218 Amendments of Karol KARSKI
Amendment 12 #
2023/2122(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Is alarmed by the fact that some governments, whose aim is to shrink civil society space and silence dissenting voices, have adopted legislation based, inter alia, on security, counter-terrorism and the fight against foreign interference, that imposes discriminatory obligations on human rights NGOs, stigmatises, restricts or bans their activities, including by closing these NGOs, freezing their assets, deterring their donors from contributing funds or depriving them from access to funding;
Amendment 39 #
2023/2122(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses that the funding by non-EU countries of EU-based legal entities, including human rights NGOs, while also carrying out lobbying or advocacy activities within the EU and aiming to influence EU foreign policymaking, raises questions as to their objectives; denounces the use of organisations sponsored by non- EU country governments (government- organised NGOs (GONGOs)) to spread disinformation and false narratives related, in particular, to human rights issues; highlights that, in the context of recent corruption allegations against some Members of the European Parliament, an NGO, whose stated purpose was to carry out advocacy activities on human rights, is suspected to have been used as a vector of foreign interference; considers that there is a public interest in knowing the financial sources, including non-EU funding, of the stakeholders active in the fields of lobbying or advocacy; calls for a thorough overhaul of the processes leading to monitor the activities of NGOs aiming to influence EU foreign policymaking and detect corruption schemes, especially the activities of GONGOs;
Amendment 51 #
2023/2122(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Recognises, however, that the EU institutions, including Parliament, should have been more diligent in ensuring greater transparency, integrity and accountability regarding their framework for interaction with entities listed in the EU Transparency Register; also acknowledges that further resources are needed to strengthen the transparency and accountability of the lobbying or advocacy activities of legal persons or entities, including human rights NGOs; recognizes the threat posed by NGOs carrying out illegal activities, inter alia, the organizations operating in the Mediterranean Sea, which are profiting from human trafficking and increasing the security challenges for all EU Member States;
Amendment 7 #
2023/2108(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas corporations are major players in economic globalisation, financial services and international trade, and are required to comply with all applicable laws and international treaties and to respect human rights; whereas business enterprises may cause, contribute or be directly linked to adverse impacts on human rights and the environment; whereas corporations may also have an important role to play in promoting human rights, environmental standards and corporate responsibility;
Amendment 15 #
2023/2108(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
D a. whereas during the 8th session of the OEIGWG in 2022, several states argued that an alternative instrument in the form of a "Framework Convention Agreement", as opposed to a "Treaty", may be more of a workable format that would help in reaching agreement on essential minimum standards while allowing for greater flexibility in terms of national implementation;
Amendment 39 #
2023/2108(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines the importance of closing the legal and regulatory loopholes which are being exploited by transnational corporations and investors at the cost of human rights and the environment;
Amendment 59 #
2023/2108(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes the Council’s commitment that the EU will strengthen its engagement and actively participate in the OEIGWG; considers, however, that the only meaningful and tangible way to enact this stated commitment is by adopting an EU mandate for negotiations; urges, therefore, the Commission to recommend that the Council adopt an ambitious mandate for negotiations as soon as possible so that the EU is able to actively participate in the negotiations for the aspects that fall under its competence with a view to shaping the future LBI, which is already at an advanced stage, while other elements of the LBI remain within the competence of the EU Member States;
Amendment 77 #
2023/2108(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. RegretEndorses the fact that several references to the environment and climate change were removed from the scope of the LBI in the latest draft; considers that the EU and the Member States should strive for the environmental and climate impact of business activities to be included within the scope of the LBI;
Amendment 5 #
2023/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)
Citation 8 a (new)
– having regard to the creation of European Parliament antennae in the EU Delegations to the United Nations in New York, to ASEAN in Jakarta and to the African Union in Addis Ababa, with the specific goal of strengthening the parliamentary dimension and enhancing cooperation with these multilateral organisations,
Amendment 37 #
2023/2105(INI)
E. whereas the European Parliament has Liaison Offices (EPLOs) outside the EU, in New York, Addis Ababa and Jakarta, in addition to London and WashingtonLondon and Washington, and antennae - permanent staff representations to the United Nations in New York, to the African Union in Addis Ababa and to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Jakarta;
Amendment 65 #
2023/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Believes, therefore, that great untapped potential exists for Parliament to further develop and streamline its diplomatic role and contribution to the achievement of EU foreign policy objectives, and to enhance the internal coordination of its relevant tools;
Amendment 131 #
2023/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Calls on the Commission, and the Council and the Member States to genuinely involve Parliament in the implementation and scrutiny of matters of strategic relevance in EU foreign affairs, as well as in the scrutiny of external financing instruments;
Amendment 164 #
2023/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Highlights the specific role of Parliament in helping partner countries and, in particular, enlargement countries to strengthen their role in the EU accession processcommitment in the merit based EU accession process that requires fulfilment of the EU membership criteria;
Amendment 173 #
2023/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Acknowledges in this context the particularly beneficial local and regional impact of establishing European Parliament external offices in states holding candidate status or aspiring to join the EU, such as Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia;
Amendment 182 #
2023/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Highlights the crucial role of the European Parliament's external offices and antennae as diplomatic vehicles to establish genuine EU parliamentary diplomacy; stresses the importance of the parliamentary dimension of EU-United Nations, EU-ASEAN and EU-African Union relations and, in particular, of an enhanced cooperation between the European Parliament and the respective regional parliaments; welcomes the creation of the European Parliament antennae in the EU delegations in New York, Jakarta and Addis Ababa; calls on the EEAS to step up the support given to the EP antennae by the EU delegations;
Amendment 6 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)
Citation 3 a (new)
Amendment 48 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are diseases that are not passed from person to person; whereas non-communicable diseases (NCD’s) cause 90 % of all deaths in the EU4NCDs cause 90 % of all deaths in the EU4 and account for 80 % of the health burden in EU countries4a; whereas, at the same time, NCDs are the main cause of preventable premature deaths; _________________ 4 World Health Organization, ‘Monitoring noncommunicable disease commitments in Europe 2021’, 8 December 2021. 4a https://health.ec.europa.eu/non- communicable-diseases/overview_en
Amendment 57 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas premature deaths as a result of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancers, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases account for 68 % of all premature deaths in people aged 30-69 in Europe; whereas other NCDs include mental and neurological disorders (including depression, dementia and schizophrenia), kidney diseases, oral diseases, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis and endometriosis, among other conditions;
Amendment 117 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Amendment 129 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas most NCDs are impacted by environmental risk factors such as air pollution can influence NCDs, and NCDs and related risk factors affect all populations in all geographical areas, regardless of the level of income;
Amendment 159 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas improved evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention can reduce the prevalence of NCDs by as much as 70 %7, and consequently also the degree and prevalence of disability; _________________ 7 European Commission, ‘Healthier together – EU non-communicable diseases initiative’, p. 15, June 2022.
Amendment 206 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
Amendment 232 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the Healthier together – EU non-communicable diseases (NCD) initiative, Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, EU4Health work programme and the Commission Communication entitled ‘A comprehensive approach to mental health’; calls on the Commission to strengthen the ‘Healthier together – EU NCD’ initiative by introducing a holistic EU strategy, in line with Article 168 TFEU, on NCDs complemented by action plans for specific NCDs; welcomes national plans and actions already taken against NCDs by Member States;
Amendment 460 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Highlights the role of physical activity in NCD prevention and welcomes Commission’s HealthyLifestyle4All initiative15a; calls on the Commission and Member States to promote physical activity and awareness campaigns to prevent NCDs; s a cheap and widely available means of reducing NCD risk factors, and to organise awareness campaigns to prevent NCDs; _________________ 15a https://sport.ec.europa.eu/initiatives/healt hylifestyle4all
Amendment 476 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Considers that the European Green Deal to be instrumentalis playing its role in preventing NCDs in the EU by reducing air, food, water and soil pollution and chemical exposure; highlights that prevention of chronic respiratory diseases besides tobacco cessation also includes the prevention of exposure to dust and other indoor pollutants;
Amendment 489 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy and transport sectors and to ensure a shift towards sustainable food systems, while taking into account the differences between EU Member States;
Amendment 542 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Encourages the Commission and the Member States to work together in order to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals that target communicable diseases in order to promote the prevention of NCDs such as cancer related to infectious diseases; welcomes vaccination programmes in this regard such as in the fight against human papillomavirus transmission;
Amendment 555 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Points out that many people with NCDs (including diabetes in particular) in Europe are undiagnosed and unaware of their illness, and thus fail to get proper, timely treatment;
Amendment 561 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Highlights the importance of identifying people with a high risk of developing NCDs and diagnosing people as early as possible to improve disease management, prevent complications and save downstream costs for healthcare systems; points out, therefore, that people with NCDs are also more likely to suffer from other diseases;
Amendment 586 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Encourages Member States to reduce undiagnosed NCDs by organising screening, introducing targeted health checks for high-risk individuals addressing the main shared metabolic risk factors, ensuring quality care and support NCD patients’ self- management;
Amendment 717 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Supports modern solutions, including digital ones, aimed at patients with NCDs; emphasises that such solutions – such as helplines or mobile applications that are available to patients and their families to help them obtain the necessary information on procedures, what to do when disease is detected, treatment and dates of examinations – are extremely useful tools that simplify the treatment process and make life easier for patients; points out that the existence of such solutions supports patients and helps them find answers to any questions or concerns they may have;
Amendment 10 #
2023/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)
Citation 8 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 14 June 2018 on Georgian occupied territories 10 years after the Russian invasion,
Amendment 13 #
2023/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas a changing geopolitical context stemming from emerging powers confronting traditional players, attacks on the multilateral system, emerging technologies, climate change, food security issues and illegal migration are among the factors contributing to the spread of conflicts around the world; especially considering Russian's illegal war of aggression against Ukraineand the increasing security challenges at a global level and the despicable terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel;
Amendment 26 #
2023/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas the main conflicts comes from state and non-state actors are using hybrid strategies, cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns and direct interference in elections and political processes, economic coercion and the instrumentalisation of irregular migration flows.
