Activities of Catarina VIEIRA
Plenary speeches (2)
The cases of unjustly imprisoned Uyghurs in China, notably Ilham Tohti and Gulshan Abbas
Situation in Azerbaijan, violation of human rights and international law and relations with Armenia (debate)
Institutional motions (5)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION The deteriorating situation of women in Afghanistan due to the recent adoption of the law on the “Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice”
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION The cases of unjustly imprisoned Uyghurs in China, notably Ilham Tohti and Gulshan Abbas
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION The case of Bülent Mumay in Türkiye
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION Iraq, notably the situation of women’s rights and the recent proposal to amend the Personal Status Law
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Azerbaijan, violation of human rights and international law and relations with Armenia
Written questions (5)
Georgia’s newly adopted anti-LGBTIQ+ law
Cambodian Ministry of Interior’s investigation into the Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights (CENTRAL)
Commission position on genocide in Palestine
Implementation of the ICJ advisory opinion as regards EU trade with illegal Israeli settlements
Endorsement of two anti-UNRWA bills by the Israeli Knesset
Amendments (71)
Amendment 3 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
Citation 6 a (new)
– having regard to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,
Amendment 7 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 b (new)
Citation 6 b (new)
– having regard to the United Nations 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 protocol, having regard to the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration of 2016 and the Global Compact on Refugees of 2018,
Amendment 10 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8
Citation 8
– having regard to the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women of 18 December 1979, having regard to the EU Guidelines on violence against women and girls and combating all forms of discrimination against them, adopted by the Council on 8 December 2008,
Amendment 14 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)
Citation 8 a (new)
– having regard to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,
Amendment 16 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 a (new)
Citation 10 a (new)
– having regard to the UN Declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples (UNDRIP ) of 13 September 2007, having regard to the ILO Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of 1989,
Amendment 19 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 a (new)
Citation 13 a (new)
– having regard to the Cairo Action Programme adopted at the International Conference of Population and Development in 1994, and its review conferences,
Amendment 20 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 14
Citation 14
– having regard to the United Nations Beijing Declaration of September 1995 and its review conferences,
Amendment 22 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15
Citation 15
– having regard to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted on 25 September 2015, in particular goals 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10 and 16 thereof,
Amendment 39 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 26
Citation 26
– having regard to the EU Guidelines on human rights defenders, adopted by the Council on 14 June 2004 and revised in 2008, having regard to the second guidance note on the Guidelines’ implementation endorsed in 2020,
Amendment 50 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 38 a (new)
Citation 38 a (new)
– having regard to the Commission proposal for a Council Regulation on restrictive measures against serious acts of corruption of 5 May 2023,
Amendment 62 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the EU is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, as set out in Article 2 TEU; whereas the EU’s action worldwide is guided by the universality and indivisibility of human rights and by the fact that the effective protection and defence of human rights and democracy is at the core of the EU’s external action, as set out in Article 21 TEU;
Amendment 71 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas consistency and coherence across the EU’s internal and external policies are key for achieving an effective and credible EU human rights policy;
Amendment 96 #
2024/2081(INI)
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 international bodies, such as the United Nations Security Council resolutions and orders and decisions of the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice; 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, are the subject of attacks and threats; whereas the international community, including the EU, has a responsibility to uphold the international rules-based order by enforcing universal compliance, including by its partners;
Amendment 117 #
2024/2081(INI)
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 and non-states actors around the world are increasingly censoring, silencing and harassing HRDs and CSOs 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;
Amendment 137 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Reasserts the universality, interdependence, interrelatedness 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 in a resolute, coherent and consistent manner;
Amendment 145 #
2024/2081(INI)
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, 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 a precondition for EU funding, including through its international agreements, development cooperation policy and Global Gateway strategy projects, and to enhance the consistency between the EU’s internal and external policies in this field;
