poverty, lack of proper and safe sanitation, insufficient levels of primary education, and gender inequality and ensuring respect for human rights;
Amendment 54 #
2012/2289(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the lack of peace, security, democracy and political stability, together with corruption and human rights violations, prevents poor countries from fulfilling their development potential;
Amendment 66 #
2012/2289(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Points out that some developing countries have become donors, while others still face high levels of inequality; points out that, among other things, climate change, food insecurity, migration, unemployment, demographic change, resource constraints, unsustainable growth and, financial and economic crises and human rights violations pose complex and interrelated challenges;
Amendment 148 #
2012/2289(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Encourages the EU to support developing countries in building up their political will and in increasing efforts to improve the level of implementation of legal and political human rights instruments;
Amendment 150 #
2012/2289(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Encourages the Union to use the Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights efficiently and effectively in the developing countries where it is needed;
Amendment 157 #
2012/2289(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
Amendment 171 #
2012/2289(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
Amendment 174 #
2012/2289(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Points out that promoting universal access to water and modern, reliable, affordable, climate-friendly and sustainable energy services for all is a key driver of poverty eradication and inclusive growth;
Amendment 194 #
2012/2289(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Stresses that the financing instrument for development cooperation is an important tool which should be used wisely for the benefit of developing countries;
Amendment 239 #
2012/2289(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Calls on the EU to continue to pay particular attention to the clear linkages between PCD and the post-2015 MDGs, in particular in the following priority areas: trade and finance, climate change, agriculture, food security, migration, energy, and peace and security policies, and human rights;
Amendment 2 #
2012/2225(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Confirms its support for Policy Coherence for Development; notes that, in the context of trade with developing countries, this presupposes inter alia the safeguarding and expansion of such countries’ abilities to industrialise, diversify their production and move up the value chain, as well as the abolition of any agricultural subsidies that could harm their food securitynd to develop their services sector to benefit development;
Amendment 5 #
2012/2225(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Emphasises that trade and development should pursue objectives in the field of agriculture, particularly the abolition of any agricultural subsidies that could harm food security, the sustainable management of natural assets and local, regional and national integrated growth strategies;
Amendment 15 #
2012/2225(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses the need for the EU, in order to increase wealth and living standards among the poorest, to specifically target some of its trade-related assistance towards building local and regional trade capacity within and among these countries; welcomes the objectives of the Development Cooperation Instrument, which highlights the priorities of employment and growth in developing countries;
Amendment 18 #
2012/2225(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Emphasises that social entrepreneurship and social innovation in the developing countries are the engines of growth for development, which can help reduce inequality and promote growth provided that profits are reinvested in the economy;
Amendment 9 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3
Citation 3
– having regard to the 2012 Nobel Peace Pricze which not only honours the EU’s historical contribution to a peaceful Europe and world but also raises expectations as to its future engagement towards a more rule-based and peaceful world order based on the rules of international law,
Amendment 15 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
Citation 7 a (new)
– having regard to the 2001 report of the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty (ICISS),
Amendment 56 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas human rights are of the utmost importance in international relations;
Amendment 63 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas the International Criminal Court plays a fundamental role not only in crime prevention but also in the reconstruction of countries and in mediation processes;
Amendment 120 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Joins with the public commitment made by the EU and China during their High- Level Strategic Dialogue of 9-10 July 2012 in Beijing to set a good example of international cooperation in the 21st century through their Strategic Partnership; supports and encourages the almost sixty sectoral dialogues between the EU and China with the conviction that an enhanced and highly developed partnership will be mutually beneficial to both the EU and China; wishes, however, to see a strengthening of these dialogues in the fields of the environment, security, energy and in particular the fight against counterfeit products, in view of its impact on public health and safety;
Amendment 159 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Acknowledges the popular legitimacy of the CCP, especially in view of its successful economic policy, but shares the criticism of independent Chinese scholaowing to its economic policy in China; reiterates, however, the criticism of observers and observexperts that this legitimacy is seriously threatened by a ‘red aristocracy’ of close family members of former and present party leaders who possess enormous fortunes owing to their political and economic connections, a grave; regrets that this situation which was recently laid bare by the Bo Xilai affair;
Amendment 165 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Looks forward to the speedy implementation of the repeated calls forHopes that democratisation and political reforms inside the CCP will be achieved by an open-minded new party leadership; believes that only effective political reforms will curb the semi-independence of high-handed provincial, district and local party bosses, who badly damage the reputation of China’s national leadership both internally and externally with their abuses of power, with particular reference to the very costly and endemic cases of corruption; looks forward eagerly therefore to the opening of the Congress of the CPC on 8 November 2012;
