Activities of António MARINHO E PINTO related to 2018/0207(COD)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Rights and Values programme
Amendments (19)
Amendment 38 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) Those rights and values must continue to be promoted and enforced and shared among the citizens and peoples and be at the heart of the EU project. Therefore, a new Justice, Rights and Values Fund, comprising the Rights and Values and the Justice programmes shall be created in the EU budget. At a time where European societies are confronted with extremism, radicalism and division, prejudice and anti-democratic ideologies, by means of new and more dangerous ways, using ‘fake news’ and cyber-attacks, spreading hate and mistrust against our open and inclusive societies, it is more important than ever to promote, strengthen and defend justice, rights and EU values:, EU values and the rule of law, which is inseparable from democracy itself, and a condition for its effectiveness. To promote and support human rights, respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, and the rule of law. This will have profound and direct implications for political, social, cultural and economic life in the EU. As part of the new Fund, the Justice Programme will continue to support the further development of Union area of justice and cross-border cooperation. The Rights and Values Programme will bring together the 2014-2020 Programme Rights, Equality and Citizenship established by Regulation (EU) No 1381/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council8 and the Europe for Citizens programme established by Council Regulation (EU) No 390/20149 , (hereafter 'the predecessor Programmes'). __________________ 8 Regulation (EU) No 1381/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 establishing a Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme for the period 2014 to 2020 (OJ L 354, 28.12.2013, p. 62) 9 Council Regulation (EU) No 390/2014 of 14 April 2014 establishing the ‘Europe for Citizens’ programme for the period 2014- 2020 (OJ L 115, 17.4.2014, p.3)
Amendment 44 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) The Justice, Rights and Values Fund and its two underlying funding programmes will focus primarily on people and entities, which contribute to makesupport, disseminate and protect our common values, rights and rich diversity, keeping them alive and vibrant. The ultimate objective is to nurture and sustain rights- based, equal, inclusive and democratic society. That includes defending a vibrant civil society, encouraging people's democratic, civic and social participation and fostering the rich diversity of European society, based on our common values, history and memory. Article 11 of the Treaty of the European Union further specifies that the institutions shall, by appropriate means, give citizens and representative associations the opportunity to make known and publicly exchange their views in all areas of Union action.
Amendment 48 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) The Rights and Values programme (the 'Programme') should allow developing synergies to tackle the challenges that are common to the dissemination, promotion and protection of values and to reach a critical dimension to have concrete results in the field. That should be achieved by building on the positive experience of the predecessor Programmes and also developing new innovative measures. This will enable to fully exploit the potential of synergies, to more effectively support the policy areas covered and to increase their potential to reach people. To be effective, the Programme should take into account the specific nature of the different policies, their different target groups and their particular needs through tailor-made approaches.
Amendment 49 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) In order to bring the European Union closer to its citizens, a variety of actions and coordinated efforts are necessary. Bringing together citizens in town-twinning projects or networks of towns and supporting civil society organisations in the areas covered by the programme will contribute to increase citizens' engagement in society and ultimately their involvement in the democratic life of the Union. At the same time supporting activities promoting mutual understanding, diversity, dialogue and respect for others fosters a sense of belongingsocial integration and a European identity, based on a shared understanding of European values, culture, history and heritage. The promotion of a greater sense of belonging to the Union and of Union values is particularly important amongst citizens of the EU outermost regions due to their remoteness and distance from continental Europe.
Amendment 55 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) Citizens should also be more aware of their rights deriving from citizenship of the Union, and should feel at ease about living, travelling, studying, working and volunteering in another Member State, and should feel ab. The free movement of workers, in particular, is a fundamental principle of the Treaty enshrined in Article 45 TFEU. Citizens, therefore, should be entitled to enjoy and exercise all their citizenship rights, place their trust in equal access, full enforceability and protection of their rights without any discrimination, no matter where in the Union they happen to be. As regards to the free movement of workers, and pursuant to Article 46 TFEU, the Union should take action to abolish discrimination based on nationality between workers of the EU, and to remove barriers to the free movement of workers. Civil society needs to be supported for the promotion, safeguarding and raising awareness of EU common values under Article 2 TEU and in contributing to the effective enjoyment of rights under Union law.
Amendment 61 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) Equality between women and men is a fundamental value and an objective of the European Union. Article 8 of the Treaty gives the Union the task of eliminating inequalities and promoting an effective equality between men and women through all its activities. Discrimination against and unequal treatment of women violates their fundamental rights and prevents their full political, social and economic participation in society. In addition, the existence of structural and cultural barriers hinders the achievement of real gender equality. Promoting gender equality in all activities of the Union, including in work and employment, where discrimination persists on the level of payment and on access to the labour market, is therefore a core activity for the Union and a driver for economic growth and should be supported by the programme.
Amendment 64 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) Strong political will and coordinated action based on the methods and results of the previous Daphne Programmes, the Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme and the Justice Programme are necessary in order to prevent and combat all forms of violence and to protect victims, groups at risk and particularly vulnerable persons. In particular, since its launch in 1997, the Daphne funding to support victims of violence and combat the violence against women, children and young people has been a genuine success, both in terms of its popularity with stakeholders (public authorities, academic institutions and non- governmental organisations) and in terms of the effectiveness of the funded projects. It has funded projects to raise awareness, to provide support services to victims, groups at risk, and particularly vulnerable persons, to support the activities of non- governmental organisations (NGOs) working on the ground. It has addressed all forms of violence, such as for instance domestic violence, sexual violence, trafficking in human beings, as well as new emerging forms of violence such as cyber- bullying. It is therefore important to continue all these actions and that those results and lessons learned are taken into due consideration in the implementation of the Programme.
