182 Amendments of Pino ARLACCHI
Amendment 35 #
2014/2021(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m
Paragraph 1 – point m
(m) to promote gender equality and furthermore to point out Japan´s problematic attitude towards so-called "comfort women" who were treated as sexual slaves during World War II; to support local, regional and international actors who actively call upon Japan to deal with this particular aspect of its past and to take full responsibility for human rights violations that are yet to be officially recognized as well as victims compensated;
Amendment 100 #
2013/2152(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Recalls that in order to avoid human rights breaches in the first place, the respect for international law must be at the core of any EU strategy aiming to enhance human rights and democracy in the world, particularly in its relationships with those partners that are parties to an armed or frozen conflict; reminds the need to end any EU support given to parties to a conflict, be it financial, logistical or tactical, including the supply of weapons, munitions and all other types of military equipment as laid down in the EU Common Position on arms exports;
Amendment 120 #
2013/2152(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Points out that Parliament may withhold its consent to international agreements on account of serious breaches of human rights, as in the cases of the conclusion of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) with Turkmenistan or the textile protocol of the EU-Uzbekistan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement; recall the European Parliament decision on 13 December 2011 to reject a proposed extension of the EU-Morocco fisheries agreement because it did not take into account the interests of the Sahrawi population;
Amendment 212 #
2013/2152(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 a (new)
Paragraph 41 a (new)
41a. Recalls its resolutions of 25 November 2010 on the situation in Western Sahara and its previous Annual Report 2010 and 2011; condemns the on- going repression of Sahrawi people in the occupied territories and expresses its concern at the deterioration of human rights situation, as reported by, among others, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; calls for the fundamental rights of the people of Western Sahara, including freedom of association, freedom of expression and the right to demonstrate, to be respected; demands the release of all Sahrawi political prisoners; demands the opening of the territory to independent observers, NGOs, and the media; reiterates its support for the establishment of an international mechanism to monitor human rights in Western Sahara; supports a fair and lasting settlement of the conflict, on the basis of the right to self-determination of the Sahrawi people, in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions;
Amendment 284 #
2013/2152(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63 a (new)
Paragraph 63 a (new)
63a. Emphasises, in view of principles of international humanitarian law spelled out in the 1907 Hague Regulations (arts 42-56) and the Fourth Geneva Convention (GC IV, art. 27-34 and 47-78) as well as in provisions of Additional Protocol I, the need for the EU to ensure that those partners falling under the category of occupying power, respect their duties towards the population in occupied territories; reminds that according to international humanitarian law, public health standards, provision of food and medical care to the population under occupation must be granted by the occupying power; reiterates that any transfer of civilian population of the occupying power into the occupied territory is prohibited, and that the accused of criminal offences must be provided with proceedings respecting internationally recognized judicial guarantees, such as being informed of the reason for their arrest, charged with a specific offence and given a fair trial as quickly as possible;
Amendment 20 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), in particular the Eastern Partnership (EaP), aims to extend the values and ideas of the founders of the EUis based on a community of values and the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law;
Amendment 30 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the EaP is directed at European countries and is a response to the European aspirations of the societies of the partner countriesstern Partnership aims to support the reform processes of six Eastern European countries with a view to accelerating their political association and economic integration with the European Union;
Amendment 55 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the recent developments in the EaP countries and their relations with the EU are a warning that the EU is still not considered as the only political alternatives well as the outcome of the Vilnius Summit highlight the need to strengthen the strategic character of the Eastern Partnership;
Amendment 59 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the recent developments in the EaP countries and their relations with the EU are a warning that the EU is still not considered as the only political alternativea full partner;
Amendment 88 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. RecogniseConsiders that the EaP projecstern Partnership project requires a thorough assessment of its effectiveness, including an accurate evaluation of its successes and failures and that it needs new impetus and a clear vision for the way forward, focusing not only on the political cooperation, but aiming to anchorstrengthen contacts and cooperation between the societies of the EaP to the EU, thus urges the EU to focus particularly on establishing visa-free regimes, on investing in youth and future leaders, and on the energy sectorempowerment of civil society;
Amendment 97 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls for a more active role of the EU directed at settlement of the frozen conflicts in the region; expresses concern in this regard that the efforts and the devoted resources have not been sufficient for achieving any tangible results so far;
Amendment 99 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Believes that the outcome of the Vilnius Summit highlights the need to enhance the strategic character of the Eastern Partnership; recommends therefore to make flexible use of the tools at the EU's disposal, such as macro- economic assistance, easing of trade regimes, projects to enhance energy security and economic modernization, and swift implementation of visa liberalization, in line with European values and interests;
Amendment 135 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes that difficulties have emerged in promoting and implementing the EaP, and stresses that thestern Partnership can be overcome by a rebalanced EU’s engagement shouldthat goes beyond political dialogue to tackle and develop social, economic and cultural dialoguespheres as well;
Amendment 160 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Finds it regrettable that there is uneven interest among the Member States in relations with, and developments in, EaP countries; notes with concern the lack of understanding among the Member States about the geopolitical importance of cooperation and of a uniform stance on some issues; calls for a comprehensive review of the ENP especially towards the Eastern Neighbours in the light of recent events and also in terms of concrete and tangible measures especially towards the EaP citizens;
Amendment 164 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Regrets, furthermore, the insufficient desire among EaP partner countries to build a common message and engage in common efforts vis-à-vis the EUcommends to further strengthen the multilateral track of the Eastern Partnership in order to foster a climate of cooperation and good neighbourly relations that will support the objectives of political association and particularly economic integration; believes that multilateral cooperation should be further strengthened to advance cross-border and regional cooperation, especially in areas such as transport, people-to-people contacts, environment, border security, and energy security;
Amendment 211 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Considers that the cooperation instruments should be defined precisely, taking account of available instruments and programmes, and focusing particularly on education and academic exchange; calls for additional financial resources to be provided for the implementation of the EaP and support for reforms, flagship initiatives and projects; calls for the full participation of all six EaP partner countries in Union programmes;
Amendment 215 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Underlines that the corruption is still widespread in the EaP countries and it is an important issue that needs to be addressed;
Amendment 218 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Highlights the importance of fostering economic cooperation in order to bring the EaP project forward, inter alia by raising awareness of the complexity of economic problems, promoting good governance in the financial sector, adopting a sectoral approach, encouraging legislation conducive to the development of SME sector and promoting business partnerships and people-to-people contacts between the EU and the EaP;
Amendment 280 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24 a. Reiterates that the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict poses a major impediment to regional security as well as to futher development of the Eastern Partnership; calls for rapid and substantial progress towards its resolution, on the basis of international law, relevant UNSC resolutions, and OSCE Minsk Group Basic Principles; underlines the importance of credible confidence-building measures, notably general de-militarization and withdrawal of Armenian forces from occupied territories surrounding Nagorno- Karabakh; calls on the EU to continue to actively support the resolution process;
Amendment 87 #
2013/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Strongly believNotes that the USA is thean EU's most important strategic partner; urges the EU, therefore, to give clear political priority to deepeningstrengthen the transatlantic relations at all levels and broadening them to include other transatlantic partners;
Amendment 107 #
2013/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Considers that in order to build trust it is necessary for the USA to make drastic changes to its data collection activities directed against the EU and its citizens:; recalls that data protection is a fundamental right for the EU citizens and must be respected both by the EU and its partners;
Amendment 120 #
2013/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
Amendment 191 #
2013/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)
Paragraph 43 a (new)
43 a. Recalls its position that the occupation by one country of the Eastern Partnership of the territory of other violates the fundamental principles and objectives of the Eastern Partnership and that the conclusion of the EU association agreements with Armenia and Azerbaijan should be linked to progress towards the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions 822, 853, 874 and 884 of 1993 and OSCE Minsk Group Basic Principles enshrined in the ´Aquila´ joint statement of 10 July 2009;
Amendment 199 #
2013/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. Stress that although the EU-Ukraine agreement has been initialled, it can only be signed and ratified if Ukraine fulfils the necessary requirements as set out in the Council conclusions on Ukraine of 10 December 2012; reiterates its call on the Ukrainian Parliament and Government to address the issue of selective justice, beginning by immediately releasing Yulia Tymoshenko, and to implement the reforms set out in the jointly agreed Association Agenda, including judicial reform (i.e. the Office of the General Prosecutor) and reform of the electoral law; calls on Ukraine to amend its penal code by removing criminal sanctions for clearly political acts carried out by state functionaries acting in an official capacity;
