34 Amendments of Fabio Massimo CASTALDO related to 2018/2150(INI)
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1
Citation 1
— having regard to its previous resolutions on Turkey, in particular those of 24 November 2016 on EU-Turkey relations1 , of 27 October 2016 on the situation of journalists in Turkey2 , and of 8 February 2018 on the human rights situation in Turkey3 , _________________ 1 2 3[3] and of 13 November 2014 on Turkish actions creating tensions in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus, _________________ 1 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0450. Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0450. 2 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0423. Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0423. Texts adopted, P8_TA(2018)0040.
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3
Citation 3
— having regard to the Presidency conclusions of 13 December 2016 and the Council Conclusions of 26 June 2018, and to the previous relevant Council and European Council conclusions,
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7
Citation 7
— having regard to the declaration issued by the European Community and its Member States on 21 September 2005, including the provision that the recognition of all Member States is a necessary component of the negotiations, and to the need for Turkey to proceed to the normalization of its relations with all Member States and to fully implement the Additional Protocol to the Ankara Agreement towards all MS, by removing all obstacles to the free movement of goods, withoutincluding restrictions orn means of transport, without prejudice and discrimination,
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
Citation 7 a (new)
- having regard to the Fact-finding Visit by the Committee on Petitions to Famagusta, Cyprus (07-08.05.2018),
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9
Citation 9
— having regard to Article 46 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which states that the contracting parties undertake to abide by the final judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in any case to which they are parties, and to the obligation of Turkey to implement all judgements of the European Courts,
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 16
Citation 16
— having regard to the Commission recommendation of 21 December 2016 for a Council dDecision authorising the opening of negotiations with Turkey on an aAgreement on the extension of the scope of the bilateral preferential trade relationship and on the modernisation of the Customs Union, as well as the Council Conclusions of 26 June 2018 stating that no further work towards the modernisation of the EU-Turkey Customs Union is foreseen,
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. WelcomesTakes note of the decision of 19 July 2018 to lift the state of emergency, which was introduced after the 2016 coup attempt and extended 7 times; notes that the prolonged state of emergency has led to an erosion of the rule of law and deterioration of human rights in Turkey; but regrets that the adoption of new legislative proposals, in particular of law no. 7145, preserves many of the abusive powers granted to the Ppresident and the executive under the state of emergency and thereby dampens any positive effect of its termination; notes that the prolonged state of emergency has led to an erosion of the rule of law and deterioration of human rights in Turkey;
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls that over 150 000 people were taken into custody in the post-coup crackdown and 78 000 have been arrested on the basis of terrorism charges, while more than 50 000 people remain in jail; expresses concern at the misuse of anti- terrorism legislation and at the excessively lengthy pre-trial detention and judicial proceedings, the fact that in several cases no indictment has been issued yet, and the harshness of detention conditions; urges Turkey to observe the proportionality principle in its measures to fight against terrorism, as well as to make its anti- terrorism legislation compliant with international human rights standards; is particularly concerned at the fact that such arrests seem to also target legitimate voices of dissent or members of the opposition; is very worried at the allegations of ill- treatment and torture of those in prison, as reported by several human rights organisations;
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that since the introduction of the state of emergency more than 152 000 civil servants - including teachers, doctors, (academics (including peace) academics), judges and prosecutors - have been dismissed; notes that 125 000 people applied to the Inquiry Commission on the State of Emergency Measures (CoSEM), which is tasked with reviewing and deciding within two years on complaints against measures taken under the state of emergency and related decrees, and 89 000 of them are still awaiting a decision; notes the very low rate of favourable outcomes on the applications which were reviewed; is concerned about the narrow scope of the mandate of the Inquiry Commission, its lack of independence, and impartiality, as well as the fact that examinations are made on the sole basis of documents in the case-file, without participation of the person concerned; notes that the dismissals have had an extremel very harsh impact on the individuals concerned and on their families, including financially, and economic terms, and that the dismissals come with a lasting social and professional stigma; laments that a number of those who were restored to their jobs received inadequate compensation packages and faced demotion upon reinstatement; is concerned about the fact that the government’s dismissal of thousands of academics and the prosecution of hundreds more, together with interference with academic’s work, is leading to self- censorship, further limiting the academic freedom in the country; calls on the Turkish government to ensure that all individuals have the right to have their cases reviewed by an independent judicial court that can awardensure compensation for the material and moral damage caused by their arbitrary dismissal, as well as to ensure the removal of all travel bans;