Amendment 158 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that the EU must be fully prepared to counter the rise of authoritarianism, illiberalism and populism, as well as the increasing attacks on the universality of human rights, democracy and international humanitarian law, including in Member States ;
Amendment 164 #
2024/2081(INI)
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, torturedeepening levels of inequality, threats of regressions on human rights, notably women’s rights, arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture and ill-treatment, widespread discrimination and abuses against migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers, clampdowns on civil society and political opponents, excessive use of violence by public authorities, censorship and threats to independent media, political attacks against international institutions, including courts and the UN bodies, and increasing use of unlawful methods of war in grave breach of international humanitarian law and human rights law, among otherssuch as the deliberate targeting of civilian targets, medical facilities, journalists, UN personnel, humanitarian workers, and use of starvation as a method of war; deplores the weakening of the protection of democratic institutions and processes, and the shrinking space for civil societies around the world, including in EU Member States;
Amendment 178 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Strongly condemns and is deeply concerned by the serious violations of women’s rights in conflict settings, in particular sexual and gender-based violence and denial of access to sexual and reproductive health services, lack of adequate support for victims and the lack of accountability; calls on the EU and its Member States to prioritise addressing these violations in their humanitarian response;
Amendment 187 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. 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, such as the neglect of international court decisions, points to the responsibility of the international community, including the EU, to uphold the international legal system and take effective measures force perpetrators towards compliance, regrets the failure to do so in recent times;
Amendment 198 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes with satisfaction that there are also ‘human rights bright spots’ within this context of major challenges to human rights worldwide; underlines the need for a more strategic communication on human rights and democracy by spreading news about positive results, policies and best practices; supports the Good Human Rights Stories initiative9 as a way of promoting positive stories about human rights; , while continuing vigilance and accountability alongside positive storytelling to create a genuine and lasting impact in the field of human rights; _________________ 9 https://goodhumanrightsstories.net/.
Amendment 207 #
2024/2081(INI)
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, peace and dignity around the world, which are even more important to defend in the current volatile state of global politics; notes with concerns that the EU’s leadership and credibility as a principled foreign policy actor is undermined by the application of double-standards and inconsistency in its external engagement; 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 214 #
2024/2081(INI)
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 rolecalls on the EEAS to assess means to strengthen the role of the EUSR 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 and the EU Ambassador for Gender and Diversity 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 for greater transparency and visibility, including by public reporting on country visits, work programme and priorities, as well as the creation of a dedicated webpage to allow public scrutiny; requests that the appointment of the EUSR for Human Rights be subject to a prior hearing in the European Parliament;
Amendment 224 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Recalls the fundamental role of the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe, including its thematic programme on human rights and democracy, as a flagship EU instrument in promoting and protecting human rights and democracy around the world; highlights the need to engage with civil society in all the EU’s relevant external activities; reiterates the importance of streamlining a, including the Global Gateway Strategy which is financed through the NDICI-Global Europe; reiterates the importance of the NDICI’s 93% ODA commitment and its Art. 29 prohibiting finding activities that may lead to human-rights violations in partner countries; reiterates its call for greater transparency regarding human- rights based approach in the EU’s external action instrument-related provisions in financing agreements under the NDICI and a clarification of the mechanism and criteria for the suspension of such agreements in the event of a breach of human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law as well as in grave cases of corruption; calls the EU to create a complaints mechanism for individuals or groups whose rights may have been violated by EU activities in these countries; underlines Parliament’s role in the instrument’s programming process and calls onregrets the lack of information shared by the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) to share all relevant information in a timely manner in order to enable Parliament to play its role accordingly, in particular during high- level geopolitical dialogues with the Commissionwith the Parliament concluding that this hampers the ability to fullfil its budgetary prerogatives under the Treaties and to scrutinise this instrument, in particular during high-level geopolitical dialogues with the Commission, the mid-term review process and Parliament resolutions; calls on the EEAS and the Commission to ensure a response is provided to the recommendations letters following each geopolitical dialogue and each resolution; urges the Commission to develop and launch a comprehensive, centralized website dedicated to NDICI-Global Europe, including information on all the MIPs, detailing their respective budgets, associated actions, and the financial allocations they are backing, organized both by country and by theme;
