54 Amendments of Lucia YAR related to 2024/2081(INI)
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
Citation 6 a (new)
– having regards to the Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War,
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas sexual and reproductive rights (SRR) are protected as human rights in international and European human rights law such as in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, CEDAW and the European Convention on Human Rights, and constitute an essential element of comprehensive healthcare provision; whereas health rights, in particular sexual and reproductive health rights, are fundamental women’s rights which should be enhanced and cannot in any way be watered down or withdrawn; whereas the realisation of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) is an essential element of human dignity and is intrinsically linked to combating gender-based violence and the achievement of a wide range of other human rights such as a person’s right to life, health, privacy, security of the person, non-discrimination, equality before the law and freedom from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas liberal democratic systems are the most suitable to guarantee that every person has the ability to enjoy their human rights and fundamental freedoms; whereas rules-based multilateralism is the best organisational system to defend democracies;
Amendment 98 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the legitimacy of the international rules-based order is dependent on compliance with the orders of and respect for international bodies, such as the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council resolutions and orders and decisions of the International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court; whereas there are increasing global threats to compliance with such orders and decisions, as well as, generally, with provisions of international law, human rights law and international humanitarian law in emerging and ongoing conflict situations; whereas international institutions, their officials, and those cooperating with them such as the International Criminal Court are the subject of attacks and threats;
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Condemns any action or attempt to legalise, instigate, authorise, consent or acquiesce to torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment methods under any circumstances; emphasizes in this context that preventing conflict refugees who are victims of sexual violence from accessing abortion care constitutes a grave violation of their human rights and amounts to torture and inhuman or degrading treatment; condemns the increasing reports of the use of torture by state actors in conflict situations around the world, and reiterates the non-derogable nature of the right to be free from torture or other forms of inhuman or degrading treatment;
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas human rights defenders (HRDs) and civil society organisations (CSOs) are crucial partners in the EU’s efforts to safeguard and advance human rights, democracy and the rule of law, as well as to prevent conflicts globally; whereas governments around the world are increasingly censoring, silencing and harassing HRDs and CSOamong others HRDs, CSOs, journalists and opposition leaders in their work; whereas this behaviour includes measures encompassing strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), restrictive government policies, defamation campaigns, discrimination, intimidation and violence, including extrajudicial killings, abductions, and arbitrary arrests and detention; whereas attacks on HRDs are increasingly extending to their families and communities including those living in exile;
Amendment 122 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
Ia. whereas the past year has been marked by a further proliferation of so- called “foreign agent” or foreign influence style laws, including in EU candidate countries, targeting civil society organizations and media outlets, and attempts to prevent them from receiving financial support from abroad, including from the EU and its Member States, fostering a climate of fear and self- censorship;
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I b (new)
Recital I b (new)
Ib. whereas in 2024 more than half the world’s population went to the polls, and many of these elections were marked by manipulation, disinformation and attempts at interference from inside or outside the country; whereas the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought was awarded to Venezuela’s democratic forces, disqualified opposition’s presidential candidate María Corina Machado and President-elect Edmundo González;
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I c (new)
Recital I c (new)
Ic. whereas the 2024 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) warns of a decline in the intent of states and other political forces to protect press freedom; whereas, according to RSF, 47 journalists and media workers were killed, most of them in conflict zones, and 573 were imprisoned since 1st of January 2024;
Amendment 126 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I d (new)
Recital I d (new)
Id. whereas at least one million people are unjustly imprisoned for political reasons in countries such as China, Belarus, Russia, Azerbaijan, Venezuela, Cuba, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Cambodia and Vietnam; whereas among them are numerous finalists of the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, in particular, Gubad Ibadoghlu, Ilham Tohti, Mikalai Statkevich, Maryia Kalesnikava, Siarhei Tsikhanouski, and Ales Bialiatski;
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I e (new)
Recital I e (new)
Ie. whereas 251 million children and youth are deprived of their fundamental right to education and remain out of school, according to the UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report 2024; whereas, in addition to poverty, girls and women are affected by cultural norms, gender bias, child marriage, violence and, in countries such as Afghanistan, by official discriminatory policies that prevent them from accessing education and the labour market and attempt to erase them from public life;
