Activities of Paulo RANGEL related to 2021/2245(INI)
Reports (1)
REPORT on the 2021 Commission report on Bosnia and Herzegovina
Amendments (59)
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
Citation 1 a (new)
— having regard to the meeting of the EU-BiH Stabilization and Association Committee held on 17 June 2021,
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
Citation 5 a (new)
— having regard to the European Court of Auditors Special Report of 10 January 2022 entitled ‘EU support for the rule of law in the Western Balkans: despite efforts, fundamental problems persist’,
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)
Citation 15 a (new)
— having regard to the Commission communication of 29 April 2020 entitled ‘Support to the Western Balkans in tackling COVID-19 and the post- pandemic recovery’,
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 b (new)
Citation 15 b (new)
— having regard to the Sofia declaration of the EU-Western Balkans summit of 17 May 2018 and the Sofia Declaration, annexed thereto,
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas BiH citizens aspire towards Euro-Atlantic integration for sustainable peace, democracy and prosperity; whereas EU accession requires the engagement of all BiH political leaders, authorities, institutions and office holders;
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the EU is the biggest trade and investment partner of BiH and its largest provider of financial assistance, notably through the Instrument for Pre- accession Assistance (IPA III);
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas BiHosnia and Herzegovina’s progress on its EU accession path depends on the implementation offulfilling the 14 key priorities set out in the Commission’s o Opinion on BiH’its EU membership application, and whereas EU assistance should address the persistent lack of progress in that regard;
Amendment 38 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
C a. whereas the legacy of the Dayton Peace Agreement must be upheld;
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas since 2004 the European Union maintains a military operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina – EUFOR Althea – tasked with the executive mandate of the UN Security Council to support the authorities in maintaining a safe and secure environment; whereas the international High Representative and its office (OHR) remains tasked under Annex 10 to the Dayton Peace Agreement to oversee the implementation of the civilian aspects of the peace accords until completion of the 5+2 agenda set out in 2008; whereas the Office of the High Representative (OHR) and EUFOR Althea are integral in preserving peace;
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas all BiH citizens should enjoy equal rights and obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms throughout BiH territory; whereas the country has committed to international obligations to end systematic ethnicity and residence-based discrimination and ensure citizens’ equality before the law;
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
E a. whereas BiH is yet to implement a multitude of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights in favour of discriminated Bosnian citizens, enabling all BiH citizens to effectively exercise their basic civil and political rights;
Amendment 52 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
Recital E b (new)
E b. whereas constitutional and electoral changes should enhance BiH’s standing as a multi-ethnic, inclusive and democratic state and remove discrimination and corruption from the electoral system;
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E c (new)
Recital E c (new)
E c. whereas the legal framework of BiH must be revised in light of international jurisprudence;
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E d (new)
Recital E d (new)
E d. whereas BiH's transition from the Dayton to the EU framework is a prerequisite to preserve the country's sovereignty and sustain its democratic transformation;
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
F a. whereas malign foreign direct and proxy interference and disinformation aim to sow discord among different communities and to destabilise the region, especially in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine;
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that enforcement of the Dayton Peace Agreement includes the obligation to implement OHRthe High Representative's decisions;
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Takes note of the decision by the High Representative to suspend the Law on Immovable Property; condemns in the strongest possible terms all hate rhetoric and threats of violence aimed at the HR, namely those espoused at a rally in Banja Luka on 20 April; calls on authorities to prevent and prosecute those espousing the threats;
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Regrets the impasse in negotiations on constitutional and electoral law reform in BiH and the lack of political will to overcome it; calls on all actors to promptly reach a balanced agreement, in line with European standards that would eliminate all forms of inequality and discrimination, to fulfil the constitutional duty of democratic governance and to ensure the transparency and integrity of the electoral process;
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Strongly denounces the disregard for international and national norms and obligations, all hate rhetoric and disruptive action, including withdrawal from, blockage, boycott and obstruction of State institutions, particularly by the leadership of the Republika Srpska entity (RS), which destabilises the country, undermines its statehood in violation of the Constitution and the Dayton Peace Agreement and, systematically hampers decisions on key laws and reforms and jeopardises the country’s political commitment to the EU path; rejects all attempts to form parallel parastatal institutions, which undermine sState institutions, legal order, judicial independence and sovereignty; calls for a full, non-selective and unconditional return to all sState institutions;
