Activities of Marie-Christine VERGIAT related to 2015/2229(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Annual report on human rights and democracy in the world 2014 and the EU policy on the matter (debate) FR
Amendments (30)
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1
Citation 1
– having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and other United Nations (UN) human rights treaties and instruments, in particular the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights adopted in New York on 16 December 1966,
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 22 a (new)
Citation 22 a (new)
– having regard to the report of Cephas Lumina, the independent expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights1, ______________ 1(Addendum,Mission to Greece, UN A/HRC/25/50/Add.1)
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 22 b (new)
Citation 22 b (new)
– having regard to the UN Human Rights Council Resolution of 26 June 2014 calling for the establishment of an open- ended intergovernmental working group with the aim of drawing up an international legally binding instrument on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights,
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 24 e (new)
Citation 24 e (new)
– having regard to UN Resolution A/69/L.84 of 10 September 2015 on the basic principles on sovereign debt restructuring processes,
Amendment 33 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas Article 21 TEU commits the EU to developing a Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) guided by the principles of democracy, the rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for human dignity, the principle of equality and solidarity and compliance with the UN Charter and international law; whereas under Article 6 TEU the European Union is to accede to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms;
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas increased coherence between EU internal and external policies stands as an indispensable requirement for a successful EU human rights policy; whereas EU human rights policy is restricted and indeed contradicted by diplomatic, political and economic considerations;
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas the world economy is going through a major crisis, the impact of which, alongside certain measures, in particular drastic budget cuts, is having an adverse effect on human rights, especially economic and social rights, on people’s living conditions (increases in unemployment and poverty, inequality and insecure employment, lower-quality services and restricted access to such services), and therefore also on their wellbeing;
Amendment 57 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas human rights and democracy support policy is beingshould be mainstreamed through other EU policies with an external dimension, such as trade and development;
Amendment 61 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas climate change is undermining the most basic human rights such as access to water, natural resources and food;
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
L. whereas the abolition of the death penalty remains one of the EU’s biggest concernpriorities when approaching third countries;
Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital N
Recital N
N. whereas the freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief must be unconditionally enhanced through inter- religious and, inter-cultural and secular dialogues;
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes the EU’s renewed commitment to promoting and protecting hNotes that the Action Plan on Human rRights and supporting democracy worldwide; notes that the Action PlanDemocracy aims to allow the EU to take a more focused, systematic and coordinated approach in the area of human rights and democracy, as well as to reinforce the impact of its policies and tools on the ground; supports, in this regard, the prioritisation of five strategic areas of action;
Amendment 151 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Reiterates its call on the EEAS to develop a comprehensive mechanism for monitoring and reviewing the functioning of human rights dialogues with a view to improving their impact; believes that, if such dialogues persistently fail, alternative tools for supporting the advancement of human rights in the country concerned should be used; notes, in this respect, that the human rights dialogue with Russia was suspended in 2014; urges, therefore, that the EEAS profoundly rethink its human rights strategy vis-à-vis Russia;
Amendment 168 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Recalls that the EU committed itself to placing human rights and democracy at the centre of its relations with third countries; stresses, therefore, that the advancement of human rights and democratic principles needs toshould be supported through all EU policies which have an external dimension, such as the enlargement and neighbourhood policy, the Common Security and Defence Policy, and the development, trade, justice and home affairs policies; is disappointed, therefore, by the double standards which undermine all EU policies in this area and are entirely at odds with a universal vision of human rights;
Amendment 172 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Notes the Commission’s efforts to fulfil its commitment to including human rights provisions in its impact assessments for legislative and non-legislative proposals, implementing measures and trade agreements; urges the Commission to improve the quality and comprehensiveness of the impact assessments and to ensure the systematic incorporation of human rights issues; calls on the Commission to take account, in its impact assessments, of the contributions made by civil society in the countries concerned; urges the Commission to draw the necessary conclusions from these impact assessments and to assess the appropriateness of adopting the proposals where applicable;
