Activities of Raimon OBIOLS related to 2013/2945(RSP)
Plenary speeches (1)
2013 progress report on Turkey (debate)
Amendments (20)
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3
Citation 3
– having regard to its previous resolutions, in particular of 10 February 2010 on Turkey’s 2009 progress report, of 9 March 2011 on Turkey’s 2010 progress report1 , of 29 March 2012 on Turkey's 2011 progress report2 and, of 18 April 2013 on Turkey’s 2012 progress report3 and of 13 June 2013 on the situation in Turkey4, __________________ 1 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2011)0090. 2 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2012)0116. 3 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0184. 4 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0277.
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6
Citation 6
– having regard to the Council conclusions of 14 December 2010, 5 December 2011 and, 11 December 2012 and 25 June 2013,
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 12
Citation 12
– having regard to the fact that full compliance with the Copenhagen criteria and EU integration capacity, in accordance with the conclusions of the December 2006 European Council meeting, remains the basis for accession to the EU,
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 a (new)
Citation 14 a (new)
- having regard to the fact that a number of judiciary, legislative, institutional and practical reforms have taken place in Turkey; however, a number of long- standing problems concerning notably the administration of justice in Turkey continue having serious negative effects on the enjoyment of human rights and freedom of expression in Turkey, as well as the public perception about the independence and impartiality of the justice system; whereas as a result of these problems a high number of cases have been launched against journalists, activists and intellectuals,
Amendment 30 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)
Citation 15 a (new)
- having regard to the fact that the positive agenda was launched in May 2012 to support and complement the negotiations through enhanced cooperation in a number of areas of joint interest, and this initiative does not replace the accessions negotiations but it complements them,
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the 2013 Progress Report on Turkey and shares the Commission's conclusion that Turkey is a strategic partner for the European Union and that important progress on reforms was made in the preceding twelve months; underlines the importance and urgent need of further reforms andfor a greater accountability and transparency in the administration, the promotion of dialogue across the political spectrum and in society more broadly through respecting and empowering civil society, as well as the respect of fundamental rights in practice;
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Strongly reminds that separation of powers, full respect for rule of law and fundamental rights, and impartiality and independence of the judiciary are 'sine qua non' conditions for a well- functioning democracy;
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Believes that the opening of new chapters would renew mutual engagement in the context of the negotiation process in order to maintain a constructive relationship;
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. SWelcomes the agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Turkey on "Readmission of Persons Residing Without Authorisation" signed on 16 December 2013; stresses the importance of achieving a common understanding between Turkey and the EU on the relevance for both the EU and Turkey of the readmission agreement and the roadmap leading to visa liberalisation; recalls that Turkey is one of the key transit countries for irregular migration to the EU and therefore calls on Turkey to sign and implement the readmission agreement without further delay; calls on the Commission in parallel to take steps towards visa liberalisation and stresses the clear benefits of facilitating access to the EU for business people, academics, students and representatives of civil society;
Amendment 95 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Points to the crucial role of a system of checks and balances for any modern democratic State and the fundamental role that the Turkish Grand National Assembly must play at the centre of Turkey’s political system in providing a framework for dialogue and consensus-building across the political spectrum; expresses concern about political polarisation and the lack of readiness on the part of government and opposition to work towards consensus on drafting a new Constitution and on key reforms; urges all political actors, the government and the opposition to work together to enhance a pluralistic vision in State institutions and to promote the modernisation and democratisation of the State and society; calls on the political majority to actively involve the minority in the deliberation process on relevant reforms and take into consideration, whenever possible, their interests and views in an inclusive manner;
Amendment 120 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes and calls for the implementation of the democratisation package presented by the Government on 30 September 2013 and calls on the Government to duly consult the opposition and relevant civil society organisations in the preparation of the implementing legislation and to continue with its reform efforts towards revision of the electoral system, including the lowering of the 10% threshold, and the adequate inclusion of all components of Turkish society in order to strengthen democracy and better reflect the existing pluralism in the country; calls on the Government to ensure that the legislation on hate crimes offers protection for all citizens, including all communities, minorities and LGBTI;
Amendment 129 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on the Government to present a new reform package to address pending and key issues, such as the Alevi question, that were not included in the democratization package of 30 September 2013;
