811 Amendments of Richard HOWITT
Amendment 6 #
2016/2010(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that in recent years technological advances and digitalisation have transformed the postal services sector and that the modernisation and diversification of postal services has had a major impact on working conditions and employment in the sector;
Amendment 15 #
2016/2010(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that employment by universal service providers has declined due to falling letter volumes, combined with modernisation and increasing automation; notes however that the number of part-time workers, agency workers and bogus self- employed persons in the sector has increased and that the general trend is towards more flexible employment contracts without adequate protection for employees;
Amendment 21 #
2016/2010(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Is concerned about the extremely high amount of outsourcing in the postal sector and the frequently accompanying evasion of working and employment standards; highlights in this context the long-term social and financial implications of precarious employment for individuals as well as social security systems;
Amendment 33 #
2016/2010(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the role played by theimportant role of social partners, who in many Member States have worked together with universal service providers in an effort to make the transformation of the postal services sector socially sustainable;
Amendment 35 #
2016/2010(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Is concerned about 'cherry picking' of more profitable services by contractors which can damage the viability of other postal services and undermine the universal service obligation; calls on the Commission to study this problem and bring forward action to prevent it taking place;
Amendment 37 #
2016/2010(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Highlights the importance of strong and independent social partners in the postal sector, an institutionalized social dialogue and the participation of employees in company matters;
Amendment 40 #
2016/2010(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Draws attention to a number of instances of unfair competition, at the casualties of which have beenexpense of the workers in the postal sector;
Amendment 44 #
2016/2010(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses the importance of monitoring compliance with mandatory driving and resting times as well as working hours in the postal sector; recalls that all tasks in relation to the activity of an employee are to be considered working time; stresses likewise the importance of monitoring compliance with European standards regarding the protection of health and safety at work, including conditions in vehicles, for all people involved in postal deliveries irrespective of whether their employment status is self-employed, subcontractor, temporary staff member or contract worker; believes that monitoring should take place by means of digital monitoring devices installed in the vehicle;
Amendment 46 #
2016/2010(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Is concerned about attempts to circumvent existing minimum wage regulations by increasing the workload to an extend which cannot be managed during paid working hours;
Amendment 49 #
2016/2010(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Points out that jobs have been created as a result of restructuring and the introduction of new activities in the postal services sector and that, in keeping with theseworkers need to adapt to new circumstances, workers need to and learn new skills; draws attention to the importance of training, further training and retraining in order to acquire 21st century working skills such as digital skills, team work, problem solving and critical thinking;
Amendment 58 #
2016/2010(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Stresses that the key to a socially sustainable transformation and adaptation in the postal sector lies in employee training; regards it as the employer's task to acquaint employees properly with new technologies such as IT and tracking applications; stresses that in the case of temporary contracts, the agency supplying the staff must give them adequate preparation and training;
Amendment 66 #
2016/2010(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Applauds theWelcomes the essential work of the Social Dialogue Committee for the Postal Sector;
Amendment 70 #
2016/2010(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to compile more data on workforce size and working conditions so that they can respond promptly to developments and potential problems; calls on the Commission and Member States to closely monitor new means of automated postal deliveries, their impact on working conditions and employment and to assess the need for the modernisation of social and employment legislation to stay abreast of changes in the postal sector; encourages social partners to likewise update collective agreements where necessary so that high working and employment standards in the workplace can be ensured;
Amendment 78 #
2016/2010(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes the fact that most of the universal service providers in the Member States have concluded collective agreements; takes the view that, in keeping with national practice, the social partners should negotiate collective wage agreements for otherall companies providing postal services in accordance with the principle of equal pay for equal work at the same place as advocated by Commission President Juncker;
Amendment 81 #
2016/2010(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Calls on the Member States to introduce and strengthen laws on joint and several liability, put limits to subcontracting and increase monitoring of parcel service operators and their subcontractors as regards employment and working conditions;
Amendment 84 #
2016/2010(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls on the Member States to guarantee all workers in the postal services sector appropriate working conditions.decent working conditions regardless of the size of the company which employs them, the place of employment or the underlying contract; recalls that all workers in the postal sector must have the right to enjoy the highest possible level of protection as regards health and safety at work;
Amendment 17 #
2015/2353(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines that the employment rate in the EU currently stands at 69.2 %, which is well below the Europe 2020 target, that unemployment remains especially high among women, the young, the elderly and the disadvantaged groups and that more than 12 million people in Europe are long-term unemployed, representing 5% of the EU’s active population; and in this context reminds recently passed Council Recommendation on the integration of the long-term unemployed into the labour market which has demonstrated again a need for strong Union policies and much more resources and calls for increased public investment in job creation and skills;
Amendment 46 #
2015/2353(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that the resources of the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived are not sufficient to address the rise of inequality and poverty, the worst consequences of the economic crisis and of austerity policies on the labour market concerning labour exclusion of young people and long-term unemployed, and the unprecedented flow of refugees; and is concerned that competition for scarce funds may lead to social conflict; insists that the ESF share amount to 2530 % of the total cohesion budget, that no reductions in the national envelopes for ESF measures be made and that sufficient cash flow be provided annually for payments from the EU budget;
Amendment 72 #
2015/2353(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Notes the increased commitment of the EU budget to various financial engineering instruments including the European Fund for Strategic Investments; is concerned however about the access to funding of various key stakeholders in social policy areas such as NGOs, education and training institutions, social partners and social economy enterprises;
Amendment 9 #
2015/2326(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that timely and correct transposition of EU law into national legislation and a clear domestic legislative framework should be a priority for the Member States in order to reduceavoid breaches of EU law and therefore deliver benefits to people and business; notes that members of the public, business, trade unions, NGOs and other stakeholders contribute substantially to the Commission´s monitoring through reporting defaults in the transposition and in the application of EU law by Member State authorities; encourages stakeholders to remain vigilant in this regard also in the future;