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Expresses serious concern about the disproportionate and arbitrary measures curtailing freedom of expression, media freedom and access to information; condemns the closure of more than 1670 media outlets and the largehigh number of arrests of journalists and media workers arrested in the aftermath of the coup attempt; urges Turkey to guarantee media freedom as a matter of priority and to immediately release and acquit all unlawfully detained journalis, to uncoditionally drop politically-motivated charges and proceedings, immediately release and acquit all unlawfully detained journalists, as well as allow media outlets that have been arbitrarily closed to reopen, and give back their confiscated assets;
Amendment 74 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Expresses concern at the shrinking space for civil society and the promotion of fundamental rights and freedoms; is worried, in this context, of the October 2018 amendments to Law no. 25772, the Law on Associations, establishing a new restrictive procedure for the compulsory registration, within a 30-days delay, of CSO and NGO members and activists; notes that a large number of activists, including human rights defenders, were arrested and demonstrations were recurrently banned during the state of emergency; calls on Turkey to immediately release all imprisoned human rights defenders, journalists and others who have been detained on baseless charges; calls on Turkey to protect the fundamental rights of minorities, such as Kurds and LGBTI people;
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Is deeply concerned that despite the lifting of the state of emergency authorities continue their brutal crackdown of independent civil society as demonstrated by the detentions, on November 16, of 13 civil society figures from academia and from nongovernmental groups on absurd allegations of plotting with Osman Kavala, without any evidence of criminal activity;
Amendment 140 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Is worried by the reports of a wide range of violations taking place in Afrin mostly at the hands of Syrian armed groups, equipped and armed by Turkey, and by Turkish armed forces themselves who allegedly have taken over a number of schools, disrupting the education of children; reminds that Turkey is the occupying power in Afrin and therefore is responsible for the welfare of the civilian population and maintaining law and order and has to ensure that all armed groups over which it exercises control in Afrin and other areas of Syria strictly adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Condemns the continued arrest of Selahattin Demirtas, opposition leader and presidential candidate; pledges to continue to follow his case very closely and calls for his immediate and unconditional release; expectwelcomes the European Court of Human Rights ruling ordering Turkey to dreliver without delay its final judgement in the caseease Selahattin Demirtas and stating that his detention had the "ulterior purpose of stifling pluralism and limiting freedom of political debate";
Amendment 160 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Is deeply worried about the disregard for human rights and rule of law in the cases of illegal abduction operations and extradition of Turkish dissidents abroad, which Turkey conducted without any prior trial or legal procedures and through the interference of secret services;
Amendment 161 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Recalls that the Venice Commission assessed the constitutional amendments related to the introduction of a presidential system as lacking sufficient checks and balances as well as endangering the separation of powers between executive and judiciary; recalls further that the European Parliament called on the Government of Turkey to implement constitutional and judicial changes and reforms in cooperation with the Venice Commission, and last year also called for the formal suspension of the accession negotiations should the constitutional reform be implemented unchanged, since this would be incompatible with the Copenhagen criteria; notes that a number of constitutional amendments have already been implemented in May 2017 and the reform will be fully operational following the next presidential and legislative elections, due to be held in November 2019, and that until now there has not been any discussion on the possible introduction of reinforced checks and balances as required by the Venice Commission;
Amendment 174 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the Commission and the Member States, taking all of the above into account andTaking all of the above into account, calls on the Commission and the Council of the European Union, in accordance with the Negotiating Framework, to formally suspend the accession negotiations with Turkey till Turkey complies with the Copenhagen criteria and fully implement its contractual obligations towards all MSs, including the Additional Protocol to the EC-Turkey Association Agreement vis-à- vis the Republic of Cyprus; remains, however, committed to democratic dialogue with Turkey; asks the Commission to use, during the formal suspension of negotiations, all funds available under IPA II and the future IPA III to support, through a dedicated envelope directly managed by the EU, Turkey’s civil society, and to increase opportunities for people-to-people contacts, academic dialogue, access for Turkish students to European universities and media platforms for journalists;
