Activities of Dietmar KÖSTER related to 2022/2200(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
2022 Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina (debate)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the 2022 Commission Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina
Amendments (41)
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 23 a (new)
Citation 23 a (new)
— having regard to the Dayton Peace Agreement that establishes the mandate of the OSCE Mission in BiH,
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas enlargement is the EU’s most effective foreign policy instrument and represents a geostrategic investment in lasting peace, democracy, prosperity, stability and security;
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas the democratic transformation and rule of law are at the core of the EU accession process;
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas genuine reconciliation in BiH is needed, based on its multicultural characterdiverse society and equal rights for all;
Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Encourages all authorities to seize the momentum to meaningfully advance on the 14 key priorities respecting accountability of institutions and quality and transparency of the processes, and avoid slipping back into obstructive policies; underscores that BiH’s path towards EU accession needs to be anchored in functioning democratic institutions, rule of law, the fight against corruption and organised crime, respect for fundamental rights and non-discrimination for all citizens and constituent peoples as enshrined in the cos enshrined in the constitution; calls on all political actors in BiH to end and refrain from the blockages of the democratic processes and work of institutions;
Amendment 99 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Reaffirms its support for the mandates of the Office of the High Representative and EUFOR Operation Althea in overseeing the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement in order to grant peace and stability; welcomes the operations' support of the Armed forces of BiH through training activities; underlines the operation’s important work to clear mine areas; welcomes in this context the monitoring and controlling of the destruction of surplus ammunition and weapons;
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Welcomes the numerous activities of OSCE in BiH, inter alia their engagment in arms control, the security sector reform, in war crime investigations and in the fight against human trafficking; highlights their activities on gender equality, on programs to support good governance and on the media reform; welcomes their support for civil society and human rights initiatives and conflict prevention;
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Recognizes BiH´s continued dialogue with the OSCE Mission on its goal to promote stability and reconciliation, advance understanding of and respect for human rights and in confidence and security building;
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes BiH’s increased alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy (CFSP), and urges for the effective implementation of targeted sanctions stemming from CFSP alignment;
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Denounces the recurring inflammatory rhetoric and secessionist policies by the leadership of the Republika Srpska (RS) entity, including the unconstitutional celebration of the so- called RS Day; underlines that such actions destabilise BiH, putting peace at risk, undermine the Dayton Peace Agreement, contradict BiH’s EU perspective and endanger access to EU funding; condemns the refusal to implement judgements of the Constitutional Court of BiH; condemns genocide denial and denial of war crimes;
Amendment 137 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Reiterates its call for targeted sanctions against destabilising actors in BiH, including those threatening BiH's sovereignty and territorial integrity, notably Milorad Dodik, as well as other high-ranking officials of Republika Srpska and third-country officials providing political and material support for secessionist policies;
Amendment 157 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Stresses that the rule of law, good governance, pluralism and fundamental rights need to be mainstreamed in IPA III funding, which must be based on strict conditionality; recalls that EU funding for projects in the RS entity shouldmust remain frozen until the reversal of democratic backsliding by the RS entity and until full alignment with the CFSP;
Amendment 173 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes the fact that the general elections held in October 2022 were generally well organised and competitive; notes however that they took place against a backdrop of stagnant reforms, divisive rhetoric and political obstruction; takes note of the changes introduced by the High Representative to the election law and constitution of the Federation of BiH, aimed at addressing a number of functionality issue, reported political and financial obstruction, non-transparent financing of election campaigns, trading of polling stations between political parties, numerous irregularities reported by observers and political pressure on the Central Election Commission; expresses its concerns about the large number of invalid ballots; condemns the changes introduced by the High Representative to the election law and constitution of the Federation of BiH, aimed at addressing a number of functionality issues; supports the criticism regarding the transparency, timing and lack of consultations in the processes; underlines that the timing of the changes was not appropriate and undermined the election process;