Amendment 214 #
2013/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 a (new)
Paragraph 47 a (new)
47 a. Stresses that supporting the process of returning the assets stolen by former dictators and their regimes constitutes a moral imperative for the EU; believes that asset recovery is a highly political issue due to its symbolic value and that the need for restoring accountability in the spirit of democracy and the rule of law; notes that asset recovery must constitute a key political commitment of the EU in its partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood; reiterates the need to establish an EU mechanism with the aim of delivering legal support to countries of the Southern Neighbourhood in the process of asset recovery;
Amendment 245 #
2013/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51
Paragraph 51
51. Expresses concern at the lack of progress in negotiations between the EU 3- plus-3 and Iran on nuclear non- proliferation and warns against the risks for regional and global security if the negotiations should fail; supports the EU, the USA, Russia and China in the objective of pursuing nucle; supports the Council's twin- track approach aimed at finding diplomatic solution as the only viable approach to the Iranian nuclear issue; reminds that the sanctions are non- proliferation and believes, therefore,t an end in themselves; reminds that, if Iran continues to refuse to curb its nuclear programme voluntarily, the EU 3- plus-3 parties should consider additional sanctions; calls on the new Iranian Government to cooperate with the international community quickly and construn accordance with a central tenet of the NPT, Iran has the right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes and to receive technical assistance for the same objectivelys;
Amendment 270 #
2013/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 58
Paragraph 58
58. Underlines the importance of the EU strategies for the Horn of Africa and the Sahel region as a key means of addressing the complexity of the security and development challenges affecting these regions, which span the breadth of Africa; urges Morocco and the Polisario Front to continue negotiations for a peaceful and long-lasting solution of the Western Sahara conflict and reiterates the right of the Sahrawi people to self determination which should be decided through a democratic referendum, in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions; condemns the ongoing violation of the human rights of the Sahrawi people; Calls for the release of the Sahrawi political prisoners;
Amendment 285 #
2013/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 62 a (new)
Paragraph 62 a (new)
62 a. Praises the Central Asian Nuclear Weapons Free Zone by the five Central Asian Republics; the Treaty contains a binding commitment to nuclear disarmament by countries that previously hosted nuclear weapons on their territory and have neighbours with nuclear weapons; the same Treaty is a significant contribution to the efforts for a world free from nuclear weapons and a powerful example of non-proliferation cooperation;
Amendment 287 #
2013/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63
Paragraph 63
63. Is deeply concerned about the continued violence in Afghanistan; urges the Afghan Government to prepare for taking over full responsibility after the withdrawal of international forces from 2014; calls for the Member States to gear up to support the military and civilian capacity-building of the Afghan Government and its National Security Forces in order to create stability and security as a prerequisite for development, avoiding the creation of a vacuum once the country assumes full responsibility for its own security after 2014; reiterates the need to establish a plan for the elimination of opium production; recalls that more than 90% of heroin in Europe originates in Afghanistan and that the costs to public health in European countries run into billions of dollars; notes, however, that opium production is a key social, economic and security issue; regrets the fact that in 2011 opium production rose by 61% by comparison with 2010, accounting for 9% of Afghanistan's GDP in 2011; Regrets that a huge amounts of funds have been used by the international community on counter-narcotics measures without any significant impact on drugs trafficking; recalls that the EP has repeatedly called for the promotion of a five-year plan for the elimination of opium production to be organized and funded by the EU and the Russian Federation; recalls that between 2002 and the end of 2011 the EU committed a total of approximately EUR 2,5 billion in assistance to Afghanistan, including EUR 493 million in humanitarian assistance; regrets the fact that despite the huge injections of foreign aid the impact has been limited; expresses the strongest possible concern about the inefficiency of international financial support and of Afghan government structures, and about the lack of transparency and the limited mechanisms for donor accountability;
Amendment 303 #
2013/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 70
Paragraph 70
70. Commends Taiwan's continuous efforts to maintain peace and stability in the Asia- Pacific region, particularly in the East and South China Sea; recogniszes the progress made in cross-Strait relations, especially the flourishing economic links, tourism and cultural cooperation; welcomes Taiwan's achievement of visa waiver status or visa facilitation from more than 130 countries or areas, contributing to an increase in the movement of people; reiterates its firm support for Taiwan's meaningful participation as an observer in relevant international organiszations and activities, including the World Health Organisationsuch as the WHO, UNFCCC and ICAO, in particular the triennial ICAO Assembly and other related meetings, activities, and mechanisms, for furthering EU and global interests; urges the Commission and the Council to facilitate the negotiation of an EU-Taiwan economic cooperation agreement (ECA); encourages closer bilateral cooperation between the EU and Taiwan in areas such as trade, research, culture, education and environmental protection;
Amendment 13 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)
Citation 9 a (new)
- having regard to the Report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, dated 28 February 2013, regarding his mission to Morocco, including Western Sahara,
Amendment 15 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 b (new)
Citation 9 b (new)
- having regard to the European Parliament resolution of 25 November 2010 on the situation in Western Sahara,
Amendment 18 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 e (new)
Citation 9 e (new)
- having regard to the European Parliament resolution of 13 December 2012 on the Annual report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World 2011 and the European Union's policy on the matter,
Amendment 19 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 f (new)
Citation 9 f (new)
- having regard to the European Parliament resolution of 7 February 2013 on the 22nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council,
Amendment 20 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 g (new)
Citation 9 g (new)
- having regard to the European Parliament resolution of 16 February 2012 on Parliament's position on the 19th Session of the UN Human Rights Council,
Amendment 21 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 h (new)
Citation 9 h (new)
- having regard to the Annual report on the Common Foreign and Security Policy from the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to the European Parliament, endorsed by the Council on 4 October 2012,
Amendment 35 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas in the last 20 years elections have been held on a regular basis in Mali, and that prior to the coup d'état this country was considered as a success story for democracy in Africa;
Amendment 37 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the Malian crisis is manifold and cannot be reduced to an ethnic conflict; whereas Tuareg resentments in northern Mali were exploited by extremist groups who in early 2012 allied with, and subsequently displaced, the secular National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) in their rebellion; whereas these groups, in particular Ansar Dine, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO), further benefited from the instability arising from the subsequent coup in Bamako; whereas the systematic violations of human rights in the north, combined with the impending existential threat to the Malian state itself, precipitated the international interventions to help shore up democracy, restore the rule of law and improve the situation of human rights; whereas the situation in Mali requires a response that goes beyond addressing security threats, including a long-term commitment on the part of the international community and decisive action to tackle deep-rooted political, governance, development and humanitarian challenges;
Amendment 51 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas complex and interdependent problems require efficient coordination of different EU policies, linking EU efforts in the areas of human rights, democracy support and the rule of law, to EU objectives on crisis management, the security sector, development co-operation and ecological sustainability; whereas an effective solution to the actual crisis must encompass economic and social policies that aim to improve the living standard of the population;
Amendment 63 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas a ceasefire in Western Sahara between the Moroccan Government and the Polisario Front has been in place since 1991; whereas the UN considers Western Sahara a non-self-governing territory; whereas no country recognises Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara; whereas the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is currently recognised by the AU and over 45 UN states, but not by the UN collectively or by any EU Member State; whereas the UN and EU do not explicitly consider Morocco to be anaccording to international law, the Kingdom of Morocco not only has no sovereignty over Western Sahara, but is the occupying power; whereas a referendum on the status of Western Sahara, first agreed on principle in 1988, has still not taken place;
Amendment 70 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas according to recent report from the UNSR on torture, the human rights violations by the Moroccan law- enforcement officials in Western Sahara are alarming; whereas Morocco has signed and ratified several international and human rights treaties such as the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Convention Against Torture (CAT), the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the United Nations Declaration on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (UNPHRD); whereas in view of the principle of international humanitarian law spelled out in the 1907 Hague Regulations (arts 42-56) and the Fourth Geneva Convention (GC IV, art. 27-34 and 47-78) as well as in the additional Protocol I, the EU should ensure that those partner falling under the category of occupying power respect their duties towards the population in occupied territories;
Amendment 91 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that the situation of human rights in the Sahel has acquired greater international prominence as a result of the armed conflict in Mali and the international response to it; acknowledges that this conflict has created specific problems in that country, as well as exacerbating fundamental underlying challenges already present in Mali and elsewhere in the region; stresses the need of a political solution that includes all the parties to the conflict and which aims to tackle the root causes of it, such as poverty, inequality, under-development and arms trafficking in the region; stresses, however, that the immediate concerns in Mali should not deflect attention from the chronic and pervasive problems that seriously impact on human rights in the rest of the Sahel, in particular, slavery and human trafficking, jihadi extremism and radicalisation, fragile governance and institutional corruption, and systemic and debilitating poverty;
