26 Amendments of Baroness Sarah LUDFORD related to 2013/2945(RSP)
Amendment 47 #
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 and the promotion of dialogue across the political spectrum and in society more broadly, as well as the respect of fundamental rights in practice; regrets however that the events around Gezi Park and the heavy-handed response from security forces, along with increasingly reactionary and harsh public statements by Prime Minister Erdoğan, raise serious questions about the government's commitment to respect basic democratic values and tolerate different views and lifestyles;
Amendment 55 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes the transformative power of negotiations between the Union and Turkey, which haveStresses that accession negotiations, conducted in good faith, could provided Turkey with a clear reference for its reform process; stresses therefore the importance of credible negotiations based on a mutual commitment by Turkey and the Union to effective reforms furthering the democratic foundations of Turkish society, promoting fundamental values and producing positive change in the institutions, in legislation and, in the mentality of society; welcomes, therefore the opening of Chapter 22;
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes the potential transformative power of negotiations between the Union and Turkey, which havecould provided Turkey with a clear reference for its reform process; stresses therefore the importance of crediblrestoring credibility to the negotiations based on a mutual commitment by Turkey and the Union to effective reforms furthering the democratic foundations of Turkish society, promoting fundamental values and producing positive change in the institutions, in legislation and, in the mentality of society; welcomes, therefore the opening of Chapter 22;
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. StressWelcomes 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 liberalisationsignature by Turkey of the readmission agreement on 16 December 2013, which enables the launch of the roadmap leading to visa liberalisation; recalls that Turkey is one of the key transit countries for irregular migration to the EU and stresses the clear benefits of facilitating access to the EU for business people, academics, students and representatives of civil society;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -4 (new)
Paragraph -4 (new)
-4. Expresses its great concern at recent developments which amount to a crisis of the Turkish State; deplores the statements of the government which point to a lack of understanding of the principle of the separation of powers; regrets the serious breakdown of trust between the government, the judiciary, the police and the media; urges the government to desist from actions which impede the investigation and prosecution of corruption and organised crime in high places; calls once again for all institutions, business interests and political forces to fully respect the rule of law and to guarantee the impartiality and independence of the judiciary; calls, moreover, on the Gülen Movement to improve its transparency and accountability, and expects that all allegations against the Movement will be subject to impartial enquiry;
Amendment 91 #
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 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; emphasises that constitutional reform must remain the top priority for the modernisation of the Republic in which those elected democratically will also govern democratically;
Amendment 92 #
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 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; underlines that democracy is more than elections and expects those elected democratically also to govern democratically;
Amendment 100 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. expresses concern over the deepening cultural division in Turkey on so called 'life-style issues", which runs the risk that the authorities start to intrude in the private lives of the citizens, as exemplified by recent statements on: the number of children women should have, on mixed sex student residences and on the selling of alcohol;
Amendment 110 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. CommendsNotes that the Conciliation Committee forhas only been able to reaching consensus on 60 constitutional amendments and calls on its Members to continuredouble their work on ain order to elaborate a genuinely new Constitution for Turkey as this is essential for the reform process in Turkey; stresses the importance of achieving consensus in the framework of the constitutional reform process on an effective system of separation of powers and an inclusive definition of citizenship; underlines that Turkey, as a Member State of the Council of Europe, cshould try to benefit from active dialogue with the Venice Commission on the constitutional reform process; stresses that the rules governing the election and composition of the High Council of Judges and Prosecutors should be fully in line with the criteria of the Venice Commission;
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Commends the Conciliation Committee for reaching consensus on 60 constitutional amendments and calls on its Members to continue their work on a new Constitution for Turkey as this is essential for the reform process in Turkey; stresses the importance of achieving consensus in the framework of the constitutional reform process on an effective system of separation of powers and an inclusive definition of citizenship; underlines that Turkey, as a Member State of the Council of Europe, could benefit from active dialogue with the Venice Commission on the constitutional reform process; underlines that the constitutional changes should be carried out in a transparent and inclusive manner, with full involvement of civil society at all stages; stresses that the rules governing the election and composition of the High Council of Judges and Prosecutors should be fully in line with the criteria of the Venice Commission;
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes 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; calls on the Government to ensure that the legislation on hate crimes offers protection for all citizens, including minorities and LGBTI persons; encourages the government to take steps to improve the rights of the Alevi community;
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. WelcomesUrges the full 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; calls on the Government to ensure that the legislation on hate crimes offers protection for all citizens, including minorities and LGBTI;
Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. TDeeply regrets the loss of life amongst the Gezi Park protesters and the police forces, the excessive use of force by the police and the violent acts by a number of protesters; takes the view that the protests in Gezi Park testify both to the existence in Turkey of a vibrant civil society and also the need for further vital reforms on the promotion of fundamental values; highlights the importance of including civil society more structurally in the decision making process; deeply regrets the loss of life amongst the protesters and the police forces, the excessive use of force by the police and the violent acts by a number of protesters; welcomes the on-going administrative investigations launched by the Ministry of Interior and the inquiries by the Ombudsman into complaints related to the events in Gezi Park and expects them to fully address the concerns without delay; calls on Turkey to adopt adequate internal review procedures and to establish an independent supervisory body for police offences; is of the opinion that the Gezi Park events underline the need for far- reaching reforms in order to ensure respect for freedom of assembly; encourages the Ministry of the Interior and the Turkish police to establish methods to deal with public protests in a less confrontational way, and in particular, not to arrest or hinder the work of lawyers and medical staff who are carrying out their duties;
Amendment 138 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Takes the view that the protests in Gezi Park testify both to the existence in Turkey of a vibrant civil society and also the need for further vital reforms on the promotion of fundamental values; highlights the importance of including civil society more structurally in the decision making process; deeply regrets the loss of life amongst the protesters and the police forces, the excessive use of force by the police and the violent acts by a number of protesters; welcomes the on-going administrative investigations launched by the Ministry of Interior and the inquiries by the Ombudsman into complaints related to the events in Gezi Park and expects them to fully address the concerns without delay; calls on Turkey to adopt adequate internal review procedures and to establish an independent supervisory body for police offences; is of the opinion that the Gezi Park events underline the need for far- reaching reforms in order to ensure respect for freedom of assembly; regrets the apparent failure of the courts to penalise those state officials responsible for violence connected with the Gezi Park protests;
Amendment 149 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Expresses concerns at the very limited coverage of the Gezi Park events by Turkish media and the dismissal of journalists who criticised the Government’s reactions to such events; recalls that freedom of expression and media pluralism are at the heart of European values and that an independent press is crucial to a democratic society; underlines that the freedom of expression extends to digital and social media; reiterates once again its concern at the fact that most media are owned by and concentrated in, large conglomerates with a wide range of business interests and points out to the worrying widespread phenomenon of self-censorship by media owners and journalists; expresses concern atcondemns the particularly high number of journalists currently in pre-trial detention and calls on Turkey’s judicial authorities to review and address these cases as soon as possible;
Amendment 163 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Highlights the important role of public-service media in strengthening democracy, in particular by serving information needs of citizens and enabling their participation in decision making processes; calls on the authorities to ensure public-service media's independence and sustainability in compliance with European standards;
Amendment 165 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Notes the concerns in Turkish society about the excessively wide scope, allegations of evidence fabrication and the shortcomings of thdue proceedingss in the Ergenekon case, which, like inand Sledgehammer cases; recalls that the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention finds theat Sledgehammer case, undermined the acceptance of the rulingdefendants are being held in violation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; 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 168 #
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 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; calls on the EU delegation in Ankara to closely monitor further developments in these cases, including possible appeal processes and detention conditions and to report back to the Commission and the European Parliament;
Amendment 189 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Reaffirms its support to the Commission’'s new approach of opening Chapters 23 (judiciary and fundamental rights) and 24 (justice and home affairs) early in the negotiation process and closing them at the end; stresses that delivering the official benchmarks for the opening of such Chapters to Turkey would provide a clear roadmap for and give a boost to the reform process; calls, therefore, on the Councilall Member States, including Cyprus, to make renewed efforts for the opening of Chapters 23 and 24; calls on Turkey to cooperate as much as possible to this effect;
Amendment 205 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. 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 earlychild marriages, which must be eradicated; calls for further efforts to eradicate so called ‘honour killings’; 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 221 #
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 and other Kurdish representatives; 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; 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 233 #
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; calls, therefore, on Turkey to agree to the opening of Chapter 19;
Amendment 284 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Stresses the importance of a coherent and comprehensive security approach in the Eastern Mediterranean, and calls on Turkey to allow political dialogue between the EU and NATO by lifting its veto on EU-NATO cooperation including Cyprus, and calls, in parallel, on the Republic of Cyprus to lift its veto on Turkey’s participation in the European Defence Agency; calls on Turkey to align itself more closely with the common foreign and security stance of the European Union; calls on the Foreign Affairs Council and on the High Representative to more frequently consult with Turkey;
Amendment 310 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Notes that Turkey continues to be the EU’s sixth biggest trading partner and that the EU is Turkey’s biggest with 38% of Turkey’s total trade going to the EU and almost 71% of FDI coming from the EU; welcomes the ongoing Commission evaluation of the EU-Turkey Customs Union with the aim of assessing its impact on both parties and ways to update it; calls on the Commission to find innovative ways to include Turkey in trade negotiations the EU conducts with third countries, and which will affect Turkey;
Amendment 330 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Welcomes Turkey’s commitment to the provision of humanitarian assistance to Syrian refugees; notes that a large number of foreign fighters in Syria gain access to Syria via Turkey and asks Turkey to increase border patrols, prestricvent 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, Iran and Iraq;
Amendment 336 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Welcomes Turkey’s commitment to the provision of humanitarian assistance to almost one million Syrian refugees; 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;