30 Amendments of Ignazio CORRAO related to 2017/2056(INI)
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8
Citation 8
– having regard to the notificationlaunch of infringement proceedings on 25 OctoDecember 2017 by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe of the launch of infringement proceedings due to the Azerbaijani authorities’ continued refusal to implement the Ilgar Mammadov v. Azerbaijan judgment from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR),
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a
Paragraph 1 – point a
(a) to ensure that the deepening of relations between the EU and Azerbaijan is undertaken on the basis of mutually agreed ambitions and theconditional on upholding of the core values and principles of democracy, the rule of law, good governance, respect for and good governance, as well as on providing solid legal guarantees in the areas of the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, in the interest of both parties and especially their citizens;
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) to remind the Azerbaijani authorities about the European Parliament’s position as expressed in its resolution of 15 November 2017 on the Eastern Partnership, which unambiguously states that no comprehensive agreement will be ratified with a country that does not respect EU values, in particular with regard to the non-implementation of decisions by the European Court of Human Rights and the politically motivated harassment, intimidation and persecution of human rights defenders, NGOs and, journalists, opposition members, religious leaders and lawyers; to ensure that significant steps are taken as regards the release of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Azerbaijan before any new EU-Azerbaijan agreement; to ensure a dedicated suspension mechanism related toinclude clearly defined provisions on a suspension mechanism of the agreement in case of continued human rights and fundamental freedoms is included in the new agreementviolations;
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c
Paragraph 1 – point c
(c) to remind the Azerbaijani authorities about the European Parliament position expressed in the same resolution according to which the ratification of new agreements between the EU and each of the parties to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict must be made conditional on meaningful commitments to and substantial progress towards solving the conflict, such as maintaining the ceasefire and supporting the implementation of the OSCE 2009 Basic Principles and the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co- Chairs, as well as to empower and include the civil society of both Armenia and Azerbaijan in any negotiation process;
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d
Paragraph 1 – point d
(d) to ensure that the future agreement with Azerbaijan is ambitious, comprehensive and forward-looking, based on shared values and shared interest for a strong, reliable, sustainable and equal-to- equal partnership, delivering tangible and concrete benefits not only for large companies but also for SMEs and for the citizens of the EU and of Azerbaijan;
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e
Paragraph 1 – point e
(e) to ensure, in so far as the above conditions are fulfilled, speedy and steady progress in the negotiations with the objective of signing this new agreement before the next Eastern Partnership Summit in 2019, only in so far as the above conditions are fulfilled;
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f
Paragraph 1 – point f
(f) to actively communicate about the aims of the new agreement to improve public awareness, both in Azerbaijan and in the EU, about the expected opportunities and benefits that would arise from its conclusion, thereby countering all disinformation campaigns;
Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g
Paragraph 1 – point g
(g) to provide for regular and in-depth dialogue, notably on political and democratic reforms aimed at bolsteringestablishing more independent institutions, such as the judiciary in order to make them more democratic and independent, on upholding of human rights, and on fostering, on protecting human rights, media freedom and on creating such an environment in which a strong civil society cand operate without any undue interference, as well as ensuring its involvement in the reform process and in the dialogue with the EU;
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h
Paragraph 1 – point h
(h) to establish specific measures aimed at implementingnsure that the recommendations by the OSCE/ODHIR and the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission with a view to ensuring progress towardsare implemented, with a view to establish new legislation guaranteeing the organization of elections and referenda that allow for a free and fair expression of Azerbaijani citizens’ views and aspirations; to put strong emphasis on the effectiveness and impartiality of the election administration, the conduct of the campaign and the respect for fundamental freedoms, media coverage of the elections and the administration of election day procedures, including the vote count and tabulation of results, as called for by the OSCE; to further monitor the organization of future elections until these requirements are met;
Amendment 93 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i
Paragraph 1 – point i