Amendment 13 #
2015/2326(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights the fact that in 2014 the Commission received its highest number of new complaints in the areas of employment, social affairs and inclusion since 2011; notes that it has taken the Commission longer than normal to respond to certain complaints in the areas of employment, social affairs and inclusion;
Amendment 17 #
2015/2326(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Highlights the fact that in 2014 there we no significant European court of Justice rulings in the field of employment, social affairs and inclusion;
Amendment 22 #
2015/2326(INI)
4. Points out that the number of new late transposition cases increased slightly in 2014 compared to the previous year and all of these were related to labour law; points out that late transposition is a persistent problem which averts people and stakeholders from receiving the benefit of Union law; stresses that late transposition has a negative effect on the overall legal certainty and the level playing field of Single Market;
Amendment 34 #
2015/2326(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Urges the Commission, when drafting and assessing legislation, to take greater account of the burden it may impose on SMEs, which create 85% of new jobs; underlines the need to not only assess financial factors and short-term effects but also the long-term value of legislation including societal benefits which are often difficult to quantify in economic terms;
Amendment 40 #
2015/2326(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls on further measures to ensure effective monitoring and enforcement of legislation, including timely transposition and compliance with the objectives of the legislation, and to deal with damaging loopholes where they arise; stresses the need for clearly-worded legislation in order to facilitate compliance in this context;
Amendment 43 #
2015/2326(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Stresses, however, that EU legislation sets only minimum standards which can be improved by member States by national legislation; emphasises that the Commission´s focus on gold-plating as a negative practice for employment legislation runs contrary the principle of the EU Treaty including art 151 TFEU for the protection and improvement of living and working conditions;
Amendment 47 #
2015/2326(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the efforts made by the Commission during the past years and acknowledges the range of measures that have been put in place to assist the Member States with implementation such as correlation tables, an annual scoreboard and guidelines; welcomes the fact that the Commission provides implementation plans to make it easier to apply the Union law without delay and effectively; points out the importance of the Commission monitoring the use of implementation plans by Member States;
Amendment 59 #
2015/2326(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Calls on the Commission to review the framework under which Member States provide supporting information about how they transposed directives into national law;
Amendment 65 #
2015/2326(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Welcomes the tools developed by the Commission, such as Your European Portal, Solvit and Chap, which provide support to stakeholders, but deplores the fact that these tools are still only little known and little used.
Amendment 7 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 28 a (new)
Citation 28 a (new)
- having regard to recommendation 2003/361 by the European Commission concerning the definition of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises,
Amendment 8 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 28 b (new)
Citation 28 b (new)
Amendment 9 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 28 c (new)
Citation 28 c (new)
- having regard to the Eurofound report "Employee representation at establishment level in Europe" (2011),
Amendment 10 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 28 d (new)
Citation 28 d (new)
- having regard to the Eurofound report "Public measures to support self- employment and job creation in one- person and micro enterprises" (2012),
Amendment 11 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 28 e (new)
Citation 28 e (new)
- having regard to the Eurofound report "Social dialogue in micro and small companies" (2014),
Amendment 15 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas recent Eurofound research shows that SMEs which tend to create jobs are often young, innovative, internationally active, located in urban areas and run by skilled managers, and have comprehensive growth and investment strategies;
Amendment 20 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
A b. whereas the social and solidarity- based economy provides employment for more than 14 million people, representing around 6.5% of workers in the EU; whereas there are 2 million social and solidarity-based economy enterprises in the EU, representing 10% of undertakings in the Union; whereas social enterprises have proven resilient during the economic crisis;
Amendment 24 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
Recital A c (new)
A c. whereas trade union/employee representation and social dialogue/collective bargaining arrangements have been well documented as being not as widespread in SMEs as they are in larger companies; whereas there are considerable differences between different countries in this regard;
Amendment 30 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A d (new)
Recital A d (new)
Ad. whereas data on contractual arrangements and work organisation in SMEs is difficult to find in general;
Amendment 31 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A e (new)
Recital A e (new)
Ae. whereas according to Eurofound, working conditions including working hours are often more flexible and informally arranged in SMEs than in larger companies, in the case of many countries; whereas the initial impact of the crisis appears to have had the effect of increasing existing 'internal' flexibilities, as organisations try to cope with shifting external circumstances and demands;
Amendment 42 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Believes that in order to ensure better conditions for quality job creation for the SME sector the European Commission and the Member States must address the following problems, which are unequally present in different regions: skills scarcity and brain drain; regulatory burddifficulties to fulfil administrative requirements and regulatory uncertainty; the shadow economy; and the de facto privileged position of multinational corporations (MNCs);access to finance; the motivation of owner–managers to grow a business and take some level of risk; the shadow economy; and the de facto privileged position of multinational corporations (MNCs); 1a __________________ 1aBased on data from the Eurofound report Job creation in SMEs: ERM annual report 2015 (27 January 2016)
Amendment 56 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Stresses the need for a regulatory environment that encourages investment that concurrently fosters sustainable growth and quality jobs;
Amendment 63 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Takes the view that tackling the above-mentioned structural problems would result, inter alia, in fairer competition and the extension of the social contribution and tax base to a higher number of economic operators, leading to lower labour and administrative costs and thus creating better condition for quality job creation;
Amendment 68 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
Amendment 79 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses, however that lowering labour costs by reducing workers’' protection is not a correct means of achieving lower unemployment, and that, in addition, reducing workers’' rights and wages induces higher skills outflows, exposing SMEs to shortages of skilled workers, while at the same time generating precarity in Europe;
Amendment 135 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Takes the view that the artificialright balance needs to be found regarding the academisation of specific professions is not helpful if one wishes ton tackleing the problem of skills scarcities in SMEs; believes that vocational training, and especially dual systems operated in cooperation with SMEbusinesses, should be given more public support; considers that informal training, on-the-job training and knowledge sharing among staff should be encouraged; 1b __________________ 1bBased on Eurofound report Job creation in SMEs: ERM annual report 2015 (27 January 2016). Some companies have a training plan in place to ensure that workers’ skills are kept up-to-date. Furthermore, more informal training is widely encouraged, including on-the-job training or knowledge sharing among staff.
