47 Amendments of Attila ARA-KOVÁCS related to 2020/2111(INI)
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
Citation 5 a (new)
— having regard the Commission guidelines to protect critical European assets and technology in current crisis of 25 March 2020;
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)
Citation 9 a (new)
— having regard to its resolution of 11 December 2018 with recommendations to the Commission on Humanitarian Visas (2018/2271 (INL));
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 a (new)
Citation 10 a (new)
— having regard to the European Council, ‘Conclusions of the President of the European Council following the video conference of the members of the European Council’, 23 April 2020,
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 b (new)
Citation 10 b (new)
— having regard to the Council of Europe Convention of 2011 on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention);
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 a (new)
Citation 11 a (new)
— having regard to the EU guidelines of 8 December 2008 on violence against women and girls and combating all forms of discrimination against them,
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 b (new)
Citation 11 b (new)
— having regard to the Venice Commission Code of Good Practice in Electoral Matters;
Amendment 57 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the global economic decline has had a particularly severe impact on the most vulnerable economies, which rely heavily on commodity exports, external support, tourism and in a longer consequence on foreign policies;
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas the crisis has shown the importance of boosting investment in public services and particularly in health care and social protection, especially the need fora higher degree of self-sufficiency in crucial healthcare and protective equipment; whereas the COVID-19 outbreak has exacerbated the persistent problem of medicine shortages globally, with acute consequences in developing countries;
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)
Recital B c (new)
Bc. whereas women around the world in violent relationships were forced to be at home, exposed to their abuser for longer periods of time; while domestic violence helplines and shelters across the world are reporting rising calls for help, in a number of countries, domestic violence reports and emergency calls have surged upwards of 25% since social distancing measures were enacted;;
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B d (new)
Recital B d (new)
Bd. whereas narratives stressing geography rather than medical terminology to refer to COVID-19 are stigmatizing, and encourage racist or xenophobic attitudes, including against persons and groups who are forcibly displaced and state less who may be at greater risk during the pandemic;
Amendment 76 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Affirms that the global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic is a game changer in the international environment and a catalyst of change in the global order; stresses the fundamental importance of strengthening the EU internal resilience for an effective global projection of its multilateralist vision, in line with its values and long-term objectives as enshrined in its Global Strategy;
Amendment 82 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Calls on the third countries and the EU Member States to mitigate the social effects of the pandemic by revising their national social spending, and to adopt expansionary measures to protect and strengthen their healthcare systems;
Amendment 102 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Is concerned about the practice that certain political leaders used the Covid-19 pandemic as a pretext to furnish themselves with excessive powers, and to apply severe and disproportionate measures to restrict human rights and to impede the freedom of expression and the free movement; stresses that responsible political leaders should refrain from such practices and should respect democratic values, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms;
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Is concerned about rallies protesting against coronavirus restrictions which are taking place in various cities around the world with demonstrators calling the virus a hoax (for example: Melbourne, London, Vancouver, Buenos Aires etc.), as well as, in some cities within the EU; Calls on the local authorities from third countries to launch a proper information and prevention campaign educating its citizens on COVID-19;
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Is concerned about the growing number of domestic violence against women cases during the pandemic; calls on the remaining CoE countries to ratify the Istanbul Convention and incorporate its provisions in the domestic law systems as soon as possible, in order to prevent further increase of cases;
Amendment 110 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 c (new)
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2c. Condemns the abuse by many authoritarian regimes of the measures introduced to fight the COVID-19 in order to consolidate power, further undermine human rights, crack down on opposition and civil society, incite hatred campaigns against minority groups, introduce further measures to curtain their citizens´ rights and freedoms and seek geopolitical advantage abroad;
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Highlights the core aims of the EU, among others, human rights promotion and environmental protection; Calls on the Commission to ensure that the consequences of the COVID-19 do not undermine the implementation of commitments on human rights, environment and climate change already established in the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2020- 2024;
Amendment 123 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Regrets the fact that consequences of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affect the poorest and persons in the most disadvantaged, marginalised and unprotected social categories, including persons with physical and intellectual disabilities and persons with chronic medical conditions, who already have limited or no access to basic hygiene and treatment for their healthcare needs, and have become even more vulnerable due to the pandemic; whereas the lockdown has had a particularly severe impact on persons with physical and intellectual disabilities; Calls on the third country authorities to ensure sufficient social help to the most venerable;
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Acknowledges the situation of minorities due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic long-standing systemic health and social inequities have put many people from racial and ethnic minority groups at increased risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19;
Amendment 129 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 d (new)
Paragraph 3 d (new)
3d. Condemns all forms of exclusion and discrimination against those infected with COVID-19;
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 e (new)
Paragraph 3 e (new)
3e. Notes that refugees and displaced persons are more vulnerable to the consequences of the crisis, as they are often faced with more precarious living conditions and tend to face greater obstacles in accessing basic health services than local populations; calls, therefore, on authorities of third countries and EU countries to enhance health care access and provide targeted support to refugees and displaced populations, in particular women and children;
Amendment 147 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Acknowledges that the pandemic negatively affected global trade mostly by delays in production, as well as the collapse of air traffic - calls on the Member States to uphold the most vital supply channels for the Union as well as to seek for a new perception of supply chains and critical goods;
Amendment 176 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Condemns the introduction, with the excuse of COVID-19, of travel restrictions from the EU Schengen area to the United States without previous consultations with the EU; considers this to be another unfriendly gesture of the Trump administration undermining the trans-Atlantic cooperation.