Amendment 128 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes the conclusions of the International Donors Conference ‘Together for a New Mali’, held in May 2013; commends the Malian Government's Plan for the Sustainable Recovery of Mali (PRED)stresses that donors have undertaken to donate EUR 3.25 billion to Mali in the next two years, with the EU taking the lead by pledging EUR 520 million; commends the Malian Government's Plan for the Sustainable Recovery of Mali (PRED); calls on the EU and its international partners to implement their mutual commitments as part of an effective and coordinated follow-up to the conference; reiterates the need to link aid with institutional reform and discernible social and political development; furthermore commends the constructive involvement of regional actors;
Amendment 137 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Considers the need to fight impunity and hold all perpetrators of serious human rights violations accountable, irrespectiveto prosecute all those who have committed serious violations of human rights, regardless of affiliation and status, as key to ensuring lasting peace and stability in Mali; welcomes therefore the Malian Government's referral of the situation to the ICC and the ICC Prosecutor's opening of formal investigations; calls on the EU and other international partners of Mali to help the government to pursue its objective of investigating and prosecuting perpetrators of abuses; calls on the Malian Government to consider establishing a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, along the South African lines, to encourage dialogue and foster trust between communities;
Amendment 256 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Emphasises the need forCondemns in the strongest terms the ongoing violation of human rights in Wwestern Sahara to be considered without anticipating any final political settlement or expressing a view on such a settlement; regrets that last 25th of April the UN Security Council's failed to add human rights monitoring to the mandate of its Western Sahara peacekeeping force MINURSO and recall therefore the UN bodies to establish as a matter of urgency a human rights monitoring mechanism in Western Sahara; urges Morocco and the Polisario front to continue negotiations for a peaceful solution of the conflict and reiterate the rights of the Sahrawi people to self determination; reiterates, nevertheless, that self-determination is a fundamental human right, as specified by Article 1 of the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; moreover, recalls UN Security Council Resolution 1754, urging the parties to enter into negotiations in good faith, without preconditions, ‘with a view to achieving a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, which would provide for the self- determination of the people of Western Sahara’; fears that the 25-year delay in arranging a referendum is increasing Sahrawi alienation and the potential for violence, particularly amongst the young;
Amendment 259 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37a. Notes that reports of excess use of force against demonstrators, alleged torture in detention and restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly and association continue to emerge in Western Sahara; remind that in several occasion the European Parliament condemned the ongoing repression of the Sahrawi people in the occupied territories; regrets that there are no independent human rights observers currently operating on these territories, leaving the residents vulnerable to abuses;
Amendment 269 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Expresses deep concern at the recent report from the UNSR on torture, who found evidence that Moroccan officials have detained individuals on political grounds, inflicted torture and rape on Sahrawi inmates, kidnapped and abandoned protesters in the desert to intimidate them, and deliberately and frequently targeted pro-independence advocates, including in their homes; notes further widespread allegations of forced disappearances and unfair trials; draws particular attention to the dismantling of the Gdeim Izik protest camp in November 2010, where significant violence claimed Moroccan and Sahrawi lives, and the subsequent trial of 25 Sahrawis, many of them known human rights activists, in February 2013; notes Morocco's insistence regardunderlines that during theis trial's fairness and due process, a military court as sentenced 25 Sahrawi civiliands the positive conclusions of some international observers, but also recalls the UNSR's concern at the use of a military court, the allegations of torture, and the Moroccan authorities' failure to investigate themo 9 life sentences, 4 sentenced to 30 years, 7 sentenced to 25 years, 3 sentenced to 20 years and 2 sentenced to 2 years and 3 months, which they already have spent in custody; notes Morocco's failure to investigate claims that the defendants were subjected to torture; underlines Morocco's refusal to transfer the trial to a civilian court capable of handling fair trial standards and Morocco's obligations under international law; notes the conclusions by some NGOs and human rights observers relating to the case's alleged politicised prosecutions, deficient evidence and excessive sentences; calls therefore on the Moroccan authorities to work with civil society and other actors to guarantee the transparency and fairness of its judicial processes, and to investigate and prosecute security officials alleged to have been involved in arbitrary detentions, torture and other abuses of power;
Amendment 274 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)
Paragraph 38 a (new)
38a. Condemns the fact that on Wednesday 6 March 2013 Morocco expelled a delegation of four Members of the European Parliament; notes that the aim of the delegation was to visit the territories of Western Sahara, to inquire about the situation of human rights and to meet with representatives of the MINURSO; condemn Morocco's authorities behaviour and demands the Kingdom of Morocco to permit free access and free movement in Western Sahara to independent observers, members of parliaments, to the press and to humanitarian organisations;
Amendment 277 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Reiterates the concerns of the 2006 OHCHR report about restrictions on freedom of speech, assembly and association in Western Sahara; notes Morocco's claim to allow sit-ins and other forms of protest; regrets Morocco's apparent institutional obstruction of NGOs advocating a pro-independence position by preventing their legal registration and recogis concerned by the inability of the Sahrawi human rights defenders to register as civil society organization; notes that such registration is essential for allowing the organization to effectively advocate in their communitiones; condemns the often severe punishments for ‘undermining Moroccan territorial integrity’, an item of legislation reportedly used to target Sahrawis peacefully advocating independence; recalls the findings of the UN Independent Expert on cultural rights that the Moroccan authorities suppress certain aspects of Sahrawi culture, and repeats her call to overturn such measures and promote full cultural diversity;
Amendment 289 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Welcomes the significant economic and infrastructural development implemented by the Moroccan Government in Western Sahara; remainIs concerned, however, by the ongoing dispute over the exploitation of the territory's natural resources, particularly relating to phosphate mines, fisheries, and preliminary oil exploration; notes that several reports have shown that natural resources of Western Sahara are being exploited without any benefit to the local population; recalls the UN Under- Secretary-General for Legal Affairs' advice in 2002, which stressed the Western Saharan people's ‘inalienable rights’ to their territory's natural resources, and determined that further exploitation ‘in disregard of the interests and wishes of the people of Western Sahara’ would be illegal; stresses, therefore, that Western Saharan goods and resources should be exempt from any trade agreements between Morocco and the EU unless the Sahrawi population's consent and benefit can be clearly demonstrated; recalls the European Parliament decision of 13 December 2011 to reject a proposed extension of the EU-Morocco fisheries agreement because it did not take into account the interests of the Sahrawi population; expresses particular concern that the EU should not re-institute a fisheries agreement with Morocco while this controversy remains unresolved;
Amendment 293 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Welcomes the significant economic and infrastructural development implemented by the Moroccan Government in Western Sahara; remains concerned, however, by the ongoing dispute over the exploitation of the territory's natural resources, particularly relating to phosphate mines, fisheries, and preliminary oil exploration; recalls the UN Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs' advice in 2002, which stressed the Western Saharan people's ‘inalienable rights’ to their territory's natural resources, and determined that further exploitation ‘in disregard of the interests and wishes of the people of Western Sahara’ would be illegal; stresses, therefore, that Western Saharan goods and resources should be exempt from any trade agreements between Morocco and the EU unless the Sahrawi population's consent and benefit can be clearly demonstrated; expresses particular concern thatinvites the EU shouldto not re-institute a fisheries agreement with Morocco while this controversy remains unresolved;
Amendment 318 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Notes that while most recent observers, and reports from the OHCHR, Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, and Human Rights Watch, have identified little evidence of systemic and institutional human rights violations in the camps, multipledifferent actors, including the Moroccan Government, Moroccan NGOs and some former inhabitants of Tindouf, have alleged that the Polisario authorities restrict inhabitants' freedom of expression and freedom of movement, practise or permit slavery, forcibly marry children, and separate families in order to send children to Cuba for military training; notes Polisario's vigorous denials of these accusations, which it claims are politically motivated; calls therefore on Polisario to allow independent human rights observers full, regular and unfettered access to the camps; amidst reported evidence of some residual private slavery in both Tindouf and Western Sahara, calls on the Polisario and Moroccan authorities to redouble their efforts to terminate this practice and rehabilitate its victims;
Amendment 332 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Notes, nevertheless, the serious and contested allegations against both the Moroccan and Polisario administrations, and rRecalls the UN Secretary-General's recent emphasis on ‘independent, impartial, comprehensive and sustained monitoring of the human rights situation in both Western Sahara and the camps’; noteregrets, in this regards, that the UN did not upgrade the mandate of MINURSO in April 2013 to incorporate a human rights dimension; encourages the UN to do so, or else to establish a new, permanent, impartial human rights body for the purpose of supervising and reporting on the overall situation of human rights, and investigating individual complaints; calls on such a body to encompass the Moroccan-controlled section of Western Sahara, the Tindouf camps, and other territory controlled by the Polisario Front;
Amendment 1 #
2013/0315(NLE)
The Committee on Development calls on the Committee on Fisheries, as the committee responsible, to propose that the Parliament decline to give its consent.