Amendment 111 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Condemns the 10 December 2021 conclusions of the Republika Srpska entity National Assembly (RSNA) on the withdrawal from State-level institutions, the passing of the Law on Immovable Property Used for the Functioning of Public Authority, adopted by the RSNA on 10 February 2022, and the National Assembly’s vote establishing a separate High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council;
Amendment 120 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls forupon the EU, its Member States and the international community to follow the example set by the United States and the United Kingdom and use all available tools, includingnamely targeted sanctions, against destabilising actors in the country, including those threatening the territorial order of Bosnia and Herzegovina;
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Expresses its solidarity with the survivors and families of victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity, displacement, disappearances, killings, torture, sexual assault, genocide and ethnic cleansing;
Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Underlines that the EU future of BiH depends on sustainable peace and genuine reconciliation, warranting its democratic, inclusive and multi-ethnic character; stresses that the persistent challenges in the reconciliation process should be addressed more vigorously; urges BiH to expedite effective and impartial prosecution of war crimes under the revised national war crimes processing strategy; calls on all regional political leaders to set up the relevant commission (RECOM)Regional Commission tasked with establishing facts about all victims of war crimes and other human rights violations committed on the territory of the former Yugoslavia (RECOM), building upon the significant work carried out by the Coalition for RECOM;
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the amendments to the BiH Criminal Code enacted by the High Representative outlawing the glorification of war criminals and the denial of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes; deplores any attempt not to implement this decision; strongly condemns all forms of historical revisionism, denial, or minimisation or glorification of war crimes including non- compliance with decisions of international and domestic tribunals;
Amendment 146 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Calls on all authorities to abide by their international human rights obligations to promote reconciliation by ensuring access to truth, justice and effective and non-selective reparations, including to survivors of sexual violence, as well as by adopting measures to prevent recurrence through education, culture, human rights protection and institutional vetting, ensuring that perpetrators of war crimes are precluded from holding public offices;
Amendment 151 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Urges BiH’s political actors to make progress on reforms that are needed to bring the country closer to the EU; denounces all attempts to stall these reforms, thus slowing BiH’s compliance with the EU accession criteria and endangering access to EU funding under IPA III, which must be based on strict conditionality and depends on the cooperation of different authorities; recalls that 600 million euros intended for financing projects on Corridor 5c in Republika Srpska will be allocated only after representatives of the RS completely return to the BiH institutions, and that the German government has decided to suspend four infrastructure projects in the same entity, worth a total of 105 million euros;
Amendment 158 #
11 a. Welcomes the meeting of the Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee on 17 June 2021 in Brussels and the adoption of its rules of procedure; underlines the importance of ensuring the functioning of the SAPC, notably through the adoption of recommendations by the joint body;
Amendment 159 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11 b. Welcomes the adoption of the Rules of Procedure governing the meetings of the Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee, after a stalemate of almost six years; urges an inclusive political dialogue to ensure regular cooperation in this joint EU-BiH parliamentary body;
Amendment 166 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses the importance of holding elections this year as planned; in 2022, as planned in the electoral calendar; calls on the Council of Ministers to approve the provision of the necessary and appropriate funds for the organization of the elections; calls, furthermore, for Parliamentary approval of election integrity legislation; urges all parties and political actors to take part in the electoral process, allowing citizens to express their democratic choice;
Amendment 178 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Supports transparent and inclusive constitutional and electoral reforms to ensure equality and non-discrimination of all citizens, enhance accountability and transform BiH into a fully functional and inclusive state by immediately implementing rulings, opinions and recommendations of competent courts and international bodies, inter alia the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE/ODIHR), the Venice Commission and the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO)’s recommendations, as well as rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR); stresses that by not implementing these rulings, namely in the Sejdić-Finci, Zornić, Pilav and Šlaku cases, BiH remains in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights; supports transatlantic facilitation efforts to this end;