Amendment 182 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Notes that while the EU accession process was at its start a strong motivation for reforms in Turkey, there has been a stark regression in the areas of the rule of law and human rights during the last few years; recalls that Parliament repeatedly called for the opening of Chapter 23 on Judiciary and Fundamental Rights and Chapter 24 on Justice, Freedom and Security at a time whe and repeats its calls on the Turkish government had pledged to conduct serious reforms; regrets deeply that the accession instruments could not be used to the fullest extent owing to a continued blockage by the Council;
Amendment 213 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. BRecalls that two thirds of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Turkey comes from EU Member States and that Turkey is an important growth market for the EU; believes that a door should be left open for the modernisation and upgradinge of the 1995 Ccustoms Union between the EU and Turkey, to include relevant areas such as agriculture, services and public procurement, which currently are not covered; recalls that two thirds of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Turkey comes from EU Member States and that Turkey is an important growth market for the EU; believes that the upgrade would provide a valuable opportunity for democratic conditionality, positive leverage and the possibility of a roadmap where upgrading the Customs Union would go hand in hand with concrete commitments by Turkey on democratic reform, but stresses that such strengthening should be set against the background of a common will of the parties to share the set of values and principles laid down in the EU's founding treaties, including the Charter of Fundamental Rights; believes further that the upgradinge of the Customs Union wcould provide an important opportunity for policy dialogue on climate change as well as on labour rights in Turkey; calls on the Commission to start preparatory work stresses that serious improvements in the rule of law and in the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Turkey are needed before the upgradinge of the Customs Union as soon as the Turkish Government indicates its readiness for serious reformscould be considered a viable option;
Amendment 233 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Notes that visa liberalisation is of great importance for Turkish citizens, particularly for students, academics, business representatives, and people with family ties in EU Mmember Sstates; encouragescalls on the Turkish Government to fullywithdraw unilateral declarations and to fully and in a non-discriminatory manner comply with the 72 criteria identified in the visa liberalisation roadmap, towards all MSs; stresses that the revision of Turkey’s anti- terrorism legislation is a key condition forto ensuring fundamental rights and freedoms, and that visa liberalisation willcould be possible once all the criteria have been met; fully and effectively met, in a non- discriminatory manner, towards all MS, including cooperation on JHA issues and non-discriminatory access to the Turkish territory for the citizens of all EU Member States;
Amendment 244 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Notes that visa liberalisation is of great importance for Turkish citizens, particularly for students, academics, business representatives and people with family ties in EU Member States; encourages the Turkish Government to fully comply with the 72 criteria identified in the visa liberalisation roadmap; stresses that the revision of Turkey’s anti-terrorism legislation is a key condition for ensuring fundamental rights and freedoms, and that visa liberalisation will be possible once all the criteria have been fully met;
Amendment 246 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Urges Turkey to Review the broad definitions of “terrorism” and “propaganda” in all anti-terrorism laws and in the Penal Code, to revoke Law no. 7145 and the recent amendments of Law no 25772, as well as to amend all legal provisions incompatible with the right to freedom of assembly and association;
Amendment 251 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Recalls the important role played by Turkey in responding to the migration crisis resulting from the war in Syria; takes the view that Turkey’s population has shown great hospitality by offering shelter to more than 3 million Syrian refugees; calls on the EU and its Member States to keep their promise regarding a large-scale resettlement, and to ensure adequate financial resources for the long-term support of Syrian refugees in Turkey; is concerned that the European Court of Auditors on its last report on 13 November 2018 noted that Turkey refused to share information with the EU auditors regarding the details of the expenditures about the spending of €1.1 billion granted by the EU to Turkey to help Syrian refugees and calls on the Commission to put pressure on Turkish government to make the data on the beneficiaries available before granting the next tranche of the assistance, as per Court’s recommendation;
Amendment 275 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Calls on Turkey to further align its foreign policy with that of the EU in accordance with the provisions of the Negotiating Framework;
Amendment 278 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Amendment 287 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)
Paragraph 18 c (new)
