Activities of Notis MARIAS related to 2016/2219(INI)
Plenary speeches (2)
Annual Report on human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter 2015 (A8-0355/2016 - Josef Weidenholzer) EL
Annual Report on human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter 2015 (debate) EL
Amendments (46)
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Firmly believes that sustainable development and human, individual and social rights are interdependent, and that respect for and protection and fulfilment of human rights are prerequisites for reducing poverty and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion
Citation 2 a (new)
Citation 2 a (new)
- having regard to the Protocol (No 1) to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) on the role of National Parliaments in the European Union,
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion
Citation 2 b (new)
Citation 2 b (new)
- having regard to Protocol (No 2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality,
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion
Recital Α
Recital Α
Α. whereas violence against women and girls is one of the world’s most widespread human rights violations, affecting all levels of society, regardless of age, education, income, social position or country of origin or residence, and representing a major barrier to gender equality; whereas in certain countries a substantial increase in the number of such cases has been observed;
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 b (new)
Citation 5 b (new)
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 c (new)
Citation 5 c (new)
- having regard to Protocol (No 2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) on the application of the principles of Subsidiarity and Proportionality,
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion
Recital Β
Recital Β
Β. whereas sexual and reproductive health and rights are grounded in basic human rights and are essential elements of human dignity, which must be protected worldwide; whereas, furthermore, these have not yet been secured in all parts of the world;
Amendment 33 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights the paramount importance of SDG 16; stresses that respect for human rights, consolidation of the rule of law, social justice, good governance and stability should be key objectives of all EU external policies;
Amendment 42 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Strongly condemns the continued use of rape and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls as a weapon of war; calls on all countries, and in particular EU Member States, which have not yet done so to develop NAPs implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1325, together with strategies to combat directly violence against women;
Amendment 46 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls the introduction of a human-rights-based approach (HRBA) in EU development policy aimed at integrating human rights principles into EU operational activities for development; calls for greater dissemination of the HRBA toolbox among our partners, and for its implementation to be closely monitored by the Commission;
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the promotion and safeguarding of the indivisibility and universality of human rights arshould be cornerstones of the EU’s foreign and security policies;
Amendment 55 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls for a global commitment to ensure the safety of women and girls from the start of every emergency or crisis, by adequately addressing the risk of sexual and gender-based violence, raising awareness, ensuring the prosecution of the perpetrators of such violence and ensuring that women and girls have access to justice, ending the impunity of perpetrators - and to the full range of sexual and reproductive health services, including safe and legal abortion for victims of war rape;
Amendment 56 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls the crucial importance of the principle of Policy Coherence for Development (PCD), as enshrined in Article 208 TFEU; insists on strengthening coherence and coordination among all EU external policies and instruments while implementing the HRBA;
Amendment 68 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls onUrges the Council, the Commission and the Member States to include human rights systematically in political dialogues conducted with developing countries;
Amendment 71 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses the importance ofneed to enhancinge women’s and girls’ access to all levels of education and removing gender barriers to learning, as educating women and girls has proved to significantly improve their future prospects;
Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereasdeploring the fact that respect for human rights is under threat worldwide, and whereasthat the universality of human rights is increasingly, and seriously, being challenged by a number of authoritarian regimes; whereas there are numerous attemptsmore attempts are needed worldwide to shrinktop the space of civil society shrinking, including in multilateral fora;
Amendment 85 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas a new Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2015-2019 was adopted by the Council on 20 July 2015, with a view to enabling the EU tohowever without the EU adequately meeting these challenges throughor adopting a more focused, systematic and coordinated use of its human rights instruments;
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the EU’s commitment to effective multilateralism, with the UN at its core, is an integral part of the Union’s external policy, and should be based on the belief that a multilateral system founded on universal rules and values is best suitedctions are needed immediately to addressing global crises, challenges and threats;
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas the regular sessions of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the appointment of Special Rapporteurs, the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism and the Special Procedures addressing either specific country situations or thematic issues alldo not contribute sufficiently to the international efforts to promote and respect human rights, democracy and the rule of law;
Amendment 106 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Strongly regDeplorets women’s under- representation in political decision-making, which undermines human rights and democracy; considers that governments should aim for gender equality in democracy-building and maintenance processes; and combat all forms of gender discrimination within society.
Amendment 128 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital O
Recital O
O. whereas substantialfurther progress hais bneen made so far towardsded to abolishing the death penalty, and whereby worldwide, despite the fact that many countries have suspended capital punishment, while and others have taken legislative measures towards this end;
Amendment 136 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital Q
Recital Q
Q. whereasdeploring the fact that millions of children around the world continue to suffer from all forms of violence, including the consequences and burden of war and its atrocities, discrimination and poverty, while the measures taken by the Commission to combat violence against children are inadequate;
Amendment 156 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital S
Recital S
S. whereas reports of violations of civil and political, economic, social, labour and cultural rights resulting from corporate behaviour continue to be heard from around the world;
Amendment 164 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital U
Recital U
U. whereas sporting events such as the Olympic Games and the football World Cups should be organised in full respect of all human rights, as enshrined in the Olympic Charter, and should aim at a harmonious development of humankind, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human rights and human dignity, and with no discrimination based on any grounds such as nationality, race, religion, politics, gender or sexual orientation;
Amendment 177 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Expresses its serious concern that the promotion and protection of human rights and democratic values are under threat worldwide, that the universality of human rights is increasingly, and seriously, being challenged by a number of authoritarian regimesand/or terrorist regimes, particularly in States on the borders of the European Union;
Amendment 185 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Expresses its serious concern at the numerous, ever-increasing attempts made to shrink the space of civil society and human rights defenders, and the growing number of repressive laws adopted throughout the world, under the pretext of combating terrorism (through the introduction of counter-terrorism laws), as is occurring in Turkey;
Amendment 193 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses firmly that the European Union is committed to a CFSP founded on the advancement of democracy, the rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for human dignity, the principles of equality and solidarity, and respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law;
Amendment 203 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Reiterates its call on the EU Member States to lead by example, by speaking with one voice in support of the indivisibility and universality of human rights and, in particular, by ratifying all international human rights instruments set up by the UN;
Amendment 211 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Draws attention to its long-term commitment to promote human rights and advance democratic values, without political or other considerations, as reflected, inter alia, in the annual award of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, in the work of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, and in the monthly plenary debates and resolutions on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law;
Amendment 263 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Calls on the EUSR to consulthold systematically and in-depth consultations with civil society, including local civil society organisations, ahead of his visits to third countries;
Amendment 285 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Recognises the importance of engaging in human rights-specific dialogues also with countries with serious human rights problems; underlines, however, the need for the EU to draw clear political conclusions when these Human Rights Dialogues do not lead to positive outcomes; warns against side-lining human rights discussions in high-level political dialogues;
Amendment 309 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Requests that the EU strengthens its cooperation with the UN in the context of formulating a common strategic vision on security on the basis of, on the one hand, the new EU Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy and, on the other, the UN’s revision of its peace operations and its peacebuilding architecture; insists that there be cooperation with the UN in strengthening the role and capacity of regional and sub-regional organisations in peacekeeping, conflict prevention, civilian and military crisis management, and conflict resolution, and that procedures for the use of the CSDP in support of UN operations be developed further, including through the deployment of EU battlegroups, or through capacity- building and Security Sector Reform initiatives, while human rights and gender are mainstreamed into the work of the mission and operation;
Amendment 315 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Firmly reiterates that human rights agreed under UN conventions are universal, indivisible, inter-dependent and inter-related, and that respect for these rights must be enforced; stresses that it is important that the Member Stateserative to ratify all international human rights instruments established by the UN, including those enshrined in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and, notably, the Optional Protocol establishing complaints and inquiry mechanisms, in conformity with Article 21 TEU;
Amendment 345 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Condemns the dramatic number of deaths at sea in the Mediterranean; is extremely concerned about the growing numbers of human rights abuses against migrants and asylum seekers on their route to Europe; highlights the weaknesses and systematic incoherence of the policies of the EU and the Member States in this area and stresses the need for a holistic approach to find long-term solutions; regrets the failure to comply with the agreements on the relocation of refugees within the EU, resulting in massive overcrowding in the reception centres in Greece and in Italy;
Amendment 351 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 e (new)
Paragraph 31 e (new)
31e. Recognises that EU Member States cannot accommodate more refugees; stresses therefore the importance of providing humanitarian assistance on the spot and of Member States contributing constructively to peace in the refugees' regions of origin; calls on the US and Canada to take initiatives for a more equitable sharing of refugee flows between the developed countries;
Amendment 359 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Stresses the urgent need to develop and introduce a comprehensive, coherent and well-coordinated Common European Asylum System equitably sharing the responsibility among the Member States;
Amendment 362 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32a. Recognises that the majority of people entering the EU are not refugees but migrants; stresses therefore the urgent need to develop and implement a comprehensive, coherent and well- coordinated common European system of solidarity for the equitable sharing of migration from third countries between EU Member States;
Amendment 376 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Calls on the Member States to respect and fully implement the adopted EU common asylum package andon the common migration legislation; calls on the Member States to participate in resettlement programmes, giving access to family reunification and granting humanitarian visarelocation of refugees from Greece and Italy to other EU Member States;
Amendment 394 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Recalls that criminal networks are taking advantage of the lack of safe migration channels, and of the vulnerability of women, girls and children and some specific ethnic groups, in order to subject them to trafficking and sexual exploitation;
Amendment 478 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to guarantee policy coherence on business and human rights at all levels, in particular in relation to the Union’s trade policy; invites the Commission and the Member States to report regularly on the steps taken to ensure effective protection of human rights in the context of business activity; regrets therefore the conclusion of agreements with countries where child labour and slavery are practised and condemns this practice of the EU;
Amendment 593 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66
Paragraph 66
Amendment 602 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66 b (new)
Paragraph 66 b (new)
66b. Expresses its opposition to the adoption of children by same-sex couples and the formation of families with parents of the same sex;
Amendment 714 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 79
Paragraph 79
79. Recognises the fact that persecution and marginalisation of human rights defenders is growing all over the world; is concerned that the public space for civil society is shrinking and that human rights defenders are increasingly under attack worldwide; considers a free civil society to be one of the foundations for the protection and support of human rights and democratic values, provided that they are sincerely held and are not being exploited to serve the interests of third parties;
Amendment 720 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 80
Paragraph 80
80. Highlights the role of EU delegations in creating an enabling environment for civil society, requiring a maximum of transparency and inclusion in their cooperation with civil society organisations and human rights defenders; regrets, therefore, that, ten years after the adoption of the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders, the contact information of Human Rights Focal Points / Liaison Officers for Human Rights defenders are still not included on the websites of all EU delegations;
Amendment 736 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 83
Paragraph 83
83. Calls for increased support in the areas of promoting media freedom, protecting independent journalists and bloggers, and whistle-blowers, reducing the digital divide and facilitating unrestricted access to information and communication, and uncensored access to the internet (digital freedom);
Amendment 755 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 88
Paragraph 88
88. Is concerned about the growth of illegal hate speech, meaning speech that attacks a person or a group on the basis of national origin, colour, religion, gender or sexual orientation, especially on media platforms; calls on the Commission to involve representatives of civil society organisations to ensure that their views are taken into account in the negotiations on codes of conductespecially on media platforms;