Amendment 185 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Regrets the failure of political actors to bring the constitution and the electoral framework in line with the European Convention on Human Rights; calls on all decision makers to reach an agreement in line with the verdicts of international and domestic courts, as well as the political agreement of 12 June 2022; supports limited, transparent and inclusive reforms based on comprehensive consultations and public dialogue that wshould include civil society actors to enable a sustainable transformation of the Dayton Peace Agreement;
Amendment 205 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Expresses its concern about the lack of progress on preventing widespread corruption and the increasing signs of state capture, political interference and obstruction; urges BiH to adopt conflict of interest laws and to strengthen protection for whistleblowers by ensuring the implementation of existing laws and by ensuring independence of institutions responsible for the implementation;
Amendment 212 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Urges the BiH authorities to prosecute high-profile corruption cases in a timely manner;
Amendment 216 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Calls for increased resources for anti-corruption structuresategies and structures and the adoption of integrity plans for the latter; points to the added value of effective cooperation among law enforcement agencies and with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office;
Amendment 236 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Notes the ongoing reduction in the backlog of war crimes cases, but regrets that the pace remains slow and that the strategic goal to solve all cases related to war crimes will not be met due to the high backlog; reiterates the necessity to prosecute and accelerate criminal proceedings, as 28 years have passed and reconciliation cannot be achieved without adequate judgements;
Amendment 251 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Welcomes BiH’s active participation in regional cooperation; welcomes the recent agreements in the context of the Berlin Process and calls for the swift ratification;
Amendment 253 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Emphasises the vital role of independent media; condemns attacks on and threats and intimidation against journalists, including by politicians and, public figures; insists on appropriate judicial follow-up and the protection of journalis and private companies; calls to ensure the transparency of media ownership and financial sustainability of the public broadcasting system; condems Republika Srpska’s adoption of amendments to the criminal code that recriminalise defamation, as the proposals encourage censorship and block criticism of the regime and other powerful figures; calls on the Republika Srpska’s authorities to withdraw the amendments;
Amendment 261 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26 a. Denounces the recurring anti- LGBTI+ hate speech and incitement to violence from certain politicians, in particular in Republika Srpska, which led to violence against LGBTI+ people in Banja Luka on 18 March 2023, with insufficient police action to prevent it;
Amendment 264 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)
Paragraph 26 b (new)
26 b. Welcomes the establishment of a focal point in charge of overseeing anti- LGBTI+ hate crimes in all ten Cantonal Prosecutor’s Offices; calls for all entities to amend their criminal codes so that hate crime and hate speech provisions cover the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics, and to work with LGBTI+ civil society to improve implementation of these laws;
Amendment 267 #
27. DeploreCondemns discrimination, segregation, violence and hate speech against minorities, and urges effective prosecution of such cases; calls on BiH to safeguard and promote the countrywide rights of all minoritiespeople on the move; urges for the implementation of effective pathways to legal remedies and prosecution; calls on BiH to safeguard and promote the countrywide rights of all minorities and people on the move in order to ensure their protection and their fundamental freedoms; calls on the BiH authorities to collect data on hate crimes categorized by motivation;
Amendment 276 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27 a. Calls on the Federation, Republika Srpska and Brcko District to draft a law on ensuring legal gender recognition based on self-determination, in accordance with ECtHR practice and the WHO’s revision of ICD-11, which came into force in January 2022, and which depathologises trans identities in all areas of life;
Amendment 277 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27 a. Notes local authorities’ efforts in the promotion of LGBTI+ friendly environment; calls for practical steps to be taken to promote the inclusion of and to prevent violence against LGBTI+ community;
Amendment 284 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27 b. Welcomes the progress on the elaboration of a law at Federal level that would give same-sex couples access to partnership rights; encourages the government to draft this law without delay; calls on Republika Srpska and Brcko District to also initiate processes for the drafting of legislative solutions for the recognition of same-sex partnerships, in order to provide same-sex couples with equal treatment on this issue countrywide;
Amendment 291 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27 b. Calls for harmonization and implementation of legislation in line with the Istanbul Convention;
Amendment 292 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 c (new)