Amendment 230 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Calls for independent, ex ante assessments to determine the possible implications and risks of projects with regard to human rights, in line with Article 25 (5) of the Regulation; calls for independent human rights monitoring throughout the implementation of projects in third countries, especially in relation to projects entailing a high risk of violations, notably in the area of the rights of indigenous people and local communities, border management and return; calls for a suspension or modulation of projects that (in)directly contribute to human rights violations in third countries; calls on the Commission to share all human rights related assessments with Parliament in a proactive manner;
Amendment 250 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses the important role of human rights dialogues within the EU’s human rights toolbox and as a key vehicle for the implementation of the EU action plan on human rights and democracy; highlights that these dialogues should address the overall situation of human rights and democracy with the relevant countries; notes that human rights dialogues should be seen as a key element of sustained EU engagement and not as a free-standing instrument and calls on the EU to systematically raise gender equality issues, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, with third countries; notes that human rights dialogues should be seen as a key element of sustained EU engagement and not as a free-standing instrument and that persistent failure of third countries to genuinely engage in dialogues and the implementation of key deliverables should lead to the use of other appropriate foreign policy tools; recalls that these dialogues need to be used in conjunction and synergy with other instruments; reiterates the need to raise individual cases, in particular those highlighted by Parliament in its resolutions, and ensure adequate follow-up; calls on the EEAS and EU Delegations to increase the visibility of these dialogues and their outcomes, including through the publication of a joint press statementensuring that are results-oriented and based on clear set of benchmarks that enable effective monitoring, including through effective ex-ante and ex-post consultation with civil society and including through the publication of a joint press statement; calls for enhanced involvement of civil society in the dialogues;
Amendment 262 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 8
Subheading 8
EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (GHRSR – Magnitsky Act)
Amendment 265 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Welcomes the increasing use of the EU GHRSRRegrets that the EU GHRSR has yet to be used 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 on the European Council its call for the introduction of qualified majority voting for decisions on the GHRSR; fully supports the possibility of, by triggering Article 31(3) TEU; urges the increased and strategic use of the GHRSR and ad hoc sanctions regime on those, including high-level officials, responsible for serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, everywhere in the world without selectivity; fully supports the establishment of a new imposing targeted anti-corruption sanctions regime within the EU framework in this regard, which has been a long- standing priority of Parliament, whether through its inclus; calls for the swift adoption inof the GHRSR or under a different regimeis regime by the Council; highlights the need for the complete enforcement of sanctions and calls for circumventions to be tackled;
Amendment 288 #
2024/2081(INI)
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 civil society organisations (CSOs) and HRDs, as well as their families, communities and lawyers, and finds particularly concerning the increasingly sophisticated means used to persecute them; supports wholeheartedly the work of HRDs and EU action to ensure their protection worldwiddeplores the harassment of CSOs through legislative provisions such as foreign agents laws and similar other restrictions they face; supports wholeheartedly the work of HRDs and EU action to ensure their protection worldwide; underscores the pressing need for a comprehensive and timely revision of the Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders, with a view to addressing the emerging challenges and threats, and to ensuring their applicability and effectiveness in the protection of HRDs globally while integrating gender-sensitive and intersectional approaches in the updated Guidelines, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and experiences of HRDs, and taking into account the specific vulnerabilities they may face; calls for the complete and consistent application of the EU Guidelines on HRDs by the EU and its Member States; calls for efforts to strengthenenhance communication strategies to increase the visibility of EU actions and channels for the protection and support ofmechanisms for HRDs:
Amendment 298 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Calls the EEAS and EU Delegations, during all relevant interactions with third countries, to advocate for and support the establishment of comprehensive, well- resourced protection mechanisms for HRDs that include collective, preventive, and sustainable approaches;