Amendment 1 #
Amendment 85 #
2012/2870(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses Turkey's strategic role, politically and geographically, for the foreign policy of the EU and its neighbourhood policy; recognises Turkey's role as an important regional player and calls on the EU and Turkey to further reinforce their existing political dialogue on foreign policy choices and objectives; regrets that the alignment of Turkey with CFSP declarations continued to be low in 2012; encourages Turkey to develop its foreign policy in the framework of dialogue and coordination with the EU; participate in a more comprehensive foreign policy cooperation; encourages Turkey to develop its foreign policy in the framework of dialogue and coordination with the EU; underlines that the EU can benefit from Turkey's growing role in the Arab world and calls on both sides to cooperate to strengthen the forces of peace and democracy in the EU's southern neighbourhood, a region of critical importance for the EU as well as for Turkey;
Amendment 4 #
2012/2285(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the initiative to reform the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), which has, as one of its main objectives, to strengthen cooperation with third countries; notes that this reform will, inter alia, provide OLAF with the possibility to conclude administrative arrangements with third countries' competent authorities and international organisations, strengthening OLAF's capacity to tackle fraud in areas pertaining to the EU's external policy dimension, and looks forward to the rapid conclusion of the current legislative procedure revising the 1999 Regulation, equipping the office with the framework it now needs to operate with maximum effectiveness;
Amendment 6 #
2012/2285(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Stresses the need to further intensify the fight against custom-related fraud and welcomes the creation of the Anti-Fraud Transit Information System (ATIS), a central repository to keep all the authorities informed about the movements of goods in transit within the EU;
Amendment 8 #
2012/2285(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the Action plan to fight against smuggling of cigarettes and alcohol along the EU Eastern border, and notes that this illegal activity is leading to important financial losses for the EU budget and for the budgets of the Member States (estimated at EUR 10 billion); emphasises that this activity serves as an important source of financing for internationally structured criminal organisations, and outlines, therefore, the importance of strengthening the external dimension of the aforementioned Action plan; in particular, stresses the importance of the collaboration of the Member States, Russia and the Eastern Partnership countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine) for the implementation of the targeted actions proposed by this Action plan;
Amendment 11 #
2012/2285(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. WBearing in mind that, in a globalised world, fraud is increasingly being committed across international borders, stresses the importance of having a strong legal framework, with clear commitments from the partner countries and welcomes the inclusion of anti-fraud provisions in new or renegotiated bilateral agreements, and calls on the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) to extend the inclusion of these provisions to other bilateral agreements with third countries;
Amendment 55 #
2012/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas violations of freedom of religion or belief,thought, religion, belief or political affiliation perpetrated by governments and non-state actors alike, are increasing in many countries of the world, resulting in discrimination, intolerance and violence against certain individuals, groups and religious communities, including religious minority representatives;
Amendment 139 #
2012/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Emphasises, in view of principles of international humanitarian law spelled out in the 1907 Hague Regulations (arts 42-56) and the Fourth Geneva Convention (GC IV, art. 27-34 and 47-78) as well as in provisions of Additional Protocol I, the need for the EU to ensure that those partners falling under the category of occupying power, respect their duties towards the population in occupied territories; reminds that according to international humanitarian law, public health standards, provision of food and medical care to the population under occupation must be granted by the occupying power; reiterates that any transfer of civilian population of the occupying power into the occupied territory is prohibited, and that the accused of criminal offences must be provided with proceedings respecting internationally recognized judicial guarantees, such as being informed of the reason for their arrest, charged with a specific offence and given a fair trial as quickly as possible.
Amendment 140 #
2012/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)
Paragraph 22 b (new)
22b. Recalls that in order to avoid human rights breaches in the first place, the respect for international law must be at the core of any EU strategy aiming to enhance human rights and democracy in the world, particularly in its relationships with those partners that are parties to an armed or frozen conflict; reminds the need to end any EU support given to parties to a conflict, be it financial, logistical or tactical, including the supply of weapons, munitions and all other types of military equipment as laid down in the EU Common Position on arms exports.
Amendment 158 #
2012/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Amendment 355 #
2012/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 81
Paragraph 81
81. Remains deeply concerned that discrimination based on thought, religion or, belief or political affiliation continues in many regions of the world, and that persons belonging to particular religious communities, including religious minorities, continue to be denied their human rights; is particularly concerned by the situation in China where individuals who practise their religion outside officially sanctioned channels, including Christians, Muslims, Buddhists and Falun Gong practitioners, often face persecution; urges China to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) as it has promised; urges the Chinese authorities to suspend and subsequently amend, through genuinely consultative processes with Tibetans, the policies that most negatively impact Tibetan Buddhism, culture and traditionpolitical movements, religious communities, including religious minorities, continue to be denied their human rights;
Amendment 371 #
2012/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 82
Paragraph 82
82. Stresses the need for a toolkit to advance the right to freedom of thought, religion or, belief as part of EU's external policy; notes that this toolkit should include a checklist on the necessary freedoms pertaining to the right of freedom of religion or belief, in order to assess the situor political affiliation, as well as a methodology to help identify infringements of freedom of religion or belief; encourages the EEAS to involve civil society organisations in the preparation of the toolkitpart of EU's external policy;
Amendment 390 #
2012/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 83
Paragraph 83
83. Stresses that international human rights law recognises freedom of thought, religion or, belief or political affiliation regardless of registration status, so registration should not be a mandatory precondition for practising one's religion; points out with concern, furthermore, that in China monks and nuns are required to register with the Government, and must operate under Government-controlled management boards, and that this interferes with their religious autonomy and restricts their activity or right of political affiliation;
Amendment 39 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
Amendment 90 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
L. whereas the positive role of the PRC in South-East Asia in terms of economic regionalisation and dynamics is becoming increasingly overshadowed by territorial disputes in the South China Sea with Vietnam (Paracel/Xisha islands) and Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, the Philippines and Taiwan (Spratly/Nansha islands) – all areas rich in fish, as well as in oil and gas reserves;
Amendment 103 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital N
Recital N
Amendment 141 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 s (new)
Paragraph 1 s (new)
(s) Stresses that China, in recent decades, has achieved important social progresses; underlines that such an improvement in the quality of life for a huge country in such a short period of time is unique in history; notes that the economic growth in China has lifted more than half a billion people out of poverty since 1990;
Amendment 142 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 t (new)
Paragraph 1 t (new)
(t) Notes that, by the middle of the century, China will probably become the world most powerful economy; therefore stresses the need to build a partnership based on mutual respect; emphasizes the importance to consider the potential benefits for developing countries from deeper economic relations with China and that the expansion of trade between all the EU Member States and China represents a crucial opportunity for growth;
Amendment 143 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 u (new)
Paragraph 1 u (new)
(u) Considers China as the most important challenge for EU trade policy and believes that the commercial relations with this country should be evaluated from a much larger perspective; underlines that China is not only the world's second largest economy and biggest exporter in the global economy, but also an increasingly important political power;
Amendment 147 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015), approved by the National People's Congress in March 2012, which strongly intends to tackle the negative side effects of an unparalleled period of sustained high economic growth, such as acute environmental threats, regional imbalances, rising income inequality and continuing collective protests centred on social, economic and legal grievances; asserts that European capabilities and experiences can be of great value in sustaining and fostering innovation in China's economy;
Amendment 158 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Acknowledges the popular legitimacy of the CCP, especially in view of its successful economic policy, but shares the criticism of independent Chinese scholars and observers that this legitimacy is seriously threatened by a ‘red aristocracy’ of close family members of former and present party leaders who possess enormous fortunes owing to their political and economic connections, a grave situation which was recently laid bare by the Bo Xilai affair;
Amendment 166 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Looks forward to the speedy implementation of the repeated calls for democratisation andfor political reforms inside the CCP by means of an open- minded new party leadership; believes that only effective political reforms will curb the semi- independence of high-handed provincial, district and local party bosses, who badly damage the reputation of China's national leadership both internally and externally with their abuses of power, with particular reference to the very costly and endemic cases of corruption;
Amendment 172 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 175 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
(a) Underlines that China has always been too big and too populous to be governed only by force as an army of reliable size is not large enough to control China and an army capable of controlling China can not be trusted; notes therefore that law and order is enforced in China by a small force of one million 300 thousand individuals, a police officer for every 1,000 inhabitants; considers that the European average is a police officer for every 400 people;
Amendment 190 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 236 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Recognises the enormous efforts made by the Chinese Government to develop Tibet and Xinjiang economically; urges the Chinese Government to act in a politically responsible way by respecting and protecting Tibetan and Uighur traditional cultures and lifestyles; believes that Beijing cannot win the hearts and minds of the Tibetan and Uighur peoples by way of millions of surveillance cameras or repressive police methods;
