2015/2229(INI) | [ParlTrack]

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1

– having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and other United Nations (UN) human rights treaties and instruments, in particular the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights adopted in New York on 16 December 1966,

Amendment 10 #

Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT, Caterina CHINNICI, Sofia RIBEIRO, Merja KYLLÖNEN, Therese COMODINI CACHIA, Antonio LÓPEZ-ISTÚRIZ WHITE, Jana ŽITŇANSKÁ, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Gérard DEPREZ, Jean LAMBERT, Kinga GÁL, Silvia COSTA, Damiano ZOFFOLI, Tomáš ZDECHOVSKÝ, Julie WARD, Nathalie GRIESBECK

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)

- having regard to the Council conclusions of 5 December 2014 on the promotion and protection of children's rights,

Amendment 100 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Consider~~Stresses that, in order to live up to their commitment to advancing human rights and democracy in the world, the EU and its Member States need to speak and act with a consistent, single voice ~~and ensure that their message is heard~~, avoid double standards inspired by commercial or national interests and ensure that their message is heard, particularly during political discussions, human rights dialogues and trade negotiations and in international and multilateral fora; stresses that greater consistency among the various EU programmes and instruments is a necessary precondition for increasing involvement;

Amendment 101 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Emphasises, moreover, the importance of enhanced cooperation between the Commission, the Council, the EEAS, Parliament and the EU Delegations ~~for~~to improving the overall coherence of the EU’s policy on human rights and democracy and its centrality among all the EU’s policies with an external dimension;

Amendment 102 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Emphasises, moreover, the importance of enhanced cooperation between the Commission, the Council, the EEAS, Parliament and the EU Delegations for improving the overall coherence of the EU’s policy on human rights and democracy and its centrality among all the EU’s policies with an external dimension, particularly in fields relating to development, security, employment, migration, trade and technology;

Amendment 103 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Calls the EU to improve and systematize the full extent of the human rights impact of its own policies, and ensure these analyses serve to reframe its policies in consequence. Calls on the EU to develop more efficient mechanisms to maximize the positive human rights impacts of its policies, prevent and mitigate the negative ones and to reinforce the access to remedies to affected populations;

Amendment 104 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Draws attention to ithe European Parliament's long-term commitment to promoting human rights and advancing democratic values, as reflected, inter alia, in the annual award of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, in the work of the Subcommittee on Human Rights and in the monthly plenary debates and resolutions on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law;

Amendment 105 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Warns against the unintended consequences of continuously expanding the definition of human rights by ideologically or politically motivated issues, as this could ultimately reduce general support for the very idea of universality and indivisibility of human rights;

Amendment 106 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6b. Believes that the return to the initial human rights definition offers the best chance not only to broaden its appeal but also to increase the effectiveness of dealing with the breaches of human rights worldwide;

Amendment 107 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 c (new)

6c. Expresses its deep concern about the deliberate and systematic destruction and looting of valuable archaeological sites which form part of the world heritage by terrorist organisations and warring groups, with the aim of destabilising populations and undermining their cultural identity, which finance their violent activities by means of illegal trade in stolen art works; calls on the Commission therefore, in cooperation with the UN and UNESCO, to combat illegal trading in art treasures from war zones and to devise initiatives to protect the cultural heritage in war zones; calls on the Commission to classify the deliberate destruction of the collective human heritage as a crime against humanity and to take legal action on it accordingly;

Amendment 108 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading

EU policy instruments for advancing human rights and democracy worldwide

Amendment 109 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

Amendment 11 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)

- having regard to the Council conclusions of 26 May 2015 on Gender in Development,

Amendment 110 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Welcomes the adoption of the EU Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World 2014; considers that the Annual Report is an indispensable tool for scrutiny, communication and debate on the EU’s policy on human rights and democracy in the world; urges the Commission to include in the Annual Report not only an in-depth analysis but also specific proposals tailored to resolving the problems arising in connection with human rights policy;

Amendment 111 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Reiterates its invitation to the VP/HR to debate with the Members of the European Parliament in two plenary sessions per year, one at the time the EU Annual Report is presented, and the other in response to Parliament’s Report; ~~considers it regrettable that the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) did not reply in writing to~~underlines that written answers from the Commission and the EEAS to the Parliament’'s resolution on the Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy ~~in the World 2013; recalls that such written answers~~ play an important role in interinstitutional relations, as they allow for a systematic and in-depth follow-up to all the points raised by Parliament;

Amendment 112 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

Amendment 113 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Commends the EEAS and the Commission for their exhaustive reporting on the activities undertaken by the EU in the area of human rights and democracy in 2014; considers nevertheless that the current format of the Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy could be improved by offering a better overview of the concrete impact of the EU’s actions on human rights and democracy in third countries, including an assessment of EU responses to early warnings and human rights infringements regarding which it has announced that action will be taken, indicating whether progress has been made and revealing what concrete measures it has taken in response to Parliament resolutions on specific human rights infringements;

Amendment 114 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Recommends in this respect that the EEAS adopt a more analytical approach in the drafting of the Annual Report, while continuing to report on the implementation of the EU Strategic Framework and the Action Plan; considers that the Annual Report should not only underline the EU’s achievements and the best practices in the field, but also indicate what challenges and limitations the EU encounters in its efforts to promote human rights and democracy in third countries, and what lessons can be drawn for concrete action in years ahead; calls on the EEAS and the Commission to ensure greater consistency in documents and reports concerning human rights and democracy outside the EU so as to better anticipate developments in European Neighbourhood and other third countries;

Amendment 115 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Maintains its view that the country reports presented in the Annual Report should be less descriptive and less static, and should instead better reflect the implementation of the human rights country strategies and give an overview of the impact of the EU’s action on the ground;

Amendment 116 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Reiterates its view that the adoption of the EU Strategic Framework and of the first Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy in 2012 constituted a major milestone for the EU in ~~plac~~integrating human rights and democracy ~~at the core of~~without exception in its relations with the wider world;

Amendment 117 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Reiterates its view that the adoption of the EU Strategic Framework and of the first Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy in 2012 constituted a major milestone for the EU in placing human rights and democracy at the core of its relations with the wider world; believes in the promotion of human rights through free trade as a way of spreading values and ideas;

Amendment 118 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Welcomes the adoption by the Council in July 2015 of a new Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy for 2015- 2019; commends the EEAS for consulting the Commission, Parliament, the Member States, civil society and regional and international organisations during the evaluation of the first Action Plan and the drafting of the new one; welcomes the projected mid-term review; urges in this connection that the new 2017 Action Plan review seek to streamline external EU initiatives more effectively and that it be discussed by the relevant parliamentary committees; calls for the EEAS and HR/VP, the Commission, the Member States, civil society and international and regional stakeholders to be given a say therein;

Amendment 119 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. ~~Welcomes the EU’s renewed commitment to promoting and protecting h~~Notes that the Action Plan on Human rRights and ~~supporting democracy worldwide; notes that the Action Plan~~Democracy aims to allow the EU to take a more focused, systematic and coordinated approach in the area of human rights and democracy, as well as to reinforce the impact of its policies and tools on the ground; supports, in this regard, the prioritisation of five strategic areas of action;

Amendment 12 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 b (new)

- having regard to the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 of 31 October 2000 on women and peace and security,

Amendment 120 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Calls on the VP/HR, the EEAS, the Commission, the Council and the Member States to ensure an efficient and coherent implementation of the new Action Plan; draws particular attention to the importance of increasing the effectiveness and maximising the local impact of the tools used by the EU to promote respect for human rights and democracy in the world; highlights the need to ensure a rapid and appropriate response to human rights infringements; reiterates the importance of intensifying efforts to mainstream human rights and democracy in all EU external action, including at a high political level;

Amendment 121 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Reiterates its view that a solid consensus and enhanced coordination between Member States and the EU institutions is needed in order to coherently and consistently advance the human rights and democracy agenda; firmly stresses that Member States without exception should take greater ownership of the implementation of the Action Plan and of the EU Strategic Framework and use them as their own blueprint in promoting human rights and democracy bilaterally and multilaterally;

Amendment 122 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Reiterates its view that a solid consensus and enhanced coordination between Member States and the EU institutions is needed in order to coherently and consistently advance the human rights and democracy agenda; firmly stresses that Member States should take greater ownership of the implementation of the Action Plan and of the EU Strategic Framework and use them as their own blueprint in promoting human rights and democracy bilaterally and multilaterally; insists that the successor document be both an EU and Member States Action Plan;

Amendment 123 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Urges, in this respect, the Foreign Affairs Council to regularly discuss democracy and human rights topics; reiterates its call on the Foreign Affairs Council to hold an annual public debate on EU action in the area of human rights and democracy; recommends the EU councils formations to establish meetings and dedicated dialogues with civil society, in order to make a regular follow-up of the Action plan;

Amendment 124 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Commends the EEAS and the Commission on reporting on the implementation of the first Action Plan and expects ~~such~~regular and comprehensive reporting to ~~continue~~be enhanced in the framework of the new Action Plan; recommends in particular to document the concrete steps and results achieved in enhancing mainstreaming of human rights, inter- institutional coordination, the rule of law, consistency and coherence of external policies; recalls, moreover, its determination to be closely associated with and consulted on the implementation of the new Action Plan;

Amendment 125 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Calls on the VP/HR, in coordination with all the other Commissioners, to draft a programme that mainstreams human rights in various EU activities, particularly in the areas of development, migration, environment, employment, internet data protection, trade, investment, technology and business;

Amendment 126 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Expresses concern at the recent restructuring of the EEAS and its Human Rights Directorate and the impact this reorganisation could have on the EU’s ability to mainstream human rights throughout all dimensions of external policies; calls on the EEAS to take all necessary measures to ensure that the new Managing Director for Human Rights, Global and Multilateral Issues is given the mandate and adequate resources to mainstream human rights in the work of the EEAS;deleted

Amendment 127 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

Amendment 128 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading (new)

Mandate of the EU Special Representative for Human Rights

Amendment 129 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Recalls the importance of the mandate of the EU Special Representative (EUSR) for Human Rights in enhancing the EU’s visibility and effectiveness in protecting and promoting human rights and democratic principles around the world; commends the current mandate holder for his significant achievements and for engaging in regular exchanges with Parliament and with civil society; recommends regular reporting on the achievements and follow-up to fields visits and on the formulation of recommendations for ensuring better coherence of EU policies to advance human rights abroad;

Amendment 13 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 a (new)

- having regard to its resolution of 11 December 2012 on a Digital Freedom Strategy in EU Foreign Policy,

Amendment 130 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Welcomes the extension of the EUSR’'s mandate until February 2017, and reiterates ~~its request for this mandate to be turned into a permanent one~~that the extension of the EUSR mandate should be based on proven merit; recommends, in this regard, that the EUSR have own-initiative powers, higher public visibility and adequate staff and financial resources to work at his full potential;

Amendment 131 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Welcomes the extension of the EUSR’s mandate until February 2017, and reiterates its request for this mandate to be turned into a permanent one; recommends, in this regard, that the EUSR have own-initiative powers, and higher public visibility ~~and~~; urges that the EUSR be allowed to speak publicly and openly regarding EU positions on human rights and be given adequate staff and financial resources to work at his full potential;

Amendment 132 #

Ana GOMES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Welcomes the extension of the EUSR’'s mandate until February 2017, and reiterates its request for this mandate to be turned into a permanent one; re~~commends, in this regard, tha~~grets that presently the EUSR has no own-initiative powers, public visibility or adequate staff and financial resources to work at his full potential; calls, therefore, for the revision of the mandate to grant the EUSR ~~have~~with own-initiative powers, ~~higher public visibility and adequate staff and financial resources to work at his full potential~~the ability to speak publicly on human rights issues, and adequate staff and financial resources to make the EU's human rights policy, and his/her role in particular, more visible and effective;

Amendment 133 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading (new)

Human rights country strategies and the role of the EU Delegations

Amendment 134 #

Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT, Caterina CHINNICI, Sofia RIBEIRO, Merja KYLLÖNEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Notes that 132 human rights country strategies (HRCS) have been endorsed by the Political and Security Committee, following concerted efforts by the EU Delegations, EU institutions and Member States; reiterates its support for the objective of the HRCS, which is to tailor the EU’s action in each country to its specific situation and needs; ~~calls for further improvement in cooper~~stresses the need for continuous HRCS assessment, making adjustments where necessary, and calls for further improvement in cooperation, communication and exchanges of information between EU Delegations, Member States’ embassies and EU institutions in drawing up and implementing the HRCS;

Amendment 135 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Notes that 132 human rights country strategies (HRCS) have been endorsed by the Political and Security Committee, following concerted efforts by the EU Delegations, EU institutions and Member States; reiterates its support for the objective of the HRCS, which is to tailor the EU’s action in each country to its specific situation and needs; calls for further improvement in cooperation between EU Delegations, Member States’ embassies and EU institutions in drawing up and implementing the HRCS; notes that 86 EU Delegations have recognised children's rights as a priority and welcomes the inclusion of children rights in the human rights dialogues;

Amendment 136 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Reiterates its call for the Members of the European Parliament, if they are to fulfil their duties properly and transparently, to have access to the content of the strategies, so as to allow a proper degree of scrutiny; calls for the EEAS and Commission to communicate also with external interlocutors regarding the objectives of the respective strategies; insists that the EEAS include clear and measurable progress indicators for each individual strategy;

Amendment 137 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Reiterates its call for the Members of the European Parliament and CSOs to have access to the content of the strategies, so as to allow a proper degree of scrutiny; insists that the EEAS include clear and measurable progress indicators for each individual strategy; notes that HRCS have become a cornerstone in the new action plan on democracy and human rights; considers it cannot be covered in secrecy any longer and reiterates its call to enhance the transparency of HRCS;

Amendment 138 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Strongly underlines the importance of taking into account the HRCS at all levels of policy-making vis-à-vis individual third countries, including during the preparation of high-level political dialogues, human rights dialogues, country strategy papers and annual action programmes;

Amendment 139 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Strongly underlines the importance of taking into account the HRCS at all levels of policy-making vis-à-vis individual third countries, including during the preparation of high-level political dialogues, country strategy papers ~~and~~, annual action programmes, and most importantly country's objective implementation assessment;

Amendment 14 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 a (new)

- having regard to its resolution of 10 October 2013 on caste-based discrimination,

Amendment 140 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Welcomes the designation of human rights and/or gender focal points by all Delegations and by the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions; notes, however, that the information publicly available online is in many instances out of date, and calls, therefore, for its swift ~~revision~~update; furthermore calls on all Heads of Delegations to ensure that these focal points can allocate a certain part of their worktime to this role;

Amendment 141 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

Amendment 142 #

Ana GOMES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Recalls its recommendation to the VP/HR and the EEAS to develop clear operational guidelines as to the role of focal points in Delegations, in order to empower them to act as true human rights advisors and enable them to efficiently carry out their work; believes that the work of the human rights focal points should be equally supported by Member States~~’ diplomatic staff~~' diplomatic staff; takes the view that the EU Delegation and Member States' diplomatic staff should ensure that the work of human rights focal points is free of political interference and harassment from national authorities, namely in their contacts with human rights activists and civil society;

Amendment 143 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading (new)

Human rights dialogues and consultations

Amendment 144 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

Amendment 145 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. Acknowledges that human rights dialogues with third countries can be an efficient tool for bilateral engagement and cooperation in the promotion and protection of human rights~~; welcomes, therefore, the establishment of human rights dialogues with a growing number of countries; welcomes the fact that a first human rights dialogue has been held with Myanmar/Burma~~, provided they do not constitute an end in itself, but a means to secure specific commitments and achievements from the counterpart; welcomes the fact that a first human rights dialogue has been held with Myanmar/Burma but insists that human rights should be mainstreamed throughout the EU's bilateral relations with that country, including trade and investment;

Amendment 146 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. Acknowledges that human rights dialogues with third countries can be an efficient tool for bilateral engagement and cooperation in the promotion and protection of human rights; welcomes, therefore, the establishment of human rights dialogues with a growing number of countries; welcomes the fact that a first human rights dialogue has been held with Myanmar/Burma; reiterates however its concern with the persistently disappointing lack of progress in a number of human rights dialogues which have become a process rather than a means to achieve measurable, tangible results; stresses the importance and urgency of improving the modalities and substance of these dialogues in consultation with civil society;

Amendment 147 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)

29a. Calls on the EEAS to present to the European parliament and to civil society its assessment of past human rights dialogues, insisting on the lessons learnt and the ways for improvement; calls on the EEAS to present, on this basis, in coordination with the other institutions and in consultation with civil society, pilot projects for the improvement of the dialogue and the coherence of EU policies with the more difficult countries; encourages the EEAS to regularly report to the European Parliament and in the presence of civil society on the results and follow up of the human rights dialogues;

Amendment 148 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. UReiterates its calls to seek new ways of making the dialogues more meaningful and urges the VP/HR and the EEAS to conduct their human rights dialogues and the corresponding civil society seminars with a clear, results-oriented focus ~~mirroring the HRCS~~; urges the EEAS to consistently include a preparatory dialogue with civil society organisations, which should automatically feed into the dialogue itself; and to encourage the direct attendance and participation of civil society representatives in the dialogue itself further urges the VP/HR and the EEAS to raise individual cases of human rights defenders in an accountable and transparent manner during human rights dialogues; considers it essential that the EEAS systematically seek concrete commitments from its counterparts and ensure that all the commitments made during each of the human rights dialogues are relayed vigorously in all forms of bilateral political dialogue, including at the highest level and honoured;

Amendment 149 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Urges the VP/HR and the EEAS to conduct their human rights dialogues and the corresponding civil society seminars with a clear, results-oriented focus mirroring the HRCS; urges the EEAS to consistently include a preparatory dialogue with civil society organisations, which should automatically feed into the dialogue itself; further ~~urges the VP/HR and the EEAS to raise individual cases of human rights defenders~~insists that the VP/HR, the EUSR on Human Rights and the EEAS systematically raise individual cases of human rights defenders at risk or in jail and of political prisoners, and in an accountable and transparent manner during human rights dialogues; considers it essential that the EEAS systematically ensure that all the commitments made during each of the human rights dialogues are honoured;

Amendment 15 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 19 a (new)

- having regard to its resolution of 8 September 2015 on human rights and technology: the impact of intrusion and surveillance systems on human rights in third countries,

Amendment 150 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Urges the VP/HR and the EEAS to conduct their human rights dialogues and the corresponding civil society seminars with a clear, results-oriented focus mirroring the HRCS; urges the EEAS to consistently include a preparatory dialogue with civil society organisations, which should automatically feed into the dialogue itself; further urges the VP/HR and the EEAS to raise individual cases of human rights defenders and human rights infringements in an accountable and transparent manner during human rights dialogues; considers it essential that the EEAS systematically ensure that all the commitments made during each of the human rights dialogues are honoured;

Amendment 151 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

Amendment 152 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Reiterates its call on the EEAS to develop a comprehensive mechanism for monitoring and reviewing the functioning of human rights dialogues with a view to improving their impact; reiterates the need to draw clear political conclusions when the human rights dialogue is not constructive and, in such cases or in cases of persistent human rights violations, put more emphasis on all political and sectoral dialogues demarches and public diplomacy; believes that, if such dialogues persistently fail, alternative tools for supporting the advancement of human rights in the country concerned should be used, making a better articulation between dialogue, targeted support, incentives and restrictive measures; notes, in this respect, that the human rights dialogue with Russia was suspended in 2014 and deplores the persistent lack of results of dialogues such as the one with China; urges, therefore, that the EEAS profoundly rethink its human rights strategy vis-à-vis Russia; and China; takes note of the steps taken to open dialogues with Bahrain, Belarus and Iran and presses the EEAS to develop an efficient strategy to ensure these dialogues lead to results and do not marginalize human rights in the other summits and cooperation fora;

Amendment 153 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Reiterates its call on the EEAS to develop a comprehensive mechanism, including consultation of local civil society and human rights organisations, for monitoring and reviewing the functioning of human rights dialogues with a view to improving their impact; believes that, if such dialogues persistently fail, alternative tools for supporting the advancement of human rights in the country concerned should be used; notes, in this respect, that the human rights dialogue with Russia was suspended in 2014; urges, therefore, that the EEAS profoundly rethink its human rights strategy vis-à-vis Russia;

Amendment 154 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Reiterates its call on the EEAS to develop a comprehensive mechanism for monitoring and reviewing the functioning of human rights dialogues with a view to improving their impact; believes that, if such dialogues persistently fail, alternative tools for supporting the advancement of human rights in the country concerned should be used; notes, in this respect, that the human rights dialogue with Russia was suspended in 2014; urges, therefore, that the EEAS profoundly rethink its human rights strategy vis-à-vis Russia; notes that the EU-Azerbaijan human rights dialogue has made no progress as regards the human rights situation, which remains of serious concern. Human rights are systematically and severely violated in Azerbaijan. Journalists and human rights defenders are convicted without fair trials, for example, investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova was sentenced to seven years and a half jail after writing critical articles about the president Aliyev and his family; notes with concern that even after the first round Human Rights dialogue between the European Union and Belarus, in 2015, the situation on the ground remained unchanged, with a number of anti-government and civil rights activists still facing prosecution; reiterates that any type of trade agreement or development aid must be conditioned by the enforcement of human rights and democratic reforms; welcomes the sixth round of EU-Moldova human rights dialogue and reminds that the reform of the judiciary has not been implemented;

Amendment 155 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)

31a. Notes the EU's difficulties to negotiate improved modalities for its human rights dialogues, calls on the EU to introduce a new 'model clause' when concluding international agreements with thirds countries; reiterates that particular consideration must be given to indicators to ensure the effectiveness of democracy and human rights clauses in all EU agreements, whatever their nature;

Amendment 156 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)

32a. Acknowledges the importance of additional measures against individuals (targeted sanctions such as freezing of assets or travel bans) of authoritarian regimes should dialogues persistently fail;

Amendment 157 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading (new)

EU Human Rights Guidelines

Amendment 158 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33

33. Reiterates its call on the VP/HR and the EEAS to revise the EU Guidelines on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in light of the tragic events in countries such as Syria, Libya and Iraq; recommends, in this context, that the EEAS support civil society organisations that promote respect for IHL by state and non-state actors; urges, moreover, that the EU actively use all instruments at its disposal to enhance compliance of state and non-state actors with IHL;

Amendment 159 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33

33. Reiterates its call on the VP/HR and the EEAS to revise the EU Guidelines on International Humanitarian Law (IHL)18 in light of the tragic events and humanitarian crises in countries such as Syria ~~and Iraq~~, Iraq and Ukraine; recommends, in this context, that the EEAS support civil society organisations that promote respect for IHL by state and non-state actors; urges, moreover, that the EU actively use all instruments at its disposal to enhance compliance of state and non-state actors with IHL and ensure that visibility of EU humanitarian assistance corresponds with its political agenda;

Amendment 16 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 19 b (new)

- having regard to its resolution of 8 September 2015 on human rights and technology: the impact of intrusion and surveillance systems on human rights in third countries,

Amendment 160 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33

33. Reiterates its call on the VP/HR and the EEAS to ~~revise~~effectively implement the EU Guidelines on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in ~~light of the tragic even~~cluding in relation to conflicts in countries such as Syria and Iraq; recommends, in this context, that the EEAS support civil society organisations that promote respect for IHL by state and non-state actors; urges, moreover, that the EU actively use all instruments at its disposal to enhance compliance of state and non-state actors with IHL; calls on the EU and its Member States to actively contribute to the on-going Swiss/ICRC initiative on strengthening compliance with IHL, notably in relation to compliance mechanisms and to revise the EU Guidelines on IHL accordingly;