Amendment 179 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Stresses that inclusive electoral reform should eliminate all forms of inequality, discrimination, and bias in the electoral process, safeguarding integrity, transparency, and efficiency of the electoral process and put in place conditions for competitive elections; recalls that this should be done by harmonising rules on party registration, ensuring transparency of political party financing and the independence and capacities of election commissions;
Amendment 186 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3 a (new)
Subheading 3 a (new)
Sectoral reforms
Amendment 187 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Underlines the need to enhance internal and regional economic harmonisation and connectivity; calls for country-wide sector strategies, improvements to strategic planning, financial management, monitoring and evaluation, and the creation of control and audit structure, reduce fragmentation and enhance the Common Regional Market for deepening integration across the Western Balkans;
Amendment 191 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Encourages using the potential offered by digitalisation for modernising administrative, electoral, judicial, fiscal and economic processes, which would help address fragmentation, red-tape, the informal economy, customs and tax evasion, money laundering, the abuse of power through networks of political patronage and influence of political- criminal networks, while increasing competitiveness of SMEs;
Amendment 192 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15 b. Calls upon authorities to adopt country-wide sector strategies, improvements to strategic planning, financial management, monitoring and evaluation, and the creation of control and audit structures;
Amendment 193 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)
Paragraph 15 c (new)
15 c. Underlines the urgent need to ensure accountability and transparency of the economy and to shield state and private enterprises from patronage networks;
Amendment 195 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 d (new)
Paragraph 15 d (new)
15 d. Stresses the importance of a coordinated country-wide strategic response to the COVID-19 pandemic, helping increase one of the lowest vaccination rates in Europe;
Amendment 196 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 e (new)
Paragraph 15 e (new)
15 e. Welcomes the removed roaming charges between the six Western Balkan states; urges all relevant parties to negotiate a plan that would lead to the elimination of roaming charges between the six Western Balkan states and the EU Member States;
Amendment 206 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Recalls the need forto adopt laws on gas and electricity, renewables, energy efficiency and climate, and to step up environmental and nature protectionleading to sustainable socio-economic transition from coal and mitigation of energy poverty, and to step up environmental and nature protection through the harmonisation of environmental laws and adopting an environmental protection strategy, in line with the European Green Deal’s zero emissions target for 2050 and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans;;
Amendment 214 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Recommends focusing public investment on sustainable projects advancing social market economy, facilitating the green and digital transitions and reducing severe air pollution, making full use of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans;
Amendment 217 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16 b. Underlines that the rule of law and judicial reforms are the backbone of a democratic transformation, ensuring legal certainty, transparency, access to justice and non-discrimination;
Amendment 219 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls for urgent action to tackle widespread selective justice, state capture, nepotism, cronyism, high-level corruption and criminal infiltration; reiterates the urgent need for judicial reform across BiH to improve the professionalism and integrity of the judiciary, including through the long overdue legislative updates governing judicial integrity, asset verifications, conflict of interest, public procurement, access to information, witness protection and the restructuring of state owned enterprises; reiterates the urgent need for judicial reform across BiH to improve the professionalism, integrity, accountability and impartiality of the judiciary, ensure its independence from undue influence, and resolve the large backlog of cases pending trial; deplores the obstruction of such reform by political and judicial office holders; in this regard, urges the authorities to adopt a new justice sector reform strategy and action plan, as well as the new law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council and the new law on the Courts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in line with European standards;
Amendment 232 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Urges BiH to strengthen and adequately fund anti-corruption structures, covering conflicts of interests and lobbying; recalls the need of unhindered investigations against illicit enrichment of public officials; underlines the importance of addressing GRECO’s recommendations in order to ensure detection and accountability;
Amendment 234 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Underlines the dangers posed by poor cooperation of BiH’s law enforcement agencies and their failure to effectively collaborate with Europol, Eurojust and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office; welcomes bilateral efforts supported by Europol and Eurojust aimed at dismantling people smuggling networks; encourages establishing a firearms focal point;
Amendment 244 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Deplores the continuing failure to safeguard media freedom and pluralism; insists on eliminating political interference and protecting journalists from intimidation with systematic judicial follow-up; expresses its concern about the financial sustainability and political independence of public broadcasters, notably of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national public broadcaster (BHRT); urges authorities to take action to identify a sustainable solution for BHRT’s funding problems and prevent its closure;
