13 Amendments of Miroslav MIKOLÁŠIK related to 2018/0207(COD)
Amendment 68 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) In accordance with Article 2 of the Treaty of the European Union, ‘the Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom democracy, equality, the rule of law and the respect for human rights, including the rights of the persons belonging to minorities. In particular and in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, human dignity is the primary foundation of all fundamental human rights. These values are common to the Member States in a society where pluralism, non- discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men prevail’. Article 3 further specifies that the ‘Union’s aim is to promote peace, its values and the well-being of its people’ and, among others, ‘it shall respect its rich cultural and linguistic diversity, and shall ensure that Europe’s cultural heritage is safeguarded and enhanced’. Those values are further reaffirmed and articulated in the rights, freedoms and principles enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
Amendment 72 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) Those fundamental human rights and values must continue to be promoted and enforced and shared among the citizens and peoples and be at the heart of the EU project, on the basis of the idea that fundamental human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated. Therefore, a new Justice, Rights and Values Fund, comprising the Rights and Values and the Justice programmes shall be created in the EU budget. At a time where European societies are confronted with extremism, radicalism and divisions, it is more important than ever to promote, strengthen and defend justice, fundamental human rights and EU values: human rights, respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law. This will have profound and direct implications for political, social, cultural and economic life in the EU. As part of the new Fund, the Justice Programme will continue to support the further development of Union area of justice and cross-border cooperation. The Rights and Values Programme will bring together the 2014-2020 Programme Rights, Equality and Citizenship established by Regulation (EU) No 1381/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council8 and the Europe for Citizens programme established by Council Regulation (EU) No 390/20149, (hereafter ‘the predecessor Programmes’). __________________ 8 Regulation (EU) No 1381/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 establishing a Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme for the period 2014 to 2020 (OJ L 354, 28.12.2013, p. 62) 9 Council Regulation (EU) No 390/2014 of 14 April 2014 establishing the ‘Europe for Citizens’ programme for the period 2014- 2020 (OJ L 115, 17.4.2014, p.3)
Amendment 76 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) The Justice, Rights and Values Fund and its two underlying funding programmes will focus primarily on people and entities, which contribute to make our common values, fundamental human rights and rich diversity alive and vibrant. The ultimate objective is to nurture and sustain rights-based, equal, inclusive and democratic society. That includes a vibrant civil society, encouraging people’s democratic, civic and social participation and fostering the rich diversity of European society, based on our common history and memory. Article 11 of the Treaty of the European Union further specifies that the institutions shall, by appropriate means, give citizens and representative associations the opportunity to make known and publicly exchange their views in all areas of Union action. Article 17 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union sets out that the Union shall maintain a dialogue with the churches and organisations mentioned in that Article. Churches and religious communities or associations are long- standing primary stakeholders in fostering protection and promotion of fundamental human rights and should be granted the same access as civil society organisations to the relevant funding opportunities.
Amendment 85 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) In order to bring the European Union closer to its citizens, a variety of actions and coordinated efforts are necessary. Bringing together citizens in town-twinning projects or networks of towns and supporting civil society organisations in the areas covered by the programme will contribute to increase citizens’ engagement in society and ultimately their involvement in the democratic life of the Union. At the same time supporting activities promoting mutual understanding, diversity, dialogue , including intercultural and interreligious dialogue, and respect for others fosters a sense of belonging and a European identity, based on a shared understanding of European values, culture, history and heritage. Increasing plurality and global migration movements raise the importance of intercultural and inter- religious dialogue in our societies. Full support should be given to inter-religious dialogue as a part of social harmony in Europe and a key element in solving social tensions. Interreligious dialogue could also help to highlight the positive contribution of religion to social cohesion. As religious illiteracy sets the stage for the misuse of religious feelings among the population, support for projects and initiatives developing religious literacy is also important. The promotion of a greater sense of belonging to the Union and of Union values is particularly important amongst citizens of the EU outermost regions due to their remoteness and distance from continental Europe.
Amendment 93 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) Remembrance activities and critical reflection on Europe’s historical memory are necessary to make citizens, in particular young citizens, aware of the common history, as the foundation for a common future, moral purpose androoted in Europe’s spiritual and moral heritage and based on shared values. The relevance of historical, spiritual, cultural and, intercultural and interreligious aspects should also be taken into account, as well as the links between remembrance and the creation of a European identity and sense of belonging together.
