Activities of Alyn SMITH related to 2014/2229(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Security challenges in the Middle East and North Africa and prospects for political stability (debate)
Amendments (36)
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 21
Citation 21
– whereas the conflict in Syria, the conflict in Iraq, the crisis in Yemen and, the situation in Libya and the protracted occupation of Palestine and Western Sahara are a major potential source of destabilisation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA); having regard to the junction between the Sahel and Middle Eastern fronts in the fight against terrorism; having regard to the disastrous consequences of such a situation for the security of the whole region and of Europe; having regard to the number of civilian victims and the acts of terror committed against them; having regard to the serious humanitarian crisis caused by these conflicts, causing massive population displacements and creating enormous difficulties for refugees and their host communities; having regard to the difficulties in discerning a political approach and establishing a legitimate and reliable basis for inclusive dialogue with the various parties concerned; having regard to the resulting long-term damage to political and economic development, durable infrastructures and demographic cohesion in the region;
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 23
Citation 23
– having regard to the escalating crises and conflicts, their ethnic and sectarian dimension, the rise of paramilitary groups and the weakness or collapse of certain states or regimes in the region; whereas the MENA countries and international community have shared security interests in connection with the fight against ISIS;
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 24
Citation 24
– whereas the conflict in Iraq and Syria is exacerbating regional and international tensions, with the risk of political confrontation between Sunni and Shia extending beyond instrumentalization of religion and ethnicity furtheir immediate borders and jeopardising odeteriorating the situation in therse countries in the regiand beyond;
Amendment 38 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 24 a (new)
Citation 24 a (new)
- whereas most countries of the MENA region may be characterised by a lack of democratic and inclusive governance, widespread human rights violations and impunity, exclusion or discrimination against women and girls, pervasive corruption and socio-economic marginalization of a number of social groups, sectarianism, all of which provide an enabling environment for instability;
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 (new)
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. Calls on the EU and its Member States to address the root causes of the rapidly deteriorating situation across the MENA region, through a holistic and ambitious approach rather than addressing part of the consequences of this situation as embodied in the so-called Islamic State;
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 (new)
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. Reminds the EU and its Member States that stability in the MENA region ultimately depends on the ability to address the legitimate demands of the local populations, notably as expressed during the Arab Spring of 2011; calls on them not to repeat the mistakes of the past and not to view the MENA region through the lens of short-term security threats only;
Amendment 70 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the action taken by the Member States against ISIS in Iraq; notes that this type of operation should be carried out under the auspices of the European Union; to this end, calls on the EU to develop sufficient operational capacity to achieve CSDP target, yet regrets its superficial nature when a more comprehensive response to the region's crisis requires to act against crimes perpetrated by all groups and Governments, notably those of the Syrian Government and other armed groups; stresses however that a response must be found at political and regional level to the challenge presented by ISIS; calls on the EU to facilitate regional dialogue involving all stakeholders, in particular Saudi Arabia and Iran;
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls that the emergence of ISIS isall-out Government repression and the emergence of extremist groups such as the so-called IS are a symptom of the economic, political, social and cultural crisis afflicting the region; calls on the EU, together with the Arab world, to assess the root causes and adopt a global approach through an approachnot only based on security, but also on political, economic, social and cultural considerations;
Amendment 115 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes the allocation of EUR one billion under the EU strategy entitled 'Elements of an EU Regional Strategy for Syria and Iraq as well as the Da'esh threat' , under which EUR 400 million has been earmarked for humanitarian aid; expresses its deep concern that such an approach runs against the principles upon which humanitarian aid should be independent of foreign policy and hence has made the work of European humanitarian organizations even more dangerous in ISIS-controlled territory; calls for special attention to be given to Jordan and Lebanon; is concerned that, as a result of extreme poverty and deprivation, refugee camps may become a hotbed of radicalisation; welcomes the funds for host populations under the new strategy and under the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP);
Amendment 121 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the involvement of the countries of the Arab Peninsularegion in the international coalition against ISIS; urges their governments to redouble their efforts to prevent the financing of international terrorism, for example through including increased surveillance of waqfs and private donors; stresses the urgent need to introduce an effreiterates its call on all countries of the region to prevent individuals, private and publici ent system of penalties coordinated with the LAS so as to put an end to ISIS financing by the Arab world; stresses also the urgent need for a decryption system to deal with clandestine oil sales by ISISities from funding or facilitating funding of terrorist organizations and the Syrian Government's individuals and companies under EU sanctions; stresses also the urgent need for an increased cooperation between customs authorities at the border of Turkey, Iraq and Syria to ensure equipment shipped for mobile oil refineries is not provided to extremist groups or the Syrian Government;
Amendment 139 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. With regard to the authoritarian nature of most of the LAS countries, underlines the need to prevent the repetition of serious mistakes of the post- 9/11 approach to counter-terrorism in particular cooperation and complicity in torture, illegal renditions, kidnappings, and extra-judicial killings which have seriously undermined core EU values and norms such as human rights, the rule of law, privacy and humanitarian law principles;