Amendment 161 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)

33a. Stresses that, in conflict situations, international humanitarian law must be consistently implemented in accordance with all guidelines regarding children in armed conflict, violence against women and girls and ways of combating all forms of discrimination;

Amendment 162 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34

34. Strongly underlines the importance of systematically assessing the implementation of the EU Guidelines on Human Rights, including the implementation of the EU Guidelines for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of the Child, by using well-defined benchmarks; considers that, in order to ensure proper implementation of the Guidelines, further measures aimed at raising awareness of their content among EEAS and EU Delegation staff must be taken;

Amendment 163 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34

34. Strongly underlines the importance of systematically assessing the implementation of the EU Guidelines on Human Rights by using well-defined benchmarks; considers that, in order to ensure proper implementation of the Guidelines, further measures aimed at raising awareness of their content among EEAS and EU Delegation staff ~~must be taken~~and Member State representations abroad must be taken; reiterates its call for civil society and human rights organisations to be more actively involved in the selection, development, evaluation and review of the Guidelines;

Amendment 164 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading

~~Ensuring the promotion of h~~Human rights and democracy through EU external policies and instruments

Amendment 165 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

Amendment 166 #

Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Pablo IGLESIAS, Javier COUSO PERMUY

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

Amendment 167 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

35. Recalls that the EU committed itself to placing human rights and democracy at the centre of its relations with third countries; stresses, therefore, that the advancement of human rights and democratic principles needs to be supported through all EU policies which have an external dimension, such as the enlargement and neighbourhood policy, the Common Security and Defence Policy, and the development, trade, justice and home affairs policies; recalls the EU's recent efforts to include human rights infringements in its early warning matrix linked with crisis prevention, and regrets that the VP/HR, the Commission and the Member States did not insert a human- rights-based crisis prevention element in the 2015 European Security Strategy;

Amendment 168 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

35. Recalls that the EU committed itself to placing human rights and democracy at the centre of its relations with third countries; stresses, therefore, that the advancement of human rights and democratic principles ~~needs to~~should be supported through all EU policies which have an external dimension, such as the enlargement and neighbourhood policy, the Common Security and Defence Policy, and the development, trade, justice and home affairs policies; is disappointed, therefore, by the double standards which undermine all EU policies in this area and are entirely at odds with a universal vision of human rights;

Amendment 169 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)

35a. Considers the EU's external financial instruments an important tool for promoting and defending values of democracy and human rights abroad; reiterates its calls for improvements in coherence of different thematic and geographical instruments;

Amendment 17 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 20 a (new)

- having regard to its resolution of 8 October 2015 on the renewal of the EU Plan of Action on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in Development,

Amendment 170 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36

36. Notes the Commission’s efforts to fulfil its commitment to including human rights provisions in its impact assessments for legislative and non-legislative proposals, implementing measures and trade agreements; urges the Commission to improve the quality and comprehensiveness of the impact assessments, for example by seeking to achieve an optimal mechanism for consultation and cooperation with civil society and human rights organisations and the EU institutions involved, and to ensure the systematic incorporation of human rights issues;

Amendment 171 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36

Amendment 172 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36

36. Notes the Commission’s efforts to fulfil its commitment to including human rights provisions in its impact assessments for legislative and non-legislative proposals, implementing measures and trade agreements; urges the Commission to improve the quality and comprehensiveness of the impact assessments and to ensure the systematic incorporation of human rights issues; calls on the Commission to take account, in its impact assessments, of the contributions made by civil society in the countries concerned; urges the Commission to draw the necessary conclusions from these impact assessments and to assess the appropriateness of adopting the proposals where applicable;

Amendment 173 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading (new)

Enlargement and neighbourhood policy

Amendment 174 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37

37. Recalls that the EU enlargement policy is one of the strongest tools for reinforcing respect for human rights and democratic principles; regrets the explicit freeze on enlargement by the Juncker Commission, yet welcomes, therefore, the implementation of the new approach during accession negotiations of the chapters covering the judiciary and fundamental rights, and justice, freedom, and security, which duly takes into account the time needed for these reforms to be properly implemented;

Amendment 175 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37

37. Recalls that the EU enlargement policy is one of the strongest tools for reinforcing respect for human rights and democratic principles; welcomes, therefore, the implementation of the new approach during accession negotiations of the chapters covering the judiciary and fundamental rights, and justice, freedom, and security, which duly takes into account the time needed for these reforms to be properly implemented; emphasizes that high European standards on the rule of law should not be compromised;

Amendment 176 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38

38. Expresses concern at the deterioration of freedom of expression and media in certain enlargement countries; emphasises the urgent need to reinforce independence and transparency of ownership of the media in those countries and to tackle the political and economic pressures on journalists, which often lead to self- censorship; calls on the Commission to continue monitoring and prioritising respect for freedom of expression and for the media in the accession negotiation process;

Amendment 177 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38

38. Expresses concern at the deterioration of freedom of expression and media in certain enlargement countries, such as in Turkey; emphasises the urgent need to reinforce independence of the media in those countries and to tackle the political and economic pressures on journalists, which often lead to self- censorship; calls on the Commission to continue prioritising respect for freedom of expression and for the media in the accession negotiation process;

Amendment 178 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38

38. Expresses concern at the deterioration of freedom of expression and media in certain enlargement countries and a number of European Neighbourhood countries; emphasises the urgent need to reinforce independence of the media in those countries and to tackle the political and economic pressures on journalists, which often lead to censorship and self- censorship; calls on the Commission to continue prioritising respect for freedom of expression and for the media in the accession negotiation process; stresses that the EU must have the courage to draw clear political conclusions and take political action if its endeavours to support freedom of expression and democracy in these countries are unsuccessful;

Amendment 179 #

Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT, Caterina CHINNICI, Sofia RIBEIRO, Merja KYLLÖNEN, Antonio LÓPEZ-ISTÚRIZ WHITE, Jana ŽITŇANSKÁ, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Gérard DEPREZ, Jean LAMBERT, Kinga GÁL, Silvia COSTA, Damiano ZOFFOLI, Tomáš ZDECHOVSKÝ, Julie WARD, Nathalie GRIESBECK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39

Amendment 18 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 20 b (new)

- having regard to its resolution of 8 October 2015 on the death penalty,

Amendment 180 #

Ulrike LUNACEK, Daniele VIOTTI, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN, Tanja FAJON, Malin BJÖRK, Marietje SCHAAKE, Ian DUNCAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39

39. Deplores the fact that the proper implementation of legal frameworks for the protection of minorities remains a challenge, as stated in the Commission’s Enlargement Strategy for 2014-2015; welcomes the Strategy's focus on homophobia, discrimination and hate crimes on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity; stresses that this is a recurring problem in all enlargement countries; invites the enlargement countries to step up their efforts to forge a culture of acceptance of minorities through, for example, improved inclusion of minorities in the education system;

Amendment 181 #

Angel DZHAMBAZKI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39

39. Deplores the fact that the proper implementation of legal frameworks for the protection of minorities remains a challenge, as stated in the Commission’s Enlargement Strategy for 2014-2015; invites the enlargement countries to step up their efforts to forge a culture of acceptance of minorities through, for example, ~~improved inclusion of minorities in the education system~~facilitation of minority representatives’ involvement in the decision-making process, and improved inclusion of minorities in the education system without thereby infringing their legal rights or impeding their freedom of association and assembly;

Amendment 182 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39

39. Deplores the fact that the proper implementation of legal frameworks for the protection of minorities remains a challenge, as stated in the Commission’s Enlargement Strategy for 2014-2015; invites the enlargement countries to step up their efforts to forge a culture of acceptance of minorities through, for example, improved inclusion of minorities in the education system; urges the EU to follow closely the implementation of provisions protecting human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities throughout the enlargement process;

Amendment 183 #

Angel DZHAMBAZKI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40

40. Notes with concern the deterioration of democratic political cultures in some candidate and potential candidate countries; recalls that political dialogue, compromise and the inclusi~~veness of all~~on of ethnic minorities and all other stakeholders in the decision-making process are at the heart of democratic regimes; notes with equal concern the weak progress made by enlargement countries in improving the independence of the judiciary and in fighting corruption; urges, along with the Commission, the enlargement countries to build up credible track records of investigations, prosecutions and final convictions;

Amendment 184 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40

40. Notes with concern the deterioration of democratic political cultures in some candidate and potential candidate countries~~; recalls that~~ and in a number of European Neighbourhood countries recalls that good governance, respect for the rule of law, freedom of opinion and human rights, political dialogue, achievement of compromise and inclusiveness of all stakeholders in the decision-making process are at the heart of democratic regimes; notes with equal concern the weak progress made by enlargement countries in improving the independence of the judiciary and in fighting corruption; urges, along with the Commission, the enlargement countries to build up credible track records of investigations, prosecutions and final convictions;

Amendment 185 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41

41. Recalls, in the context of the ongoing review of the European Neighbourhood Policy, that the TEU stipulates that the Union shall develop a special relationship with neighbouring countries founded on the values of the Union, which include respect for human rights and democracy; underlines the fact that, given the significant challenges both the Eastern and the Southern neighbourhood have faced in the last few years, respect for human rights and democratic principles has been significantly affected in many of those countries; takes the view that, when it comes to progress regarding human rights, the rule of law and the right to freedom of expression and democratically functioning institutions, EU relations with these countries are characterised by conditionality;

Amendment 186 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 a (new)

41a. Recalls that, following the Arab Spring of 2011, the European Union redefined its neighbourhood policy, especially towards the Southern Mediterranean and insisted on the role of civil society and on the principle of ‘more for more’ in order to develop more solid partnerships with its neighbours and to guide their reforms for enhancing the rule of law and their democratic transitions;

Amendment 187 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 b (new)

41b. Is extremely concerned about the spread of instability and conflict in the Middle East and North Africa and by extremist and jihadist groups exploiting those situations;

Amendment 188 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 c (new)

41c. Condemns the actions by Russia in its neighbourhood that foment armed conflict and human suffering;

Amendment 189 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43

43. Stresses that the EU should continue to actively support democratic and effective human rights institutions and the civil society of neighbouring countries in their efforts to promote democratisation and respect for human rights; positively notes in this context the European Endowment for Democracy’s consistent engagement in the Eastern and Southern neighbourhood ofRegrets that the claim that the EU’s international agreements are subject to compliance with human rights is a matter of propaganda, since there is no effective monitoring of their application; calls for reports to be submitted to the relevant committee of Parliament on the agreements’ human rights aspects; rejects, meanwhile, the imposition of sanctions by the EU ion ~~favour of democracy promotion and respect for fundamental rights and freedoms~~third countries with the aim of protecting its geopolitical and economic interests independently of the humanitarian situation;

Amendment 19 #

Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Pablo IGLESIAS, Javier COUSO PERMUY

Motion for a resolution
Citation 20 c (new)

– having regard to its resolution of 8 October 2015 on the death penalty,

Amendment 190 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43

Amendment 191 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43

Amendment 192 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43

43. Stresses that the EU should continue to actively support democratic and effective human rights institutions and the civil society of neighbouring countries in their efforts to promote democratisation and respect for human rights; considers support for democracy, the rule of law, good governance, state-building and fundamental freedoms to be central to countries of the neighbourhood; positively notes in this context the European Endowment for Democracy’s consistent engagement in the Eastern and Southern neighbourhood of the EU in favour of democracy promotion and respect for fundamental rights and freedoms; strongly encourages the EU and its Member States to offer incentives and know-how from transition processes to support democratic reform processes in its neighbourhood;

Amendment 193 #

Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Pablo IGLESIAS, Javier COUSO PERMUY

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43

43. Stresses that the EU should continue to actively support democratic and effective human rights institutions and the civil society and media freedom of neighbouring countries in their efforts to promote democratisation and respect for human rights; positively notes in this context, as indicated in the first annual report assessing the activities of the European Endowment for Democracy’s, the consistent engagement of the latter in the Eastern and Southern neighbourhood of the EU in favour of democracy promotion and respect for fundamental rights and freedoms; stresses that, in situations where other donors are forced to cease their activities or are hampered by lengthy administrative procedures, the EED is, thanks to its innovative approach, able to respond to crisis situations by providing rapid, direct and effective support to the local pro-democracy representatives of civil society, the media and human rights organisations striving for democratic change;

Amendment 194 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44

44. Reiterates its support for the introduction of human rights clauses in international agreements between the EU and third countries; ~~calls on the Commission to effectively and systematically monitor the implementation of the human rights clauses and to report regularly to Parliament on partner countries’ respect for human right~~highlights, nevertheless, the failure of their introduction in free trade agreements with third countries, as such agreements may even have led to the violation of basic economic and social rights, including the impoverishment of the populations concerned and the monopolisation of resources by transnational companies; sees a need, moreover, for ex ante monitoring mechanisms prior to a framework agreement being concluded and on which such conclusion is made conditional as a fundamental part of the agreement, and for ex post monitoring mechanisms which enable tangible action to be taken in response to infringements of these clauses, including the possible suspension of the agreement; believes that besides these clauses there is a need to implement new forms of cooperation to facilitate the economic and social development of third countries based on the needs of their peoples;

Amendment 195 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44

44. Reiterates its support for the introduction of human rights clauses in international agreements between the EU and third countries, including those concluded with developed countries and including trade and investment agreements and sectoral agreements; reiterates its call for a new 'model clause' establishing a procedure for their effective implementation in the spirit of Articles 8, 9 and 96 of the Cotonou Agreement; recommends a procedure for consultation between the parties, detailing the political and legal mechanisms to be used in the event of a request for bilateral cooperation to be suspended, but also a warning mechanism and process for descriptive and evaluation purposes; stresses that the use of the human rights clause should go hand in hand with the improvement of the dialogue and the development of dedicated monitoring mechanisms; calls on the Commission to effectively and systematically monitor the implementation of the human rights clauses and to report regularly to Parliament on partner countries’ respect for human rights;

Amendment 196 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44

44. Reiterates its support for the introduction of human rights clauses in international agreements concluded and to be concluded between the EU and third countries; calls on the Commission to effectively and systematically monitor the implementation of the human rights clauses and to report regularly to Parliament on partner countries’ respect for human rights;

Amendment 197 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44

44. Reiterates its support for the systematic introduction of human rights clauses in international agreements between the EU and third countries; calls on the Commission to effectively and systematically monitor the implementation of the human rights clauses, to assess the effects of their implementation and to report regularly to Parliament on partner countries’ respect for human rights;

Amendment 198 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 a (new)

44a. Underlines the Treaty-based obligation of the EU to ensure that all its external policies and activities are designed and implemented in a manner which consolidates and supports human rights and the rule of law; in this regard, calls on the EU to substantially improve the methodology, scope and quality of the ex ante and ex post human rights impact assessment of its trade and investment agreements, notably through genuine consultation of civil society; calls on the EU to explore means to allow for adequate enforcement and redress mechanisms, accessible to affected populations and their representatives in cases where EU policies or activities lead to, contribute to, or benefit from human rights violations;

Amendment 199 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 b (new)

44b. Reiterates also its call on the Commission to draft a new 'model clause' for trade and investment agreements referring to the parties' international obligations, comprising a procedure for consultation and specifying political and legal mechanisms to be used; calls for the establishment of an independent body to settle pertinent disputes and the possibility of recourse to a dispute settlement mechanism with provision for fines and the suspension of trade benefits and investment protection equivalent to mechanisms for market access provisions; calls for the setting up of a specific inter- institutional committee for human rights in trade and investment agreements, and for a human rights civil society monitoring mechanism that is dedicated to dealing with the human rights impact of the trade and investment agreements. These mechanisms should aim to prevent any impact on human rights and to mitigate and help find remedies if violations occur;

Amendment 2 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)

- having regard to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and to the European Parliament resolution of 27 November 2014 on the 25th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child,

Amendment 20 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 21 a (new)

– having regard to the Joint Communication of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Commission to the European Council, the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions of 8 March 2011 on a partnership for democracy and shared prosperity with the Southern Mediterranean1, ______________ 1(COM(2011)0200)

Amendment 200 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 c (new)

44c. Calls on the Commission to include in trade and investment agreements provisions barring foreign investors from the protections of the investment chapter where there is sufficient evidence of direct or indirect violation of national laws and international human rights obligations and responsibilities, both their own and those of the State in which they operate; calls for human rights impact assessments on ISDS and investment protection clauses which introduce explicit human rights standards;

Amendment 201 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 d (new)

44d. Further recommends that, whenever a gross breach of human rights occurs by a partner country with which an agreement has been concluded, the EU takes more effective steps in carrying out the appropriate sanctions as stipulated in the human rights clauses of the agreement, including possible (temporary) suspension of the agreement;

Amendment 202 #

Philippe JUVIN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 e (new)

45e. Welcome’s the Council’s increasingly systematic use of restrictive measures against third countries which deliberately breach their commitments on human rights;

Amendment 203 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 f (new)

44f. Requests that the European Union consider both the European social dialogue model and the respect of the ILO standards on employment as a reference point in these agreements;

Amendment 204 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45

Amendment 205 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45

45. Welcomes the entry into force of the new Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) (Regulation (EU) 978/2012) on 1 January 2014; positively notes that 14 countries had been granted GSP+ preferences by the end of 2014~~, as a means of stimulat~~; reminds that those 14 countries are required to maintaing the ~~effective implement~~ratification of 27 core international conventions on human rights and labour standards and to ensure their effective implementation and are subject to monitoring imposed by those conventions as well as by the EU; expects the Commission to report back to Parliament and to the Council on the status of ratification and the effective implementation of the conventions by the beneficiaries of the GSP+ preferences by the end of 2015;

Amendment 206 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45

45. Welcomes the entry into force of the new Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) (Regulation (EU) 978/2012) on 1 January 2014; positively notes that 14 countries had been granted GSP+ preferences by the end of 2014, as a means of stimulating the effective implementation of 27 core international conventions on human rights and labour standards; stresses the importance of a genuine, transparent and inclusive assessment by the European Commission of these conventions by the GSP+ beneficiary countries; expects the Commission to report back to Parliament and to the Council on the status of ratification and the effective implementation of the conventions by the beneficiaries of the GSP+ preferences by the end of 2015; calls for the inclusion of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the GSP Regulation list of conventions required for GSP+ status and notes that a number of applicants are not party to the Statute;

Amendment 207 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45

45. Welcomes the entry into force of the new Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) (Regulation (EU) 978/2012) on 1 January 2014; positively notes that 14 countries had been granted GSP+ preferences by the end of 2014, as a means of stimulating the effective implementation of 27 core international conventions on human rights and labour standards; expects the Commission to report back to Parliament and to the Council on the status of ratification and the effective implementation of the conventions by the beneficiaries of the GSP+ preferences by the end of 2015; calls for the monitoring reports to concretely document progress and steps backwards if any, present the specific commitments taken by the beneficiary countries to pursue the effective implementation the 27 conventions and the roadmaps and benchmarks convened to ensure the fulfilment of the attribution of GSP+ criteria; calls on the Commission, under the forthcoming GSP mid-term review, to run a country-based study assessing the human rights impacts of GSP and Everything But Arms preferences;

Amendment 208 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading (new)

Business and human rights

Amendment 209 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45 a (new)

45a. Welcomes the initiative relating to a regulation setting up a system of supply chain due diligence for responsible sourcing of minerals from conflict- affected areas; calls on all stakeholders to take an active role in the 12th session of the UN Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises, and to support efforts to align their policies with the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights;

Amendment 21 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 21 b (new)

– having regard to the Joint Communication of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions of 25 May 2011 on a new response to a changing Neighbourhood1, ______________ 1(COM(2011)0303)

Amendment 210 #

Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Pablo IGLESIAS, Javier COUSO PERMUY

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45 b (new)

45b. Calls for the setting up of a complaint mechanism that can be accessed by individuals and communities whose human rights are affected by trade and investments in order to avoid negative impacts and ensure access to remedy and compensation, based on need and responsibility; calls for the inclusion of a mandatory and enforceable binding clause for investors to comply with the principles of corporate social responsibility as defined at international level, including the 2010 update of the OECD Guidelines, and with the standards defined by the UN, such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The agreement should clearly foresee that the investor may not contravene the human rights international standards and local law which is in conformity with human rights international law, nor be complicit in its violation, for the full duration of the investment;

Amendment 211 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46

46. Reaffirms that the activities of EU companies operating in third countries should be in full compliance with international human rights standards; ~~reaffirms, moreover, the importance of promoting corporate social responsibility and of European enterprises playing a leading role in promoting international standards on business and human rights~~calls, therefore, on the Member States to ensure that companies which come under their national law do not disregard human rights or the social, health and environmental standards to which they are subject when moving to, or doing business in, a third country; calls on the Commission to take the necessary action against European companies which do not comply with these standards and which, furthermore, do not adequately compensate victims of human rights violations falling directly or indirectly under their responsibility;

Amendment 212 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46

46. Reaffirms that ~~the activities of EU companies operating in third countries should be in full compliance with international~~European companies should undertake adequate due diligence to ensure that their operations in third countries respect human rights ~~standards~~; reaffirms, moreover, the importance of promoting corporate social responsibility and of European enterprises playing a leading role in promoting international standards on business and human rights;

Amendment 213 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46

46. Reaffirms that the activities of EU companies operating in third countries should be in full compliance with international human rights standards and require also to take all necessary legal reforms at the EU and Member States levels to ensure effective prevention and access to justice; reaffirms, moreover, the importance of promoting corporate social responsibility and of European enterprises playing a leading role in promoting international standards on business and human rights;

Amendment 214 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47

Amendment 215 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47

47. Believes, therefore, that the EEAS should require that EU Delegations engage with EU companies operating in third countries in order to ~~promot~~ensure respect for human rights in their business-related activities; recalls, furthermore, its request that EU Delegations include respect for human rights in business operations as a priority in local calls for proposals carried out under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) and that EU delegations take all necessary action to protect human rights defenders acting in the context of business activities in line with the EU guidelines on Human Rights Defenders;

Amendment 216 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47

47. Believes, therefore, that the EEAS should require that EU Delegations engage with EU companies operating in third countries in order to promote respect for human rights in their business-related activities; recalls, furthermore, its request that EU Delegations include respect for human rights in business operations as a priority in local calls for proposals carried out under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR); urges the EU to ask Member States to ensure compliance with human rights and the principles of corporate responsibility on the part of companies governed by their national law when engaged in business activities in third countries;

Amendment 217 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 a (new)

47a. Believes that the business community has a great role to play in promoting human rights, that such efforts are deeply desirable and should be supported by public institutions worldwide; believes that the promotion of human rights should be built on cooperation between government and private sector;

Amendment 218 #

Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Pablo IGLESIAS, Javier COUSO PERMUY

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 b (new)

47b. Believes furthermore that trade between nations, and the personal exchanges as well as the exchanges of ideas and practices that come with it, have the potential to promote human rights and democracy;

Amendment 219 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48

48. Reiterates its call on the Commission to report on the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights by the EU Member States by the end of 2015; condemns the fact that EU Member States voted against the resolution adopted by the United Nations on 27 June 2014 which sought to establish a binding framework for transnational companies which do not respect human rights; urges the EU and its Member States to participate fully in the development and implementation of a binding international mechanism;

Amendment 22 #

Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Pablo IGLESIAS, Javier COUSO PERMUY