Amendment 302 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15b. Raises alarm over the increasingly precarious funding situation for human rights defenders, especially in countries facing intensifying repression; urges the EU and its Member States to prioritise enhanced budgetary commitments to human rights defenders, ensuring flexible, accessible, and long-term funding mechanisms that allow HRDs to sustain their critical work in challenging environments;
Amendment 304 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)
Paragraph 15 c (new)
15c. calls on the EU and its Member States to guarantee an enabling visa framework for HRDs that ensures safe and consistent access to visas for HRDs at risk; emphasises the need for streamlined processes and fast-track options for HRDs facing imminent risks, calls for more long-term relocation possibilities for HRDs facing prolonged risks to their life, freedom and dignity; calls for improved integration and resources support for relocated HRDs to be able to continue their human rights work;
Amendment 305 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 d (new)
Paragraph 15 d (new)
15d. Highlights the increasing phenomenon of transnational threats against HRDs, journalists, civil society activists, and political opponents, and others, by their national authorities or proxies, including in Member States; calls on the Commission and the Member States to identify transnational repression as a specific threat to human rights, mandating the establishment of a dedicated system within the EU to track, document, and respond to cases of transnational repression as a priority and as an integral aspect of the EU Guidelines on HRDs; emphasises the importance of ensuring confidentiality and safety measures for victims in speaking up against cases of transnational repression and to factor in trends of transnational repression in relations and cooperation with states responsible for it in EU and non-EU countries; calls on the Commission and Member States to establish a dedicated fund to support foreign HRDs residing in the EU, providing them with appropriate financial, legal, and psychological support to enable them to continue their human rights work remotely and without fear of retaliation; calls for increased cooperation among training and resources to be provided to law enforcement authorities in the EU Member States to facilitate reporting, investigations and attribution of these transnational attacks, and calls for those responsible to be to be held accountable through effective sanctions and legal actions; underlines that officials and agents of third countries harassing HRDs in the EU, as well as local enablers, either individuals or entities, should face prompt summoning, public exposure and targeted sanctions;
Amendment 306 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 e (new)
Paragraph 15 e (new)
15e. Insists that the EEAS, the Commission and EU Delegations pay particular attention to the situation of the Sakharov Prize laureates and finalists at risk and take resolute action, in coordination with Member States and Parliament, to ensure their well-being, safety or liberation;
Amendment 307 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 f (new)
Paragraph 15 f (new)
15f. Deplores that women human rights defenders continue to face relentless and ever-more sophisticated violations against them, including targeted killings, physical attacks, disappearances, smear campaigns, arrests, judicial harassment and intimidation; notes with concern that these attacks seem designed to systematically silence women human rights defenders and erase their voices from the public sphere; deplores that political leaders often fail to protect women human rights defenders against powerful and dangerous anti-gender popular movements, and sometimes even embolden them; urges the EU and its Member States to take an explicit stance in all international fora in support of women HRDs and adopt specific protection measures against gender-based threats;
Amendment 308 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 g (new)
Paragraph 15 g (new)
15g. Urges the EU and its Member States to create, for the second term of the HR and D thematic programme (2025- 2027), a dedicated funding stream specifically for women’s rights organisations, feminist movements and national, local and grassroots organisations working to advance gender equality, with a focus on accessibility and sustainability for these organisations; highlights the good practice in France where the Support Fund for Feminist Organizations (Fonds de soutien aux organisations féministes – FSOF) was created in 2019 as a financing tool to provide funding and technical support to feminist organisations in partner countries;
Amendment 310 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Underlines that both impunity and corruption enable and aggravate human rights violations and abuses and the erosion of democratic principles; welcomes the anti-corruption actions in EU external policies in the joint communication from the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 3 May 2023 on the fight against corruption (JOIN(2023)0012); calls on the EU and its Member States to increase their efforts in justice reforms, the fight against impunity, the improvement of transparency and anti-corruption institutions in third countries; supports the anti- corruption provisions included in the EU trade agreements with non-EU countries; stresses the important role of civil society in non-EU countries in the oversight of the fight against impunity and corruption;
Amendment 323 #
2024/2081(INI)
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, 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 and to support the strongest possible language in line with international human rights standards; calls for EU delegations to play a stronger role in multilateral forums, for which they should have appropriate resources available;