Amendment 253 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Stresses that, notwithstanding a harsh policy of repression, a religious revival is taking place in China which is demonstrated by the reopening or reconstruction of countless places of worship; urges the Chinese authorities to replace their ineffective policy of controlling religion with one offering real freedom of religion;
Amendment 257 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Wishes to see the flourishing Protestant house churches and underground Catholic churches granted official recognition by the Chinese State as well; sStrongly condemns allny attempts by the authorities to deprive these non- registered churchecognised religious movements of their fundamental right of freedom of religion;
Amendment 273 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. UrgNotes the PRC to use its regained global positionat the rejection of war, as a characteristic feature of China's philosophy, is translated into a responsible way by actingdefensive and non-militaristic national security strategy; call therefore the PRC to continuing use its position by according to its own criteria of ‘'peaceful development’' and ‘'a harmonious world’'; notes that the China post-Tiananmen became a country well integrated into the international system and a supporter of cooperation among nations;
Amendment 284 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
Amendment 310 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Observes that the new American strategy of ‘rebalance’ or ‘pivot’ towards Asia is perceived as a threat by the Chinese leadership; encourages China and the USA to avoid tensions and an arms race in the Pacific; urges China to honour America's vital interest in ensuring freedom of circulation on the seas;
Amendment 169 #
Amendment 170 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33 a. Supports the Council's twin-track approach aimed at finding diplomatic solution as the only viable approach to the Iranian nuclear issue; reminds that the sanctions are not an end in themselves; urges the p5+1 and Iran to continue to participate to the negotiating table and calls on the negotiators to forge a compromise; reminds that, in accordance with a central tenet of the NPT, Iran has the right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes and to receive technical assistance for the same objectives; is deeply concerned by the forming of a constellation of political, economic and military interests fomenting preparations for a military attack on Iran, stressing that no action should be taken by any State that could risk leading to any kind of use of force against Iran;
Amendment 242 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. Is concerned at the resurgence in violence following the breakdown in peace negotiations; highlights the importance of a sub-regional Central Asian approach to tackling cross-border trafficking in people and goods and to fighting organised crime and terrorism; calls for stepped-up support for building the capacity of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the National Security Forces as well as for helping the wider population with agricultural and socio- economic development in order for the country to assume full responsibility for security after completion of the transfer of internal security to the Afghan forces by the end of 2014;therefore calls for the intensification of police training and for amending the EUPOL mandate; reiterates the need to establish a plan for the elimination of opium production and believes that the EU's strategy for Afghanistan will have to consider the need to further encourage a profound shift in the mindset of the international community, which has all too often in the past shaped plans and decisions with scant regard for Afghan involvement; calls for a centralised EU database on the costs and impact of EU aid to Afghanistan and for an in depth evaluation by an independent team of all EU and Member States actions undertaken in the country so far;
Amendment 285 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 a (new)
Paragraph 53 a (new)
53 a. Recalls the European Parliament resolution of 25 November 2010 on the situation in Western Sahara; urges Morocco and the Polisario Front to continue negotiation for a peaceful and long-lasting solution of the Western Sahara conflict and reiterates the rights of the Sahrawi people to self determination which should be decided through a democratic referendum, in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions; condemns the ongoing violation of the human rights of the Sahrawi people; calls for the release of the Sahrawi political prisoners; welcomes the statements by 11 countries during the 13 th session of the Universal Periodic Review of the United Nations raising concerns on the situation in Western Sahara;
Amendment 42 #
2011/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(a a) ensure that the conclusion of the EU-Azerbaijan Association Agreement, in line with the demands made in the Parliament's Report on the need for an EU strategy for the South Caucasus of 23 April 2010 and with OSCE Minsk Group Basic Principles, is linked to a substantial progress towards the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, including confidence-building measures and active incident-prevention on the line of contact; the right of all internally displaced persons and refugees to return to their home places and properties and international security guarantees that would include a genuine multinational peacekeeping operation;
Amendment 78 #
2011/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f
Paragraph 1 – point f
(f) strengthen the European Union's conflict-resolution capacity, inter alia by supporting the efforts of the Minsk Group and clearing the way for the implementation of confidence-building measures, as the Presidents of both Azerbaijan and Armenia have agreed; the EU should also consider direct and more active participation in the Minsk Group;
Amendment 80 #
2011/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
(f a) calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to undertake confidence-building measures along the front lines, including withdrawal of snipers from the line of contact (in accordance with OSCE recommendations), the pullback and cessation of use of any artillery, significant increase in the number of the OSCE monitors, as an interim measure until a UN-mandated multinational peacekeeping force is deployed as part of the implementation of a peace agreement;
Amendment 31 #
2011/2315(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(a a) ensure that the conclusion of the EU-Armenia Association Agreement, in line with the demands made in the Parliament’s Report on the need for an EU strategy for the South Caucasus of 23 April 2010 and with OSCE Minsk Group Basic Principles, is linked to a substantial progress towards the resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, including confidence-building measures and active incident-prevention on the line of contact; the withdrawal of Armenian forces from the all occupied territories of Azerbaijan surrounding Nagorno- Karabakh and their gradual return to Azerbaijani control, the right of all internally displaced persons and refugees to return to their home places and properties and international security guarantees that would include a genuine multinational peacekeeping operation;
Amendment 62 #
2011/2315(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g
Paragraph 1 – point g
(g) ensure that the Association Agreement is consistent with the principles of international law - in particular the non-use of force, self-determination and territorial integrity - and that the Agreement, once concluded, applies to the whole territory of Armenia;
Amendment 66 #
2011/2315(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
(g a) calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to undertake confidence-building measures along the front lines, including withdrawal of snipers from the line of contact (in accordance with OSCE recommendations), the pullback and cessation of use of any artillery, significant increase in the number of the OSCE monitors, as an interim measure until a UN-mandated multinational peacekeeping force is deployed as part of the implementation of a peace agreement; calls on Armenia to stop sending regular army conscripts to serve in Nagorno-Karabakh;
Amendment 90 #
2011/2315(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point i a (new)
(i a) encourage Armenian authorities to work actively on basing the country’s national security on a commitment to international cooperation and security networks as well as the development of good neighbourly relations, which should lead to the withdrawal of foreign troops from its territory;
Amendment 20 #
2011/2179(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls for any resources intended for the Ionian-Adriatic macro-region to be allocated according to criteria reflecting the demographic and territorial scale of each sub-entity;
Amendment 2 #
2011/2113(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph B
Paragraph B
B. having regard to all of the resolutions adopted by Parliament in the context of the Arab Spring, on the freedoms of religion, belief and conscience as fundamental and universal values that are essential for democratic and economic development;
Amendment 4 #
2011/2113(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls the importance of tolerance for a stable societyeconomic development and a higher standard of living of the population, which are essential for long term political and social stability, in the countries concerned and calls on the countries in political transition to ensure full respect for all fundamental rights, including freedom of expression and freedom, of peaceful assembly, of association, and of religion, conscience and thought for all citizens, including the members of Coptic Christian communities;
Amendment 6 #
2011/2113(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the tailor-made approach towards the partner countries followed in the joint communication of the Commission and the Vice-President/High Representative (VP/HR) entitled ‘A New Response to a Changing Neighbourhood’; calls on the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the Commission to provide more details on how principles such as mutual accountability and conditionality (‘more for more’) will be put into practice;
Amendment 8 #
2011/2113(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes, in this context, the launch of the EU-Tunisia Task Force, the first task force put in place with a southern Mediterranean country with a view to ensuring better coordination of European and international support for the country's transition; welcomes the fact that Parliament was involved in the first meeting; asks the VP/HR and the Commission to continue to involve Parliament, as an observer, in this and future initiatives;
Amendment 15 #
2011/2113(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
Amendment 24 #
2011/2109(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the ICC is not only an instrument to fight impunity, but also the major alternative conceived so far to the practice of extrajudicial executions and death penalty in the international arena,
Amendment 26 #
2011/2109(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas the ICC is a capital step on the road of the civilization of international relations,
Amendment 27 #
2011/2109(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D c (new)
Recital D c (new)
Dc. whereas the basic inspiration of ICC is to be found in the advancement of global peace and justice, and as such it is deeply coherent with the kind of international order envisioned by the founding fathers of the European Union,
Amendment 28 #
2011/2109(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D d (new)
Recital D d (new)
Dd. whereas a stronger ICC is a step toward the main goal of the Schuman declaration: building a lasting peace on the European continent and, more generally, "make war not only unthinkable but materially impossible",
Amendment 67 #
2011/2109(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Stresses that a relevant aspect of the establishment of the ICC is the substitution of many forms of primitive justice like vendetta and violent reprisal with the rule of law and third part justice;
Amendment 97 #