Amendment 151 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Considers that apprenticeship schemes within SMEs should be better promoted by Member States, including through financial incentives; highlights that vocational education and training plays a vital economic and social role in Europe as an instrument to promote equal opportunities for all citizens, including vulnerable and disadvantaged groups;
Amendment 170 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Stresses that lifelong skills development and counselling are important tools to ensure equal opportunities, including for people from disadvantaged groups, as well as more gender equality;
Amendment 171 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10 b. Considers business mentorship programmes essential to improving survival rates not only for start-ups but also for young SMEs and SMEs wishing to expand;
Amendment 172 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes the ‘'Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs’' programme, which helps provide aspiring Europeanyoung entrepreneurs with the skills necessary to start and/or successfully run a small business; calls for the European Commission and Member States to make this programme better known among the target groups;
Amendment 181 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on Member States to adopt favourable legislative frameworks for young graduates who are employed by an SME osupport young graduates entering the labour mareket or starting up an enterprise;
Amendment 193 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Calls on Member States to provide appropriate training and ensure an ongoing professional development of teachers to promote up to date teaching methods and the development of 21st century skills and competencies;
Amendment 195 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12 b. Underlines the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) studies also with regard to enabling European SMEs to play a leading role at the global stage;
Amendment 196 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 c (new)
Paragraph 12 c (new)
12 c. Emphasises that corporate social responsibility has a long European tradition and that socially responsible businesses continue to set an example today; stresses that SMEs can play an important role in ensuring environmentally, socially and economically sustainable growth; calls on SMEs to live up to their environmental and social responsibility and take proactive measures to identify and prevent any violation of human or environmental rights, corruption or tax evasion, including in their subsidiaries and supply chains; points out that the organisation of work, equal opportunities and social inclusion, anti-discrimination measures, adequate transparency standards, reliable accountability mechanisms and the development of lifelong education and training are crucial in this context;
Amendment 199 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Takes the view that reducimproving the regulatory and administrative burdenvironment, together with improving the quality of regulation and enforcement, constitute the right way to lower SMEs’ costs, including laboursupported by information campaigns and prevention, consts, in orderitute the right way to increase their job creation potential of SMEs;
Amendment 208 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Stresses the importance of a comprehensive European regulatory environment which harmonizes the rules existing in 28 Member States thereby facilitating market access of SMEs;
Amendment 209 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13 b. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to improve the regulatory framework for social businesses;
Amendment 210 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 c (new)
Paragraph 13 c (new)
13 c. Acknowledges the importance of taking into account the situation, specific needs and difficulties with compliance by micro and small enterprises in the context of the implementation of OSH measures at company level; stresses that awareness raising, exchange of good practices, consultation, user-friendly guides and online platforms are of utmost importance to help SMEs and micro enterprises comply more effectively with OSH regulatory requirements; calls on the Commission, EU-OSHA and the Member States to continue developing practical tools and guidelines, which support, facilitate and improve the compliance of SMEs and micro enterprises with OSH requirements;
Amendment 211 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 d (new)
Paragraph 13 d (new)
13 d. Calls on the Commission to continue taking into account the specific nature and situation of SMEs and micro- enterprises when revising the strategic framework in order to help these companies meet the objectives set as regards to health and safety in the workplace;
Amendment 213 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 f (new)
Paragraph 13 f (new)
13 f. Calls for easier access to credit and microfinance as well as tailor-made counselling and support for start-ups and micro-enterprises, to enhance their job creation potential; underlines the importance of the European programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI), as well as the Investment Plan for Europe in this context;
Amendment 214 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 g (new)
Paragraph 13 g (new)
13 g. Stresses the need for one-stop- shops at national and regional level to provide SMEs with the necessary information on regulatory requirements and financing possibilities;
Amendment 215 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Calls on the Member States to review the rules affecting SMEs and to introduce measures based on the ‘Think Small First’ principlewhen drafting legislation, to take into account the effects it will have on SMEs, in order to remimprove the bureaucratic obstacles with which SMEs are confrontedregulatory environment and to achieve a high level of regulatory certainty as a precondition for jobemployment quality and stability;
Amendment 227 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Takes the view that a stable regulatory environment is an essential prerequisite for job perennity andsustainable quality job creation in SMEs; considers that this regulatory certainty must encompass, among other elements, workers' protection, contract law and fiscal and social regulation, as well as tax rulings and also legal certainty and procedural effectiveness;
Amendment 233 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Believes that the stability of the regulatory environment is best achieved by an ongoing involvement of social partners in the decision making process;
Amendment 236 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15 b. Recalls that competition policy is enforced at the European level; highlights that unfair competition in the Single Market damages law-abiding companies, in particular small and medium enterprises; calls on the Commission together with the Member States to take decisive measures to tackle unfair competition that is based on for example avoidance of social, fiscal or labour law;
Amendment 237 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)
Paragraph 15 c (new)
15 c. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to take decisive measures to curb letterbox companies;
Amendment 238 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 d (new)