Motion for a resolution
Citation 22 a (new)

– having regard to the report of Cephas Lumina, the independent expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights1, ______________ 1(Addendum,Mission to Greece, UN A/HRC/25/50/Add.1)

Amendment 220 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48

48. Reiterates its call on the Commission to report on the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights by the EU Member States by the end of 2015; and to constructively participate in the work of the intergovernmental open-ended working group tasked with the elaboration of an international instrument on human rights, transnational corporations and other business enterprises;

Amendment 221 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48 a (new)

48a. Calls for the EU and its Member States to engage in the debate on a legally binding international instrument on business and human rights within the UN system;

Amendment 222 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48 b (new)

48b. Calls for concerted EU action to address the problem of land-grabbing through the promotion of adequate safeguards, to prevent land-grabbing in the countries concerned and among EU and other European companies present in those countries;

Amendment 223 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48 c (new)

48c. Calls on the EU to develop pilot project on the indivisibility on human rights, land issue (land grabbing and forced eviction) and the coherence of EU policies in that regard. Calls on the EU to report on its efforts to consider accession to the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as committed in the EU action plan on human rights and democracy 2015;

Amendment 224 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading (new)

Human Rights and Development

Amendment 225 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49

49. Considers that development cooperation and the promotion of human rights and democratic principles should go hand in hand; recalls in this context that the UN has stated that in the absence of a human-rights-based approach, development goals cannot be fully achieved; recalls also that the EU has committed itself to supporting partner countries, taking into account their development situation and their progress as regards human rights and democracy; encourages the inclusion of clearly defined results frameworks in all instruments in order to ensure the inclusion of marginalized and vulnerable groups as well as to mainstream a human rights based approach;

Amendment 226 #

Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Pablo IGLESIAS, Javier COUSO PERMUY

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 a (new)

49a. Reaffirms the urgent need of addressing the global burden of poverty- related and neglected diseases; calls for an ambitious long-term political strategy and plan of action on global health, innovation and access to medicines that, inter alia, invests in research and development, so as to safeguard the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of every human being without discrimination on grounds of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition, gender identity or sexual orientation;

Amendment 227 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 b (new)

49b. Deplores the way in which the financial and economic crisis and the sovereign debt crisis, together with the budgetary restrictions imposed, have negatively affected people’s economic, civil, social and cultural rights, often resulting in increasing unemployment, poverty and precarious working and living conditions, as well as exclusion and isolation, particularly in the countries in which economic adjustment programmes have been adopted; stresses that the UN has repeatedly criticised the management by the European institutions and the Troika of the debt issue and its consequences for human rights; deplores the fact that almost all none the Member States voted for the UN resolution of 10 September 2015 recognising the right of any state to restructure its sovereign debt;

Amendment 228 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50

50. Welcomes the Commission’s Staff Working Document on a rights-based approach, encompassing all human rights, including women's and girls' rights, for EU development cooperation, published in April 2014 and welcomed by the Council; encourages the Commission to monitor the implementation of the rights- based approach and to ensure that human rights and development cooperation are mutually reinforcing on the ground;

Amendment 229 #

Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Pablo IGLESIAS, Javier COUSO PERMUY

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50

50. Welcomes the Commission’s Staff Working Document on a rights-based approach, encompassing all human rights for EU development cooperation, published in April 2014 and welcomed by the Council; encourages the Commission to monitor the implementation of the rights- based approach and to ensure that human rights and development cooperation are mutually reinforcing on the ground; calls the Commission to provide transparent and public assessment of the implementation of the RBA EU toolbox;

Amendment 23 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 22 b (new)

– having regard to the UN Human Rights Council Resolution of 26 June 2014 calling for the establishment of an open- ended intergovernmental working group with the aim of drawing up an international legally binding instrument on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights,

Amendment 230 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 a (new)

50a. Welcomes the adoption of the ambitious 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the special UN summit in New York, as well as the leading role played by the EU in this process and in particular for the inclusion of fundamental EU values such as human rights and good governance; positively notes that the new agenda is clearly anchored in human rights commitments and that its 17 goals and 169 targets seek to realize human rights for all; shares the vision underpinning this document of a world of universal respect for human rights and human dignity, the rule of law, justice, equality and non-discrimination, of respect for race, ethnicity and cultural diversity, as well as of equal opportunity permitting the full realization of human potential and contributing to shared prosperity;

Amendment 231 #

Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Pablo IGLESIAS, Javier COUSO PERMUY

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 b (new)

50b. Underlines the importance of policy coherence for development (PCD) in achieving the new sustainable development agenda; points out that the human rights based approach should lead to a deepened understanding of PCD, as without addressing the obstacles to the realisation of rights there can be no progress towards sustainable development and the eradication of poverty;

Amendment 232 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51

51. Takes ~~positive~~ note of the counter- terrorism guidance document drafted by the EEAS and the Commission and endorsed by the Council with the aim of ensuring respect for human rights in the planning and implementation of counter- terrorism assistance projects with third countries; calls on the EEAS and the Commission to ensure effective implementation of the document, starting with its wide dissemination; supports, in this context, the international efforts to stop human rights violations being perpetrated by ISIS/Da’esh; deplores the fact that counter- terrorism policies are used as a pretext to introduce repressive policies which apply to all citizens and is concerned by the lack of attention to given to independent control mechanisms;

Amendment 233 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51

51. Takes positive note of the counter- terrorism guidance document drafted by the EEAS and the Commission and endorsed by the Council with the aim of ensuring respect for human rights in the planning and implementation of counter- terrorism assistance projects with third countries; calls on the EEAS and the Commission to ensure effective implementation of the document, starting with its wide dissemination; ~~supports, in this~~reminds, in this context, that respect for fundamental rights and freedoms is the foundations of successful counte~~xt,~~r-terrorism policies, including the use of digital surveillance technologies; supports the international efforts to stop human rights violations being perpetrated by ISIS/Da’'esh;

Amendment 234 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51

51. Takes positive note of the counter- terrorism guidance document drafted by the EEAS and the Commission and endorsed by the Council with the aim of ensuring respect for human rights in the planning and implementation of counter- terrorism assistance projects with third countries; calls on the EEAS and the Commission to ensure effective implementation of the document, starting with its wide dissemination; supports, in this context, the ~~international efforts to stop~~UN efforts to document and oppose human rights violations being perpetrated by ISIS/Da’esh;

Amendment 235 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51

51. Takes positive note of the counter- terrorism guidance document drafted by the EEAS and the Commission and endorsed by the Council with the aim of ensuring respect for human rights in the planning and implementation of counter- terrorism assistance projects with third countries; calls on the EEAS and the Commission to ensure effective implementation of the document, starting with its wide dissemination; supports, in this context, the international efforts to stop human rights violations being perpetrated by terrorist organisations such as ISIS/Da’esh;

Amendment 236 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51

51. Takes positive note of the counter- terrorism guidance document drafted by the EEAS and the Commission and endorsed by the Council with the aim of ensuring respect for human rights in the planning and implementation of counter- terrorism assistance projects with third countries; calls on the EEAS and the Commission to ensure effective implementation of the document, starting with its wide dissemination; supports, in this context, the international efforts to stop human rights violations being perpetrated by ISIS/Da’esh; calls the EU to enhance transparency of the timeframe and content of all forms of counter-terrorism dialogues with third countries and report on the way they raise human rights issues;

Amendment 237 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading (new)

Rights of indigenous people

Amendment 238 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51 a (new)

51a. Calls on the EEAS, the Commission and the Member States to support the review of the mandate of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, in line with the Outcome Document of the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples (UN General Assembly Resolution 69/2), with a view to monitoring, evaluating and improving the implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; urges the EU Member States to request that all Special Procedure mandate holders give special attention to issues affecting indigenous women and girls, and systematically report such issues to the UNHRC; urges the EEAS and the Member States to actively support the development of the system-wide action plan on indigenous peoples, as requested by the UN General Assembly in its September 2014 resolution, especially as regards the organisation of regular consultation of indigenous peoples as part of that process;

Amendment 239 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading (new)

EU action on migration and refugees

Amendment 24 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 24

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the opinions of the Committee on Development and the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (A8- 000023/2015),

Amendment 240 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52

52. Expresses its solidarity with the high number of refugees and migrants who suffer grave human rights violations as victims of conflicts, ~~tangible~~ governance failures ~~and networks of illegal immigration and trafficking~~, trafficking and smuggling gangs, and while on their way to Europe, as well as while crossing European borders; expresses also its deep regret at the tragic loss of lives of people seeking asylum in the EU;

Amendment 241 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52

52. Expresses its solidarity with the high number of refugees and migrants who suffer grave human rights violations as victims of conflicts, tangible governance failures ~~and~~, networks of illegal immigration and trafficking, extremist groups and criminal gangs who exploit their vulnerability; expresses also its deep regret at the tragic loss of lives of people seeking asylum in the EU;

Amendment 242 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52

52. Expresses its solidarity with the high number of refugees and economic migrants who suffer grave human rights violations as victims of conflicts, tangible governance failures and networks of illegal immigration and trafficking; expresses also its deep regret at the tragic loss of lives of people seeking asylum in the EU;

Amendment 243 #

Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Pablo IGLESIAS, Javier COUSO PERMUY

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52

52. Expresses its solidarity with the high number of refugees and migrants who suffer grave human rights violations as victims of conflicts, and persecution, tangible governance failures smuggling and trafficking and networks of illegal immigration and trafficking; expresses also its deep regret at the tragic loss of lives of people ~~seeking asylum in the EU;~~ trying to reach the EU's territory; notes that the actions taken by the European Union and its Member States in this regard have failed to prevent further tragedies; reiterates the importance that saving lives is prioritised in any effort made in this area; to this end, urges the Commission and Member States to overhaul their approach to migration, to ensure that saving lives and respecting migrants' rights take precedence over border control and surveillance; in particular, calls on the EU and Member States to establish a real search and rescue operation in the Mediterranean, which Frontex, as a border surveillance agency, cannot guarantee; also urges the EU and Member States to open up safe and legal channels for entry into Europe, to reduce the risks linked to irregular migration and to prevent further loss of life;

Amendment 244 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52

52. Expresses its solidarity with the high number of refugees and migrants who suffer grave human rights violations as victims of conflicts, tangible governance failures and networks of illegal immigration and trafficking; expresses also its deep regret at the tragic loss of lives of people seeking asylum inNotes that the refugee crisis is a global problem and that the UNHCR puts the number of refugees and displaced persons in the world today at 60 million; expresses its solidarity with the high number of refugees and migrants who suffer grave human rights violations fleeing conflicts, lawless zones and poverty as victims of violent repression and networks of illegal immigration and trafficking in which many public authorities have direct and indirect responsibilities; stresses that the EU and its Member States have a responsibility for refugees and migrants trying to escape war, chaos, economic misery, hunger and death, not least because of global neoliberal economic policies and the current and past neo-colonial policies of some Member States; expresses also its deep regret at the tragic loss of lives of people seeking asylum in the EU; warns the EU and its Member States against constructing fences which encourage human trafficking without providing possibilities for safe and legal access to the EU;

Amendment 245 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52 a (new)

52a. Requests the EU to participate actively in the debate on the term "climate refugee", including its possible legal definition in international law or in any legally binding international agreements;

Amendment 246 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52 b (new)

52b. Reiterates its call on the EU to ensure that the negotiation and implementation of all migration cooperation and readmission agreements with non-EU states comply with international human rights, refugee law and international maritime law and asks to be consulted prior to their conclusion; demands to ensure greater transparency in the negotiation of such agreements and to integrate monitoring mechanisms to evaluate the human rights impact of cooperation on migration with non-EU states and of border control measures, including Frontex and operations under its mandate; insists that human rights need to be mainstreamed and monitored in all activities carried out by Frontex;

Amendment 247 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53

53. Stresses the urgent need to tackle the root causes of migration flows, whether of refugees or economic migrants, and, therefore, to address the external dimension of the ~~refugee crisi~~se flows, including by finding sustainable solutions to conflicts in our neighbourhood; underlines the need for a comprehensive human-rights-based approach to migration and calls on the EU to collaborate with the UN, regional organisations, governments and NGOs in order to address the root causes of migration flows; expresses its gravest concerns about the activities of human traffickers who deny migrants their fundamental rights and put their lives in great danger; takes note in this context of the European Union Naval Force – Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med) operation against smugglers and traffickers in the Mediterranean; welcomes the measures proposed by the Commission on 9 September 2015 to address the external dimension of the refugee crisis;

Amendment 248 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53

Amendment 249 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53

53. Stresses the urgent need to tackle the root causes of migration flows and, therefore, to address the external dimension of the refugee crisis~~, including~~ by finding sustainable solutions to conflicts in our neighbourhood through building cooperation and partnership with those third countries that host the large refugee camps and providing humanitarian aid to the refugees living in those camps; points out the importance of distinguishing between refugees and economic migrants; underlines the need for a global and comprehensive human-rights-based approach to migration and calls on the EU to collaborate with the UN, regional organisations, governments and NGOs in order to address the root causes of migration flows; takes note in this context of the European Union Naval Force – Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med) operation against smugglers and traffickers in the Mediterranean; welcomes the measures proposed by the Commission on 9 September 2015 to address the external dimension of the refugee crisis;

Amendment 25 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 24 a (new)

– having regard to the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Subcommittee on Human Rights on the EU’s new approach to human rights and democracy – evaluating the activities of the European Endowment for Democracy (EED) since its establishment1, --- 1(AFET/8/02278)

Amendment 250 #

Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Pablo IGLESIAS, Javier COUSO PERMUY

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53

53. ~~Stresses the urgent nee~~Focus should also be paid to tackle the root causes of migration ~~flows~~ and, therefore, to address the external dimension of the refugee crisis, including by finding sustainable solutions to conflicts in our neighbourhood and by adopting the necessary fundamental reforms in EU trade, agricultural, fisheries, development and climate policies; underlines the need for a comprehensive human-rights-based approach to migration and calls on the EU to collaborate with the UN, regional organisations, governments and NGOs in order to address the root causes of migration flows; ~~takes note in this context of the European Union Naval Force – Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med) operation against smugglers and traffickers in the Mediterranean;~~ welcomes the measures proposed by the Commission on 9 September 2015 to address the external dimension of the refugee crisis;

Amendment 251 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53

53. Stresses th~~e urgent need to tackle the root cau~~at responses must be found to the current crisis basesd o~~f migration flows and, therefore, to address the external dimension of the refugee crisis, including by~~n the principles of solidarity and an overall strategy which promotes safe and legal migration and fully respects human rights and fiund~~ing sustainable solutions to conflicts in our neighbourhood~~amental values; calls on the European Union and its Member States to promote peace and reject violent intervention as a basis for foreign policy; underlines the need for a comprehensive human-rights-based approach to migration and calls on the EU to collaborate with the UN, regional organisations, governments and NGOs in order to address the root causes of migration flows; takes note in this context of the European Union Naval Force – Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med) operation against smugglers and traffickers in the Mediterranean; welcomes the measures proposed by the Commission on 9 September 2015 to address the external dimension of the refugee crisis; points out that this comprehensive strategy will also involve humanitarian aid and development aid;

Amendment 252 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53

53. Stresses the urgent need to tackle the root causes of migration flows and, therefore, to address the external dimension of the refugee crisis, including by finding sustainable solutions to conflicts in our neighbourhood; underlines the need for a comprehensive human-rights-based approach to migration and calls on the EU to collaborate with the UN, regional organisations, governments and NGOs in order to address the root causes of migration flows; takes note in this context of the European Union Naval Force – Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med) operation against smugglers and traffickers in the Mediterranean; welcomes the measures proposed by the Commission on 9 September 2015 to address the external dimension of the refugee crisis; regrets however that all efforts in this area focus on externalisation; recalls the importance that migrants' rights be central to any cooperation agreement on migration with non EU countries, including readmission agreements, technical cooperation and mobility partnerships; to this end, urges the EU to ensure that human rights safeguards are systematically integrated into any such agreement, and that adequate mechanisms are set up to monitor their implementation; also reiterates the need to ensure respect for the participation, accountability and transparency principles when negotiating cooperation agreements with third countries. This includes involving the European Parliament, including when negotiating working arrangements and other technical cooperation with non-EU countries that might have important and potentially detrimental effects on migrants, so as to allow for adequate democratic scrutiny and accountability, especially candidate countries for the EU. Cooperation agreements should not be concluded with non EU countries that do not offer sufficient guarantees of respect for migrants' human rights and where there are no satisfactory systems in place for assessing and recognising claims for international protection. When setting up lists of safe countries of origin, the EU and member states must refrain from including in any such list countries that do not offer sufficient guarantees of respect for human rights or do not have satisfactory systems in place for assessing and recognising claims for international protection;

Amendment 253 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 a (new)

53a. Calls on the EU to provide humanitarian aid and ensure that the refugees' most basic needs are covered and their human rights respected; stresses that the humanitarian response to the refugee crisis should be part of a longer- term plan that includes humanitarian aid and support for the countries neighbouring the refugees' countries of origin, strengthens their early recovery and protection capacities, reinforces the role of UN-related agencies and improves the political, social, human rights and economic situation in developing countries of origin and transit;

Amendment 254 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 b (new)

53b. Stresses the urgent need to re-orient the high number of EU policy initiatives in the field of migration and asylum, from the current focus on externalising our external borders to third countries, to providing actual support to refugees and migrants seeking protection in the EU consistent with international human rights law, and calls on the EU to guarantee effective common standards for reception procedures; calls on the EU Member States to increase cooperation and equitable burden-sharing including by hosting and resettling refugees, contributing to search and rescue services, to assist migrants in distress at sea while attempting to reach EU shores; recalls in that regard the need to respect the principle of non-refoulement in European and international waters, as was upheld by the ECtHR, as well as the urgent need to develop adequate legal migration channels;

Amendment 255 #

Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Pablo IGLESIAS, Javier COUSO PERMUY

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 c (new)

53c. Stresses the urgent need to develop stronger policies at Union level to address the pressing issues related to migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in a manner consistent with international human rights law and fundamental human dignity; calls on the EU and the MS to guarantee humanitarian corridors and to deliver humanitarian visas; invites the VP/HR, the Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs and the EEAS to promote legal migration in a true spirit of cooperation and equitable burden sharing among Member States in order to tackle the multiple challenges that persist in this regard and calls for a revision of the Dublin Regulation;

Amendment 256 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 d (new)

53d. Expresses concern at the measures proposed by the Commission on 9 September 2015 to address the external dimension of the refugee crisis; condemns the Commission proposal to strengthen the ‘safe country of origin’ provisions of the Asylum Procedures Directive by drawing up a common European list of safe countries of origin, and considers it particularly alarming that Turkey might be included on that list; points out that such s list could restrict the procedural rights of nationals of the countries in question; calls for every step to be taken to ensure that an approach along these lines does not undermine the principle of non-refoulement and the individual right of asylum, especially where people in vulnerable groups are concerned;

Amendment 257 #

Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Pablo IGLESIAS, Javier COUSO PERMUY

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 e (new)

53e. Expresses disquiet at the proliferation of negotiations on the subject of readmission and return; calls for the suspension of all readmission agreements with countries that do not respect fundamental human rights; calls on the Member States to observe the international principle of non- refoulement, not just in words, but also in deeds;

Amendment 258 #

Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Pablo IGLESIAS, Javier COUSO PERMUY

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 f (new)

53f. Rejects any attempts to outsource EU migration policies, and accordingly condemns the proposals from Member States and the Commission to set up processing or detention centres in third countries; calls on the Commission and the Member States immediately to cease cooperation with third countries aimed at preventing migrants and refugees from getting to safety in Europe and at tightening up border controls; calls for a halt to negotiations on agreements that do not protect refugees or guarantee respect for fundamental rights in the manner called for by the Khartoum and Rabat processes;

Amendment 259 #

Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Pablo IGLESIAS, Javier COUSO PERMUY

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 g (new)

53g. Points out that 17.5 million people were displaced in 2014 as a result of climate-related disasters; points out that these displacements chiefly affect regions in the South, which are most exposed to climate change impacts; points out that 85% of these displacements occur in developing countries, primarily within one country or parts of countries; points out that as part of the Millennium Development Goals, the EU Member States have committed themselves to earmarking 0.7% of their GDP for development aid financing; deplores the fact that Member States are a long way from meeting their commitments and indeed some countries, for instance France, are revising them downwards;

Amendment 26 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Sophia IN 'T VELD

Motion for a resolution
Citation 24 b (new)

- having regard to the letter with reference 3757306 sent by Federica Mogherini, Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, on 11 September 2015 on the reviewed EU humanitarian aid policy,

Amendment 260 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 h (new)

53h. Calls on the EU to increase its support to the fight against trafficking of human beings through external policies, with a particular focus on the protection of victims; strongly considers that the EU should strengthen cooperation with third countries in order to exchange good practices and contribute to dismantling international trafficking networks;

Amendment 261 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 i (new)

53i. Calls on the EU to make the fight against trafficking in human beings (THB) a priority in its external policies, addressing both the demand and supply side of the phenomenon, including European consumers and European companies abroad, to pay particular focus on the protection of victims and to increase communication and cooperation with relevant actors in the fight against THB; reiterates the need for all EU Member States to implement the EU Directive (2011/36/EU) and the Strategy towards the Eradication of Trafficking in Human Beings 2012-2016;

Amendment 262 #

Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 j (new)

53j. Maintains that it is absolutely essential to end the Russian aggression in Ukraine and bring about stability and respect for human rights;

Amendment 263 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 k (new)

53k. Reiterates its call for an EU common position on the use of armed drones, giving utmost importance to respect for human rights and international humanitarian law and addressing issues such as the legal framework, proportionality, accountability, the protection of civilians and transparency; urges the EU, once again, to ban the development, production and use of fully autonomous weapons which enable strikes to be carried out without human intervention;

Amendment 264 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 l (new)

53l. Reiterates its call for the development of an EU common position on the use of armed drones, giving utmost importance to the respect for human rights and international humanitarian law and addressing issues such as the legal framework, proportionality, accountability, the protection of civilians and transparency; urges once again the EU to ban the development, production and use of fully autonomous weapons which enable strikes to be carried out without human intervention; calls on the EU to oppose and ban the practice of extrajudicial and targeted killings and to take legal measures wherever an individual or entity may be connected to an unlawful targeted killing abroad; insists that human rights are part of all dialogues with third countries on counter- terrorism;

Amendment 265 #

Afzal KHAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 m (new)

53m. Reiterates its call from February 2014 to oppose the practice of extrajudicial targeted killings outside the framework of international law and to promote greater transparency and accountability in the use of armed drones with regard to the legal basis for their use; expresses in this regard its grave concern over the recently carried out British drone attack killing two British and one Belgian citizens extra judicially outside of the UK in Syria, where the UK is not at war, and even more so, over the UK Prime Minister's announced readiness to continue such operations without disclosing the legal framework, process for authorisation, factors considered or remit of the UK's new policy for use of armed drones and targeted killings; calls for the development of a policy response at both European and global level which upholds human rights and international humanitarian law and articulates the legal framework and application of the principles of proportionality, accountability, transparency, and the protection of civilians;

Amendment 266 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading (new)

International cultural and sports events and human rights

Amendment 267 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 n (new)

53n. Emphasizes the necessity to have a worldwide campaign during international sports events to inform and educate the general public, and particularly sports men and women, sports fans and supporters, about the scale of the problem of forced prostitution and trafficking in human beings and, most importantly, to seek to curb demand by raising awareness among potential clients;

