50 Amendments of Petar VITANOV related to 2019/2171(INI)
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 a (new)
Citation 11 a (new)
- having regard to the Declaration of 5 July 2009 of Western Balkans partners on Roma Integration within the EU Enlargement Process, known as the Poznan Declaration,
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 18 b (new)
Citation 18 b (new)
- having regard to the Progress Report of the Prosecutor of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals of 19 May 2020,
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 18 c (new)
Citation 18 c (new)
- having regard to the 58th Report of the High Representative (HR) for Implementation of the Peace Agreement on Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Amendment 60 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the country continues to face numerous challenges related to the rule of law, human rights, fundamental freedoms, governance, accountability, freedom of expression and media freedom, and a functioning market economy;
Amendment 74 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Ga. whereas serious human rights concerns remain over the rights of people in transit in BiH;
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G b (new)
Recital G b (new)
Gb. whereas the EU approach to the external dimension of migration has led the EU to cooperate with BiH in the field of border control and migration management; whereas the externalisation of EU border management and migration control is of serious concern in light of violations of human rights standards; whereas it is the EU's duty to conduct a humane border procedure and migration approach that aims at protecting the fundamental rights of persons in need of international protection in countries of transit such as BiH;
Amendment 95 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that the path towards the EU depends on sustainable peace, lasting stability, social cohesion and genuine reconciliation warranting the democratic and multicultural character of BiH; urges the country to expedite effective prosecution of war crimes under the revised National War Crimes Processing Strategy, and calls for impartial and effective investigations into these crimes; condemns any kind of historical revisionism, or opposition to ICTY judgements, secessionist rhetoric and related acts, denial or glorification of war crimes committed during the 1990’s war;
Amendment 101 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls that over 7 200 BiH citizens are still missing, and urges the authorities to intensify cooperation and data sharing between regional, national and international stakeholders alike, on issues related to missing persons, redress to civilian victims of war, including victims of sexual violence, and to ensure the safe and sustainable return of refugees and internally displaced people; through reconstruction assistance, job creation measures, education rights and the proper implementation of property laws;
Amendment 107 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Urges the rapid adoption of a law banning Holocaust denial, genocide and war crimes; encourages the High Representative in BiH (OHR) to use his powers to make the law banning Holocaust denial, genocide and war crimes an integral part of BiH legislation;
Amendment 135 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Urgently calls on BiH to remedy the unequal access to remote schooling, resulting in many children being deprived of their right to education throughout the pandemic;
Amendment 140 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Urges all BiH political leaders and institutions to significantly accelerate work and co-operation to fully comply with the 14 key priorities; calls on the authorities to maintain the political will for enhanced co-operation demonstrated at the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, especially through developing and adopting a national programme for the adoption of the EU acquis; guaranteeing legal certainty by establishing a judicial body entrusted with ensuring the consistent interpretation of the law throughout BiH; ensuring that veto rights in all administrative bodies entrusted with implementing the acquis are eliminated; strengthening the prevention and fight against corruption and organised crime; ensuring the implementation of the legislation on non- discrimination and on gender equality; enabling environment for civil society by upholding European standards on freedom of association and freedom of assembly;
Amendment 148 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Underlines that the effective organisation and independent functioning of institutions is an essential feature of a viable democracy and a prerequisite for advancing the EU integration process, including obtaining candidate status; warns that ethno-nationalistic divisive rhetoric and attempts to obstruct the functioning of institutions undermine unity, lasting stability and country-wide co- ordination and decision-making on key policies and reforms;
Amendment 156 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Commends the adoption of the amendments to the BiH Election Law that allowed Mostar citizens to vote in the 2020 local elections; welcomes the Parliamentary Assembly’s vote of 22 July 2020 on the Rules of Procedure governing the meetings of Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee (SAPC), paving the way for their formal adoption by the 2nd EU-BiH SAPC as soon as possible and for a fruitful parliamentary cooperation;
Amendment 164 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 d (new)
Paragraph 7 d (new)
