Activities of Tamás MESZERICS related to 2015/2220(INI)
Plenary speeches (2)
Implementation and review of the EU-Central Asia Strategy (debate)
Implementation and review of the EU-Central Asia Strategy (debate)
Reports (1)
REPORT on implementation and review of the EU-Central Asia Strategy PDF (582 KB) DOC (227 KB)
Amendments (77)
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
Citation 1 a (new)
– having regard to the Council conclusions on the EU Strategy for Central Asia as adopted by the Foreign Affairs Council on 22 June 2015,
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)
Citation 2 a (new)
– having regard to the Joint Communiqué of the Fifth EU-Central Asia High Level Conference of Energy and Water Cooperation held in Milan on 12-13 October 2015,
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 b (new)
Citation 2 b (new)
– having regard to the Foreign Affairs Committee's support and positive evaluation to the newly appointed EU Special Representative for Central Asia, Mr Peter Burian, at its hearing on 1 June 2015,
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the EU-Central Asia Strategy was adopted in a context of growing importance of the region and increased EU engagement in neighbouring Afghanistan, the extension of the European Neighbourhood Policy to the Caspian region, ongoing EU support for reform and modernisation of post-Soviet societies, and EU energy security interests; whereas it also recognised the security threats and challenges that require cooperation between Central Asia and the EU; whereas the Strategy has been implemented for almost 8 years;
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the geopolitical context of Central Asia is being affected by the political and security transition in Afghanistan, the implications of the crisis in Ukraine, the impact of the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union, China's economic developments, diminishing US presence in the region;
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas despite the common past Central Asia is a heterogeneous region with a multi-ethnic and multi- denominational character; whereas the lack of mutual trust and persisting tension over the use and sharing of natural resources have so far undermined the development of a genuine regional cooperation;
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
Recital A c (new)
Ac. whereas serious failings in rule of law, in respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms hamper Central Asian states' chances of a sustainable development and good governance at the detriment of their societies;
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A d (new)
Recital A d (new)
Ad. whereas some Member States have developed and deepened bilateral relations with some of the countries of Central Asia; whereas the EU needs a coherent and consistent approach towards the region in order to avoid any overlapping and sending mixed and confusing signals;
Amendment 89 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Recommends that the review is presented at a forthcoming EU-Central Asia ministerial meeting and supports holding of an EU-Central Asia summit to promote EU objectives in the region and to address matters of concern and cooperation;
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Agrees that concrete and constructive engagement and adoption of democratic reforms and governmental programmes can be taken as contributing indicators of achievements made in many fields; however, urges the Commission/EEAS to base its assessments on facts established on the ground, since many of those laws are either only of declaratory character or are not properly put in practice;
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Urges the EU and its Member States to speak with one voice fostering foreign policy coherence and coordination in this region, and to introduce joint programming of aid and projects with Member States in order to achieve a full impact and synergy; urges the Council/EEAS/Commission to adopt a concrete action plan with measureable benchmarks enabling proper evaluation of progress made in the future; welcomes closer involvement and ownership on the part of Member States in terms of implementing the strategy;
Amendment 113 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Takes note of the re-establishment of the post of EU Special Representative (EUSR) for Central Asia after a year-long gap, and expects the newly appointed EUSR to make an important contribution to the implementation of the strategy for Central Asian countries by ensuring consistency of the external actions of the Union in the region; requests the EUSR to focus on strengthening democracy, the rule of law, good governance and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, promoting regional cooperation and facilitating the dialogue and peaceful resolution of outstanding contentious issues, developing contacts not only with governments, parliaments but also civil society and mass media, contributing to conflict prevention and promoting regional security and promoting sound environment and climate change management, in particular water and hydrocarbon resources; asks the EUSR to report orally and in written to the EP on major challenges, as provided in Article 36 of the Treaty and his mandate;
Amendment 117 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Request the EEAS to provide regular analysis on Central Asia, taking into account the region's diverse neighbourhood, including issues touching on integrating Afghanistan, Iran, and providing a comprehensive approach to the Caspian Sea;
Amendment 122 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Requests the EEAS, Commission and the EUSR to make the EU presence more prominent in Central Asia, ensuring increased EU's visibility among the population, civil society, local media, the business and university communities; urges the EEAS to balance the quiet diplomacy with increased public diplomacy;
