13 Amendments of Josef WEIDENHOLZER related to 2018/0207(COD)
Amendment 70 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) Those rights and values must continue to be promoted andactively cultivated and promoted by the Union and each Member State in all their policies, both internally and externally, in a consistent way as well as enforced and shared among the citizens and peoples and be at the heart of the EU project. Therefore, a new Justice, Rights and Values Fund, comprising the Rights and Values and the Justice programmes shall be created in the EU budget. At a time where European societies are confronted with extremism, radicalism and divisionsa growing menace of right-wing violent extremism, radicalism, divisions and a rise in neo-fascist violence, it is more important than ever to promote, strengthen and defend justice, rights and EU values: human rights, respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law. This will have profound and direct implications for political, social, cultural and economic life in the EU. As part of the new Fund, the Justice Programme will continue to support the further development of Union area of justice and cross-border cooperation. The Rights and Values Programme will bring together the 2014-2020 Programme Rights, Equality and Citizenship established by Regulation (EU) No 1381/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council8 and the Europe for Citizens programme established by Council Regulation (EU) No 390/20149, (hereafter ‘the predecessor Programmes’). __________________ 8 Regulation (EU) No 1381/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 establishing a Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme for the period 2014 to 2020 (OJ L 354, 28.12.2013, p. 62) 9 Council Regulation (EU) No 390/2014 of 14 April 2014 establishing the ‘Europe for Citizens’ programme for the period 2014- 2020 (OJ L 115, 17.4.2014, p.3)
Amendment 77 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) The Justice, Rights and Values Fund and its two underlying funding programmes will focus primarily on people and entities, which contribute to make our common values, rights and rich diversity alive and vibrant. The ultimate objective is to nurture and sustain rights-based, equal, inclusive and democratic society. That includes a vibrant civil society, encouraging people’s democratic, civic and social participation and fostering the rich diversity of European society, based on our common history and, memory and heritage. Article 11 of the Treaty of the European Union further specifies that the institutions shall, by appropriate means, maintain an open, transparent and regular dialogue with representative associations and civil society and give citizens and representative associations the opportunity to make known and publicly exchange their views in all areas of Union action.
Amendment 89 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) In order to bring the European Union closer to its citizens, a variety of actions and coordinated efforts are necessary. Bringing together citizens in town-twinning projects or networks of towns and supporting civil society organisations at the local, regional, national and transnational level in the areas covered by the programme will contribute to increase citizens’ awareness and active engagement in society and ultimately their involvement in the democratic life of the Union. At the same time supporting activities promoting mutual understanding, diversity, dialogue, including inter-cultural dialogue, and respect for others fosters a sense of belonging and a European identity, based on a shared understanding of European values, culture, history and heritage. The promotion of a greater sense of belonging to the Union and of Union values is particularly important amongst citizens of the EU outermost regions due to their remoteness and distance from continental Europe.
Amendment 98 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) Equality between women and men is a fundamental value and an objective of the European Union. Discrimination against and unequal treatment of women violates their fundamental rights and prevents their full political, social and economic participation in society. In addition, the existence of structural and cultural barriers hinders the achievement of real gender equality. Promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment and their active participation in all activities of the Union is therefore a core activity for the Union and a driver for a democratic, social and economic growth and should be supported by the programme.
Amendment 109 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) Non-discrimination is a fundamental principle of the Union. Article 19 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union provides for action to combat discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. Non- discrimination is also enshrined in Article 21 of the Charter. The specific features of the diverse forms of discrimination should be taken into account and appropriate actions should be developed in parallel to prevent and combat discrimination on one or more grounds. The Programme should support actions to prevent and combat discrimination, racism, xenophobia, afrophobia, anti- semitism, anti-muslim hatred and other forms of intolerance both on-line and off-line. In that context, particular attention should also be devoted to preventing and combating all forms of violence, hatred, segregation and stigmatisation, as well as combating bullying, harassment and intolerant treatment. The Programme should be implemented in a mutually reinforcing manner with other Union activities that have the same objectives, in particular with those referred to in the Commission Communication of 5 April 2011 entitled ‘An EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies up to 202010’ and in the Council Recommendation of 09 December 2013 on effective Roma integration measures in the Member States11. __________________ 10 11COM(2011)173. COM(2011)173. 11 OJ C 378, 24.12.2013, p. 1. OJ C 378, 24.12.2013, p. 1.
Amendment 112 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) Attitudinal and environmental barriers as well as lack of accessibility hinder the full and effective participation of people with disabilities in society, on an equal basis with others. People with disabilities, including those with long- term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments, are faced with barriers to, among other things, access the labour market, benefit from an inclusive and quality education, avoid poverty and social exclusion, enjoy access to cultural initiatives and media, or use their political rights. As a party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (the UNCRPD), the Union and all its Member States have committed to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities. The provisions of the UNCRPD have become an integral part of the Union legal order.
Amendment 116 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) Independent human rights bodies and civil society organisations play an essential role in promoting, safeguarding and raising awareness of the Union’s common values under Article 2 TEU, and in contributing to the effective enjoyment of rights under Union law, including the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. As reflected in the European Parliament Resolution of 18 April 2018, adequate financial support is key to the development of a conducive and sustainable environment for civil society organisations to strengthen their role and perform their functions independently and effectively. Complementing efforts at national level, EU funding should therefore contribute to support, empower and build the capacity of independent civil society organisations active in the promotion of human rights whose activities help the strategic enforcement of rights under EU law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, including through advocacy and watchdog activities, as well as to promote, safeguard and raise awareness of the Union’s common values at local, regional, national and transnational level.
Amendment 131 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1
1. The general objective of the Programme is to protect and promote rights and values as enshrined in the EU Treaties, including by supporting civil society organisations, especially at grassroot level, in order to sustain open, democratic and inclusive societies.
Amendment 140 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) preventing and combating inequalities and discrimination on grounds of sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, or any other grounds and supporting comprehensive policies to promote gender equality and anti- discrimination and their mainstreaming as well policies to combat racism and all forms of intolerance both online and offline;
Amendment 164 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. At least 50% of the resources referred to in point (a) of paragraph 2 of this Article for the specific objectives referred to in point (a) and (c) of Article 2(2) shall be allocated to activities aimed at supporting the work of civil society organisations.
Amendment 176 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point a
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) raising awareness raisingof Union values among citizens, notably young people, dissemination of information to improve the knowledge of the policies and rights in the areas covered by the Programme;
Amendment 178 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point b
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) mutual learning through exchange of good practices among stakeholders to improve knowledge and, mutual understanding and intercultural dialogue and civic and democratic engagement;
Amendment 183 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point k
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point k
(k) enhancing knowledge of the programme and dissemination and transferability of its results and fostering citizen outreach, including by setting up and supporting new or existing programme desks/national contact network.