Activities of Malin BJÖRK related to 2018/0207(COD)
Shadow reports (1)
RECOMMENDATION FOR SECOND READING on the Council position at first reading with a view to the adoption of a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1381/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EU) No 390/2014
Amendments (28)
Amendment 12 #
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 divisions, as well as threats to human rights, girl´s and women´s rights, LGBTQI rights, equality, democracy, the rule of law, and an increasingly shrinking space for independent civil society, especially women´s rights organisations and human rights defenders, it is more important than ever to promote, strengthen and defend justice, rights and EU values: human rights, respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, 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 26 #
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. Discrimination against and unequal treatment of women and girls, including silent and intersectional discrimination, 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 is therefore a core activity for the Union and a driver for economic growth and should be supported by the programme.
Amendment 31 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8 a (new)
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) Article 8 TFEU lays down the principle of gender mainstreaming in all EU activities. A proper implementation of gender mainstreaming requires gender budgeting, including the allocation of adequate resources and transparency in the budget lines dedicated to promoting gender equality and to combatting gender- based discrimination.
Amendment 32 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8 b (new)
Recital 8 b (new)
(8b) A strong and independent women’s rights movement is the most critical factor for improving women’s rights and gender equality. Women’s rights organisations are increasingly under attack in the EU. Therefore, it is key for the EU, to effectively counteract the shrinking space of civil society, and to provide strong support to women’s rights organisations, grassroots groups and defenders, particularly those working in challenging contexts.
Amendment 34 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) Gender-based violence and violence against children and young people constitute a serious violation of fundamental righthuman rights, and disproportionately affects women and girls, as well as lgbtqi-persons. Violence persists throughout the Union, in all social and economic contexts, and has serious repercussions on victims’ physical and psychological health and on society as a whole. Children, young people and women are particularly vulnerable to violence, in particular in close relationshipsombating gender-based violence requires a multi-dimensional approach covering legal, educational, health (including sexual and reproductive rights), economic and other societal aspects, and the need to actively tackle harmful stereotypes and norms from an early age. Children, young people, migrant and refugee women, lgbti persons, are particularly vulnerable to violence. Action should be taken to promote the rights of the child and to contribute to the protection of children from harm and violence, which pose a danger to their physical and mental health and constitute a breach of their rights to development, protection and dignity. Combating all forms of violence, as defined by the Istanbul Convention, promoting prevention and protecting and supporting victims are priorities of the Union which help fulfil individuals’ fundamental rights and contribute to women´s rights and gender equality between women and men. Those priorities should be supported by the Programme.
Amendment 38 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9 a (new)
Recital 9 a (new)
(9a) Undocumented women are particularly vulnerable to violence and sexual abuse and access to support. It is crucial to implement a victim-centred approach and offer adequate support services to all women throughout the Union, regardless of their residence status. The need for a gender-sensitive perspective in asylum processes is very important for intersectional work and can contribute to increased gender equality.
Amendment 67 #
Proposal for a regulation
Title 1
Title 1
Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing the Equality, Rights and ValuesRule of Law programme
Amendment 70 #
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, disability, age or sexual orientation, and supporting comprehensive policies to promote gender equality and, anti- discrimination, diversity, inclusiveness, and their mainstreaming as well policies to combat racism and all forms of hate and intolerance;
Amendment 74 #
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 divisions, it is more important than ever to promote, strengthen and defend justice, rights and EU values:, human rights, respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, 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 Equality, Rights and Values PRule of Law 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 75 #
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 make our common valuesequality, solidarity, rights and rich diversity alive and vibrant. The ultimate objective is to nurture and sustain rights- based, equal, open, inclusive and democratic society. That includes a vibrant by funding activities that promote a vibrant, well-developed, self-reliant and empowered civil society, eincouragingluding advocacy for the promotion of equality, solidarity, people’s democratic, civic and social participation, and fostering peace and the rich diversity of European society, based on our common history and memory. Article 11 of the Treaty of the European Union further specifirequires that the institutions shall maintain an open, transparent and regular dialogue with civil society and 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. The Commission should maintain a regular dialogue with the beneficiaries of the Programme as well as other relevant stakeholders by setting up a Civil Society Dialogue Group.
Amendment 81 #
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 promotion and protection of valutection, promotion and advocacy of the goals set out in the Treaties and to reach a critical dimension to have concrete results in the field. That should be achieved by building on and further developing the positive experience of the predecessor Programmes. 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 82 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 1 a (new)
(c) ensuring an enabling environment for civil society organisations and human rights defenders, supporting their capacity to promote human rights, democracy, the rule of law and gender equality, and ensuring the protection of organisations, groups and individuals who defend these values;
Amendment 87 #
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, social inclusion and respect for others fosters a sense of belonging 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, solidarity and equality.
Amendment 88 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) preventing and combating all forms of violence against children, young people and women, as well as violence against other groups at risk; such as LGBTQI- persons, women with disabilities and refugee and migrant women.
Amendment 90 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
(ba) Prevention and victims’ rights support must be designed with the participation of the target group and ensure that they meet the specific needs of those with multiple vulnerabilities.
Amendment 92 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) Remembrance activities and critical reflection on Europe’s historical memory are necessary to make citizens aware of the common historyneed to respect human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities, as the foundation for a common future, moral purpose and shared values. The relevance of historical, cultural and intercultural aspects should also be taken into account, as well as the links between remembrance and the creation of a European identity based on diversity, solidarity and sense of belonging together.
Amendment 102 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) Gender-based violence and violence against children and young people constitute a serious violation of fundamental rights. Violence persists throughout the Union, in all social and economic contexts, and has serious repercussions on victims’ physical and psychological health and on society as a whole. Children, young people and women are particularly vulnerable to violence, in particular in close relationships. As laid down in the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention), action should be taken to promote the rights of the child and to contribute to the protection of children from harm and violence, which pose a danger to their physical and mental health and constitute a breach of their rights to development, protection and dignity. Combating all forms of violence, promoting prevention and protecting and supporting victims are priorities of the Union which help fulfil individuals’ fundamental rights and contribute to equality between women and men. Those priorities should be supported by the Programme.
Amendment 103 #
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. 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, 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, gender based violence, violence against LGBTQ persons, 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 107 #
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, including direct, indirect and structural 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 effect of multiple but mutually reinforcing forms of discrimination and oppression needs to be taken into account. The Programme should support actions to prevent and combat discrimination, racism, xenophobia, anti- semitism, anti-ziganism, anti-muslim hatred, homophobia and other forms of intolerance against persons belonging to minorities. 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, 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 11COM(2011)173. COM(2011)173. 11 OJ C 378, 24.12.2013, p. 1. OJ C 378, 24.12.2013, p. 1.
Amendment 127 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
This Regulation establishes the Equality, Rights and ValuesRule of Law programme (‘Programme’).
Amendment 128 #
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 opendemocracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights as enshrined in Article 2 TEU, in particular by supporting and building the capacity of civil society organisations at local, regional, national and transnational level, in order to sustain and further develop open, rights-based, democratic, equal and inclusive societies.
Amendment 137 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. to promote and safeguard fundamental rights, democracy and the rule of law at local, regional, national and transnational level (Rule of law and democratic freedoms strand);
Amendment 138 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 a (new)
Article 2 a (new)
Article 2a Rule of law and democratic freedoms strand Within the general objective set out in Article 2(1) and within the specific objective set out in point (-a) of Article 2(2), the Programme shall focus on: (a) protecting and promoting democracy and the rule of law, including ensuring the independence of the judiciary; effective judicial protection by independent courts, including of fundamental rights; transparency and non-arbitrariness by public authorities and law enforcement; providing support for independent human rights defenders and civil society organisations undertaking monitoring compliance with the rule of law, for whistleblower defence and for initiatives that promote transparency, accountability, integrity and absence of corruption; (b) protecting, strengthening and promoting fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly or association, media freedom and pluralism of the media, academic freedom, freedom of religion or belief and the right to privacy and family life; (c) supporting, empowering and building the capacity of independent civil society organisations active in the promotion of the values referred to in Article 2(1).
Amendment 141 #
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, social or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age, language, migration status, or sexual orientation, and supporting comprehensive policies to promote gender equality and anti- discrimination and their mainstreaming as well policies to combat racism and all forms of intolerance;
Amendment 155 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) preventing and combating all forms of violence against children, young people and women, as well as violence against other groups at risk such as LGBTQI persons, women with disabilities and refugee and migrant women;
Amendment 156 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) supporting and protecting victims of such violence, including by facilitating and ensuring access to justice, access to victim support services and access to safe police reporting for all victims of violence.
Amendment 159 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 a (new)
Article 5 a (new)
Article 5a Prevention and victims’ rights support shall be designed with the participation of the target group and ensure that the specific needs of those with multiple vulnerabilities are met.
Amendment 169 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 a (new)
Article 9 a (new)