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Stresses that women’s rights and gender equality are indispensable and indivisible human rights, as well as a basis for the rule of law and inclusive resilient democracies; deplores the fact that millions of women and girls continue to experience discrimination and violence, especially in the context of conflicts, and are denied their dignity, autonomy, voice, agency and even life; calls for the EU, its Member States and like- minded partners to step up their efforts to ensure the full enjoyment and protection of women’s and girls’ human rights; condemns in the strongest terms the increasing attacks on sexual and reproductive health and rights around the world, as well as gender-based violence; welcomes the accession of the EU to the Istanbul Convention and calls on the Member States and members of the Council of Europe that have not done so, to ratify the Convention; emphasizes the need for its full and swift implementation; calls for the EU and its international partners to strengthen their efforts to spread the standards of the Istanbul Convention across the globe and ensure that women fully enjoy human rights and are treated equally to men; stresses the need to pursue efforts to fully eradicate the practice of female genital mutilation, child and forced marriage;
Amendment 136 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Stresses that SRHR education and information is one of the main instruments for achieving the commitments on the 25th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD25); emphasises that SRHR education and information can significantly contribute to reducing gender-based violence and sexual harassment; stresses that comprehensive and age-appropriate sexual and relationship education and sexuality information is key to building children’s and young peoples’ skills to form healthy, equal and safe relationships, notably by addressing gender norms, gender equality, power dynamics in relationships, consent and respect for boundaries, and contributes to achieving gender equality; calls for the EU and its international partners to pursue efforts to ensure access to age- appropriate and comprehensive SRHR education and information to girls and boys around the world;
Amendment 138 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Reasserts the universality and indivisibility of human rights and the inherent dignity of every human being; reaffirms the duty of the EU and its Member States to promote and protect democracy and the universality of human rights around the world as well as upholding and promoting international justice;
Amendment 139 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 c (new)
Paragraph 27 c (new)
27c. Notes that sexual and reproductive health and rights are fundamental to the well-being and empowerment of all individuals, yet they have traditionally been seen as women’s issues; point out that this limited perspective undermines progress and perpetuates gender inequalities; calls on the EU and Member States to develop strategies aimed at engaging men as active allies in promoting SRHR, challenging harmful gender norms, promoting shared responsibility in family planning and supporting women’s rights and well- being;
Amendment 140 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 d (new)
Paragraph 27 d (new)
27d. Points out that equal pay is a recognized human right; recalls that ensuring that the work done by women and men is valued fairly and ending pay discrimination, is essential to achieving gender equality; calls on the Member States to swiftly implement the Pay Transparency Directive and to promote the principle of equal pay for equal work at international level;
Amendment 144 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Insists that respect, protection and fulfilment of human rights and fundamental freedoms must be the cornerstone of the EU’s external policy; strongly encourages the EU and its Member States, to that end, to strive for a continued ambitious commitment to make human rights a central part of all EU policies in a streamlined manner and to enhance the consistency between the EU’s internal and external policies in this field, including through all of its international agreements, including Memorandums of Understanding, development cooperation policy and Global Gateway strategy projects;
Amendment 148 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27b. Expresses concerns over the rise of anti-gender movements in Europe and beyond; emphasizes the need to uncover and understand the mechanisms by which these groups organize, fundraise, mobilize, and exert influence across borders and globally; calls on the EU to commit to increased and sustained funding for women´s rights movements, including in the framework of the post- 2027 Gender Action Plan;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Denounces the erosion of the human rights and the safety of refugees, asylum seekers and forcibly displaced persons; reaffirms their inalienable human rights and fundamental right to seek asylum; recalls the obligation of states to protect them in accordance with international law; calls for the EU and its Member States to effectively uphold their rights in the EU’s asylum and migration policy and in the EU’s cooperation with partner countries in this regard; stresses that the EU should step up its efforts to acknowledge and develop ways to address the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement, building the resilience of migrants’ communities of origin and helping them offer their members the possibility to enjoy a decent life in their home country; calls for the EU and its Member States to continue and, where possible, step up their support for countries hosting the most refugees, as well as for transit countries; reiterates that close cooperation and engagement with non-EU countries remain key to preventing migrant smuggling; stresses, in this regard, that the dissemination of information and awareness-raising campaigns on the risks of smuggling are crucial; calls for EU- funded humanitarian operations to take into consideration the specific needs and vulnerabilities of children and women and to ensure their protection while they are displaced; underlines the importance of developing an effective framework of safe and legal pathways to the EU and welcomes, in this regard, the Commission communication on attracting skills and talent to the EU10 , including the development of talent partnerships with partner countries; _________________ 10 Commission communication of 27 April 2022 on attracting skills and talent to the EU (COM(2022)0657).
