Activities of Richard HOWITT related to 2012/2870(RSP)
Plenary speeches (1)
2012 progress report on Turkey (debate)
Amendments (10)
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 14
Citation 14
– having regard to the fact that in its 2012 Enlargement Strategy the Commission concluded that, for its economy, strategic location and important regional role, Turkey is a key country for the European Union and that the accession pronegotiation process with the ultimate goal of accession remains the most suitabsole framework for promoting EU-related reforms in Turkey; having regard to the fact that the Commission expressed concern regarding Turkey's lack of progress on the fulfilment of the political criteria,
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Commends the Commission and Turkey for the implementation of the positive agenda, which proves how, in a context of mutual engagement and clear objectives, Turkey and the EU could advance their dialogueprogress the accession process, achieve common understanding and produce positive change; believes that a renewed mutual engagement in the context of the negotiation process is needed to maintain a constructive relationship; stresses the importance of creating the conditions for a constructive dialogue and the foundations for a common understanding;
Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses Turkey's strategic role, politically and geographically, for the foreign policy of the EU and its neighbourhood policy; recognises Turkey's role as a neighbour and an important regional player and calls on the EU and Turkey to further reinforce their existing political dialogue on foreign policy choices and objectives; regrets that the alignment of Turkey with CFSP declarations continued to be low in 2012; encourages Turkey to develop its foreign policy in the framework of dialogue and coordination with the EU;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8a (new)
Paragraph 8a (new)
8a. Underlines the importance of providing effective protection for human- rights defenders; expresses concern about continuing court cases against human- rights defenders and their continued prosecution; in this respect, draws particular attention to the trial of the writer, sociologist and feminist Pinar Selek, which has lasted almost 15 years and, despite three acquittal decisions, resulted in a life sentence pronounced on 24 January 2013; strongly condemns this decision, pointing out that the long duration of the court case raises questions as regards the right to liberty and security, as well as the right to a fair trial, enshrined respectively in Articles 5 and 6 of the European Convention of Human Rights;
Amendment 167 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recalls that freedom of expression and media pluralism are core European values and that a truly democratic society requires true freedom of expression, including the right of dissent; underlines the importance of abolishing legislation providing for disproportionately high fines on the media, leading in some cases to their closure or to self-censorship, and the urgent need to reform the internet law; mirrors the concern of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media over the latest wave of arrests of journalists and re-iterates its calls on the authorities to enact legislative reform around the country's anti- terrorism law, under which around 100 journalists are still awaiting trial;
Amendment 184 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Fully supports the Commission's new approach to open the chapters on the judiciary and fundamental rights and on justice and home affairs early on in the negotiation process and to close them as the very last ones; stresses that official benchmarks would provide a clear roadmap and would give a boost to the reform process; calls therefore on the Council for renewed efforts for the opening of Chapters 23 and 24; notes recent media reports of a French Government intention to lift the block on the chapter on economic and monetary policy; believes that this could act as a catalyst for further positive momentum towards accession;
Amendment 190 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes the Law on the Ombudsman and the appointment of a first Head Ombudsman, who shall ensure the credibility of this institution through his decisions; stresses that the establishment of the Ombudsman is an important step in safeguarding the rights of citizens and ensuring accountability of the public administration; notes the concerns highlighted by Human Rights Watch in their 2013 Annual Report of tight government control of appointments to the national human rights institution created in March 2012 and the office of the ombudsman established in June 2012; stresses that the Government should take clear steps to ensure that public confidence in potentially important oversight mechanisms is not undermined; calls on the board of the Ombudsman that the regulation on the internal decision- making process guarantees the independence of the institution;
Amendment 199 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Notes that, in the ‘sledgehammer’ trial a first instance court sentenced 324 suspects to 13-20 years; stresses that investigations of alleged coup plans, such as the ‘Ergenekon’ and ‘Sledgehammer’ cases, must demonstrate the strength and the proper, independent, impartial and transparent functioning of Turkish democratic institutions and the judiciary, and their firm, unconditional commitment to respect for fundamental rights; is concerned about the allegations regarding the use of inconsistent evidence; regrets that these cases have been overshadowed by concerns about their wide scope and the shortcomings in the proceedings; stresses the need for comprehensive reform in legislation providing for the use of long pre-trial detentions;
Amendment 252 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Notes that Turkey continued to demonstrate resilience at the terrorist attacks by the PKK; calls on Turkey to invest renewed and sincere efforts towards a political solution to the Kurdish issue; asks all political forces to ensure an adequate political platform and to debate in a constructive way the Kurdish issue and to facilitate a real opening to the claims for basic rights in the Constitutional process; asks all political forces to work in alliance towards the goal of reinforced political dialogue and a process of further political, cultural and socio-economic inclusion and participation of citizens of Kurdish origin, in order to guarantee the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly and promote the peaceful inclusion of citizens of Kurdish origin into Turkish society; welcomes the entry into force on 31 January 2013 of the right to legal defence in Turkish courts in languages other than Turkish, recalls that a political solution can only be built upon a truly democratic debate on the Kurdish issue and expresses concern at the large number of cases launched against writers and journalists writing on the Kurdish issue and the arrest of several Kurdish politicians, mayors and members of municipal councils, trade unionists, lawyers, protestors and human rights defenders in connection with the KCK trial; underlines the importance of promoting a discussion of the Kurdish issue within the democratic institutions, particularly the TGNA;
Amendment 274 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Is concerned about the disproportionally high poverty rate among children, particularly in rural areas; stresses the need for a comprehensive strategy to combat child poverty and labour and promote access to education; welcomes the establishment of an Ombudsperson for children's rights and the adoption of Turkey's first strategy on the rights of the child; is concerned that the number of active juvenile justice courts has decreased and urges Turkey to provide alternatives to detention for minors; calls for major improvements in conditions of the detentions centres for minors; recalls the importance of independent monitoring and protection mechanisms to protect rights and prevent abuse;