Activities of Richard HOWITT related to 2010/2202(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Human rights in the world 2009 and EU policy on the matter (A7-0339/2010, Laima Liucija Andrikienė) (vote)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT Report on the Annual Report on Human Rights in the World 2009 and the European Union's policy on the matter PDF (546 KB) DOC (520 KB)
Amendments (40)
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 17a (new)
Citation 17a (new)
- having regard to the Council of the European Union’s Toolkit to Promote and Protect the Enjoyment of all Human Rights by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) People (11179/10, COHOM 162, PESC 804),
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas the global economic and financipast years have seen a succession of global crisies has had a negative impact on economic, social and cultural rights; whereas the rights of the poorest people have been most affected; whereas, because of rising prices, millions are struggling to meet basic needs in a number of countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America; whereas millions of people have been facing insecurity and indignity, and in some countries protests have been met with repression and violence,(food, energy, climate, financial, economic and social) which have not only serious impacts on industrialised and emerging countries, but devastating implications for the poor population groups in developing countries, with over 200 million workers being exposed to extreme poverty worldwide and more than a sixth of the world’s population suffering from hunger.
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Takes the view that a consistent EU foreign policy must give absolute priority to promoting democracy, given that democratic society is, rule of law, and guarantees of fundamental freedoms are the basis for upholding human rights; believes that the new institutional structure of the EU, and particularly the EEAS, offers an opportunity to enhance the EU’s coherence and effectiveness in this area;
Amendment 57 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the HR/VP to keep to her commitments on mainstreaming human rights throughout the EU’s external action, so that they will be reflected in the structure of, and the resources made available within, the EEAS; calls for training of staff in Brussels and in Delegations on Human Rights Policy and especially on the EU's Human Rights Guidelines to be systematic, obligatory and comprehensive;
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls for the creation of a Special Representative for Human Rights, with a mandate encompassing civil and political rights, economic, social and cultural rights as well as the rights of women and children, International Humanitarian Law and international justice; considers it essential that, given the importance of human rights issues in conflict and post- conflict situations, all European Union special representatives should have a mandate which specifically mentions promoting and ensuring respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law;
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8a (new)
Paragraph 8a (new)
8a (new). Considers that the Union will only be able to wield influence regarding the defence, protection and expansion of human rights worldwide if it sets an example in its own internal policies as a matter of credibility;
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Underlines the importance of the EU Annual Report on Human Rights in analysing and evaluating the EU’s human rights policy, notably with a view to raising the visibility of human rights issues in general; calls for public information campaigns aimed at raising the EU’s profile in this field; also underlines the right of the European Parliament to scrutiny action carried out in the human rights field, by Commission and Council;
Amendment 82 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Underlines the importance of the EU Annual Report on Human Rights in analysing and evaluating the EU’s human rights policy, notably with a view to raising the visibility of human rights issues in general; calls for public information campaigns aimed at raising the EU’s profile in this field; calls for the full involvement of the European Parliament in drafting sections of future Annual Reports with regards to the Parliament's own activities in relation to human rights, reflecting the practice of some past presidencies;
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on the Council and Commission to make greater efforts to disseminate the EU annual report on human rights and democracy and to ensure that it reaches as wide a readership as possible; also calls for public information campaigns aimed at raising the EU’s profile in this field; recognises that in the current edition an improvement has been made in terms of clearer presentation, although the longer reporting period makes it difficult to use;
Amendment 89 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Reiterates its request that more and better information should be provided for the assessment of policies and that elements and guidelines should be proposed to improve the general approach, minimise any contradictions and adjust the policy priorities on a country-by-country basis, with a view to the adoption of human rights strategies by country as defined in the EEAS programme; considers that the issue of transparency must be to the forefront of the EU in its actions with increased access to agendas and documents where Human Rights are specifically discussed with third countries;
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Asks the EU Presidency to raise the importance of cooperation with the ICC in all EU summits and dialogues with non-EU countries; urges all EU Member States to step up cooperation with the Court and to conclude bilateral agreements on the enforcement of sentences, as well as on the protection of witnesses and victims; further acknowledges the Cooperation and Assistance Agreement between the EU and the ICC and, on that basis, calls on the European Union and its Member States to provide the Court with all necessary assistance; notes with great concern the failure to execute the ICC warrant for the arrest of the Sudanese President al-Bashir; the continuing search for outstanding indictees in Croatia, and the role which the EU and ICC could play in ensuring that investigations are carried out into possible war crimes in Sri Lanka and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo;