Amendment 140 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Insists on the importance of expanding the civil society component of the Euro-Arab dialogue as the indispensable counter-weight of any enhanced inter-governmental EU-LAS engagement; expresses its great concern that independent civil society organizations are subject to increasing intimidation and harassment by security officials in a number of member states of the League of Arab States; recalls that an independent and strong civil society is paramount to reinforcing state institutions;
Amendment 141 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 c (new)
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6c. Calls on the EU and its Member States to ensure that assistance programmes in the field of criminal justice reform with the LAS States contribute to human rights-compliant investigations and prosecutions; deplores the lack of transparency of certain EU and Member States' programmes in this field and calls on the EU and Member States to make public information about what steps have been taken to ensure that no European support to such schemes contributes to human rights abuses in their target countries and to publish the text of bilateral agreements;
Amendment 152 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses also the importance of regional dialogue with Turkey and Iran; stresses the need to reintegrate Iran into the international community once it has provided definitive assurances and cast- iron guarantees of its intention to develop nuclear energy for civilian purposes onlycommitment to non- proliferation;
Amendment 154 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Underlines that the lack of progress towards a negotiated two-state solution in the Israel-Palestine conflict only leads to further violence and bloodshed and regional instability; calls on the EU to take its responsibility and become a genuine actor and facilitator in the Middle East peace process, including through a comprehensive peace initiative for the region based on the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002; calls on the EU institutions and Member States to take urgent steps to protect the viability of the two-state solution and to create a positive dynamic towards genuine peace negotiations; in this regard, calls on the EU to respond to the expansion of Israeli settlements by applying measures based on international law; calls on the Israeli authorities to immediately halt and revert its settlement policy; stresses that respect for international human rights and humanitarian law by all parties and in all circumstances remains an essential precondition for achieving a just and lasting peace; underlines the particular responsibility under international law of Israel, as the occupying power, to comply with international humanitarian and human rights law;
Amendment 161 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Recalls the need to put in place the conditions for a resumption of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian AuthorityUnity Government for a lasting settlement of the conflict based on a solution enabling both countries to live side by side in peace and security; welcomesreiterates its full support to the 2002 Arab peace initiatives and calls on the LAS countries to put them into effect; calls on international donors to honour the commitments made by them at the Cairo Conference of October 2014; expresses again its deep concern over the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza strip following Israel's siege which has affected the lives of 1.8 million Palestinians since 2007; stresses that such a collective punishment is illegal under international law and constitutes a breeding ground for extremist groups and is deeply counter-productive for the future stability and security of the region; is of the view that Israel's continuing occupation of the Palestinian territories plays a significant role in recruiting jihadi fighters, not only across the MENA region but also in EU Member States;
Amendment 177 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Expresses full support for a new common security and defence policy (CSDP) to promote stability and security in the MENA countries, provided the strategic aims and the timeline for such assistance are well established and that adequate human rights and humanitarian law safeguards are in place; points out that the EU and its Member States could play a major role in providing specific training in border surveillance, anticriminal justice reform, counter-terrorism and the prevention of arms’ trafficking and in overhauling security;
Amendment 204 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Emphasises the need for the EU, its Member States and its partner countries to base their strategy for combating terrorism on the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights, as stated in the European Parliament's resolution on anti-terrorism measures of February 2015;
Amendment 205 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Calls on the Council to work on a harmonized, unambiguous definition of terrorism with all the countries of the MENA region, in view of a long-term compliance with the universal standards set by international human rights conventions, notably on the right to a fair trial; expresses its deep concern that a number of MENA countries have misused anti-terrorism legislation against human rights defenders and opposition members; takes note of the fact MENA countries have used counter-terrorism cooperation with EU member states to crack down on political dissidents, as documented, by means of example, under Tunisia's Ben Ali regime, Libya's Gaddafi regime, Syria's Assad regime;
Amendment 213 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Stresses the urgent need for a political solution to the conflict in Syria, taking due account of the modemocrateic opposition existing alongside the Syrian National Council and strengthening the moderate Sunni components; points out that no democratic solution in line with the fundamental principles of the Union can be negotiated with Bachar Al-Assad, following the massacres perpetrated by himalleged crimes against humanity and war crimes that have been perpetrated under his command;
Amendment 221 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls for any initiative to end the fighting in Syria to take into account the requirements of international humanitarian law; calls on the European Union to step up its efforts to channel humanitarian aid towards the areas controlled by the moderateSyrian opposition;
Amendment 234 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Expresses its deep concern over Syria's deteriorating humanitarian situation four years on; Notes that humanitarian access has been decreasing as a consequence of deliberate obstruction of aid which must be halted immediately; notes with grave concern that the number of people living in areas that are difficult or impossible for aid agencies to reach has almost doubled over the past two years;