Amendment 179 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Encourages the authorities to incorporate good practices from the Venice Commission Code of Good Practice in Electoral Matters, which also contains the guidelines for organising the elections during the pandemic period;
Amendment 196 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Is worried aboutCondemns the decision of the US to withdraw funding from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the general tendency of its President to withdraw the US from the multilateral organisations that were created to establish a rules-based world order;
Amendment 225 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes the strengthening of the People’s Republic of China’s worldwide diplomatic efforts following the COVID- 19 outbreak, seeking to position itself as the dominant global player; is therefore concerned about the possible shift of power in the global politics related to change of China’s leadership;
Amendment 251 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Is concerned about the lack of transparency related to the Chinese reaction to the global outbreak, involving the withholding of information, its poor communication with the World Health Organisation censorship, the suppression of whistle-blowers and human rights activists, and the projection of power in the region;
Amendment 258 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Is concerned about the disinformation campaigns launched by Chinese officials in March 2020 campaigns diverting attention from China in relation with COVID-19; therefore welcomes the Commission guidelines on the screening of foreign direct investment;
Amendment 291 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the VP/HR to recognise these concerns and simultaneously create an atmosphere of dialogue, engagement and genuine cooperation, (especially regarding the medical supply chains) based on a new, more assertive strategy in which the EU pushes back when necessary to defend European values; is of the view that, as part of this new strategy, the EU should seek closer collaboration with countries in the region and other democracies;
Amendment 326 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Is concerned about the Constitutional Referendum which took place in Russia allowing Putin to stay in power until 2036 and possible manipulations during the voting due to COVID-19 measures;
Amendment 332 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4 a (new)
Subheading 4 a (new)
Belarus
Amendment 333 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14b. Is concerned about the latest political situation in Belarus which has an indirect connection with COVID-19 pandemic; Condemns Alexander Lukashenko narrative that has only worsen the pandemic situation in the country by dismiss missing the threat of COVID-19; Calls on the authorities to recognise the virus as a global threat to public health and therefore launch a proper plan to prevent the spread of the virus among the country and to strengthen the healthcare system and provide Belarusian citizens with all relevant and life-saving information about the pandemic in a transparent and inclusive manner;
Amendment 334 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 c (new)
Paragraph 14 c (new)
14c. Encourages Member States to facilitate and accelerate the establishment of a humanitarian corridor and procedure for obtaining visas for those who flee Belarus for political reasons or require medical treatment due to incurred violence and COVID-19 pandemic;
Amendment 335 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 d (new)
Paragraph 14 d (new)
14d. Welcomes the EU fast reaction and response to the urgent needs of countries in the Eastern Partnership during the COVID-19pandemic mobilising an ambitious support package totalling over 980 million EUR to help tackle the immediate health needs; Reiterates, that a tailor-made COVID-19 response package for Belarus worth over 60mln EUR is being mobilised; nonetheless, calls on the Commission to mobilise even greater resources to support civil society and victims of repression in Belarus.