Amendment 30 #
2023/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas although the EU is the biggest international aid donor, it has not achieved the same impact in the public- diplomacy sphere and should therefore improve its visibility in the area of preventive diplomacy around the world; whereas the EU has acknowledged that its international cooperation has been financing directly or indirectly projects to criminal or terrorists organizations; whereas the EU needs to urgently conduct a thorough evaluation of the Instrument’s financing international cooperation and immediately suspend the aid to state or non-state actors condemned for violating human rights or not cooperating in the fight against illegal migration;
Amendment 46 #
2023/2050(INI)
F. whereas the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, and against Georgia in August 2008 and the ongoing illegal occupation of Georgia’s indivisible regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia, highlights the need for stronger and more ambitious, credible, strategic and unified EU action on the world stage, and accentuates the necessity of the EU autonomously setting its own strategic objectives and developing and using the capabilities needed to pursue them; whereas the EU should commit all the necessary financial resources to tackle the rapidly increasing geopolitical challenges;
Amendment 49 #
2023/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas security in the Eastern Neighbourhood and the Western Balkans is greatly threatened by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as Russia’s ongoing occupation and de-facto annexation of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia, and the possibility of this aggression spilling over into neighbouring countries; whereas the destabilisation of our immediate neighbourhood threatens the stability, peace and security of the EU; whereas the EU needs to increase effectiveness of the EU’s security and defence policy, in particular in the Eastern Partnership countries;
Amendment 52 #
2023/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
G a. whereas the impunity which followed the 2008 full-scale military invasion of Georgia by RF is one of the factors leading to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, as stated in the European Parliament resolution of 18 January 2023 on the implementation of the common security and defence policy – annual report 2022;
Amendment 54 #
2023/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine is a wake-up call for the EU, as it presents an immediate threat to the European and global security order and to the security of the EU and its Member States; whereas the EU’s number one priority on its overall external policy must be supporting Ukraine to secure its victory; whereas Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has galvanised the momentum towards achieving a geopolitical redefinition of the EU’s foreign policy, including a reconsideration of its preventive diplomacy toolbox;
Amendment 82 #
2023/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a
Paragraph 1 – point a
(a) acknowledge the strong link between EU internal and external security and reflect this when approaching conflict prevention and resolution; stresses the importance of protecting EU’s external borders and calls on the EU to finance border management measures, including physical barriers and other mobile or stationary infrastructures;
Amendment 95 #
2023/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) adapt the EU’s conflict prevention and resolution tools to the changing nature of conflicts, including as a result of climate change, the rise of new technologies and food scarcity;
Amendment 96 #
2023/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
(b a) Enhance their role and meaningful involvement in the processes of conflict prevention and resolution, as well as mediation of implementation of the EU-brokered ceasefire agreements, to ensure efficient functioning of the instruments applied by the EU and facilitate the tangible progress;
Amendment 99 #
2023/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c
Paragraph 1 – point c
(c) fully use the means at their disposal to prevent conflict, align the EU’s prevention and conflict resolution tools with its political agenda and act as a guarantor of implementation of the EU- mediated ceasefire agreements and a caretaker during global tragedies;
Amendment 116 #
2023/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f
Paragraph 1 – point f
(f) improve the EU’s understanding of local, historical, political, social and cultural contexts and invest in cultivating the necessary skills among EEAS staff working on conflict prevention and resolution, as well as mediation and implementation of ceasefire agreements;
Amendment 133 #
2023/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subheading 2 – point i
Paragraph 1 – subheading 2 – point i
(i) closely involve the EU delegations in countries and regions at risk of conflict or dealing with frozen and unresolved conflict in monitoring the situation on the ground and contributing to the EU conflict Early Warning System;
Amendment 141 #
2023/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subheading 3
Paragraph 1 – subheading 3
Role of special representatives and special envoys in preventive diplomacy, their accountability and overview of their results in conflict resolution process
Amendment 147 #
2023/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l
Paragraph 1 – point l
(l) thoroughly assess what initiatives EU special representatives and envoys have undertaken and how they are contributing to preventive diplomacy, conflict resolution process and mediation of implementation of the EU-brokered ceasefire agreements;
Amendment 149 #
2023/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m
Paragraph 1 – point m
(m) provide regular and thorough assessments on the accountability of the EU special representatives and envoys pursuant to their mandates and overviewing the initiatives they have undertaken in the conflict resolution processes as well as mediation of implementation of the EU-brokered ceasefire agreements;
Amendment 152 #
2023/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n
Paragraph 1 – point n
(n) improve the transparency and parliamentary scrutiny of the work of the EU special representatives and envoys by providing Parliament with regular and detailed reports on their activities and achievements pursuant to their mandates;
Amendment 155 #
2023/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subheading 4
Paragraph 1 – subheading 4
Lessons learnt from EU-mediated conflict resolution and frozen conflicts and EU- brokered ceasefire agreements, as well as frozen and unresolved conflicts
Amendment 157 #
2023/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point p
Paragraph 1 – point p
(p) draw on the lessons learnt from the EU’s missed opportunities for preventive diplomacy and its achievements in the processes of peaceful conflict resolution in Africa, the Western Balkans, Nagorno- Karabakh, Cyprus, Northern Ireland, Afghanistan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine;
Amendment 163 #
2023/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point q a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point q a (new)
(q a) draw on the lessons learnt from the lack of progress in implementation of the EU-brokered ceasefire agreements, including the EU-mediated 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement between Russia and Georgia;
Amendment 166 #
2023/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point r a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point r a (new)
Amendment 205 #
2023/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point z
Paragraph 1 – point z
(z) empower national actors to serve as key players in effective prevention and resolution;
Amendment 217 #
2023/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ac
Paragraph 1 – point ac
(ac) enhance the EU’s strategic autonomy in order to increase its standing and geopolitical leverage in conflict prevention and resolution;
Amendment 235 #
2023/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point af
Paragraph 1 – point af
(af) adopt an integrated approach to conflict prevention and conflict resolution that combines humanitarian, development, peacebuilding and security assistance and diplomatic engagement, fully addressing all aspects of the conflict, including in partnership with local and international partners if necessary;
Amendment 95 #
2023/0373(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 32
Recital 32
(32) Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the pellet supply chain should comply with the relevantbe exempted from the obligations laid down in this Regulation, however as they could face proportionally higher costs and difficulties when complying with some of the obligations. The Commission should raise awareness among economic operators and carriers regarding the necessity of preventing pellet losses. Additionally, the Commission should develop training materials to assist them in fulfilling their obligations, particularly with respect to the requirements of the risk assessment. Member States should provide access to information and assistance regarding compliance with obligations and the risk assessment requirements. Regarding the assistance of Member States, this could include technical and financial support as well as specialised training to SMEs. Member States actions should be taken in respect of applicable State aid rules laid down in this regulation.
Amendment 100 #
2023/0373(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 32 a (new)
Recital 32 a (new)
(32 a) The Commission should raise awareness among economic operators and carriers regarding the necessity of preventing pellet losses. Additionally, the Commission should develop training materials to assist them in fulfilling their obligations, particularly with respect to the requirements of the risk assessment. Member States should provide access to information and assistance regarding compliance with obligations and the risk assessment requirements.
Amendment 115 #
2023/0373(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the pellet supply chain shall be exempted from the obligations laid down in this regulation.
Amendment 294 #
2023/0373(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1
Article 12 – paragraph 1
1. T12 months before the entry into force of this Regulation, the Commission shall develop awareness raising and training material on the sound implementation of the obligations laid down in this Regulation in consultation with representatives of economic operators, carriers, and certifiers, includingand, in particular micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and in collaboration with competent authorities. Funds for vocational training, will be made available to develop training material in the form of guidance documents, courses material and podcast enabling to reach the whole targeted sector in each Member State language.