Paragraph 27 c (new)
27 c. Welcomes the adoption of the new National LGBTI Action Plan 2021-2024; calls for its full and timely implementation;
Amendment 295 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 d (new)
Paragraph 27 d (new)
27 d. Calls to step up the protection of the rights of the Roma minority; condemns their ongoing segregation and the discriminatory and racist practices against them; highlights the disproportionate poverty of Roma people; is particularly concerned about the discrimination of Roma children and students in the educational system;
Amendment 296 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 e (new)
Paragraph 27 e (new)
27 e. Expresses concerns about the stagnation of the harmonisation of BiH entities' criminal legislation regarding the Istanbul Convention;
Amendment 297 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 f (new)
Paragraph 27 f (new)
27 f. Calls on BiH authorities to ensure gender equality in all aspects of public and private life; regrets that BiH does not collect data on femicide; calls for the establishment crisis centres for the victims of sexual violence;
Amendment 298 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Regrets that rulings of the European Court of Human Rights have still not been implemented(Sejdić-Finci judgment and Zornić judgement) have still not been implemented and that discriminatory provisions from BiH Constitution prevents all citizens from having equal political rights;
Amendment 317 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Recognises the key role of civil society in reform processes; calls on the authorities to foster a conducive environment for their work; supports the format of the citizen council in BiH and welcomes its policy recommendations from 27 February 2022; calls for the protection and promotion of the freedom of assembly and of expression to be enhanced;
Amendment 319 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30 a. Condemns attacks on and threats and intimidations against civil society activists, including those by politicians; insists on appropriate judicial follow-up and protection of civil society activists, condemns intentions of RS authorities to introduce restrictive laws that would label CSOs receiving international funding as foreign agents;
Amendment 325 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 b (new)
Paragraph 30 b (new)
30 b. Calls on politicians, public figures, authorities and private companies to refrain from utilizing SLAPPs (Strategic lawsuits against public participation) as a form of intimidation against human rights defenders and journalists;
Amendment 328 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 c (new)
Paragraph 30 c (new)
30 c. Recognizes that laws on freedom of assembly are fragmented and restrictive; urges the authorities to amend the laws according to EU standards, and refrain from interfering with exercising the freedom of assembly;
Amendment 338 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Reiterates the need for solidarity- based migration and asylum managementapproach and a fair distribution of reception capacities; welcomesurges for the effective compliance of international law, also in detention centres; emphasises the importance to upheld the principle of non-refoulement and the prohibition of inhuman treatment in all circumstances and for all returns to the migrants’ country of origin or country of transit; calls for the effective inclusion of civil society actors in the reception response, even if the authorities take over the response, to ensure monitoring; takes note of the opening of negotiations on BiH’s upgraded status agreement with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency; regrets persisting shortcomings in migration and border management, including allegations of pushbacks; calls on BiH to fully align with the EU’s visa policy; underscores the importance of maintaining sufficient reception capacity; calls on BiH, together with the support of the EU, ensure the set-up of a crisis response capacity in case the number of migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers within the country increases again; calls on BiH to improve living conditions and safety inside Temporary Reception Centres; calls on BiH to improve the speed, length and quality of the asylum procedures;
Amendment 347 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Urges BiH to prioritise measures aimed at addressing poverty and inequality, social protection, improving competitiveness and the business environment, boosting economic diversification and tax harmonisation, promoting the digital and green transitions, addressing the informal economy and tackling unemployment; highlights persistent poverty of inhabitants of rural areas and vulnerable groups like Roma people, children and elderly people;
Amendment 381 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37 a. Urges BiH to establish a strict application of laws and measures for environmental protection, which would prevent and reduce the impact on the environment of mining research and mine operation; insists in the need to protect the BiH rivers; urges BiH to initiate effective air quality protection programs in BiH cities;
Amendment 383 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 b (new)
Paragraph 37 b (new)
37 b. Encourages entity governments of BiH to increase transparency through public participation and consultation with local communities, scientific experts and civil society when planning projects;
Amendment 385 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 c (new)
Paragraph 37 c (new)
37 c. Urges BiH to maintain the integrity of existing national parks and other protected areas;