Amendment 209 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Admires the courage and the social responsibility of numerous Chinese citizens for defending precious social rights in their country, but denounces the tragic state of affairs whereby several of them are being officially persecuted and punished for their efforts to correct well-known social dangers/criminal acts such as corruption, abuse of office, environmental damage, AIDS infection, food poisoning, construction fraud concerning schools, illegal land and property expropriation, often committed by local party authorities; ;urges the Chinese leadership to encourage civil responsibility for observing socipromote respect for social rights and fundamental human rights and to rehabilitate officially persecuted and punished defenders of these rights in accordance with the EU-China dialogue on human rights held on 29 May 2012; also expects a responsible Chinese leadership to comply strictly with individual and human rights;
Amendment 254 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Stresses that, notwithstanding a harsh policy of repression, a religious revival is taking place in China which is demonstrated by the reopening or reconstruction of countless places of worship; urges the Chinese authorities to replace their ineffective policy of controlling religion with one offerseeking real freedom of religion, in order to ensure respect for all religious beliefs and communities;
Amendment 302 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Calls on China, a member of the UN Security Council, to adopt a firm and constructive diplomatic position on the Syrian crisis and to consider the impact of this crisis on security, peace and stability, not only at regional, but also at international level;
Amendment 13 #
2012/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the financial and economic crisis has become intertwined withcrisis has led to an economic crisis, which in turn has caused numerous other crises, such as the food, energy and social crises;
Amendment 21 #
2012/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the global economic crisis has undermined increases ihad a major impact on living standards gained byin the developing world in theover the last 10- year period prior to the crisis, and whereas the rate of inequality has increased in one quarter of developing economies, thus limiting access to education, food, land, and credit;
Amendment 37 #
2012/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
L. whereas global unemployment reached 200 million in 2012 – an increase of 27 million since the start of the crisis in 2008, jeopardising the right to work and resulting in a decrease in household incomes; whereas, besides physical illness and worsening economic conditions, and unemployment has a directmay have an impact on mentalthe health andof individuals, which can cause a lack of self- esteem, which frequently leads to depression and even suicide or even depression;
Amendment 38 #
2012/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital N
Recital N
N. whereas women often experience unequal treatment in the workplace compared to men, in terms of dismissal, social security benefits and rehiring; whereas men are forced to increase their workload because their work is generally considered to be the primary source of household incomvarious forms of inequality may exist between men and women at the workplace;
Amendment 41 #
2012/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital O
Recital O
Amendment 53 #
2012/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital Y
Recital Y
Y. whereas remittances are an important, microfinance and foreign direct investment are means of alleviating the shock of the crisis on the economies of developing countries;
Amendment 55 #
2012/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital Z
Recital Z
Z. whereas trafficking in human beings is a modern form of slavery and a severe violation of fundamental human rights; whereas the global economic crisis is boosting the demand for trafficking in human beings, with all forms of human trafficking continuing to increase and the total number of trafficked people reaching 20.9 million globally; whereas traffickers are exploiting their potential victims’ need to find a decent job and escape poverty; whereas women and girls account for two thirds of the victims of trafficking in human beings;
Amendment 95 #
2012/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Considers that investment in sustainable agriculture in developing countries is an important accelerant for combating food insecurity and boosting overall growth; urges governments to support responsible private-sector investment and small-scale food producers, especially women and agricultural cooperatives, which are the most effective in reducing extreme poverty by increasing returns on labour and generating employment for the poor; stresses the importance of investment in rural infrastructure that reduces transaction costs and enables farmers to reach markets and generate more income;
Amendment 107 #
2012/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Believes that developing countries should introduce innovative financing systems for economic policies; encourages developing countries to develop financial mechanisms connected with their own resources;
Amendment 109 #
2012/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Calls for an increase in the competitiveness of enterprises in developing countries, making for a reduction in unemployment and the promotion of employment policies;
Amendment 1 #
2012/2102(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Urges the stepping-up ofevery North African country to step up efforts aimed at promoting equal access for women to education, medical assistance, justice and, public media and political life;
Amendment 3 #
2012/2102(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Asks for the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women in legislation currently in force in North African countries, and stresses the importance of the active participation of women in political life and in the drafting of laws; emphasises the importance of informing and coaching women and men from all different backgrounds and societal groups about equal citizenship and electoral rights;
Amendment 6 #
2012/2102(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission and other donors to promote programmes aimed at ensuring equal access to labour markets and training for all women entrepreneurs, and to increase the financial resources allocated to support capacity-building for women’s civil society organisations and networks at national and regional levels;
Amendment 2 #