Amendment 342 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Is deeply concerned by growing attacks against the rules-based global order by authoritarian regimes, including through the undermining of the functioning of UN bodies, namely the abuse of veto power at the UN Security Council; underlines that the diminished effectiveness of these bodies brings with it real costs in terms of conflicts, lives lost and human suffering, and seriously weakens the general ability of countries to deal with global challenges; calls on the Member States and like- minded partners to intensify their efforts to reverse this trend; reiterates its call on the EU and its Member States to step up their financial support to UN Special procedures;
Amendment 348 #
2024/2081(INI)
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 and the launch of the ‘Global initiative to fight against impunity for international crimes’ offering EUR 20 million of support to the ICCcivil society organizations dedicated to foster justice and accountability for international crimes and serious human rights violations and enhance survivors’ participation ; calls for the EU and its Member States to keepintensify their supporting to the ICC with the necessary means and resources, including resources and political backing and to use all instruments at its disposal to strengthen the fight against impunity worldwide; calls on all the Member States to respect 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 to press other countries to join and cooperate with the court, including to enforce ICC arrest warrants, and to support their work as an independent and impartial international justice institution everywhere in the world without exception ; calls on the EU to urge third countries including its major partners to recognize the ICC and become a state party to the Rome Statute;
Amendment 365 #
2024/2081(INI)
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; notes with deep concerncondemns the worrying and rising trend by state officials to undermine the decisions of international institutions and their employees by state officialand those who cooperate with it; calls for the EU and its Member States to protect the International Criminal Court, its officials, and those cooperating with it from threats and attacks, regardless of the origin of these threats;
Amendment 378 #
2024/2081(INI)
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; strongly condemns the increase of deliberate, indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks on civilians and civilian objects in multiple conflict settings; 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 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 anyrecent attacks on them;
Amendment 384 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Points to the gendered impacts of armed conflicts, including the use of sexual violence against women and girls as a weapon of war; calls on the EU and its Member States to give high priority to and systematically include as part of their humanitarian responses support and financing for sexual and reproductive health supplies and services as outlined in the Minimum Initial Service Package for Sexual and Reproductive Health in crisis situations (MISP for SRH);
Amendment 403 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Recognises the potentialUrges 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;
Amendment 404 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Notes with concern the lack of EU’s consistency in its external action regarding human rights and 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; welcomes the Commission’s Inequality Marker (I- Marker), recommends the broadest application of the Inequality Marker, including in Team Europe Initiatives and with regard to the Global Gateway, and encourages to complement it with the Gender and Disability Markers, in order to ensure maximum impact on those groups facing intersectional disadvantage;
Amendment 411 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 16
Subheading 16
Right to freedom from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
Amendment 413 #
2024/2081(INI)
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; calls for the EU to reiterate its zero-tolerance policy to torture and other ill-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; echoes human rights bodies’ recognition that banning abortion may subject women to suffering amounting to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and calls for reform of restrictive abortion laws;
Amendment 417 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Recalls the need to implement a victim-centred and comprehensive approach from prevention to reparation, including rehabilitation, protection, and accountability in addressing torture and ill-treatment; reiterates in accordance with the revised Guidelines on EUs policy towards third countries on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, adopted by the Council on 16 September 2019, its support to civil society organisation in their activities to eradicate torture, and to monitor places of detention; considers local civil society organisations as a priority in all bilateral and multilateral co-operation;
Amendment 421 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 16 a (new)
Subheading 16 a (new)
Right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
Amendment 422 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23b. Reiterates the need to protect the EU democratic space and the exercise of fundamental freedoms, particularly freedoms of assembly and association; highlights the growing violent repression of protest and peaceful assemblies within the EU civic space, with cases of torture and ill-treatment resulting in deaths and other serious violations; underscores the need to strengthen this fundamental right in conjunction with the absolute prohibition of torture and ill-treatment;
Amendment 423 #
