2016/2324(INI) Addressing shrinking civil society space in developing countries
Lead committee dossier:
Progress: Procedure completed
| Role | Committee | Rapporteur | Shadows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | DEVE |
JIMÉNEZ-BECERRIL BARRIO Teresa ( PPE)
|
FRUNZULICĂ Doru-Claudian ( S&D),
THEOCHAROUS Eleni ( ECR),
MICHEL Louis ( ALDE),
HEUBUCH Maria ( Verts/ALE),
CORRAO Ignazio ( EFDD)
|
| Committee Opinion | AFET |
ASSIS Francisco ( S&D)
|
Renate WEBER ( ALDE)
|
Lead committee dossier:
Legal Basis:
RoP 54
Legal Basis:
RoP 54Subjects
Events
2018/01/22
EC - Commission response to text adopted in plenary
Documents
2017/10/03
EP - Results of vote in Parliament
Documents
2017/10/03
EP - Decision by Parliament
Details
The European Parliament adopted by 509 votes to 90, with 96 abstentions, a resolution on addressing shrinking civil society space in developing countries.
Members recalled that the civil society (which includes non-governmental and non-profit organisations) represented, together with the public and private sectors, the third sector of a healthy and decent society , as a necessary counterweight to the existing power in force.
Civil society organisations (CSOs) have become important players in development aid at the global level, while the Cotonou Agreement recognises civil society as a key actor witin ACP-EU cooperation.
Recognising the major role of civil society : the resolution stressed the importance of an independent, diverse and pluralistic civil society to ensure the development and stability of a country, to ensure democratic consolidation, social justice and respect for human rights, and to establish an inclusive society.
Parliament stressed that the contraction of space devoted to civil society - through legislation, taxation, restrictions on funding, excessive administrative burdens, or by stigmatization as ‘foreign agents’ of CSO representatives - was a global phenomenon that was not limited to developing countries, but also increasingly manifested itself in countries where democracy is firmly anchored, including in EU Member States.
Members therefore called on the EU to recognise the need to assist the governments of beneficiary countries in creating a political, administrative and legal environment for civil society organisations to work effectively.
Protecting human rights defenders : Parliament called for the systematic denunciation of the killings of human rights defenders, and any attempt to subject them to any form of violence, persecution, threat, harassment, forced disappearance, imprisonment or arbitrary arrest. It invited the Union to:
support human rights defenders and increase the conditions and funding mechanisms for civil society actors; put in place monitoring tools for the effective joint implementation of EU guidelines on human rights defenders; ensure the protection and application of sanctions in the event of serious violations human rights; implement EU guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief .
Parliament also called on the EU to:
work towards greater autonomy of civic space , not only through EU development and human rights policies, but also by integrating all other EU internal and external policies, including justice, home affairs, trade and security policies; address the root causes of shrinking civil society space within the framework of a uniform and coherent approach in its relations with the third countries; promote institutional mechanisms and initiatives to strengthen dialogue and build partnerships between governments, CSOs, local authorities and the private sector in developing countries; monitor counter-terrorism measures and aspects of anti-money laundering and transparency legislation and anti-money laundering legislation; develop a monitoring framework of EU external financing instruments , with a special focus on human rights strengthen the role of civil society actors in trade agreement institutions, which should contain binding clauses on human rights.
Parliament reiterated the obligation incumbent on the private sector to adhere to both human rights and the highest social and environmental standards.
Benchmarks and indicators : Members called on the Commission and the EEAS to establish best practices and to develop clear benchmarks and indicators related to shrinking space in the context of the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy and the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR). They also advocated:
increased European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) funds to address the threats to human rights defenders; systematically including shrinking civic space in their bilateral relations between the Union and the Member States; improving protection of civil society organisation representatives in third countries in order to prevent any hostility against them.
Lastly, Parliament shall commit to establishing, on an annual basis, a list of countries where civil society space is most under threat.
Documents
2017/10/03
EP - End of procedure in Parliament
2017/10/02
EP - Debate in Parliament
Documents
2017/09/05
EP - Committee report tabled for plenary
Details
The Committee on Development adopted an own-initiative report drawn up by Teresa JIMENEZ-BECERRIL BARRIO (EPP, ES) on addressing shrinking civil society space in developing countries.
The Committee on Foreign Affairs, exercising its prerogative as an associated committee in accordance with Article 54 of the Rules of Procedure, also gave its opinion on the report.
Members recalled that the civil society (which includes non-governmental and non-profit organisations) represented, together with the public and private sectors, the third sector of a healthy and decent society , as a necessary counterweight to the existing power in force.
Civil society organisations (CSOs) have become important players in development aid at the global level, while the Cotonou Agreement recognises civil society as a key actor witin ACP-EU cooperation.
Recognising the major role of civil society : the report stressed the importance of an independent, diverse and pluralistic civil society to ensure the development and stability of a country, to ensure democratic consolidation, social justice and respect for human rights, and also to promote accountability and good governance, particularly in the fight against corruption and violent extremism.
While the shrinking of space for civil society in developing countries, and particularly in conflict-stricken countries, is being carried out in increasingly complex ways which are harder to tackle and imposed through legislation, taxation, funding limitations, increased bureaucracy, Members called on the EU to recognise the need to provide guidance to governments, political parties, parliaments and administrations in beneficiary countries on developing strategies for establishing the appropriate legal, administrative and political environment to enable the efficient work of civil society organisations.
Protecting human rights defenders : concerned at the growing number of attacks on human rights defenders worldwide, Members called for the systematic denunciation of the killings of human rights defenders, and any attempt to subject them to any form of violence, persecution, threat, harassment, forced disappearance, imprisonment or arbitrary arrest.
The Union is invited to: (i) develop guidelines on the freedom of peaceful assembly and association; (ii) put in place monitoring tools for the effective joint implementation of EU guidelines on human rights defenders; (iii) ensure the protection and application of sanctions in the event of serious violations human rights; (iv) implement EU guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief.
The report also called on the EU to:
work towards greater autonomy of civic space , not only through EU development and human rights policies, but also by integrating all other EU internal and external policies, including justice, home affairs, trade and security policies; continue to provide funding to create an enabling environment for civil society at the national and local levels; address the root causes of shrinking civil society space within the framework of a uniform and coherent approach in its relations with the third countries; promote institutional mechanisms and initiatives to strengthen dialogue and build partnerships between governments, CSOs, local authorities and the private sector in developing countries; monitor counter-terrorism measures and aspects of anti-money laundering and transparency legislation and anti-money laundering legislation; establish mandatory and legally enforceable human rights due diligence for the business activities conducted in third countries by companies based in the Union; strengthen the role of civil society actors in trade agreement institutions, which should contain binding clauses on human rights.
Benchmarks and indicators : Members called on the Commission and the EEAS to establish best practices and to develop clear benchmarks and indicators related to shrinking space in the context of the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy and the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR). They also advocated:
increased European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) funds to address the shrinking space and the threats to human rights defenders; establishing a shrinking space monitoring and early warning mechanism ; systematically including shrinking civic space in their bilateral relations between the Union and the Member States; improving protection of civil society organisation representatives in third countries in order to prevent any hostility against them.
Lastly, Parliament shall commit to establishing, on an annual basis , a list of countries where civil society space is most under threat.