Amendment 298 #
2023/0373(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – point a
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – point a
(a) financial support, including through relevant EU-funds;
Amendment 299 #
2023/0373(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – point a a (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – point a a (new)
(a a) aqcuisition of equipment
Amendment 306 #
2023/0373(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14
Article 14
Amendment 22 #
2022/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas professional journalists have a mission to provide the public with information on general or specialised topics of interest as responsibly and as objectively as possible; whereas the need to distinguish berween facts and opinion is a widely accepted standard of journalistic practice; whereas it is important to consider the societal role played by all media workers and support staff, as well as community media workers and so-called citizen journalists;
Amendment 33 #
2022/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the challenges that journalists encounter in undertaking their work are manifold, including restrictions on movement, such as deportations and denial of access to a country or a particular area, arbitrary arrests and detention, violation of due process guarantees; sentencing on trumped-up charges; torture, sexual violence, particularly against female journalists, confiscation of and damage to equipment, information theft, illegal surveillance and office break- ins, intimidation, harassment of family members, death threats, stigmatisation and smear campaigns to discredit journalists, abductions, enforced disappearances, killings and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;
Amendment 69 #
2022/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital P
Recital P
P. whereas in addition to violence against and intimidation and, harassment and killing of journalists, impunity and a lack of prosecution lead to self-censorship or have a chilling effect;
Amendment 146 #
2022/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the attempts by public authorities to silence independent media or undermine their freedom and pluralism and to restrict the public's access to reliable information via internet shutdowns, surveillance, blocking or filtering online content and through requests for content removal to platforms; warns against practices that indirectly subdue such media by means of financial patronage and condemns, in particular, attempts to control media public service;
Amendment 193 #
2022/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to promote sustainable measures in all their agreements and partnerships with third countries aimed at financing and supporaimed at protecting independent journalism in third countries ; calls, in this regard, on the Commission and the Member States to allocate funds to that end, including by increasing the allocation for the human rights and democracy thematic programme of the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe (NDICI);
Amendment 50 #
2022/2049(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the Union strongly believes in and fully supports multilateralism, a rules-based global order, democratic processes and the set of universal values, principles and norms that guide the UN member states;
Amendment 52 #
2022/2049(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the rise in authoritarianism, illiberalism and populismviolations of human rights around the world threatens the global rules- based order and the core values and principles on which the Union is founded;
Amendment 66 #
2022/2049(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
F a. whereas globally, violence against Christians has risen drastically over recent years; whereas countries such as Russia, China, Iran and Belarus, as well as non-state and terrorist organisations are systematically violating human rights by using religious beliefs as grounds for justification;
Amendment 82 #
2022/2049(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Deplores the fact that despite the need to concentrate on responses to the threats posed by climate change and the recovery fromglobal efforts against the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic through global solidarity, some authoritarian leaders have in addition to mismanagement of the pandemic and global resources, intensified repression, fuelled and expanded existing conflicts, and sparked new ones with devastating effects on human rights;
Amendment 114 #
2022/2049(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls for the EU to reflect on how to promotebest and most appropriately apply a human rights-based approach in all EU instruments and strategies in order to strengthen the EU’s human rights foreign policy; underlines that the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI – Global Europe), including its thematic programme on human rights and democracy, is one of the main tools at the EU’s disposal to improve the human rights situation around the world and help foster resilient, inclusive and democratic societies; stresses that the engagement of local civil society actors is vital to protect human rights and democracy in their countries and reiterates its call to fully engage them in all of the EU’s relevant external activities; highlights the importance that NDICI – Global Europe attaches to the promotion of human rights and democracy with strategic international and local partners; underlines Parliament’s role in the instrument’s programming process and calls on the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) to share all the relevant information in a timely manner in order to enable Parliament to play its role accordingly, in particular during high-level geopolitical dialogues with the Commission;
Amendment 124 #
2022/2049(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Fully supports the work of the EU Special Representative (EUSR) for Human Rights in defending and advancing human rights in the world through engagement with third countries and cooperation with like-minded partners, and his important role in enhancing the effectiveness of the EU’s human rights policies through efforts to increase their coherence; underlines the need for close cooperation between the EUSR for Human Rights and other EUSRs on countries and regions in order to furas well as their improve this consistency, and calls for greater visibility for the role of the EUSR for Hcooperation with international organisations and the UN Special rapporteur on human Rrights;
Amendment 181 #
2022/2049(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses that corruption seriously hinders the enjoyment ofand the violation of the rule of law and democratic processes are significant obstacles to human rights worldwide; calls for the fight against corruption to be a part of all of the EU’s efforts and policies to promote human rights and democracy, by formulating a dedicated global anti-corruption strategyies, including programmes under the EU’s external financial instruments and enhancing Parliament’s role of scrutiny; underlines the utmost importance for the EU and its Member States to lead by example by applying the highest transparency standards to their external funding and by stepping up their support for civil society organisations, activists and investigative journalists engaged in the fight against corruption;
Amendment 187 #
2022/2049(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Reiterates its call to include robustthe importance of clauses on human rights in agreements between the EU and third countries, supported by a clear set of benchmarks and procedures to be followed in the event of violations; calls on the Commission and the EEAS to actively reflect on how to ensure that the human rights clauses in existing international agreements are effectively enforced; stresses that the EU should react swiftly and decisively to persistent breaches of human rights clauses by third countries, including by temporarily and/or permanently suspending the relevant agreements if other options prove ineffective;
Amendment 256 #
2022/2049(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Strongly supports the creation of a special tribunal for dealing with the human rights violations carried out by Russia in Ukraine and encourages the Commission and VP/HR, as well as the Union's member states to actively cooperate with international actors and partners in order to set up this mechanism;
Amendment 282 #
2022/2049(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Calls for the EU and its international partners to strengthen their efforts to ensure full enjoyment of human rights by women and their equal treatment with men; underlines that women continue to be the main victims in violent crises and that sexual and gender-based violence has continued in many places around the world, notably being used in armed conflicts as a weapon of war; calls for more concerted efforts to eliminate the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and fight impunity of the perpetrators of such violence; stresses the need to pursue efforts to fully eradicate the practice of female genital mutilation; stresses that women human rights defenders, activists, journalists and lawyers have been particularly targeted, with online harassment and intimidation increasing rapidly; highlights the increase in domestic violence and setbacks to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in both developing and developed countries and calls for the EU and its Member States to fully support the right of women to bodily integrity, dignity and autonomous decision-making;
Amendment 354 #
2022/2049(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Calls for the EU to step up its efforts to ensure the full enjoyment of human rights by lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, intersex and queer persons (LGBTIQ); stresses that LGBTIQ persons around the world continue to face human rights violations, including discrimination, persecution, violence and killings; calls for the full implementation of the LGBTIQ equality strategy 2020- 2025 as the EU’s tool for improving the situation of LGBTIQ people around the world;
Amendment 482 #
2022/2049(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. Underlines that human rights,e importance of a healthy environment and combating climate change are dependent on one anotherthe consequential positive effects thereof on the promotion of human rights and democracy; calls for progress towards the recognition of the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, as laid out in Resolution 48/13 of the UN Human Rights Council, and stresses its appreciation for the peaceful work undertaken by environmental human rights defenders including land defenders and their lawyers, as well as indigenous activists, to preserve and safeguard such an environment despite the threat of violence and the risk to their lives; recognises, moreover, the important role of civil society organisations, including environmental faith-based organisations, as well as indigenous peoples for their invaluable work in the preservation of the environment;
Amendment 496 #
2022/2049(INI)
44. Calls for the EU and its Member States to step up their contribution to the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss globally, in particular by ensuring that goods imported by the EU are produced in accordance with human rights protected under international law, including the rights of indigenous people, and do not contribute to deforestation or damage to natural ecosystems, in particular old-growth forests;
Amendment 501 #
2022/2049(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
Amendment 526 #
2022/2049(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
Paragraph 48
48. Stresses that human rights must fully encompass the digital sphere and must be protected from the improper use of technology; underlinescautions about the risks posed by digital technologies to personal liberty and democracy at large and condemns the role of digital technologies in human rights violations; calls for more intensive efforts to establish a comprehensivreiterates in particular the threat that disinformation campaigns in combination with digital tools pose; calls for more intensive efforts to effectively and appropriately adapt the legal frameworks on digital technologies, which should balance the need to protect human rights with taking advantage of the possible gains such technologies can offer for human well-being;
Amendment 107 #
2022/0344(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b
Directive 2000/60/EC
Article 2 – point 30)
Article 2 – point 30)
(30) ‘Priority substances’ means substances listed in Part A of Annex I to Directive 2008/105/EC, that is substances which present a significant risk to or via the aquatic environment in a high proportion of Member States. as determined by the Commission after public notice, discussion and comments’;
Amendment 118 #
2022/0344(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point d
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point d
Directive 2008/105/EC
Article 2 – point 35)
Article 2 – point 35)
(35) ‘Environmental quality standard’ means the concentration of a particular pollutant or group of pollutants in water, sediment or biota not to be exceeded in order to protect human health and the environment or a trigger value for the adverse effect on human health or the environment of such a pollutant or group of pollutants measured using an appropriate effect-based method. based on the leading evidence of available scientific knowledge’;
Amendment 195 #
2022/0344(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Directive 2006/118/EC
Article 6a – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 4
Article 6a – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 4
ECHA shall prepare scientific reports to assist the Commission in selecting the substances for the watch list, taking into account the leading evidence of scientific knowledge and the following information:
Amendment 204 #
2022/0344(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Directive 2006/118/CE
Article 6a – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Article 6a – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Member States shallmay monitor each substance or group of substances in the watch list at selected representative monitoring stations over a 24-month period. The monitoring period shallmay commence within sixnine months of the establishment of the watch list.