Paragraph 15 d (new)
15 d. Recalls that all workers in the Single Market must have the right to enjoy the highest possible level of protection as regards to health and safety at work regardless of the size of the company which employs them, the place of employment or the underlying contract;
Amendment 251 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Stresses the importance of SME- friendly, effective, flexible and responsive public administration in the Member States in order to promote entrepreneurship values, facilitate the growth of SMEs and enable them to achieve their full job creation potential; potential in generating high-quality jobs;
Amendment 253 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls on the Commission to facilitate efficient exchanges of best practices between Member States regarding their different regulatory environments for SMEs; welcomes in this regard the Network of SME Envoys, whose role is to improve the consultation process with national SMEs and cooperation between EU countries; also encourages cooperation between SMEs and local authorities, which can be beneficial for the creation of business clusters and incubators and hence increase their job creation potential; encourages SMEs' associations to better support SMEs and to play a stronger role as a reliable social partner;
Amendment 262 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Calls on the Commission to adopt, in the framework of the European Semester’'s country-specific recommendations, a differentiated approach to improve the environment for SMEs, taking into account the country- specific circumstances and the EU regions’' specific structural differences among SMEs;
Amendment 279 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Calls on the Member States to adopt favourable legislative frameworks for newly- created SMEs, focusing in particular on incentive measures aimed at tackling the shadow economytackle the shadow economy and make full use of the newly established platform to tackle undeclared work;
Amendment 284 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Calls on Member States to develop active labour market policies, foster research and innovation, and provide good quality public services and infrastructures, in order to also encourage private sector investment into SMEs;
Amendment 286 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)
Paragraph 21 b (new)
21 b. Stresses the need for Member States to foster partnerships between local authorities, education institutions, employment services, enterprises, trade unions, and civil society associations, also with regard to the creation, implementation and monitoring of sustainable and inclusive quality employment strategies and action plans;
Amendment 300 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Notes that in some cases EU competition policy results in a privileginge that mostly benefits big market operators that are characterised by greater economic efficiency than SMEs; stresses in this regard the need for specific measures for SMEs in order to curb their market diseconomies, thus enabling their internationalisation and boosting their job creation potentialpotential to generate high quality jobs;
Amendment 309 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Takes the view that SMEs’' unequal access to markets, information, counselling, public services, skills and finance across the EUuropean Union, as well as being detrimental to their employment creation prospects, is the result of a number of structural differences in terms of enterprises’' scale and performances; considers, therefore, that these differences should be taken into account when evaluating EUthe Union's internal market performance and implementing Union competition policy rules;
Amendment 312 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23 a. Considers that an image of a SME as an attractive employer, based on good working and employment conditions, is an important competitive advantage with regard to the recruitment of skilled staff;
Amendment 316 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Takes the view that overregulated and bureaucratic economic systems induce higher labour costs, which represent a higher financial burden for SMEs than for big companies owing to the differences in business volumesfair competition is a fundamental principle of a functioning Single Market;
Amendment 320 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Notes that in regions where economic development is focused on attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), MNCs are treated preferentially in both legislative and tax matters; believes that these practicestresses the need to closely monitor the respect of workers' rights in these cases; believes that a preferential treatment of MNCs should also be examined with a view to ensuring a level playing field for SMEs and restoringand to diminish their potential negative impact on their employment creation capacities of SMEs;
Amendment 326 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Notes that a reducn improved regulatory burden, better regulation and improvement offramework, and efficient law enforcement can contribute to tackling the issues of the shadow economy and tax avoidance, as the attractiveness of such ‘exits’ from the regulatory systems would be substantially reduced;
Amendment 340 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Calls on the Commission to conduct an impact assessment regarding the implications of the futureproposed TTIP agreement, for the number and quality of jobs in the SME sector in all Member States; stresses that such an impact assessment should include a detailed analysis of the types of SMEs and sectors that might be affected;
Amendment 348 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Notes the opportunities offered by the Digital Single Market to generate growth and jobs, notably in the field of e- commerce; stresses, however, the need for an SME-focused evaluation of the potential risks and benefits in different Member Statefor SMEs with regard to their growth and job creation potential in the different Member States, as well as for the impact on workers and social security systems;
Amendment 354 #
2015/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Welcomes the presence of information portals aimed specifically at SMEs, such as the ‘'Access to Finance Portal’' on Your Europe, and calls on the Commission to continue with them andfurther improve their functionality, accessibility and to transform them into more interactive instruments;
Amendment 6 #
2015/2274(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that while several EU delegations to Iran have focused on trade and economic ties, the delegation from the Commission did not include the Trade Commissioner;
Amendment 14 #
2015/2274(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that trade and renewed access to the global rules-based trading system is a potential way to bincreakse Iran’´s self-chosen isolationintegration in the international community and the global economy;
Amendment 23 #
2015/2274(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Expresses concern about the high levels of corruption and trade- circumventing sanctions, which have lead to a grey economy; stresses, therefore, the need to fight corruption and increase transparency, and for a truly private sector to developexpand in Iran;