Amendment 336 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4 b (new)
Subheading 4 b (new)
Brazil
Amendment 337 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 e (new)
Paragraph 14 e (new)
14e. Calls on the President Jair Bolsonaro, to stop the fake narrative about the virus and admit its treat to the public health;
Amendment 338 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4 c (new)
Subheading 4 c (new)
Middle East
Amendment 339 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 f (new)
Paragraph 14 f (new)
14f. Stresses how the pandemic is severely impacting the fragile economies of countries in the Middle East, possibly triggering more instability in an already volatile region; calls for continued EU’s support and funding to improve access to healthcare and alleviate the effects of the pandemic, particularly on vulnerable populations and refugees;
Amendment 340 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4 d (new)
Subheading 4 d (new)
Egypt
Amendment 341 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 g (new)
Paragraph 14 g (new)
14g. Condemns the Egyptian authorities for abusing the restrictions introduced to fight COVID-19 only to widen their crackdown on opposition, civil society and human rights defenders and further increase control over the population.
Amendment 344 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Recognises the global security, socio-economic and political risks that could be caused by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, and is worried about the fact that the EU’s main international counterparts were prepared to use the crisis to unravel the rules-based world order underpinned by multilateral organisations; Underlines that the disinformation conducted by some foreign countries are aimed at undermining the trust to the processes within the EU; Highlights the importance of the flagship project of the European External Action Service’s East StratCom Task Force - EU vs. Disinfo in the fight with disinformation, propaganda and foreign influence on our geopolitical scene; Calls on the appropriate funding for this body during and after the pandemic.
Amendment 362 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Stresses that the multilateral rules- based world order is vital for global peace, the rule of law and democracy; believes that a geopolitical EU must play a firmer role in defending it and seek ways to de- escalate tensions between powers; Calls on the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) to draft the “EU road map on multilateralism” which will be a comprehensive plan for the Union to maintain multilateral relations;
Amendment 415 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Underlines the important role of the armed forces during the COVID-19 pandemic and bwelcomes military assistance to civil support operations, notably for the deployment of field hospitals, patient transport, equipment delivery and distribution; Believes that a more in-depth joint operation and coordination of member states’ armed forces within existing frameworks - such as the European Medical Command - or within new frameworks - such as military hospital trains - could lead to greater efficiency and contribute to the EU’s preparedness to fight pandemics; recencourages the setting up of European mechanisms aimed at facilitating the cross-border use of military lognises the need to review the EU’s security and defence strategies to developtical capabilities to face such emergencies, in order to allow for greater coordination, synergy, solidarity and support; supports the EU’s security and defence new initiatives, aiming inter alia at developing the Union’s strategic autonomy, to become better prepared and more resilient to the new and hybrid threats and technologies that have made the nature of warfare less conventional and challenge the traditional role of the military, as well as for a future in which Russia and China and other players, are becoming more assertive; stresses that the future Strategic Compass on security and defence which will present a joint threat assessment should reflect these developments and take account of the broader potential geopolitical implications of COVID-19; believes that, given the new political balance and a potential worsening of the int the budget allocated to EU defence initiatives, notably military mobility, which focus on increasing interoperability would be of great added value in case of future crisis, and the European Defence Fund must meet the EU ambition in the defence area; stresses the need to increase the EU CBRN preparedness ; commands the continuity of the CSDP missions and opernational security environment following COVID-19, the EU defence budgets must not be cus despite the very challenging environment ; suggests to assess the budget, planning and equipment of EU CSDP missions and operations in the light of the COVID-19 lessons learnt;
Amendment 440 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Underlines that closer cooperation in preventing and countering cyberattacks is also essential in these particularly vulnerable times; calls for strong coordination with and support from the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) in this respect;
Amendment 452 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Calls for the expansion and modernisation of EU strategic communication strategies, based on the promotion of facts about the EU responses and scientific evidence, so that EU action is sufficiently visible both within and beyond the EU; urges the European External Action Service (EEAS) to further strengthen its capacities to proactively counter disinformation, including the creation of a dedicated far- East Strat Com Task Force focused on the disinformation emanating from China, and imposing costs on countries that deliberately spread disinformation to divide and harm the EU and its Member States;
Amendment 509 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Underlines the strategic importance of EU engagement and support in its neighbourhood, both in the East and in the South; stresses that the EU must give Western Balkan countries that are not yet part of the EU a fair chance to join the EU, and that the EU must continue its efforts to invest in the region; recalls that EU accession must be conditional on reform commitments and especially on respecting principles of democracy, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms;
Amendment 581 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Is of the opinion that the COVID- 19 crisis has highlighted certain weaknesses of our Union and has shown the urgent need for an effective and efficient Union; believes that the Conference on the Future of Europe will provide a good platform to move forward in constructing more efficient decision making in EU external policies; is therefore determined to start the Conference as soon as possible; Welcomes therefore the President Charles Michel conclusion that ‘it is of utmost importance to increase the strategic autonomy of the Union’;