Amendment 190 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. Stresses that the EU should continue to actively support democratic and effective human rights institutions and the civil society of neighbouring countries in their efforts to promote democratisation and respect for human rights; positively notes in this context the European Endowment for Democracy’s consistent engagin this context, condemns the politicisation of human rights by the European Endowment for Democracy funding political foundations and movements in the Eastern and Southern neighbourhood of the EU in favour of democracy promotion and respect for fundamental rights and freedoms;
Amendment 194 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Reiterates its support for the introduction of human rights clauses in international agreements between the EU and third countries; calls on the Commission to effectively and systematically monitor the implementation of the human rights clauses and to report regularly to Parliament on partner countries’ respect for human righthighlights, nevertheless, the failure of their introduction in free trade agreements with third countries, as such agreements may even have led to the violation of basic economic and social rights, including the impoverishment of the populations concerned and the monopolisation of resources by transnational companies; sees a need, moreover, for ex ante monitoring mechanisms prior to a framework agreement being concluded and on which such conclusion is made conditional as a fundamental part of the agreement, and for ex post monitoring mechanisms which enable tangible action to be taken in response to infringements of these clauses, including the possible suspension of the agreement; believes that besides these clauses there is a need to implement new forms of cooperation to facilitate the economic and social development of third countries based on the needs of their peoples;
Amendment 211 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Reaffirms that the activities of EU companies operating in third countries should be in full compliance with international human rights standards; reaffirms, moreover, the importance of promoting corporate social responsibility and of European enterprises playing a leading role in promoting international standards on business and human rightscalls, therefore, on the Member States to ensure that companies which come under their national law do not disregard human rights or the social, health and environmental standards to which they are subject when moving to, or doing business in, a third country; calls on the Commission to take the necessary action against European companies which do not comply with these standards and which, furthermore, do not adequately compensate victims of human rights violations falling directly or indirectly under their responsibility;
Amendment 219 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
Paragraph 48
48. Reiterates its call on the Commission to report on the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights by the EU Member States by the end of 2015; condemns the fact that EU Member States voted against the resolution adopted by the United Nations on 27 June 2014 which sought to establish a binding framework for transnational companies which do not respect human rights; urges the EU and its Member States to participate fully in the development and implementation of a binding international mechanism;
Amendment 227 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 b (new)
Paragraph 49 b (new)
49b. Deplores the way in which the financial and economic crisis and the sovereign debt crisis, together with the budgetary restrictions imposed, have negatively affected people’s economic, civil, social and cultural rights, often resulting in increasing unemployment, poverty and precarious working and living conditions, as well as exclusion and isolation, particularly in the countries in which economic adjustment programmes have been adopted; stresses that the UN has repeatedly criticised the management by the European institutions and the Troika of the debt issue and its consequences for human rights; deplores the fact that almost all none the Member States voted for the UN resolution of 10 September 2015 recognising the right of any state to restructure its sovereign debt;
Amendment 232 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51
Paragraph 51
51. Takes positive note of the counter- terrorism guidance document drafted by the EEAS and the Commission and endorsed by the Council with the aim of ensuring respect for human rights in the planning and implementation of counter- terrorism assistance projects with third countries; calls on the EEAS and the Commission to ensure effective implementation of the document, starting with its wide dissemination; supports, in this context, the international efforts to stop human rights violations being perpetrated by ISIS/Da’esh; deplores the fact that counter- terrorism policies are used as a pretext to introduce repressive policies which apply to all citizens and is concerned by the lack of attention to given to independent control mechanisms;
Amendment 244 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
Paragraph 52
52. Expresses its solidarity with the high number of refugees and migrants who suffer grave human rights violations as victims of conflicts, tangible governance failures and networks of illegal immigration and trafficking; expresses also its deep regret at the tragic loss of lives of people seeking asylum inNotes that the refugee crisis is a global problem and that the UNHCR puts the number of refugees and displaced persons in the world today at 60 million; expresses its solidarity with the high number of refugees and migrants who suffer grave human rights violations fleeing conflicts, lawless zones and poverty as victims of violent repression and networks of illegal immigration and trafficking in which many public authorities have direct and indirect responsibilities; stresses that the EU and its Member States have a responsibility for refugees and migrants trying to escape war, chaos, economic misery, hunger and death, not least because of global neoliberal economic policies and the current and past neo-colonial policies of some Member States; expresses also its deep regret at the tragic loss of lives of people seeking asylum in the EU; warns the EU and its Member States against constructing fences which encourage human trafficking without providing possibilities for safe and legal access to the EU;