2011/2086(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that conflicts about maritime areas stem primarily from the desire to exploitexploitation of marine resources which have grown limited, not to say rare, not least as a result of their overexploitatiobecause some of them have been overexploited and used in and non- sustainable useway, and that, given this situation, access to resources needs to be regulated; maintains that, for a good many developing countries, marine resources are a cornerstone of their future development and their food sovereignty;
Amendment 3 #
2011/2086(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Maintains that when the delimitation of maritime boundaries and the establishment of maritime areas are a subject of dispute, conflict resolution must proceed entirely in accordance with international law and be based on the principles of cooperation in good faith and of equality and fairness, taking into account the sustainability of marine resources and protection of the ecosystem, notably through observance of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and particularly Article 62 thereof;
Amendment 26 #
2011/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
E a. whereas net and media are human rights defenders instruments;
Amendment 27 #
2011/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas net neutrality is an essential principle for the open internet, ensuring competition and transparency; whereas the free flow of information is also beneficial for and business opportunities;
Amendment 50 #
2011/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recognises that governments have the primary responsibility for hampering freedomin the restriction of the press and media, and are increasingly resorting to legal pressure, e.g. through the abuse of anti-terrorism legislation and laws on national security, treason or subversion, in order to restrict press and media freedom;
Amendment 72 #
2011/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Considers the trend of concentrated media ownership in large conglomerates to be a threat to media freedom and pluralism, especially with digitisation occurring in parallel; stresses the importance of an open and enabling underlying media infrastructure, as also of the existence of independent regulators;
Amendment 22 #
2011/0411(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1
(1) All third countries, regions and territories associated with the Union may be eligible for cooperation under this Regulation.
Amendment 308 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 10
Article 3 – paragraph 10
10. The Commission shall seek regular exchanges of information with civil society and regional and local authorities.
Amendment 347 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 3
Article 13 – paragraph 3
3. The Commission and the Member States shall consult each other, as well as other donors and development actors including representatives of civil society and regional and local authorities, at an early stage of the programming process in order to promote complementarity among their cooperation activities.
Amendment 371 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – Chapter A – paragraph I – point c
Annex IV – Chapter A – paragraph I – point c
c) Public sector management and support for decentralisation;
Amendment 377 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – Chapter A – paragraph I – point f
Annex IV – Chapter A – paragraph I – point f
f) Civil society and regional and local authorities;
Amendment 383 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – Chapter A – paragraph II – point a
Annex IV – Chapter A – paragraph II – point a
a) Social protection, health, education and, jobs, professional training and culture;
Amendment 404 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – Chapter B – paragraph 1 – point b
Annex IV – Chapter B – paragraph 1 – point b
b) addressing governance issues and supporting policy reforms, in particular in the areas of social policies, public finance management and taxation, security (including drugs, criminality and corruption), reinforcement of good governance and public institutions at local, national and regional levels (including through innovative mechanisms for the provision of technical cooperation, e.g. TAIEX and twinning), protection of human rights, including the indigenous peoples' and afro-descendents’ rights, environment, fight against discrimination, and fight against production, consumption and trafficking of drugs;
Amendment 412 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – Chapter B – paragraph 2 – point d
Annex IV – Chapter B – paragraph 2 – point d
d) supporting an active and organised civil society for development, supporting the development of regional and local authorities’ capacities, and fostering public private partnerships;
Amendment 416 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – Chapter B – paragraph 3 – point a
Annex IV – Chapter B – paragraph 3 – point a
a) promoting constitutional reform and legislative, regulatory and administrative approximation with the Union, including further democratisation and, organised civil society and the strengthening of local authorities, support for the rule of law, good governance, decentralisation, taxation and strengthening of national institutions and bodies, such as election bodies, parliaments, public administration reform and public financial management;
Amendment 422 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – Chapter B – paragraph 5 – point a
Annex IV – Chapter B – paragraph 5 – point a
a) supporting the consolidation of a democratic society, good governance and a state governed by the rule of law, the capacities of regional and local authorities and civil society and contributing to regional and continental stability and integration;
Amendment 441 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex V – Chapter A – paragraph 3 – point a
Annex V – Chapter A – paragraph 3 – point a
Promoting actions aiming at creating more and better jobs, in areas such as developing the competitiveness and resilience of local MSMEs and their integration into the global economy, assisting developing countries to integrate into the multilateral trading system, developing the private sector and improving the business environment, supporting local economic development, the definition and implementation of industrial innovation and technology policies and of trade policies and agreements, supporting regional integration efforts, promoting investment relations between the EU and partner countries and regions and leveraging private and public investment and cooperation through innovative financial instruments. Promoting the green economy, resource efficiency and sustainable consumption and production processes. Promoting the use of electronic communications as a tool to support growth across all sectors in order to bridge the digital divide, to achieve an adequate policy and regulatory framework in this area and promoting the development of necessary infrastructure and the use of services and applications based on ICT.