Amendment 430 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Reaffirms the right to safe drinking water and sanitation as a human right, both rights being complementary; underlines that access to clean drinking water is indispensable to a healthy and dignified life and is essential for the development of human dignity; highlights the fact that the right to water is a fundamental precondition for the enjoyment of other rights, and as such must be guided by a logic grounded in the public interest, and common public and global goods; underscores the importance of the EU Human Rights Guidelines on Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation and urges the EU institutions and the Member States, to implement them in and towards third countries and in multilateral forums;
Amendment 435 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Highlights that climate change and its impact on the environmentthe triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution has direct effects on the effective enjoyment of all human rights; recognises the important work of CSOs, indigenous peoples and local communities, land and environmental HRDs and indigenous activists for the protection of a clean, healthy and sustainable environment; deplores the risincreased attacks 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 environmentcalls for the EU to promote a UN-level initiative for international observers to monitor serious environmental damage or situations where environmental rights defenders are most at risk and to engage with and assist the authorities in establishing a protective environment for these defenders; recalls that indigenous peoples and local communities play an important role in the sustainable management of natural resources and the conservation of biodiversity; calls on all States, particularly the EU and the Member States, to ensure that indigenous peoples and local communities are included in the deliberations and decision-making processes of international climate diplomacy; 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; reiterates its call for swift and effective progress towards the recognition of the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment; expresses its support to the normative efforts at international level in relation to environmental crimes; in this regard, encourages the EU and the Member States to promote the recognition of ecocide as an international crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court; draws attention, furthermore, to the risks posed by climate change to peace and security, as food insecurity and water scarcity can lead to competition over natural resources and then to instability and conflicts within and between states; recognises that children face more acute risks from climate-related disasters and are also one of the largest groups to be affected; calls on the EU to focus on addressing the impacts of climate change on the enjoyment of the rights of the child;
Amendment 446 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Calls for a systematic and consistent approach to promoting and defending children’s rights through all of the EU’s external policies; calls for more concerted efforts to promote the respect, protection and fulfilment of children’s rights in crisis or emergency situations; condemns the decline in respect for the rights of the child and the increasing violations and abuses of these rights, including through violence, early and forced marriage, sexual abuse including genital mutilation, trafficking, child labour, recruitment of child soldiers, lack of access to education and healthcare, malnutrition and extreme poverty; further condemns the increase in death of children in situations of armed conflict and stresses the need for effective protection of children’s rights in active warfare; reiterates its call for a systematic and consistent approach to promoting and defending children’s rights through all EU external policiesand internal policies; calls on the USA, as the only remaining country not to have ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, to do so as a matter of urgency in order to allow for the universal ratification of this foundational instrument;
Amendment 468 #
2024/2081(INI)
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, post-conflicts and displacements, 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; 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; fully supports the role of the EU Ambassador on Gender and Diversity and calls for increased resources for its mandate;
Amendment 479 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Recognises that the promotion and protection of SRHR is essential to achieving gender equality and affirms the right to access comprehensive SRHR services, including modern contraception, safe and legal abortion, maternal, prenatal and postnatal healthcare, assisted reproduction and access to education and information on SRHR, including comprehensive sexuality education, without any form of discrimination, coercion or violence; calls for the announced Roadmap on Women’s Rights to comprehensively address and raise protections for all women’s rights including sexual and reproductive health and rights both externally and internally within the EU;
Amendment 488 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27b. Recognises that gender apartheid constitutes a systematic and institutionalised form of oppression, depriving women and girls of fundamental rights solely on the basis of their gender; notes with deep concern the entrenchment of gender apartheid in various regions, where women face extensive restrictions on education, employment, healthcare, and freedom of movement, often underpinned by legal and cultural frameworks that reinforce gender-based discrimination;
Amendment 492 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 c (new)
Paragraph 27 c (new)
27c. Urges the European Union and its Member States to proactively address gender apartheid through strengthened diplomatic efforts, targeted economic measures, and accountability mechanisms that support civil society organisations advocating for gender equality; calls to formally recognise gender apartheid as a distinct human rights violation and to support international initiatives for its classification as a crime against humanity, thus contributing to the establishment of global accountability standard;