Amendment 251 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53
Paragraph 53
53. Stresses the urgent need to tackle the root cauat responses must be found to the current crisis basesd of migration flows and, therefore, to address the external dimension of the refugee crisis, including byn the principles of solidarity and an overall strategy which promotes safe and legal migration and fully respects human rights and fiunding sustainable solutions to conflicts in our neighbourhoodamental values; calls on the European Union and its Member States to promote peace and reject violent intervention as a basis for foreign policy; underlines the need for a comprehensive human-rights-based approach to migration and calls on the EU to collaborate with the UN, regional organisations, governments and NGOs in order to address the root causes of migration flows; takes note in this context of the European Union Naval Force – Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med) operation against smugglers and traffickers in the Mediterranean; welcomes the measures proposed by the Commission on 9 September 2015 to address the external dimension of the refugee crisis; points out that this comprehensive strategy will also involve humanitarian aid and development aid;
Amendment 256 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 d (new)
Paragraph 53 d (new)
53d. Expresses concern at the measures proposed by the Commission on 9 September 2015 to address the external dimension of the refugee crisis; condemns the Commission proposal to strengthen the ‘safe country of origin’ provisions of the Asylum Procedures Directive by drawing up a common European list of safe countries of origin, and considers it particularly alarming that Turkey might be included on that list; points out that such s list could restrict the procedural rights of nationals of the countries in question; calls for every step to be taken to ensure that an approach along these lines does not undermine the principle of non-refoulement and the individual right of asylum, especially where people in vulnerable groups are concerned;
Amendment 257 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 e (new)
Paragraph 53 e (new)
53e. Expresses disquiet at the proliferation of negotiations on the subject of readmission and return; calls for the suspension of all readmission agreements with countries that do not respect fundamental human rights; calls on the Member States to observe the international principle of non- refoulement, not just in words, but also in deeds;
Amendment 258 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 f (new)
Paragraph 53 f (new)
53f. Rejects any attempts to outsource EU migration policies, and accordingly condemns the proposals from Member States and the Commission to set up processing or detention centres in third countries; calls on the Commission and the Member States immediately to cease cooperation with third countries aimed at preventing migrants and refugees from getting to safety in Europe and at tightening up border controls; calls for a halt to negotiations on agreements that do not protect refugees or guarantee respect for fundamental rights in the manner called for by the Khartoum and Rabat processes;
Amendment 259 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 g (new)
Paragraph 53 g (new)
53g. Points out that 17.5 million people were displaced in 2014 as a result of climate-related disasters; points out that these displacements chiefly affect regions in the South, which are most exposed to climate change impacts; points out that 85% of these displacements occur in developing countries, primarily within one country or parts of countries; points out that as part of the Millennium Development Goals, the EU Member States have committed themselves to earmarking 0.7% of their GDP for development aid financing; deplores the fact that Member States are a long way from meeting their commitments and indeed some countries, for instance France, are revising them downwards;
Amendment 278 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 58
Paragraph 58
58. Reaffirms its strong support for the International Criminal Court (ICC) in bringing justice to the victims of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole, such as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression; considers it regrettable that no state ratified the Rome Statute in 2014; expresses serious concern that several arrest warrants have still not been executed and some senior political leaders have even managed to escape arrest because states parties have failed to act;
Amendment 294 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60
Paragraph 60
60. Recalls that freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief is a fundamental human right, as recognised in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; notes that this right encompasses the right to have beliefs or not to have them, the right to change religion or beliefs, freedom of expression, assembly, and association, and the right of parents to bring up their children according to their moral convictions, whether religious or not;
Amendment 310 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63
Paragraph 63
63. Expresses its concern at the growing number of death sentences worldwide; considers it regrettable that Belarus has resumed executions after a two-year pause; reiteratnotes that the countries which make greatest use of capital punishment (China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and the United States) account for more than 80% of executions in any one year; condemns the fact that executions have resumed in some countries twherefore its call on Belarus to implement a moratorium on the death penalty, which should ultimately lead to its abolition there used to be a moratorium and expresses serious disquiet at the fact that other countries, alongside other laws, have again been resorting to the death penalty, sometimes on the pretext of fighting terrorism or drugs; condemns in particular the sentencing of children, mentally retarded persons, and pregnant women; also condemns stoning and the sentences imposed for adultery, homosexuality, and blasphemy;