Amendment 32 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Believes that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), otherwise known as the Iran Nnuclear Ddeal, was a notable achievement for multilateral diplomacy, and for European diplomacy in particular, and that Europe is now responsible for not simply ensuring its strict and full implementation, but for maintaining the spirit of negotiations in a way that benefits the peoples of both Iran and the EUfully supports the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in her role as Coordinator of the Joint Commission established under the JCPOA, and believes that strict and full implementation of the JCPOA continues to be of utmost importance;
Amendment 32 #
2015/2274(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that some sectors of the Iranian economy are heavily controlled by the regime, potentially creating probthe current EU mandate for the negotiations of a Trade and Cooperation Agreement with Iran is outdated; calls on the Commission to explore options for strengthening trade and investment ties with the aim to bring Iran closer to the WTO rulems for EU companies in Iran, and that increased trade could strengthen the economic, military and political power of certain unelected individualsand protect European investment; stresses that a formal negotiation framework would allow the EU to fully use its leverage as the largest integrated market and economic bloc and create a forum for exchange and dialogue;
Amendment 42 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Welcomes the visit to Iran, on 16 April 2016, of VP/HR Mogherini together with eight European commissioners as an important milestone towards setting an ambitious agenda for bilateral EU-Iran relations in areas of mutual interest;
Amendment 43 #
2015/2274(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the EU to explore the possibility ofsupport restarting Iran’'s accession talks with the World Trade Organisation, as membership of the WTO would bring a further liberalisation of Iran’'s economy to drive growth, embed the country in the global rules- based system and provide a mechanism to hold the regime to account on commitments madesupport necessary economic reforms within Iran;
Amendment 57 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the institutional changes made within the European External Action Service (EEAS) to reflect the new period of EU-Iran relations; welcomes the steps taken by the EEAS for the establishment of an EU Delegation in Tehran,, in particular the establishment of an Iran task force to monitor the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and centralise and give coherence to EEAS/EC cooperation with Iran; welcomes the steps taken by the EEAS for the establishment of an EU Delegation in Tehran, as called for in previous EP resolutions, as it will allow for the EU to work with the Iranian authorities to enable better public education within the country about the EU itself, to counter misunderstandings and to build a stronger basis of popular support for growing cooperation between the EU and Iran; emphasises, in this regard, that trade and investment are EU competences, and that the establishment of an EU Delegation in Tehran would facilitate EU-Iran cooperation in the fields of trade, education, culture and environmental sustainability, strongly contributing to the fulfilment of the expectations of both sides;
Amendment 71 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Insists on the importance of developing the parliamentary dimension of EU-Iran relations as part of the strategy for re-establishing mutual trust; reiterates its support, in this regard, for the proposal discussed between Parliament and the Majlis for an inter-parliamentary dialogue on counter-terrorism as a recognition of the common challenges of radicalisation in Iran, across the Middle East and within the EU itself; welcomes the renewed political dialogue between the EU and Iran, including on human rights; recognises that while there is suspicion and mistrust on both sides, there is also a long history between many Member States and Iran and that Iran has a strong ambition to have good relations with Europe, which provides the potential for a relationship based on mutual trust and respect; recognises the complexities of Iran's own internal politics and reiterates that the EU does not seek to interfere in internal political choices in this country or in any other, but seeks cooperation based on mutual respect for international standards and principles; believes that the full normalisation of relations can only occur by means of regular and sustained dialogue and that the immediate priority should be to broaden the scope of EU-Iran relations in areas where there is common agreement to do so; believes, however, that the ultimate aim must be one of partnership between Iran and the EU;
Amendment 95 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recognises that differences exist between the EU and Iran on the use of the death penalty; nevertheless believes cooperation on anti-narcotics programmes andthat engagement on death penalty concerns such as the use onf the question of juvenile executiodeath penalty for drug-related offences and agains,t in line withdividuals under the age of 18, both of which violate Iran’'s ownvoluntarily accepted international commitments, could provide a common agenda for addressing this question;
Amendment 116 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Takes note of the fact that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences would drastically reduce the number of executions (up to 80 % according to Iranian estimates); calls for EU-Iran cooperation in the fight against drugs as a way of addressing the issue of executions in the country; calls on the Commission to provide technical assistance and administrative capacity- building for Iran to enable it to secure its borders with Afghanistan and Iraqaimed at bolstering the rule of law in Iran, including by promoting reform of the justice system to improve accountability and alternatives to imprisonment and the death penalty;
Amendment 123 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Recalls that the EU and Iran have decided to face issues of common concern in a constructive manner; calls for an EU strategy for re-engagement with Iran to be based, initially, on confidence-building measures in technical areas that would create positive precedents of EU-Iranian joint work and can pave the way for more meaningful long-term cooperation;
Amendment 139 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Takes note of Iran’s stated objective of achieving a yearly growth rate of 8 %; believes that European investments are key for Iran to achieve this goal; stresses that for Iran to realise its economic potential, it will have to take steps to create a transparent economic environment conducive to international investment and take anti-corruption measures, particularly regarding compliance with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force; calls on the EU to fully support Iran’s efforts in this process via, in particular, support for work towards forging a bilateral investment treaty between the EU and Iran; calls for the EU to develop economic cooperation with Iranrecalls that the EU used to be Iran's main trading partner and believes it should aim at recovering that position again; calls for the EU to develop economic cooperation with Iran; believes the expansion of trade and investment with Iran can, at the same time, contribute to promoting peace and stability in the wider region, if the EU can seek opportunities for regional investment schemes, for example in relation to energy and transport connectivity; takes note that Iran is the world’s largest economy outside the WTO; supports, in this regard, Iran’s bid to join the WTO;