Amendment 493 #
Amendment 497 #
2024/2081(INI)
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, including at the EU’s external borders; 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- uphold their obligations under international law including by putting an immediate end to violent and illegal pushbacks at its external borders, conducting search and rescue operations and allowing for the prompt disembarkation in a safe port of those rescued at sea, and substantially increasing their support for countries hosting the most refugees, including through resettlement and humanitarian admission, as well as for transit countries; reiterates that close cooperation and engagement with non-EU countries remain key to preventing migrant smuggling; underlines that the respect for fundamental rights should be a precondition for such cooperation; points to the a number third country authorities involvement in migrant smuggling schemes, and urges the EU to ensure it does not contribute to these practices by directly or indirectly funding these entities; stresses, in this regard, that the dissemination of information and awareness-raising campaigns on the risks of smuggling are crucial; insists that all EU and Member States' migration cooperation and readmission agreements with non-EU states strictly comply with international human rights, refugee and maritime law, particularly with the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees; calls on the EU and its Member States to suspend all direct or indirect support and cooperation in the migration field, with parties known to have committed grave violations of the human rights of refugees, migrants or asylum- seekers; reiterates its call on the Commission to integrate ex-ante Human Rights Impact Assessments before potential new partnerships are signed with third countries, as well as monitoring mechanisms to ensure that the EU’s financial support is not directly or indirectly contributing to human rights violations; calls for the abolishment of the practice of concluding informal arrangements with third countries in relation to migration cooperation, in order to ensure transparency and allow for parliamentary scrutiny and democratic oversight; calls for EU-funded humanitarian operations to take into consideration the specific needs and vulnerabilities of children 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 548 #
2024/2081(INI)
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; including the effective implementation of the EU Guidelines to Promote and Protect the Enjoyment of all Human Rights by LGBTIQ+ Persons;
Amendment 550 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Is concerned by the challenges to the full enjoyment of the rights of persons with disabilities; points to the additional complications faced by persons with disabilities in conflict situations, as they are more vulnerable to violence and are often not receive adequate healthcare; urges all parties to conflict situations worldwide to take adequate measures to mitigate the risks for them as much as possible; reiterates its calls for the EU to assist partner countries in the development of policies in support of carers of persons with disabilities; calls for the EU, in its external policy, to make use of the strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030 as a tool to improve the situation of persons with disabilities, particularly concerning poverty and discrimination, but also problems with access to education, healthcare and employment, and participation in political life;
Amendment 572 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Reiterates its principled opposition to the death penalty, which is irreversible and incompatible with the right to life and awith the prohibition of torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment that is irreversible; stresses that the EU must be relentless in its pursuit of the universal abolition of the death penalty as a major objective of its human rights foreign policy; notes that despite the trend in some non-EU countries to take steps towards abolishing the death penalty, significant challenges in this regard still exist; deplores the fact that in other non-EU countries the number of death sentences that have been carried out has reached its highest level in the last five years; reiterates its call for all countries to completely abolish the death penalty or establish an immediate moratorium on the use of the death penalty (sentences and executions) as a first step towards its abolition;
Amendment 583 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Reiterates its concern regarding violations of the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief; deplores the instrumentalisation of religious or belief identities for political purposes and the exclusion of persons belonging to religious and belief minorities and religious communities in certain non- EU countries; observes that atheism and the non-religious population are growing rapidly worldwide and should not be neglected in the EU policy framework on freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief; recommends that the Special Envoy for the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU be granted more resources so that he can comfortably carry out his mandate; highlights the necessity for the Special Envoy to continue to work closely and in a complementary manner with the EUSR for Human Rights and the Council Working Party on Human Rights; calls for the EU and its Member States to step up their efforts to protect the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, to raise these issues at UN human rights forums and to continue working with the relevant UN mechanisms and committees;