Amendment 161 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Deplores the human rights violations, including discrimination, persecution, violence and killings, against lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) persons around the world; is extremely concerned by the spreading of hatred and anti- LGBTIQ+ narratives and legislation that target LGBTIQ+ persons and HRDs both in and outside the EU; reiterates its calls for the full implementation of the LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 as the EU’s tool for improving the situation of LGBTIQ+ people around the world;
Amendment 171 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Reiterates its condemnation of all forms of racism, intolerance, xenophobia and discrimination on the basis of racesex, race, colour, ethnicity, nationality, social class, disability, caste, religion, belieforigin, genetic features, language, disability, religion, belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, age, sexual orientation or gender identity; condemns the growing international threat of hate speech, including online; reiterates the crucial role of education and dialogue in promoting tolerance, understanding and diversity; calls for the EU and its Member States to lead the global fight against all forms of extremism and welcomes the adoption of an EU strategy to this end;
Amendment 173 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Condemns the increasing trend of violations and abuses of human rights and democratic principles and values across the world, such as arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture, clampdowns on civil society and political opponents, excessive use of violence by public authorities, instrumentalisation of the judiciary, censorship and threats to independent media, political attacks against international institutions, and increasing use of unlawful methods of war in grave breach of international humanitarian law and human rights law, among others; deplores the weakening of the protection of democratic institutions and processes, and the shrinking space for civil societies around the world;
Amendment 192 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. NReaffirms the neutrality and importance of humanitarian aid in all conflicts and crises; notes with deep concern the ongoing international crisis of accountability and the challenge to the pursuit of ending impunity for violations of core norms of international human rights and humanitarian law in modern conflicts around the world;
Amendment 193 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Is concerned by the threat that artificial intelligence (AI) can pose to democracy and human rights, especially if it is not duly regulated; points out the risk of perpetuating gender inequalities and biases present in our societies through AI, if no adequate action is taken; in this context, calls on the EU, Member States and international partners to intensify global efforts aimed at enabling and increasing girls’ and women’s access to and leadership in STEM and ICT education and careers; emphasizes that gender equality needs to be a priority in the process of conceptualising and building AI systems; welcomes the Council conclusions on Digital Diplomacy of 26 June 2023 to strengthen the EU’s role and leadership in global digital governance, in particular its position as a shaper of the global digital rulebook; welcomes, in this regard, the adoption of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act which aims to harmonise the rules on AI for protecting human rights, and the advantages that AI can bring to human wellbeing; notes with concern the adverse effects of the ‘fake content industry’ on the right to information and press freedom, including the rapid development of AI and the subsequent empowerment of the disinformation industry12 ; _________________ 12 Reporters Without Borders, ‘2023 World Press Freedom Index – journalism threatened by fake content industry’ https://rsf.org/en/2023-world-press- freedom-index-journalism-threatened-fake- content-industry.
Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes with concern the increasing divide worldwide; stresses the responsibility of the EU to continue defending democratic values and principles and human rights, international justice, peace and dignity around the world, which are even more important to defend in the current volatile state of global politics; calls upon the EU to keep communication channels open with different stakeholders and to continue to develop a comprehensive toolbox to strengthen human rights and democracy globally;
Amendment 217 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Fully supports the work of the EUSR for Human Rights in contributing to the visibility and coherence of the EU’s human rights actions in its external relations; upholds the EUSR’s central role in the EU’s promotion and protection of human rights by engaging with non-EU countries and like-minded partners; underlines the need for close cooperation between the EUSR for Human Rights and other EUSRs and Special Envoys in order to further improve this coherence, and calls for greater visibility for the role of the EUSR for Human Rights; calls for the EUSR to be supported in his work with increased resources; regrets, despite continuous calls, the lack of Parliament’s involvement in the election of the EUSR
Amendment 240 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Reiterates its call to integrate human rights assessments and include robust clauses on human rights in agreements between the EU and non-EU countries, supported by a clear set of benchmarks and procedures to be followed in the event of violations; calls on the Commission and the EEAS to actively reflect on how to ensure that the human rights clauses in current international agreements are effectively enforced and to improve the communication towards the Parliament concerning considerations and decisions regarding this enforcement; reiterates that in the face of persistent breaches of human rights clauses by its partner countries, the EU should react swiftly and decisively, including by suspending the agreements in question if other options prove ineffective;
Amendment 242 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Stresses that genuine civil society organizations must not be impeded in participating in human rights dialogues and that any dialogue must include all genuine civil society organisations without any limitations;
Amendment 261 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 8
Subheading 8
EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (GHRSR – EU Magnitsky Act)
Amendment 274 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Welcomes the increasing use of the EU GHRSR - EU Magnitsky Act - as a key political tool in the EU’s defence of human rights and democracy across the world; notes, however, the challenges that the requirement of unanimity poses in the adoption of sanctions and reiterates its call for the introduction of qualified majority voting for decisions on the GHRSR - EU Magnitsky Act; fully supports the possibility of imposing targeted anti- corruption sanctions within the EU framework in this regard, which has been a long-standing priority of Parliament, whether through its inclusion in the GHRSR - EU Magnitsky Act or under a different regime; highlights the need for the complete enforcement of sanctions and calls for circumventions to be tackled;
Amendment 278 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Reiterates its concern regarding the increasing attacks by authoritarian and illiberal regimes on democratic principles and values; stresses that the defence and support of democracy around the world is increasingly becoming of geopolitical and strategic interest; emphasises the importance of Parliament’s efforts in capacity-building for partner parliaments, promoting mediation and encouraging a culture of dialogue and compromise, especially among young political leaders, and empowering women parliamentarians, HRDs and representatives from civil society and independent media; reiterates its call on the Commission to continue and expand its activities in these areas by increasing funding and support for EU bodies, agencies and other grant-based organisations; stresses the critical importance of directly supporting civil society and persons expressing dissenting views, particularly in the current climate of growing global tensions and repression in increasing numbers of countries; reiterates the importance of EU election observation missions and Parliament’s contribution to developing and enhancing their methodology; calls for the development of an EU toolbox to be used in cases of disputed or intransparent election results in order to prevent political and military crises in the post-election environment; calls for enhanced EU action to counter manipulative and false messages against the EU in election campaigns, in particular in countries that receive significant EU humanitarian and development assistance and in countries that are candidates for EU membership; calls for enhanced collaboration between Parliament’s Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group, the relevant Commission directorates-general and the EEAS;
Amendment 291 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Is extremely concerned by the continuing restriction of civil society space and rising threats to the work of HRDs and civil society organisations (CSOs), as well as their families, communities and lawyers, and finds particularly concerning the increasingly sophisticated means used to persecute them, including through transnational repression; supports wholeheartedly the work of HRDs and EU action to ensure their protection worldwide; calls for the complete and consistent application of the EU Guidelines on HRDs by the EU and its Member States; calls for efforts to strengthen the visibility of EU actions and channels for the protection and support of HRDs:
Amendment 292 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Is extremely concerned by the continuing restriction of civil society space and rising threats to the work of HRDs, as well as their families, communities and lawyers, and finds particularly concerning the increasingly sophisticated means used to persecute them, such as the so-called “foreign agent” laws; supports wholeheartedly the work of HRDs and EU action to ensure their protection worldwide; calls for the complete and consistent application of the EU Guidelines on HRDs by the EU and its Member States; calls for efforts to strengthen the visibility of EU actions and channels for the protection and support of HRDs:
Amendment 314 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Insists on the need for the EU to take clear steps to recognise the close link between corruption and human rights violations in order to target economic and financial enablers of human rights abusers;
Amendment 326 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Reaffirms that promoting the respect, protection and fulfilment of human rights around the world requires strong international cooperation at a multilateral level; underlines the particularly important role of the UN and its bodies as the main forum which must be able to effectively advance efforts for peace and security, sustainable development and respect for human rights and international law; calls for the EU and its Member States to continue supporting the work of the UN and all its agencies, both politically and financially; reiterates the need for the EU and its Member States to speak with one voice at the UN and in other multilateral forums; calls for EU delegations to play a stronger role in multilateral forums, for which they should have appropriate resources available;
Amendment 356 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes the political and financial support the EU has given to the International Criminal Court (ICC), including the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the ICC, not least through the launch of the ‘Global initiative to fight against impunity for international crimes’ offering EUR 20 million of support to the ICC; calls for the EU and its Member States to keep supporting the ICC with the necessary means and resources and to use all instruments at its disposal to strengthen the fight against impunity worldwide; calls on all the Member States to respect and implement the actions and decisions of all organs of the ICC, including the OTP and the Chambers, and to support their work as an independent and impartial international justice institution;
Amendment 364 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Reiterates the strong support of the EU for the International Court of Justice and the ICC amid a particularly challenging time for the international justice; calls on the EU institutions and all the Member States to respect and implement the actions and decisions of all organs of the ICJ; notes with deep concern the worrying and rising trend to undermine the decisions of international institutions and their employees by state officials; calls for the EU and its Member States to protect the International Court of Justice, its officials, and those cooperating with it from threats and attacks
Amendment 374 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Notes with concern the increasing disregard for international humanitarian law and international human rights law, particularly in the form of ongoing conflicts around the world; underlines that it is of the utmost importance for humanitarian aid agencies to be able to provide full, timely and unhindered assistance to all people in vulnerable situations and calls on all parties to armed conflicts to protect civilian populations and, humanitarian and medical workers and journalists and media workers; calls upon all states to unconditionally and fully conform with international humanitarian law; calls upon the international community and the Member States in particular to promote accountability and the fight against impunity for grave breaches of international humanitarian law; calls for the systematic creation of humanitarian corridors in regions at war and in combat situations, whenever necessary, in order to allow civilians at risk to escape conflicts, and strongly condemns any attacks on them; demands unhindered access to humanitarian organizations monitoring and assisting the prisoners of war as provided for in the Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War; expresses its concern at the reported abuses and shortcomings of the Russian Red Cross in assisting Ukrainian prisoners of war and informing their families of their place of detention, and expects the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (IFRC) to take prompt action in accordance with its constitution; calls for international cooperation and assistance in the return of forcibly deported and illegally adopted Ukrainian children from the Russian Federation;
Amendment 380 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Notes with concern the increasing disregard for international humanitarian law and international human rights law, particularly in the form of ongoing conflicts around the world; underlines that it is of the utmost importance for humanitarian aid agencies to be able to provide full, timely and unhindered assistance to all people in vulnerable situations and calls on all parties to armed conflicts to protect civilian populations and humanitarian and medical workers; calls on all parties to armed conflicts to respect the legitimacy and inviolability of the UN peacekeeping missions; calls upon all states to unconditionally and fully conform with international humanitarian law; calls upon the international community and the Member States in particular to promote accountability and the fight against impunity for grave breaches of international humanitarian law; calls for the systematic creation of humanitarian corridors in regions at war and in combat situations, whenever necessary, in order to allow civilians at risk to escape conflicts, and strongly condemns any attacks on them;
Amendment 382 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Notes with concern the increasing disregard for international humanitarian law and international human rights law, particularly in the form of ongoing conflicts around the world; underlines that it is of the utmost importance for all UN and humanitarian aid agencies to be able to provide full, timely and unhindered assistance to all people in vulnerable situations and calls on all parties to armed conflicts to protect civilian populations and humanitarian and medical workers; calls upon all states to unconditionally and fully conform with international humanitarian law; calls upon the international community and the Member States in particular to promote accountability and the fight against impunity for grave breaches of international humanitarian law; calls for the systematic creation of humanitarian corridors in regions at war and in combat situations, whenever necessary, in order to allow civilians at risk to escape conflicts, and strongly condemns any attacks on them;