18 c. Calls on Turkey to cooperate with relevant international organizations, especially the Council of Europe, in preventing and combatting illicit trafficking and the deliberate destruction of cultural heritage within Turkey and the occupied part of Cyprus;
Amendment 289 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 d (new)
Paragraph 18 d (new)
18 d. Reiterates its call on Turkey to comply with the EU declaration issued on September 21, 2005 and to fulfil its obligation of full, non-discriminatory implementation of the Additional Protocol to the EC-Turkey Association Agreement vis-à-vis all Member States, including the Republic of Cyprus, regrets that Turkey has still not made progress towards the normalization of its relations with the Republic of Cyprus; reiterates that recognition of all Member States is a necessary component of the accession process, of Customs Union and of every agreement between the EU and Turkey and calls for progress without any further delay;
Amendment 290 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 e (new)
Paragraph 18 e (new)
18 e. Recalls its position adopted in the report on the implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy in 2017 about the importance of ensuring the coherence of EU policy as regards situations involving the occupation or annexation of territory; recalls, in this regard, that the immediate withdrawal of Turkish occupation forces and the full restoration of the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus, in line with the UNSC resolutions, should be the first step for achieving a long-term political solution, guaranteeing the well-being, security and democratic rights of all Cypriots;
Amendment 301 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes the efforts by the UN to resume negotiations on the reunification of Cyprus; supports a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement in line with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, international law and the EU acquis; reiterates its call on Turkey to commit and contribute to a comprehensive settlement, to beginimmediately withdrawing its troops from Cyprus, to transfer the sealed-off area of Famagusta to the UN, and to refrain from actions altering the demographic balance on the island; praises the important work of the Committee on Missing Persons; recognisVarosha to its lawful inhabitants in accordance with UNSC resolution 550 (1984) as an effort to pave the way for a democratic comprehensive settlement, and echoes the rightesults of the Republic of Cyprus to enter into bilateral agreements concerning its exclusive economic zone; urges Turkey to engage in the peaceful settlement of disputes, and to refrain from any threat or action which might have negative effects on good neighbourly relationsFact-finding Visit by the Committee on Petitions to Famagusta; urges Turkey to refrain from actions altering the demographic balance on the island through its policy of illegal settlement;
Amendment 305 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Reiterates its call on Turkey to respect the sovereignty and sovereign rights of Member States over their territorial sea and airspace and their lawful right to enter into bilateral agreements and to explore and exploit natural resources in accordance with the EU acquis and international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea; discourages any act or rhetoric that would raise tensions in the region; supports Cyprus’s right to develop natural resources in its EEZ and stresses that any dispute should be settled in accordance with international law and the United Nations charter; calls on Turkey to sign and ratify the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) without further delay;
Amendment 308 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Praises the important work of the Committee on Missing Persons and calls on Turkey to allow unconditional and full access to military zones and all relevant sites and to provide relevant information from its military and other archives, thus maximising the effectiveness of the excavations conducted by the CMP;
Amendment 314 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19 b. Underlines the lawful right of the Republic of Cyprus to enter into bilateral agreements concerning its exclusive economic zone, explore and exploit its natural resources and reiterates its calls on Turkey to show restraint, to refrain from any further threat or action and to respect Cyprus’ sovereignty over its territorial sea and Cyprus’ sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone; expresses serious concern over Turkey's renewed threats and provocations; urges Turkey to engage in the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the United Nations Charter, and to refrain from any threat or action which might have negative effects on good neighbourly relations;
Amendment 317 #
19 c. Calls on Turkey to sign and ratify the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which has been signed and ratified by the EU and its 28 Member States, without further delay; reiterates its call on Turkey to respect the sovereignty and sovereign rights of Member States over their territorial sea and airspace and their lawful right to enter into bilateral agreements and to explore and exploit natural resources in accordance with the EU acquis and international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea;
Amendment 318 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 d (new)
Paragraph 19 d (new)
19 d. Reiterates relevant ECtHR decisions and calls on the Turkish Government to immediately stop the violation of the human rights of the Cypriot citizens and stop depriving them of the enjoyment and exercise of their property, religious and other human rights stemming from the constitutional order of the Republic of Cyprus and the acquis communautaire, as well as the fundamental principles and values of the EU;