Documents
2017/08/30
EP - Vote in committee
2017/07/11
EP - Committee opinion
Documents
2017/06/02
EP - Amendments tabled in committee
Documents
2017/04/26
EP - Committee draft report
Documents
2017/02/16
EP - Referral to associated committees announced in Parliament
2017/01/26
EP - ASSIS Francisco (S&D) appointed as rapporteur in AFET
2017/01/19
EP - Committee referral announced in Parliament
2016/10/20
EP - JIMÉNEZ-BECERRIL BARRIO Teresa (PPE) appointed as rapporteur in DEVE
Documents
- Commission response to text adopted in plenary: SP(2017)778
- Results of vote in Parliament: Results of vote in Parliament
- Decision by Parliament: T8-0365/2017
- Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
- Committee report tabled for plenary: A8-0283/2017
- Committee opinion: PE603.109
- Amendments tabled in committee: PE604.630
- Committee draft report: PE602.940
- Committee draft report: PE602.940
- Amendments tabled in committee: PE604.630
- Committee opinion: PE603.109
- Commission response to text adopted in plenary: SP(2017)778
Activities
- Jonathan ARNOTT
Plenary Speeches (1)
- Nicola CAPUTO
Plenary Speeches (1)
- José Inácio FARIA
Plenary Speeches (1)
- Doru-Claudian FRUNZULICĂ
Plenary Speeches (1)
- Teresa JIMÉNEZ-BECERRIL BARRIO
Plenary Speeches (1)
- Monica MACOVEI
Plenary Speeches (1)
- Notis MARIAS
Plenary Speeches (1)
- Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY
Plenary Speeches (1)
- Eleftherios SYNADINOS
Plenary Speeches (1)
- Bogdan Brunon WENTA
Plenary Speeches (1)
Votes
A8-0283/2017 - Teresa Jiménez-Becerril Barrio - Résolution 03/10/2017 12:41:10.000 #
2017/10/03 Outcome: +: 509, 0: 96, -: 70
GUE/NGL
NI
ENF| Amendments | Dossier |
| 218 |
2016/2324(INI)
2017/06/01
AFET
61 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
1. De
Amendment 10 #
1 b. Expresses its concern on severe restrictions of the freedom of the press by certain states which dismantle independent media through harassment and repressive legislation, causing journalists and bloggers to choose between self-censorship, harassment and arrest, or exile;
Amendment 11 #
1 b. Underlines that the phenomenon of shrinking civil society space is a global phenomenon, which is not restricted to developing countries but also, and in an increasing manner, occurring in established democracies and middle and high-income countries, including in European Union Member States and some of its closest allies;calls on the European Union and its Member States to lead by example and strictly uphold the fundamental rights pertaining to civil society and to address any negative trends in this field;
Amendment 12 #
1 c. Denounces the prevailing sense of impunity enjoyed by a number of states in their assault against civil society and whose relations with the EU and standing in international fora are largely unaffected by such developments;
Amendment 13 #
1 a. Calls on the EU to acknowledge the necessity of providing guidance to governments, political parties, parliaments and administrations in beneficiary countries in developing strategies aimed at establishing the appropriate legal, administrative and political environment to enable the efficient work of CSOs;
Amendment 14 #
2. Considers that the EU should use its foreign policy instruments, including human rights and development instruments, to deal with the structural roots of the shrinking space problem and to design a multifaceted approach
Amendment 15 #
2. Considers that
Amendment 16 #
2. Considers that the EU should use its foreign policy instruments, including human rights and development instruments, to deal with the structural roots of the shrinking space problem and to design a multifaceted approach, since some regimes
Amendment 17 #
2. Considers that the EU should use its foreign policy instruments, including human rights and development instruments, to deal with the structural roots of the shrinking space problem and to design a multifaceted approach, since regimes are now using not only draconian NGO laws but also a wide range of direct and indirect tactics to limit the operation or financing of civil society organisations (CSOs), including those organisations deemed to be ‘foreign’, by measures such as arbitrary registration and reporting requirements, distorted criminal charges, raids and audits,
Amendment 18 #
2. Considers that the EU should use its internal and foreign policy instruments, including human rights and development instruments, to deal with the structural roots of the shrinking space problem and to design a multifaceted approach, since regimes are now using not only draconian NGO laws but also a wide range of direct and indirect tactics to limit the operation or financing of civil society organisations (CSOs), such as arbitrary registration and reporting requirements, distorted criminal charges, raids and audits, and counterterrorism measures; recalls that these measures disproportionately affect CSOs working on human rights, including on women, youth, LGBTI, minorities, such as Roma, indigenous peoples, disabled persons and on peace and security;
Amendment 19 #
2. Considers that the EU should use its foreign policy instruments, including human rights and development instruments and bilateral agreements with third countries, to deal with the structural roots of the shrinking space problem and to design a multifaceted approach, since regimes are now using not only draconian NGO laws but also a wide range of direct and indirect tactics to limit the operation or financing of civil society organisations (CSOs), such as arbitrary registration and reporting requirements, distorted criminal charges, raids and audits, defamation campaigns, and counterterrorism measures;
Amendment 2 #
1. Deplores the fact that certain states often limit or restrict freedom of expression in order to silence dissent or criticism; reminds that certain groups, such as women, youth, LGBTI, minorities, such as Roma, indigenous peoples, disabled persons suffer disproportionately under these restrictions; recalls that the long-term stability and resilience of a society can only be achieved and maintained by ensuring openness of the civic space and the rights to freedom of expression, opinion, peaceful assembly and association, including on the internet;
Amendment 20 #
2. Considers that the EU should use its foreign policy instruments, including human rights and development instruments, to deal with the structural roots of the shrinking space problem and to design a multifaceted approach, since regimes are now using not only draconian NGO laws but also a wide range of direct and indirect tactics to limit the operation or financing of civil society organisations (CSOs), such as arbitrary registration and reporting requirements, distorted criminal charges, including criminal defamatory laws, raids and audits, and counterterrorism measures;
Amendment 21 #
2. Considers that the EU should use its foreign policy instruments, including human rights and development instruments, to deal with the structural roots of the shrinking space problem and to design a multifaceted approach, since regimes are now using not only draconian NGO laws but also a wide range of direct and indirect tactics to limit the operation or financing of civil society organisations (CSOs), such as arbitrary registration and reporting requirements, travel bans, distorted criminal charges, raids and audits, and counterterrorism and security measures;
Amendment 22 #
2. Considers that the EU should use its foreign policy instruments, including human rights and development instruments, to deal with the structural roots of the shrinking space problem and to design a multifaceted approach, since regimes are now using not only draconian NGO laws but also a wide range of direct and indirect tactics to limit the operation or financing of civil society organisations (CSOs), such as arbitrary registration and reporting requirements, distorted criminal charges, deprivation of freedom, raids and audits, and counterterrorism measures;
Amendment 23 #
2 a. Calls on the EU to reinforce its instruments and policies addressing institution building and rule of law to include strong benchmarks on accountability and fight against impunity for arbitrary arrest, police abuse, torture and other ill-treatment of human rights defenders, bearing in mind that women and men experience these differently;calls for conditionality which should be linked to overall performance assessments, and that support should not be limited to its technical aspects, but should include political backing as necessary;
Amendment 24 #
2a. Considers that there needs to be a clearer connection among the EU's various foreign policy instruments: for example, when determining development cooperation allocations for third countries, account should be taken of trends and the situation with regard to the defence of human rights and with regard to democratic freedoms in the country concerned and of how close the country's foreign policy positions are to the EU's;
Amendment 25 #
2 a. Warns against the misuse by certain states of an excessively broad definition of terrorism to silence journalists, human rights defenders and political dissidents;
Amendment 26 #
Amendment 27 #
3. Calls on the Commission, the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Member States and the EU Special Representative for Human Rights to be more vocal, consistent and timely in expressing objections to restrictive CSO laws and to exert effective and tailored pressure on the host governments in question and raise this issue systematically in political and human rights dialogues;
Amendment 28 #
3. Calls on the Commission, the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Member States and the EU Special Representative for Human Rights to be more vocal, consistent and timely in expressing objections to restrictive CSO laws and
Amendment 29 #
3. Calls on the Commission, the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Member States and the EU Special Representative for Human Rights to be more vocal
Amendment 3 #
1. Deplores the fact that certain states often limit or restrict freedom of expression in order to silence dissent or criticism, including online by blocking mobile internet, restricting social media and banning communication with foreign groups; recalls that the long-term stability and resilience of a society can only be achieved and maintained by ensuring openness of the civic space and the rights to freedom of expression, opinion, peaceful assembly and association;
Amendment 30 #
3. Calls on the Commission, the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Member States, the High Representative / Vice President and the EU Special Representative for Human Rights to be more vocal, consistent and timely in expressing objections
Amendment 31 #
