Activities of Vladimír BILČÍK related to 2023/2113(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Report on the Commission’s 2023 Rule of Law report (debate)
Amendments (12)
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Underlines the important role of the Councils of the Judiciary in safeguarding judicial independence; considers it necessary to evaluate the reforms that are in the process of being adopted in different Member States and encourages the adaptation of the composition and functioning of these bodies to the standards established by the European Commission and the Council of Europe, and which have been endorsed by the EU Court of Justice.
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Points out that the prosecution service is a key element for the capacity of the judiciary to fight crime and corruption; highlights the importance of guaranteeing the autonomy and independence of the prosecution service; stresses the need for safeguards to be put in place to help preserve the independence of the prosecution service so that it is free from undue political pressure, especially from the Government.
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 c (new)
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2c. Observes that the setting up of parliamentary committees to investigate if so called “lawfare” or judicialisation of politics have occurred means, in practice, subjecting judicial procedures and decisions to parliamentary review with evident interference in the judicial independence and the separation of powers.
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 d (new)
Paragraph 2 d (new)
2d. Considers that "ad hominem" legal reforms violate basic principles of the rule of law such as equality before the law and judicial independence.
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 e (new)
Paragraph 2 e (new)
2e. Notes with concern the draft amnesty law presented in the Spanish Parliament, which in its current proposal covers crimes of embezzlement, terrorism, acts against the rule of law and constitutional integrity, with its main beneficiaries being political leaders associated with the current government majority; notes that the amnesty would mean the closure of the investigation of Russian interference in the events in Catalonia that occurred in September and October 2017, and that the European Parliament has accredited; notes the serious concern expressed by all judicial associations, lawyers' associations, as well as by civil servants and very diverse civil society organizations.
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Is deeply concerned about the new Slovak government’s hostile actions against police officials, urges representatives of the Government of the Slovak Republic to refrain from personal and political attacks on independent investigators and against decisions by courts in relation to police officers;
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Points out that the reduction of penalties for the crime of embezzlement in Spain is a worrying step back which is at odds with the EU's objectives and commitments in the fight against corruption; stresses the lack of consistency between the fight against corruption and the reduction of penalties for the crime of embezzlement.
Amendment 82 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Expresses deep concern regarding the hostile actions of the new Slovak government against the Special Prosecutor’s Office, which plays a crucial role in the Slovak Republic’s independent efforts to combat corruption, and the attempts to restrict these efforts;
Amendment 129 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Stresses the importance of the editorial independence of public service media and the duty of all Member States to respect this; notes with concern the Slovak government’s planned changes to the nation wide public TV and radio broadcaster RTVS, urges the Commission to be vigilant of any attempts to politically intervene in the broadcasting;
Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Condemns the Slovak Prime Minister’s official decision to cease communication with at least four independent media outlets, and reaffirms the essential role of independent, free media in delivering unbiased information to citizens;
Amendment 134 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14b. Expresses serious concerns about the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic’s apparent preference for so- called alternative and disinformation media outlets, emphasizes that this constitutes an active effort to degrade the quality of the media environment and represents an attempt to diminish the scope for quality, independent journalism;
Amendment 140 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Regrets the worrying trends in the safety of journalists in several Member States; notes that the Council of Europe’s Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists has registered more than 1 600 threat alerts since 2015; regrets the intimidation of journalist during election campaigns, such as recently happened in the election in Slovakia; is concerned about the Slovak government’s public statements, referring to independent media outlets as “hostile” and “enemies” and therefore contributing to public hate against journalists;