(i) to aim for provisions that enhance cooperation in promoting peace and international justice and in particular for Azerbaijan to sign and ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC); to calsl upon Azerbaijan to respect its obligations as a member of the Council of Europe and abide by the decisions of the ECtHR; to seek stronger cooperation measures in countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction as well as tackling illicit trade in small arms and light weapons;
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k
Paragraph 1 – point k
(k) to ensure that high priority is given to dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia and to an enhanced EU participation in peacefully solving the Nagorno Karabakh conflict in line with the OSCE 2009 Basic Principles and notably with the support of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, promoting all initiatives conducive to peace-building such as high- level talks, genuine confidence-building measures and deeper exchanges between Armenian and Azerbaijani civil society;
Amendment 144 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m
Paragraph 1 – point m
(m) to provide support for reform of the judiciary aimed at ensuring its independence from the executive and at strengthening the rule of law, as well as developing a strong framework for the protection of human rights, fundamental freedoms and gender equality;
Amendment 148 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m
Paragraph 1 – point m
(m) to provide support for reform of the judiciary aimed at ensuring its independence from the executive and at strengthening the rule of law, as well as developing a strong framework for the protection of human rights and gender equality; to make sure that strong legislation is in place for preventing and sanctioning politically exposed persons´ involvement in corruption, traffic of influence, money laundering, abuse of office and other related offences, particularly within the framework of the recent joint journalistic investigations revealing the involvement of a number of Azeri officials in such activities;
Amendment 151 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point m b (new)
(mb) to ensure the independence of legal professionals by removing any undue interference in the work of lawyers, repealing the October 2017 amendments banning lawyers without Bar membership from representing clients in all courts, addressing the lack of independence of the Azerbaijani Bar and its arbitrary powers to deny admissions of new members and initiate bogus disciplinary proceedings against critical lawyers, as demonstrated by the recent cases of lawyers being disbarred or otherwise disciplined in recent years in retaliation for their legitimate work defending the government critics;
Amendment 158 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n
Paragraph 1 – point n
(n) to put in place specific provisions to support Azerbaijan in fighting corruption, money laundering and tax evasionall forms of corruption, including the so-called “caviar diplomacy”, money laundering and tax evasion; to promote the transparency of the decision-making and over the resources ‘distribution, by fully involving the civil society in the process and enhancing women’s participation in politics;
Amendment 164 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n d (new)
Paragraph 1 – point n d (new)
Amendment 179 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point p
Paragraph 1 – point p
(p) to include conditional provisions related to the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms aimed at ending political prosecutions, and abductions, arbitrary travel bans, the targeting of political dissidents, independent journalists, human rights defenders, NGO representatives and members of some minority groups includingand community, such as the religious and the LGBTQ ones community; to set up a reinforced forum for a human rights dialogue between the EU and Azerbaijan to encourage and support in particular the implementation of comprehensive reforms of the judiciary, all in line with EU standards;
Amendment 182 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point p a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point p a (new)
(pa) to create concrete benchmarks ahead of a human rights dialogue between the EU and Azerbaijan and to evaluate such dialogue on the annual basis, based on deliverables; to encourage and support in particular the implementation of comprehensive reforms of the judiciary, all in line with EU standards;
Amendment 188 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point q
Paragraph 1 – point q
(q) to ensure a review of legislation and a halting of measures that seek to curtail civil society’s legitimate activities notably as regards their registration requirements, foreign funding and grants registration,measures aimed at ensuring civil society’s legitimate activities, by removing undue restrictions to their registration requirements, the operations and their access to foreign funding and grants registration, in accordance with the recommendations of the Venice Commission and other regional and international human rights institutions, and to put an end to undue criminal investigations, raids of their offices, freezing of their accounts, travel bans and persecution of theirnumerous NGOs leaders;
Amendment 192 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point q a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point q a (new)
(qa) to ensure an immediate review of legislation decriminalising online defamation, in particular that of the president, especially as the penalty for this offence has recently been increased to up to 5 years of imprisonment; to urge Azerbaijan to move away from such dictatorial practices and align to EU standards;
