35 Amendments of Hilde VAUTMANS related to 2015/2273(INI)
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1
Citation 1
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)
Citation 4 a (new)
- having regard to the fact that the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet for its contribution to the establishment of a pluralistic democratic society in Tunisia after the Jasmine Revolution in 2011;
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
Citation 6 a (new)
- having regard to the final report of the EU Electoral observation mission for the legislative and presidential elections in Tunisia in 2014;
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 b (new)
Citation 6 b (new)
- having regard to its resolution of March 10 2016, introducing emergency autonomous trade measures for Tunisia (COM(2015)0460 – C8-0273/2015 – 2015/0218(COD))
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the peaceful democratic transition process in Tunisia represents a successful example in the Arab world andTunisia has made the most progress with its democratic process, that this democratic transition process in Tunisia is an example that inspires the Arab world with hope and that its consolidation is paramount for the stability of the entire region;
Amendment 30 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas Tunisia currently hosts over a millionmore than 200.000 displaced Libyans, fleeing instability and violence in Libya, thereby putting a strain on the internal situation and infrastructures and leading displaced people to use the premises of former refugees camps such as Choucha, without any basic services being provided;
Amendment 33 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the Tunisian economy is highly dependent on foreign investment, tourism and exporting products to the EU and whereas the economy can only flourish if democracy can develop further;
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas the lack of jobs and opportunities was one of the main reasons for the massive popular demonstrations in 2011 and many of the problems are still felt by people every day with high youth unemployment;
Amendment 38 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas Tunisia has suffered several terrorist attacks in the last year; whereas Tunisia is an essential partner of the European Union in the fight against terrorism;
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas an alarmingly high number of Tunisian youths are recruited by IS/Daesh and whereas hopelessness and economic stagnation contribute to young people becoming increasingly vulnerable to the lure of extremist organisations;
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Urges the mobilisation and better coordination of substantial resources for support Tunisia; underlines that without increasing Tunisia's absorption capacity, its stability and good governance in the region, any prospect of reform will be put at risk;
Amendment 55 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Calls for a focus on better education as well as counter- radicalisation of youth;
Amendment 56 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on participants of the Deauville Partnership to fulfil pledge commitments; considers that the situation in Tunisia justifies the launch of a real ‘Marshall Plan’ with appropriatebetter coordination of focused funding to support the consolidation of the democratic transition and foster investment and development in all sectors of the economy, in a comprehensive way; also calls upon the authorities of Tunisia to increase its efforts to enhance its absorption capacity for the financial assistance and consolidation efforts;
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Commends the good cooperation between Tunisia and its neighbours, as illustrated for example by the signing of a preferential trade agreement and the establishment of local transborders committees with Algeria aimed at fostering local development, and by the intertwining of Tunisia’s economy with Libya’s and by the solidarity of the Tunisian people with displaced Libyans; expresses the utmost concern regarding a possible foreign military intervention in Libya;
Amendment 76 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises the need to support the People’s Representatives Assembly (PRA) given the challenge of enhancing stability in a volatile regional context while deepening democracy; expresses concern at the lack of means of the PRA thereby hindering its scrutiny of the executive; encourages Parliament’s services to enhance the capacity-building support activities provided to the PRA in the framework of the Comprehensive Democracy Support Approach; recommends that Parliament assess the needs in terms of support of the PRA and organise a political meeting at the highest political level, such as a ‘Tunisian Week’, on its premises, in order to foster parliamentary cooperation and express its support for, support social and economic reforms, and express its support for the process of democratisation in Tunisia;
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls for the continuation of technical and capacity-building support for civil society groups, since these have proven to be of fundamental importance for democratic transition and overall development, government accountability, and monitoring of respect for human rights, including the protection of women; whereas civil society organisations have a crucial role to play in Tunisia;
Amendment 97 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Deems it necessary that the Commission and the EEAS provide support for local elections (scheduled in October 2016) and an EU and EP monitoring mission, should it be requested by the Tunisian Government as it was already the case for the legislative and presidential elections in 2014; calls for strengthened support for municipalities in the framework of Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM), and by fostering the development of twinning projects in coordination with the Member States;
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls for the Commission and the EEAS to launch a programme in support of the reform of the judicial sector and the rule of law in respect of the values of the Tunisian Constitution, including through technical and financial support for the ongoing establishment of the Supreme Judicial Council and the Constitutional Court; notes that the EU Programme on Justice Reform (PARJI) was only endowed with very limited funding and stopped in 2011;
Amendment 116 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls for a reform of the penal code, and in particular for the repeal of Article 230, which penalises homosexual practicesity with imprisonment for three years, and is contrary to the constitutional principles of non- discrimination and the protection of privacy, as well as; furthermore, calls for amendments to Law No 92-52 on Narcotics, which propose disproportionate sentences for drug offences, to align it to international standards for the consumption of soft drugs;
Amendment 128 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Whereas freedom of expression online and offline and freedom of assembly are indispensable pillars of a democratic and pluralistic society; whereas freedom of the press and media are vital elements for democracy and an open society;