Amendment 399 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Recognises the potential for stronger alignment in approaches to human rights protection and promotion between Member States’ embassies and EU delegations in non-EU countries, particularly in encouraging those countries to comply with their international obligations and to refrain from harassment and persecution of critical voices; emphasises the opportunity for Member States’ embassies to take an increasingly active role in advancing and safeguarding human rights, while also supporting civil society in these countries; calls on the EU and its Member States to use all possible means to encourage countries to release political prisoners; highlights the importance of shared responsibility between Member States and EU delegations in these efforts; calls for the EU and its Member States to intensify their collective efforts to promote the respect, protection and fulfilment of human rights and to support democracy worldwide;
Amendment 401 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Recognises the potential for stronger alignment in approaches to human rights protection and promotion between Member States’ embassies and EU delegations in non-EU countries; emphasises the opportunity for Member States’ embassies to take an increasingly active role in advancing and safeguarding human rights, while also supporting civil society in these countries; highlights the importance of shared responsibility between Member States and EU delegations in these efforts; calls for the EU and its Member States to intensify their collective efforts to promote the respect, protection and fulfilment of human rights and to support democracy worldwide; calls for the EU to ensure human rights promotion and protection through its Global Gateway investments and projects to ensure that they do no harm;
Amendment 416 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Condemns any action or attempt to legalise, instigate, authorise, consent or acquiesce to torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment methods under any circumstances; condemns the increasing reports of the use of torture by state actors in conflict situations around the world, notably violation of the Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War, as well as the killing of prisoners of war amounting to a crime of war, and reiterates the non-derogable nature of the right to be free from torture or other forms of inhuman or degrading treatment;
Amendment 441 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Highlights that climate change and its impact on the environment has direct effects on the effective enjoyment of all human rights; recognises the important work of CSOs, indigenous people, land and environmental HRDs and indigenous activists for the protection of a clean, healthy and sustainable environment; deplores the risks that environmental HRDs and indigenous activists face and calls for their effective protection to be guaranteed; notes with deep concern the increasing threats to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment posed by the deployment of weapons of mass destruction and other forms of warfare that adversely and disproportionately affect the environment; welcomes the adoption of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive in this regard;
Amendment 453 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Stresses the importance of closing the financing gap that would enable countries to meet their SDG 4 targets on quality education and ensure access to education for all children and youth; reiterates its calls to address cultural norms and gender bias that prevent girls and women from receiving an education and urges the creation of gender- responsive education systems worldwide;
Amendment 462 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Stresses that women’s rights and gender equality are indispensable and indivisible human rights, as well as a basis for the rule of law and inclusive resilient democracies; deplores the fact that millions of women and girls continue to experience discrimination and violence, especially in the context of conflicts, and are denied their dignity, autonomy and even life; calls for the EU, its Member States and like- minded partners to step up their efforts to ensure the full enjoyment and protection of women’s and girls’ human rights; condemns in the strongest terms the increasing attacks on sexual and reproductive health and rights around the world, as well as gender-based violence; welcomes the accession of the EU to the Istanbul Convention; urges the remaining EU Member States to ratify the Istanbul Convention without further delay; calls for the EU and its international partners to strengthen their efforts to ensure that women fully enjoy human rights and are treated equally to men; stresses the need to pursue efforts to fully eradicate the practice of female genital mutilation; strongly condemns the Taliban's policies towards women and girls, which amount to gender apartheid, and calls for continued and increased EU support to provide Afghan girls and women with the means to access education and the labour market;
Amendment 474 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Stresses that women’s rights and gender equality are indispensable and indivisible human rights, as well as a basis for the rule of law and inclusive resilient democracies; deplores the fact that millions of women and girls continue to experience discrimination and violence, especially in the context of conflicts, and are denied their dignity, autonomy and even life; calls for the EU, its Member States and like- minded partners to step up their efforts to ensure the full enjoyment and protection of women’s and girls’ human rights; condemns in the strongest terms the increasing attacks on sexual and reproductive health and rights around the world, as well as gender-based violence; welcomes the accession of the EU to the Istanbul Convention; regrets that a number of EU Member States have failed to ratify it thus far; calls for the EU and its international partners to strengthen their efforts to ensure that women fully enjoy human rights and are treated equally to men; stresses the need to pursue efforts to fully eradicate the practice of female genital mutilation;
Amendment 524 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to conduct a human rights assessment before any agreement relating to migration is concluded with partner countries; reaffirms that Parliament should be included in this process, ensuring parliamentary scrutiny and democratic oversight.