Amendment 142 #
20a (new). Welcomes the European Union’s support to initiatives encouraging the decriminalisation of homosexuality at the United Nations and in other international fora; calls for the European Union’s continued support in favour of initiatives condemning human rights breaches in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity in all international fora, in coordination with like-minded states;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Calls upon the HR/VP to visit the UNHRC regularly and to ensure personally that there are the closest possible links between the UNHRC and the EEAS at all levels; encourages the future Human Rights segment of the EEAS to set up close working contact with the UNHRC; calls for coordinated dialogue with third countries on the positions taken in the UN Human Rights Council not just in Geneva and in the specific Human Rights Dialogues, but integrated in all the EU's bilateral political, trade and development cooperation discussions with these countries;
Amendment 159 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Calls on the Council, the Commission and the EEAS to strengthen their engagement with democratic governments from other regional groups within the UNHRC, with a view to improving the chances of success of initiatives aimed at respect for the principles contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; asks the Commission to provide an annual report on voting patterns at the UN in matters concerning human rights, which would analyse how these have been affected by the policies of the EU and its Member States and those of other blocs; reiterates that the EU Delegation and EU Member States in Geneva should give greater priority to outreach to third countries at an earlier stage in discussions, and avoid over emphasis on internal discussions designed at achieving EU unity at the risk of a 'lowest common denominator' approach;
Amendment 160 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30a (new)
Paragraph 30a (new)
30a (new). Warmly welcomes the 2008 decision of the UNHRC to extend the mandate of the UN Special Representative to the Secretary General on Business and Human Rights and the Council conclusions adopted in December 2009 under the Swedish Presidency welcoming the work of the Special Representative; calls on EU Member States to continue to work towards the operationalisation of the final recommendations of the mandate and the "protect, respect, remedy" framework due to be presented to the UNHRC in 2011;
Amendment 166 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Welcomes the special sessions of the HRC on the human rights situation in the east of the DRC, on the impact of the global economic and financial crises on the universal realisation and effective enjoyment of human rights, on the situation of human rights in Sri Lanka, and on the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and East Jerusalem; regreinsists that in the context of the special session allegations in the Goldstone report of alleged war crimes apply to all parties to the conflict, urges both sides to conduct investigations the OPT the majority of members applied a one-sided interpretation of the Goldstone reporat meet international standards of independence, impartiality, transparency, promptness and effectiveness, in line with the UN General Assembly resolutions adopted on 5 November 2009 and 26 February 2010; stresses that respect for international human rights law and international humanitarian law by all parties and under all circumstances is an essential prerequisite for achieving a just and lasting peace in the Middle East;
Amendment 169 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31a (new)
Paragraph 31a (new)
31a (new). reiterates its call for effective accountability in cases of violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) and regrets that, despite the recommendations of the UN's Fact- Finding mission report and its recommendations supported by the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly, neither Israel nor Hamas brought the people responsible to the justice; expresses, furthermore, its grave concern for the fact that the international humanitarian law continues to be violated in and around Gaza and recalls the commitments undertaken by the EU members states under the Hague Regulations concerning the Laws and Customs of War on Land, the four Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, and the EU Guidelines on promoting compliance with international humanitarian law; regrets the Israeli decision not to extend the moratorium on settlements in the West Bank, a practise illegal under international law and contrary to the peace efforts in the Middle East;
Amendment 174 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Welcomes the decisions to abolish the death penalty in 2009 by Burundi and Togo and by the US State of New Mexico; regrets, however, the fact that the death penalty is still implemented in 35 out of 50 states of the US;
Amendment 185 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38a (subheading)
Paragraph 38a (subheading)
Amendment 192 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Underlines the importance of comprehensive implementation of the twofold agenda set out in UN Security Council resolutions 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security, and calls on the Council to reinforce its actions in this area; , 1820, 888 and 1889 that call for the participation of women in all phases and at all levels of conflict resolution and the protection of women and girls from sexual violence and discrimination; reiterates that women’s rights include reproductive rights and calls on the EU to reinforce its actions in this area; strongly condemns rape used as an instrument of war and the recurrent mass rapes occurring in DR Congo; requests full disclosure on the incapacity of MONUSCO peacekeeping force to put a stop to mass rapes; and urges the EUHR, through EUSEC and EUPOL in DRC, to conduct an enquiry and report to the EP on all Congolese and international companies or entities involved in the extractive industries in DRC which pay any armed groups and security personnel involved in such mass rapes and other systematic crimes against civilians;