Amendment 200 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point r
Paragraph 1 – point r
(r) to ensure, before the conclusion of the negotiations, that Azerbaijan takes signpecificant steps as regards the release of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience which, in 2017, exceeded 1540 persons, including, among the most emblematic cases, Ilgar Mammadov, Afgan Mukhtarli, Mehman Huseynov, Ilkin Rustamzada, Seymur Hazi, Rashad Ramazanov, Elchin Ismayilli, Giyas Ibrahimov, Beyram Mammadov, Asif Yusifli, Fuad Gahramanli and Aziz Orujov, theo lifting of their travel bans once released, including those of journalist Khadija Ismayilova and, lawyer Intigam Aliyev and opposition party member Faig Amirli; to secure the release and improvement of the situation of these individuals via the judiciary and the application of the rule of law;
Amendment 204 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point r a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point r a (new)
(ra) to ensure, before the conclusion of the negotiations, that Azerbaijan fully complies with the judgement of the European Court of Human Rights on Ilgar Mammadov’s case and ensure his prompt and unconditional release; and the full implementation of all other judgements of the Court by paying the fines, but also undertaking all necessary general measures, including in the cases where the Court found violations of freedom of association;
Amendment 206 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point r c (new)
Paragraph 1 – point r c (new)
(rc) to urge Azerbaijan to immediately address the unprecedented infringement proceedings launched by the Council of Europe in 2017 and ensure the unconditional release of opposition politician Ilgar Mammadov, thus complying with a judgment from the European Court of Human Rights from 2014;
Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point r e (new)
Paragraph 1 – point r e (new)
(re) to ensure that Azerbaijan reinstates opposition supporters or their relatives who might have lost their jobs due to their or their family members’ political activism and end alleged retaliatory harassment and arbitrary prosecution of activists’ family members;
Amendment 213 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point r f (new)
Paragraph 1 – point r f (new)
(rf) to ensure that Azerbaijan respects the right to freedom of peaceful assembly; refrains from restricting this right in ways that are not compatible with its obligations under international law, including the European Convention on Human Rights; and promptly and effectively investigates all cases of excessive use of force, arbitrary arrest and detention of peaceful protesters, including in connection with the sanctioned opposition rallies in September 2017 and March 2018, and bring the perpetrators to justice;
Amendment 221 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point s
Paragraph 1 – point s
(s) to seek, before the conclusion of the negotiations, that Azerbaijan commits to investigations into all cases of mistreatment of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, notably in the case of the late Mehman Galandarov, who died in custody; as well as to investigate alleged torture and ill-treatment of Taleh Bagirzade, Giyas Ibrahimov, Beyram Mammadov, Mehman Huseynov; to investigate torture and ill-treatment allegations of the LGBTQ community members, who were arrested and harassed en masse (of around 150 people) in September 2017;
Amendment 229 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point t
Paragraph 1 – point t
(t) to underline the importance ofensure that a free and independent media, both off and on-line, exists and operates in the country without undue interference, to unblock access to the websites of Azadliq, and of three news outlets that have to operate from abroad: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)Azerbaijan Service, Meydan TV, and Azerbaycan Saati; and to ensure a strengthened EU support for free and pluralistic media in Azerbaijan, with editorial independence and in line with EU standards, andlso pointing out that a reinforced attention to press and media freedom could take the form of a regional initiative encompassing all the Eastern Partnership countries;
Amendment 245 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point w
Paragraph 1 – point w
(w) to allow for increased cooperation in the energy sector in line with the EU’s and Azerbaijan’s strategic energy partnership, while taking into account that in March 2017, the EITI (The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative) suspended Azerbaijan’s membership for failing to comply with the group’s civil society requirements; to push for Azerbaijan to realign to these requirements;
Amendment 251 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point y
Paragraph 1 – point y
(y) to put in place ambitious provisions on environmental protection and climate change reduction, in line with the Union´s climate change agenda, as part of the new agreement, including through a mainstreaming of these policies as part of other sector policies;
Amendment 258 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a a
Paragraph 1 – point a a
(aa) to enhance cooperation with regard to youth and student exchanges and the development of new scholarship programmes and training courses, as well as a facilitated participation in the ERASMUS+ program which will ensure the development of skills and enable Azerbaijani people to become acquainted with the EU and vice-versa, thus allowing for greater integration of societies;