Amendment 211 #
2022/0344(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 7
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 7
Directive 2006/118/EC
Article 8 – paragraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall review, for the first time by … [OP: please insert the date = six years after the date of entry into force of this Directive] and every six years thereafter, the list of pollutants set out in Annex I and the quality standards for those pollutants set out in that Annex, as well as the list of pollutants and indicators set out in Part B of Annex II.
Amendment 220 #
2022/0344(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 7
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 7
Directive 2006/118/EC
Article 8 – paragraph 2
Article 8 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts, in accordance with Article 8a, to amend Annex I to adapt it to technical and scientific progress by adding or removing groundwater pollutants and quality standards for those pollutants set out in that Annex and to amend Part B in order to adapt it to technical and scientific progress by adding pollutants or indicators for which Member States have to consider establishing national thresholds.
Amendment 293 #
2022/0344(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 7
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 7
Directive 2008/105/EC
Article 8b – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Article 8b – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Member States shallmay monitor each substance or group of substances in the watch list at selected representative monitoring stations over a 24-month period. The monitoring period shallmay commence within sixnine months of the inclusion of the substance in the list.
Amendment 313 #
2022/0344(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Annex IV – paragraph 1 – point 2
Annex IV – paragraph 1 – point 2
Directive 2006/118/CE
Annex 2 – Part B – point 2
Annex 2 – Part B – point 2
Amendment 319 #
2022/0344(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Annex VI
Annex VI
Directive 2008/105/CE
Annex II – Part A – point 11
Annex II – Part A – point 11
Amendment 47 #
2021/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas Christians are the most persecuted religious group in the World, constituting 80% of persecuted religious believers in the World; whereas this persecution ranges from routine discrimination in education, employment and social life, through limitations on all forms of expression up to physical attacks against Christian communities, which come close to meeting the international definition of genocide,
Amendment 59 #
2021/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines the importance of both the new Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) – Global Europe and the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2020–2024 for this goal; recalls that the use of the rule of qualified majority voting within the Council on human rights issues would result in a more effective and proactive EU foreign and security policy, and would strengthe is needed, focused on cooperation on matters of key strategic interest for the EU, while reflecting its fundamental values;
Amendment 116 #
2021/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Given the fact that human rights dialogues are intended to be a central part of the EU’s foreign policy toolbox, highlights that they cannot be an end in themselves; therefore calls on the EEAS and the Council to strike a better balance between diplomacy, interests and values, more in line with the human rights objectives guiding the EU’s external action with a greater focus on a long-term perspective; underlines that in order to avoid being accused of using double standards, the EU should only promote these values which lie within its competences in line with the Lisbon Treaty and avoid being vocal on subjects which remain within the sole remit of the Member States, including the matters of conscience;
Amendment 144 #
2021/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Underlines that COVID-19 has significantly strengthened the recent trends of authoritarian regimes weakening democracy; deplores the abuse of the epidemiological crisis by these regimes to further constrain the freedom of expression and of assembly through restricting the functioning of democratic institutions, the repression of dissent, including limiting media freedom both online and offline and targeting critics with defamation campaigns, the mass use of surveillance tools, disinformation campaigns, limiting access to information through blanket internet shutdowns, bandwidth throttling and content blocking, emergency measures implemented without clear criteria for their revocation and the restrictions placed on the democratic exercise of elections, as well as using selective access to healthcare as means of discrimination against parts of populations based on ethnicity, caste or religion;
Amendment 153 #
2021/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Highlights the highly negative impact of COVID-19, which has disproportionately affected women, LGBTIQ persons and vulnerable groups, including the poor, children, persons with disabilities, migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, religious minorities, informal workers and persons in prison or detention, among others; stresses that vulnerable groups are also more affected by the negative economic and social consequences of the pandemic, as well as the restrictions in access to healthcare and education; notes with concern the increase in hate speech against certain vulnerable groups, in particular minority groups;
Amendment 167 #
2021/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. points out that some countries have a particularly worrying track record when it comes to persecution, harassment, intimidation, kidnappings and extrajudicial killings of the human rights defenders, often linked to their work in the illegally occupied territories or their belonging to specific ethnic or religious minorities; underlines that state violence against own citizens fighting for their basic rights is a common phenomenon in many countries; calls on the EU to increase the support for non- governmental and civic organisations that support democratic changes and protection of human rights;
Amendment 195 #
2021/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Highlights the interdependence between human rights, a healthy environment and combating climate change, and welcomes the UN’s call for global recognition of the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment; underlines the vital role played by environmental human rights defenders and local and indigenous populations in preserving such an environment, despite the threats of violence that they often face from those responsible for, and profiting from, environmentally harmful practices; encourages the EU and the Member States to promote the recognition of ecocide as an international crime under the Rome Statute of the ICC, and requests that the Commission study the relevance of ecocide to EU law and EU diplomacy;
Amendment 268 #
2021/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Stresses that States have the primary responsibility to promote and safeguard the human rights of persons belonging to belief or religious minorities, including their right to exercise their religion or belief and their right not to believe, and to protect them against the violations of those rights, in particular, crimes against humanity and genocide;
Amendment 278 #
2021/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 b (new)
Paragraph 30 b (new)
30b. Points out that persecution and discrimination of some religious communities - notably Christians, Muslims and Jews - is taking place in large number of countries; calls on the Member States and the EEAS - while underlining inalienable right of all religious minorities to live free of harassment - to take special note of these cases and react to them accordingly;
Amendment 309 #
2021/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Welcomes the adoption of the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (EU GHRSR-EU Magnitsky Act) as an essential addition to the EU’s human rights and foreign policy toolbox, which strengthens the EU’s role as a global human rights actor by allowing it to take restrictive measures against legal and natural persons involved in grave human rights violations in the world; condemns any arbitrary and unjustified retaliatory restrictive measures imposed on the EU or other entities as a response to the EU’s decisions under the EU GHRSR-EU Magnitsky Act; regretstakes note of the fact that the Council has decided to apply unanimity instead of qualified majority voting when adopting sanctions on human rights issues;
Amendment 328 #
2021/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Reaffirms the inalienable human rights of migrants and refugees, and calls for the EU and its Member States to fully uphold them in their cooperation with third countries, both in terms of the establishment of high legal standards and, equally importantly, their operationalisation in order to ensure the effective protection of these rights in practice; reiterates its call on the Commission to carry out a review of the human rights impact of migration policy frameworks and of the EU’s cooperation on migration with third countries; underlines the risks related to informal arrangements on return and readmission, which are not subject to judicial scrutiny and therefore do not allow for effective redress for human rights violations suffered by migrants and asylum seekers; is of an opinion that supporting peace, stability and economic wellbeing in potential states of origin is the best way of reducing the irregular migratory flows, that allows people to stay in their homeland; in this regards, calls on the European Commission to study best ways of engagement with these countries wherever possible;
Amendment 335 #
2021/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Equally, calls for independent, effective mechanisms to monitor formal readmission agreements, both at the EU’s borders and in partner countries in order to ensure full respect for human rights, including the principle of non-refoulement; recalls that the right to asylum is guaranteed by Article 18 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union; expresses its hope that the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, including the new European Union Agency for Asylum, will help the EU Member States in creating efficient, properly functioning asylum systems, improving protection for asylum seekers and respecting the principles of the fair sharing of responsibility and solidarity among Member States; reiterates the need for a European agreement on a humanitarian visa or on the use of the European Temporary Protection Directive;
Amendment 361 #
2021/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 a (new)
Paragraph 39 a (new)
39a. Calls on the HR/VP and the Council to pay special attention to the human rights situation in the illegally occupied territories in the Eastern Partnership countries, and take effective measures with the aim to prevent grave human rights abuses on the ground, including the violation of right to life, restriction of freedom of movement, and discrimination on the ground of ethnicity;
Amendment 402 #
2021/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 a (new)
Paragraph 46 a (new)
46a. Stresses that freedom of speech and expression, as well as media pluralism, are at the heart of resilient democratic societies; urges that the best possible safeguards against ongoing disinformation campaigns and hostile propaganda originating from authoritarian states and non-state actors, such as terrorist groups be put in place by developing a legal framework both at EU and international level for tackling hybrid threats, including cyber and information warfare;
Amendment 318 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Welcomes the recent appointment of Mr Christos Stylianides as the EU Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief; calls on the Commission to include objectives for the fight against persecution of minorities on the grounds of belief or religion as important part of his mandate; recommends that the Special Envoy works closely with the EU Special Representative for Human Rights and the Council Working Group on Human Rights (COHOM), and reiterates its calls on the Council and the Commission to adequately support the Special Envoy’s institutional mandate, capacity and duties with adequate financial and human resources;
Amendment 321 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Calls on the Council, the Commission, EEAS and EU Member States to address persecutions based on belief or religion as a priority of EU human rights foreign policy, in line with the EU action plan for human rights and democracy for 2020-2024; stresses that a multi-layered and multi-actor approach is needed to protect and promote freedom of religion or belief, encompassing human rights, conflict resolution and interfaith initiatives that involve multiple state and non-state actors; reiterates its call for a public review of the EU Guidelines on freedom of religion or belief, allowing for the assessment of their implementation and of proposals for their update; also calls for progress reports on the implementation of the Guidelines to be communicated regularly to Parliamentnotes that the EU Guidelines provide for an evaluation of their implementation by COHOM after a period of three years, and that no such evaluation has been communicated or made public; also calls for progress reports on the implementation of the Guidelines to be communicated regularly to Parliament; considers that such evaluation should highlight best practices, identify areas for improvement, and provide concrete recommendations on implementation, in accordance with a specified timeline and milestones and subject to regular annual evaluation; calls for the evaluation to be included in the EU Annual Reports on Human Rights and Democracy in the World;