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Encourages the EU Delegations in Central Asia to use their potential to the maximal effect in contributing to implementation of the EU Strategy, in particular with regard to support for and engagement with civil society;
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 c (new)
Paragraph 10 c (new)
10c. Supports continued inter- parliamentary cooperation and highlights the role of its standing Delegation for the region in monitoring of implementation of PCAs with the countries of the region;
Amendment 144 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Highlights the added value and further potential of the Rule of Law Platform, coordinated by Germany and France with active support from Finland, in organising several events aimed at constitutional and administrative law and training of judges; insists, however, that it be enhanced to cover actual democratisation and human rights issues; calls for the full involvement of and closer cooperation with civil society in this platform; calls on the EU and Member States' embassies to support genuinely independent non- governmental partners;
Amendment 148 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Recommends that the EU tailors its human rights policy and external financing instruments, better keeping a consistent long-term democratic reform as the guiding light;
Amendment 152 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Expresses it deep concern at the growing trend to clamp down on civil society and opposition forces under the pretext of security and stability; welcomes the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Mun's statements warning against a shrinking democratic space during his visit to the region in June 2015;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15b. Urges, in this regard, the EEAS to make forthright declarations condemning repressive steps taken by Central Asian regimes in the name of preserving public security, whilst recognising legitimate security concerns;
Amendment 171 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Welcomes the establishment of Human Rights Ddialogues with all five countries of Central Asia; points out, however, the lack of transparency of the process, and calls on the VP/HR to review the role, mandate, objectives and follow-up of the Human Rights Dialogues with the countries of the region, and in particular to involve all stakeholders and introduce systematic human rights monitoring mechanisms in countries with which the EU has entered into legally binding agreements; asks for these dialogues be part of a comprehensive human rights engagement in the region; calls, in this regard to raise and convey human rights concerns at all levels including the Heads of State or governments; urges the EU to raise individual concrete cases coherently and publicly;
Amendment 177 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Draws the attention to the discrepancies between adoption of laws and their implementation in practice, resulting in incorrect assessment of progress; urges the EEAS/Commission to evaluate progress on real practical results rather than legislative or declaratory based assessments;
Amendment 179 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. Condemns the targeting of exiled opposition representatives by some of the Central Asian regimes, including murders and abuse of extradition procedures though Interpol; urges Member States to provide better protection and to avoid deporting them in line with the principle of non-refoulement, forbidding the rendering of a true victim of persecution to his or her persecutor;
Amendment 180 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 c (new)
Paragraph 19 c (new)
19c. Reiterates its concern over the situation of children, in particular the occurrence of forced child labour; urges all countries in the region to implement their international commitments, in particular those under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the ILO Minimum Age Convention and the ILO Convention on the Worst Forms of Child Labour;
Amendment 181 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 d (new)
Paragraph 19 d (new)
19d. Recalls the Central Asian governments of their commitments within the human dimension of the OSCE;
Amendment 189 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Welcomes the commitment of Latvia, with the help of Poland, to lead the regional programme on education, following a disappointing long-term unwillingness by Member States to do so; regards investment in education as the best way to improve the socio-economic situation of the region;
Amendment 195 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Urges the EU to devote more of its attention to promotion of quality education amongst youth, both as basic means of building sustainable democratic societies and the best prevention against violent extremism, regards this as a priority due to the demographic challenge of a youth bulge of 25-35 % of 14 years old or less;
Amendment 197 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Encourages the Commission to address the identified shortcomings of the EU-Central Asia Education Initiative such as fair access to education and training by disadvantaged groups;
Amendment 203 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 c (new)
Paragraph 20 c (new)
20c. Invites the Commission to promote participation of the Central Asian scientists, institutes and businesses in collaborative research and innovation projects financed under the HORIZON 2020 programme;
Amendment 204 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 d (new)
Paragraph 20 d (new)
20d. Urges the EU to further broaden and facilitate youth's participation in Erasmus + and other EU educational and visit programmes, in particular from Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, in order to break their isolation; calls on the EU to agree on an equal and transparent process of selection of participants based on objective criteria, whist avoiding contributing to a brain-drain from those countries;