3. Calls on the Commission, the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Member States and the EU Special Representative for Human Rights to be more vocal, consistent and timely in expressing objections to restrictive CSO laws and to exert effective and tailored pressure on the host governments in question and raise this issue systematically in political and human rights dialogues;
Amendment 32 #
3. Calls on the Commission, the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Member States and the EU Special Representative for Human Rights to be more vocal, consistent and timely in expressing objections to restrictive CSO laws and to exert effective and tailored pressure on the host governments in question and raise this issue systematically in political and human rights dialogues; considers that EU actors could exert more positive conditionality by allocating additional funds to those governments allowing a wider space for civil society; calls on the EU and its Member States also to develop negative conditionality in response to serious shrinking space developments, including through the restriction or even the suspension of assistance, trade or strategic relations;
Amendment 33 #
3. Calls on the Commission, the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Member States and the EU Special Representative for Human Rights to be more vocal, consistent and timely in expressing objections to restrictive CSO laws, including those labelled as counterterrorism measures, and to exert effective and tailored pressure on the host governments in question and raise this issue systematically in political and human rights dialogues; considers that the establishment of youth militia as a red line that must not be crossed;considers that EU actors could exert more positive conditionality by allocating additional funds to those governments allowing a wider space for civil society;
Amendment 34 #
3. Calls on the Commission, the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Member States and the EU Special Representative for Human Rights to be more vocal, consistent and timely in expressing objections to restrictive CSO laws and to exert effective and tailored pressure on the host governments in question and raise this issue systematically in political and human rights dialogues; calls on the EEAS to monitor trial proceedings of human rights defenders; considers that EU actors could exert more positive conditionality by allocating additional funds to those governments allowing a wider space for civil society;
Amendment 35 #
3. Calls on the Commission, the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Member States and the EU Special Representative for Human Rights to be more vocal, consistent and timely in expressing objections to restrictive CSO laws and to exert effective and tailored pressure on the host governments in question and raise this issue systematically in political and human rights dialogues; considers that EU actors could exert more positive conditionality by allocating additional funds to those governments
Amendment 36 #
3. Calls on the Commission, the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Member States and the EU Special Representative for Human Rights to be more vocal, consistent and timely in expressing objections to restrictive CSO laws and practices and to exert effective and tailored pressure on the host governments in question and raise this issue systematically in political and human rights dialogues; considers that EU actors could exert more positive conditionality by allocating additional funds to those governments allowing a wider space for civil society;
Amendment 37 #
3a. Recalls the importance to the Union of establishing an inclusive human rights dialogue with all partner States, with the participation of civil society organisations; calls on both the Union and Member States to step up their good governance programmes with third countries and to promote exchanges of good practices with regard to the inclusion and participation of civil society organisations in decision-making processes;
Amendment 38 #
Amendment 39 #
4. Calls on all EU actors to advocate more effectively in multilateral fora the strengthening of the international legal framework underpinning democracy and human rights, inter alia by engaging with multilateral organisations including the UN Special Procedures and the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism and regional organisations such as the Organisation of American States (OAS), the African Union (AU), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Community of Democracies Working Group on Enabling and Protecting Civil Society;
Amendment 4 #
1. Deplores the fact that in certain
Amendment 40 #
4. Calls on all EU actors to advocate more effectively in multilateral fora the strengthening of the international legal framework underpinning democracy and human rights, inter alia by engaging with the UN and with regional organisations such as the Organisation of American States (OAS), the African Union (AU), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Community of Democracies Working Group on Enabling and Protecting Civil Society;
Amendment 41 #
4. Calls on all EU actors to advocate more effectively in multilateral fora the strengthening of the international legal framework underpinning democracy and human rights, inter alia by engaging with regional organisations such as the Organisation of American States (OAS), the African Union (AU), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the League of Arab States (LAS) and the Community of Democracies Working Group on Enabling and Protecting Civil Society;
Amendment 42 #
4 a. Considers that it is necessary to promote tripartite dialogues between government, EU and CSOs, including on difficult issues such as security and migration;
Amendment 43 #
4a. Stresses the need for additional monitoring and reviewing of the expenditure of EU funds earmarked for the actions of civil society organisations;
Amendment 44 #
Amendment 45 #
5. Requests the establishment of a ‘Shrinking Space Monitoring and Early Warning’ mechanism, with the involvement of the relevant EU institutions, capable of monitoring threats against civil society space and human rights defenders, and issuing an alert when a given government is preparing serious new restrictions against civil society so that the EU is able to respond in a timelier, coordinated and tangible manner;
Amendment 46 #
5. Requests the establishment of a ‘Shrinking Space
Amendment 47 #
5. Requests the establishment of a ‘Shrinking Space Early Warning’ mechanism, with the involvement of the relevant EU institutions, capable of issuing an alert when a given government is preparing serious new restrictions against civil society, or when the government is using so-called government-organized non-governmental organisations (GONGOs) to simulate the existence of independent civil society, so that the EU is able to respond in a timelier, coordinated and tangible manner;
Amendment 48 #
5. Requests the establishment of a ‘Shrinking Space Early Warning’ mechanism, with the involvement of the relevant EU institutions, in particular with the support of the EU delegations, capable of issuing an alert when there are indications that a given government is preparing serious new restrictions against civil society so that the EU is able to respond in a timelier, coordinated and tangible manner;
Amendment 49 #
5. Requests the establishment of a ‘Shrinking Space Early Warning’ mechanism, with the involvement of the relevant EU institutions, capable of issuing an alert when a given government is preparing serious
Amendment 5 #
1. Deplores the fact that certain states
Amendment 50 #
5. Requests the establishment of a ‘Shrinking Space Early Warning’ mechanism, with the involvement of the relevant EU institutions, capable of issuing an alert when a given government, including a EU Member State government, is preparing serious new restrictions against civil society so that the EU is able to respond in a timelier, coordinated and tangible manner;
Amendment 51 #
5 a. Commits to establish, on an annual basis and in close consultation with relevant institutional and NGO actors, a list of countries where civil society space is most under threat and to use it as a benchmark against which to assess the engagement of the EU and its Member States with these countries;
Amendment 52 #
Amendment 53 #
6.
Amendment 54 #
6.
Amendment 55 #
6. Calls on the Commission to increase the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) funds relevant to the shrinking space, since the annual sums per country are at an extremely low level; calls on the Commission to identify new forms of activism to be funded by the EIDHR and to put in place a more flexible and simplified procedure for accessing EIDHR funding
Amendment 56 #
6. Calls on the Commission to increase the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) funds relevant to the shrinking space
Amendment 57 #
6. Calls on the Commission to increase the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) funds relevant to the shrinking space, since the annual sums per country are at an extremely low level; calls on the Commission to identify new forms of activism to be funded by the EIDHR and to put in place a more flexible and simplified procedure for accessing EIDHR funding, especially towards youth, including more significant exceptions for those CSOs in particular danger and support for unregistered groups; considers that greater emphasis should be put on local groups and actors, since human rights issues are often experienced in a more real and acute way at local level; while recognizing the importance of coalitions or consortiums of international and national civil society actors to facilitate and protect the work of local NGOs against repressive measures;
Amendment 58 #
6. Calls on the Commission to
Amendment 59 #
6 a. Call on the Commission, the EEAS and the Member States to promote an effective, joint implementation of the EU Guidelines for Human Rights Defenders in all third countries where civil society is at risk by adopting local strategies for their full operationalization;
Amendment 6 #
1. Deplores the fact that certain states often limit or restrict freedom of expression in order to silence dissent or criticism; recalls that the long-term stability and resilience of a society can only be achieved and maintained by ensuring
Amendment 60 #
Amendment 61 #
7. Calls on the Commission and the EEAS to establish best practices and to develop clear gender-inclusive benchmarks and indicators related to shrinking space in the context of the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy, the Gender Equality and Women´s Empowerment: Transforming the Lives of Girls and Women through EU External Relations 2016-2020, and the EIDHR mid-term review in order to measure tangible progress.