Amendment 268 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 o (new)

53o. Is seriously concerned that major sports events are increasingly being organised in countries where human rights and fundamental freedoms are seriously breached; considers, therefore, that the Commission should continue to raise this worrying development in international fora and take the necessary steps to bring about a situation in which, in future, international sports organisations regard the human rights factor as a determining criterion in procedures for awarding major international sports events;

Amendment 269 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 p (new)

53p. Denounces the increasing practice by authoritarian States of hosting mega sports or cultural events in order to boost their international legitimacy while further restricting domestic dissent; calls for the EU and its Member States to actively raise this issue, including at the UNHRC, and to engage with national sports federations, corporate actors and civil society organisations on the modalities of their participation in such events, including with regard to the first European Games in Baku in 2015 and the FIFA World Cup in Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022;

Amendment 27 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 24 c (new)

- having regard to its study of June 2015 on occupation/annexation of a Territory: Respect for International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights and Consistent EU Policy,

Amendment 270 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 r (new)

53r. Denounces the increasing practice by authoritarian states of hosting mega sports or cultural events in order to boost their international legitimacy whilst further restricting domestic dissent; calls on the EU and Member States to engage with national sports federations, corporate actors and civil society organizations on the modalities of their participation in such events, including with regards to the FIFA World Cup in Russia in 2018 and in Qatar in 2022, and the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2022; calls for the development of an EU policy framework on sports and human rights;

Amendment 271 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading

~~Advancing human rights and democracy through~~EU action in multilateral organisations

Amendment 272 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54

54. Reiterates its full support for the EU’s strong engagement in promoting the advancement of human rights and democratic principles through cooperation with the structures of the United Nations and its specialised agencies, the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, in line with Articles 21 and 220 TEU; welcomes therefore the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals;

Amendment 273 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 56

56. ~~Considers it regrettable that the now~~Recalls the importance of keeping institutionalised practice of sending a parliamentary delegation to the UNGA ~~was not respected in 2014~~; welcomes the renewal of the practice in 2015, at the 28th session of the UNHRC;

Amendment 274 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 57

57. Emphasises that in order to strengthen the credibility and legitimacy of the UNHRC, all its members must uphold the highest human rights standards and fulfil their human rights commitments; considers that human rights must be promoted, developed and consolidated in all international fora; calls on the Commission to publicly report on the activities and actions it is carrying out to advance the human rights agenda and to reinforce the human rights accountability and liability of international organisations such as the WTO and the World Bank (BIRD, IFC, MIGA);

Amendment 275 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 58

58. Reaffirms its strong support for the International Criminal Court (ICC) in bringing justice to the victims of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole, such as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression; considers it regrettable that no state ratified the Rome Statute in 2014commitment to ending impunity for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community and to provide justice for the victims of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide and reiterates its support for the International Criminal Court (ICC); urges the EU and EU Members States to fully and effectively cooperate with the Court and to provide it with strong diplomatic and political support in bilateral relations and in all for a, including at the UN and take steps to prevent and respond effectively to instances of non-cooperation with the ICC; expresses serious concern that several arrest warrants have still not been executed;

Amendment 276 #

Cătălin Sorin IVAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 58

Amendment 277 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 58

Amendment 278 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 58

Amendment 279 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 58 a (new)

58a. Reaffirms the importance of strengthening the universality of the Rome Statute and welcomes the ratification of the Rome Statute by Palestine this year; encourages the EU and EU member states to increase their efforts in promoting the ratification, effective implementation and integrity of the Rome Statute;

Amendment 28 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 24 d (new)

- having regard to Convention No 169 of the International Labour Organisation on indigenous and tribal peoples in independent countries,

Amendment 280 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 58 b (new)

58b. Recalls that the ICC is complementary to national judicial systems and calls for the effective implementation of the 2013 EU toolkit on complementarity to strengthen EU assistance to help reinforce countries capacities in dealing with Rome Statute crimes;

Amendment 281 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 58 c (new)

58c. Requests the EU to continue its strong support in strengthening and expanding the relationship between the ICC and the UN, in particular in the UN Security Council;

Amendment 282 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 58 d (new)

58d. Calls on EU Member States to provide the ICC with the resources needed, and to enhance the crucial support to and fostering of the international criminal justice system and the ICC via financial support to civil society actors through the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR);

Amendment 283 #

Cătălin Sorin IVAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 59

59. Calls on the EU and the Member States to actively promote the ICC and the ~~need for~~imperative regarding the enforcement of its decisions in all type of dialogues with third countries;

Amendment 284 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 59

59. Calls on the EU and the Member States to actively promote the ICC and the need for the enforcement of its decisions in all type of dialogues with third countries and in multilateral fora;

Amendment 285 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 59

59. Calls on the EU and the Member States to actively promote the ICC and t~~he need for the enforcement of its decisions in all type of dialogues with third countrie~~o encourage further ratification and implementation of the ICC statute, strengthened cooperation by states parties with the ICC and the need for the enforcement of its decisions in all type of dialogues with third countries; invites states to enter into voluntary cooperation agreements with the ICC regarding issues such as witness relocation and acquittal agreements;

Amendment 286 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 59 a (new)

59a. Emphasizes the responsibility of all States to put an end to impunity and to prosecute those responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, including those relating to sexual violence, such as rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, enforced pregnancy, enforced sterilisation and any other form of sexual violence of comparable seriousness and to recognize and condemn these crimes as a crime against humanity and a war crime;

Amendment 287 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading (new)

Freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief

Amendment 288 #

Ulrike LUNACEK, Daniele VIOTTI, Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN, Tanja FAJON, Malin BJÖRK, Ian DUNCAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60

60. Recalls that ~~freedom of thou~~everybody is entitled to the complete set of human rights as recognised in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ~~conscience,~~without discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, ability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion ~~and~~or belief ~~is a fundamental human right, as recognised in the Universal Declaration of Human Right~~; reaffirms that cultural, traditional or religious values can never be invoked to justify any form of discrimination, including discrimination against women or LGBTI persons;

Amendment 289 #

Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Pablo IGLESIAS, Javier COUSO PERMUY

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60

60. Recalls that freedom of thought, conscience, and religion ~~and belief~~ is a fundamental human right, as recognised in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; in this regard, it highlights the particularly dramatic situation of persecution in which Christian communities are in various third countries;

Amendment 29 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 24 e (new)

– having regard to UN Resolution A/69/L.84 of 10 September 2015 on the basic principles on sovereign debt restructuring processes,

Amendment 290 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60

60. Recalls that freedom of thought, expression, conscience, religion and belief is a fundamental human right, as recognised in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;

Amendment 291 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60

60. Recalls that freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief is a fundamental human right, as recognised in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, interrelated with other human rights and fundamental freedoms encompassing the rights to believe or not to believe, the freedom to practise theistic, non-theistic or atheistic belief alike, and the right to adopt, change and abandon or return to a belief of one's choice;

Amendment 292 #

Dennis de JONG, Peter van DALEN, Marian HARKIN, Miltiadis KYRKOS, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Margrete AUKEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60

60. Recalls that freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief is a fundamental human right, as recognised in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, interrelated with other human rights and fundamental freedoms encompassing the rights to believe or not to believe, the freedom to practice theistic, non-theistic or atheistic belief alike, and the right to adopt, change and abandon or return to a belief of one's choice;

Amendment 293 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60

60. Recalls that freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief is a fundamental human right, as recognised in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as guaranteed by Article 18 of the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; expresses its concern that a large number of UN countries still fail to abide by UN standards and use state repression, which may include physical punishment, prison terms, exorbitant fines and even the death penalty in violation of freedom of religion or belief;

Amendment 294 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60

60. Recalls that freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief is a fundamental human right, as recognised in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; notes that this right encompasses the right to have beliefs or not to have them, the right to change religion or beliefs, freedom of expression, assembly, and association, and the right of parents to bring up their children according to their moral convictions, whether religious or not;

Amendment 295 #

Dennis de JONG, Peter van DALEN, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Margrete AUKEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 a (new)

60a. Invites the Union to effectively operate so that the freedom to change one's religion without any coercion is ensured in the world;

Amendment 296 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 b (new)

60b. Calls on the EEAS to create an office to act as focal contact point for religion or belief matters, which would be responsible for the promotion and protection of freedoms of religion or belief, and for facilitating dialogue between EU delegations and relevant religious and belief organisations;

Amendment 297 #

Dennis de JONG, Peter van DALEN, Miltiadis KYRKOS, Marian HARKIN, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Margrete AUKEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 c (new)

60c. Welcomes the EU's commitment to promoting the right to freedom of religion or belief at international platforms including the UN, OSCE and the Council of Europe; commends the HR/VP for her determination to protect freedom of religion or belief, and for stating that it is one of three special human rights priorities; encourages the HR/VP in her chairmanship of the Foreign Affairs Council, to raise freedom of religion or belief as a special issue for the Council twice a year;

Amendment 298 #

Dennis de JONG, Peter van DALEN, Miltiadis KYRKOS, Marian HARKIN, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Margrete AUKEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 d (new)

60d. Is concerned about the increase in violence against religious or belief minorities around the world; calls for the special protection of refugees who have been forced to flee their place of origin as a result of discrimination on the basis of their religion or belief; asserts that all states have a duty to protect minorities against discrimination and violence;

Amendment 299 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61

61. Calls on the EU and the Member States to step up their efforts to enhance respect for freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief and to promote inter- religious dialogue when engaging with third countries; fully supports the EU practice of taking the lead on thematic resolutions at the UNHRC and at the UNGA on freedom of religion and belief; requests concrete action towards the effective implementation of the EU Guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief, including by ensuring systematic and consistent training of EU staff at Headquarters and in Delegations;

Amendment 3 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)

- having regard to the Charter of fundamental rights of the European Union,

Amendment 30 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Sophia IN 'T VELD

Motion for a resolution
Citation 24 f (new)

– having regard to the 2014 annual report of UNFPA-Unicef on the Joint Programme on Female Genital Mutilation,

Amendment 300 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61

61. Calls on the EU and the Member States to step up their efforts to enhance respect for freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief and to promote inter- religious dialogue when engaging with third countries; requests concrete actions to protect religious minorities, non- believers and atheists that are victims of blasphemy laws and calls on the EU and member states to engage in political discussions to repeal such laws; fully supports the EU practice of taking the lead on thematic resolutions at the UNHRC and at the UNGA on freedom of religion and belief; requests concrete action towards the effective implementation of the EU Guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief, both in international and regional forums and in bilateral relations with third countries with particular attention for the vulnerable situation of apostates and non- believers, and including by ensuring systematic and consistent training of EU staff at Headquarters and in Delegations;

Amendment 301 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61

61. Calls on the EU and the Member States to step up their efforts to enhance respect for freedom of thought, expression, conscience, religion and belief and to promote inter- religious dialogue when engaging with third countries; fully supports the EU practice of taking the lead on thematic resolutions at the UNHRC and at the UNGA on freedom of religion and belief; requests concrete action towards the effective implementation of the EU Guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief, including by ensuring systematic and consistent training of EU staff at Headquarters and in Delegations;

Amendment 302 #

Dennis de JONG, Peter van DALEN, Miltiadis KYRKOS, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Margrete AUKEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61

61. Calls on the EU and the Member States to step up their efforts to enhance respect for freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief and to promote inter- religious dialogue when engaging with third countries; fully supports the EU practice of taking the lead on thematic resolutions at the UNHRC and at the UNGA on freedom of religion and belief; requests concrete action and measures towards the effective implementation of the EU Guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief, including by ensuring systematic and consistent training of EU staff at Headquarters and in Delegations;

Amendment 303 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61

61. Calls on the EU and the Member States to step up their efforts to guarantee access to and enhance respect for freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief and to promote inter- religious dialogue when engaging with third countries; fully supports the EU practice of taking the lead on thematic resolutions at the UNHRC and at the UNGA on freedom of religion and belief; encourages the EU to support the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief; requests concrete action towards the effective implementation of the EU Guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief, including by ensuring systematic and consistent training of EU staff at Headquarters and in Delegations, reporting on country and local situations, engaging in close cooperation with local actors, especially with leaders of religious or belief groups including respect for freedom of religion or belief rights in Human Rights Impact Assessments that are carried out before the EU decides to conclude new trade and investment agreements and urging countries not currently accepting requests for visits from the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief to do so;

Amendment 304 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61

61. Calls on the EU and the Member States to step up their efforts to enhance respect for freedom of thought, conscience, and religion ~~and belief and~~ to promote inter- religious dialogue when engaging with third countries; fully supports the EU practice of taking the lead on thematic resolutions at the UNHRC and at the UNGA on freedom of religion and belief; requests concrete action towards the effective implementation of the EU Guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief, including by ensuring ~~systematic and consistent training of EU staff at Headquarters and in Delegations~~that they are systematically consulted and used on the ground and a continued and consistent training of EU staff at Headquarters and in Delegations; supports the idea of an ambitious revision of these EU Guidelines, aimed at integrating new tools and at improving and strengthening the text adopted in 2013; underlines that churches and religious communities must be fully involved in the review process of the EU Guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief;

Amendment 305 #

György HÖLVÉNYI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61 a (new)

61a. Recalls that based on Article 17 of TFEU, the European Union promotes inter-religious encounter by maintaining an open and transparent dialogue with representatives of religions; reaffirms that the cooperation with local representatives of religions and their organisations in third countries, especially in crisis regions is inevitable for increasing the effectiveness of EU humanitarian aid;

Amendment 306 #

György HÖLVÉNYI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61 b (new)

61b. Calls on the EU to participate in the fight against religious extremism in third countries by facilitating the exchange of best practices of inter-religious dialogue; reminds of the need for establishing relevant standing mechanisms promoting reconciliation and conflict-management by involving religious authorities;

Amendment 307 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading (new)

EU action against the death penalty

Amendment 308 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 62

62. Welcomes the Joint Declaration of the VP/HR and the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe of October 2014, which reaffirmed their strong and absolute opposition to capital punishment in all cases and under all circumstances; maintains its view that the worldwide abolition of the death penalty should be one of the EU’s central objectives as regards human rights; reiterates its recommendation to the Commission and Member States that the abolition of the death penalty for drug-related offences should be made a precondition for financial assistance, technical assistance, capacity-building and other support for drug enforcement policy;

Amendment 309 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 62

62. Welcomes the Joint Declaration of the VP/HR and the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe of October 2014, which reaffirmed their strong and absolute opposition to capital punishment in all cases and under all circumstances; maintains its view that the worldwide abolition of the death penalty should be one of the EU’s central objectives as regards human rights; calls, in this context and in connection with the 6th World Congress against the Death Penalty to be held in Oslo in June 2016, for the EU and Member States to unequivocally oppose the death penalty and for the EU to intensify its commitment to the abolition of the death penalty;

Amendment 31 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas Article 21 TEU commits the EU to ~~developing a Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) guided by~~respect and pursue the principles of democracy, the rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for human dignity, the principle of equality and solidarity and compliance with the UN Charter and international law in the development and implementation of the different areas of the Union's external action and of the external aspects of its other policies;

Amendment 310 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63

63. Expresses its concern at the growing number of death sentences worldwide; ~~considers it regrettable that Belarus has resumed executions after a two-year pause; reiterat~~notes that the countries which make greatest use of capital punishment (China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and the United States) account for more than 80% of executions in any one year; condemns the fact that executions have resumed in some countries twhere~~fore its call on Belarus to implement a moratorium on the death penalty, which should ultimately lead to its abolition~~ there used to be a moratorium and expresses serious disquiet at the fact that other countries, alongside other laws, have again been resorting to the death penalty, sometimes on the pretext of fighting terrorism or drugs; condemns in particular the sentencing of children, mentally retarded persons, and pregnant women; also condemns stoning and the sentences imposed for adultery, homosexuality, and blasphemy;

Amendment 311 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63

63. Expresses its concern at the growing number of death sentences worldwide; ~~considers it~~deeply regret~~table~~s that ~~Belarus has resumed executions after a two-year pause~~some countries still have capital punishment in their legislations; reiterates therefore its call on ~~Belaru~~those countries to implement a moratorium on the death penalty, which should ultimately lead to its abolition;

Amendment 312 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63

63. Expresses its concern at the growing number of death sentences and executions worldwide; considers it regrettable that Belarus has resumed executions after a two-year pause; reiterates therefore its call on Belarus to implement a moratorium on the death penalty, which should ultimately lead to its abolition;

Amendment 313 #

Ulrike LUNACEK, Daniele VIOTTI, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN, Tanja FAJON, Malin BJÖRK, Marietje SCHAAKE, Ian DUNCAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63

63. Expresses its concern at the growing number of death sentences worldwide; considers it regrettable that Belarus has resumed executions after a two-year pause; reiterates therefore its call on Belarus to implement a moratorium on the death penalty, which should ultimately lead to its abolition; is concerned that 8 states legislate death penalty for homosexuality (Mauritania, Sudan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Qatar) and provinces of Nigeria and Somalia officially implement death penalty for same-sex sexual acts; calls on these states to stop criminalising homosexuality and calls on Brunei Darussalam not to activate the death penalty for homosexuality in 2016, as is currently foreseen; urges the EEAS to maintain fighting criminalization of LGBTI people a key priority;

Amendment 314 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63 a (new)

63a. Urges the EEAS, the Commission and the Member States to provide guidance for a comprehensive and effective European death penalty policy with regard to dozens of European nationals facing execution in third countries, which should include strong and reinforced mechanisms in terms of identification, delivery of legal assistance and diplomatic representation;

Amendment 315 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 64

64. Calls on the EU to continue engaging with retentionist countries, making use of all diplomatic and cooperation tools in order to ~~promot~~secure the abolition of the death penalty; reiterates, moreover, its call for the EU to continue monitoring the conditions under which executions are carried out in the countries that still use the death penalty;

Amendment 316 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 64 a (new)

64a. Calls on the EU to encourage a consistent and constructive dialogue to raise awareness through public education and public campaigns to persuade countries that still retain the death penalty to abolish or at least to introduce a moratorium as a first step in this direction;

Amendment 317 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 64 b (new)

64b. Underlines that there are countries which failed to take steps to address the urgent need for fully resourced plans to tackle prison conditions; notices that very little progress was made in ensuring that prison facilities complied with international human rights standards and that prisoners' rights to life, physical integrity and dignity were protected; emphasizes the necessity to improve the detention conditions in order to respect human rights and the fact that incarcerated persons should not be subject to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;

Amendment 318 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 65

65. Considers that, following the 30th anniversary of the UN Convention against Torture, and given that torture and ill- treatment continue worldwide, the EU should intensify its efforts to eradicate these serious human rights violations; stresses the fact that members of vulnerable groups such as children and women, ethnic, linguistic and religious minorities are more often exposed to torture or ill treatment in detention, therefore require special attention; urges, therefore, the EEAS and the VP/HR to more strongly engage in the fight against torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment through increased diplomatic undertakings and a more systematic public positioning; recommends that the EEAS, the EU Delegations and the Member States make use of all existing instruments such as the EU Guidelines on Torture to their full potential;

Amendment 319 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 65

65. Considers that, following the 30th anniversary of the UN Convention against Torture, and given that torture and ill- treatment continue worldwide, the EU should intensify its efforts to eradicate these serious human rights violations; urges, therefore, the EEAS and the VP/HR to more strongly engage in the fight against torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment through increased diplomatic undertakings and a more systematic public positioning; recommends that the EEAS, the EU Delegations and the Member States make use of all existing instruments such as the EU Guidelines on Torture to their full potential; furthermore, calls on all the Member States to carry out transparent and impartial inquiries into the use of torture on their territories; calls once again for the removal of all illegal military bases wherever they are in the world and points out that under no circumstances can the fight against terrorism justify the use of torture;

Amendment 32 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas Article 21 TEU commits the EU to developing a Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) guided by the principles of democracy, the rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for human dignity, the principle of equality and solidarity and compliance with the UN Charter, the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and international law;

Amendment 320 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 65 a (new)

65a. Reiterates the importance of effective export control mechanisms for certain drugs that can be used for executions and equipment that can be used for torture; calls on the Commission to tackle the remaining loopholes in the Regulation by introducing an end-use catch-all clause that would prohibit the export of any drug that could be used for torture or execution;

Amendment 321 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 65 b (new)

65b. Urges the EU to commit to its values and principles on torture and the death penalty regardless of the depth and degree of the economic and political ties of the EU with the third country;

Amendment 322 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading (new)

Discrimination

Amendment 323 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 65 c (new)

65c. Stresses, however, that no form of discrimination, violence, punishment by way of reprisal, torture, sexual abuse of women and girls, genital mutilation, child marriage, forced marriage, trafficking in women, discrimination and social exclusion on grounds of social class or origin and domestic violence can ever be justified on grounds of social, religious or cultural convictions and traditions;

Amendment 324 #

Philippe JUVIN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66

66. Condemns in the strongest terms all forms of discrimination, including those based on race, religion, unbelief, colour, gender, sexual orientation, language, culture, social origin, caste, birth, age, disability or any other status; urges the EU to intensify its efforts to eradicate all types of discrimination, racism and xenophobia through human rights and political dialogues, the work of the EU Delegations and public diplomacy; urges the EU also to continue promoting the ratification and full implementation of all UN Conventions that support this cause, such as the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination or the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;

Amendment 325 #

Dennis de JONG, Peter van DALEN, Miltiadis KYRKOS, Marian HARKIN, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Margrete AUKEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66

66. Condemns in the strongest terms all forms of discrimination, including those based on race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, language, culture, religion or belief, social origin, caste, birth, age, disability or any other status; urges the EU to intensify its efforts to eradicate all types of discrimination, racism and xenophobia through human rights and political dialogues, the work of the EU Delegations and public diplomacy; urges the EU also to continue promoting the ratification and full implementation of all UN Conventions that support this cause, such as the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination or the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;

Amendment 326 #

Ulrike LUNACEK, Daniele VIOTTI, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN, Tanja FAJON, Malin BJÖRK, Marietje SCHAAKE, Ian DUNCAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66

66. Condemns in the strongest terms all forms of discrimination, including those based on race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, language, culture, social origin, caste, birth, age, disability or any other status; urges the EU to intensify its efforts to eradicate all types of discrimination, racism and xenophobia through human rights and political dialogues, the work of the EU Delegations and public diplomacy; urges the EU also to continue promoting the ratification and full implementation of all UN Conventions that support this cause, such as the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination or the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;

Amendment 327 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading (new)

LGBTI rights

Amendment 328 #

Ulrike LUNACEK, Daniele VIOTTI, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN, Tanja FAJON, Malin BJÖRK, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66 a (new)

66a. Welcomes the continued efforts of the EU on the rights of LGBTI persons in its foreign policy, in line with the EU Guidelines to Promote and Protect the Enjoyment of all Human Rights by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) Persons; calls for thorough implementation of the guidelines, including through training of diplomats, staff and interpreters;

Amendment 329 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66 b (new)

66b. Welcomes the adoption in 2013 of the EU Guidelines to Promote and Protect the Enjoyment of all Human Rights by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) Persons; emphasises the importance of the Commission and the EEAS continuing to raise the issue of LGBTI rights in political and human rights dialogues and in multilateral fora, and of using the EIDHR to support organisations defending LGBTI rights by empowering them to challenge homophobic and transphobic laws and discrimination against LGBTI people, raising awareness among the general public of the discrimination and violence experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people;