Amendment 208 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42a (new subheading)
Paragraph 42a (new subheading)
Discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation
Amendment 209 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42a (new)
Paragraph 42a (new)
42a (new). Expresses growing concern about increased violence towards transgender people worldwide; notes an increasing number of murders of transgender people worldwide, and particularly in Central and South America where 135 killings were recorded in 2009, particularly in Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Venezuela;
Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42b (new)
Paragraph 42b (new)
42b (new). Expresses deep concern at the occurrence of violations of human rights in the world against persons on the grounds of their sexual orientation and condemns any act of violence against them; strongly regrets that in many countries homosexuality is still considered a crime punishable by imprisonment and in some cases even by death; welcomes, in this regard, the decision of the Delhi High Court of 2 July 2009 that decriminalised homosexuality in India and calls on other countries to follow its example;
Amendment 220 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47
Paragraph 47
47. Deeply deplores the fact that some 215 million children are estimated to be victims of child labour, of whom three quarters perform the worst forms of child labour (ILO figures, 2009); welcomes the EU Council conclusions of 14 June 2010 on child labour and the related study of the Commission (SEC(2010) 37 final) calling for a comprehensive EU policy approach that focuses on development and poverty eradication; calls on the Commission to ensure effective monitoring of progress in this field and to encourage along with the EU member states implementation in dialogues with third countries;
Amendment 221 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48a (new)
Paragraph 48a (new)
Amendment 234 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52a (new)
Paragraph 52a (new)
52a (new). Remains concerned by the lack of implementation of the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders; insists that these guidelines be duly and fully implemented by all EU Delegations and that increased efforts be made so as to ensure that all of them have developed local implementation strategies; requests that the list of these local strategies be made available to the European Parliament and published in the EU Annual Report on Human Rights;
Amendment 235 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52b (new)
Paragraph 52b (new)
52b (new). Calls on the High Representative of the European union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and on all Commissioners with responsibilities in the area of External Relations to systematically meet with human rights defenders when they officially travel in third countries, and underlines that support for human rights defenders should also be imperatively included in the mandate of EU Special Representatives; underlines that both the High Representative and the Special Representatives will be held accountable by the European Parliament for their action in this regard;
Amendment 251 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55
Paragraph 55
55. Acknowledges conclusions in many human rights reports that human rights defenders have been suffering from increasingly strong attacks in various forms, such as attacks on freedom of expression or association, arbitrary arrests, unfair trials and closure of the offices of civil society organisations; calls on EU delegations to play a more active role in preventing these attacks;
Amendment 269 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 58a (new)
Paragraph 58a (new)
58a (new). In light of the numerous human rights abuses of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people throughout the world in 2009, welcomes the adoption by the Council of the European Union’s Working Party on Human Rights of the Toolkit to Promote and Protect the Enjoyment of all Human Rights by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) People; calls on EU delegations and the European External Action Service to fully implement the guidelines included in the Toolkit;
Amendment 275 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 59
Paragraph 59
59. Emphasises the importance of human rights clauses in trade policies, partnerships and trade agreements between the EU and third countries; proposes a ‘human rights assessment’ of non-EU countries that engage in trade relations with the EU; calls for a clear set of human rights benchmarks to be established within the framework of individual trade agreements to ensure that there is a clear standard and understanding for both parties on what situations and actions may trigger such human rights clauses;
Amendment 278 #
59a (new). Reaffirms the principle of indivisibility of human rights, and condemns attempts to consider any right or ground of discrimination less important than others; calls on the Commission and Council to respect the principle of indivisibility when negotiating human rights clauses with third countries;
Amendment 282 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60
Paragraph 60
60. Notes with satisfaction that the functioning of the GSP+ (Generalised System of Preferences) regime is closely monitorRemains concerned in relation to the lack of transparency with regard to the functioning of the GSP+ (Generalised System of Preferences) regime; considers that this system which rewards countries with considerable trade benefits for compliance with international human rights and labour rights conventions and standards must be more (one word deleted) closely and transparently monitored including by the use of detailed Human Rights Impacts Assessments and open consultations when the preference is being awarded and that trade preferences are granted only to countries that have ratified and effectively implemented key international conventions on sustainable development, social rights and good governance; calls for enhanced monitoring of implementation with civil society, trade unions and communities given a stronger voice in highlighting examples of non-compliance;