2011/2109(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Stresses that the extension of the ICC mandate to the crime of aggression is a powerful contribution to the prevention of international war because it makes the starting of a war a criminal act for which individuals can be tried;
Amendment 98 #
2011/2109(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Reiterates the validity of the definition of the crime of aggression as adopted in the Kampala Conference as "the planning, preparation, initiation or execution, by a person in a position effectively to exercise control over or to direct the political or military action of a State, of an act of aggression which, by its character, gravity and scale, constitutes a manifest violation of the Charter of the United Nations";
Amendment 99 #
2011/2109(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 c (new)
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6c. Underlines that jurisdiction over the crime of aggression was present in the Statute of the Court as its core competence from the beginning, but has not become operational immediately because of dissension among the 120 signatory countries of the Treaty of Rome;
Amendment 100 #
2011/2109(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 d (new)
Paragraph 6 d (new)
6d. Regrets that the Court, according to the results of the Kampala Conference, would not be able to exercise its jurisdiction over the crime of aggression until after January 2017, when a decision is to be made by States Parties to activate this jurisdiction;
Amendment 126 #
2011/2109(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Expresses its concern about the fact that so far the ICC has only investigated cases located in Africa; underlines that this ICC conduct created legitimate criticism and concern, and invites the ICC Prosecutor to balance the geographical scope of the Court;
Amendment 130 #
2011/2109(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Welcomes recent statements by the ICC Prosecutor that his office is examining, in view of possible future actions, a number of situations on various continents, including cases in Afghanistan, Colombia, Honduras, Republic of Korea and Palestine;
Amendment 2 #
2011/2014(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
Amendment 11 #
2011/2014(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Reiterates the urgent need to increase efficiency of aid, as many development indicators still show no significant improvement, and corruption and the long distribution chain of international aid remains a major obstacles to the provision of essential services to the people;
Amendment 14 #
2011/2014(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Points out the need to make donor coordination work better and to provideNotes that the majority of resources for socio-economic development in Afghanistan are channelled through international mechanisms but a significant proportion of this aid does not reach the intended beneficiaries, the people of Afghanistan; points out that the EU and in particular the Commission/EEAS should have a leading role in improving donor coordination in close cooperation with other key donors such as the US and Japan, and calls for detailed evaluations of aid efficiency in order to improve theransparency and donor accountability of the aid;
Amendment 18 #
2011/2014(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Requires that, when using international organisations as an aid delivery channel, the EEAS and the Commission should pay close attention to eliminating waste, excessive intermediary costs, inefficiency, overbilling and corruption, and should insist on timely and adequate information on results and use of funds;
Amendment 76 #
2011/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Welcomes the current implementation of the Central Asian Nuclear Weapons Free Zone by the five Central Asian Republics; the Treaty contains a binding commitment to nuclear disarmament by countries that previously hosted nuclear weapons on their territory and have neighbours with nuclear weapons; the same Treaty is a significant contribution to the efforts for a world free from nuclear weapons and a powerful example of non-proliferation cooperation;
Amendment 94 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
Recital 7 a (new)
(7a) The European Neighbourhood Instrument funding supports also the implementation of regional cooperation i.a. in the framework of the Northern Dimension and the Black Sea Synergy as well as the external aspects of macro- regional strategies.
Amendment 96 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
Recital 7 a (new)
(7a) While European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument contributed to the strengthening of the Union's relations with partner countries, it only showed limited consistency with ENP policy objectives, had a mixed record in effectiveness, and failed to involve regional and local authorities and civil society actors in all stages of the assistance cycle.
Amendment 110 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) Furthermore, it is important to foster and facilitate cooperation for the common benefit of Union and its partners, notably through pooling of contributions from internal and external instruments of the Union budget, in particular for Cross- Border Cooperation, regional cooperation projects, infrastructure projects of Union interest that will pass through Neighbourhood countries and other areas of cooperation.
Amendment 115 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) It is expected that the EU Member States and Ppartnericipating countries taking part in Cross Border Co-operation will provide national co-financing. This will strengthen country ownership, increase the financial resources at the disposal of the programmes and facilitate the participation of local actors.
Amendment 117 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) Cross-Border Co-operation willshould contribute as appropriate to the implementation of existing and future regional cooperation, for example in the Northern Dimension and Black Sea regions, as well as of macro-regional strategies.
Amendment 141 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. The Union aims to establish an area of prosperity and good neighbourlinsupport under this Regulation shall be used for the benefit of participating countriess, involvcluding the European Unir regional and the countries and territories listed in the Annex to this Regulation (hereinafter ‘the partner countries’) by developing a special relationshiplocal authorities in Cross- Border Cooperation programmes, and/or the common benefit of the Union and participating countries, including their regional and local authorities in CBC programmes.
Amendment 145 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2
2. Union support under this Regulation shall be used for the benefit of partner countries and the regions involved in the Cross-Border Cooperation. It can also be used for the common benefit of EUthe Union and partner countries.
Amendment 152 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 3
Article 1 – paragraph 3
3. Union funding may also be used for the purpose of enabling the Russian Federation to participate in Cross-Border Cooperation, for the common benefit of border regions, and in relevant multi-country programmes, to reflect the specific status of the Russian Federation as both a Union neighbour and a strategic partner in the region.
Amendment 183 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point d
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) sustainable and inclusive development in all aspects, poverty reduction, including through private-sector development, and social justice; the strengthening of capacities of national, regional and local authorities to deliver basic services to the population; promotion of internal economic, social and territorial cohesion, rural development, climate action and disaster resilience;
Amendment 210 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Cooperation with Russian Federation is based on its status as the Union neighbour and strategic partnership. The Northern Dimension policy documents and other relevant documents provide the political framework for regional and Cross-border cooperation with Russia. Black Sea Synergy is based on the Joint Statement of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the countries of the European Union and of the wider Black Sea area.
Amendment 217 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. Union support provided under this Regulation to each partner country shall be differentiated in form and amounts according to the partner country's commitment to reforms and its progress in implementing these reforms. Such differentiation shall reflect the level of ambition of the country's partnership with the Union, its progress in building deep and sustainable democracy, its progress in implementing agreed reform objectives, its progress in promoting peace and settling violent conflicts, the country's needs and capacities, and the potential impact of Union support.
Amendment 223 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. Union support under this Regulation shall, in principle, be established in partnership with the beneficiaries. The partnership shall involve as appropriate, national, regional and local authorities, other stakeholders, civil society, social partners and o, in a transparent and verifiable way and through an institutionalised mechanism, involve the following stakeholders in preparing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating Union support: (i) national, regional and local authorities; (ii) civil society organisations; (iii) social partners; (iv) other non-state actors. In the framework of this partnership, a genuine, timely and thorough consultation with these actors in all stages of the assistance cycle shall be ensured by providing them with relevant information, establishing a direct and continuous dialogue, and receiving and answering their non-state actors in preparing, implementing and monitoring Union support. written comments. The Commission, and in particular the Union's delegations in partner countries, shall ensure that appropriate steps are taken to enhance the capacities of regional and local authorities, social partners, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to play a meaningful part in that process.
Amendment 232 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3
Article 4 – paragraph 3
3. Union support under this Regulation shall in principle be co-financed by the partner and other participating countries through public funds, contributions from the beneficiaries or other sources. The same principle shall be applicable to the cooperation with the Russian Federation, particularly with regard to programmes referred to in points (b) and (c) of Article 6(1) (c). Co-financing requirements may be waived in duly justified cases and when this is necessary to support the development of civil society and non-state actors, without prejudice to compliance with the other conditions set out in the Financial Regulation.
Amendment 242 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) multi-country programmes which address challenges common to all or a number of partner countries, and regional and sub-regional cooperation between two or more partner countries, andbased on priorities of the European Neighbourhood Policy, or regional and sub-regional cooperation which may include cooperation with the Russian Federation;
Amendment 250 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) for land borders, covering the territorial units corresponding to NUTS level 3 or equivalent along the land borders between Member States and partner countries, and/or the Russian Federation, without prejudice to potential adjustments needed to ensure the coherence and continuity of cooperation action;
Amendment 253 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2
Article 8 – paragraph 2
2. In order to ensure the continuation of existing cooperation schemes and in other justified cases, territorial units adjoining to those referred to in paragraph 1 may be allowed to participate in Cross-Border Cooperation. The conditions under which adjacent regions may participate will be laid down in the Joint Operational Programmes. Border regions that belong to countries of the European Economic Area (EEA) and the relevant regions in countries covered by the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance can also participate in the programmes mentioned in points (a), (b) and (c) of paragraph 1. Participation of the European Economic Area countries in the Cross-Border Cooperation programmes will continue to be based on their own resources.