Amendment 33 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas Article 21 TEU commits the EU to developing a Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) guided by the principles of democracy, the rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for human dignity, the principle of equality and solidarity and compliance with the UN Charter and international law; whereas under Article 6 TEU the European Union is to accede to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms;

Amendment 330 #

Ulrike LUNACEK, Daniele VIOTTI, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN, Tanja FAJON, Malin BJÖRK, Marietje SCHAAKE, Ian DUNCAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66 c (new)

66c. Expresses its strong support for the work of the United Nations on the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people; welcomes, in this regard, the UNHRC resolution on combating violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, adopted on 26 September 2014 (A/HRC/RES/27/32), and the High Commissioner's report on Discrimination and violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity published 5 May 2015 (A/HRC/19/41); reaffirms its support for the Secretary General and High Commissioner's work to promote and protect the enjoyment of all human rights by LGBTI people, in particular through statements, reports and the Free & Equal campaign; encourages the Secretary General and High Commissioner to continue fighting discriminatory laws and practices;

Amendment 331 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66 d (new)

66d. Underlines the importance for the EU to continue to actively promote equality and non-discrimination; welcomes the first-ever UN Security council meeting on LGBTI rights that took place on 24 August 2015 condemning the attacks and killings of LGBTI people in the Middle East by ISIS;

Amendment 332 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66 e (new)

66e. Welcomes the ruling by the European Court of Human Rights in Oliari and others v. Italy in July 2015, affirming that states should offer adequate legal protection and recognition of same-sex couples; considers that the rights of lesbian, gay and bisexual people are more likely to be respected if they have access to legal institutions, such as registered partnership or marriage; welcomes that an increasing number of countries – 20 to date – around the world have opened marriage to same-sex couples; reiterates its call for the Commission to propose an ambitious regulation on the mutual recognition of the legal effects of civil status documents;

Amendment 333 #

Ulrike LUNACEK, Daniele VIOTTI, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN, Tanja FAJON, Malin BJÖRK, Marietje SCHAAKE, Ian DUNCAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66 f (new)

66f. Calls on the EU and the Member States to continue their efforts to work to enhance respect for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people, in line with the EU Guidelines to Promote and Protect the Enjoyment of all Human Rights by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) Persons; calls for thorough implementation of the guidelines, and for adequate training of diplomats and staff on issues of sexual orientation and gender identity;

Amendment 334 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66 g (new)

66g. Regrets that 75 countries criminalise homosexuality, including 8 which provide for the death penalty (Saudi Arabia, Mauritania, Sudan, Yemen, Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, Qatar as well as certain provinces of Nigeria and Somalia); firmly condemns the recent increase in discriminatory laws and believes that practices and acts of violence against individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity should not go unpunished; encourages close monitoring of the situation in Brunei due to activate the death penalty for same-sex sexual acts in 2016, and in Nigeria, Uganda, Malawi and India and, where new laws or recent legal developments seriously threaten the freedom of sexual minorities; reaffirms its support for the continuing work of the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights to combat these discriminatory laws and practices and for the UN’s work more generally on this issue;

Amendment 335 #

Ulrike LUNACEK, Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN, Tanja FAJON, Malin BJÖRK, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Marietje SCHAAKE, Ian DUNCAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66 h (new)

66h. Is severely concerned about the regrettable trend to enact laws restricting freedom of expression and assembly for those who support the human rights of LGBTI persons; calls in this regard on Russia, Algeria, Nigeria and Lithuania to repeal their laws criminalizing the 'propaganda of homosexuality', which curtail human rights, notably freedom of expression and assembly in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity; remains concerned that Kyrgyzstan may soon provide one year imprisonment for the "promotion of non-traditional sexual relations in open or indirect way" and calls on the Kyrgyz parliament to withdraw this proposal; is concerned over the negative consequences of these laws on society, with discrimination and violence against LGBTI individuals increasing; welcomes the withdrawal of Ukraine's "homosexuality anti- propaganda" bill; calls on the EU Delegation to increase its support for defenders of the human rights of LGBTI people, in line with the relevant guidelines;

Amendment 336 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67

67. Emphasises that minority communities in third countries have specific needs and that their full equality should be promoted; in all areas of economic, social, political and cultural life;

Amendment 337 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading (new)

Caste-based discrimination

Amendment 338 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67 a (new)

67a. Notes with great concern the scale and consequences of caste-based discrimination globally and the perpetuation of caste-based human rights violations; poverty; inequality, and stigmatization; calls for the adoption of an EU policy and tool on the prevention and elimination of caste-based discrimination, which would inter alia commit the EU to high level public diplomacy on caste-based discrimination and reporting on caste-based discrimination in EU publications; recommends mainstreaming of the topic in EEAS and Commission guidelines and action plans, in particular EU fight against all forms of discrimination, and efforts to combat violence against women and girls, and all forms of discrimination against them;

Amendment 339 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67 b (new)

67b. Condemns the continuing human rights violations committed against people suffering from caste hierarchies and caste-based discrimination, including the denial of equality and of access to the legal system and to employment, continued segregation and caste-induced barriers to the achievement of basic human rights and development;

Amendment 34 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas Article 207 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) stipulates that the EU’s commercial policy is to be based on the principles and objectives of the Union’s external action;

Amendment 340 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading (new)

Rights of persons with disabilities

Amendment 341 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67 c (new)

67c. Welcomes the ratifications of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; reiterates the importance of efficient implementation by both the Member States and the EU institutions and stresses, in particular, the need to credibly mainstream the principle of universal accessibility and all the rights of persons with disabilities throughout all relevant EU policies, including in the area of development cooperation, and underlines the prescriptive and horizontal nature of this issue;

Amendment 342 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67 d (new)

67d. Encourages the VP/HR to continue to support the process of ratification and implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by those countries which have not ratified or implemented it as yet;

Amendment 343 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading (new)

Rights of women and girls

Amendment 344 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67 e (new)

67e. Welcomes the EU’s support for UN resolutions on gender issues, notably on the elimination of violence against women and girls, on discrimination against women and on the role of freedom of expression and opinion in women’s empowerment, and for the UN’s statements on early and forced marriage and on female genital mutilation;

Amendment 345 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67 f (new)

67f. Condemns the practice of surrogacy that undermines human dignity of the woman as her body and its reproductive functions are used as a commodity, the practice of gestational surrogacy which involves reproductive exploitation and use of human body for financial or other gain, in particular of vulnerable women in developing countries, shall be prohibited and treated as a matter of urgency in human rights instruments;

Amendment 346 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67 g (new)

67g. Calls for clear principles and international legal instruments addressing human rights issues related to surrogacy aiming at the prevention of human rights abuses, such as exploitation of women and human trafficking, and protection of rights, interests and wellbeing of children;

Amendment 347 #

Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT, Caterina CHINNICI, Sofia RIBEIRO, Merja KYLLÖNEN, Therese COMODINI CACHIA, Antonio LÓPEZ-ISTÚRIZ WHITE, Jana ŽITŇANSKÁ, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Gérard DEPREZ, Kinga GÁL, Silvia COSTA, Damiano ZOFFOLI, Tomáš ZDECHOVSKÝ, Julie WARD, Nathalie GRIESBECK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 68

68. Recalls that the 2014 Sakharov Prize was awarded to Dr Denis Mukwege for his strong engagement with victims of sexual violence and continuous promotion of women’s and girls' rights; strongly condemns all forms of abuse and violence against women and girls, including female genital mutilation, child, early and forced marriage, sexual slavery and marital rape; stresses the right of every individual to decide freely on matters related to their sexuality and sexual and reproductive health, in this regard recognises the inalienable rights of women and girls to autonomous decision-making, including on access to family planning; welcomes the fact that the award of the Sakharov Prize to Dr Denis Mukwege has received worldwide, broad attention and that this has led, without doubt, to more awareness about violence against and sexual mutilation of children and (young) women as means of war;

Amendment 348 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 68

68. Recalls that the 2014 Sakharov Prize was awarded to Dr Denis Mukwege for his strong engagement with victims of sexual violence and continuous promotion of women’s rights; strongly condemns all forms of abuse and violence against women and girls, including female genital mutilation, child marriage and other forms of harmful traditional practices;

Amendment 349 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69

Amendment 35 #

Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas ~~respect for human rights is being challenged and is under threat~~increasingly less heed is being paid to respect for human rights worldwide;

Amendment 350 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Sophia IN 'T VELD

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69

Amendment 351 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69

69. Encourages the EU to continue mainstreaming support for women and girls within CSDP operations and to pursue its efforts towards the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325(2000) and 1820 on women, peace and security; welcomes in this context the reviewed EU humanitarian aid policy, announced in the letter with reference 3757306 sent on 11 September 2015 by VP/HR Mogherini and urges for quick implementation;

Amendment 352 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69

69. Encourages the EU to continue mainstreaming support for women within CSDP operations and to pursue its efforts towards the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325(2000) on women, peace and security; stresses that, in order to arrive at lasting and stable political solutions, the active participation of women in post-conflict and democratic transition processes is required; calls on the EU to actively support initiatives designed to increase the level of participation of women in these democratic transition processes;

Amendment 353 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69 a (new)

69a. Requests the EU to support the strengthening of the coherence, synergies and complementarities between the reviews of peace operations, of the UN peacebuilding architecture and of UNSC Resolution 1325 and 1820 on Women and Peace and Security; stresses the importance of women's equal and full participation as active agents in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peace-building, peacekeeping, humanitarian response and in post-conflict reconstruction; in this context welcomes that the Commission has reviewed its humanitarian aid policy which now states that international humanitarian law and/or human rights law may justify providing safe abortions to female war rape victims;

Amendment 354 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69 b (new)

69b. Reaffirms its condemnation of all forms of abuse and violence against women and girls, especially the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and domestic violence; calls on all Council of Europe member states, accordingly, to sign and ratify the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence; calls for the EU, as such, to take steps to accede to that convention in order to ensure coherence between EU internal and external action on violence against women and girls;

Amendment 355 #

Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT, Sofia RIBEIRO, Merja KYLLÖNEN, Therese COMODINI CACHIA, Antonio LÓPEZ-ISTÚRIZ WHITE, Jana ŽITŇANSKÁ, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Gérard DEPREZ, Jean LAMBERT, Kinga GÁL, Silvia COSTA, Damiano ZOFFOLI, Tomáš ZDECHOVSKÝ, Caterina CHINNICI, Julie WARD, Nathalie GRIESBECK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69 c (new)

69c. Strongly condemns the continued use of rape against women and girls as a weapon of war; stresses that more needs to be done to ensure respect of international law and access to health and psychological care for women and girls abused in conflicts; calls on the EU, the Member States, international organisations, and civil society to increase cooperation to raise awareness and combat impunity;

Amendment 356 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69 d (new)

69d. Reiterates, in this respect, its call for the EU and its Member States to support, in the process of building sustainable reconciliation, the systematic participation of women as a vital component of peace processes, and to recognise the need to mainstream gender perspectives in conflict prevention, peacekeeping operations, humanitarian assistance and post-conflict reconstruction and democratic transition process;

Amendment 357 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 70

70. Welcomes the conclusions of the 59th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, adopted in March 2015, and notes with concern the weak progress made in gender equality since levels of inequality between women and men and girls and boys persist globally; Invites the Commission, the EEAS and the VP/HR to continue promoting the political and economic empowerment of women by mainstreaming gender equality in all their external policies and programmes and by publicly raising gender-related issues;

Amendment 358 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 70

70. Invites the Commission, the EEAS and the VP/HR to continue promoting the political and economic empowerment of women and girls by mainstreaming gender equality in all their external policies and programmes, while also earmarking funds for this same purpose, and by publicly raising gender-related issues;

Amendment 359 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 70

70. Invites the Commission, the EEAS and the VP/HR to continue promoting the political and economic empowerment of women by mainstreaming gender equality in all their external policies and programmes and by publicly raising gender-related issues; takes positive note of the new framework for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment for 2016-2020; underlines the need to focus on the horizontal pillar, which aims for the Commission and the EEAS to deliver more effectively on EU commitments of strengthening women and girls' rights though external relations;

Amendment 36 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas the universality of human rights is being seriously challenged by a number of authoritarian regimes, notably in multilateral fora;

Amendment 360 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 70 a (new)

70a. Calls on the Commission in the Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy and in the fields of development cooperation, trade and diplomatic relations, to work for the introduction of a standard that reaffirms that women's rights are human rights, and makes their respect mandatory and part of structured dialogues in all EU partnerships and bilateral negotiations;

Amendment 361 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 70 b (new)

70b. Stresses that the empowerment and human rights of women and girls must be at the core of the post-2015 agenda, as these are essential elements for progress on poverty eradication and sustainable development; recalls the importance of the Global Women's Summit which aimed to enhance the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action, promoted new political commitments in achieving post-2015 agenda in women development; the promotion, protection and fulfilment of all human rights and to the full and effective implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and the Programme of Action of the ICPD and the outcomes of their review conferences and remain committed to sexual and reproductive health and rights;

Amendment 362 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 70 c (new)

70c. Emphasises the importance of scaling up efforts to ensure access to basic human rights, such as health and education, while empowering women and girls and protecting their rights, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, in order to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development;

Amendment 363 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading (new)

Children’s rights

Amendment 364 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 71

71. Reaffirms the urgent need for universal ratification and effective implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Child and its Optional Protocols; calls on all States to commit themselves to eliminating the worst forms of child labour as defined by Article 3 of ILO Convention No 182, which include child slavery, trafficking, prostitution and hazardous work affecting a child’s physical and mental health;

Amendment 365 #

Ulrike LUNACEK, Daniele VIOTTI, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN, Tanja FAJON, Malin BJÖRK, Marietje SCHAAKE, Ian DUNCAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 72

72. Welcomes the Council conclusions on the promotion and protection of the rights of the child, adopted in December 2014, and calls for the EU to continue supporting partner countries in combatting all forms of violence against children and reinforcing their capacities to protect children’s rights; supports the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights' statement of May 2014 regarding the rights of intersex children; calls accordingly upon all states to recognize the right to self-determination and physical integrity of intersex children and repeal any law allowing for genital- normalizing surgery to be conducted without free and informed consent of the person concerned;

Amendment 366 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 72

Amendment 367 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 72 a (new)

72a. Recalls the principles of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and especially the rights of the child, in the case of sexual exploitation of minors all over the world;

Amendment 368 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 72 b (new)

72b. Denounces the sexual exploitation of minors as a crime 'erga omnes' and an attack on the fundamental rights of children which must be fought at all levels;

Amendment 369 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 72 c (new)

72c. Calls on the EU Member States to act together in the fight against organised crime and trafficking in human beings, especially trafficking in minors;

Amendment 37 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)

Ba. whereas respect for, and the promotion, indivisibility and safeguarding of, the universality of human rights must be cornerstones of the EU’s external action;

Amendment 370 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 72 d (new)

72d. Calls for the establishment of efficient legal and policy framework strengthening the protection of rights of children before birth, especially in order to prevent sex-selective abortions, forced abortions as a part of family planning policies and similar practices incompatible with the right to life and human dignity;

Amendment 371 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 72 e (new)

72e. Calls for an advanced approach to the right to life in order to enhance the protection of a human being in prenatal period;

Amendment 372 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 72 f (new)

72f. Emphasizes that abortion shall not be promoted as a form of family planning in the external policies of the EU;

Amendment 373 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73

73. Reiterates its request for the Commission to propose a comprehensive Child Rights Strategy and Action Plan for the next five years, supporting the EU’s efforts to promote children’s rights, namely by contributing to ensuring children’s access to water, sanitation, healthcare and education, as well as by eliminating child labour ~~and assisting~~, forced labour, trafficking in persons, child marriages and sexual exploitation and making sufficient resources and instruments available, and deploying them, in order to guarantee access to and the right to education for children in ar~~med~~eas of conflict and refugee camps;

Amendment 374 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73

73. Reiterates its request for the Commission to propose a comprehensive Child Rights Strategy and Action Plan for the next five years, supporting the EU’s efforts to promote children’s rights, namely by contributing to ensuring children’s access to water, sanitation, healthcare and education, as well as by eliminating child labour and assisting children in armed conflicts; commends the "Children No Soldiers" campaign and calls on the EU and Member States to step up their support in order to reach the target of ending the recruitment and use of children in conflicts by government armed forces by 2016.

Amendment 375 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 a (new)

73a. Calls on the Commission and the EEAS to continue to take action regarding the rights of the child, with a specific focus on violence against children, including torture, as cases of torture and detention of children have been reported recently; calls for particular focus on the issues of forced child labour, child poverty and child malnutrition, and, in this connection, on the goals of universal primary education, a reduction in child mortality, child marriage and harmful practices, the disarmament, rehabilitation and subsequent reintegration of children enlisted in armed groups, and the placing of the issue of child witchcraft on the agenda of human rights dialogues with the countries concerned; stresses the importance of prioritising children’s rights within EU external policy, development cooperation and humanitarian aid, so as to ensure adequate funding and increase the level of protection for children in emergency situations; calls on the VP/HR to report annually to Parliament on the results achieved with regard to child-focused EU external action; emphasises that children and adolescents should participate only in work that does not affect their health and personal development or interfere with their schooling; stresses the importance of prioritising children's rights within EU external policy;

Amendment 376 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 b (new)

73 b. Underlines that children are particularly vulnerable in the current refugee and migrant crisis and especially when unaccompanied and that conflicts and instability have uprooted millions of children across several countries around Europe; calls on the Member States to take into account the best interest of the child in all procedures and ensure protection for children and particularly access to safe water, food, health care and education;

Amendment 377 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 c (new)

73c. Welcomes the EU's cooperation with UNICEF, which has resulted in a toolkit for the mainstreaming of children's rights in development cooperation and in support to key MDGs and Child Protection programmes for realizing children rights specially in fragile contexts as well as with UNRWA;

Amendment 378 #

Ana GOMES, Norbert NEUSER, Bodil VALERO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 74 a (new)

74a. Calls for the fundamental rights of the people of Western Sahara, including freedom of association, freedom of expression and the right to assembly, to be respected; demands the release of all Sahrawi political prisoners; demands access to the territories of Western Sahara to members of parliament, independent observers, NGOs, and the press; urges the United Nations to provide the MINURSO with a human rights mandate, in line with all other UN peacekeeping missions around the world; supports a fair and lasting settlement of the Western Sahara conflict, on the basis of the right to self- determination of the Sahrawi people, in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions;

Amendment 379 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading

~~EU action in support and consolidation of~~Strengthening democracy worldwide

Amendment 38 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)

Bc. whereas there are numerous attempts worldwide to shrink the space of civil society, including in the UN Human Rights Council;

Amendment 380 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 75

75. Emphasises the EU’s engagement in upholding and promoting respect for human rights and democratic values in its relations with the wider world; recalls that democratic regimes are characterised not only by free and fair electoral processes, but also by freedom of speech, the press and association, the rule of law and accountability, the independence of the judiciary, and impartial administration, among other aspects; stresses that democracy and human rights are inextricably linked and mutually reinforcing, as recalled in the Council conclusions of 18 November 2009 on democracy support in the EU’s external relations; welcomes the fact that the new Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy pays enhanced attention to democracy support activities;

Amendment 381 #

Philippe JUVIN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 75 a (new)

75a. Proposes that the EU should be able to adjust the level of its financial aid to third countries according to their policy in support of human rights;

Amendment 382 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 75 b (new)

75b. Emphatically rejects any military intervention carried out under the pretext of providing assistance in humanitarian crises or assuming a responsibility to protect; emphasises that military intervention in various countries in recent years has only served to exacerbate the humanitarian crises and serious human rights problems in those countries;

Amendment 383 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 76

76. Reiterates the fact that freedom of expression is a vital component of any democratic society, as it nourishes a culture of pluralism that empowers civil society and citizens to hold their governments and decision-makers accountable, and supports respect for the rule of law; urges the EU, therefore, to intensify its efforts to promote freedom of expression ~~through its external policies and instruments~~, freedom of publication and unrestricted Internet access through its external policies and instruments; calls on the EU and its Member States to monitor more effectively exports of dual-use technology in order to prevent the improper use of technology to violate human rights or breach privacy;

Amendment 384 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 77

77. Reiterates its request for the EU and its Member States to enhance their monitoring of all types of restrictions on freedom of expression and the media in third countries and to rapidly and systematically condemn such limitations even when used with legitimate aims such as counter-terrorism, state security and law enforcement; emphasises the importance of ensuring effective implementation of the EU Guidelines on Freedom of Expression Online and Offline and of regularly monitoring their impact;

Amendment 385 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 77

77. Reiterates its request for the EU and its Member States to enhance their monitoring of all types of restrictions on freedom of expression and the media in third countries and to rapidly and systematically condemn such limitations; emphasises the importance of ensuring effective implementation of the EU Guidelines on Freedom of Expression Online and Offline and of regularly monitoring their impact; recalls the EU's goal to ensure and protect non-discriminatory access to information and freedom of expression for all individuals, both online and offline;

Amendment 386 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 77 a (new)

77a. Considers that information and communication technologies (ICTs) represent opportunities for enhancement of human rights, for the enforcement of democratic practices and for social and economic development; considers that in its relations with third countries the EU should continue to promote practices that aim to protect privacy and data protection both online and offline;

Amendment 387 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 77 b (new)

77b. Calls for increased support in the areas of promoting freedom of media, protecting independent journalists and bloggers, reducing the digital divide and facilitating unrestricted access to information and communication and uncensored access to Internet (digital freedom);

Amendment 388 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 77 c (new)

77c. Calls for an effective use of new technologies and the world wide web to make information about human rights and democracy, as well as EU programs, as accessible as possible to people all around the world;

Amendment 389 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading (new)

EU support for human rights defenders

Amendment 39 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas more than half of the world’s population is still living under unon- democratic and repressive regimes, and whereas global freedom has continuously declined over the past few years;

Amendment 390 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 78

Amendment 391 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 78

78. Is deeply concerned that civil society is increasingly under assault worldwide with an increasing number of countries passing harsh laws to stifle their activities, restricting NGO access to foreign funding, introducing burdensome reporting requirements and severe penalties for non-compliance setting dangerous trends globally to other countries; recalls that independent civil society plays an essential role in the defence and advancement of human rights and in the functioning of democratic societies;

Amendment 392 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 78

78. Is deeply concerned that civil society is increasingly under assault worldwide; recalls that independent civil society plays an essential role in the defence and advancement of human rights and in the functioning of democratic societies; emphasizes the role that ICT technology plays in contributing to the efforts of civil society movements in undemocratic regimes;

Amendment 393 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 78

78. Is deeply concerned that civil society is increasingly under assault worldwide; recalls that independent civil society plays an essential role in the defence and advancement of human rights and in the functioning of democratic societies; stresses that freedom of association and freedom of assembly are essential features of an open and tolerant society;

Amendment 394 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 78 a (new)

78a. Expresses its deep concern about the repression of civil society organisations worldwide: calls for renewed efforts to challenge the restrictions and intimidation that people working for civil society organisations face, particularly in countries where these organisations fight to improve respect for human rights of all people;

Amendment 395 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 78 b (new)

78b. Expresses its concern at the proliferation and spread of monitoring, surveillance, censoring and filtering technologies, which represent a growing threat to human rights and democracy activists in autocratic countries and also pose troubling questions regarding privacy rights in democratic countries, even when used with the pretext of legitimate aims such as counter-terrorism or law enforcement;

Amendment 396 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 78 c (new)