Amendment 157 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Calls on Iran to initiate legislation to allow workers to exercise their right to form and join independent trade unions and to collectively bargain in line with Iran's obligations under international law; and take steps to respect, promote and realise the principles and rights set out in the ILO's fundamental conventions, including Conventions 87 and 98;
Amendment 161 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Welcomes the fact that a growing number of small European banks are now active in Iran, facilitating credit to SMEs;
Amendment 164 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recallgrets the impact that extraterritorial USof US primary sanctions, in particular US-related the ban on dollar- denominated transanctions on banks, have on businesses willing to invest in Iran; insists on the need to address this and other financial matters to create, which are undermining the delivery of expected economic benefits from the JCPOA to the Iranian people; stresses, at the same time, that greater efforts to ensure an environment conducive to international investment is essential for Iran to realise its economic potential; calls, in this regard, on Iran to ensure transparency of its financial sector and to fight corruption and money laundering, in line with the nrecessary conditions for businesses to prosper in Iran and contribute to Iranians fommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF); welcomes the Iranian government's Action Plan on the recommendations of the FATF as well as the technical meelting relief from sanctions in their everyday livess held on 12 July between EU and Iranian officials to undertake the necessary reforms in this regard;
Amendment 179 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Believes that the lifting of the nuclear related economic and financial sanctions by the EU and the international community as laid down in the JCPOA is an important element in demonstrating European good faiththat the EU has implemented its commitments towards Iran, as well as providing potential for mutual economic benefit; calls for emphasis to be placed on the quality as well as on the quantity of investments, and for an initiative to assess whether new investments uphold the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights similar to that undertaken when sanctions were lifted in Myanmar/Burma;
Amendment 183 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Welcomes the fact that JCPOA has already brought positive results, such as the 22% increase in trade between Iran and the EU during the first three months of 2016, compared to the same period of 2014, the fact that 30 Iranian banks have reconnected to SWIFT, as well as the JCPOA's positive impact in reinforcing the trend of diminishing inflation and interest rates in Iran;
Amendment 185 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Shares the VP/HR's assessment that the results of the elections to the parliament of Iran and Assembly of Experts have shown a clear desire of the people of Iran to continue the course of moderation and incremental reforms, especially in economic area;
Amendment 187 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 c (new)
Paragraph 10 c (new)
10c. Welcomes the 180 trade delegations that visited Teheran since the signature of the JCPOA, including from 15 EU member states as a sign of growing interest in economic relations with Iran; calls on the EU and its member states to explore the use of exports guarantees credits to boost trade, project financing and investment in Iran;
Amendment 188 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 d (new)
Paragraph 10 d (new)
10d. Supports the positive conclusion of the agreements between the Iranian government and Airbus and Boeing, as a further confidence-building measure following the adoption of the JCPOA;
Amendment 191 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Believes that energy cooperation can play a significant role in diversifying the sources of energy supply to the EU, thereby contributing to the EU’s and Iran's energy security; calls for European companies to invest in the Iranian energy sector; calls, in particular, for the EU´s support in developing LNG technology in Iran;
Amendment 198 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Takes note that currently more than half of Iranian households’ energy needs are met by natural gas; stresses the great potential of developing renewable energies in Iran, a country with on average 300 days of sunshine per year, and an estimated production capacity equivalent to 13 times Iran’s total energy consumption; calls on the Commission to support the development of renewable energies in Iran as a contribution to diversifying the country's energy mix;
Amendment 204 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Calls for environmental cooperation in the areas of water conservation management, including supporting Iran in saving Lake Urmia, the fight against desertification, earthquake monitoring, as well as addressing air pollution and waste management;
Amendment 205 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Welcomes the fact that Iranian environmental NGOs have developed partnerships with other NGOs in the region; welcomes their participation to the IUCN and Ramsar Conventions; calls on the Commission to assist Iranian NGOs in the development of participatory management projects;
Amendment 217 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Takes note of the fact that Iran hosts 3 million Afghan nationals, of whom only 950 000 have formal legal status in Iran as refugees; welcomes the additional EUR 6.5 million of EU funding to support Iran in the education and health care of the Afghan population in the country; believes that EU-Iran cooperation on refugee management can enhance mutual understanding, promote improved respect for international law and the lives ofhuman rights of asylum seekers and refugees themselves, as well as contributing to conflict resolution in order to reduce the causes of current and future refugee movements;
Amendment 222 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Recognises that the young, educated and technologically advanced population in Iran and the vibrancy of its society can provide particular opportunities for advancing people-to- people contacts with the EU, based on principles of reciprocity and mutual respect; ; calls for increased cooperation in the field of education, research and innovation via increased exchanges of students and researchers, including the participation of young people in EU programmes (Erasmus+), and cooperation between Universities; calls for the Commission to study the possibility of visa liberalisation for Iranian academics and researchers to study and undergo training in European universities;
Amendment 231 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Calls for an establishment of an EU program to bring together researchers and students from Iran, GCC countries and Europe to study the experience and lessons learned of the regional integration in Europe.