Amendment 546 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Deplores the human rights violations, including discrimination, persecution, violence and killings, against lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) persons around the world; is extremely concerned by the spreading of hatred and anti- LGBTIQ+ narratives and legislation that target LGBTIQ+ persons and HRDs; reiterates its calls for the full implementation of the LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 as the EU’s tool for improving the situation of LGBTIQ+ people around the world; calls to reject the use of the death penalty under any circumstances, including any legislation that would impose the death penalty for homosexuality; calls on the EU and its Member States to further engage the countries in reconsidering their position on the death penalty; notes, further, that the imposition of the death penalty based on such legislation is arbitrary killing per se and a breach of Article 6 of the ICCPR;
Amendment 626 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Emphasises the critical significance of freedom of expression and access to trustworthy information for sustaining democracy and a thriving civic space; is seriously concerned about the increasing restrictions on freedom of expression in numerous countries worldwide, particularly for journalists, through censorship, enforced self-censorship, so- called “foreign agent” laws and the misuse of counter-terrorism or anti- corruption laws to suppress journalists and civil society groups; raises concerns, additionally, about the physical security of journalists and media workers and their being targeted in conflict zones;
Amendment 656 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Stresses the role of trade as a major instrument to promote and improve the human rights situation in the EU’s partner countries; notes, however, that there has been little to no improvement in some of the countries concernedurges the Commission to prioritise and promote the development of human rights through our trade policies, notably GSP+; notes, however, that there has been little to no improvement in some of the countries concerned; stresses the essential obligations and responsibilities of states and other actors such as corporations and enterprises, to mitigate the effects of climate change, prevent their negative impact on human rights and promote appropriate policies in compliance with human rights obligations; deplores the detrimental effects of some excessive and exploitative business activities on human rights and democracy; welcomes the harmonisation resulting from the adoption of the Directive on corporate sustainability due diligence with binding EU rules on responsible corporate behaviour with regard to human, labour and environmental rights; further welcomes the Regulation on prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market11 and calls for its swift implementation at Member State level; regrets the failure to name human rights defenders as affected stakeholders, and highlights that they are crucial to the success of the CSDDD given their role of monitoring irresponsible business conduct and denouncing human rights violations; stresses the importance of remediation and access to justice measures that are in line with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, including financial and nonfinancial measures in consultation with the victims; _________________ 11 Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market (COM(2022)0453).
Amendment 670 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Highlights that in many regions of the world, micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are often the driving force of local economies with an increasing number of women running them; underlines that MSMEs account for 90 % of businesses, 60 to 70 % of employment and 50 % of gross domestic product worldwide; highlights the importance of MSMEs in their contribution to the 2030 Agenda and the achievement of the sustainable development goals, namely those on the eradication of poverty and decent work for all;
Amendment 681 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 a (new)
Paragraph 42 a (new)
42a. While stressing the crucial importance of media freedom and freedom of expression as a pillar of human rights protection, notes with concern the prevalence of the practice of disinformation, propaganda and fake news originating from and disseminated by illiberal regimes and malign foreign actors as an example of hybrid threats and foreign information manipulation;
Amendment 687 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)
Paragraph 43 a (new)
43a. Calls on online platforms and tech giants, within their capacity as information gatekeepers, to protect democratic principles and implement measures to maintain integrity of elections, as well as to protect the right to information, especially during electoral period;