78c. Recognises that important producers of ready-made intrusive surveillance systems are located in Europe, which can be used for human rights violations and to attack European digital infrastructure; calls on the Commission to revise the European export control system in order to prevent these intrusive systems from falling into the wrong hands;

Amendment 397 #

Ulrike LUNACEK, Daniele VIOTTI, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN, Tanja FAJON, Malin BJÖRK, Marietje SCHAAKE, Ian DUNCAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 79

79. Positively notes that in the new Action Plan the VP/HR reiterated the EU’s commitment to empowering local actors and civil society organisations, and stresses that, given the significant shrinking of its space, civil society, and in particular human rights defenders working on women's rights and the rights of LGBTI people, requires increased attention and efforts from the EU; urges the EU and its Member States, therefore, to elaborate a coherent and comprehensive response to the major challenges that civil society, including human rights defenders, faces worldwide;

Amendment 398 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 79

79. Positively notes that in the new Action Plan the VP/HR reiterated the EU’s commitment to empowering local actors and civil society organisations, and stresses that, given the significant shrinking of its space, civil society, and in particular human rights defenders, requires increased attention and efforts from the EU; urges the EU and its Member States, therefore, to elaborate a coherent and comprehensive response to the major challenges that civil society, including human rights defenders, faces worldwide, keeping in mind that human rights defenders are key players for the consolidation of democratic principles, often at the risk of their own lives;

Amendment 399 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 79 a (new)

79a. Deplores that persecution and marginalisation of human rights defenders remains a widespread tendency all over the world, particularly in countries that do not accept the universality of human rights;

Amendment 4 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3

– having regard to the Articles 2, 3, 8, 21 and 23 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU),

Amendment 40 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas more than half of the world’s population is still living under undemocratic regimes, and whereas global freedom has continuously declined over the past few years; whereas failure to respect human rights comes at a high price to society and to the individual;

Amendment 400 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 80

80. Calls on the EU and its Member States to constantly monitor and raise, at every level of political dialogue, cases of violations of freedom of assembly and association, including through various forms of bans and limitations on civil society organisations and their activities;

Amendment 401 #

Dennis de JONG, Peter van DALEN, Miltiadis KYRKOS, Marian HARKIN, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Margrete AUKEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 80

80. Calls on the EU and its Member States to constantly monitor and raise cases of violations of freedom of assembly and association, including through various forms of bans and limitations on civil society organisations and their activities and of unlawful damages to assembly sites such as properties used for religion or civil assembly;

Amendment 402 #

Ulrike LUNACEK, Daniele VIOTTI, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN, Tanja FAJON, Malin BJÖRK, Marietje SCHAAKE, Ian DUNCAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 80

80. Calls on the EU and its Member States to constantly monitor and raise cases of violations of freedom of assembly and association, including through various forms of bans and limitations on civil society organisations and their activities; points out that this happens in Russia through the 'Foreign Agents law' and 'Undesirable Organizations Law'; notes that these legal restrictions aim to demonise and marginalise independent civil society and human rights activism; is deeply concerned that over 100 NGOs have faced or are facing court cases, or have been forced to register as a foreign agent; regrets that other countries follow the Russian example, including Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, where authorities have imposed or are seeking to impose legal restrictions, and encourages close monitoring of these countries; finds it regrettable that there are cases of shrinking space for civil society within the EU as well; stresses the importance that the EU should lead by example in protecting these rights;

Amendment 403 #

Ulrike LUNACEK, Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN, Tanja FAJON, Malin BJÖRK, Ian DUNCAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 80 a (new)

80a. Notes with concern that intimidation of civil society occurs through other means too, including public accusations by government officials against NGOs and extraordinary audits, as witnessed in Hungary; regrets that the Hungarian government specifically targeted NGOs working on human rights, particularly on women's rights, LGBTI rights and on anti-corruption; calls on the Hungarian authorities to stop intimidation of civil society and fully respect the right to freedom of association;

Amendment 404 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 81

81. Calls also on the EU and its Member States to use all available means, such as human rights dialogues, political dialogues and public diplomacy, to systematically, and at the most appropriate political level, raise individual cases of human rights defenders and civil society activists at risk, particularly those concerning persons that are imprisoned; encourages the EU Delegations and the Member States’ diplomatic staff to continue to actively support human rights defenders, by systematically monitoring trials, visiting detained activists and issuing statements on individual cases, where appropriate; highlights also the importance of silent diplomacy tools when defending human rights defenders;

Amendment 405 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 81

81. Calls also on the EU and its Member States to use all available means~~, such as human rights dialogues, political dialogues and public diplomacy,~~ to systematically raise individual cases of human rights defenders and civil society activists at risk, particularly those concerning persons that are imprisoned; encourages the EU Delegations and the Member States’ diplomatic staff to continue to actively support human rights defenders, by systematically monitoring trials, visiting detained activists and issuing statements on individual cases, ~~where appropriate; highlights also the importance of silent diplomacy tools when defending human rights defenders~~as well as addressing human rights violations with their relevant counterparts; insists that senior EU representatives, notably the HR/VP, Commissioners, EU Special Representatives and government officials from the Member States systematically meet human rights defenders when travelling to countries where civil society is under pressure;

Amendment 406 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 81

81. Calls also on the EU and its Member States to use all available means, such as human rights dialogues, political dialogues and public diplomacy, to systematically raise individual cases of human rights defenders and civil society activists at risk, particularly those concerning persons that are imprisoned; encourages the EU Delegations and the Member States’ diplomatic staff to continue to actively support human rights defenders, by systematically monitoring trials, visiting detained activists and issuing statements on individual cases, where appropriate; highlights also the importance of silent diplomacy tools when defending human rights defenders; calls on the VP/HR to systematically meet with human rights defenders when traveling to third countries;

Amendment 407 #

Dita CHARANZOVÁ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 82

82. Positively notes the EU’s assistance to human rights defenders and civil society around the world through European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) funding; emphasises the particular importance of using the EIDHR for protecting those human rights defenders most at risk; stresses also that support for human rights defenders at risk should primarily take into account the effectiveness criteria and avoid overly prescriptive conditions; calls on the Commission, the EEAS and the EU Delegations to ensure that the funding available for human rights defenders ~~is properly used~~and civil society is properly used and is expanded and strengthened in regions beyond the EU's borders;

Amendment 408 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading (new)

Enhancing the European Parliament’s action on human rights

Amendment 409 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 82 a (new)

82a. Welcomes the review of the Guidelines for the European Parliament's Interparliamentary Delegations on promoting human rights and democracy, conducted by the Conference of Delegation Chairs, in cooperation with the Subcommittee on Human Rights; recommends, in this context, a more systematic and transparent practice of raising human rights issues, especially the individual cases referred to in Parliament's resolutions, during delegation visits to third countries, and of reporting in writing to the Subcommittee on Human Rights on actions taken and, where politically warranted, through a specific debriefing session;

Amendment 41 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

Ca. whereas in 2014 an estimated 230 million children currently living in countries and areas affected by armed conflicts are exposed to extreme violence, trauma, forcibly recruited and deliberately targeted by violent groups;

Amendment 410 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 82 b (new)

82b. Emphasises the need for continued reflection regarding the most appropriate ways to maximise the credibility, visibility and effectiveness of Parliament's Resolutions on breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law;

Amendment 411 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 82 c (new)

82c. Encourages discussion on the inclusion of the different tools available to Parliament regarding support for and promotion of human rights in a single strategy document, to be adopted by Parliament in plenary;

Amendment 412 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading

Supporting ~~free and fair~~ electoral processes and ~~respect for the~~enhancing rule of law, ~~the~~ independence of the judiciary and impartial administration in third countries

Amendment 413 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 87

87. Welcomes the commitment made by the Commission, the EEAS and the Member States in the new Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy to engage more firmly and consistently with election management bodies, parliamentary institutions, local NGOs, human rights defenders and civil society organisations in third countries, in order to involve them more intensively in monitoring elections and contribute to their empowerment and, therefore, to the strengthening of democratic processes;

Amendment 414 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 88

88. Recalls that the experience gained by the European Union, politicians, academics, the media, NGOs and civil society and the lessons learned from transitions to democracy in the framework of the enlargement and neighbourhood policies could positively contribute to the identification of best practices that could be used to support and consolidate other democratisation processes worldwide;

Amendment 415 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 88 a (new)

88a. Calls on the Commission to develop innovative financial mechanisms for implementing fiscal reforms and strengthening the fight against corruption, illicit financial flows and tax evasion; encourages, in this context, consideration of public-private partnerships, the blending of grants and loans, and help for developing countries to better mobilise their domestic resources; notes a call for an international tax on financial transactions that could act as an additional source of funding for development, and reminds the Member States that they have already agreed to introduce a domestic financial transaction tax and undertaken to set aside a share of the funds raised to finance global public assets, including development;

Amendment 416 #

Ana GOMES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 90

90. Expresses its view that the EU should emphasise in all platforms of dialogue with third countries the importance of integrity, accountability and proper management of public affairs, public finances and public property, as stipulated in the UNCAC; recommends that the EU support third countries more consistently and systematically in tackling corruption through expertise and support in setting up and consolidating independent and effective anti-corruption institutions, and also by promoting greater budget transparency and accessibility;

Amendment 417 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 90 a (new)

90a. Calls on the EU to pro-actively work with the private sector to help them challenge corrupt practices;

Amendment 418 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 90 b (new)

90b. Is of the opinion that political and administrative corruption, fraud, and abuse of office lead to a deficit of accountability and increase the risk of authoritarian regimes. In addition, they divert the money from education, better health services, and infrastructure, thus perpetuating poverty;

Amendment 419 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 90 c (new)

90c. Regrets that there has been again no follow-up on Parliament's request to the VP/HR to present an EU Action Plan against corruption in order to monitor the UNCAC recommendations, including the obligation of the states to publish and disseminate information of corruption and strict limits on immunities for public officials, and to create a proper legal framework for the protection of witnesses and for civil society activities in this area;

Amendment 42 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)

Cb. whereas, in addition to the holding of free elections, features of democratic regimes include transparent governance, respect for the rule of law, freedom of expression, respect for human rights, the existence of an independent judicial system and respect for international law and international agreements and guidelines on respecting human rights;

Amendment 420 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 90 d (new)

90d. Calls for the introduction of an anti- corruption clause into public procurement contracts as recommended by OECD;

Amendment 43 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas increased coherence between EU internal and external policies, but also between the EU’s external policies, stands as an indispensable requirement for a successful EU human rights policy;

Amendment 44 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas increased coherence between EU internal and external policies stands as an indispensable requirement for a successful and effective EU human rights policy;

Amendment 45 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas ~~increased coherence~~progress will be made with regard to the credibility and effectiveness of the EU in its external relations and international action when the EU displays greater cohesion, coherence and consistency between EUits internal and external ~~policies stands as an indispensable requirement for a successful EU human rights policy~~action and when its human rights policy is an integral part of its external action; whereas better coherence should enable the EU to anticipate breaches of human rights more quickly at an early stage;

Amendment 46 #

Ramon TREMOSA i BALCELLS

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas increased coherence between EU internal and external policies stands as an indispensable requirement for a successful EU human rights policy; the area of judiciary independence is particularly sensitive as the obvious failures in some Member States represent a bad example particularly for candidate countries;

Amendment 47 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas increased coherence between EU internal and external policies stands as an indispensable requirement for a successful EU human rights policy; whereas EU human rights policy is restricted and indeed contradicted by diplomatic, political and economic considerations;

Amendment 48 #

Ramon TREMOSA i BALCELLS

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)

Ea. whereas it is important that the EU in its internal policies is able to show that promoting democracy is of the utmost importance; thus, organizing a popular consultation should never receive as an answer judicial prosecution and even less the risk of prison sentences;

Amendment 49 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) stated, when the New Joint Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy was proposed, that human rights would be one of the overarching priorities of her mandate, a compass in all relations with EU institutions as well as with third countries, international organisations and civil society; whereas in 2017 a mid-term review of the Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy is to be performed which will coincide with the mid-term review of external financial instruments, which should contribute to greater coherence of the EU’s external action;

Amendment 5 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)

- having regard to the EU Human Rights Guidelines on Freedom of Expression Online and Offline, adopted by the Foreign Affairs Council on 12 May 2014,

Amendment 50 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Commission, the Council and the Member States are responsible for implementing the new Action Plan; whereas the EU missions and EU representations in third countries can play a significant supplementary role in the success of the action plan;

Amendment 51 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas the most appropriate use of sufficient resources needs to be ensured in order to enhance the promotion of human rights and democracy in third countries;

Amendment 52 #

Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Pablo IGLESIAS, Javier COUSO PERMUY

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas appropriate resources need to be ensured, and those resources deployed in the most efficient manner, in order to enhance the promotion of human rights and democracy in third countries;

Amendment 53 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)

Ha. whereas the world economy is going through a major crisis, the impact of which, alongside certain measures, in particular drastic budget cuts, is having an adverse effect on human rights, especially economic and social rights, on people’s living conditions (increases in unemployment and poverty, inequality and insecure employment, lower-quality services and restricted access to such services), and therefore also on their wellbeing;

Amendment 54 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas engaging with third countries' responsible leaders and authorities, in all bilateral and multilateral fora, is one of the most effective tools for addressing human rights issues in third countries;

Amendment 55 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas engaging with third countries, in all bilateral and multilateral fora, is one of the most effective tools for addressing human rights issues in third countries; whereas civil society in third countries constitute key interlocutors in shaping and implementing the EU's human rights policy;

Amendment 56 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)

Ia. whereas more should be done by the EU to measure the human rights impact of its own policies, maximize the positive ones, prevent and mitigate the negative ones and reinforce the access to remedies to affected populations;

Amendment 57 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital J

J. whereas human rights and democracy support policy ~~is being~~should be mainstreamed through other EU policies with an external dimension, such as trade and development;

Amendment 58 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital J

J. whereas human rights and democracy support policy ~~is being~~should be mainstreamed through ~~other~~all EU policies with an external dimension, ~~such as trade~~including trade, migration, security, counter-terrorism and development;

Amendment 59 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital J

J. whereas human rights and democracy support policy is being mainstreamed through other EU policies with an external dimension, such as trade, enlargement and development;

Amendment 6 #

Dennis de JONG, Peter van DALEN, Miltiadis KYRKOS, Marian HARKIN, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Margrete AUKEN

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 b (new)

- having regard to the EU Guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief,

Amendment 60 #

Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Pablo IGLESIAS, Javier COUSO PERMUY

Motion for a resolution
Recital J

J. whereas human rights and democracy support policy is being mainstreamed through other EU policies with an external dimension, such as trade and development; whereas fair and transparent trade in commodities, goods and services promotes respect for human rights;

Amendment 61 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)

Ja. whereas climate change is undermining the most basic human rights such as access to water, natural resources and food;

Amendment 62 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital J b (new)

Jb. whereas Article 207 TFEU stipulates that the EU’s commercial policy is to be based on the principles and objectives of the European Union’s external action;

Amendment 63 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K

K. whereas the various forms of migration represents an important EU external policy challenge requiring immediate ~~and~~, effective ~~solution~~and lasting solutions that are consistent with European values and with international human rights standards and agreements;

Amendment 64 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K

K. whereas migration represents an important EU external policy challenge requiring immediate and effective solutions which are consistent with international human rights standards, including the principle of non-refoulement;

Amendment 65 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K

K. whereas migration represents an important EU external policy challenge requiring immediate and effective solutions, particularly to ensure the human rights of people fleeing war and violence are respected;

Amendment 66 #

Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Pablo IGLESIAS, Javier COUSO PERMUY

Motion for a resolution
Recital L

L. whereas the universal abolition of the death penalty remains one of the EU’s ~~biggest concerns when approaching third countries~~priority objectives in its external human rights policy;

Amendment 67 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital L

L. whereas the abolition of the death penalty remains one of the EU’s ~~biggest concern~~priorities when approaching third countries;

Amendment 68 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital L

L. whereas an abolition of the death penalty remains ~~one of the EU’s biggest concerns~~the key objective of the Union when approaching third countries;

Amendment 69 #

Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Recital L

L. whereas the death penalty remains ~~one of the EU’s biggest concerns~~a great concern for the EU when approaching third countries;

Amendment 7 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 c (new)

- having regard to the Guidelines for EP Interparliamentary Delegations on promoting human rights and democracy in their visits outside the European Union,

Amendment 70 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital L

L. whereas the death penalty remains one of the EU’s biggest concerns when approaching third countries; whereas in June 2016 the 6th World Congress against the Death Penalty is to take place in Oslo, Norway;

Amendment 71 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital M

M. whereas children ~~and women~~, women and persons belonging to minorities face increasing threats, especially in war zones;

Amendment 72 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital M

M. whereas children and women face increasing and specific threats, especially in war zones;

Amendment 73 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital M

M. whereas children and women face increasing threats, acts of violence and sexual violence, especially in war zones;

Amendment 74 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital N

N. whereas the freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief must be unconditionally enhanced ~~through inter- religious and inter-cultural dialogues~~;

Amendment 75 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital N

N. whereas the freedom of thought, conscience, and religion ~~and belief~~should become a priority for the European Union and must be unconditionally enhanced through inter- religious and inter-cultural dialogues;

Amendment 76 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital N

N. whereas on the basis of universal and indivisible values the freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief must be unconditionally enhanced through inter- religious and inter-cultural dialogues;

Amendment 77 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital N

N. whereas the freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief must be unconditionally enhanced through inter- religious ~~and~~, inter-cultural and secular dialogues;

Amendment 78 #

Dennis de JONG, Peter van DALEN, Marian HARKIN, Miltiadis KYRKOS, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Margrete AUKEN

Motion for a resolution
Recital N

N. whereas Article 18 of UDHR recognises the freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief ~~must be unconditionally enhanced through inter- relig~~; whereas this right remains widely under threat, and the number of violatiouns ~~and inter-cultural dialogues~~has sharply risen;

Amendment 79 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital N a (new)

Na. whereas no form of discrimination, violence, torture, sexual abuse of women and girls, genital mutilation, child marriage, forced marriage, trafficking in women and domestic violence can be justified on grounds of social, religious or cultural traditions;

Amendment 8 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 d (new)

- having regard to the EU Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World in 2014, adopted by the Council on 22 June 2015,

Amendment 80 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital O

O. whereas the EU considers close cooperation with civil society and human rights defenders in third countries to be one of its main priorities in tackling human rights abuses;

Amendment 81 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital O a (new)

Oa. whereas Article 25 of the UDHR recognises the right of every person to a 'standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family', in which motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance, and which includes medical care; whereas UNHRC Resolution 26/28 calls for the next UNHRC Social Forum meeting to focus on access to medicines in the context of the right of everyone to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; whereas the World Health Organisation (WHO) constitution states that the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition;

Amendment 82 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital O b (new)

Ob. whereas international cooperation should play an increased role in reinforcing respect for fundamental rights and effective parliamentary oversight of intelligence services using digital surveillance technology;

Amendment 83 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital O c (new)

Oc. whereas the EU should promote the triad of human rights, democracy and free trade in dealings with third countries;

Amendment 84 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital O d (new)

Od. having regard to the award of the Sakharov Prize in 2014 to Dr Denis Mukwege for his unremitting efforts, as a doctor and human rights defender, on behalf of victims of sexual violence and genital mutilation; whereas female genital mutilation is a fundamental violation of the rights of women and children and whereas it is absolutely necessary to assign efforts to combat genital mutilation and sexual violence a central role in the EU’s external policy and human rights policy;

Amendment 85 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital O e (new)

Oe. whereas the deliberate and systematic destruction of valuable archaeological sites which form part of the world heritage by terrorist organisations and warring groups has the aim of destabilising populations and depriving them of their cultural identity, and should be regarded not only as a war crime but also as a crime against humanity;

Amendment 86 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital O f (new)

Of. whereas the European Union and its Member States have been close allies of the International Criminal Court since its inception, providing it with financial, political, diplomatic and logistical support while promoting the universality of the Rome Statute and defending its integrity with the purpose of strengthening the Court’s independence;

Amendment 87 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Expresses deep concern that human rights and democratic values are increasingly under threat in many parts of the world~~wide~~;

Amendment 88 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Expresses deep concern that human rights and democratic values are increasingly under threat worldwide, with particular reference to freedom of expression, of thought, conscience and religion, of assembly and of association;

Amendment 89 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Expresses deep concern that human rights and democratic values are increasingly under threat worldwide by authoritarian regimes in particular;

Amendment 9 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)

- having regard to the Action Plan on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment: Transforming the Lives of Girls and Women through EU External Relations 2016-2020 (GAPII), adopted by the Council on 26 October 2015,

Amendment 90 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Expresses deep concern that human rights and democratic values are increasingly under threat, that the public space for civil society is shrinking and that a growing number of human rights defenders are under attack worldwide;

Amendment 91 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Calls for the EU and its Member States to enhance their efforts to effectively place human rights and democratic values at the heart of their relations with the wider world, as they committed to doing so in the TEU; insists that trade, energy or security interests should not trump human rights commitments, in particular when dealing with authoritarian regimes;

Amendment 92 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Calls for the EU and its Member States to enhance their efforts to effectively place human rights and democratic values at the heart of their relations with the wider world, as they committed to doing so in the TEU; notes that the EU should not be reluctant to use appropriate measures in dealing with serious human rights breaches in third countries;

Amendment 93 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Reiterates the crucial importance of ensuring increased coherence between the EU’s internal and external policies, but also between the EU’s external policies, with regard to respect for human rights and democratic values; emphasises in this context that, while this report deals with the EU’s external policies for advancing human rights, Parliament also adopts an annual report on the situation of fundamental rights in the European Union, drawn up by the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs;

Amendment 94 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

Amendment 95 #

Ulrike LUNACEK, Daniele VIOTTI, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN, Tanja FAJON, Malin BJÖRK, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Reiterates the crucial importance of ensuring increased coherence between the EU’s internal and external policies with regard to respect for human rights and democratic values; emphasises in this context that, while this report deals with the EU’s external policies for advancing human rights, Parliament also adopts an annual report on the situation of fundamental rights in the European Union, drawn up by the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs; underlines that for the EU's foreign policy to be credible and coherent in the field of human rights, equality and anti- discrimination, the Council should adopt the directive on equal treatment between persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation;

Amendment 96 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Calls on the EU and its Member States to effectively address internal human rights challenges, such as the situation of Roma, the treatment of refugees and migrants, discrimination of LGBTI persons, racism, violence against women, detention conditions or media freedom in Member States, in order to maintain credibility and consistency in its external human rights policy;

Amendment 97 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Insists on the importance of ensuring coherence of EU policy towards situations of occupation or annexation of territory; recalls that international humanitarian law should guide EU policy towards all such situations;

Amendment 98 #

Bodil VALERO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 c (new)

3c. Insists on the importance of ensuring coherence of EU policy towards situations of occupation or annexation of territory; recalls that international humanitarian law should guide EU policy towards all such situations;

Amendment 99 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 d (new)

3d. Expresses its firm opposition to the annexation, occupation and settlement of territories and insists on the inalienable right of peoples to self-determination;

source: 569.706

2015/10/21 DEVE 60 amendments...