Amendment 347 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33a. Calls on the European Commission and other EU institutions to establish the 24th of June as the EU Day on Freedom of Religion and Belief;
Amendment 10 #
2020/2273(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that the degradaticlimate change is one of ecosystems and the stresthe factors con them caused by climate change itributing to the degradation of ecosystems, which among other issues leadings to the extinction of species and the loss of biodiversity at unprecedented rates and is threatening the human rights of current and future generations, such as the rights to life, health, food, water and sanitation, as well as the rights of the most vulnerable people, including women and children, the rights of indigenous peoples and the rights of rural and natural-resource- dependent communities; also emphasises that the degradation of and stress on ecosystems is coundtermining progress towards the achievement of most of the 2030 S-productive to efforts aimed at sustainable Ddevelopment Goveralsl, in particular the objectives of ending poverty and hunger, achieving food security and ensuring healthy lives;
Amendment 17 #
2020/2273(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines the need for urgent efforts to maintain biodiversity, in particular by taking effective actions to simultaneously protect human rights and conserve and sustainably use nature; calls in this regard for the development of a horealistic and human-rights-based EU policy approaEU policy approach, where appropriate, which aimeds at preventing biodiversity loss and degradation; also stresses the need to strengthen international environment and human rights law, environmental legislation and procedural environmental and human rights, in particular by improving access to information, public participation and access to justice, and by supporting the crucial role of local communities, indigenous peoples and environmental human rights defenders in maintaining biodiversitysupporting member states and relevant actors in their endeavours to prevent biodiversity loss and degradation and further the development of sustainable initiatives; also stresses the need to ensure that the matter of biodiversity is adequately addressed on all levels;
Amendment 22 #
2020/2273(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes progress towards recognition of the linkage between human rights and the health of the biosphere at international and national level; fully supports in this respect the efforts by the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment to develop guidancecommon guidelines on human rights obligations relating to the environment, ecosystems and biodiversity;
Amendment 27 #
2020/2273(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the intention of the Commission to develop a new European biodiversity governance framework and to follow an inclusive approach involving civil society in a compliance watchdog role to monitor the implementation of EU environmental legislation; also welcomes its aim to put forward a new initiative in 2021 on sustainable corporate governance to address human rights and environmental due diligence across economic value chains; insists in this regard on the need to elaborate EU legislation for mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence for EU companies, EU-domiciled companies and third-country companies operating in the internal market, imposing legal obligations to identify, cease, prevent and mitigate adverse impacts throughout their supply chains and establishing effective monitoring and enforcement mechanisms;
Amendment 34 #
2020/2273(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that deforestation and land- grabbing by large corporations has an enormous impact on indigenous peoples and local communities; calls on businesses to recognise their rights and to ensure their effeall relevant actors to actively participatione in decision- making processes regarding their lands, in accordance with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct;
Amendment 38 #
2020/2273(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Commission to mainstream biodiversity as a human right in EU external action and promote ambitious biodiversity-related policies in international fora, in accordance with the European Green Deal and the new EU Biodiversity Strategy; also calls on the Commission to deal with cooperation issues related to the conservation of biodiversity and respect for international environmental and human rights obligations in a common and consistent way, in particular through EU international comprehensive and sectoral agreements and political dialogues with partner countries; urges the Commission, in this regard, to make the most of human rights and sustainable development impact assessments and related recommendations; also calls on the Commission to draw up guidelines on the human right to a clean, healthy, safe and sustainable environment;
Amendment 52 #
2020/2273(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Pays tribute to defenders of environmental human rights and land rights, local community representatives, lawyers and journalists standing up to protect natural resources, and strongly condemns the killings of such people and violent actsall acts of violence, such as killings and other means of aggression against them; calls on the Commission and the European External Action Service to continue to systematically take up cases of defenders of environmental human rights and land rights facing threats of violence with the countries concerned; urges the Commission, where appropriate to define a specific protection and support strategy for local communities and defenders of environmental human rights and land rights; also calls for enhanced support for civil society organisations working to protect the environment and biodiversity, in particular through the establishment of partnerships and the building up of capacity to defend the rights of indigenous peoples;
Amendment 38 #
2020/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the celebration in 2019 of the 10th anniversary of the EU Charter of the Fundamental Rights has stimulated the Union to resolutely pursue actions to protect, promote and fulfil human rights, both inside and outside its borders; whereas on this occasion, the EU reaffirmed its commitment to remain an influential player on the world stage and to keep playing a leading role as a global defender of democracy and human rights;
Amendment 43 #
2020/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the crisis triggered by the global COVID-19 pandemic, the outbreak of which was first identified in December 2019, the ways in which states have responded to it, the hardship it has caused and its impact on international relations and conflicts have long-term implications on all matters involving respect for human rights;
Amendment 49 #
2020/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas, by way of illustration, the crisis caused by the pandemic has led most countries to adopt emergency measures, curtailing freedoms to enjoy many human rights, foremost among which are the freedoms of movement and of assembly, or to establish new means of surveillance in order to prevent the transmission of the COVID-19 virus; whereas in some cases, those measures have legitimately raised questions as to their necessity, legality, proportionality, non-discriminatory nature and duration, inas they undermined the spirit of safeguarding fundamental freedoms in the short and longer terms;
Amendment 62 #
2020/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas Christians are the most persecuted religious group in the World, constituting 80% of persecuted religious believers in the World; whereas this persecution ranges from routine discrimination in education, employment and social life, through limitations on all forms of expression up to physical attacks against Christian communities, which come close to meeting the international definition of genocide, according to that adopted by the UN;
Amendment 113 #
2020/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Affirms that the promotion and protection of human rights and climate and environmental action are interlinked, because, in particular, human rights international law provides access to remedies and legal means to redress the damage caused by climate change, and to implement measures to combat climate change and to hold states and businesses accountable for their responses to climate change; underlines the need to pay particular attention to aid to environmentally and climate-displaced persons;
Amendment 132 #
2020/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the growing aspirations and mobilisations of citizens, in particular the youngest citizens, for political and societal changes favourable to respect for human rights, democratic governance, equality and social justice, more ambitious climate action and better protection of the environment; highlights the emergence in 2019 of massive protest movements in every region in the world reflecting these aspirations, calling into question institutional and economic orders of societies and supporting the development of a more equitable global society;
Amendment 144 #
2020/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses that physical attacks, imprisonments, death threats, harassment, intimidation and restrictions on freedom of expression remain tools systematically used around the world against human rights defenders (HRDs), non- governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society activists and journalists; underlines the existence of political trends towards deeper nationalism and the misuse of religion for political gain, which are conducive tostrongly condemns acts of violence and intolerance, in particular towards HRDs, women, LGBTI people and migrantsany form;
Amendment 221 #
2020/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Express its deep sorrow at and condemnation of the terrorist attacks and bombings perpetrated in the first half of 2019 that targeted believers in particular in places of worship, that especially affected the Christian communities; is alarmed that these horrific acts coincided with hate campaigns ramped up by some political leaders and terror groups that aim to deny the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief;
Amendment 231 #
2020/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Recalls that the Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, as set out in Article 2 of the TEU; stresses that promoting these values externally, advancing democracy, the rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights is at the core of the EU’s common foreign and security policy, in accordance with the Article 21 of the TEU and the Union’s strategic interest, and should be reflected, in an effective and coherent way, in all areas of the Union’s relations with non-EU countries; underlines however that the EU should only promote these values which lie within its competences in line with the Lisbon Treaty and avoid being vocal on subjects which remain within the sole remit of the Member States, including the matters of conscience;
Amendment 241 #
2020/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Stresses the importance of the efforts of the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the Commission to continuously strengthen the awareness and knowledge of officials of the EU and its Member States with regard to human rights; calls on all EU delegations and their respective focal points on human rights to consistently abide by their obligation to meet with HRDs, visit detained activists, monitor their trials and advocate for their protection on the ground and to facilitate such actions when attempted by MEPs visiting in the framework of the official European Parliament missions;
Amendment 258 #
2020/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Asks the Member States to make the EU’s foreign and security policy more effective by using the rule of qualified majority voting in the Council; callcoordinating closely positions onf the Member States and calls on them to speak with a single, strong EU voice in multilateral forums, as this is the only way that the Union can play a leadingmore prominent role on the international scene and use its influence to bring about positive changes and better responses to global challenges including the promotion and protection of human rights and environment and climate related challenges;
Amendment 270 #
2020/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Reiterates that the EU will only be recognised on the global scene if its core values, in particular those of respect for democracy, human rights and the rule of law are credible externally, and this will only be possible if the EU ensures the internal and external coherence of its policies on these matters, including by refraining from externally promoting issues that lie outside of the EU competences, including matters of conscience;
Amendment 310 #
2020/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Takes the view that democratic governance and the rule of law are globally under attack due to a combination of factors including the rise of authoritarianism, hybrid warfare and disinformation against the West, increased inequalities and poverty, the shrinking of space for civil society, loss of credibility of public power and the weakening of collective organisations defending public interest; calls for the EU and its Member States to continue supporting the building up of democratic institutions and transparent and credible electoral processes, while going beyond this by providing further support to actions that encourage and unleash democratic debate, combat inequalities, empower civil society organisations, fight corruption and strengthen judiciaries;
Amendment 321 #
2020/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Affirms that the promotion and protection of human rights and climate and environmental action are interlinked, because, in particular, international human rights law provides for access to remedies and legal means to redress the damage caused by climate change, and to implement measures to combat climate change and to hold states and businesses accountable for their responses to climate change;
Amendment 355 #
2020/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Reaffirms its unwavering support for the International Criminal Court (ICC) and calls on the States Parties to the Rome Statute to provide the ICC with proper financial resources in order to enable it to fulfil its tasks within its mandate; considers the attacks against the ICC to be deeply regrettable and lastly condemns the individual sanctions imposed by the US on its staff, notably those against the ICC chief prosecutor, which are unacceptable; stresses that the ICC is the only international institution that has the ability to prosecute some of the world’s most horrific crimes and to defend victims that have no other recourse; asks the EU to continue to protect the ICC’s independence and impartiality against attacks that aim at obstructing the functioning of international criminal justice; reiterates its recommendation to establish a European observatory on prevention, accountability, and combating impunity;
Amendment 378 #
2020/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Calls for the adoption and implementation of a global EU human rights sanctions mechanism (so-called Magnitsky Act) as an essential part of the EU existing human rights and foreign policy toolbox which would strengthen the EU’s role as a global human rights actor, allowing for targeted sanctions against individuals responsible for or complicit in serious human rights violations; stresses the importance of allocating sufficient resources to enable its effective implementation; calls for the establishment of an EU-level advisory committee with Parliament’s participation;
Amendment 416 #
2020/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Calls for the adoption of an ambitious EU Action Plan for gender equality and women’s empowerment in external relations for 2021-2025 (Gender Action Plan III); calls in this regard for the reinforcement of EU support for non-EU countries that are implementing new policies and legislative changes with a view to aligning national legal frameworks to international and SDG commitments concerning women’s rights and gender equality, to protecting women HRDs, to advancing women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights, to providing young people with science-based and comprehensive sexual education and to preventing sexual and gender-based violence and female genital mutilation;
Amendment 495 #
2020/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Is appalled by the number of killings, attacks and acts of persecution, discrimination, harassment and incitation to antagonism that took place, and the number of restrictions on rights that were imposed in 2019 against individuals and groups targeted because of their religion or belief; reaffirms its support for victims of violence based on religion or belief and its commitment to eradicating such violence; welcomes the Global Exchange on Religion in Society, launched by the Vice- President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) in Brussels on 6 September 2019; recommends, however, that equal attention be paid to both intra-religious and inter- religious relationships; calls in this regard for the development of EU support to intra- religious dialogue at local level with the aim of fighting extremism and hate speech; calls furthermore for the objectives of promoting and protecting freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief to be mainstreamed into a wider range of EU activities related to human rights; underlines the need to pay special attention to the situation of the persecuted Christians around the world, who make up the vast majority of the religious groups facing discrimination, violence and death;
Amendment 518 #
2020/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 a (new)
Paragraph 47 a (new)
47a. Stresses that freedom of speech and expression, as well as media pluralism, are at the heart of resilient democratic societies; urges that the best possible safeguards against ongoing disinformation campaigns and hostile propaganda originating from authoritarian states and non-state actors, such as terrorist groups be put in place by developing a legal framework both at EU and international level for tackling hybrid threats, including cyber and information warfare;
Amendment 571 #
2020/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55
Paragraph 55
55. Is deeply concerned at the disproportionate negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on migrants and refugees; urges governments to engage in responses based on respect for human rights and dignity and solutions to address migrants’ and refugees’ vulnerability and their need for protection, in line with the principles of solidarity and partnership and allowing for adequate and accessible legal pathways for migration; stresses the importance of upholding the right to asylum worldwide;
Amendment 6 #
2020/2134(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the effects of climate change and continued environmental degradation threatenare negatively factoring in to the effective enjoyment of human rights, including the rights to life, food security, safe drinking water and sanitation, health, Housing, self- determination, work and development, as outlined in UN Human Rights Council resolution 41/21;
Amendment 15 #
2020/2134(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas addressing climate change raises issues of justice and equity, both between and within nations and generations; whereas access to justice in environmental mattersin environmental matters, in particular access to justice, access to information and public participation in decision-making, which are enshrined under Implementing Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, the Aarhus Convention of 25 June 1998 and the Escazu Convention of 4 March 2018;
Amendment 17 #
2020/2134(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
Amendment 23 #
2020/2134(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas states have an ethical and inter-generational responsibilityare increasingly proactive in terms of policy and cooperation with other states with the goal to agree on ethical standards and to take action to protect present and future generations from negative human rights impacts of climate change;
Amendment 26 #
2020/2134(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
Amendment 31 #
2020/2134(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the Paris Agreement is the first international treaty to explicitly recognise the link between climate action and human rights, thus allowing the use of existing human rights-related legal instruments to urge states and private corporates to reduce emissions; whereas the are no concrete instruments within the Paris Agreement to hold state and corporate actors accountabletheir environmental footprint;
Amendment 39 #
2020/2134(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas several outstanding legal cases have paved the way towards accountability via the documentation of human rights violations following failurdocumented human rights violations linked to failures or inabilities by states and corporate actors in addressing the consequences of climate change;
Amendment 44 #
2020/2134(INI)
M. whereas climate change impacts are asymmetric and their adverse effects are destructive for present and future generations, especially in developing countries; whereas climate change intensely affects developing countries and exacerbates existing social and economic inequalities, causing vulnerable groups such as indigenous peoples, women, children, persons with disabilities, refugees and displaced people to suffer disproportionately from its adverse effects;
Amendment 55 #
2020/2134(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital O
Recital O
Amendment 62 #
2020/2134(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital Q
Recital Q
Q. whereas climate change could potentially reverse human development by reducing agricultural productivity, increasing food and water insecurity, increasing exposure to extreme natural disasters, causing the collapse of ecosystems and increasing health risks;
Amendment 72 #
2020/2134(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital U
Recital U
U. whereas environmental defenders are on the front line of climate action and accountability; whereas human rights bodies have increasingly drawn attention to the need to specifically protect environmental defenders; whereas the shrinking physical space for civil society is a global phenomenon that is disproportionalconsequently affecting human rights defenders who are working on environmental and land issues and who are often in rural and isolated areas with reduced access to protection mechanisms;
Amendment 76 #
2020/2134(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital Y
Recital Y
Y. whereas the Escazu Agreement is the first regional agreement on access to information, public participation and justice in environmental matters in Latin America and the Caribbean; whereas the Escazu Agreement, which has been open for ratification since 1 September 2019, is the first treaty to establish the right to a healthy environment (Article 4); whereas the Escazu Agreement may serve as an inspiration for other regions, facing similar challenges; reiterates the importance of regional cooperation;
Amendment 82 #
2020/2134(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that human rights and a healthy planet are mutually dependentboth of the essence and linked; calls for the EU and its Member States to act as a credible and reliable partner on the global stage through the adoption, strengthening and implementation of legislationstandards and guidelines, aligned with a comprehensive human rights-based approach to climate action (HRBA), to guide policies and measures of climate change mitigation and adaptation while protecting the rights of all;
Amendment 97 #
2020/2134(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Urges the Commission to establish a horizontal monitoring programme on human rights and climate change in order to assess the progress in integrating and mainstreaming hcontinue monitoring human rights and climate change in close cooperation with the UN Human Rights Council / UN High Commissioner on Human rRights into all aspects of climate action at domestic and international level in close cooperation with the UN Human Rights Council / UN High Commissioner on H; stresses in this regard the importance of close cooperation with Member States and all actors involved in ensuring the proper implementation of human Rrights; and environmental provisions; recalls fourther the Union, in this regard, to introduce the right to a safe and healthy environment in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EUimportance of supporting small organisations and corporations and economically weaker Member States in their efforts to providing for the best conditions possible;
Amendment 102 #
2020/2134(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 108 #
2020/2134(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the Union and its Member States to deeply assess how the external dimension of the European Green Deal can best contribute to a holistic and human rights-based approachwith regards to climate action and to stopping biodiversity loss; calls for the EU to leverage the broad range of external policies, tools and political and financial instruments at its disposal to implement it; calls for the EU to revisew its climate finance mechanisms and propose to amend them where appropriate, in order to ensure full respect for human rights and to establish strong safeguards for this purpose;
Amendment 111 #
2020/2134(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the Commission to increasereview and possibly revise, where appropriate, financial and technical assistance and capacity building activities to support third countries with the integration of human rights in their national climate actions and programmes; recalls its position that at least 45 % of the funding from the proposed 2021-2027 Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) should support climate and environment objectives;
Amendment 116 #
2020/2134(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Acknowledges the impact of the nexus of climate change, environmental degradation and disasters on migration and displacement and regrets the lack of human rights safeguards and specific protections for environmentally displaced people at international level; calls on the Commission and the Member States to cooperate in the development of an international mechanism for addressing climate-induced displacement and migration at international forums and to address climate-induced displacement in related fields of the EU’s external action; insists on gender-based participation in fulfilling the rights of all individuals, notably those most vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change such women, children, afro-descendent and indigenous communities, individuals subjected to discrimination, and persons often living in poor and remote areas;
Amendment 125 #
2020/2134(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Recalls the fact that the inequality, violence and discrimination experienced by women are amplified by climate change; calls on the EU and its Member States to design and implement policies with a transversal gender perspective in the fields of trade, cooperation, climate and external action, promoting the empowerment and participation of women in the decision-making process and recognising the specific constraints faced by girls and women;
Amendment 131 #
Amendment 132 #
2020/2134(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
Amendment 135 #
2020/2134(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
Amendment 137 #
2020/2134(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
Amendment 138 #
2020/2134(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
Amendment 160 #
2020/2134(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Regrets the factNotes that, even if fully implemented by all states, current nationally determined contributions (NDCs) would likely lead to a disastrous global temperature rise of 3 °C above pre- industrial levels, violating the Paris Agreement; warns that such a scenario would result in extreme climatic and environmental impacts and widespread adverse effects on human rights;
Amendment 168 #
2020/2134(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Urges the EU’s institutions to play an active and ambitious rolecooperate closely in the promotion of a human rights approach in the ongoing international climate negotiations, notably in the Sustainable Development Mechanism and other guidelines for mechanisms under Article 6, paragraph 4 of the Paris Agreement, that ensure meaningful and informed participation of rights-holders, adequate environmental and social safeguards, and independent redress mechanisms;
Amendment 170 #
2020/2134(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
Amendment 175 #
2020/2134(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
Amendment 177 #
2020/2134(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Believes that the EU must play an active, strong and ambitious leadership and engaged role in the preparations for the 26th UN climate change conference (COP26), putting the inclusion of human rights principles at the heart of international climate change policymaking in order to avoid irreversible damage to current and future human development and generations;
Amendment 183 #
2020/2134(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Recalls that Member States are required to regulatemonitor corporations to ensure that they do not cause human rights abuses and that private and corporate actors have the obligation to address the human rights implications of climate change, in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights;
Amendment 1 #
2020/2129(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that the Article 21 of the Treaty on the European Union requires the Union to promote and consolidate the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, as protected by the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR) and Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (the ‘Charter’), to ensure sustainable development and consistency between its external action and other policies;
Amendment 2 #
2020/2129(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Underlines that corporate due diligence has been increasingly introduced into legal standards in the Member States;
Amendment 19 #
2020/2129(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Regrets that many businesses’ decisions are primarilyoften guided by lower costs and higher profits with inadequate consideration of adverse impacts on human rights and the environment down their global value chains, while severe human rights violations often occur at primary production level, in particular when sourcing raw material and manufacturing products;
Amendment 22 #
2020/2129(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Stresses, that in recent years multiple voluntary initiatives and actions, in particular by small and medium- sized EU businesses have been undertaken with the aim to improve the corporate due diligence climate throughout the Union; emphasises the importance of supporting companies throughout this process;
Amendment 40 #
2020/2129(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Points out that OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct further describe how businesses can avoid and address adverse impacts related to workers, human rights, the environment, corruption, consumers and corporate governance that may be associated with their operations, supply chains and other business relationships; irecalls ofn the view that Union legislation should progressively and constructively build on the UNGPs and that guidance; importance of regular revision of the application of the due diligence regulation by companies and Member States, when monitoring market trends; calls for specific technical assistance to our companies, especially SMEs, so that they may comply with due diligence requirements as efficiently and effectively as possible;
Amendment 50 #
2020/2129(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Points out that corruption in the context of judicial proceedings can have a devastating effect on the lawful administration of justice and judicial integrity, and intrinsically violate the fundamentalhuman right to a fair trial, the right to due process and the victim’s right to effective redress; stresses that corruption generally leads to systematic abuse of human rights in the business context, for example, by preventing individuals from accessing goods and services that states are obliged to provide to meet their human rights obligations, by encouraging wrongful acquisition or appropriation by businesses of land, or by granting licences or concessions to businesses in the extractive sector;
Amendment 51 #
2020/2129(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. RegretNotes that despite attempts by European companies to implement their corporate responsibility policies to respect human rights, and various polices and laws in place to encourage or require due diligence across different Member States, only 37% of businesses are currently undertaking due diligence in their supply chains and only 16% cover the entire value chain; stresses that protection of human rights and prevention of business-related abuses and violations cannot be achieved with current policies and that binding Union legislation is necessary to bridge this gapis concerned with mandatory due diligence’s impact as regards the competitiveness of EU businesses; calls for detailed analysis and fitness check of additional costs and obligations and their impact on EU businesses, resulting from due diligence rules, in particular SMEs; calls on Member States to provide for improved assistance to EU businesses in implementing due diligence guidelines and relevant rules and regulations;
Amendment 56 #
2020/2129(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes thatIs concerned that some corporations and investors are calling for mandatory human rights due diligence at Union level, to harmonise standards, and secure a global level playing field and greater legal and business certainty; underlines the additional and potential excessive administrative costs and burdens in particular on SMEs need to be duly taken into account for any possible future due diligence legislation; calls on the Commission to conduct a thorough impact assessment beforehand;
Amendment 61 #
2020/2129(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
Amendment 72 #
2020/2129(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Recommends that due diligence as required by Union legislation be extended to all potential or actual adverse impacts which the company has or may have caused, contributed to or with which it may be directly linked; this extends to, but is not limited to, abuses across the entire value chain, including the parent undertaking, all subsidiaries, direct and indirect suppliers and subcontractors or other business partnerscaused;
Amendment 85 #
2020/2129(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Recommends that existing Union legislation cover all companies and all sectors, including state-owned enterprises, the banking sector and financial institutions, including the European Investment Bank;
Amendment 91 #
2020/2129(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. StresseRecalls that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated and should be promoted and implemented in a fair and equitable manner; recommends that due diligence obligations should apply to all business- related human rights abuses;
Amendment 92 #
2020/2129(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
Amendment 101 #
2020/2129(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Notes that the human rights of groups at risk of vulnerability and marginalisation are disproportionately impacted by businesses’ activities; insists therefore that Union mandatory due diligence legislation should refer to group-specific instruments in defining the scope of corporate human rights due diligence; stresses, in this regard, that all rights guaranteed to those most severely affected groups under local, national or international law must be covered, as enshrined in Article 5 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;
Amendment 117 #
2020/2129(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Notes that some corporations unlawfully exploit natural resources, which not only constitutes a major sustainability and environmental challenge but also results in severe adverse impacts on the social, economic, cultural, civil and political rights of local communities; such business practices violate the fundamental right of peoples to self-determination and the principle of permanent sovereignty, access and control over their natural resources, enshrined in UN General Assembly resolution 1803 (XVII); recommends that the possible legislation requires Member States to regulate businesses’ activity in compliance with their commitment to the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, including the fundamental principles of equality, non-discrimination and self- determination of peoples;
Amendment 121 #
2020/2129(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Notes that some businesses are accused of profiting from or even complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity due to their own activity or that of their business partners in conflict-affected areas or to their business relationships with state- or non-state actors involved in conflicts globally; Recommends that, in order to prevent substantial risks of grave human rights abu the Commission assess and serious breaches of international law,the impact of extending the scope of due diligence under Union legislation be extended to breaches of international criminal law and international humanitarian law in which businesses may be implicated;
Amendment 132 #
2020/2129(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Recommends that, requirements for corporate mandatorya possible corporate human rights and environmental due diligence be grounded in the principle of corporate responsibility to respect human rights as articulated by the UNGPs; businesses should avoid infringing human rights and address adverse human rights impacts with which they are directly or indirectly connected, entailing in practice that they should have in place an embedded human rights policy, a human rights due diligence process and appropriate and adequate measures to facilitate access to effective remedies for business-related human rights abuses, including at company level, and other grievance mechanisms, where applicable;
Amendment 143 #
2020/2129(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Stresses that human rights impacts can be specific to certain rights holders and vulnerable groups due to intersecting factors such as gender, ethnicity, social and employment status, migrant or refugee status, exposure to conflict or violence or other factors; this must be reflected in the due diligence processes, including the human rights impact assessment phase and remedy procedures;
Amendment 165 #
2020/2129(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Notes that in order to assess human rights risks, independent monitoring of human rights impacts and working conditions in supply chains is essential, in particular by means of monitoring, which has workers and affected communities at its core and fully involves relevant stakeholdercontributes greatly to the work of official oversight authorities;
Amendment 172 #
2020/2129(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Stresses that transparency must be at the core and the overriding principle of the monitoring and assessment process and that external participation, oversight and verification are key elements for robust and meaningful corporate human rights due diligence and its evaluation; calls, accordingly, for Union due diligence legislation to require the publication of lists of companies within its scope, the publication of due diligence reports via online public repositories, and the identification of companies that comply or have failed to comply with due diligence obligations;
Amendment 177 #
2020/2129(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
Amendment 197 #
2020/2129(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
Amendment 222 #
2020/2129(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Recommends that thfuture legislation establishes guidance regarding the elements of an effective, fair and equitable operational grievance mechanism, with a view to defining appropriate measures to prevent harm, including providing adequate access to remedies;
Amendment 53 #
2020/2128(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point -a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point -a (new)
(-a) intensify its actions for the implementation of International Law globally;
Amendment 149 #
2020/2128(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
(ga) address the roots of Islamic terrorism, by exploring initiatives that engage with religious leaders and ministers;
Amendment 190 #
2020/2128(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j
Paragraph 1 – point j
(j) develop further the EU’s mediation capabilities for crisis prevention and management and, frozen and new, conflict resolution, in synergy with efforts by the UN, with the Berlin process standing as a good example of EU support for and synergy with UN-led mediation efforts;
Amendment 231 #
2020/2128(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m
Paragraph 1 – point m
(m) continue to pursue and expand capacity cooperation within the UN system on the promotion of effective common standards in new policy areas such as data protection, due diligenceue diligence, data protection, artificial intelligence or cyberspace, while promoting adequate support for those countries that may wish to expand their regulatory capacity and implementation of standards and considering the advantages of the formation of a new Specialized Agency on Digital Transition, aiming to primarily address the internet security and coordinate the Members stance towards the ever-growing digital industry;
Amendment 259 #
2020/2128(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point o
Paragraph 1 – point o
(o) further enhance integrated support for gender equality and the empowerment of women, in line with the Beijing Declaration and its Platform for Action, with a special focus on eradicating violence against women and girls in the countries that present the gravest problem, and supporting the meaningful and active participation of women in all spheres of public life;
Amendment 45 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the EU’s security environment is vulnerable to external pressure that prevents the EU from exercising its sovereigntywhich already is taking place in the form of hybrid warfare, including hostile propaganda from Russia and other actors, as well as increasing threat from radical terrorist groups;
Amendment 80 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that at a moment when competing powers are increasingly challenging the rules-based global order, we, as Europeans,the EU and its Member States must defend multilateralism, international law, democracy and human rights;
Amendment 121 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Believes that the European Union needs to take on a global leadership role and unlock its political potential to think and act like a geopolitical powera more prominent role in international sphere and unlock its political potential to act while defending and promoting its common values and interests in the world; reaffirms the need to secure ‘EU strategic autonomy’; fully supportnotes the Commission President’s decision to transform the EU’s executive branch into a ‘geopolitical commission’, underlining however the leading role of the Council and Member States in defining foreign policy of the EU;
Amendment 141 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses that the European Union has to switch from a responsive to an anticipatory approach and team up with like-minded partners, especially NATO, in order to defend the global rule-based order founded on international law; recalls that the EU’s CFSP is based on partnership and multilateralism, which help to unite the relevant regional and global powers; underlines the urgent need to explore new forms of alliances and find innovative mechanisms for cooperation;
Amendment 151 #
2019/2136(INI)
8. Promotes an EU foreign policy that will unite the EU institutions and all foreign ministries behind a common and strong EU-level foreign policy that should be based on consensus among the Member States; emphasises the need to build where necessary ad hoc coalitions to strengthen EU cohesion and democratic legitimacy;
Amendment 164 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Stresses its commitment to enlargement, which remains a key policy of the EU and for the European perspective of the Western Balkans; reiterates that pursuant to Article 49 TEU, any state in Europe may apply to become a member of the European Union provided that it adheres to the Copenhagen criteria and the principles of democracy, respects fundamental freedoms and human and minority rights, and upholds the rule of law;
Amendment 176 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Underlines that the European Union can only deliver its full potential when speaking with one voice and when decision-making is shifted step by step from the national to the supranational level, taking full advantage of the possibilities offered by the EU institutions and their procedures, especially the Council; stresses that the European Union should use all available means to achieve this goal, including those offered by parliamentary diplomacy;
Amendment 261 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Underlines the unconditional EU support for sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of all Eastern Partnership countries within their internationally recognized borders and strongly underlines the importance of the proactive stance based on international law against protracted conflicts in the Eastern Neighbourhood;
Amendment 262 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
Paragraph 17 b (new)
Amendment 263 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 c (new)
Paragraph 17 c (new)
17c. Reiterates its support for the Eastern Partnership, which celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2019; stresses however that in order to be more successful it needs new initiatives and commitments from both sides, the EU and our partners;
Amendment 270 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 d (new)
Paragraph 17 d (new)
17d. Underlines, that more than a decade after the end of the Russian aggression in Georgia and subsequent ceasefire brokered by the EU, the Russians are still in blatant violation of some of its provisions and the borderisation process is ongoing; in light of recent unlawful detention of monitors of EUMM (European Union Monitoring Mission) by armed South Ossetian de facto security forces, calls for strengthening of EUMM mandate and visibility and urges Russian Federation as the occupying power to honour its international obligations and grant EUMM unhindered access to the occupied regions;
Amendment 274 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls for the strengthening of the EU’s capacity to act autonomously in the area of security and defence; stresses that , however, the leading role of NATO as a guarantor of European security and underlines the need of maintaining closest possible cooperation with the Alliance on all defence-related matters, as well as efficient cooperation with other partner organisations such as the UN or NATO is more vital than ever;
Amendment 291 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
Amendment 315 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. WelcomNotes the decision of the President of the Commission to build, within five years, a genuine European Defence Union;
Amendment 355 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Calls on the VP/HR, the Commission and the Member States to continue and step up their efforts to increase their ability to confront hybrid threats by strengthening the EU’s cyber defences and resilience against hybrid threats; calls, in this regard, for the development of comprehensive joint capacities and methods to analyse risk and vulnerability;
Amendment 365 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Promotes the boosting of the European Union’s strategic communication capabilities; calls, in that connection, for further support for the EEAS Strategic Communications Division by turning it into a fully-fledged unit within the EEAS, responsible for the Eastern and Southern neighbourhoods, with proper staffing and adequate budgetary resources, possibly by means of an additional dedicated budget line;
Amendment 387 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Recognises the important role of the civil and military missions that form part of the CSDP in maintaining peace, avoiding conflicts and strengthening international security; underlines, however, the leading role of NATO as important pillar of European security and welcomes the ongoing process of NATO enlargement which contributes to the stability and well-being of Europe;
Amendment 46 #
2019/2125(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 23 a (new)
Citation 23 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 23 November 2016 on EU strategic communication to counteract propaganda against it by third parties (2016/2030(INI)) and its recommendation of 13 March 2019 to the Council and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy concerning taking stock of the follow-up taken by the EEAS two years after the EP report on EU strategic communication to counteract propaganda against it by third parties (2018/2115(INI)),
Amendment 87 #
2019/2125(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas, according to the recent report commissioned by UK government, Christians are the most persecuted religious group in the world, constituting 80% of persecuted religious believers in the world; whereas this persecution range from routine discrimination in education, employment and social life, through limitations on all forms of expression up to physical attacks against Christian communities, which come close to meeting the international definition of genocide, according to that adopted by the UN;
Amendment 173 #
2019/2125(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Stresses that freedom of speech and expression, as well as media pluralism, are at the heart of resilient democratic societies; urges that the best possible safeguards against ongoing disinformation campaigns and hostile propaganda originating from authoritarian states and non-state actors, such as terrorist groups be put in place by developing a legal framework both at EU and international level for tackling hybrid threats, including cyber and information warfare;
Amendment 269 #
2019/2125(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Calls on the VP/HR and the Council to pay special attention to the human rights situation in the illegally- occupied territories in the Eastern Partnership countries, and take effective measures with the aim to prevent grave human rights abuses on the ground, including the violation of right to life, restriction of freedom of movement, and discrimination on the ground of ethnicity;
Amendment 270 #
2019/2125(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. In this regard recalls its resolution of 14 June 2018 on Georgian occupied territories 10 years after the Russian invasion (2018/2741(RSP)) and reiterates the necessity of imposing the restrictive measures by the EU and its Member States on the persons included in the “Otkhozoria-Tatunashvili List”, the individuals responsible for grave human rights violations in Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia;
Amendment 392 #
2019/2125(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Urges the Commission, the EEAS and the Member States to step up advocacy in relation to FoRB, and to launch interreligious dialogue with states and representatives of civil society and faith groups in order to prevent acts of violence and discrimination against persons on the grounds of thought, conscience, religion or belief; calls for the EU to continue to forge alliances and to enhance cooperation with a broad range of countries and regional organisations, in order to deliver positive change in relation to FoRB; reminds the Council and Commission of the need to adequately support the institutional mandate, capacity and duties of the Special Envoy for the promotion of FoRB outside the EU; underlines the need to pay special attention to the situation of the persecuted Christians around the world, who make up the vast majority of the religious groups facing discrimination, violence and death;
Amendment 480 #
2019/2125(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Stresses that the EU should continue to actively support democratic and effective human rights institutions and civil society in their efforts to promote democratisation; positively notes, in this context, the European Endowment for Democracy’s consistent engagement in the eastern and southern neighbourhoods of the EU to promote democracy and respect for fundamental rights and freedoms; calls on the Council to consider expanding the EED’s mandate also to the countries of Central and Latin America and making sufficient funds available to do so; recalls that the experience gained and the lessons learned from transitions to democracy in the framework of the enlargement and neighbourhood policies could make a positive contribution to the identification of best practices that could be used to support and consolidate other democratisation processes worldwide;