Amendment 7 #
1 a. Is deeply concerned by the increasing attacks against human rights defenders (HRDs) worldwide;calls on the EU, and the VP/HR in particular, to adopt a policy to denounce, systematically and unequivocally, the killing of human rights defenders and any attempt to subject them to any form of violence, persecution, threat, harassment, disappearance, imprisonment or arbitrary arrest, to condemn those who commit or tolerate such atrocities, and to step up public diplomacy in open and clear support of HRDs;encourages the EU Delegations and the Member States’ diplomatic representations to continue actively to support HRDs, notably by systematically monitoring trials, visiting HRDs in jail and issuing statements on individual cases, where appropriate;
Amendment 8 #
1 a. Condemns the shrinking of civil society space as a result of acts of harassment and intimidation against civil society organisations and individual activists, who are solely exercising their rights of freedom of expression, assembly and association;calls on governments to investigate and to ensure accountability for this kind of actions and attacks directed against NGOs,
Amendment 9 #
1 a. Warns against the increase in the use of unnecessary and excessive force by security forces to repress assemblies, including by surveillance, arbitrary detention, torture and other ill-treatment, and the imposition of the death penalty;
source: 605.959
2017/06/02
DEVE
157 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 2 a (new) - having regard to Article 7 of the TFEU, which reaffirms that the EU ‘shall ensure consistency between its policies and activities, taking all of its objectives into account’,
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 15 a (new) - having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions of 9 October 2013 entitled ‘Empowering local authorities in partner countries for enhanced governance and more effective development outcomes’,
Amendment 100 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Underlines that tackling shrinking civil society space requires a unified and consistent approach in the EU’s relationship with developing countries, and calls for the EU and Member States to proactively address the root causes of
Amendment 101 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Underlines that tackling shrinking civil society space requires a unified and consistent approach in the EU’s relationship with developing countries, and calls for the EU and Member States to proactively address the root causes of shrinking civil society space, in particular by mainstreaming the promotion of civil society organisations and their participation in bilateral and multilateral cooperation at all stages, including in political dialogues at the highest level, taking into account their different sizes, capacities and expertise;
Amendment 102 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Underlines that tackling shrinking
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8.
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8. Encourages the EU to become an active facilitator and to promote institutional mechanisms and multi- stakeholders’ initiatives for reinforced dialogues and partnerships among developing countries governments, CSOs, local authorities and the private sector on an enabling civil society environment;
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8. Encourages the EU to become an active facilitator and to promote institutional mechanisms for reinforced dialogues and to develop stronger and wider coalitions and partnerships among developing countries governments, CSOs, local authorities and the private sector on an enabling civil society environment;
Amendment 106 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8. Encourages the EU to become an
Amendment 107 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8. Encourages the EU to become an active facilitator and to promote institutional mechanisms for reinforced dialogues and partnerships among developing countries governments, CSOs, local authorities and the private sector on an enabling civil society environment; considers that the EU should urge governments to repeal all laws/articles that violate the rights to freedom of association and assembly and thus the ability of local civil society to cooperate and affiliate themselves with national, regional and international networks;
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 a (new) 8a. Calls on the EU to monitor counter-terrorism measures as well as aspects of anti-money laundering and transparency legislation and take action to ensure that they do not pose illegitimate limits on the funding and activities of civil society organisations; in this context, reiterates that the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) shall not be interpreted and applied in a way that unduly restricts civil society space;
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Recalls
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 15 b (new) - having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the regions of 24 February 2015 entitled ‘A decent life for all: from vision to collective action’,
Amendment 110 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Recalls equally that the private sector is a key partner in achieving the SDGs, and has
Amendment 111 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Recalls equally that the private sector is a key partner in achieving the SDGs, and has an important role to play in fostering civic space, promoting an enabling environment for CSOs and trade unions, and addressing market and government failures, in particular through public-private partnerships;
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Recalls equally that the for profit private sector is a key partner in achieving the SDGs, and has an important role to play in fostering civic space; calls on the EU to introduce a positive conditionality on the involvement of CSOs when development funds are allocated in support of for profit private sector initiatives for development cooperation;
Amendment 113 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Recalls equally that the private sector is a key partner in achieving the SDGs, and has an important role to play in fostering civic space; calls for the EU to introduce positive conditionality as regards the involvement of civil society actors when cooperation funds are allocated to private sector initiatives devoted to development cooperation;
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 b (new) 4b. Calls on the EU to establish legal mandatory human rights due diligence for business activities in third countries of companies domiciled in the EU and all of their affiliates or subsidiaries. These obligations should entail the following aspects in order to prevent that no investments which could contribute to threats for human rights defenders or other civil society actors are financially supported by the European Union: human rights risk assessments must be compulsory for companies and include possible threats for human rights defenders and other civil society actors; sanctions for the failure to implement human rights due diligence; effective conditions and compulsory human rights risk assessments for public procurement;
Amendment 115 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 b (new) 18b. Requests the EU to establish mandatory and legally enforceable human rights due diligence for business activities in third countries of companies domiciled in the EU; calls on the EU to contribute positively to the UN process on a binding international treaty;
Amendment 116 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 a (new) 9a. Reiterates the obligation for the private sector to respect both human rights and the highest social and environmental standards; calls on the EU to set up an appropriate framework to address how corporations integrate human rights, including social and economic rights and standards when operating in developing countries; calls on the EU and its Member States to continue to engage actively in the work of the UN’s Human Rights Council in order to hold corporations accountable for human rights abuses;
Amendment 117 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 a (new) 9a. Recalls the responsibility of the private sector in avoiding human rights violations and stresses the private companies should be held accountable and liable for any involvement in cases of human rights’ abuse;
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 b (new) 9b. Believes that trade and investment agreements concluded by the EU and its Member States must not undermine, either directly or indirectly, the promotion and protection of human rights and civic space in developing countries; welcomes in this regard the introduction of human rights clauses in all these agreements;
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 a (new) 9a. Calls on the Commission to develop a monitoring framework, with special focus on human rights, of the EU external financing instruments;
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 16 — having regard to the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on practical recommendations of 11 April 2016 for the creation and maintenance of a safe and enabling environment for civil society, based on good practices and lessons learned9
Amendment 120 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 a (new) 9a. Recalls the vital role that an organised diaspora can play in reconstructing their country of origin and in transferring democratic values;
Amendment 121 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 b (new) Amendment 122 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 b (new) 9b. Stresses that western civil society supports the creation and strengthening of NGOs by transferring know-how in order to help them to contribute to the development of their own countries;
Amendment 123 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 a (new) 12a. Recalls the importance of regional cooperation to strengthen enabling environments for civil society; encourages developing countries to promote dialogue and best practice of protection of and engagement with civil society;
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Calls on the EU to strengthen its support for the full participation of minorities, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups in cultural, social, economic and political processes;
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Calls on the EU to strengthen its support for the full participation of minorities including indigenous people and other vulnerable groups in cultural, social, economic and political processes;
Amendment 126 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Calls on the EU to strengthen its support for the full participation of women- rights organisations, minorities and other vulnerable groups in cultural, social, economic and political processes;
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Calls on the EU to strengthen its support for the full participation of minorities and other vulnerable groups in cultural, social, economic and political processes as well as women;
Amendment 128 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Calls on the EU to strengthen its support for the full participation of minorities and other vulnerable groups in cultural, social, economic and political processes and those in remote areas;
Amendment 129 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10.