Amendment 300 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66a (subheading)
Paragraph 66a (subheading)
Freedom of religion andthought, religion conscience or belief
Amendment 304 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67
Paragraph 67
67. Welcomes the Council conclusions on freedom of religion or belief adopted in November 2009; calls on the Council and the Commission to adopt practical measures to fight religious intolerance and promote freedom of religion or belief worldwideacknowledges the importance of freedom of religion or belief for the identity of religious and non-religious individuals alike, given that belief, in whatever form it takes, is a vital component of personal and social belonging; calls on the Council and the Commission to adopt practical measures to fight religious intolerance and promote freedom of religion or belief worldwide; and in this effort to seek for cooperation and exchange of views with the European Parliament, with NGOs, civil society representatives and other relevant actors;
Amendment 311 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 68
Paragraph 68
68. Remains deeply concerned that discrimination based on religion or belief still exists in all regions of the world, and that persons belonging to particular religious communities, including religious minorities, continue to be denied their human rights in many countries; condemns the Chinese authorities for the persecution of individuals who practise their religion outside officially sanctioned channels, including Christians, Muslims, Buddhists and Falun Gong practitioners; urges the Chinese authorities to refrain from their oppressive policy in Tibet, which might eventually lead to the annihilation of the Tibetan religion and culture;
Amendment 319 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 68a (new)
Paragraph 68a (new)
68a (new). Acknowledges that freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression, and freedom of assembly are interdependent rights; notes in this regard that the initiative by some UN Member States on combating the defamation of religion, is unlikely to have the desired effect of promoting each individual’s right to freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression, given that this initiative aims at protecting religious systems rather than the rights of individuals;
Amendment 355 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 74
Paragraph 74
74. Recalls the decision of US President Barack Obama to close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp in January 2009; expresses its regret that this decision has not been fully implemented; urges the US Government to live up fully to its commitments; welcomes the constructive engagement of a number of EU Member States in their efforts to assist with reception of certain former Guantanamo detainees and with finding accommodation for some of the people cleared for release from the detention camp; notes however that to date only five EU Member States (Germany, Ireland, Slovakia, Denmark and the United Kingdom) have agreed to take detainees and calls on other EU states to help house former detainees therefore providing an EU contribution towards the eventual closure of the camp;
Amendment 360 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 74b (new)
Paragraph 74b (new)
74a (new). Notes the convening under the French Presidency on 16 September 2008 of the inaugural Roma Summit, and the second such Summit held under the Spanish Presidency on 9-10 April 2010; notes with gravest concern the forced expulsions of Roma communities in Europe and the rise in xenophobic and hate language in relation to minority and migrant communities; reiterates the call of the European Parliament that Member States must honour to the full their obligations under EU law; and where Member States do not comply, calls on the European Commission to act formally and forcefully on infringement proceedings;
Amendment 381 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 80
Paragraph 80
80. Welcomes the establishment of human rights dialogues with each of the Central Asian states – Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan – in 2008; welcomes the first EU-Uzbek civil society seminar on human rights dialogue in October 2008; regrets that the EU-China human rights dialogues have consistently failed to deliver any improvements as regards specific human rights abuses in China; expresses its disappointment that EU-Russia human rights consultations have not yielded any substantial results; welcomes the launch in 2009 of human rights dialogues with Indonesia, and the holding of the first dialogue meetings with Georgia and Armenia; considers that while such human rights dialogues bring a welcome focus on human rights issues in the EU's external relations, they cannot be allowed to become an end in themselves and must be focused on ensuring follow up action is taken on the issues which are raised and discussed in these dialogues;
Amendment 407 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 86
Paragraph 86
86. Welcomes the efforts of the Commission and the Member States to fight the global economic and financial crisis and in this way reduce the negative consequences this crisis has had on the human rights situation in the world; welcomes the 10th Special Session of the Human Rights Council entitled ‘The Impact of the Global Economic and Financial Crises on the Universal Realisation and Effective Enjoyment of Human Rights’, which took place on 20 February 2009; calls for EU Member States to maintain their cooperation with third countries on human rights in the face of the crisis, and insists that lack of resources can never be used to justify the violation of human rights;