Amendment 222 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Urges the EU to avoid unnecessary tensions and to identify compatible areas of cooperation and economic integration with the Eurasian Economic Union; however, emphasises that any such cooperation must be based on respect for WTO rules, international standards and the free and sovereign decision of states to participate;
Amendment 228 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)
Paragraph 22 b (new)
22b. Regards the deepening of regional economic integration as an important element to regional stability and peace- building;
Amendment 229 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 c (new)
Paragraph 22 c (new)
22c. Notes that the current review was purposefully disconnected from the 2014- 2020 programming exercise of the Development Cooperation Instrument for Central Asia concluded in 2014 in order to avoid any confusion or duplication, while preserving the coherence of EU action in the region;
Amendment 230 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 d (new)
Paragraph 22 d (new)
22d. Urges development assistance to focus on rural development and sustainable farming, in particular to wean off from monocultures, such as cotton growing;
Amendment 231 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 e (new)
Paragraph 22 e (new)
22e. Calls on the EU to monitor the effectiveness of its technical and financial assistance to the public sector reform in the countries of Central Asia;
Amendment 232 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 f (new)
Paragraph 22 f (new)
22f. Takes note of the continued sectorial budget support in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, emphasises, however, that it must be accompanied by more stringent criteria including a strong reform agenda and effective anti-corruption measures;
Amendment 233 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 g (new)
Paragraph 22 g (new)
22g. Urges the Commission to develop programmes facilitating the social reintegration and employment of returnees from abroad and a stronger dialogue on migration and mobility;
Amendment 234 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 h (new)
Paragraph 22 h (new)
22h. Notes the deep negative impact on the region of the economic slowdown in Russia and China;
Amendment 235 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Supports promotion by the EU of renewable energy, energy efficiency and the integration of energy markets in Central Asia and with neighbouring countries, as well as with the EU;
Amendment 238 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23b. Regards the region as an additional potential source of energy security for the EU, in particular the potential of increased cooperation with Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan; however, emphasises that energy agreements and dialogues must be coupled by strong human rights elements;
Amendment 239 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 c (new)
Paragraph 23 c (new)
23c. Reiterates its opinion that re- investment of revenues from natural resources is crucial for sustainable socio- economic development;
Amendment 240 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 d (new)
Paragraph 23 d (new)
23d. Takes note of the EU support for energy projects which could expand the Southern Gas Corridor including through the Trans-Caspian and possibly Iran routes; calls, nevertheless, on the EU to conduct full feasibility studies of such projects, including environmental and social impact assessments, as a pre- requisite to any financing decision on these projects;
Amendment 247 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Welcomes and encourages further efforts in adaptation and resilience to climate change, and urges Central Asian counties to contribute constructively to the success of the 2015 Paris Climate Conference;
Amendment 248 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24b. Calls on the EU to further intensify its Disaster Risk Reduction programmes in Central Asia as a high natural disaster prone region;
Amendment 253 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Calls for renewed efforts to cope with and tackle the dramatic consequences of the environmental disaster of the dry-up of the Aral Sea; urges the Commission to increase its support for the International Fund for the Aral Sea and calls on the EEAS to include this question as a top priority in its regular relations with Uzbekistan;
Amendment 256 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)
Paragraph 25 b (new)
25b. Advocates an enhanced pro-active role for the EU in terms of environmentally sustainable development, in this context, emphasises the importance of the principles of environmental sustainability in the course of extraction of processing of natural resources in the region promoted by the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI); notes that only Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan comply with the EITI in the region whilst Tajikistan's candidate status was temporarily suspended in 2015;
Amendment 257 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 c (new)
Paragraph 25 c (new)
25c. Supports EU continued efforts towards development of safe and secure air and maritime transport in Central Asia, as well as adoption and enforcement of security and, environmental standards in all transport modes;
Amendment 258 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 d (new)
Paragraph 25 d (new)
25d. Encourages further EU coordination with China's transport policy in the region;
Amendment 259 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 e (new)
Paragraph 25 e (new)
25e. Urges the EU to continue provide financial and technical assistance addressing the health, humanitarian, environmental, and economic and awareness issues related to consequences of the past nuclear testing by the USSR at the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site (SNTS) in the north-east of Kazakhstan near the city of Semey, previously known as Semipalatinsk;
Amendment 260 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 f (new)
