13 Amendments of Fabio Massimo CASTALDO related to 2022/2205(INI)
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 a (new)
Citation 12 a (new)
– Having regard to its previous resolutions, in particular those of 15 April 2015 on the centenary of the Armenian Genocide,
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas Türkiye held presidential and parliamentary elections in May 2023; whereas the joint observation mission from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) found that the legal framework for the presidential and parliamentary elections held in May 2023 does not fully provide a basis for holding democratic elections and that continued restrictions on fundamental freedoms of assembly, association, and expression hindered the participation of some opposition politicians and parties, as well as civil society and independent media; whereas the electoral run-up was characterised by a deep polarisation in the Turkish society with a narrow victory of re-confirmed President Erdogan, despite the unfair and unjustified advantages that the ruling parties have received in the run-up and during the elections, including in terms of presence in the media,
Amendment 52 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas devastating earthquakes struck south-eastern Türkiye on 6 February 2023, causing numerous fatalities and, extensive infrastructure damage, and putting 1.7 million in dire need of humanitarian assistance in Türkiye and Northern Syria;
Amendment 74 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas Türkiye has been gradually but steadily moving further away from the EU’s values and normative framework, as exemplified by a number of measures curtailing the rule of law, fundamental freedoms and, human rights and civil liberties;
Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas Turkiye was ranked 48th among 49 countries as regards the human rights of LGBT people, according to the 2022 Rainbow Europe Map published by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA)- Europe;
Amendment 92 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the Turkish Government has repeatedly employed political delaying tactics and a transactional approach with regard to Sweden’s application for NATO membership demanding the extradition of Turkish citizens residing in Sweden;
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Takes note of the results of the recent presidential and parliamentary elections in Türkiye and considers them a sign foreboding political continuity in the country; acknowledges the peaceful manner in which the Turkish people conducted this process and applauds the high turnout; regrets, however, that, as reflected by the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission, the elections did not take place on a level playing field and were impacted, among other things, by essential freedoms being heavily hindered by the current legal framework and practice, and by the unfair, unjustified advantage enjoyed by the ruling parties including in the media sector; condemns the crackdown on Kurdish journalists, political party officials, and lawyers arrested in raids in advance of the national elections;
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Reiterates its profound sadness about the deadly, devastating earthquakes that shook south-eastern Türkiye and Syria on 6 February 2023 and its heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families; welcomes the international relief and recovery effort, including by the EU and its Member States; is concerned that the earthquake uncovered failings such as government unpreparedness, crumbling infrastructure, and widespread corruption; welcomes the international relief and recovery effort, including by the EU and its Member States; calls for a continued EU engagement in the region and for the provision of adequate humanitarian assistance to the affected populations;
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Is of the opinion that the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine continues to impact EU-Türkiye relations in ways that are yet to unfold fully; reiterates its appreciation for Türkiye’s role as an early mediator between Ukraine and Russia and the key part played by Türkiye in brokering and keeping alive the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which has been crucial in helping to counter a severe global hunger crisis, especially in the Horn of Africa;
Amendment 160 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Deplores, against the backdrop of the war, the delaying of the ratification of Sweden’s NATO accession, which only plays into Russia’s hands; invites the Turkish authorities to deliver on their promise of a more constructive partnership in NATO and to ratify Sweden’s NATO membership in the Grand National Assembly as early as possiblewithout further delays;
Amendment 201 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Remains deeply concerned about the lack of independence of the judiciary, the continued breach of the obligation to abide by the landmark rulings of the European Court of Human Rights, the serious restrictions on fundamental freedoms – particularly freedom of expression and of association – and the constant attacks on the fundamental rights of members of the opposition, lawyers, journalists, academics and civil society activists in Türkiye; is particularly worried by the continued crackdown on Kurdish politicians, journalists, lawyers and artists; expresses concern about the deterioration of the rights of women and the constant targeting and harassment of LGBTI+ people, both of whomcondemns the oppression of ethnic and religious minorities, including the prohibition of languages from groups such as the Kurdish community as a mother tongue in education and in all areas of public life by the Turkish Constitution and reiterates that this constitutes a violation of international law; regrets the lack of progress in addressing the long-standing grievances of the Kurdish population and stresses the urgency of resuming a credible political process involving all relevant parties and democratic forces and leading to a peaceful settlement of the Kurdish issue; is particularly worried by the continued crackdown on Kurdish politicians, journalists, lawyers and artists; and calls on Turkish authorities to stop the continued and systematic harassment and intimidation and actively engage in fostering dialogue and facilitating a constructive process that leads to reconciliation and the realization of Kurdish rights within the framework of a democratic Türkiye; strongly condemns the serious deterioration of the rights of women in Turkiye; expresses deep concern at the increasing number of femicide cases following Turkiye withdrawal from the Instanbul Convention, which reflects the challenges in providing effective protection to women in Turkey who report domestic violence; deplores the constant targeting and harassment of LGBTI+ people, and the use of anti-LGBTI rethoric by politicians and high-level public officials; regrets that, since 2014, the authorities have banned Pride parades in major cities, including in Istanbul; recalls that Turkey’s obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights entail a responsibility to combat discrimination and violence against LGBTI persons and urges the Turkish authorities to deliver on their commitments, adding sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics to be added as protected grounds in anti- discrimination provisions; is concerned that women, LGBTI+ and minorities could see their rights further curtailed by the possible amendments to Türkiye’s constitution;
Amendment 241 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes, after a confrontational period, Türkiye’s recent steps towards normalising relations with several countries, such as Armenia, Egypt, Israel and the Gulf states, but deplores Türkiye’s financial, political, and military support to Azerbaijan, which strongly undermines the prospects for a comprehensive peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan; encourages Turkey, once again, to recognize the Armenian Genocide; remains concerned by the fact that Türkiye’s foreign policy still clashes in many aspects with EU interests and, far from growing closer to the EU, it has further diverged in the last year, reaching a record low of alignment with just 7 % of common foreign and security policy decisions; strongly condemns the continued cross-border military operations with the aim of defeating Kurdish-led forces, including three incursions into northern Syria and regular air strikes and drone strikes in northern Iraq and Syria; stresses that these military interventions violate international law and undermine the stability and security of the whole region; is concerned by the continuous involvement of Türkiye in Libya through the deployment of foreign fighters on the ground and the persistent criticism and paucity of cooperation with EUNAVFOR MED IRINI, which underlines the difference in the foreign policy agendas of Türkiye and the EU;
Amendment 339 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Reiterates its firm conviction that Türkiye is a country of strategic relevance in political, economic and foreign policy terms, a key strategic partner for the stability of the wider Mediterranean region and a vital ally, including within NATO, and reaffirms that the EU is committed to pursuing the best possible relations with Türkiye based on dialogue, respect and mutual trust; demands that efforts for ameliorating the status of EU- Türkiye relations do not remain one- sided, and urges Turkish authorities to adopt a more cooperative approach towards this end;