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 16 a (new) - having regard to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights,
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 a (new) 10a. Deplores the lack of organisations helping victims of terrorism in third countries during the current rise of global terrorism; underlines therefore the urgent need to establish a secure climate for organisations with the aim to protect victims of terrorism;
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 11. Underlines the critical role played by women in social progress; calls on the EU to insist on the need for supporting the creation of a safe and enabling environment for
Amendment 132 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 11. Underlines the critical role played by women in social progress, including that of youth-led movements; calls on the EU to insist on the need for supporting women’s empowerment and the creation of a safe and enabling environment for women’s CSOs and women’s rights defenders, particularly in conflict-affected regions;
Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 11. Underlines the critical role played by women in social progress; calls on the EU to insist on the need for supporting the creation of a safe and enabling environment for women’s CSOs and women’s rights defenders, particularly in conflict-affected regions, and to address specific gendered forms of repression and defamation faced by women activists;
Amendment 134 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 11. Underlines the critical role played by women in social progress; calls on the EU to insist on the need for supporting the creation of a safe and enabling environment for women’s CSOs and women’s rights defenders, particularly in conflict-affected regions and to address specific gendered forms of repression and defamation faced by women activists;
Amendment 135 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 a (new) 10a. Highlights the importance of actively contributing to the support of women-rights related policies and actions, including sexual and reproductive health and rights;
Amendment 136 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 a (new) 11a. Deeply deplores the crackdown in some third countries on many organisations defending the rights of women and children;
Amendment 137 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Reiterates the importance of mainstreaming the rights-based approach (RBA) into the EU development policy, with the aim of integrating internationally recognised human right
Amendment 138 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Reiterates the importance of mainstreaming the rights-based approach (RBA) into the EU development policy, with the aim of integrating human rights and rule of law principles into EU development activities and of synchronising human rights and development cooperation activities;
Amendment 139 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Welcomes the EU Country Roadmaps for Engagement with Civil Society as an effective tool, and as the possible new EU framework for engagement with civil society in developing countries; considers it paramount that CSOs be involved not only in the consultation process leading to the drafting of the roadmaps, but also in their implementation, monitoring and review;
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 2 a (new) - having regard to the Code of Good Practice for Civil Participation in the Decision-Making Process, drafted by the Conference of INGOs on 1 October 2009;
Amendment 140 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14. Calls on the Vice-President/High Representative to regularly place on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council a discussion of, and follow-up to, the EU’s efforts in pursuing the release of human rights defenders, aid workers, journalists, political activists, persons imprisoned for their religious or moral convictions, and others imprisoned as a result of shrinking civil society space;
Amendment 141 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 a (new) 16a. Strongly recommends a better protection for representatives of CSOs in third countries in order to tackle possible hostility against these representatives;
Amendment 142 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 a (new) 14a. Calls on the EU and its Member States to systematically include shrinking civic space in all their bilateral relations and to make use of all available instrument and tools, including development and trade, to ensure that partner countries uphold their commitment to protecting and guaranteeing human rights;
Amendment 143 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 a (new) 14a. Calls on the EU to urge governments to continuously repeal all laws/articles that violate the rights to freedom of association and assembly and thus the ability of local civil society to cooperate and affiliate themselves with national, regional and international networks.;
Amendment 144 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 15. Welcomes the appointment of human rights and civil society focal points in EU Delegations dedicated to improving cooperation with local civil society, in particular in providing assistance to vulnerable groups and individuals; calls on the EU Delegations to further engage with CSOs in the programming cycle of EU funds, and in their subsequent monitoring;
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 15. Welcomes the appointment of human rights focal points in EU Delegations dedicated to improving cooperation with local civil society, in particular in providing assistance to vulnerable, marginalised and discriminated-against groups and individuals; calls on the EU Delegations to further engage with CSOs in the programming cycle of EU funds, and in their subsequent monitoring;
Amendment 146 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 15. Welcomes the appointment of human rights focal points in EU Delegations dedicated to improving cooperation with local civil society, in particular in providing assistance to vulnerable groups and individuals; calls on the EU Delegations to provide information, available to all civil society actors and in a regular and transparent manner, concerning funds and funding opportunities and to further engage with CSOs in the programming cycle of EU funds, and in their subsequent monitoring;
Amendment 147 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 15. Welcomes the appointment of human rights focal points in EU Delegations dedicated to improving cooperation with local civil society, in particular in providing assistance to vulnerable groups and individuals; calls on the EU Delegations to further engage with
Amendment 148 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Strongly encourages synergies among the EU’s External Financing Instruments in support of civil society in developing countries, and calls for a comprehensive mapping exercise at country level of all EU civil society funding, so as to avoid duplications and overlap, and to help identify possible funding gaps and needs;
Amendment 149 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 a (new) 16a. Requests the competent EU services, in particular DG DEVCO, to fully implement EU legislation that considers Churches and religious associations or communities as eligible for receiving EU funds for development projects; furthermore, reiterates that applications for funding by these entities should be processed without further requirements that may give rise to discrimination against such actors;
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 2 b (new) Amendment 150 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 a (new) 16a. Calls on the EU to ensure that EU funding is used to fund both long-term support and emergency interventions, in order to particularly help civil society activists at risk;
Amendment 151 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 a (new) 17a. Calls on the EU not to restrict the scope for action of civil society actors through funding arrangements and mechanisms designed to minimise the number of potential discussion partners or by inviting to the consultations only those organisations which already have contracts, and by increasing calls for activities to which civil society actors can have access;
Amendment 152 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 a (new) 17a. Calls on the EU not to shrink spaces for CSOs through its funding modalities and mechanisms that minimise the number of potential interlocutors, by inviting at the consultations only the organisations that have on-going contracts and by increasing procurement contracts for activities that could be successfully carried out by CSOs;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 a (new) 17a. Calls on the EU to take steps to maximise engagement with and support the CSOs through its funding modalities and mechanisms beyond those which currently have on-going contracts;
Amendment 154 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Welcomes the increased flexibility provided by a number of EU financing instruments relevant to development cooperation, allowing among other things easier registration of grant applicants, and, where needed, confidentiality for recipients; considers, however, that more can be done to provide the most appropriate and tailored response to specific
Amendment 155 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Welcomes the increased flexibility provided by a number of EU financing instruments relevant to development cooperation, allowing among other things easier registration of grant applicants, and, where needed, confidentiality for recipients; considers, however, that more can be done to provide the most appropriate and tailored response to specific country situations, including more up-stream information on upcoming calls for proposals and updates of the roadmaps, public availability of roadmaps, the harmonisation and simplification of funding modalities, and support to CSOs in their administrative procedures;
Amendment 156 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Welcomes the increased flexibility provided by a number of EU financing instruments relevant to development cooperation, allowing among other things easier registration of grant applicants, and, where needed, confidentiality for recipients; considers, however, that more can be done to provide the most appropriate and tailored response to specific country situations, including more up-stream information on upcoming calls for proposals, funding opportunities and updates of the roadmaps, the harmonisation and simplification of funding modalities, and support to CSOs in their administrative procedures;
Amendment 157 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 a (new) 18a. Invites the EU Special Representative for Human Rights and the EU Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU to report annually to the European Parliament on cases of restrictions on civil society, as well as on Churches and religious associations or communities, and on the progress made in this regard;
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 20 a (new) - having regard to its resolution of 25 October 2016 on corporate liability for serious rights abuses in third countries,
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 22 a (new) - having regard to its resolution of 26 October 2016 on corporate liability for serious human rights abuses in third countries,