Amendment 233 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Welcomes the increase of Erasmus Mundus students from Iran to European Universities as a way to combat misperceptions and stereotypes; calls on the Commission to increase the envelope for Erasmus Mundus students from Iran;
Amendment 235 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)
Paragraph 18 c (new)
18c. Calls on the Iranian government to appoint a Horizon 2020 national coordinator that provides technical assistance and advice to Iranian Universities to apply for Horizon 2020 projects; welcomes the workshops that recently took place in Teheran University to raise awareness of the potential benefits that Iranian Universities can draw from participating in Horizon 2020;
Amendment 244 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Takes note that because of its geostrategic location between Europe, the Middle East and Asia, the size of its population, its oil and natural gas reserves and its influence in the region, Iran is a major player in the Middle East and the Gulf region; stresses that the pursuit of Iranian interests does not and should not be in competition with other major players in the region;
Amendment 266 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Calls on all regional states, in particular Saudi Arabia and Iran, to refrain from hostile rhetoric fuelling conflicts;
Amendment 267 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Takes note of VP/HR's remarks of 14 April 2016 according to which Iran's ballistic missiles tests do not constitute a breach of the JCPOA; voices, nevertheless, it's concern on this worrying step; reiterates that any step that could escalate tensions in the region is not welcome and encourages Iran to abstain from further steps in this direction;
Amendment 288 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Believes EU-Iran political dialogue should call on Iran to play a constructive role in solving the political crises in Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and Afghanistan, based on respect for international law and the sovereignty of these countries; calls, in this regard, for a model of EU diplomacy based on political rather than religious differences and on the principle of ensuring respect, safety and security for peoples in all countries in the Middle East, without exception, with the aim of fostering a more stable and harmonious Middle East;
Amendment 316 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Welcomes Iran’s readiness to support the current efforts to bring stability to Iraq, and calls for additional efforts to bring all the militias operating in the country under the authority of the Iraqi army and for its government to be inclusive of all interests; welcomes Iran’s contribution to the fight against ISIS/Da’esh; notes the agreement between Iran and Australia to share intelligence on the fight against ISIS/Da’esh;
Amendment 328 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Believes that regional rivalries are an underlying factor in conflicts in several countries in the region; calls for active EU diplomacy to de-escalate tensions between Tehran and Riyadh, including confidence building, track II diplomacy and de- escalation measures aimed at the resumption of Saudi-Iranian diplomatic relations, as a first step, in the normalisation of their relations; calls on the EU to work with the US and Russia to that end and, in particular, in supporting the development of a new regional security infrastructure that takes into account Iran and Saudi Arabia’s threat perceptions and legitimate security concerns and provides security guarantees both to Iran and the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council; stresses that cooperation on maritime security in the Persian Gulf, including the signing of a charter on free navigation, could be a first confidence-building measure in developing regional trust and cooperation;
Amendment 337 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Stresses the common interests of the EU and Iran in safeguarding stability and security and countering radicalisation in South Caucasus and Central Asia; calls, in this regard, to associate Iran in international efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, including by considering inviting Iran to join the Minsk Group;
Amendment 342 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)
Paragraph 25 b (new)
25b. Believes that regional dialogue and cooperation on environmental issues between Iran and its neighbours is indispensable to tackling such challenges as air pollution, water scarcity and desertification; stresses that the EU should facilitate such regional cooperation as an important confidence- building measure and build on the willingness of regional actors to benefit from European expertise in this field;
Amendment 343 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 c (new)
Paragraph 25 c (new)
25c. Calls on the Commission to support programmes bringing together researchers, students and professors from Iran, GCC countries and Europe with a focus on history of European integration, lessons learned and long-term prospects for regional integration among the Persian Gulf countries and Iran;
Amendment 351 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Believes that Iran’s revolutionary legacy and its constitution as an Islamic State must not be an impediment for finding common ground on matters related to democracy or human rights; notes that Human Rights Dialogues have already been established by Iran with Switzerland, Japan and Brazil;
Amendment 378 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Notes with concern that Iran has the highest level of death-penalty executions per capita in the world; takes note that most of the executions are for drug- related offences; understands the challenge faced by Iran as one of the main drug transit routes in the world, with 86% of world's seizures of opium taking place in its territory; stresses that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences would dramatically decrease the number of executions; welcomes, in this regard, the possibility that the newly-elected Majlis is considering legislation to exclude some drug-related offences from the list of crimes punishable with the death penalty; encourages EU cooperation with Iran in counter- narcotics which can help address this question, as well as upholding the principle of co-responsibility in the fight against drugs worldwide;
Amendment 459 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Welcomes President Rohani’s campaign promise to present a charter for citizens’ rights; underlines the importance of respecting the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in providing the necessary legal certainty required for foreign direct investments to take place, but first and foremost in the interests of Iranian citizens themselves; calls on the EEAS and the Commission to work together with the Iranian authorities in areas such as judicial reform, reform of the prison system, including prison conditions, government accountability, respect for the rule of law, citizens’ rights and the fight against corruption; believes that these measures will increase legal certainty in Iran and the country’s attractiveness to foreign investors while also benefiting Iranian citizens.;
Amendment 471 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the government and parliament of Iran, the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and the EEAS;
Amendment 147 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Believes that a principaln objective should be to move towards voluntary joint defence forces and the framing of a common defence policy which will ultimately lead to a common defence. Supports, therefore,; Supports the drafting of a White paper on EU Defence, thereby updating the Helsinki Headline Goal from 1999;
Amendment 1 #
2015/2258(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes new Objective 12 in the Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2015-2019; calls on the Commission to ensure that CRPD implementation is systematically raised in human rights dialogues with third countries, included in Human Rights Country Strategy Papers, is supported by European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights projects targeted at representative organisations of disabled people and is promoted through application of the anti-discrimination toolkit; calls for detailed reporting of EU implementation of the CRPD in its external relations, in the Annual Report on Human Rights; calls on the EU Special Representative for Human Rights to lead and monitor progress in this field;.
Amendment 6 #
2015/2258(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls for Section 8 of the European Disability Strategy referring to external action to be matched by the inclusion of genuine and concrete commitments which will improve the lives of disabled people, in the strategy’s new ‘list of actions’ for 2016- 2020, such commitments having been absent in the 2010-15 list;
Amendment 7 #
2015/2258(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. CSupports the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all external action financing instruments; calls for the mid-term evaluation of the external financing instruments to assess how effectively thesey have contributed to the inclusion of persons with disabilities; demands an e in their societies, barriers have been dismantled, and accessibility has been promoted; furthermore demands tohat any expenditure in the EU programmes that perpetuates the segregation of persons with disabilities be stopped;
Amendment 8 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the CRPD is the first international human rights treaty ratified by the EU, which has also been signed by all 28 EU Member States and ratified by 25 Member States excluding Finland, Ireland and the Netherlands;
Amendment 10 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Amendment 12 #
2015/2258(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Supports the CRPD expert recommendations thatfor the EU to be more accessible and inclusive to achieve a human rights-based approach to disability in situations of risk and emergency; including through implementation of the Sendai Framework, capacity-building and knowledge-sharing, and monitoring using disaggregated data; strongly urges the mainstreaming of disabled peoples’' human rights in EU migration and refugee policies;
Amendment 14 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas children with disabilities have the rights to live in (their) families or family environment in line with their best interest;
Amendment 15 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F b (new)
Recital F b (new)
Fb. whereas children with disabilities are 17 times more likely to live in an institution than their peers without disabilities, where their risk of violence, neglect and abuse is much higher than when living at home;1a __________________ 1aFRA Report: Violence against children with disabilities: legislation, policies and programmes in the EU, http://fra.europa.eu/sites/default/files/fra_ uploads/fra-2015-violence-against- children-with-disabilities_en.pdf
Amendment 17 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F c (new)
Recital F c (new)
Amendment 18 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F d (new)
Recital F d (new)
Fd. whereas disability is a cause and consequence of poverty and approximately 30% of the homeless population have a disability and are at risk to be overlooked;1a __________________ 1aVan Straaten et al (2015). Self-reported care needs of Dutch homeless people with and without a suspected intellectual disability: a 1.5-year follow-up study, In: Health Soc Care Community 2015 Oct 1. Epub 2015 Oct 1.