Amendment 143 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Emphasises that the Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Tunisia must also contribute to extending European standards in the field of environment, consumer protection and workers' rights to Tunisia, as this also will increase Tunisia's competitiveness in the rest of the world;
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Welcomes the start of the negotiations on an ambitious Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Tunisia; underlines that international trade is essential for the Tunisian economic, social and political development and stability;
Amendment 147 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. CWelcomes the adoption of the emergency autonomous trade measures for the Republic of Tunisia as a concrete step to support the Tunisian economy; calls for an increase in EU aid to Tunisia through the ENI and for the coordination of international aid to Tunisia; encourages partnerships with other interested global and regional donor countries and organisations, and in particular, measures promoting investment in the manufacturing sector which would boost employment; notes that the tourism sector has been dramatically impacted by the attacks in 2014 and, considering the measures implemented since then by the Tunisian authorities, calls on the Member States to reassess the security situation as quickly as possible;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Calls for an increase in EU aid to Tunisia through the ENI and for the coordination of international aid to Tunisia; encourages partnerships with other interested global and regional donor countries and organisations, and in particular, measures promoting investment in the manufacturing sector which would boost employment; notes that the tourism sector since 2014 has been dramatically impacted by the terror attacks in 2014 and, considering the measures implementedthat have been taken since then by the Tunisian authorities, calls on the Member States to reassess the security situation as quicklysoon as possible;
Amendment 156 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14 a. Welcomes the adoption of the emergency autonomous trade measures for the Republic of Tunisia as a concrete step to support the Tunisian economy by providing more opportunities for Tunisian companies and citizens of the European market as well as creating an incentive for reform in the country itself;
Amendment 161 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Underlines the need to address unemployment, especially for young university graduates, and to launch deep reforms to promote growth and employment (e.g. facilitate currency restrictions, access to micro-credits, reform of the labour laws and simplification of administrative processes) and the diversification of the Tunisian economy; calls on all parties to maintain the spirit of good cooperation to focus on reforms with a view to the inclusive economic development for and the distribution of wealth across all territories of the country;
Amendment 164 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Underlines the need to address unemployment, especially for young university graduates, and to launch deep reforms to promote growth and employment (e.g. facilitate currency restrictions, access to microcredit, reform of the labour laws) and the diversification of the Tunisian economy; calls on all parties to maintain the spirit of good cooperation to focus on reforms with a view to the inclusive economic development for all territories of the country; Calls on the Tunisian authorities to welcome initiatives in which citizens show commitment to improving political dialogue or technological innovations, among other examples, and emphasizes that international support for these civic initiatives is needed;
Amendment 169 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. WelcomesEncourages the early adoption of the Tunisian Strategic Plan for Development 2016-2020 and calls for its swift implementation with the adoption of regulatory frameworks aimed at facilitating the absorption of European support and of all international financial institutions; welcomes the adoption of the new investment code, which should create regulatory stability and facilitate investments, and the tax reforms; calls for the modernisation of the public administration, which should operate in an efficient and transparent way, thus greatly facilitating the implementation of projects and the better use of funds;
Amendment 209 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Recognises that Tunisian security is weakened among other reasons by the current internal situation in Libya; notes the building of a wall at the border with Libya; expresses concerns at the high number of Tunisian foreign fighters joining Daesh and other terrorist groups; underlines the necessity to reform the country’s intelligence services while respecting the rule of law and human rights conventions;
Amendment 222 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Calls for an increase in support for security sector reform in Tunisia and calls for swift implementation of the programmes currently in place; strongly calls on the Tunisian Ministry of the Interior, to support the reform of the security sector and also calls for the establishment of a national security adviser in Tunisia; calls for the Member States to share best practices in the security field in Tunisia;
Amendment 223 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Calls for an increase in support for security sector reform in Tunisia and calls for swift implementation of the programmes currently in place; calls for the establishment of a national security adviser in Tunisia; calls for the Member States to share best practices in the security field in Tunisia; Calls for systematic human rights assessment of EU support to Tunisia in that field;
Amendment 229 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28 a. Welcomes the enhanced political dialogue between the EU and Tunisia in the fight against terrorism; reminds the importance of protecting human rights in the context of counter-terrorism measures.
Amendment 248 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Welcomes the EU and the Tunisia Mobility Partnership signed in March 2014 and calls for its rapid implementation; calls for the signature of a visa waiver forwift negotiation of a readmission agreement between the EU and Tunisia; and notes that though mobility partnerships rely on national competences, they are included in the EU proposal within the ENP and recommends that Member States show their solidarity with Tunisia by facilitating visas for entrepreneurs, students, researchers etc.;
Amendment 252 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Welcomes the EU and the Tunisia Mobility Partnership signed in March 2014 and calls for its rapid implementation; calls for the signature of a visa waiver for Tunisia; notes that though mobility partnerships rely on national competences, they are included in the EU proposal within the ENP and recommends that Member States show their solidarity with Tunisia by facilitating visas for entrepreneurs, students, researchers, artists, etc.;
Amendment 268 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34 a. Recommends the use of Arabic by EU institutions, and especially by the EU delegation in Tunis, when publishing calls for tenders, for expression of interest and also when communicating with the public; underlines the importance for the Tunisian government of informing its citizens about its actions; considers that the use of Arabic is helpful to ensure inclusive involvement of civil society in EU-Tunisia relations;