Activities of Andreas SCHIEDER related to 2021/2002(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Cooperation on the fight against organised crime in the Western Balkans (debate)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on cooperation on the fight against organised crime in the Western Balkans
Amendments (10)
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that the rule of law and the fight against corruption and organised crime are the crucial areas in which the Western Balkan countries need to show more progress on their EU path; regrets the fact that Montenegro and Serbia have not shown more progress in these areas, even though they have been officially negotiating their membership since 2012 and 2014 respectively; calls for the EU to promote, as a priority of enlargement policy, the correct transposition of relevant international instruments targeting corruption and organised crime and their implementation;
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes with concern that political discourse in the Western Balkans is filled with unresolved accusations of links between high-level political figures and organised crime groups, while the judicial system is ineffective at addressing these claims; Reiterates the need to eradicate political and administrative links to organised crime through clear anti- corruption safeguards and effective prosecution of high-profile corruption cases; calls for the EU to increase support for the consolidation of merit-based public administrations;
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes that the Western Balkan countries serve as a transit corridor for migrants and refugees and that the large population movements in recent years have posed an enormous challenge to the region in fightaddressing the smuggling of migrants; calls for greater exchange of information and enhanced coordination between countries of the Western Balkans, and encourages the EU and its Member States to provide more assistance in addressing these issues through, inter alia, the Joint Operational Office and the Operational Platform – Eastern Mediterranean Route;
Amendment 116 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Notes that aside from the topics mentioned above, Western Balkan countries have to increase their efforts to counter other illegal activities carried out by organised crime groups, which include among others labour exploitation, human trafficking, environmental crime like illegal logging and poaching and extortion.
Amendment 154 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Underlines the crucial role of civil society organisations (CSO) in monitoring the work of governments and assessing track records in fighting organised crime; notes that legal and institutional frameworks for CSO participation are largely in place in the Western Balkan countries but regrets that their potential is not being used to the full extent; while in some cases the CSOs focusing on corruption and organised crime, in addition to the lack of cooperation, are facing outright hospitality from their governments;
Amendment 156 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Commends the important role CSOs often play in preventive work, in support of vulnerable groups, in policy formulation and in taking on an oversight role when there is a lack of independent public bodies. Is therefore concerned about smear campaigns, pressure and intimidations efforts, which accelerates the shrinking space for CSOs to operate;
Amendment 157 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23b. Notes that many CSOs depend on private funding and face difficulties in raising enough funds to sustain their activities. Recognises that grants are often given to short-term projects, which focus on bigger cities and that there is little support for activities against organised crime.
Amendment 158 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 c (new)
Paragraph 23 c (new)
23c. Recognises that short term funding leads to staff being hired only for project-specific purposes, which leads to a lack of stable employment standards and provides little space for staff to develop core skills and therefore long-term strategic planning is suffering.
Amendment 159 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 d (new)
Paragraph 23 d (new)
23d. Encourages CSOs in the Western Balkans to establish stronger networks among civil society actors, to identify local counterparts who work on similar issues, on how to establish a knowledge-sharing process, and to contemplate on how to improve resilience.
Amendment 162 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Commends the work of investigative journalists reporting on high- profile cases and disclosing links between organised criminal groups, politicians and businesses; notes with concern that in the most prominent cases, hate speech and slandering campaigns are coming from the state officials, MPs and media owned or partially financed by the state. strongly condemns intimidation, hate speech and slandering campaigns against investigative journalists and civil society; calls on the authorities to ensure their protection; reiterates its call on the Commission and the EEAS to strengthen their cooperation with and support for civil society, NGOs and independent media on the ground;