18 Amendments of Pernando BARRENA ARZA related to 2020/2026(INL)
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion
Recital A
Recital A
A. non-profit organisations (NPOs) are increasingly involved in economic activities and contribute to the rapid development of the social economy, bringing societal benefits in terms of citizens welfare, the fight against climate change, quality employment and the fight against social exclusion and discrimination; whereas the development of the social economy directly contributes to the strengthenwellbeing of the single marketpopulation;
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. NPOs they are an essential component of a strong rule of law ecosystem, and a precondition for healthy democracies;
Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
B b. European Association statute can solve cross border issues, but not civic space issue, which are core problem for a well-functioning democracy;
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
E a. While NPOs play important roles in Member States and at EU level, their activities are blocked by legal and administrative obstruction and by the limits placed on NPOs' organisational capacity to operate across borders. As a result, their contributions are below its potential, especially in cross-border regions;
Amendment 29 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Calls on the Commission to put forward a legislative package creating a Statute for European Associations and laying down common rules and minimum standards for NPOs to exercise the right to freedom of assembly and to remove the barriers precluding NPOs from playing their fundamental role in society and contributing to the strengthening of the single market;
Amendment 34 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights that the definition of common measures for NPOs will enable coherent judicial review at Union level and lay down the foundations for future case law that will help strengthen Union-wide standardsthe protection of fundamental rights which are an essential part of Union law;
Amendment 39 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that the long-overdue creation of a Statute for European Associations iscan be a crucial step in fostering civic space at Union level, cross-border cooperation and dialogue; points out that such a Statute would help European civil society to structure itself; considers that European Associations could be instrumentalplay an important role in enhancing civic participation in Union policy-making;
Amendment 44 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that, in light of the growing number of threats which transcend national boundaries such as environmental damages, pandemics or the misuse of digital technologies, the potential of cross- border NPO activities should be unlockeddisplayed to the general public; emphasises that cross-border activities should both mean activities or cooperation carried out in more than one Member State and activities furthering the Union’s objectives or contributing to the promotion and safeguarding of its valuefundamental rights and freedoms;
Amendment 47 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Deplores that civil society was completely left out of pandemic-response relief schemes;
Amendment 53 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Considers that NPOs cannot thrive at Union level if the space in which they operate is being restricted in a number of Member States, being of outmost importance in cross-border regions and Euroregions; considers therefore that the setting of common minimum standards will also help to provide a minimum level of protection throughout the Union and to spread best practices;
Amendment 54 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Highlights that whereas many cross-border regions involve connections with civil society facilitated by NPOs and there is a growing number of NPOs operations across borders, legal and fiscal barriers remain;
Amendment 58 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Suggests that where relevant, the Commission should complement the legislative acts called for in this report with guidelines to assist Member States in their implementa proposal for an interinstitutional agreement on civil dialogue that should include guidelines on civil dialogue as well as a proposal for a participatory status for not for profit associations taking example from the Council of Europe and the United Nations;
Amendment 61 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses that under no circumstances should the definition of minimum standards at Union level result in a lowering of standards in any Member State; calls onasks the Commission to ensure that the proper avenues to obtain legal redress are available and that any abusive practice on behalf of Member State authorities can be effectively addressed;present a clear proposal for legal redress for NPOs
Amendment 68 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Emphasises that national bodies designated for the oversightregistration of NPOs must be legally distinct and functionally independent of their respective governments; considers that any European legislation must provide for the same independency.
Amendment 70 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Considers that the proposal should respect the diversity, plurality and independence of the NPO sector, not replace national frameworks but complement these by promoting civic participation at European level;
Amendment 73 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls for the creation of a European Associations’ Authority, tasked with ensuring the implementation of the Statute for European Associations and monitoring the transposition of minimum rules for NPOs as called for in this report; suggests that it could alson the European Commission to be the focal point for NPOs that report violations of the minimum standards and rights conferred upon NPOs by Union law;
Amendment 77 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Considers that the definition at Union level of minimum standards for NPOs to receive public benefit statuproposal and complementary measures should enable mutual recognition across Member States and facilitate equal treatment in terms of benefits awarded; emphasises that donors to public benefit NPOs who received public benefit status in another Member State should enjoy the same benefits as if they were donating to a domestic organisation;awarded donations and access to donations as well as regards tax incentive measures inline with European Court of Justice rulings
Amendment 81 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Suggests the use of carefully calibrated definitions to clarify the meaning of key concepts that otherwise risk remaining too vague and lead to uneven transpositionwhich are in compliance with Union law. Underlines the need for clarity on which types or associations will be covered and which ones will fall out of scope.