Amendment 451 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex V – Chapter A – paragraph 3 – point c – point i
Annex V – Chapter A – paragraph 3 – point c – point i
i) Supporting country and local level programmes to promote women's economic and social empowerment and political participation;
Amendment 473 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex V – Chapter A – paragraph 4 – point a
Annex V – Chapter A – paragraph 4 – point a
a) Promoting the development of sustainable smallholder agriculture through short supply chains, ecosystem-based, low carbon and climate- resilient secure access to technology (including information and communication technologies), and through extension and technical services, rural development schemes, productive investment measures, land and natural resource management, protection of genetic diversity, in an enabling economic environment;
Amendment 8 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) A number of major developments have taken place since the European Neighbourhood Policy was launched and the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument was set up. These include a deepening of the relationship with the partners, the launch of regional initiatives and democratic transition processes in the region, in particular in the countries on the southern shores of the Mediterranean following the events of the Spring of 2011. This triggered a new European Neighbourhood Policy vision set out in 2011 as a result of a comprehensive Strategic Review of the Policy. ItThis policy outlines key objectives for Unionin favour of cooperation with Neighbourhood countries and provides for greater support to partners committed to building democratic societies and undertaking reforand substantial support to partners committed to building a more equitable and democratic society which respects human rights and freedoms, in line with the ‘more for more’ and ‘mutual accountability’ principles.
Amendment 9 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8 a (new)
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) The scope of this instrument should encourage a differentiated cross-border approach in order to facilitate the effective and swift implementation of the programmes in the countries involved in the European Neighbourhood Policy, to encourage the regional and interregional development of the projects and to promote a decentralized cooperation policy.
Amendment 10 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) A number of major developments have taken place since the European Neighbourhood Policy was launched and the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument was set up. These include a deepening of the relationship with the partners, the launch of regional initiatives and democratic transition processes in the region, particularly in the countries on the southern shore of the Mediterranean following the events of spring 2011. This triggered a new European Neighbourhood Policy vision set out in 2011 as a result of a comprehensive Strategic Review of the Policy. ItThis policy outlines key objectives for Unionpromoting cooperation with Neighbourhood countries and provides for greaterand support to partners committed to building more equitable and democratic societies which respect human rights and fundertaking reforamental freedoms, in line with the ‘more for more’ and ‘mutual accountability’ principles.
Amendment 12 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8 a (new)
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) The scope of this Instrument should promote a cross-border and differentiated approach in order to facilitate swift and effective implementation of the programmes in the countries covered by the European Neighbourhood Policy, so as to encourage the regional and inter-regional development of projects and foster a policy of decentralised cooperation.
Amendment 13 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
(da) promote, develop and consolidate the values of freedom, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the principles of equality, the rule of law and good governance on which the Union is founded, through dialogue and cooperation with third countries;
Amendment 15 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
(ea) promote the development of renewable energy (wind, hydro-electric, solar and photovoltaic) and combat global warming in order to achieve the objectives of the EU 2020 Strategy in terms of the development of interconnections and energy networks, such as the effective implementation of the Mediterranean Solar Plan or the DESERTEC programme;
Amendment 17 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The partnership and cooperation agreements, the association agreements and other existing or future agreements that establish a relationship with partner countries, corresponding Communications, Council conclusions and European Parliament Resolutions, Resolutions of the European Parliament, the Euro- Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly and the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly, as well as relevant conclusions of ministerial meetings with the partner countries shall constitute the overall policy framework for programming and implementing Union support under this Regulation.
Amendment 21 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19 a (new)
Recital 19 a (new)
(19a) Support provided under the European Neighbourhood Instrument to developing neighbouring countries should be separated from the aid provided to those countries under the financing instrument for development cooperation (DCI); there should be separated scheduling of the various financial instruments provided for under the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2014-2020.