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 10 a (new) Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B B. whereas government, businesses, and civil society represent
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 4 — 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, and the 1979 United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW),
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B B. whereas civil society represents the third sector of society, along with
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B B. whereas civil society represents the third sector of society and a vital element of a decent society, along with governments and businesses; whereas it comprises non-governmental and non- profit organisations that have a presence in public life, expressing the interests and values of their members or others, based on ethical, cultural, political, scientific, religious or philanthropic considerations;
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B B. whereas civil society represents the third sector of society, along with governments and businesses; whereas it comprises non-governmental and non- profit organisations that have a presence in public life, expressing the interests and values of their members or others, based on ethical, cultural, political, scientific, religious or philanthropic considerations; whereas their presence as vital forces in society is crucial, as they represent a necessary counterbalance to the powers that be by playing the role of intermediary and mediator between the population and the state, and in their capacity as guardians of democracy;
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B a (new) Ba. whereas civil society plays a central role in building and strengthening democracy, monitoring the power of the State and promoting good governance, transparency, effectiveness, openness, responsiveness and accountability;
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B b (new) Bb. whereas numerous civil society groups have been seeking to engage in constitutional reform processes to protect democratic principles and institutions;
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution Recital C C. whereas civil society encompasses a wide and inhomogeneous diversity that includes among other civil society organisations (CSOs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), human rights and community groups,
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution Recital C C. whereas civil society encompasses among other civil society organisations (CSOs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), social, educational, environmental, gender equality and human rights and community groups,
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution Recital C C. whereas civil society encompasses among other civil society organisations (CSOs), non-governmental organisations
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution Recital D D. whereas CSOs have become important players in global development assistance, particularly in the delivery of basic social services, public awareness, the promotion of democracy, human rights and good governance, and the response to humanitarian crises;
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution Recital D D. whereas CSOs as well as Churches and religious associations or communities, have become important players in global development assistance, particularly in the delivery of social services, public awareness, the promotion of democracy, human rights and good governance, of peaceful and inclusive societies, in fostering the resilience of persons, families and local communities, countering violent extremism, and the response to humanitarian crises;
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 4 a (new) - having regard to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women,
Amendment 30 #
Motion for a resolution Recital D D. whereas CSOs, churches and religious associations have become important players in global development assistance, particularly in the delivery of social services, public awareness, the promotion of democracy, human rights and good governance, peaceful and inclusive societies, in fostering the resilience of individuals, families and local communities, countering violent extremism, and the response to humanitarian crises;
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution Recital D D. whereas CSOs have become important players in global development assistance, particularly in the delivery of social services, public awareness, the promotion of democracy, human rights and good governance,
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution Recital D a (new) Da. whereas as recognised by international organisations in their protocols and practices, churches, religious communities and associations as well as other organisations based on religion or belief are among the frontline and long-standing operational field actors in the provision of development and humanitarian assistance,
Amendment 33 #
Motion for a resolution Recital D a (new) Da. whereas the Cotonou Agreement strongly recognises civil society as a key actor within the EU and ACP cooperation, embracing multiple roles in development and democratic governance;
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution Recital D b (new) Db. whereas the expiry of the Cotonou agreement in 2020 provides the opportunity to review the ACP-EU partnership and to further increase the participation of civil society organizations in deliberations on ACP-EU policies;
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution Recital D a (new) Da. whereas CSOs cover a wide spectrum of human rights, including the one to development, to education, the equal rights of men and women, as well as activities in the social and environmental fields;
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution Recital F F. whereas the EU is the largest donor to local civil society organisations in developing countries and has been a
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution Recital F F. whereas the EU is the largest donor to local civil society organisations in developing countries and has been a leading actor in the protection of civil society actors and human rights defenders through the use and implementation of a range of instruments and policies, including the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), the European Endowment for Democracy, the DCI thematic programme for Civil Society Organisations and Local Authorities (CSOs-LAs), the Civil Society Roadmaps implemented in 105 countries and country strategy papers;
Amendment 38 #
Motion for a resolution Recital G G. whereas there has been an expansion in size, scope and composition of civil society around the world over the past decade; whereas, at the same time, the restrictions against civil society actors and activities have become increasingly repressive and forceful in
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution Recital G G. whereas there has been an expansion in size, scope
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 9 a (new) - having regard to the Partnership Agreement between the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States of the one part, and the European Community and its Member States, of the other part, signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000 (the Cotonou Agreement), and to its revisions of 2005 and 2010,
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution Recital G G. whereas there has been an expansion in size, scope and composition
Amendment 41 #
Motion for a resolution Recital H H. whereas the 2016 State of Civil Society Report considered 2015 a dismal year for civil society, with civic rights being placed under serious threat in more than a hundred countries; whereas the Sub- Saharan African and Middle East and North African (MENA) regions are particularly concerned by this report, as they are more often faced with situations of political stress, conflict and fragility; whereas the situation in Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe and even in certain EU Member States is also of concern;
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution Recital I I. whereas an increasing number of governments
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution Recital J J. whereas there has been a worrying increase in the number of reports of CSOs, human rights defenders
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution Recital J J. whereas there has been a worrying increase in the number of reports of
Amendment 45 #
Motion for a resolution Recital J J. whereas there has been a worrying increase in the number of reports of CSOs, human right defenders, including trade unionists, lawyers, intellectuals and journalists being persecuted, harassed, arbitrarily arrested or detained, and in the number of victims of abuse and violence, in recent years; whereas in a number of countries, this is being done with complete impunity, and at times with the support or compliance of the authorities;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution Recital J J. whereas there has been a worrying increase in the number of reports of CSOs,
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution Recital K K. whereas human rights are universal and inalienable, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated; whereas civil society’s ability to act relies on the exercise of, in particular, th
Amendment 48 #
Motion for a resolution Recital K K. whereas civil society’s ability to act relies on the exercise of th
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution Recital K K. whereas civil society’s ability to act relies on the exercise of
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 10 — having regard to Regulation (EU) No 233/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2014 establishing a financing instrument for development cooperation (DCI) for the period 2014-2020
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution Recital L L. whereas there is a link between a weakened civil society, reduced political and civic space, increased corruption and
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution Recital L L. whereas there is a link between a weakened civil society, reduced political and civic space, increased corruption and low human and socio-economic development as well as fragility and conflicts;
Amendment 52 #
Motion for a resolution Recital M M. whereas any credible and effective EU response in addressing shrinking civic space
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution Recital M M. whereas any credible and effective EU response in addressing shrinking civic
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution Recital M M. whereas any credible and effective EU response in addressing shrinking civic space needs to adequately balance development and political cooperation, ensuring coherence between all EU external and internal instruments by projecting a common message on the importance of freely functioning civil societies, as well as cooperation at local, regional and international levels;
Amendment 55 #
Motion for a resolution Recital N N. whereas the 2030 Agenda, and in particular SDGs 16 and 17, provide for enhanced cooperation with civil society as
Amendment 56 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Believes that a genuinely independent, pluralistic and vibrant civil society is pivotal to
Amendment 57 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Believes that a genuinely independent, pluralistic and vibrant civil society is pivotal to a country’s development and stability, to ensuring democra