Paragraph 25 f (new)
25f. Expresses its deep concern at the massive die-off of Kazakhstan taiga antelope herds in May 2015; urges the EU to contribute with research and environmental measures to the prevention of possible future cases;
Amendment 299 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Supports the EU’'s long-term goal of transforming the nascent EU-Central Asia High Level Security Dialogue into a genuine cooperative forum aimed at cooperation in addressing common security challenges, such as the spill-over effects of the war in Afghanistan, including the threat of the Islamic State, drug trafficking, trafficking of human beings, extremism and terrorism, border security and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) risks; encourages further prioritisation of the preventive aspects of countering terrorism; believes that focus on human security rather than purely state security must be integrated in the Dialogue;
Amendment 304 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Takes note of multi-vector foreign policies by which the countries of Central Asia strike a careful balance between different regional actors, given their geographical positioning, therefore urges the EU to find common ground wherever possible with regional partners, such as China and its 'Silk Road Economic Belt' policy, the US and its 'New Silk Road Initiative', Turkey and others, and possibly Russia, depending on its political trajectory, in the face of mutual challenges such as socio-economic development, security and environment;
Amendment 307 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 b (new)
Paragraph 28 b (new)
28b. Encourages the EU to address with the Central Asian governments the mutual challenges of recruitment of fighters and supporters by the Islamic State, through focusing on political and administrative failures, such as promoting religious freedom while safeguarding secular constitutions and revising discriminatory laws and policies, implementing outreach programs for both men and women and focusing on employment for disadvantaged youths, prioritising policing reform and ensuring better coordination of security services, as well as learning from European or Asian experiences in rehabilitating and reintegrating Islamist radicals;
Amendment 308 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 c (new)
Paragraph 28 c (new)
28c. Urges the EU to continue with the regional support programmes aimed at conflict prevention and peace-building, including promotion of inter-communal and inter-ethnic reconciliation, as well as at border demarcation in Central Asia, financed from the ISP;
Amendment 309 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 d (new)
Paragraph 28 d (new)
28d. Highlights the role of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) based in Ashgabat since 2007, as well as of the OSCE, in conflict prevention in the region;
Amendment 310 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 e (new)
Paragraph 28 e (new)
28e. Takes note of the slowing down of the flow of remittances from nationals working abroad, mainly in Russia and to a certain extern in Kazakhstan, and the very low capacity to reintegrate returnees in particular in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan; therefore requests the EU to enhance the assistance in this field in order to facilitate the reintegration of migrants and prevent social destabilisation;
Amendment 324 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Regrets that despite the urgent need for Security Sector Reform (SSR) in Central Asian countries, the EU has not been able to integrate it in its strategy; calls on the EU to develop specific SSR programmes for Kyrgyzstan, and possibly Tajikistan, focusing on rule of law and human rights standards in criminal justice, and civilian policing;
Amendment 326 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Encourages the involvement of Afghanistan in programmes aimed at stability and security in the region and welcomes the improvements in coherence between the EU Strategies for Afghanistan and Central Asia, respectively;
Amendment 328 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 b (new)
Paragraph 31 b (new)
31b. Underlines importance of cooperation with OSCE and UN in all policy fields;
Amendment 329 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 c (new)
Paragraph 31 c (new)
31c. Takes note of the adoption of the EU- Central Asia Drug Action Plan for 2014- 20, however, is alarmed by the record opium cultivation and related trafficking from Afghanistan through Central Asia; requests the EEAS/Commission to address the issue of involvement of organised crime as well as elites in trafficking, and the negative public health effects in the region;
Amendment 347 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Regrets, in this regard, the increasing deterioration in the fields of freedom of the media, freedom of expression, and freedom of association and assembly; and calls on the Kazakh authorities to take concrete and effective measures to implement the recommendations made by the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in the outcome report on his mission to Kazakhstan in January 2015; expresses its deep concern at the Law on Non-profit organizations that undermines the independence and even challenges the very existence of NGOs in Kazakhstan and calls for its revision;
Amendment 350 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34a. Reminds Kazakhstan of its OSCE commitments to democratic reforms and urges Kazakhstan to match its foreign policy ambitions, as a member of the UN Human Rights Council for 2013- 2015, hosting of the 2017 International EXPO, and being a candidate for a non- permanent seat at the UN Security Council in 2017-2018, with important domestic political reforms;
Amendment 354 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 b (new)
Paragraph 34 b (new)