Amendment 258 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 12
Article 10 – paragraph 12
12. Following the principle of partnership, participating countries and their regional and local authorities shall jointly select actions for Union support that are consistent with the priorities and measures of the joint operational programme.
Amendment 260 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 12
Article 10 – paragraph 12
12. Following the principle of partnership, participating countries and regions shall jointly select actions for Union support that are consistent with the priorities and measures of the joint operational programme.
Amendment 267 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 a (new)
Article 14 a (new)
Article 14 a Urgency procedure 1. In exceptional circumstances, such as crises or threats to democracy, the rule of law, human rights or fundamental freedoms, or natural or man-made disasters, delegated acts adopted under this Article shall enter into force without delay and shall apply as long as no objection is expressed in accordance with paragraph 2. The immediate notification of such a delegated act to the European Parliament and to the Council shall state the reasons for the use of the urgency procedure. 2. Either the European Parliament or the Council may object to a delegated act in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 14. In such a case, the Commission shall repeal the act immediately following the notification of the decision to object by the European Parliament or by the Council.
Amendment 272 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17
Article 17
Without prejudice to the provisions on the suspension of aid in partnership and cooperation agreements and association agreements with partner countries and regions, where a partner country fails to observe the principles of democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, the Union shall invite the country concerned to hold consultations in view of finding a solution acceptable to both parties, except in cases of special urgency. Where consultation with the country concerned does not lead to a solution acceptable to both parties, or if consultations are refused or in case of special urgency, the Council may take appropriate measures in accordance with Article 215(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which may include full or partial suspension of Union support. In such cases, the Union shall consider the possibility of re- allocating funds towards civil society activities in the field of promotion of democracy, the rule of law, and human rights and fundamental freedoms, pending the absorption capacity of civil society organisations, in the partner country concerned.
Amendment 277 #
Amendment 231 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Stresses that the starting point for any long-term solution to the Afghan crisis must be Afghan citizens‘ interests as regards their internal security, civil protection, and economic and social protectiondevelopment, and should include concrete measures for the eradication of poverty, discrimination against women, for enhancing respect for human rights and the rule of law, as well as reconciliation mechanisms, an end to opium production, a robust state-building exercise, the integration of Afghanistan into the international community and the banishing of al-Qa'ida from the country; stresses that Afghanistan must be provided with a police force capable of ensuring a minimal standard of security able to permit a subsequent withdrawal of the foreign military presence from the country; reiterates its position that the EU and its Member States and the international community at large should support Afghanistan in building its own state, with stronger democratic institutions capable of ensuring national sovereignty, state unity, territorial integrity, sustainable economic development and the prosperity of its citizens, while respecting the historical, religious, spiritual and cultural traditions of all of the country's ethnic and religious communities; believes, therefore, that the EU's strategy for Afghanistan will have to consider the need to further encourage a profound shift in the mindset of the international community, which has all too often in the past shaped plans and decisions with scant regard for Afghan involvement; takes the view that a more transparent monitoring system, a centralised database on/analysis of the costs and impact of all EU aid to Afghanistan should also be set up, for without comprehensive, up-to-date and transparent data about Afghanistan as it is today, any intervention strategy can only be doomed to failure;
Amendment 239 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Fully endorses the commitment of the E3+3 to seeking an early negotiated solution to the Iranian nuclear issue which restores international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programme, while respecting Iran's legitimate right to the peaceful use of nuclear energythe fact that, in accordance with a central tenet of the NPT, Iran has the right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes and to receive technical assistance for the same objectives; supports the Council'’s twin-track approach aimed at finding a diplomatic solution; welcomes UNSC Resolution 1929(2010) introducing a fourth round of sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme and the additional restrictive measures announced by the EU, the US, Japan, Canada and Australia; and strongly condemns Iran's co as that is the only viable option to the Iranian nuclear issue; expresses its appreciation for the efforts by EU accession candidate country Turkey which aims to facilitate negotiations between Iran and E3+3 as well as with Iran and the Vienna Group; is deeply concerned by the forming of a constellation of political, economic and military interests fomentinuing provocative and inflammatory rhetoric againsteparations for a military attack on Israel and particularly deplores the threats made by President Ahmadinejad against the very existence of the State of Israel; is deeply concerned at Iran's attempts to further its aim of gaining political influence in Afghanistan by manipulating a range of political, economic, and military outcomesn, stressing that no action should be taken by any State that could risk leading to any kind of use of force against Iran; condemns the anti- Semitic rhetoric of the Iranian President; welcomes the constructive role of Iran in reviving the infrastructure and the economy in as well as preventing drug trafficking from Afghanistan; stresses, however, that sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan will require all neighbours to refrain from political interference in the country; stresses that official mutual contacts between the delegations of the European Parliament and the Majlis should also be used to address human rights issues;
Amendment 14 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 16
Citation 16
– having regard to the Vienna Group proposal for transferring Iranian uranium to Russia and France and to the bridging proposal sponsored by the governments of Turkey and Brazil in an attempt to delay the passage of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1929 (2010)IAEA's proposal for an agreement to provide nuclear fuel to the Tehran Research Reactor in exchange for Low Enriched Uranium from Iran's stocks and to the bridging proposal sponsored by the governments of Turkey and Brazil in an attempt to build confidence and facilitate negotiations between Iran and E3+3 as well as between Iran and the Vienna Group,
Amendment 19 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 16
Citation 16
– having regard to the Vienna Group proposal for transferring Iranian uranium to Russia and France and to the bridging proposal sponsored by the governments of Turkey and Brazil in an attempt to delay the passage of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1929 (2010),
Amendment 33 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the leadership has continuously used the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) to suppress internal dissent, and whereas IRGC intervention in internal Iranian politics has peaked under President Ahmadinejad,
Amendment 61 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas there has been a remarkable deepening of relations between Iran and Turkey, and whereas Iran is using its state and non-state allies Syria, Hezbollah and Hamas, to destabilise the regionwhich could have a positive influence on the prospects for a diplomatic solution to the problem of Iranian nuclear programme,
Amendment 65 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas there has been a remarkable deepening of relations between Iran and Turkey, and whereas Iran is using its stateshould be much more forthcoming and ncon-state allies Syria, Hezbollah and Hamas, to destabiliseructive in its actions in the region,
Amendment 89 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Observes that previous Iranian mass movements were based on a dual pillar – the quest for both welfare and liberty – and suggests that the Green Movement add to its powerful political call of "Where is my voice?" the socio-economic and anti- corruption call "Where is my oil money?"that these remain unfulfilled promises of the 1979 revolution; whereas economic shortcomings such as inflation, corruption, high unemployment, energy shortages, an inefficient state sector and the waste of public funds have increased drastically over the last years;
Amendment 93 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Expresses its solidarity with the millions of Iranians who have taken to the streets peacefully after the June 2009 presidential elections in the hope of political change in Iran;
Amendment 104 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 112 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Reiterates its opposition to the death penalty and calls on the Iranian authorities, in accordance with UN General Assembly Resolutions 62/149 and 63/138, to institute a moratorium on executions pending the abolition of the death penalty;
Amendment 118 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Calls on the Islamic Republic of Iran finally to abolish the death penalty for crimes committed before the age of 18 and to amend its legislation to bring it into line with the international human rights conventions that Iran has ratified, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the ICCPR;
Amendment 122 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Expresses its grave consternation that Iran continues to be one of the very few countries, together with Afghanistan, Somalia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Nigeria, which still practise stoning; calls on the Iranian Parliament to pass legislation outlawing this cruel and inhumane form of punishment;
Amendment 125 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 d (new)
Paragraph 5 d (new)
5d. Strongly condemns the continuing legal discrimination of women and the persecution of sexual minorities in Iran; denounces the inhumane and medieval practice of sentencing people to death for alleged acts pertaining to the choice of partners or sexual practices; in this context, reiterates its condemnation of the death sentence against Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, charged with having had relations with two men; expresses continued concern about the fate of Ebrahim Hamidi, condemned to death by hanging on false charges of sodomy;
Amendment 128 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 e (new)
Paragraph 5 e (new)
5e. Urges the Iranian authorities to eliminate, in law and in practice, all forms of torture and other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment, and to uphold due process of law and to end impunity for human rights violations; in particular, calls on the Iranian Parliament and judiciary to abolish such cruel and inhumane punishments as limb amputation, stoning and flogging, which are inconsistent with Iran's international obligations; firmly rejects the notion promoted by the Iranian judicial authorities that such punishments are culturally justified;