7d. Calls on the EC and the EEAS to step up their mediation activities in BiH, in order to strengthen political dialogues and reconciliation, which is central to the future development of BiH, and to provide a framework for dealing with the legacies from the past and for overcoming the divisions in the society;
Amendment 173 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Underlines the urgent need to address shortcomings in the constitutional framework andincluding through harmonisation of laws on cantonal and federal level and expanding the state’s jurisdiction, as well as to make progress on reforms that would transform BiH into a fully functional and inclusive state by implementing the Sejdic-Finci case group; stresses that institutional reforms depend on the will and commitment of political leaders and institutions in the country; urges the international community to facilitate the conditions for constitutional dialogue within BiH institutions and among elected representatives in BiH under the leadership of the EU, in particular Parliament, and in consultation with civil society;
Amendment 182 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Regrets the lack of progress on reforms in the judiciary; reiterates the urgent need to resolve the mounting backlog of cases pending trial, to strengthen the professionalism and accountability of the judiciary and, to ensure its independence from undue influence by adopting new legislation on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council and on the Courts of BiH in line with EU standards;
Amendment 195 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls for immediate steps to tackle corruption and impunity in the public sphere in order to rebuild citizens’ trust in the institutions; by adopting and implementing legislation on conflict of interest and whistle-blowers’ protection; ensuring the effective functioning and coordination of anti-corruption bodies; align the legislation and strengthen capacities on public procurement; ensuring transparency of privatisation processes; in particular, calls for the authorities to duly investigate and resolve the lack of effective prosecutions for high- profile corruption cases; insists that the persistent lack of transparency shown by political actors and public institutions alike needs to be addressed;
Amendment 209 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Regrets the lack of progress on addressing the EU’s Opinion priority n. 11 on ensuring an enabling environment for civil society by upholding European standards on freedom of association and freedom of assembly; underlines the importance of protecting and promoting freedom of association and deplores that the exercise of freedom of assembly remains restricted; regrets that activists, in particular those dealing with sensitive issues in Republika Srpska have been subject to threats, intimidation, fines and judicial prosecution; calls on the authorities to develop a strategic framework of cooperation with civil society and to ensure meaningful consultations as part of inclusive policy dialogues;
Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Stresses the need to make the European integration process as inclusive and open as possible; notes the insufficient involvement of civil society organisations which can make substantial contributions to the EU integration process; notes that this involvement is of paramount importance for the participation of citizens in the democratic life of the country and in the enlargement process;
Amendment 214 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Expresses concern over the fundamental rights situation, specifically, the persisting discrimination and hate speech faced by the LGBTIQ+ community, migrants and asylum seekers, as well as ethnic and religious minorities, and calls for more effective and comprehensive countrywide hHuman rRights and anti- discrimination strategies, as well asincluding an action plan on child protection, an action plan on LGBTIQ+ people and measures against interfaith and interethnic intolerance; stresses the need to duly prevent and prosecute the proliferation of hate speech, hate crimes and violence targeting minorities, LGBTIQ+ persons and women, and to promote social inclusion of minorities and vulnerable populations, including the Roma, in line with the 2019 Poznan Declaration on Roma Integration within the EU Enlargement Process, persons with disabilities, LGBTIQ+ persons, migrants and asylum seekers, as well as displaced persons and refugees;
Amendment 221 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Amendment 222 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Recalls the need for specific earmarked funding on gender equality in all EU external financing instruments, and for reduced administrative constraints to allow access to funding for local and small civil society organisations (CSOs) and especially women civil society organisations (WCSOs);
Amendment 232 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Regrets BiH’s continued inability to comply with anti-discrimination rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR); notes the continuing shortcomings in the election process, and reiterates the need to address discriminatory ethnicity and residency- based restrictions on the right to stand for election through the required constitutional changes; regrets the inability to ensure that elections are conducted in line with European standards by implementing OSCE/ODIHR and relevant Venice Commission recommendations, as well as to ensure transparency of political party financing;
Amendment 242 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Calls for thorough investigations into alleged electoral irregularities, including identity theft, barriers to independent electoral observation and political pressure on voters and the BiH Central Election Commission (CEC) itself and other irregularities, during of the 2020 municipal elections;