Amendment 101 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) Gender-based violenceViolence against women and violence against children and young people constitute a serious violation of fundamental rights. Violence persists throughout the Union, in all social and economic contexts, and has serious repercussions on victims’ physical and psychological health and on society as a whole. Children, young people and women are particularly vulnerable to violence, in particular in close relationships. Action should be taken to promote the rights of the child and to contribute to the protection of children from harm and violence, which pose a danger to their physical and mental health and constitute a breach of their rights to development, protection and dignity. The concept of harm and violence should cover the exposition of children to pornography or gratuitous violence. Combating all forms of violence, promoting prevention and protecting and supporting victims are priorities of the Union which help fulfil individuals’ fundamental rights and contribute to equality between women and men. Those priorities should be supported by the Programme.
Amendment 106 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) Non-discrimination is a fundamental principle of the Union. Article 19 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union provides for action to combat discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. Non- discrimination is also enshrined in Article 21 of the Charter. The principle of non- discrimination entails not only that similar situations should not be treated differently, but also that different situations should not be treated in the same way. The specific features of the diverse forms of discrimination should be taken into account and appropriate action should be developed in parallel to prevent and combat discrimination on one or more grounds. The Programme should support actions to prevent and combat discrimination, racism, xenophobia, anti- Semitism, anti-muslim hatred and other forms of intolerance. In that context, particular attention should also be devoted to preventing and combating all forms of violence, hatred, segregation and stigmatisation, including anti-religious stigmatisation, as well as combating bullying, harassment and intolerant treatment. The Programme should be implemented in a mutually reinforcing manner with other Union activities that have the same objectives, in particular with those referred to in the Commission Communication of 5 April 2011 entitled ‘An EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies up to 202010’ and in the Council Recommendation of 09 December 2013 on effective Roma integration measures in the Member States11. Authorities at Union and national level have an obligation to prevent discrimination on grounds of belonging to a religious group or carrying out religious acts, whether affiliated to majority or minority religious denominations. Furthermore, focus should not be placed on discrimination of religions, but on people being discriminated because of their religious affiliation or practices. An effective protection by the Member States of the right to conscientious objection, both at the individual and institutional level, especially in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, educational and economical fields, as a fundamental right placed at the basis of democracy and the rule of law should also be supported. __________________ 10 COM(2011)173. 11 OJ C 378, 24.12.2013, p. 1.
Amendment 111 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) Attitudinal and environmental barriers as well as lack of accessibility hinder the full and effective participation of people with disabilities in society, on an equal basis with others. People with disabilities are faced with barriers to, among other things, access the labour market, benefit from an inclusive and quality education, avoid poverty and social exclusion, enjoy access to cultural initiatives and media, or use their political rights. As a party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (the UNCRPD), the Union and all its Member States have committed to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities. The provisions of the UNCRPD have become an integral part of the Union legal order. Specific needs in the area of disability should be fully taken into account in the relevant funding efforts.
Amendment 114 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) Article 3(3) TEU requires the Union to promote the protection of the rights of the child, in line with Article 24 of the Charter and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The primary responsibility shared between the mother and the father to promote and protect their child’s best interest should be paramount, avoiding the interpretation according to which children and their rights can be seen as separate from their family and parents. Public authorities should strengthen the rights of the child to live in a family environment that ensures harmonious upbringing and growth, the protection of his or her psychological integrity and the development of his or her personality.
Amendment 129 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1
1. The general objective of the Programme is to protect and promote fundamental human rights and values as enshrined in the EU Treaties, including by supporting civil society organisations, in order to sustain open, democratic and inclusive societies, as well as other key stakeholders such as churches and religious associations or communities, think tanks, and research and academic institutions.
Amendment 132 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) to promote equality and fundamental human rights (Equality and rights strand),
Amendment 150 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) increasing citizens’ understanding of the Union, its history, cultural heritage and diversity, as well as of the diversity of historical memories in Europe;
Amendment 177 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point b
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) mutual learning through exchange of good practices among stakeholders to improve knowledge and mutual understanding, including through intercultural and interreligious dialogue, and civic and democratic engagement;