Amendment 71 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) Non-discrimination is a fundamental principle of the Union. Article 19 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union provides for action to combat discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. Non- discrimination is also enshrined in Article 21 of the Charter. The specific features of the diverse forms of discrimination should be taken into account and appropriate action should be developed in parallel to prevent and combat discrimination on one or more grounds. The Programme should support actions to prevent and combat discrimination, racism, xenophobia, anti- semitism, anti-muslim hatred and other forms of intolerance, as misogyny, homophobia and ageism. In that context, particular attention should also be devoted to preventing and combating all forms of violence, hatred, segregation and stigmatisation, as well as combating bullying (including cyber-bullying), harassment and intolerant treatment. The Programme should be implemented in a mutually reinforcing manner with other Union activities that have the same objectives, in particular with those referred to in the Commission Communication of 5 April 2011 entitled ‘An EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies up to 202010 ’ and in the Council Recommendation of 09 December 2013 on effective Roma integration measures in the Member States11 . __________________ 10 COM(2011)173. 11 OJ C 378, 24.12.2013, p. 1.
Amendment 74 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) In accordance with Union acts on equal treatment, Member States set up independent bodies for the promotion of equal treatment, commonly known as "equality bodies", in order to combat discrimination based on race and ethnic origin as well as gender. However, many Member States have gone beyond these requirements and ensured that equality bodies can also deal with discrimination based on the other grounds such as age, sexual orientation, religion and belief, disability or other grounds. Equality bodies play a key role in promoting equality and ensuring effective application of equal treatment legislation by providing in particular an independent assistance to victims of discrimination, conducting independent surveys concerning discrimination, publishing independent reports and making recommendations on any issue relating to discrimination in their country. It is essential that the work of all those relevant equality bodies is coordinated at Union level in this respect. EQUINET was created in 2007. Its members are the national bodies for the promotion of equal treatment as established by Council Directives 2000/43/EC15 and 2004/113/EC16 , and by Directives 2006/54/EC17 and 2010/41/EU18 of the European Parliament and of the Council. EQUINET is in an exceptional situation, being the only entity which ensures coordination of activities between equality bodies. This coordination activity by EQUINET is key for the good implementation of Union anti- discrimination law in Member States and should be supported by the Programme. __________________ 15 Council Directive 2000/43/EC of 29 June 2000 implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin (OJ L 180, 19.7.2000, p. 22). 16 Council Directive 2004/113/EC of 13 December 2004 implementing the principle of equal treatment between men and women in the access to and supply of goods and services (OJ L 373, 21.12.2004, p. 37). 17 Directive 2006/54/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2006 on the implementation of the principle of equal opportunities and equal treatment of men and women in matters of employment and occupation (OJ L 204, 26.7.2006, p. 23). 18 Directive 2010/41/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2010 on the application of the principle of equal treatment between men and women engaged in an activity in a self-employed capacity and repealing Council Directive 86/613/EEC (OJ L 180, 15.7.2010, p. 1).
Amendment 78 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) preventing, including with educational actions, and combating all forms of violence against children, young people and women, as well as violence against other groups at risk;
Amendment 79 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21 a (new)
Recital 21 a (new)
(21a) A high level of employment, the guarantee of adequate social protection, the fight against social exclusion, the pursuit of a high level of education and training are objectives to be incorporated by the EU when defining its policies and activities. The Programme should aim for equal opportunities among European citizens and to promote the objectives enshrined in article 9 TFEU, including exploring synergies and complementarities between those objectives.
Amendment 84 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1
1. The general objective of the Programme is to protect and promote rights and values as enshrined in the EU Treaties, including by supporting civil society organisations, in order to sustain and preserve open, democratic and inclusive societies.
Amendment 88 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) preventing and combating inequalities and discrimination on grounds of sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or, belief or opinion, disability, age or sexual orientation, and supporting comprehensive policies to promote gender equality and anti- discrimination and their mainstreaming as well as policies to combat racism and all forms of intolerance, including online;
Amendment 95 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) increasing citizens’ understanding of the Union, its shared values, history, cultural heritage and diversity;
Amendment 99 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) preventing, including with informative and educational actions, and combating all forms of violence against children, young people and women, women and aged persons, as well as violence against other groups at risk, and particularly vulnerable persons;
Amendment 101 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) supporting and protecting victims, groups at risk, and particularly vulnerable persons of such violence.
Amendment 114 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 14 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Failure to provide the respective data to monitor the programme implementation may result in a proportionate suspension or interruption of financial assistance to the recipients of Union funding under this Regulation.
Amendment 130 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 6
Article 16 – paragraph 6
6. A delegated act adopted pursuant to Article 14 shall enter into force if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or by the Council within a period of twohree months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of the European Parliament or of the Council.
Amendment 131 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 18 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Failure to acknowledge the origin of the funding may result in a proportionate suspension or interruption of financial assistance to the recipients of Union funding under this Regulation.