Amendment 245 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Regrets continued political and financial pressure and instrumentalisation of the media, undermining freedom of expression and media pluraliswhich has especially deteriorated during the covid-19 pandemic, thus undermining freedom of expression and media pluralism, especially due to the lack of financial sustainability of the public broadcasting system; expresses its concern at the hostile environment for independent media, and urges the authorities to effectively investigate and prosecute verbal and physical threats and attacks against journalists and media personnel; , including female journalists, and media personnel; calls for the regulation of transparency of media ownership;
Amendment 259 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Insists that the EU must enhance its communication strategy in order to proactively and effectively counter ethnic or religious-based foreign interferences and disinform disinformation campaigns aimed at diminishing the EU’s credibility and actions in the region and jeopardizing the country’s unity;
Amendment 268 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Insists that BiH itself must increase proactive information-sharing on the pandemic, clarification of preventive measures and instructions for citizens, as well as data on infections and vaccinations through official channels;
Amendment 280 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Notes the increased migratory pressure on the country; calls for effective inter-institutional and inter-governmental coordination of migration and border management in the face of a mounting humanitarian crisis; calls for equitable burden-sharing and adequate support for local communities hosting temporary reception centres; underlines the need to ensure appropriate reception condiurges the BiH authorities to quickly scale up actions to address the grave humanitarian situations and to boost capacity for processing incoming migrants and asylum-seekers; urges BiH to conclude an agreement with the European Asylum Support Office (EASO); callprovide immediate assistance and secure basic living conditions to all the migrants and refugees oin the EU to step up its support to BiH’s authorities, namely with regard to operational assistancetemporary reception centres;
Amendment 288 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Amendment 289 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. calls for equitable burden-sharing and adequate support for local communities hosting temporary reception centres; stresses the need to ensure appropriate reception conditions and to boost capacity for processing incoming migrants and asylum-seekers; urges BiH to conclude an agreement with the European Asylum Support Office (EASO); calls on the EU to step up its support to BiH’s authorities, namely with regard to operational assistance;
Amendment 291 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 c (new)
Paragraph 19 c (new)
19c. calls on the EU to investigate and report on the financial assistance given to BiH authorities and international organizations in BiH for handling the migrant situation in order to ensure transparency and increase the credibility of the EU; calls on a prompt assessment of the EU financial assistance, both by DG ECHO and under IPA, given to BiH authorities and international organizations in BiH for handling the migrant situation in order to ensure transparency;
Amendment 292 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 d (new)
Paragraph 19 d (new)
19d. Calls on the BiH authorities to improve the efficiency of the asylum system;
Amendment 293 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 e (new)
Paragraph 19 e (new)
19e. Calls on the EU and the BiH’s authorities to work on long term sustainable solutions for people in transit in BiH;
Amendment 294 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 f (new)
Paragraph 19 f (new)
19f. Expresses great concern regarding the number of unaccompanied or separated children among refugees and migrants left without access to adequate accommodation and child protection services; calls for effectively facilitating fast-track asylum applications from vulnerable children and families and to recognise them as a priority group in any of the national health, education and protection strategies;
Amendment 296 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 h (new)
Paragraph 19 h (new)
19h. Calls for safe and legal pathways for refugees and migrants into the EU and for an EU migration and asylum policy based on solidarity amongst the Member States;
Amendment 299 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Urges BiH to step up its efforts against cross-border crime, especially human traffickingto fight against drug and human smugglers, and to ensure swift conclusion of the status agreement with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) that wshould aim at facilitateing a better protection of borders inand humane border approach fully respect foring fundamental rights, while helping fight cross-border crime;
Amendment 304 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Calls for the resignation of the Executive Director of FRONTEX, in view of the alleged involvement of the Agency in violations of fundamental rights; demands a parliamentary inquiry to investigate FRONTEX’ alleged illegal practices;