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Believes that a genuinely independent, diverse, pluralistic and vibrant civil society is pivotal to a country’s development and stability, to ensuring democracy and respect for human rights, and to building inclusive societies; further recalls that civil society is a key actor in achieving the SDGs;
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Believes that a genuinely independent, pluralistic and vibrant civil society is pivotal to a country’s development and stability, to ensuring democracy, social justice and respect for human rights, and to building inclusive societies; further recalls that civil society is a key actor in achieving the SDGs;
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 10 a (new) - having regard to Council Regulation (EU) 2015/323 of 2 March 2015 on the financial regulation applicable to the 11th European Development Fund and to Declaration I of the Cotonou Agreement (“Joint Declaration on the actors of the partnership”),
Amendment 60 #
1. Believes that a genuinely independent, pluralistic and vibrant civil society is pivotal to a country’s development and stability, to ensuring democracy and respect for human rights, and to building inclusive societies, with a special focus on the more vulnerable, so that nobody is left behind; further recalls that civil society is a key actor in achieving the SDGs;
Amendment 61 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Emphasises the central role played by civil society in developing countries in promoting transparency, accountability and good governance, in particular in the fight against corruption, and its
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Emphasises the central role played by civil society in
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Emphasises the central role played by civil society not only in developing countries, but worldwide, in promoting transparency, accountability and good governance, in particular in the fight against corruption, and its potential implications on country’s economic and human development, and environmental sustainability;
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Emphasises the central role played by civil society in developing countries in supporting democracy, promoting transparency, accountability and good governance, in particular in the fight against corruption, and its potential implications on country’s economic and
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Emphasises the central role played by civil society in developing countries in promoting transparency, accountability, the role of guardian of the separation of powers and good governance, in particular in the fight against corruption, and its potential implications on country’s economic and human development;
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Is deeply concerned
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Is deeply concerned that the closing down of civil society space in developing countries is being carried out in increasingly subtle and sophisticated ways, which are harder to tackle and range from legislation, administrative, reporting and banking requirements, to the criminalisation and stigmatisation of CSO representatives, defamation, administrative harassment, online repression, censorship, arbitrary detention, gender based violence, torture and assassination;
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Is deeply concerned that the closing down of civil society space in developing countries is being carried out in increasingly subtle and sophisticated ways, which are harder to tackle and range from legislation, administrative, reporting
Amendment 69 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Is deeply concerned that the closing down of civil society space in developing countries, in particular in unstable and conflict-stricken states, is being carried out in increasingly subtle and sophisticated ways, which are harder to tackle and range from legislation, administrative, reporting and banking requirements, to the criminalisation and stigmatisation of CSO representatives, defamation, administrative harassment, online repression, censorship, arbitrary detention, torture and assassination;
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 10 b (new) - having regard to Article 187.2 of the Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (“the Financial Regulation”),
Amendment 70 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Is deeply concerned that the closing down of civil society space in growing number of countries worldwide, including developing countries, is being carried out in increasingly subtle and sophisticated ways, which are harder to tackle and range from legislation, administrative, reporting and banking requirements, to the criminalisation and stigmatisation of CSO
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Is deeply concerned that the closing down of civil society space in developing countries is being carried out in increasingly subtle and sophisticated ways, which are harder to tackle and range from legislation, administrative, reporting and banking requirements, to the criminalisation and stigmatisation of CSO representatives, defamation, administrative harassment, online repression, censorship, arbitrary detention, torture and assassination; recalls the comprehensive and diversified EU system of human rights conditionality; calls on the Commission to explore ways to exert more effective pressure on those governments clamping down on civil society organisations;
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 a (new) 3a. Is deeply concerned by the rising trend of massive crackdown on online freedom of expression and access to and use of the internet and the practice of disabling information in order to pressure institutions into self-censorship;
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 b (new) 3b. Deplores the recent developments of increased bureaucracy such as mandatory registration requirements in many countries for CSOs, which continues to make operations more difficult for these organisations, with the sole aim for governments to enable state control over CSOs;
Amendment 74 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Insists that states have the primary responsibility and are under the obligation to protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms of all persons, and have a duty to provide a political, legal and administrative environment conducive to a
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Insists that states have the primary responsibility and are under the obligation to protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms of all persons, and have a duty to provide a political, legal and administrative environment conducive to a free and functioning civil society; this includes the right to create CSOs, ensure their free operation and access to funding, including through foreign sources;
Amendment 76 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Insists that states have the primary responsibility and are under the obligation to protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms of all persons, and have a duty to provide a political, legal and administrative environment conducive to a free and functioning civil society; in that regard, urges states to create and maintain, in law and in practice, a safe and enabling environment in which civil society can operate free from interference and insecurity;
Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Insists that states have the primary responsibility and are under the obligation to protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms of all persons, and have a duty to provide a political, legal and administrative environment conducive to a free and functioning civil society; calls on the EU to introduce a positive conditionality in general and sectoral budget support on the involvement of CSOs at programming, implementing and monitoring stages as an antidote against corruption and for fostering human and socio-economic development;
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. Calls on the Commission, the EEAS and Member States to promote effective, joint implementation of the EU Guidelines for Human Rights Defenders in all third countries where civil society is at risk by taking concrete steps such as the adoption of local strategies for the full implementation of the “EU Guidelines on HRD”, and ensuring the absence of protection gaps, strengthening capacities and tools in EU/MS delegations on human rights and on business and human rights, and the implementation of sanctions on human rights abuses such as concrete measures against institutions, organisations or persons responsible for human rights offences such as travel restrictions, freezing of accounts or use of international criminal law;
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 a (new) 12a. Strongly encourages the Commission, the EEAS and the Member States to promote an effective, joint implementation of the EU Guidelines for Human Rights Defenders in all third countries where civil society is at risk by taking the following concrete steps: o adopting local strategies for the full operationalisation of the “EU Guidelines on HRDs”, and ensuring there are no protection gaps, o strengthening capacities and tools in EU delegations and Member States’ embassies in partner countries on human rights and on business and human rights, o sanctioning of serious human rights abuses: concrete measures against persons responsible for human rights offences (e.g. military personnel, members of governments) such as travel restrictions, freezing of foreign accounts, use of international criminal law.
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 13 a (new) - having regard to the Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World, and the EU’s policy for 2015;
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 b (new) 8b. Encourages the EU to develop Guidelines and monitoring tools on freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of association, and to effectively implement the existing EU Guidelines, in particular the Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders and the Guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief;
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 a (new) 18a. Calls on the Commission for the adoption of EU guidelines on association and assembly to complete existing guidelines on freedom of expression and to promote a more coherent and systematic approach to civil society space;
Amendment 82 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 b (new) 16b. Encourages the EU to adopt Guidelines on partnership with Churches and Faith-based Organisations and Religious Leaders in cooperation for development, based on the existing experience of international organisations and programmes (such as UNICEF, World Bank, WHO or the UNDP), and good practices in EU Member States and abroad;
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 c (new) 8c. Recalls that civil society plays an important role in promoting freedom of thought, conscience and religion and that the EU will make clear its full support for these efforts according to para. 46 of the Guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief; in this context, in view of the evaluation of the implementation of these Guidelines, it encourages the EU to launch a consultation with all relevant stakeholders, including civil society, as well as churches and religious associations or communities in accordance with Article 17 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union;
Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. Underlines as essential the strengthening of CSOs’ relationship with citizens and with the state, in order to genuinely represent communities and constituencies, including women and women’s rights organisations and all vulnerable groups and help make the state more effective and accountable in delivering development and all human rights;
Amendment 85 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. Points out that states must ensure that civil society is involved in the consultation process on legislation that affects them and on matters that are of particular importance to society;
Amendment 86 #
5. Welcomes the longstanding commitment and support by the EU to civil society in developing countries, and reiterates its unequivocal call for continued and increased support and funding by the EU in creating a free and enabling environment for civil society at country and local level, by improving its efforts to concretise an annual funding with the governments concerned respected by all of these governments;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Welcomes the longstanding commitment and support by the EU to civil society in developing countries, and reiterates its unequivocal call for continued and increased support and funding by the EU in creating a free and enabling environment for civil society at country and local level; considers that the EU should deploy a greater degree of positive conditionality allocating new development funds to those governments allowing wider space for civil society;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Welcomes the longstanding commitment and support by the EU to civil society in developing countries, and reiterates its unequivocal call for continued and increased support and funding by the EU in creating a free and enabling environment for civil society at country and local level; calls on the EU to diversify the funding arrangements and mechanisms for civil society actors by taking account of their specific features and different roles;
Amendment 89 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Calls on the EU to continue to work towards greater autonomy of the civic space not only
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 14 — having regard to the European Union’s Human Rights Guidelines, including the European Union Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders, and the EU Guidelines on the promotion and protection of religion or belief, adopted by the Council on 24 June 2013,
Amendment 90 #
6. Calls on the EU to continue to work towards greater autonomy of the civic space not only by tackling the EU development and human rights policies, but by integrating all other EU external policies, including trade and security policies, in accordance with the principle of policy coherence for development; recalls that the instruments of EU trade policy, such as binding human rights clauses in trade agreements or the “EBA”, “GSP” and “GSP+” schemes requiring beneficiary countries to ratify and implement core international conventions relating to human and labour rights, environment and good governance, before being granted tariff reductions or suspensions, can be an influential tool for opening up civic space;
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Warns the EU and its Member States against a more lenient approach on shrinking civil society space and other human rights issues when countries are concerned with whom the EU cooperates on migration issues; underlines that shrinking civil society space and human rights violations may contribute to forced migration;
Amendment 92 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 a (new) 2a. Recalls that only governments legitimised by the ballot box are responsible to the population; notes that civil society plays a complementary, consultative and participatory role as an agent for change, proposal and reflection; stresses that its political advocacy activities are of assistance to policy makers;
Amendment 93 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Recalls that civic participation and strength of civil society should be taken into consideration as an indicator for democracy; strongly encourages that any inter-parliamentary debate on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights include members of civil society organisations;
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 b (new) 6b. Calls on the EU delegations and missions to developing countries to systematically raise the issue of CS space and its important role in preserving and further building democratic societies in their interactions with MPs and governments or local authorities’ officials;
Amendment 95 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 a (new) 7a. Notes that EU institutions and Member States should maintain and reinforce their support to civil society in all countries even where bilateral cooperation is phased out. This should be done in close cooperation with EU organisations working in partnership with CSOs worldwide;
Amendment 96 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Underlines the high necessity to tackle governmental and non- governmental tactics of marginalising critical voices and diminishing universally recognised human rights values under the notion of traditions as a way to undermine the credibility and importance of civic society organisations;
Amendment 97 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Calls on the EU to raise awareness, especially among policy makers, about the problems that human rights groups are facing, through foreign policy mechanisms, and to mobilise diplomatic delegations to protect activists in situ;
Amendment 98 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Underlines that tackling shrinking civil society space requires a unified and consistent approach in the EU’s relationship with
Amendment 99 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Underlines that tackling shrinking civil society space requires a unified and consistent approach in the EU’s relationship with developing countries, and calls for the EU and Member States to proactively address the root causes of shrinking civil society space, in particular by mainstreaming the promotion of civil society organisations and their participation in bilateral and multilateral cooperation a
source: 604.630
|
History
(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)
2023-08-03Show (2) Changes | Timetravel
| committees/0/associated |
Old
TrueNew
|
| events/4/docs |
|
2021-12-18Show (13) Changes | Timetravel
| committees/0/shadows/3 |
|
| docs/0/docs/0/url |
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE602.940New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/DEVE-PR-602940_EN.html |
| docs/1/docs/0/url |
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE604.630New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/DEVE-AM-604630_EN.html |
| docs/2/docs/0/url |
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE603.109&secondRef=02New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/AFET-AD-603109_EN.html |
| events/0/type |
Old
Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single readingNew
Committee referral announced in Parliament |
| events/2/type |
Old
Vote in committee, 1st reading/single readingNew
Vote in committee |
| events/3 |
|
| events/3 |
|
| events/4/docs |
|
| events/6 |
|
| events/6 |
|
| procedure/Modified legal basis |
Rules of Procedure EP 159
|
| procedure/Other legal basis |
Rules of Procedure EP 159
|
2020-01-19Show (3) Changes | Timetravel
| docs/3/body |
EC
|
| events/3/docs/0/url |
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A8-2017-0283&language=ENNew
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-8-2017-0283_EN.html |
| events/6/docs/0/url |
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2017-0365New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-8-2017-0365_EN.html |
2019-09-04Show (4) Changes | Timetravel
| committees/0 |
|
| committees/0 |
|
| committees/1 |
|
| committees/1 |
|
2019-07-06Show (15) Changes | Timetravel
| activities |
|
| commission |
|
| committees/0 |
|
| committees/0 |
|
| committees/1 |
|
| committees/1 |
|
| docs |
|
| events |
|
| links |
|
| other |
|
| procedure/Modified legal basis |
Old
Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 150New
Rules of Procedure EP 159 |
| procedure/dossier_of_the_committee |
Old
DEVE/8/08784New
|
| procedure/legal_basis/0 |
Rules of Procedure EP 54
|
| procedure/legal_basis/0 |
Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 052
|
| procedure/subject |
Old
New
|
2017-10-05Show (3) Changes | Timetravel
| activities/5/docs |
|
| activities/5/type |
Old
Vote scheduledNew
Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading |
| procedure/stage_reached |
Old
Awaiting Parliament 1st reading / single reading / budget 1st stageNew
Procedure completed |
2017-10-04Show (3) Changes | Timetravel
| activities/4/docs |
|
| activities/4/type |
Old
Debate in plenary scheduledNew
Debate in Parliament |
| activities/5/type |
Old
Vote in plenary scheduledNew
Vote scheduled |
2017-09-29Show (1) Changes | Timetravel
| activities/3/docs/0/text |
|
2017-09-22Show (1) Changes | Timetravel
| procedure/subject/0 |
6.10.08 Fundamental freedoms, human rights, democracy in general
|
2017-09-21Show (1) Changes | Timetravel
| activities/3/docs |
|
2017-09-16Show (2) Changes | Timetravel
| activities/4 |
|
| activities/5/type |
Old
Indicative plenary sitting date, 1st reading/single readingNew
Vote in plenary scheduled |
2017-09-07Show (2) Changes | Timetravel
| activities/3 |
|
| procedure/stage_reached |
Old
Awaiting committee decisionNew
Awaiting Parliament 1st reading / single reading / budget 1st stage |
2017-09-03Show (1) Changes | Timetravel
| other/0 |
|
2017-09-01Show (2) Changes | Timetravel
| activities/2 |
|
| procedure/Modified legal basis |
Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 150
|
2017-04-30Show (4) Changes | Timetravel
| activities/0/committees/1/shadows/3/mepref |
Old
53b2d707b819f205b0000007New
53b2df71b819f205b0000115 |
| activities/0/committees/1/shadows/3/name |
Old
ALBIOL GUZMÁN MarinaNew
SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY Lola |
| committees/1/shadows/3/mepref |
Old
53b2d707b819f205b0000007New
53b2df71b819f205b0000115 |
| committees/1/shadows/3/name |
Old
ALBIOL GUZMÁN MarinaNew
SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY Lola |
2017-04-28Show (4) Changes | Timetravel
| activities/0/committees/0/date |
2017-01-26T00:00:00
|
| activities/0/committees/0/rapporteur |
|
| committees/0/date |
2017-01-26T00:00:00
|
| committees/0/rapporteur |
|
2017-04-07Show (1) Changes | Timetravel
| activities/2/date |
Old
2017-09-11T00:00:00New
2017-10-03T00:00:00 |
2017-03-09Show (1) Changes | Timetravel
| activities/2 |
|
2017-02-23Show (1) Changes | Timetravel
| activities/1 |
|
2017-02-16Show (2) Changes | Timetravel
| activities/0/committees/1/shadows |
|
| committees/1/shadows |
|
2017-02-08Show (4) Changes | Timetravel
| activities/0/committees/0 |
|
| activities/0/committees/1/committee_full |
Old
DevelopmentNew
Development (Associated committee) |
| committees/0 |
|
| committees/1/committee_full |
Old
DevelopmentNew
Development (Associated committee) |
2017-01-27Show (3) Changes | Timetravel
| activities/0 |
|
| procedure/dossier_of_the_committee |
DEVE/8/08784
|
| procedure/stage_reached |
Old
Preparatory phase in ParliamentNew
Awaiting committee decision |
2017-01-24Show (5) Changes
| activities |
|
| committees |
|
| links |
|
| other |
|
| procedure |
|