Amendment 600 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34a. Observes with deep concern that non-religious, and secular and humanist organizations are facing growing persecution, including unprecedented waves of incitement and hatred and killings, in a number of countries; denounces the attacks against countless individuals and civil society organisations for peacefully questioning, criticizing or satirizing religious beliefs and that this ongoing violation of their freedom of thought and of expression occurs across geographic and cultural borders;
Amendment 609 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 b (new)
Paragraph 34 b (new)
34b. Recalls that most of the drivers of violent conflicts worldwide involve minority grievances of exclusion, discrimination and inequalities linked to violations of the human rights of minorities, as observed by the UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues; stresses the need to mainstream the protection of the rights of minorities and the development of protection mechanisms at the level of the United Nations; recalls the obligations of States to protect the rights of their national, ethnic, cultural, religious or linguistic minorities within their respective territories; calls on the Commission to support the protection of the rights of persons belonging to minorities worldwide, including as a priority under the human rights and democracy thematic programme of the EU's Global Instrument;
Amendment 625 #
2024/2081(INI)
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, 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; notes the number of journalists killed in conflict situations in 2023 according to the Committee to Protect Journalists was 78 compared to 42 in 2022, equalling an alarming increase of 85%;
Amendment 655 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Stresses that the role of trade ascould be 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 concerned; deplores the detrimental effects of some excessive and exploitative business activities on human rights and democracy; welcomes the harmonisation resulting from essential element human rights clause in EU Trade agreements has not been activated to date; reiterates its call to reinforce the effective application of the Human rights clause in EU trade agreements; regrets that there has been little to no improvement in some of the countries concerned; calls for the implementation of the EU Ombudsman’s recommendation concerning the creation of a complaint-handling portal, within the framework of EU trade and financial instruments, and for the adaptation of the Commission’s Single Entry Point to allow for the submission of complaints regarding the failure to comply with human rights clauses, which should be accessible, citizen-friendly and transparent; calls on the Commission to seek for the establishment of an transparent, independent and public complaint mechanism related to HR violations in the trade partner; calls on the Commission to reflect on HR situation in trade partners in its report on the common commercial policy; calls on the Commission to improve its communication towards Parliament on its considerations and decisions regarding the enforcement of human rights clauses in international agreements; deplores the detrimental effects of excessive or exploitative business activities on human rights, HRDs, the environment, civic space and democracy; regrets the failure to name human rights defenders as affected stakeholders, and highlights that they are crucial to the success of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) given their role of monitoring irresponsible business conduct and denouncing human rights violations; welcomes 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 and calls for its swift implementation; 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; urges the EU and Member States to be coherent in its messaging at the UN and other multilateral fora regarding the need to implement the binding treaty for due diligence; _________________ 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 664 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40 a (new)
Paragraph 40 a (new)
40a. Underlines the importance of closing the legal and regulatory loopholes which are being exploited by some business enterprises, including investors, at the cost of human rights and the environment; reiterates its strong support for the work being carried out in the UN through the OEIGWG to develop a Legally Binding instrument on Businesses and Human rights and calls on the EU to actively engage in the ongoing negotiations, using the CSDDD as mandate;
Amendment 672 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 a (new)
Paragraph 41 a (new)
41a. Calls on the EU and the Member States to request and ensure that the right to free, prior, informed and binding consent (FPIC) of indigenous peoples is respected in relation to any EU agreement or development project, as well as in all activities of EU-based companies that may affect the lands, territories or natural assets of indigenous peoples; insists that the respect of indigenous rights, notably the right to FPIC, be upheld in EU sectoral legislation of relevance, including as regards critical raw materials; stresses that the promotion of the rights of indigenous peoples and their traditional practices are key to achieving sustainable development, combating climate change and conserving biodiversity;
Amendment 677 #
2024/2081(INI)
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; 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 ; calls for the listing under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime of NSO and other private companies supplying or facilitating the use of the technology that allows to persecute civil society, journalists, lawyers and social movements worldwide; _________________ 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.