Amendment 312 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Calls for a timely co-ordinated, strategic, transparent and publicly accessible countrywide response to the ongoing health emergency and post- pandemic recovery measures; recalls COVID-related EU support to address the acute situation in the country; calls on the European Commission and the Member States to allocate a sufficient number of COVID-19 vaccines to , taking into account the different impact of the crisis on different genders, that must reach all individuals affected by the crisis; recalls COVID-related EU support to address the acute situation in the country needs to address the specific needs of women and of minority and vulnerable groups; calls on the European Commission and the Member States to allocate a sufficient number of COVID-19 vaccines to the Western Balkan countries and support their vaccination preparedness; welcomes in this respect the package that will allow BiH and other Western Balkan countries partners to finally benefit from the EU Advance Purchase Agreements; underlines that the much needed COVID-19 mitigation measures should not lead to further marginalization or stigmatization of vulnerable groups, including refugees and migrants;
Amendment 332 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls on BiH to step up active labour market measures aimed at reducing long-term andunemployment, including youth unemployment, contributing to the most acute brain drain in the region by investing more in the education sector – from pre- school to higher education - in order to achieve better and equal opportunities for all including vulnerable groups; recalls BiH commitment to increase the employment rate of Roma people;
Amendment 338 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Recalls that the unemployment of women, who make up 60 % of the working age inactive persons, is of particular concern;
Amendment 339 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Welcomes the continued participation of BiH in the Erasmus+, Creative Europe and Europe for Citizens Programmes; stresses that educational and cultural exchanges and joint projects are an essential part of bringing the citizens of BiH and of the EU closer;
Amendment 340 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23b. Calls on the authorities to harmonise the legislation on maternity and paternity leave across entities and cantons;
Amendment 341 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 c (new)
Paragraph 23 c (new)
23c. Urges the authorities to develop effective measures to prevent gender- based discrimination and sexual harassment in the workplace;
Amendment 342 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 d (new)
Paragraph 23 d (new)
23d. Underlines that social cohesion is an essential element of a sustainable and united future for BiH; therefore stresses the importance for the EU to support the strengthening of the welfare system of BiH, so as to boost a policy of social justice, of reduction of social inequalities, which will contribute to strengthening social cohesion; regrets that serious challenges remain to be addressed as regards to poverty reduction and calls for access to public health coverage for all; recalls that BiH is a signatory to all ILO fundamental and governance Conventions and as such calls for enhanced social dialogue and social protection;
Amendment 343 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Urges the authorities to prioritise measures aimed at boosting economic diversification, digitalisation and tackling the informal economy, while developing effective and transparent mechanisms for energy market, transport infrastructure, sustainable tourism and support for SMEs; calls on the authorities to foster the social-economic dialogue among social partners on all socio-economic matters;
Amendment 359 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Recommends focusing on sustainable and inclusive growth- enhancing public investment and infrastructure projects, making full use of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans; which can contribute to facilitating a social development and long-term recovery following the pandemic; stresses however the need to ensure that EU funds contain both incentives and conditionality and shall effectively contribute to protecting and strengthening democracy, good governance, the rule of law and fundamental rights for all people in BiH;
Amendment 364 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Notes the extension of the trade preferences for the Western Balkans for five more years, thereby contributing to their sustained economic development; underlines that BiH consequently needs to engage in effective economic reforms and regional cooperation;
Amendment 368 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Urges BiH’s authorities to ensure alignment with EU standards and policy objectives on climate protection and energy, facilitating the green and digital transition, and calls for the prioritisation of measures reducing ecological degradation and environmental risks to health by banning the building of small hydropower plants, combating illegal construction, and increasing inspection oversight on ecological issues; welcomes the adoption of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, which shall incentivize the transition to a circular economy and the adoption of the necessary measures to preserve and protect environmentally sensitive areas;
Amendment 399 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Welcomes the continued presence of EUFOR’s Operation Althea in the country and the extension of EUFOR’s mandate until November 2021; commends that BiH contributes troops to EU CSDP training missions; welcomes the signature of a joint roadmap for action on the G7 partnership for Women, Peace and Security;
Amendment 405 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Reaffirms its position that government and civil society representatives of the Western Balkan countries should be engaged in the Conference on the Future of Europe;