Amendment 30 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19 a (new)
Recital 19 a (new)
(19a) Support provided under the European Neighbourhood Instrument to neighbouring developing countries and partner countries should be separate from the aid provided to those countries under the financing instrument for development cooperation (DCI). There should be separated scheduling of the various financial instruments provided for under the new multiannual financial framework (MFF) 2014-2020.
Amendment 32 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
(ea) promoting the development of renewable forms of energy (wind, water, solar and photovoltaic power) and combating climate change, and hence attaining the objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy as regards the development of energy interconnections and networks, such as the practical implementation of the Mediterranean Solar Plan and the DESERTEC Programme;
Amendment 33 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point e b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point e b (new)
(eb) ensuring the economic competitiveness of the Union and its partner countries by incorporating projects and procedures that best respond to the needs of SMEs, thereby making it easier for SMEs to participate on the EU internal market;
Amendment 34 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point e c (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point e c (new)
(ec) coordinating European support for SMEs and encouraging the creation of joint enterprises between SMEs in the partner countries and those in the Union; promoting the development of SME projects and investments in the partner countries, and hence mobilising the resources needed to promote transnational cooperation;
Amendment 36 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point f a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point f a (new)
(fa) using the EU’s research and development policies, such as the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007-2013)(FPRD) and the future Eighth FPRD, as a key means of cooperation and incorporating the partner countries into the European research area, in the interests of economic competitiveness; approaching these framework programmes as constituting a vital contribution to economic growth, job creation and innovation.
Amendment 38 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2
Article 5 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission, the Member States and the European Investment Bank (EIB) shall ensure coherence between support provided under this Regulation and other support and financial instruments, such as the financing instrument for development cooperation (DCI), provided by the Union, the Member States and the European Investment BankIB.
Amendment 39 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 4
Article 5 – paragraph 4
4. The Union shall, in liaison with the Member States, take the necessary steps to ensure proper long-term coordination and cooperation with multilateral and regional organisations and entities, including European financial institutions, international financial institutions, United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, private and political foundations and non- European Union donors.
Amendment 47 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2
Article 5 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission, the Member States and the European Investment Bank (EIB) shall ensure coherence between support provided under this Regulation, as well as under other financial instruments provided for in the 2014-2020 MFF, such as the financing instrument for development cooperation (DCI), and other support provided by the Union, the Member States and the European Investment Bank.
Amendment 49 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
(ea) ensuring the economic competitiveness of the European Union and its partner countries by including projects and procedures that best suit SMEs, thereby helping them integrate better into the European Union’s internal market.
Amendment 50 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point e b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point e b (new)
(eb) coordinating EU support for SMEs, and promoting the creation of businesses between SMEs in partner countries and in the Union; encouraging development of SME projects and investments in partner countries, thereby releasing the resources needed to promote transnational cooperation.
Amendment 107 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8 a (new)
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) The scope of this instrument should encourage a differentiated and integrated cross-border approach in order to facilitate effective and swift implementation of the programmes in the European Neighbourhood Policy partner countries, to encourage regional and interregional development, to promote a decentralised cooperation policy and to ensure economic, social and territorial cohesion.
Amendment 130 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19 a (new)
Recital 19 a (new)
(19a) Support provided under the European Neighbourhood Instrument to developing partner countries should be separated from the aid provided to those countries under the financing instrument for development cooperation (DCI). The various financial instruments need to be coordinated as effectively as possible within the 2014-2020 multiannual financial framework and a greater degree of complementarity needs to be achieved between bilateral and multilateral funding.
Amendment 193 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
(ea) promoting the development of renewable energy sources (wind, hydraulic, solar, photovoltaic) and energy networks – with particular reference to actual implementation of the Mediterranean Solar Plan and the Desertec programme – and of sustainable resource use practices; encouraging industrial cooperation in this area ;
Amendment 194 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point e b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point e b (new)
(eb) helping to make SMEs/SMIs more competitive, in particular by supporting business creation and networking, facilitating SME/SMI project development and investment in partner countries and bringing the necessary resources to bear to promote transnational business cooperation;
Amendment 195 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point e c (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point e c (new)
(ec) treating EU research and development policy tools – in particular the seventh FPRD and its successor, the eighth FPRD – as key cooperation tools, and incorporating the EU’s partner countries into the European research area, in order to boost competitiveness, economic growth, job creation and innovation;
Amendment 236 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2
Article 5 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission, the Member States and the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) shall ensure coherence between support provided under this Regulation and other support, in particular the financing instrument for development cooperation (DCI), provided by the Union, the Member States and, the European Investment Bank. and the EBRD.