Amendment 235 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Reminds that the Western Sahara conflict remains a factor of geopolitical instability and an obstacle to the regional integration of the Magreb region; calls on the Moroccan authorities to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 690/1991 foreseeing a referendum for the self- determination of the Saharawi people;
Amendment 250 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Expresses its deep concern at the situation in Libya and Yemen; stresses the need to maintain itstheir territorial integrity and national unity; stresses that the Libyanse crisies can only be resolved by means of dialogue that is as inclusive as possible;
Amendment 263 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Welcomes the preliminary agreement on the Nile river's flow reached between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia on 23 March 2015; Emphasises that a jointly agreed use of the waters of the Nile river is fundamental to the security of all the countries involved; Stresses that the EU should be ready to facilitate further dialogue between all parties if deemed helpful to negotiations;
Amendment 264 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14b. Expresses its concern over Tunisia's porous borders with Algeria and Libya which are notably used for drug and arms trafficking; welcomes the latest cooperation between Tunisia, the EU and its Member States in this regard;
Amendment 265 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 c (new)
Paragraph 14 c (new)
14c. Stresses the need to ensure accountability for all violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in the MENA region; calls for the ICC to be granted the adequate political, logistical and financial resources to allow it to investigate violations and abuses committed that fall under its jurisdiction; believes that strengthening international accountability mechanisms can dissuade armed forces and armed groups from perpetrating abuses and violations, and calls for consideration to be given to establishing a UN Commission of Inquiry or similar mechanism to investigate grave instances of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law when such crimes are manifestly met with impunity;
Amendment 267 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2 a (new)
Subheading 2 a (new)
Underlines that respect for human rights and basic democratic principles is the strongest safeguard in the long term against chronic instability in the countries of the MENA region
Amendment 271 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls on the EEAS and the Commission to continue to encourage democratic reforms within the MENA region, notably the EU neighbouring countries; stresses the importance of maintaining the ‘two- thirds/one third' principle for the allocation of ENP funding and effectively implementing the "more for more" principle which should remain a cornerstone of the EU's policy towards the region; in this regard, insists on the need to focus on supporting those countries and actors who are genuinely committed to shared values and to reform, notably Tunisia; calls on the Commission, the EEAS, the Council and the Member States to develop a more effective and innovative political and strategic ENP dimension; welcomes the launch by the HR/VP and the Commission of broad consultation on ENP renewal;
Amendment 291 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Is convinced that cultural cooperation is essential in combating terrorism and any form of radicalism; stresses the utmost importance of promoting cultural and academic exchanges; urges partner countries to participate in EU cultural programmes; calls on the Commission to act on the European Parliament’s proposal for the creation of an ambitious Euro- Mediterranean Erasmus programme distinct from the Erasmus+ programme; encourages exchange programmes to also include participants from MENA countries that are not members of the ENP;
Amendment 303 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Stresses the need to develop an effective common European response by all Member States to jihadist propaganda; underlines the need to send a positive message regarding relations between the European Union and the MENA countries and cooperation between them, including the promotion of common values based on the universality of human rights; stresses the need to ensure much greater visibility for EU initiatives in the region than is now the case;
Amendment 314 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Stresses the importance of developing direct dialogue with civil societies in the MENA countries in order to understand their expectations more clearly; stresses its support for the consultation and enhancement of civil society and new generations within the ENP framework; recalls the importance of election observation missions and urges the European Parliament and EEAS to send such missions to all countries in the region provided the fundamental conditions to send such election observation missions are met;
Amendment 334 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Stresses the fundamental importance of the fight against corruption in MENA countries, not only to attract European investments and to allow for a sustainable economic development, but also to tackle security challenges; underlines the established relationship between transparency, the rule of law and counter- terrorism, which are necessary to address altogether given the often opaque legal and financial systems of MENA countries; calls on the EEAS, the European Commission and EU Member States to increase their cooperation in the field of the fight against corruption in MENA countries, which should be a priority in the fight against terrorism;
Amendment 341 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Regrets that a minimum one-year period is necessary for the release of macro-financial assistance to countries in a very precarious financial situation; urges the European Union to mobilise or redirect funding very promptly; underlines in the context of macro-financial assistance, the need for the EU to adequately assess the socio-economic and human rights impact of the measures requested from beneficiary countries in order to ensure that such assistance does not constitute a factor of instability for example by undermining public services; calls on Arab donors to coordinate aid within the LAS and, as far as possible, together with the European Union;
Amendment 354 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Regrets the deadlock faced by the EU with regard to the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU); calls on the EU to make every effort to assist with the regional integration of the Maghreb countries under the AMU or the geographically broader, Agadir agreements;
Amendment 357 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Calls on MENA countries to diversify their economies and imports; notes that the great majority of MENA countries trade is with non-MENA countries, while internal trade integration is a necessary step to promote regional prosperity and stability;