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Observes that the unprecedented wave of protests also reflects the legitimate aspirations of many Turkish citizens for a deepen democracy; reiterates that, in a democratic polity, Governments must promote tolerance and ensure freedom of religion and belief for all citizens; calls on the Government to respect the plurality and richness of Turkish society;
Amendment 161 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Is concerned about the situation of journalists and the freedom of media in Turkey; highlights the special role of public-service media in strengthening democracy, in particular by serving information needs of citizens and enabling their participation in decision making processes; in this respect, calls on the authorities to ensure their independence and sustainability in compliance with European standards;
Amendment 166 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Notes the concerns in Turkish society about the excessively wide scope and the shortcomings of the proceedings and the allegations of the use of inconsistent evidence against the defendants in the Ergenekon case, which, like in the Sledgehammer case, undermined the acceptance of the ruling; stresses, once again, in light of the above, that the KCK case must demonstrate the strength and the proper, independent, impartial and transparent functioning of Turkey’s democratic institutions and judiciary, as well as the firm, unconditional commitment to respect for fundamental rights;
Amendment 171 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. NStresses that the reform of the Turkish judiciary system is central to the efforts at democratic consolidation in Turkey; underlines that the Turkish judicial system continues to suffer from excessive workload and insufficient independence; notes that the implementation of the third judicial reform package has led to the release of a significant number of detainees and welcomes the fourth judicial reform package as another important step towards a judiciary in Turkey in line with EU standards and values; notes, in particular, (i) the new, important distinction between freedom of expression and incitement to violence or to committing acts of terrorism, (ii) the limitation of the offence of praising a crime or a criminal to instances where there is a clear and imminent danger to public order and (iii) the narrowing down of the scope of the offence of committing a crime in the name of an organisation, without being a member of it, to armed organisations only;
Amendment 206 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. ERegrets the increase in recent years of violence against women in Turkey; expresses support for the database on violence against women currently under preparation by the Ministry for Family and Social policies; asks to complement existing legislation on the creation of shelters for women who are victims of domestic violence with adequate follow-up mechanisms where municipalities fail to establish such shelters; supports the efforts of the Minister for Family and Social policies to raise penalties for forced early marriages, which must be eradicated; renews its concern at the low level of women’s participation in the labour force, in politics and at senior level in the administration and encourages the Government to adopt adequate measures to promote a more central role of women in the economic and political fabric of Turkey;
Amendment 220 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Strongly supports the Government’s initiative to strive for a settlement of the Kurdish problem on the basis of negotiations with the PKK; encourages the Government to devise the reforms directed at promoting the social, cultural and economic rights of the Kurdish community on the basis of adequate consultation of relevant stakeholders and the opposition; calls on the opposition to actively support the negotiations and the reforms as an important step for the benefit of Turkish society at large; asks all political forces to ensure an adequate political platform and to debate in a constructive way the Kurdish issue and to facilitate a real opening to the claims for basic rights in which all citizens can find themselves fully recognised; calls on the Turkish authorities to cooperate closely with the European Commission to assess which programs under IPA could be used to promote sustainable development in the South East in the framework of negotiations on Chapter 22;
Amendment 231 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Is of the opinion that social dialogue and involvement of social partners are vital for the development of a prosperous society; Underlines the importance of further progress in the areas of social policy and employment, in particular to remove all obstacles to the effective functioning of trade unions, to establish a national employment strategy, address undeclared work, widen the coverage of social protection mechanisms, and increase employment rates among women and people with disabilities; stresses the importance of opening Chapter 19 on social policy and employment;
Amendment 333 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Welcomes Turkey’s commitment to the provision of humanitarian assistance to Syrian refugees; is worried about the social and economic burden of these refugees particularly on the neighbouring cities of Turkey; calls for the international community, the EU and the Member States to continue providing support in response to this exceptional humanitarian crisis and to commit themselves to providing effective assistance to Syria’s neighbouring countries, among them, Turkey; notes that a large number of foreign fighters in Syria gain access to Syria via Turkey and asks Turkey to increase border patrols, restrict the entry of fighters and arm flows to groups credibly found to be implicated in systematic human rights violations; believes that the EU and Turkey should actively seek to develop a joint strategic vision to promote a political solution in Syria and support political and economic stability in the region, with particular reference to Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq;