Activities of Soraya POST related to 2015/2095(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
The situation in the Mediterranean and the need for a holistic EU approach to migration (debate) SV
Amendments (54)
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)
Citation 4 a (new)
- Having regard to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child z\on 20 November 1989 and to the European Parliament resolution of 27 November 2014 on the 25th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child,
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 a (new)
Citation 11 a (new)
- having regard to the Commission Communication 'Action Plan on Unaccompanied Minors',[1]and the European Parliament Resolution of 12 September 2013 on the situation of unaccompanied minors in the EU [1] COM 82010)0213 def Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council - Action Plan on Unaccompanied Minors (2010-2014)
Amendment 34 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that the persistent instability and conflicts in the EU's neighbourhood have a serious impact on the mass influx of migrants; believes that a genuine response to the migratiohumanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean will come only from tackling the root causes, namely poverty, instability, wars, persecution, violations of human rights and natural disastersfully respecting the right to seek asylum by EU Member states and extending and facilitating the means for refugees to do so;
Amendment 70 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Advocates broader and intensified EU cooperation with third countries of origin and transit, through bilateral agreements, in order to clamp down on smuggling and trafficking networksenhance the respect for human rights, democracy and rule of law, to ensure capacity building in the fields of asylum systems and border control, to provide protection for people in need, and to develop frameworks for regular migration and mobility, and to put into force a humane and effective return policy for irregular migrants;
Amendment 70 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas in 2015, over 3.771 persons are reported dead or missing in the Mediterranean sea, according to the International Organisation for Migration8 ; whereas children represent 30 per cent of all recorded deaths in the Aegean Sea[1]; whereas according to recent Europol data at least 10 000 unaccompanied children have disappeared after arriving in Europe [1] IOM and UNICEF, Data Brief: Migration of Children to Europe, http://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/press _release/file/IOM-UNICEF-Data-Brief- Refugee-and-Migrant-Crisis-in-Europe- 30.11.15.pdf __________________ 8 IOM, Missing Migrants Project, http://missingmigrants.iom.int/.
Amendment 92 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on key origin and transit countries for irregular migration to the EU to implement the existing bilateral readmission agreements fully and effectively; highlights, furthermore, the need to improve cross- border cooperation with neighbouring EU Member States in this respect, including through enhanced operational and technical cooperation with FRONTEXEASO; believes, at the same time, that the EU should establish a binding resettlement programme with yearly quotas and a permanent mandatory and automatically triggered relocation system across the EU;
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
G a. whereas the root cause of migrant smuggling, trafficking and labour exploitation is the lack of safe and legal routes for migrants to enter the European Union and fair possibilities for migrants to live and work in the Member States;
Amendment 108 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the launch of the EUNAVFOR Med operation against smugglers and traffickers in the Mediterranean and supports the reinforcement of the management of the Union's external borders; insists, however,Insists on the need for sustained, coordinated search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean to save lives and for an EU policy on asylum, subsidiary protection and temporary protection which fully comply with binding obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights and respect the non-refoulement principle;
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas the abolishment of internal border controls must go hand-in-hand with the effective management of external borders, with high common standards regarding the fulfilment of the Member States commitments and obligations according to humanitarian law and the right to seek asylum and thus ensuring the safe arrival of asylum seekers and refugees to the European Union, effective exchange of information between Member States, and full respect for everyone’s fundamental rights;
Amendment 143 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Considers that development assistance plays a crucial role in tackling the root causes of migration; stresses the need for continuous EU support to international efforts towards poverty reduction, as well as to peace-building, promotion of democracy, gender equality, human rights and fundamental freedoms, regional, political and economic stability, security and prosperity.;
Amendment 151 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M a (new)
Recital M a (new)
M a. whereas, according to the UNHCR, the percentage of children in boats irregularly crossing the Mediterranean has increased from 16 percent in June 2015 to 35 percent in December 2015;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M a (new)
Recital M a (new)
M a. whereas all EU Member States have a duty to protect and promote the rights of all children and ensure that migrant children are treated first and foremost as children and that the principle of the child's best interests takes precedence over migration management objectives;
Amendment 163 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital P a (new)
Recital P a (new)
P a. whereas the external cooperation with third countries on migration and asylum shall not have the purpose of preventing refugees and asylum seekers from seeking protection in the European Union but to promote the reception and treatment of refugees and asylum seekers in these countries in line with international human rights standards and the rule of law;
Amendment 182 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital Q a (new)
Recital Q a (new)
Q a. whereas the overall demographic development in the Member States constitutes a challenge that can only be solved through immigration;
Amendment 201 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital U a (new)
Recital U a (new)
U a. whereas harmonised conditions for asylum must be implemented in a way that ensures full respect of the rights of asylum seekers irrespective of their migrant route or country of origin and that consolidates the role of the EU as a generous and responsible actor with regard to the refugee situation in the world;
Amendment 230 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Starts from the premise that saving lives must be a first priority and that properthe necessary funding, at Union and Member State level, for search and rescue operations is essential; notes that due to the absence of safe and legal routes for refugees and asylum seekers to the EU there has been an increase in the number of irregularrefugees and asylum seekers arrivalsing by sea andresulting in an alarming increase in the number of deaths at sea, and that a better European response iswhich is unacceptable for a Union that builds on the respect for Human Rights; emphasizes that urgent European action to save lives is therefore still required;
Amendment 252 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Suggests, in that respect, that search and rescue capacities must be strengthened and prioritized before measures to increase border control, and that Member States’ governments must deploy morthe resources needed – in terms of financial assistance and assets – in the context of a Union-wide humanitarian operation, dedicated to finding, rescuing and assisting migrants in peril and bringing them to the closest place of safety;
Amendment 259 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Suggests, in that respect, that search and rescue capacities must be strengthened, and that Member States’ governments must deploy more resources – in terms of financial assistance and assets – in the context of a Union-wide humanitarian operation, dedicated to finding, rescuing and assisting migrants in peril and bringing them to the closest place of safety, recommends that, in planning such search and rescue operations, child specific measures be taken, such as child safeguarding policies in manuals on search and rescue, child protection trainings and child-focused care at disembark;
Amendment 293 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Emphasizes that smuggling of migrants and human trafficking are caused by the lack of safe and legal routes to enter and possibilities to reside and work in the European Union and that there is an urgent need to introduce such measures in order to save lives and to prevent crime;
Amendment 332 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Emphasises that measures against criminal smuggling can only be effective if paralleled with the introduction of safe and legal routes for refugees and asylum seekers to enter the European Union;
Amendment 424 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Believes that the preferences of the applicant should, as much as practically possible, be taken into account when carrying out relocation; recognises that this is one be a decisive factor when carrying out relocation; recognises that this constitutes the best possible conditions for the migrant to build its new life in the EU and that it is the best way tof discouraginge secondary movements and encouraging applicants themselves to accept relocation decisions, but that it should not stop the relocation process;
Amendment 431 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Believes that the preferences of the applicant should, as much as practically possible, be taken into account when carrying out relocation; recognises that this is one way of discouraging secondary movements and encouraging applicants themselves to accept relocation decisions, but that it should not stop the relocation process; further recalls that the best interest of the child must be a primary consideration should always guide any decision on relocation involving children;
Amendment 433 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 13 a (new)
Subheading 13 a (new)
Fulfilling the obligations to provide protection to refugees and asylum seekers
Amendment 440 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Emphasises the urgent need to introduce concrete measures that will enable refugees and asylum seekers to seek protection in the EU in a safe and lawful manner in order to save lives and to provide refugees and asylum seekers with the protection they are entitled to according to international law with the possibility of shaping their own future; underlines that the abolition of the carrier's liability would be one effective means for this purpose; calls on the European Commission to put forward proposals for measures that can be quickly implemented and that will have an effective impact on the refugee situation and that would ensure that the EU takes its full responsibility according to international law and international human rights standards; points out that there is an urgent need to open up a humanitarian corridor into the EU by triggering the Directive on Temporary Protection and through permanent measures such as mandatory resettlement schemes in order to bring refugees and asylum seekers to safety;
Amendment 441 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. Emphasises the urgent need to address gender-related violence and abuse against women and girls on migrant routes to the EU as well as inside the EU, particularly when committed by officials of EU agencies or Member State officials;
Amendment 463 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Points out that, given the unprecedented flows of migrants that have reached and continue to reach the Union’s external borders, and the steady increase in the number of people asking for international protection, the Union needs a binding and mandatory legislative approach to resettlement, as set out in the Commission’s agenda for migration; calls on the Commission to proceed urgently with its commitment to put forward such a proposal; recommends that, to have an impact, such an approach must provide for resettlement of a meaningful number of refugees, with regard to the overall numbers of refugees seeking international protection in the Union;
Amendment 505 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Considers that persons seeking international protection should be able to apply for a European humanitarian visa directly at any consulate or embassy of the Member States, and if granted, such a humanitarian visa would allow its holder to enter the territory of the Member State issuing the visa for the sole purpose to lodge therein an application for international protection; believes, therefore, that it is necessary to amend the Visa Code by including more specific common provisions on humanitarian visas;
Amendment 531 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Underlines that harmonised conditions for asylum must be implemented in a way that ensures full respect of the rights of asylum seekers and consolidates the EU as a generous and responsible actor with regard to the refugee situation in the world;
Amendment 574 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Recommends that the criteria on which the Relocation Decisions are based should be built directly into the Union’s standard rules for allocating responsibility; emphasises that, in reviewplacing the Dublin Regulation with a new instrument, it is important to reflect on the value of describing certain asylum seekers as ‘applicants in clear need of international protection’, since those migrants and refugees who do not fall into that category would still – at least under the current system – have to be dealt with by the Member State of first arrival;
Amendment 646 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Emphasises that hosting Member States must offer refugees support and opportunities to integrate and build a life in their new society and – as provided for in the Qualifications Directive12 – this should also include effective access to democratic structures and equal treatment in society; emphasises that integration is a two-way process requiring efforts of the receiving Member State and its population and that respect for the values upon which the EU is built must be an integral part of the integration process; __________________ 12 Directive 2011/95/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on standards for the qualification of third-country nationals or stateless persons as beneficiaries of international protection, for a uniform status for refugees or for persons eligible for subsidiary protection, and for the content of the protection granted (OJ L 337, 20.12.2011, p. 9).
Amendment 681 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. Reaffirms that better recognition of foreign qualifications is one practical way of ensuring that those third-country nationals already present in the Union can integrate betterobtain work equivalent to their skills, and calls on the Commission to come forward with appropriate proposals in that regard;
Amendment 683 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. Reaffirms that better recognition of foreign qualifications is one practical way of ensuring that those third-country nationals already present in the Union can integrate better, and calls on the Commission to come forward with appropriate proposals in that regard; Encourages the Member States to create, in cooperation with the social partners, fast track procedures to best take advantage of valuable skills, education or experiences and to facilitate access to the labour market for persons granted international protection;
Amendment 695 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Encourages private and community integration programmes for those persons accepted for resettlement as well as for the majority population, including building on best practices of Member States and local authorities;
Amendment 705 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. Encourages the Member States to seek to keep families together, which will assist integration prospects in the long-term as the focus can be directed towards the establishment of a new life instead of concerns towards family members that are still in insecure situations; urges Member States to take all measures necessary to prevent the separation of a child from his/her parents;
Amendment 719 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 a (new)
Paragraph 47 a (new)
47 a. Deplores the fact that restrictive national rules on family unification is forcing an increased number women and children refugees to embark on migrant routes where they are subject to violence and abuse and particularly that the number of children crossing the Mediterranean has increased from 16 per cent in June 2015 to 35 per cent in December 2015 due to such restrictions; underlines that migration policies need to take into account a child perspective as well as a gender equality perspective;
Amendment 723 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 a (new)
Paragraph 47 a (new)
47 a. On Unaccompanied Minors (new title)
Amendment 724 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 b (new)
Paragraph 47 b (new)
47 b. Recalls that refugee and migrant children should be provided with information on their right to family reunification and how to claim it in a child-friendly way; Recalls that support and protection should be extended to unaccompanied and separated children, in line with their best interests, and that applications for family reunification filed by unaccompanied and separated children should be expedited;
Amendment 725 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 c (new)
Paragraph 47 c (new)
47 c. Calls on Member States to fully apply the specific provisions of the Common European Asylum System concerning unaccompanied minors, including access to legal assistance, guardianship, access to healthcare, accommodation and education, the right to be spoken in a language they understand, to have interviews with trained officials not in a uniform, etc.; calls on the Member States to end detention of children because they are migrants.
Amendment 726 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 d (new)
Paragraph 47 d (new)
47 d. Calls on the Member States to ensure that refugee and migrant children enjoy rapid and non-discriminatory access to national services, including child protection systems, in line with the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child with the same level of care and support recognised to national children deprived of parental care; calls on Member States to gather disaggregated data on the situation of refugee and migrant children in order to improve the ability of systems to integrate refugee and migrant children;
Amendment 727 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 e (new)
Paragraph 47 e (new)
47 e. Believes that age assessment should be carried out in a manner that is multi- disciplinary, safe and in respect of children's physical integrity and human dignity, with particular attention to girls and should be performed by independent, qualified practitioners and experts; calls for legal guardians to be appointed to support unaccompanied and separated children immediately upon identification and calls on the Member States to speed up procedures for appointing legal guardians
Amendment 751 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49
Paragraph 49
Amendment 767 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50
Paragraph 50
50. Believes that the return of migrants should only be carried out on a voluntary basis, safely, in full compliance with the fundamental and procedural rights of the migrants in question, and where the country to which they are being returned is safe for them; reiterates, in that regard, that volcalls no child should be returned without a thorough risk assessment, conducted by independent child protection officer, and based on Countary return should be prioritised over forcedof Origin Information reports in cooperation with non-governmental, local and international organisation to ensure protection and reintegration after their returns;
Amendment 773 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50
Paragraph 50
50. Believes that the return of migrants should only be carried out safely, in full compliance with the fundamental and procedural rights of the migrants in question, and where the country to which they are being returned is safe for them; reiterates, in that regard, that voluntary return should be prioritised over forced returns; recalls no child should be returned without a thorough risk assessment, conducted by independent child protection officer, and based on Country of Origin Information reports in cooperation with non-governmental, local and international organisation to ensure protection and reintegration after their return;
Amendment 802 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
Paragraph 52
52. AcknowledgesTakes note of the recent Commission proposal for a Union list of safe countries of origin, amending the Asylum Procedures Directive13 ; observes that if such a Union list would become obligatory for Member States it could, in principle, be an important tool for facilitating the asylum process, including return; __________________ 13 Directive 2013/32/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on common procedures for granting and withdrawing international protection (OJ L180, 29.6.2013, p. 60).
Amendment 805 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52 a (new)
Paragraph 52 a (new)
52 a. Emphasises that it is inappropriate to presume that any country is safe by presumption, particularly the countries that are listed in the Commission's proposal; underlines that only this presumption but also the simplified procedures that would apply to countries in such a list would endanger the right of asylum seekers of an individual examination of their applications in line with the rule of law;
Amendment 817 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53
Paragraph 53
53. Regrets the current situation in which Member States apply different lists, containing different safe countries, hampering uniform application and incentivising secondary movements and endangers the rights of asylum seekers;
Amendment 823 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54
Paragraph 54
54. Underlines, in any event, that any list of safe countries of origin should not detract from the principle that every person must be allowed an appropriatexhaustive individual examination of his or her application for international protection;
Amendment 917 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 68
Paragraph 68
68. Emphasises again that, as for legislation specifically in the area of asylum and migration, in order for legislation on internal and external borders to be effective, it is essential that measures agreed at Union level are implemented properly by the Member States; underlines that betterthe implementation of measures by Member States at the external borders are essential and will go some way into allaying the security fears caused by an influx of migrantsshould always be in line with the respect for human rights and the rule of law;
Amendment 1016 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 83
Paragraph 83
83. Points out that the Union and its Member States must be selective in their support for third-countries’ law enforcement agencies taking into account the record of those agencies in breaching the human rights of migrants and that any such support should aim at introducing international human rights standards in the work of those agencies, for example by providing advice and training;
Amendment 1030 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 85 a (new)
Paragraph 85 a (new)
85a. Welcomes the commitments taken at the Valletta summit which recognise the need to give hope and opportunities to young people, and to protect children from violence and abuse;
Amendment 1089 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 92
Paragraph 92
92. Understands that, in the long term, greater impetus is needed in solving the geo-political issues that affect the root causes of migration, as war, poverty, corruption, hunger and a lack of opportunities means that people will still feel forced to flee to Europe unless Europe looks at how to help re-build those countries; points out that this means that the Commission and the Member States must put up the money to help build capacity in third countries, such as by facilitating investment and education, strengthening and enforcing asylum systems, helping to manage borders better, and border management in line with international human rights standards and reinforcing legal and judicial systems there;
Amendment 1090 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 92
Paragraph 92
92. Understands that, in the long -term, greater impetus is needed in solving the geo-political issues that affect the root causes of migration, as – war, poverty, corruption, hunger and a, lack of opportunities and persecution such as that based on gender, race, religion, political affiliation or as part of a particular social group such as being part of the LGBTIQ community, means that people will still feel forced to flee to Europe unless Europe looks at how to help re-build those countries; pPoints out that this means that the Commission and the Member States must put up the money to help build capacity in third countries,; such as by facilitating investment and education,; strengthening and enforcing asylum systems,; helping to manage borders better, and reinforcing legal and judicial systems there;
Amendment 1216 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 114
Paragraph 114
114. Considers that all workers, irrespective of their home countries must enjoy the same rights and conditions of employment as nationals; Notes that labour exploitation can take place as a consequence of trafficking, of smuggling, or even in the absence of both, with the result that there is impunity for those exploiting irregular migrants in those Member States in which it is not criminalised as such;
Amendment 1220 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 115
Paragraph 115
115. Deplores the fact that the low risk of being detected and/or prosecuted as an employer exploiting the labour of irregular migrants has been identified as an important factor in labour exploitation, in particular in sectors most at risk (agriculture, construction, hotels and restaurants, domestic workers and care services); recommends that in order to tackle this impunity it is necessary, firstly, to ensure that all cases of severe labour exploitation are criminalised and adequately punished under national law and, secondly, to increase labour inspections in at-risk sectors, as well as to ensure proper control and enforcement so as to deter and prevent companies from infringing labour and social rights, including collective agreements, it is necessary, firstly, to ensure that all cases of severe labour exploitation are criminalised and adequately punished and, secondly, to increase labour inspections in all sectors; underlines that labour inspectorates and trade unions have a vital role to play in the prevention and monitoring of abuse and also help to enhance expertise and information provision at company level; urges the Member States to increase the staffing levels of, and the resources available to, their labour inspectorates and to meet the target of one inspector for every 10 000 workers, as recommended by the ILO;