34b. Recognises the positive role played by Kazakhstan by hosting and facilitating the 2013 E3+3 – Iran negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme, the country's contribution to global nuclear security and safety initiatives, including the hosting the new international nuclear fuel bank, operated by the IAEA, commencing operations in 2017, the tentative mediating role with regard to the crisis between Russia and Ukraine, and the good offices provided to consultations among the Syrian opposition;
Amendment 355 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 c (new)
Paragraph 34 c (new)
34c. Call for the release of all political prisoners, including the leader of the Alga! opposition party, Vladimir Kozlov;
Amendment 356 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 d (new)
Paragraph 34 d (new)
34d. Encourages the full implementation of all OSCE/ODIHR recommendations before the next parliamentary elections, scheduled for late 2016 or January 2017;
Amendment 363 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)
Paragraph 35 a (new)
35a. Regrets the backsliding of Kyrgyzstan, the country of the region in which the EU placed its expectations most in the region in its pursuit of democratic ambitions; in particular, asks Kyrgyzstan to reject the draft legislation discriminating LGBTI persons and targeting civil society under the so-called "foreign agents law";
Amendment 365 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 b (new)
Paragraph 35 b (new)
35b. Urges the Commission/EEAS to assist Kyrgyzstan in delivering justice to the victims of the 2010 ethnic clashes;
Amendment 366 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 c (new)
Paragraph 35 c (new)
35c. Welcomes the preliminary statement by the International Election Observation Mission that the parliamentary elections of 4 October 2015 were competitive and provided voters with a wide range of choice, whilst highlighting the need for better procedures and increased transparency; expresses its concern, however, at the mandatory registration of biometric data as a pre-requisite for voting resulting in significant problems with the inclusiveness of the voter list;
Amendment 367 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -36 a (new)
Paragraph -36 a (new)
-36a. Urges Tajikistan to comply with international human rights commitments and to protect freedom of assembly and independence of the legal profession; draws the attention to the problematic situation of media after the signing by the President of a new regulation according to which all information about official events will be channelled through the state information agency, thus restricting access to other media; calls on Tajikistan to refrain from undue interference into the work of NGOs and not to implement the new legislation on NGO funding;
Amendment 368 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -36 b (new)
Paragraph -36 b (new)
-36b. Continues to express concern over the inefficiency of EU development aid in the country; urges the EEAS/Commission to prioritise programmes aimed at prevention of torture in detention centres and media freedom in Tajikistan;
Amendment 374 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36a. Takes note of the conclusions of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission to the March 1 parliamentary elections in Tajikistan that the elections "took place in a restricted political space and failed to provide a level playing field for candidates";
Amendment 378 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Stresses that according to the main international indexes give Turkmenistan a very lowis given a bottom ranking as regards the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; regrets, that in the reporting period, the situation in the field of rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms practically did not change despite some legislative efforts in the political, judicial, economic, social and educational fields; believes that the new legislation should be subject to international experts' review in the light of international human rights obligations;
Amendment 390 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)
Paragraph 38 a (new)
38a. Calls on Turkmenistan to stop the ongoing campaign of removing satellite dishes and blocking access to some websites and put an end to intimidation and harassment of independent journalists, and civil society activists;
Amendment 392 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 b (new)
Paragraph 38 b (new)
38b. Underlines the importance of a continued Human Rights Dialogue, especially with regard to continued pressure to release individuals detained on politically motivated grounds, and to the disclosure of the fate of those who have disappeared in prison;
Amendment 398 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 a (new)
Paragraph 39 a (new)
39a. Takes the view, in this regard, that some of the past EU's development aid in Uzbekistan, including the capacity building of its parliament, was misdirected and should, instead, be redirected to more meaningful areas such rural development and environmental and water management;
Amendment 402 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 b (new)
Paragraph 39 b (new)
39b. Deplores the systematic and routine violation of fundamental rights and freedoms despite the adoption of improved laws on the matter and the ratification of international human rights instruments; urges the Uzbek authorities to take meaningful steps to fully address the concerns and effectively implement all the recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, the Committee Against Torture and the Human Rights Committee;
Amendment 404 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 c (new)
Paragraph 39 c (new)
39c. Insists that Uzbekistan authorities release all those who have been imprisoned in retaliation for their peaceful exercise of freedom of expression, association and assembly, and highlights the need of prevention and investigation of cases of torture in prison; expresses its concern at the arbitrary extensions of prison terms; calls on the Uzbek authorities to allow independent human rights NGOs to work without hindrance;