BETA

20 Amendments of Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA related to 2020/2026(INL)

Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA

Draft opinion
Recital A

A. There are 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 changewhich make positive contributions to society in multiple areas, such as social economy, quality employment ~~and~~, the fight against social exclusion and discrimination~~; whereas the development of the social economy directly contributes to the strengthening of the single market~~, or helping persons with disabilities;

2021/10/18
Committee: LIBE

Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA

Draft opinion
Recital B

B. Some NPOs play a central role in democracy by exercising public oversight over political power, articulating aspirations present in society, carrying out advocacy, contributing to informed policy- making and fostering active citizenship;

2021/10/18
Committee: LIBE

Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA

Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)

B a. The use of NPOs by foreign actors to interfere in the political life of the Member States needs to be regulated at national level as it poses a major risk for democracy; whereas this kind of foreign funded NPOs such as The Open Society Foundations do not seek to make positive contributions to society but to influence electoral processes for their own economic interest;

2021/10/18
Committee: LIBE

Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA

Draft opinion
Recital D

D. Article 12 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights guarantees the right to freedom of association at all levels, whereas this right is guaranteed in national legislations throughout the Union;

2021/10/18
Committee: LIBE

Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA

Draft opinion
Recital E

E. Restrictions of the space in which they operate have been reported by NPOs throughout the Union, related to the regulatory environment under which they operate, their finances and funding, their right to participation and to an unsafe environment with increasing attacks, including negative discourse stigmatising NPOs;deleted

2021/10/18
Committee: LIBE

Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA

Draft opinion
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;deleted

2021/10/18
Committee: LIBE

Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Stresses that is up to the Member States to decide the legal framework under which the NPOs can operate in their territory to ensure the citizens’ rights and to avoid foreign interferences, including the review of the NPOs statutes to ensure that they comply with the national legislation and their actions are not against public order;

2021/10/18
Committee: LIBE

Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1 b. Calls on the Commission to ensure by legislative means that NPOs operating in the Member States only receive EU public funding if it counts with the approval of the Member State concerned;

2021/10/18
Committee: LIBE

Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)

1 c. Highlights that the EU was conceived as a union of independent nations, working together for mutual gain; stresses in this regard that the EU should refrain from any action seeking political interference in the Member states;

2021/10/18
Committee: LIBE

Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA

Draft opinion
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 standards;deleted

2021/10/18
Committee: LIBE

Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Considers that the long-overdue creation of a Statute for European Associations is 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 instrumental in enhancing civic participation in Union policy-making;deleted

2021/10/18
Committee: LIBE

Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA

Draft opinion
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 unlocked; 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 values;deleted

2021/10/18
Committee: LIBE

Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Deplores the number of legal and administrative barriers faced by NPOs when engaging in cross-border activities which may dissuade them from expanding their activities beyond national borders; emphasises that a Union-level definition of minimum standards for NPOs is key for accompanying the development of the third sector across the Union and create a level playing field harnessing the power of the single market;deleted

2021/10/18
Committee: LIBE

Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA

Draft opinion
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; 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;deleted

2021/10/18
Committee: LIBE

Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA

Draft opinion
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 implementation;~~deleted

2021/10/18
Committee: LIBE

Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA

Draft opinion
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 on 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;deleted

2021/10/18
Committee: LIBE

Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

~~9. Emphasises that national bodies designated for the oversight of NPOs must be legally distinct and functionally independent of their respective governments.~~deleted

2021/10/18
Committee: LIBE

Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA

Draft opinion
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 also be the focal point for NPOs that report violations of the minimum standards and rights conferred upon NPOs by Union law;deleted

2021/10/18
Committee: LIBE

Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11

11. Considers that the definition at Union level of minimum standards for NPOs to receive public benefit status 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;deleted

2021/10/18
Committee: LIBE

Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA

Draft opinion
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 transposition.~~deleted

2021/10/18
Committee: LIBE