Amendment 1 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Stresses that respect for human rights~~, good governance~~ (recognizing their indivisibility, interrelation and interdependency), democratic values, the principle of non- interference, social and democratic control of the economic resources, peace ~~and~~, security and ending with neo-colonialism trade policies are prerequisites for the eradication of poverty and inequalities and are central elements to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals;

Amendment 10 #

Patrizia TOIA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Stresses the need to ensure that the post- 2015 development agenda and all its future implementation and monitoring measures are underpinned by the human-rights-based approach (HRBA) and the eradication of poverty, reduction of inequalities and social exclusion and include, inter alia, women’s rights, minority rights, children’s rights, good governance, the fight against corruption, the fight against impunity, and democracy;

Amendment 11 #

Ádám KÓSA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Stresses the need to ensure that the post- 2015 development agenda and all its future implementation and monitoring measures are underpinned by the human-rights-based approach (HRBA) and the eradication of poverty, reduction of inequalities and social exclusion and include, inter alia, women’s rights, minority rights, children’s rights, the rights of people with disabilities, good governance, the fight against corruption and democracy;

Amendment 12 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Stresses the need to ensure that the ~~post- 2015 d~~2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ~~agenda~~ and all its future implementation and monitoring measures are underpinned by the human-rights-based approach (HRBA) and the eradication of poverty, reduction of inequalities and social exclusion and include, inter alia, women’s rights, minority rights, children’s rights, good governance, the fight against corruption and democracy promotion;

Amendment 13 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

Amendment 14 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Condemns any kind of instrumentalisation of human rights using cooperation agreements to impose trade and economic policies in third countries and to interfere in their internal affairs;

Amendment 15 #

Louis MICHEL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Condemns the EU Member States and non-EU countries that are violating the principles of non-assistance of persons in danger and of non-refoulement, which apply to displaced persons;

Amendment 16 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Underlines that children are particularly vulnerable in the current refugee and migrant crisis and specially when unaccompanied and that conflicts and instability have uprooted millions of children across several countries around Europe; calls on the Member States to take into account the best interest of the child in all procedures and ensure protection for children and particularly access to safe water, food, health care and education;

Amendment 17 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Notes with great concern that according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) around 21 million men, women and children around the world are in a form of slavery; highlights the need to address human rights in a holistic and indivisible fashion by emphasising and strongly committing to economic, social and cultural rights, since without these rights there can be no development; stresses the need to tackle the root causes of poverty; highlights the obligation to respect international labour standards, in line with the fulfilment of the ILO Decent Work Agenda, and calls for the setting-up of a universal social protection floor; takes the view that social issues should have a more central place in the EU's external relations; regrets, in this context, that the EU does not have a homogenous formula for a "social clause" to be inserted in all external trade agreements;

Amendment 18 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

Amendment 19 #

Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Urges the EU to ~~maintain and honour~~reinforce its role as ~~a leading~~ defender of human rights in the world, by the effective, consistent and considered use of all available civil instruments for the promotion and protection of human rights and its defenders and the effectiveness of our development aid policy;

Amendment 2 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Stresses that respect for human rights, rule of law, good governance, peace and security are prerequisites for the eradication of poverty and are central to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals;

Amendment 20 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Urges the EU to maintain and honour its role as a leading defender of human rights in the world, by the effective, consistent and considered use of all available instruments for the promotion and protection of human rights and its defenders and the effectiveness of our development aid policy; in this regard, remembers that goal 16 claims "to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels";

Amendment 21 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Urges the EU to maintain and honour its role as a leading defender of human rights in the world, by the effective, consistent and considered use of all available instruments for the promotion and protection of human rights and its defenders and the effectiveness of our development aid policy; recalls the commitment made in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development to deliver social protection and essential public services for all, including health and education;

Amendment 22 #

Patrizia TOIA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

Amendment 23 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Urges the EU to maintain and honour its role as a leading ~~defend~~promoter of human rights in the world, by the effective, consistent and considered use of all available instruments for the promotion and protection of human rights and its defenders and the effectiveness of our development aid policy;

Amendment 24 #

Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY, Marina ALBIOL GUZMÁN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Encourages the Member States and the EU to really implement a HRBA approach in their development policies and aid, for example by emphasising the importance of human rights, good governance and democracy in budget and sector support dialogues and to ensure democratic ownership, participation of civil society and transparency and accountability of development aid; underlines that, particularly in countries which have poor records both in development and respect for human rights, development aid should be maintained and even strengthened, but should preferably be channelled through civil society organisations and non- governmental local partners, and be systematically monitored, along with governmental commitments to improve the human rights situation on the ground;

Amendment 25 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Recalls the importance of the principle of Policy Coherence for Development; calls on the Commission and Member States to ensure that no policies, especially trade and investment policies, undermine human rights of people in developing countries;

Amendment 26 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Highlights the importance of Policy Coherence for Development (PCD) in achieving respect for human rights; calls on the EU to ensure that the necessary guidelines, impact assessments and monitoring and reporting mechanisms make PCD a reality in EU policies and in those of its Member States, especially in trade and agriculture;

Amendment 27 #

Nirj DEVA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses the need for corporate accountability and for a clear ~~and quick~~ implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights; ~~calls on the Commission to take all necessary initiatives to present a lega~~emphasises that, in the same way the private sector was involved in the design of the SDGs, it needs to be fully bin~~ding international instrument on business and human right~~volved in the implementation of the SDGs, in partnership with the EU and all other stakeholders;

Amendment 28 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses the need for corporate accountability and ~~for a clear and quick~~transparency, as well as for initiatives aimed at promoting the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights; calls on the Commission to take all necessary initiatives to pr~~esent a legally binding international instrument on business and human right~~omote its implementation, taking into account that it is the obligation of the States to respect, promote and fulfil human rights and fundamental freedoms;

Amendment 29 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses th~~e need~~ at for an effective guarantee and respect of human rights it is essential to reinforce corporate accountability ~~and fo~~mechanisms, and deliver a clear and quick implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights; calls on the Commission to take all necessary initiatives to ~~pres~~urgently present and implement a legally binding international instrument on business' activities and human rights;

Amendment 3 #

Patrizia TOIA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Stresses that respect for human rights, gender equality, good governance, peace and security are prerequisites for the eradication of poverty and are central to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals;

Amendment 30 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. SRegrets that a holistic approach regarding the way corporations abide by human rights is globally still lacking, which allows certain states and companies to circumvent them; stresses the need for corporate accountability and for a clear and quick implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights; calls on the Commission to take all necessary initiatives to present a legally binding international instrument on business and human rights; in particular, insists upon the need to set up effective remedies to sanction corporations guilty of human rights violations and to provide redress for the victims of such violations;

Amendment 31 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses the need for corporate accountability and for a clear and quick implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights; calls on the Commission to take all necessary initiatives to present a legally binding international instrument on business and human rights; calls on the Commission to report on the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights by the EU Member States by the end of 2015;

Amendment 32 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Asks the EU and its Member States to analyse the deep social, economic and political consequences regarding human rights that the activities of transnational companies operating in impoverished countries generate;

Amendment 33 #

Nirj DEVA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Highlights the role development policy can play in establishing a policy mechanism to tackle human rights injustices arising from tax avoidance, illicit financial flows and illegal trade transactions, including human trafficking, considering that developing countries lose annually approximately $ 1 trillion due to tax evasion and corruption;

Amendment 34 #

Nirj DEVA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4b. Underlines the importance of property rights and land tenure security in protecting small farmers and local communities from inconsequential land acquisitions by state and non-state actors, including corporations or unwarranted claims to land by national governments;

Amendment 35 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Reiterates its support for the introduction of human rights clauses in all international agreements, including trade and investment agreements and sector-based agreements, between the EU and third countries; reiterates its call for a new 'model clause' establishing a procedure for their effective implementation in the spirit of Articles 8, 9 and 96 of the Cotonou Agreement; recommends a procedure for consultation between the parties, detailing the political and legal mechanisms to be used in the event of a request for bilateral cooperation to be suspended, but also a warning mechanism and process for descriptive and evaluation purposes;

Amendment 36 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Stresses that repeated infringements of core labour standards have been reported in several countries with GSP Plus status, but that this has not led to suspension of preferences, which contradicts the principle of Policy Coherence for Development; henceforth, urges the genuine enforcement of GSP Plus to be implemented alongside a suitable transparent reporting mechanism and funding for civil society monitoring; regrets equally that the EU preferential trade agreements do not provide for genuine enforcement mechanisms; accordingly, emphasises the importance of systematically including human rights clauses in trade agreements and the need to include a complaint mechanism in those clauses;

Amendment 37 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Underlines that the EU should recognize its responsibility and address both the root causes of poverty in third countries and the root causes of migration from third countries to Europe, while recognising that the nexus between migration and development is complex and multi- dimensional and cannot be reduced to a mechanical and simplistic link between more development aid and less migrants;

Amendment 38 #

Louis ALIOT

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Underlines that: – the EU should address both the root causes of poverty in third countries and the root causes of migration from third countries to Europe, while recognising that the nexus between migration and development is complex and multi- dimensional and cannot be reduced to a mechanical and simplistic link between more development aid and less migrants; – the military powers in the EU and their international allies should anticipate the consequences of their armed interventions in developing countries, as these can lead to upheavals in the civil societies concerned relating, inter alia, to migration;

Amendment 39 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Underlines that the EU should address both the root causes of poverty in third countries and the root causes of migration from third countries to Europe, and therefore should address the external dimension of the refugee crisis, including by finding sustainable solutions to conflicts in our neighbourhood and developing countries ; while recognising that the nexus between migration and development is complex and multi- dimensional and cannot be reduced to a mechanical and simplistic link between more development aid and less migrants;

Amendment 4 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Calls on the EU to put an end to any kind of agreement with third countries in which governments consistently go against human rights;

Amendment 40 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Underlines that the EU should address both the root causes of poverty in third countries and the root causes of migration from third countries to Europe, while recognising that the nexus between migration, security and development is complex and multi-dimensional and cannot be reduced to a mechanical and simplistic link between more development aid and less migrants;

Amendment 41 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Urges the EU and its Member States to immediately suspend all readmission agreements with countries which do not respect human rights;

Amendment 42 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Strongly condemns the continued use of rape against women and girls as a weapon of war; stresses that more needs to be done to ensure respect of international law and access to health and psychological care of woman and girls abused in conflicts, including safe and legal abortion for victims of war rape; calls on the EU, Member States, international organizations, and civil society to increase cooperation to raise awareness and combat impunity;

Amendment 43 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Notes with deep concern that indigenous peoples are particularly affected by human rights violations related to resource extraction; calls on the Commission and the EEAS to support rigorous legal frameworks and initiatives aiming at transparency and good governance of mining and other resource sectors which respect local people's free, prior and informed consent and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;

Amendment 44 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Calls for the EU and its delegations to increase their political dialogue with governments in breach of human rights, democracy and the rule of the law, stopping all association treaties and agreements currently in force with those countries, and insists that the political dialogue on human rights between the EU and third countries must cover a more inclusive and comprehensive definition of non- discrimination, inter alia on the basis of religion or belief, sex, racial or ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity;

Amendment 45 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Calls for the EU and its delegations to increase their political dialogue with governments in breach of human rights, democracy and the rule of the law, and insists that the political dialogue on human rights between the EU and third countries must cover a more inclusive and comprehensive definition of non- discrimination, inter alia on the basis of religion or belief, sex, racial or ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity; reiterates that the involvement of civil society in this dialogue is crucial to promote the effective enjoyment of human rights and stresses the key role the EU can have in strengthening the role of civil society in this regard;

Amendment 46 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Calls for the EU and its delegations to increase their political dialogue with governments in breach of human rights, democracy and the rule of the law, and insists that the political dialogue on human rights between the EU and third countries must cover a more inclusive and comprehensive definition of non- discrimination, inter alia on the basis of religion or belief, sex, racial or ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.; encourages the EU to consolidate its basic value of solidarity and full respect for human rights, both home and abroad;

Amendment 47 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Calls for the EU and its delegations to increase their political dialogue with governments in breach of human rights, democracy and the rule of the law, and insists that the political dialogue on human rights between the EU and third countries must cover a ~~more~~n inclusive and comprehensive definition of non- discrimination, ~~inter alia on the basis of religion or belief, sex, racial or ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.~~as agreed in articles 2 and 7 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights;

Amendment 48 #

Louis ALIOT

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Calls on the Union to take into consideration that democracy is not an exportable commodity and that the role of the EU and its Member States is to work as much on educating native populations as on educating the leaders of countries benefiting from development aid, with a view to consolidating their aspirations and potential to attain democracy in the long term;

Amendment 49 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Stresses that: – respecting each state's sovereignty to regulate and plan its economy in order to make it serve the people is essential to effectively guarantee human rights; – continuing to demand the payment of impoverished countries' external debt makes it to a large degree impossible for their governments to develop the public policies needed to guarantee that human rights are fulfilled;

Amendment 5 #

Louis MICHEL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Expresses its deep concern regarding the proliferation of barbaric and inhumane forms of torture, such as beheadings and the gang rapes of women, girls and babies, in conflict situations; recalls that rape is used as a weapon of war in the hands of rebel groups, and that it destroys all hope of physical, psychic and moral survival and of integrating into society;

Amendment 50 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Urges the Commission and the Member States to ensure that human rights are genuinely protected in the remit of any trade and investment agreements concluded or revised, through binding and non-negotiable human rights clauses; insists that the Commission conducts systematic human rights impact assessments of trade and investment agreements to help ensure effective enforcement of human rights;

Amendment 51 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Welcomes the Commission's Staff Working Document on a toolbox for a Rights-Based Approach (RBA), encompassing all human rights, for an EU development cooperation, adopted on 30 April 2014 and welcomed by the Council in its conclusion of 19 May 2014; encourages the Commission to monitor the implementation of the RBA and to ensure that human rights and development cooperation are mutually reinforcing on the ground; calls on the Commission to provide transparent and public assessment of the implementation of the RBA EU toolbox;

Amendment 52 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Emphasises that recognition and protection of human dignity is a central and fundamental value under the international conventions;

Amendment 53 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6b. Recognises the right to life as the most fundamental of all human rights; in this regard calls on the States to respect, promote and protect the right to life and dignity of all human beings, at all life stages and in all conditions;

Amendment 54 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6b. Stresses the need to link security, development and human rights, as illustrated by the chaotic situations faced by many regions in EU's neighbourhood or vicinity, such as Middle-east, Horn of Africa, North Africa, Sahel, Western and Central Africa;

Amendment 55 #

Doru-Claudian FRUNZULICĂ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 c (new)

6c. Encourages the EU Annual Report on Human Rights to dedicate more importance to the role of development cooperation;

Amendment 56 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 c (new)

6c. Recognises that human rights such as freedom of religion, thought or expression play a direct role in the promotion and protection of cultural diversity and that enjoyment of human rights is promoted by a pluralistic society;

Amendment 57 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 d (new)

6d. Highlights in particular that equality of rights between women and men is to be strictly ensured and that harmful practices, such as female genital mutilation, early and forced marriages, gendercide including girl infanticide or female foeticide, honour crimes, or denial of women to have a proper education, should therefore be banned and violations of such prohibitions severely punished;

Amendment 58 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 e (new)

6e. Whereas everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family; stresses in this regard that access to basic health services must be provided to all citizens of developing countries, including access to sexual and reproductive health in accordance with the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action as well as EU's Regulation (EC) No 1567/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 July 2003 on aid for policies and actions on reproductive and sexual health and rights in developing countries;

Amendment 59 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 f (new)

6f. Highlights that human rights are universal, inalienable, indivisible and interdependent and that promotion, protection and application of human rights cannot be interpreted differently within different cultural, ethnic and religious traditions; outlines accordingly that cultural diversity cannot been invoked to infringe upon human rights guaranteed by international law, and based on natural law;

Amendment 6 #

Louis MICHEL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Expresses its deep concern regarding the attacks carried out against humanitarian hospitals; stresses that during the Syrian conflict, according to Physicians for Human Rights, 313 attacks have been carried out against 227 separate medical installations since 2011, and that at least 184 of those attacks were perpetrated using weapons of mass destruction, such as missiles and bombs; believes that these acts represent an even worse form of crime against humanity, as they target the sick and casualties of war;

Amendment 60 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 g (new)

6g. Calls for stronger protection of property rights in developing countries, with special attention to be given to land tenure security, as well as intellectual property rights;

Amendment 7 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Stresses the need to ensure that the post- 2015 development agenda and all its future implementation and monitoring measures are underpinned by the human-rights- and gender equality based approach ~~(HRBA)~~es and the eradication of poverty, reduction of inequalities and social exclusion, democratization of the economy and include, inter alia, women’s rights, ~~minority rights, children’s rights, good governance, the fight against corruption and democracy~~including sexual and reproductive health and rights, LGTBI rights, minority rights, children’s rights, strengthened citizens' political participation and democratic values, and the fight against corruption, tax evasion, tax avoidance and tax havens;

Amendment 8 #

Louis ALIOT

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Stresses the need to ensure that the post- 2015 development agenda and all its future implementation and monitoring measures are underpinned by the human-rights-based approach (HRBA) and the eradication of poverty, reduction of inequalities and social exclusion ~~and include, inter alia, women’s rights, minority rights, children’s rights, good governance, the fight against corruption and democracy~~in a context promoting democracy and integrity, irrespective of sex, origin or religion;

Amendment 9 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Stresses the need to ensure that the ~~post- 2015 d~~2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ~~agenda~~ and all its future implementation and monitoring measures are underpinned by the human-rights-based approach (HRBA) and the eradication of poverty, reduction of inequalities and social exclusion and include, inter alia, women’s and girls' rights, minority rights, children’s rights, good governance, the fight against corruption and democracy, the right to health, and sexual and reproductive health and rights, including access to family planning, as key elements for sustainable development;

source: 569.822

2015/10/23 FEMM 100 amendments...

Amendment 1 #

Draft opinion
Recital A

A. whereas women and girls in many parts of the world continue to be subject to gender-based violence, including rape, enslavement, trafficking in human beings, forced marriage, honour crimes, female genital mutilation (FGM) and cruel and inhuman punishments amounting to torture, violating their fundamental rights to life, liberty, justice, dignity and security, ~~and~~ their physical and psychological integrity, and their right of self-determination in sexual and reproductive matters;

Amendment 10 #

Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas, in times of armed conflict, women and children, including female and child refugees, asylum seekers and stateless persons, are among the most vulnerable groups in society; whereas, likewise, the risks posed to displaced adolescent girls are significantly heightened during humanitarian crises;

Amendment 100 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 d (new)

7d. Calls for the EU to pay proper attention to, and step up protection for, women migrants, and to give them the assistance they require and protect them against human trafficking and exploitation for prostitution by criminal organisations, which occur all too frequently;

Amendment 11 #

Draft opinion
Recital B b (new)

Bb. having regard to the EP´s resolution of 8 October 2015 on the renewal of the EU Plan of Action on Gender Equality and Women´s Empowerment in Development1 b; __________________ 1b http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getD oc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+TA+P8-TA- 2015- 0350+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN&language= EN

Amendment 12 #

Draft opinion
Recital B b (new)

Ba. whereas three-fifths of the billion people living below the poverty line are women1 a; __________________ 1a Source: http://www.aidos.it/files/1226588271Front es_Introduzione.pdf

Amendment 13 #

Draft opinion
Recital B c (new)

Bc. whereas the World Health Organisation (WHO) constitution states that ‘the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition’1 c; __________________ 1c http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Publica tions/Factsheet31.pdf

Amendment 14 #

Draft opinion
Recital B c (new)

Bc. whereas women and girls account for two-thirds of the 960 million people around the world who are illiterate1 a; __________________ 1a Source: http://www.aidos.it/files/1226588271Front es_Introduzione.pdf

Amendment 15 #

Draft opinion
Recital C

C. whereas the surge in terrorism and armed conflicts ~~in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region~~all over the world has led to a ~~significant~~n increase in these forms of violence, with rape and enslavement of women and girls being used systematically as a weapon of war~~, and trafficking in human beings, especially women and children, as a source of financing terrorist activities~~; whereas the participation of women in peacebuilding processes and democratic reform is critical to their success;

Amendment 16 #

Draft opinion
Recital C

C. whereas the surge in terrorism and armed conflicts ~~in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region~~ has led to a significant increase in these forms of violence, with rape and enslavement of women and girls being used systematically as a weapon of war, and trafficking in human beings, especially women and children, as a source of financing terrorist activities; whereas the participation of women in peacebuilding processes and democratic reform is critical to their success;

Amendment 17 #

Draft opinion
Recital C

C. whereas the surge in terrorism and armed conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has led to a significant increase in these forms of violence, with rape and enslavement of women and girls being used systematically as a weapon of war, and trafficking in human beings, especially women and children, as a source of financing terrorist activities; ~~whereas the participation of women in peacebuilding processes and democratic reform is critical to their success;~~

Amendment 18 #

Angelika MLINAR, Beatriz BECERRA BASTERRECHEA, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Juan Carlos GIRAUTA VIDAL

Draft opinion
Recital C a (new)

Ca. whereas the participation of women in peacebuilding processes and democratic reform is critical to the success of those processes;

Amendment 19 #

Draft opinion
Recital C a (new)

Ca. whereas despite the clear obligation to respect, protect and fulfil rights related to women´s and girl´s sexual and reproductive health and rights, violations remains frequent, and widespread in many States;

Amendment 2 #

Viorica DĂNCILĂ

Draft opinion
Recital A

A. whereas women and girls in many parts of the world continue to be subject to gender-based violence, including rape, enslavement, trafficking in human beings, forced marriage, honour crimes, female genital mutilation (FGM) and cruel and inhuman punishments amounting to torture, violating their fundamental rights to life, liberty, justice, dignity and security, and their physical and psychological integrity; whereas no attempt should ever be made to justify any form of discrimination and violence against women on political, social, religious or cultural grounds or in relation to popular or tribal traditions;

Amendment 20 #

Draft opinion
Recital C b (new)

Cb. whereas, according to UNICEF, more than 500 000 women die in childbirth each year around the world1 a; __________________ 1a Source: http://www.unicef.org/factoftheweek/inde x_52778.html

Amendment 21 #

Draft opinion
Recital D a (new)

Da. whereas women continue to be trafficked for prostitution, in most cases under conditions tantamount to slavery, as their identity papers are taken away and they are told that, if they attempt to rebel, harsh reprisals will be taken against their families;

Amendment 22 #

Beatrix von STORCH, Julie GIRLING, Jadwiga WIŚNIEWSKA, Branislav ŠKRIPEK, Jana ŽITŇANSKÁ

Draft opinion
Recital D a (new)

Da. whereas women and girls with disabilities are at greater risk of violence, abuse, negligent treatment and multiple discrimination;

Amendment 23 #

Draft opinion
Recital D a (new)

Da. whereas women and girls make up 98% of victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation;

Amendment 24 #

Angelika MLINAR, Beatriz BECERRA BASTERRECHEA, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Juan Carlos GIRAUTA VIDAL

Draft opinion
Recital E

E. whereas in s~~ome~~till too many countries around the world women ~~still~~ do not enjoy the same civil and political rights as men;

Amendment 25 #

Draft opinion
Recital E

E. whereas in some countries around the world women still do not enjoy the same economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights as men;

Amendment 26 #

Draft opinion
Recital E

E. whereas in some countries around the world women still do not enjoy the same civil and political rights ~~as men~~, including the right of assembly as men and they are also poorly represented in local and national decision-making bodies;

Amendment 27 #

Draft opinion
Recital E

E. whereas in some countries around the world women still do not enjoy the same civil and political rights as men; whereas the EU gender equality strategy already provides for gender mainstreaming in EU commercial policy;

Amendment 28 #

Angelika MLINAR, Beatriz BECERRA BASTERRECHEA, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Juan Carlos GIRAUTA VIDAL

Draft opinion
Recital E a (new)

Ea. whereas sexual and reproductive health and rights are grounded in basic human rights and are essential elements of human dignity1 a; whereas, therefore, access to basic health-care services and sexual and reproductive health services are fundamental aspects of equality between women and men; whereas, furthermore, these have not yet been secured in all parts of the world; __________________ 1a See paragraph 7(2) and (3) of the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action.