Amendment 261 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls on the Commission to refocus IPA III support to in-country democratic forces, institutions and procedures, fostering an environment for functioning pluralism, independent civil society, media and market economy;
Amendment 264 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Stresses the need to safeguard the rights of minorities and inclusion of vulnerable populationreligious and ethnic minorities, including the Roma, and the social inclusion of vulnerable populations, including people with disabilities; calls for stronger country-wide human rights and anti- discrimination strategies, as well as measures against interfaith and interethnic intolerance; urges the prevention and proactive prosecution of hate crimes, hate speech and disinformation as well as gender-based and sexual violence;
Amendment 280 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24 a. Welcomes the peaceful organisation on 14 August 2021 of the second Sarajevo Pride and recalls the need to improve the inclusion of LGBTIQ+ people;
Amendment 293 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24 b. Underlines that educational reform is a fundamental pillar for creating a prosperous and inclusive pluralistic society, free from all forms of segregation and marginalisation and enjoying its political freedoms; reiterates that the work on the reconciliation process must focus on the country’s youth and start at an early age, embedding reconciliation into the education process;
Amendment 309 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Deplores the failure of authorities to address the severe migration-related humanitarian crisis during the winter 2020-2021; welcomes that the situation has improved since then, with the authorities taking increasing responsibility in managing migration; recalls the need for solidarity-based solutions on migration and asylum, ensuring adequate humanitarian assistance and appropriate reception capacities across the country; urges BiH to conclude an agreement with the European Asylum Support Office (EASO); welcomes the opening of the EU-funded reception centre in Lipa;
Amendment 314 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26 a. Expresses its concern about the dangers of political destabilization in BiH and the Western Balkans region following the Russian invasion of Ukraine; calls, therefore, on BiH to strengthen good neighbourly relations; calls, likewise, on leaders of the region to promote stability and de-escalation, avoiding uncalled for and inflammatory remarks;
Amendment 316 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Urges BiH to reverse the trend of regression onWelcomes BiH’s increasing alignment rate with the EU’s common foreign and security policy, particularly with regard to implementing sanctions against Russia and Belarus following the invasion of Ukraine; calls on BiH to strengthen good neighbourly relationsin votes condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine; regrets, however, the failure by political actors to agree on implementing sanctions; calls, therefore, for BiH to abide by its international commitments and ensure that its national policies conform to the relevant Council Decisions on restrictive measures related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine;
Amendment 320 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27 a. Takes note that the implementation of the Bosnia and Herzegovina’s 2018-2023 foreign policy strategy, which includes full membership of the EU, activation of the NATO Membership Action Plan, fight against terrorism, cooperation at egional level, and bilateral and multilateral cooperation, has been affected by frequent divergent positions; urges authorities to step up its implementation;
Amendment 322 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27 b. Welcomes the decisions by the Council of Ministers to facilitate the entry and extend the length of stay for Ukrainian refugees;
Amendment 323 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 c (new)
Paragraph 27 c (new)
27 c. Is deeply concerned about the spread of disinformation about the Russian aggression against Ukraine; calls on the authorities to take actions, in coordination with the EU, to fight disinformation and other hybrid threats;
Amendment 331 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28 a. Calls for the EU to consider the impact of an eventual granting of candidate country status to Ukraine on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s own path towards EU accession;
Amendment 333 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 b (new)
Paragraph 28 b (new)
28 b. Welcomes the statements of 4 March and 24 March 2022 by NATO’s Secretary-General on the need to further support BiH, including by upholding its sovereignty and strengthening its resilience;
Amendment 334 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 c (new)
Paragraph 28 c (new)
28 c. Expresses its concern about the effects of the war in Ukraine on BiH, namely relating to inflation, energy supply, fuel prices, and food security;
Amendment 342 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Welcomes the recent reinforcement of EUFOR Althea by the deployment of approximately 500 personnel from EUFOR Althea’s reserves stationed outside of BiH, as a precautionary measure, and the support under the European Peace Facility to strengthen the ademining battalion of the Armed fForces of BiH; osnia and Herzegovina; stresses the imperative need to extend the mandate of EUFOR Althea in November 2022 and underlines the paramount importance of having alternative solutions ready in the event of non-extension; calls, therefore, for the EU and its international partners to develop adequate alternatives so as to maintain a peace-enforcement mechanism in Bosnia and Herzegovina should the Operation’s UN Security Council mandate not be extended.