Amendment 134 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Is horrifiappalled by the fact that shooting into demonstrating crowds was considered acceptable by the security forces from the night of 15 June 2009 on, as shown in video footage; urges the EU institutions to present to the Iranian authoritiesCommission and the Council to establish a detailed list of all known incidents/violent actions against Iranian civilians in the aftermath of the elections, and insist that there be an honescalls on the Iranian authorities to set up an independent judicial investigation;
Amendment 141 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Insists that in any possible future negotiations with Iran the HR/VP makes the situation of human rights in the country a top priority; calls on the Commission to implement all the instruments at its disposal for the protection and promotion of human rights in Iran; in particular urges it to devise additional measures in the context of the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights in order to actively protect human rights defenders; stresses that facilitating shelter to human rights defenders and access to organisational resources and communication platforms is of particular importance; encourages the Member States to support the European Shelter City Programme and programmes to develop measures against media interception technology;
Amendment 151 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
Amendment 161 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
Amendment 179 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Urges the Council and the Commission to demandDemands that the Iranian regimeauthorities do not deter human rights activists from making use of their constitutional rights; calls for the immediate release of all those human rights defenders and prisoners of conscience who are still imprisoned;
Amendment 185 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Calls on the Islamic Republic of Iran to sign, ratify and implement the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW);
Amendment 191 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Stresses that representatives of EU institutions should include in the programmes of their official visits to Iran meetings with opposition leaders/representatives of the Green Movement and prominent Iranian human rights dissidents; stresses also that official mutual contacts between the delegations of the EP and the Majlis should be conditional on concrete improvements idevelop contacts with representatives from a broad range of Iranian political and social life including prominent Iranian human rights defenders;
Amendment 195 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Urges official representatives of the EU and its Member States, when meetingCondemns the repression by the Iranian authorities of the independent media, including the censorship of video and photo materials; calls on their Iranian counterparts, to insist onauthorities to respect the freedom of the media and to allow for the re-opening of the many dailyforcibly closed newspapers; closed down in recent years, as well as the release of political prisoners, by presenting lists of names in both casesondemns the practice of expulsion of foreign correspondents by the Iranian Government, including reporters from major European newspapers such as El Pais and the Guardian; believes that the censorship imposed by the Government is leading Iran into increasing isolation;
Amendment 211 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Expresses its disappointment at the continuing refusal by Iran to fully cooperate with the IAEA by obstructing the IAEA's work, denying access to key nuclear facilities and vetoing the appointment of inspectors; calls on the Iranian leadership to fulfil Iran's obligations under the NPT; demands that Teheran ratify and implement the Additional Protocol on the Safeguards Agreement; addresses the same demand to the other countries which have not ratified and implemented the additional Protocol on the Safeguards Agreement;
Amendment 216 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Stresses the fact that a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue is the only viable option;
Amendment 218 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b. Also stresses the fact that in accordance with a central tenet of the NPT, Iran has the right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes and to receive technical assistance for the same objectives;
Amendment 235 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Believes that renewed efforts are needed worldwide to rid the globe of the threat of nuclear weapons; welcomes President Obama's appeal for nuclear disarmament and calls on High Representative Catherine Ashton to make this issue one of her priorities both in her dealings with Member States and in her contacts with governments in the Middle East and Asia;
Amendment 250 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Rejects fiercely the desire expressed by the Iranian leadership to "wipe out" Israel; also fiercely rejectCondemns the anti-Semitic rhetoric of the Iranian president, especially his denial of the Holocaust and his underlying agenda of delegitimizing the Israeli state; calls on the EU institutions to safeguard the existence of the Jewish statreaffirms its full support for the existence of Israel and a two-state solution for Palestine;
Amendment 269 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Expresses its concerns on the remarkable deepening of relations between Iran and EU accession candidate Turkey; asks the Council and the Commission to discuss the Turkish attitude towards Iran with their counterparts in Ankara; calls on the Turkish authorities to follow the European approach towards the Iranian nuclear threat; calls on the EU instRecognizes the role of Turkey as an influential regional actor and commends its efforts at promoting regional stability and cooperation; welcomes the initiative of Turkey and Brazil to reach a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear impasse; encourages Turkey to include the situations to do their utmost to sever the lines between Teheran and Syria, Hezbollah and Hamas of human rights in Iran in its dialogue with Iran;
Amendment 270 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Expresses its concerns on the remarkable deepening of relations between Iran and EU accession candidate Turkeyappreciation for the efforts by EU accession candidate country Turkey as well as by Brazil to secure progress on the Tehran Research Reactor agreement proposed to Iran by the IAEA in October 2009; asks the Council and the Commission to discuss closely consult and cooperate withe Turkish attitude towards Iran with their counterparts in Ankara; calls on the Turkish authorities to follow the European approach towards theey which aims to facilitate negotiations between Iran and the E3+3 as well as with Iran and the Vienna Group; calls on the Turkish authorities to continue their efforts to find a diplomatic solution to Iranian's nuclear threat; calls on the EU institutions to do their utmost to sever the lines between Teheran and Syria, Hezbollah and Hamasquestion, which is the only viable option;
Amendment 282 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Notes that no action should be taken by any state that could risk leading to any kind of use of force against Iran;
Amendment 286 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)
Paragraph 22 b (new)
22b. Notes with concern the forming of a constellation of political, economic and military interests fomenting preparations for a military attack on Iran; notes with even deeper concern the destabilising effects that such an attack would have on the Middle East and on the whole region, with the disruption of oil supplies, many civilian victims, the encouragement of international terrorism, the growth of extreme nationalist reactions in Iran, and an ultimate strengthening of the current Iranian regime;
Amendment 297 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Takes note of the converging interests of the EU and Iran in finding peace and stability in Afghanistan; welcomes the constructive role of Iran in reviving infrastructure and economy in as well as preventing drug trafficking from Afghanistan; stresses, however, that sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan will require all neighbours to refrain from political interference in the country;
Amendment 8 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7
Citation 7
– having regard to the (forthcoming) "Kabul Conference" scheduled forheld on 20 July 2010, which will assessed progress in implementing decisions taken at the London Conference, and willaimed to provide an opportunity for the Afghan Government to chart the way forward, notably on anti- corruption, reinforced security, good governance, economic and social development, human rights, gender equality, economic growth, and improved electoral processes,
Amendment 11 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8
Citation 8
– having regard to the presidential elections held in Afghanistan in August 2009, to the final report of the EU Election Observation Mission published in December 2009, and to the forthcoming parliamentary elections due in autumnheld on 18 September 2010,
Amendment 14 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 18
Citation 18
– having regard to the new US and NATO strategy for Afghanistan, initiated under the command of General Stanley McChrystal and now taken over by General Petraeus, and to the strategy review announced by President Obama for December 2010,
Amendment 208 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27 a. Fully welcomes the new guidelines issued in September 2010 by the NATO military command in Afghanistan on contracting – which is currently estimated as being worth about USD14 billion per year – aimed at reducing corruption and decreasing the funds that indirectly flow to the insurgency and the Taliban; believes that these new guidelines are the welcome result of joint pressure exerted by the US Congressional report, "Warlords Inc" on widespread unregulated practices in private contracting and by the denunciation of irregularities in the contracting process raised in the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs in the course of this year;
Amendment 209 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27 b. Welcomes, in this context, the recent decree by President Karzai giving a four- month deadline for all local and foreign private security firms in Afghanistan to cease operation;
Amendment 387 #
Amendment 388 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 70 b (new)
Paragraph 70 b (new)
70 b. Calls upon the Council and the Commission to fully incorporate this proposed strategy into their existing strategies, and urges EU Member States to take the proposal fully into account within their own national plans;
Amendment 389 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 70 c (new)
Paragraph 70 c (new)
70 c. Urges the Council and the Commission to take into full account all the budgetary implications of the proposals contained in this report;
Amendment 56 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. With reference to the projects currently under way in Peru, Colombia and Bolivia, recommends that the funding allocated to programmes to eradicate drugs crops through alternative development programmes should be stepped up;
Amendment 5 #
2009/0155(NLE)
Draft opinion
last paragraph
last paragraph
The Committee on Foreign Affairs calls on the Committee on International Trade, as the committee responsible, to draw up an interim report under Rule 81(3)propose that the Parliament decline to give its consent.