Amendment 29 #

Draft opinion
Recital E a (new)

Ea. whereas women and girls from cultural, traditional, linguistic, religious, gender or sexual orientation minority groups experience multiple and intersectional forms of discrimination based on both their minority status and their gender;

Amendment 3 #

Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas in countries where capital punishment is practised, methods that are equivalent to torture (such as stoning to death) and involve bodily humiliation (such as public hanging) are used to execute women, in order to intimidate other women;

Amendment 30 #

Draft opinion
Recital E a (new)

Ea. whereas women human rights defenders are more at risk of being subject to certain forms of violence than their male counterparts and face specific challenges;

Amendment 31 #

Draft opinion
Recital E b (new)

Eb. whereas sexual and reproductive rights are fundamental human rights;

Amendment 32 #

Beatrix von STORCH, Julie GIRLING, Jadwiga WIŚNIEWSKA, Branislav ŠKRIPEK, Jana ŽITŇANSKÁ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Reiterates that religious, cultural and traditional differences can never justify ~~violence~~any form of violence, in particular against women and girls, such as female genital mutilation (FGM), early and forced marriages, domestic violence ~~and~~, honour killings and other forms of torture, such as those that occur when sentences to death by stoning are carried out;

Amendment 33 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

Amendment 34 #

Angelika MLINAR, Beatriz BECERRA BASTERRECHEA, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Juan Carlos GIRAUTA VIDAL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Reiterates that religious, cultural and traditional differences can never justify discriminations and violence against women and girls, such as female genital mutilation (FGM), early and forced marriages, domestic violence and honour killings;

Amendment 35 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

Amendment 36 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Reiterates that religious, cultural and traditional differences can never justify violence against women and girls, such as female genital mutilation (FGM), early and forced marriages, domestic violence and honour killings; urges all Member States to ratify the Istanbul Convention, to give effect more rapidly to the obligations and commitments regarding women’s rights entered into under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and under the Beijing Platform for Action, and to support civil society organisations working to promote gender equality in third countries; points to the need to recognise that women have inalienable rights to education and protection from physical injury and in sexual and reproductive matters;

Amendment 37 #

Beatrix von STORCH, Julie GIRLING, Jadwiga WIŚNIEWSKA, Branislav ŠKRIPEK, Jana ŽITŇANSKÁ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Stresses the importance of the authorities undertaking to develop information, awareness-raising and education campaigns, especially in communities in which female genital mutilation, the sexual abuse of young girls, early and forced marriage, femicide and other gender-based human rights violations are practised, with the aim of preventing and gradually eliminating all forms of gender-based violence; underlines in this regard the crucial importance of involving human rights defenders who are already fighting to put an end to these practices in the preparation and implementation of such campaigns; emphasises the need to ensure that health professionals, police officers, prosecutors and judges, both within the EU and in third countries, are adequately trained to assist and support victims of violence;

Amendment 38 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Notes that of the 93 countries that retain the death penalty, 84 have passed laws prohibiting the execution of pregnant women; deplores the legal situation in Saint Kitts and Nevis which is the only country in the world where a pregnant woman may legally be executed;

Amendment 39 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Calls on all Council of Europe member states to sign and ratify the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women without delay; calls, in this connection, for the EU to take steps to accede to the convention in order to ensure coherence between the EU’s internal and external actions as regards violence against women;

Amendment 4 #

Beatrix von STORCH, Julie GIRLING, Jadwiga WIŚNIEWSKA, Branislav ŠKRIPEK, Jana ŽITŇANSKÁ

Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas violence against women and girls is the world’s most widespread human rights violation, affects all levels of society, regardless of age, education, income, social position and country of origin or residence, and represents a major barrier to equality between women and men;

Amendment 40 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Notes with grave concern that since the 1980s the mail- order- bride industry has soared by an alarming rate; notes with concern that there are a number of documented cases of women being attacked and/or murdered after marrying a man as a ‘mail-order-bride’; deplores that a significant number of underage girls appear on ‘mail- order’ websites and stresses that where children are used for sexual purposes this must be considered child abuse;

Amendment 41 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)

1c. Is deeply concerned about the rise in gender-based violence in many parts of the world, which represents one of the symptoms of the global crisis, and especially about the increasing rate of femicide (the homicide of women and girls) in Mexico and other countries in Central and South America, which takes place in the context of generalised violence and structural discrimination; condemns strongly gender-based violence of all forms, including female genital mutilation, sexual exploitation, honour killings and femicide, and the prevailing impunity for these crimes in many countries, which may encourage yet more violence and killings;

Amendment 42 #

Beatrix von STORCH, Julie GIRLING, Jadwiga WIŚNIEWSKA, Branislav ŠKRIPEK, Jana ŽITŇANSKÁ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 d (new)

1d. Stresses that the international community has identified the situation of women with disabilities as a priority; recalls the conclusions of the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights which stated that policies and programmes to address violence against women and girls with disabilities should be developed in close partnership with those persons who have disabilities, recognising their autonomy, and with disability organisations; underlines the need for the regular oversight of institutions and appropriate training for caregivers; calls on the EU to incorporate the fight against disability discrimination into its external action, cooperation and development aid policies, including the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights;

Amendment 43 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Deplores the lack of gender equality in the political realm ~~of third countries~~; recalls that women and men are equal and should enjoy the same political rights and civil liberties;

Amendment 44 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Deplores the lack of ~~gender equality in the~~equal opportunities in political ~~realm of~~office in third countries; recalls that women and men are equal and should enjoy the same political rights and civil liberties;

Amendment 45 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. ~~Deplores the lack of~~Advocates gender equality in the political realm ofin third countries; recalls that women and men are equal and should enjoy the same political rights and civil liberties; recommends that a quota system be introduced in order to provide a way of promoting women’s participation in political bodies and the democratic process, primarily as candidates, and that such a system be legislated for in order to be observed by large private companies;

Amendment 46 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Deplores the lack of gender equality in the political realm of a lot of third countries as well as some countries within the EU; recalls that women and men are equal and should enjoy the same political rights and civil liberties;

Amendment 47 #

Anna HEDH

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Deplores the lack of gender equality in the political realm of, both in the EU and in third countries; recalls that women and men are equal and should enjoy the same political rights and civil liberties;

Amendment 48 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Deplores the lack of gender equality in the political realm of third countries; recalls that women and men are equal and should enjoy the same political rights and civil liberties; deplores, likewise, the fact that women are under-represented in economic, social and political decision- making;

Amendment 49 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Deplores the lack of gender equality in the political realm of third countries; recalls that women and men are equal and should enjoy the same political rights and civil liberties; underlines the need for effective protection mechanisms for women human rights defenders;

Amendment 5 #

Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas the EU is committed to promoting gender equality and ensuring gender mainstreaming in all of its actions;

Amendment 50 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Deplores the breaches of human rights by third countries of the use of government-imposed limits to children by means of a two-child policy per family or when payments of government subsidies is only destined to the first child;

Amendment 51 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Calls on the Commission to systematically include concrete actions to improve women’s participation in electoral processes in all EU Election Observation Missions in line with the EU guidelines in that domain, taking into account the conclusions reached by the senior electoral expert seminar held in Brussels in April 2014 and learning from the experience of past missions;

Amendment 52 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2b. Reiterates that the EU should lead by example on gender equality; calls on EU institutions to encourage women’s participation in the European electoral process by including gender balanced lists in the next revision of the European Electoral Law;

Amendment 53 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses the importance of strengthening women’s role in conflict prevention and in promoting human rights and democratic reform, and of supporting the systematic participation of women as a vital component of the peace process and post- conflict reconstruction; objects to any legislation, regulation, or government pressure that unduly curtails freedom of expression, especially that of women and other gender categories;

Amendment 54 #

Viorica DĂNCILĂ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses the importance of strengthening women’s role in promoting human rights and democratic reform, and of supporting the systematic participation of women as a vital component of the peace process through more effective consultation and coordination with civil society and EU institutions, so as to ensure more accurate and systematic impact assessments in the field of human rights;

Amendment 55 #

Beatrix von STORCH, Julie GIRLING, Jadwiga WIŚNIEWSKA, Branislav ŠKRIPEK, Jana ŽITŇANSKÁ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Points out that, with a view to ensuring that women play a leading role in decision-making and peace efforts, they must be given free and proper access to higher education, on a par with men, and action must be taken to prevent them being forced to abandon their studies, as they often are when they get married and have children;

Amendment 56 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Calls for ~~gender equality to be systematically~~the protection of women’s rights to be included in the human rights country strategies and in the human rights and political dialogues with third countries; welcomes the appointment of the European External Action Service (EEAS) advisor on gender issues and gender-sensitive training programmes for diplomats and officials who are taking part in EU delegations;

Amendment 57 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Calls for ~~gender equality~~the promotion of women’s rights, gender equality and the fight against violence against women to be systematically included in the human rights country strategies and in the human rights and political dialogues with third countries; welcomes the appointment of the European External Action Service (EEAS) advisor on gender issues and gender-sensitive training programmes for diplomats and officials who are taking part in EU delegations;

Amendment 58 #

Anna HEDH

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Calls for gender equality to be systematically included in the human rights country strategies and in the human rights and political dialogues with third countries and candidate countries; welcomes the appointment of the European External Action Service (EEAS) advisor on gender issues and gender-sensitive training programmes for diplomats and officials who are taking part in EU delegations;

Amendment 59 #

Viorica DĂNCILĂ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Calls for gender equality to be systematically included in the human rights country strategies and in the human rights and political dialogues with third countries; welcomes the appointment of the European External Action Service (EEAS) advisor on gender issues and gender-sensitive training programmes for diplomats and officials who are taking part in EU delegations; recalls the commitment to include human rights in all EU impact assessments to ensure that the EU respects, upholds and implements human rights and that its external policies and activities are formulated and implemented so as to consolidate human rights abroad;

Amendment 6 #

Ernest URTASUN

Draft opinion
Recital A b (new)

Ab. whereas the term feminicide is grounded in the legal definition of violence against women which is laid down in Article 1 of the Belém do Pará Convention: ‘violence against women shall be understood as any act or conduct, based on gender, which causes death or physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, whether in the public or the private sphere’;

Amendment 60 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Calls for gender equality to be systematically included in the human rights country strategies and in the human rights and political dialogues with third countries; welcomes the appointment of the European External Action Service (EEAS) advisor on gender issues and gender-sensitive training programmes for diplomats and officials who are taking part in EU delegations; points out that gender equality is not confined to men and women, but has to encompass the whole LGBTI community; points to the need to mainstream gender issues more strongly into EU humanitarian aid;

Amendment 61 #

Beatrix von STORCH, Julie GIRLING, Jadwiga WIŚNIEWSKA, Branislav ŠKRIPEK, Jana ŽITŇANSKÁ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Calls for the EU to ensure that fundamental human rights safeguards, in particular for women and girls, are written in to its economic and trade agreements with third countries, and to review such agreements in cases where those rights are not upheld;

Amendment 62 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Urges the Commission to work with Member States and third countries to take series of steps to eradicate practices that are harmful to women and girls including child and forced marriage, FGM, honour killings, forced sterilisation, rape in conflict, stoning and all other forms of brutality; asks the Commission to take an active role in the prosecution of these crimes in third countries, and in some instances, by Member States; urges the Commission to work with the EEAS to improve the support available for victims of such brutality;

Amendment 63 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Expresses its deep concern about possible human rights violations of women and girls in refugee camps in the Middle East and Africa, including reported cases of sexual violence and unequal treatment of women and girls; asks the EEAS to push for stricter rules and good practices in third countries in order to undermine inequality of refugees in spite of their gender;

Amendment 64 #

Ernest URTASUN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Recalls that the EU plan of action on gender equality and women’s empowerment in development is one of the fundamental tools of the EU to improve gender equality in third countries and therefore believes that GAP2 should take the form of a Commission communication; calls on the Commission to take into account EP’s resolution on the renewal of the GAP;

Amendment 65 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4b. Deplores the fact that in some third countries marriages between adults and minors are legal and in some cases involve brides under the age of nine (child brides);

Amendment 66 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4b. Calls for the use of gender-sensitive quantitative and qualitative indicators and systematic and timely collection of gender disaggregated data as part of the monitoring and evaluation process of the new GAP;

Amendment 67 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)

4c. Regards under-age marriages as fundamental human rights violations that affect all aspects of the lives of the girls involved, jeopardising their education and thus limiting their prospects, endangering their health and increasing the risk of them suffering violence and abuse;

Amendment 68 #

Ernest URTASUN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)

4c. Emphasises that universal respect for and access to sexual and reproductive health and rights contributes to prenatal care and the ability to avoid high-risk births, reduce infant and child mortality; points out that family planning, maternal health and safe abortion services are important elements to save women’s lives;

Amendment 69 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 d (new)

4d. Draws attention to the need for women to be afforded proper health care, free of charge, during childbirth, in order to reduce the still extremely high number of mothers and babies who die in childbirth in many third countries as a result of inadequate or non-existent health care;

Amendment 7 #

Draft opinion
Recital B

B. whereas the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2015-2019 refers to promoting non-discrimination, gender equality and women’s empowerment within and outside the EU;

Amendment 70 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 d (new)

4d. Is deeply concerned about the raise of gender based violence in many parts of the world, as one of the symptoms of the worldwide crisis, and especially about the increasing number of feminicide (the homicides of women and girls) in Mexico and other countries of central and South America, which take place in a context of generalised violence and structural discrimination; strongly condemns all kinds of gender based violence and the aberrant crime of feminicide and the prevailing impunity for these crimes, which further pretexts and encourages the murderers;

Amendment 71 #

Angelika MLINAR, Beatriz BECERRA BASTERRECHEA, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Juan Carlos GIRAUTA VIDAL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. ~~Deplores the high rate of impunity for~~Points to the need to punish offenders of gender-based violence in a large number of countries; asks the EEAS to exchange good practices with third countries on law- making procedures and human rights- and gender-oriented training programmes for police and judicial personnel; urges the EU to support civil society organisations working to defend human rights and promote gender equality in third countries and to cooperate closely with international organisations active in the gender equality field, for example the ILO, the OECD, the UN, and the African Union, with a view to creating synergies and promoting women’s empowerment;

Amendment 72 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Deplores the ~~high rate of impunity for offender~~lack of prevention policies ofn gender-based violence ~~in a large number of countrie~~, the lack of victim support and the high rate of impunity for offenders; asks the EEAS to exchange good practices with third countries on law-making procedures and training programmes for ~~police and judicia~~civil pser~~sonnel~~vants;

Amendment 73 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Deplores the high rate of impunity for offenders of gender-based violence in a large number of countries; asks the EEAS to exchange good practices with third countries on law-making procedures and training programmes for police and judicial personnel, to integrate gender based violence interventions in the EU humanitarian actions and to prioritise EU humanitarian actions targeting gender based violence and sexual violence in conflict;

Amendment 74 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Celebrates the EU’s commitment to give a follow up to the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict celebrated in London in June 2014 and therefore urges the Commission to take concrete actions;

Amendment 75 #

Angelika MLINAR, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Juan Carlos GIRAUTA VIDAL, Beatriz BECERRA BASTERRECHEA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Stresses the need for an exchange of good practices by the EEAS to combat the deploring amount of impunity and the lack of access to justice for victims of crimes related to sexual violence; condemns firmly the lack of access to justice for women in third countries, specifically when they are victims of gender-based violence;

Amendment 76 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Deplores that in some countries the criminalisation of abortion still persist in cases of victim of rape and abuses in armed conflicts; Stresses that unsafe abortion is also a major cause of maternal mortality and morbidity;

Amendment 77 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5b. Calls on the Commission to take concrete actions also within the EU to combat violence against women by proposing a dedicated directive on that domain;

Amendment 78 #

Angelika MLINAR, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Beatriz BECERRA BASTERRECHEA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5b. Urges all actors involved in conflicts to provide to the victims all necessary health care, including abortions, with no distinction based on sex in all circumstances and irrespective of local laws, as foreseen by the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols;

Amendment 79 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. ~~Deplores the fact that~~Points out that investment in women and girls, who are the m~~ost affected by extreme poverty, while it is factually proven that investment in women and girls is one of the most effici~~ain victims, is an effective way to combat poverty; maintains that it is essential to continue counteracting the gender pay gap and speed up progress towards the Commission’s proposed percentages of women in senior-level and management positions; maintains that European companies operating in third countries have a vital role to play in promoting gender equality in those countries, since they act as role models; encourages women to become actively involved in trade unions and other organisations, as this will do much to introduce gender aspects into labour relations and working conditions; calls for legally binding human rights clauses, relating specifically to the rights of women and other gender categories, to be included in EU trade agreements w~~ays of combating poverty;~~ ith third countries; calls for compliance with core values to be made an eligibility criterion for budget-funded support;

Amendment 8 #

Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)

Ba. having regard to the Joint Staff Working Document (SWD) on ‘Gender Equality and Women´s Empowerment: Transforming the lives of Girls and Women through EU External relations 2016-2020’1 a __________________ 1a https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/sites/devco /files/staff-working-document-gender- 2016-2020-20150922_en.pdf

Amendment 80 #

Angelika MLINAR, Juan Carlos GIRAUTA VIDAL, Beatriz BECERRA BASTERRECHEA, Sophia IN 'T VELD

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Deplores the fact that women and girls are the most affected by extreme poverty, while it is factually proven that ~~investment in women and girls~~the promotion of gender equality and women´s empowerment is one of the most efficient ways of combating poverty;

Amendment 81 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Deplores the fact that women and girls are the most affected by extreme poverty, while it is factually proven that investment in women and girls and empowering them through education is one of the most efficient ways of combating poverty;

Amendment 82 #

Aldo PATRICIELLO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Deplores the fact that women and girls are the most affected by extreme poverty, while it is factually proven that investment in women and girls is one of the most efficient ways of combating poverty; stresses, accordingly, the need for action to ensure that women and girls are better protected both inside the EU and around the world and are included in investment and growth processes in third countries;

Amendment 83 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Deplores the fact that women and girls are the most affected by extreme poverty, while it is factually proven that investment in women and girls is one of the most efficient ways of combating poverty; stresses the need to do more to secure the right to education and access thereto, especially for girls;

Amendment 84 #

Julie GIRLING, Jadwiga WIŚNIEWSKA, Branislav ŠKRIPEK, Jana ŽITŇANSKÁ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Deplores the fact that in some countries extreme and fundamentalist laws and social, cultural and religious ideologies are preventing women from taking up certain occupations, forcing them to dress in a way that is humiliating for them as women and as human beings and placing restrictions on them engaging in everyday activities and conduct that are open to men (for example, driving and cycling);

Amendment 85 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Deplores that half of the world’s population is faced with wage discrimination, globally women earn between 60 and 90 percent of men’s average income;

Amendment 86 #

Angelika MLINAR, Beatriz BECERRA BASTERRECHEA, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Juan Carlos GIRAUTA VIDAL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Stresses the need for a continuity of education for girls in refugee camps, in conflict areas and in areas that are being affected by extreme poverty and environmental extremities such as drought and floods;

Amendment 87 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Welcomes the efforts made by EEAS in third countries to step up the implementation of obligations and commitments to women’s rights made in CEDAW, under the Beijing Platform for Action, in the Cairo Declaration on Population & Development in the post- 2015 development agenda;

Amendment 88 #

Beatrix von STORCH, Julie GIRLING, Jadwiga WIŚNIEWSKA, Branislav ŠKRIPEK, Jana ŽITŇANSKÁ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6b. Is concerned that women who lack access to resources, such as housing, land, property, and inheritance are vulnerable and therefore at an increased risk of entering into prostitution and of being trafficked;

Amendment 89 #

Angelika MLINAR, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Beatriz BECERRA BASTERRECHEA, Juan Carlos GIRAUTA VIDAL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6b. Welcomes the reviewed EU humanitarian aid policy which allows women and girls raped in armed conflict access to safe abortion services under International Humanitarian Law; stresses the need for rapid implementation of this reviewed policy;

Amendment 9 #

Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas many women and girls are denied access to high-quality education and many are forced to abandon their studies when they marry or have children;

Amendment 90 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the EU to continue to support economic social and political empowerment of women as a tool for promoting the proper enjoyment of their rights and fundamental freedoms and to attach the highest importance to access to quality education for girls, including girls from the poorest and marginalised communities; urges the EU to include this priority in all its diplomatic, trade and development cooperation activities.

Amendment 91 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the EU to continue to support economic empowerment of women as a tool for promoting the proper enjoyment of their rights and fundamental freedoms and to attach the highest importance to access to quality education for girls, including girls from the poorest and marginalised communities; calls for support to be given to vocational education for women, for a greater take-up of vocational training to be ensured in the fields of science and technology, for gender equality training programmes to be devised for education professionals in third countries, and for steps to be taken to prevent stereotypes from being conveyed through teaching materials; urges the EU to include this priority in all its diplomatic, trade and development cooperation activities.

Amendment 92 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Calls for the EU to promote, in its relations with third countries, protection for women who decided to adopt customs and traditions other than those of the societies and families from which they come, so that they may become fully empowered and free to make their own choices;

Amendment 93 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Stresses the importance of combating gender stereotypes and discriminatory socio-cultural attitudes that reinforce women’s subordinate position in society and constitute a principal cause of inequality between men and women, human rights violations against women and gender violence; emphasises the need to step up efforts to combat the persistence of stereotypes, through awareness-raising campaigns aimed at all levels of society, greater media involvement, strategies to encourage women and involve men, gender mainstreaming in education and in all EU policies and initiatives, in particular external action, cooperation and aid for development and humanitarian aid;

Amendment 94 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Regrets that all too often women are being discriminated for not providing them easy access to financial resources such as loans by banks, when compared to men; underlines that women empowerment in the entrepreneurial realm has been proven to be a vital factor in boosting the economy and, in the long term, combatting poverty;

Amendment 95 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Deplores the frequent violations of women’s sexual and reproductive rights, including the denial of access to family planning services; recalls Article 16 of CEDAW which guarantees the right to choose the number and spacing of children and to have access to the information, education and means to exercise this right;

Amendment 96 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)

7b. Deplores the fact that in some third countries homosexuality is a crime, and one that is in some cases punishable by death;

Amendment 97 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)

7b. Stresses the importance of not undermining the ‘acquis’ of the Beijing Platform for Action regarding access to education and health as a basic human right, and the protection of sexual and reproductive rights; emphasises the fact that universal respect for sexual and reproductive health and rights and access to the relevant services contribute to reducing infant and maternal mortality; points out that family planning, maternal health and easy access to contraception and safe abortions are important elements for saving women’s lives and helping them rebuild their lives if they have been victims of rape; highlights the need to place these policies at the core of development cooperation with third countries;

Amendment 98 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 c (new)

7c. Points out that even in the West women are no strangers to violence, much of it domestic violence at the hands of their partners, or to labour and pay discrimination;

Amendment 99 #