Amendment 19 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F e (new)
Recital F e (new)
Fe. whereas an estimated 80% of persons with disabilities live in developing countries;1a __________________ 1a World Report on Disability, 2011.
Amendment 20 #
2015/2258(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the CRPD Committee’'s recommendations thatfor the EU to develop a human -rights- based indicators system; highlights this must clearly measure the access of persons with disabilities to EU external programmes and the impact of EU funds on disabled peoples' human rights, in line with articles 31 and 32 of CRPD, refers to the structure-process- outcome framework developed by the OHCHR with respect to Articles 19 and 29 of the CRPD; calls for an explicit reference to the CRPD in all impact assessment guidelines.
Amendment 20 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F f (new)
Recital F f (new)
Ff. whereas the EU supports the promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities at the international level, and is the world’s biggest donor of Official Development Assistance (ODA);
Amendment 25 #
2015/2258(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Regrets the absence of consultation by the EU with disabled people’'s organisations in its preparations for the review process by the UN CRPD Committee in 2015 and in drafting its progress report; calls for disabled people’'s organisations to be fully involved in future, including participation through the structured dialogue ensuring direct participation of persons with disabilities and their representative organisations as recommended; including by taking part in official EU delegations for future reviews.
Amendment 25 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas disability can be caused by a gradual and sometimes invisible degradation of the state of health of an individual, as is the case for people with neurodegenerative or rare diseases; 2Or. en
Amendment 28 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H b (new)
Recital H b (new)
Hb. whereas the EU, as a party to the CRPD, has the duty to ensure the close involvement and active participation of persons with disabilities and their representative organisations in the development and implementation of legislation and policies to implement the Convention and in all decision making processes concerning issues that relate to persons with disabilities;
Amendment 42 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Urges a comprehensive and cross- cutting review of EU legislation and funding programmes, including future programming periods, with a view to complying fully with the CRPD by constructively involving disability organisations and the members of the EU Framework for the CRPD (hereinafter the ‘EU Framework’);
Amendment 49 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Asks the Commission to proposevide a list of legislation with a view to proposing an update of the declaration of competence in light of the Concluding Observations, to be repeated periodically with the formal involvement of disability organisations and the European Parliament;
Amendment 53 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Commission to set up a structured dialogue with disabilityconsolidate and make a proposal for a structured dialogue between the EU and disability organisations including appropriate funding to ensure full and equal participation by persons with disabilities and their representative organisations;
Amendment 58 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission to use the review of the European Disability Strategy and to develop a comprehensive EU CRPD strategy with a clear implementation timeframe, benchmarks and indicators;
Amendment 77 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls on the European institutions and Member States to ensure that boys and girls with disabilities and their representative organisations be consulted in all matters affecting them – with appropriate assistance provided, according to their disability and age;
Amendment 91 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to work with Parliament to deliver a strongclear and effective directive on the accessibility of public sector bodies’ websites, with a broad scope and a robust enforcement mechanism in line with the proposed European Accessibility Act;
Amendment 94 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Is concerned about the lack of accessibility of the EU-wide 112 emergency number, which is at national level and when roaming, causing unnecessary deaths and injuries; highlights the need for implementing measures at national level ensuring inter alia compatibility across Member States, including accessible national emergency points;
Amendment 109 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Is concerned that the Employment Eq2uality Directive does not explicitly make the denial of reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities a form of discrimination; asks the Commission to provide a state of play on the kinds of complaints received;
Amendment 127 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Is concerned that the European Structural and Investment Funds are being misused to foster institutionalisation, and calls on the Member States and the Commission to strengthen their monitoring in line with the CRPD and in consultation with disability organisations and recommends to suspend, withdraw and recover payments from Member States if the obligation to respect fundamental rights is breached;
Amendment 136 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Welcomes the ex-ante conditionalities on social inclusion and its investment priority on the ‘transition from institutional to community based services’ in Regulation 1303/2013 on the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF); calls on the Member States to use the funds for deinstitutionalisation and as a tool to implement the CRPD;
Amendment 151 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls for the development of human rights-based indicators and calls on the Member States to provide comparable disaggregated disability data;
Amendment 160 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Calls on the Commissionbudget authorities to allocate adequate resources to enable the EU Framework to perform its functions independently;
Amendment 164 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Highlights that the CRPD network needs to be strengthened to appropriately coordinate CRPD implementation internally but also interinstitutionally, while actively involving and closely consulting with persons with disabilities and their representative organisations in its activities and meetings;
Amendment 166 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Urges the institutions to review allensure existing staff regulations, internal rules and implementing provisions for CRPD compatibility are fully implemented in line with the CRPD and internal rules and implementing provisions are developed fully applying CRPD provisions, as part of an open and disability-inclusive process, in order to address the Concluding Observations;
Amendment 168 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls for the provision of adequate needs-based and CRPD-compatible reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities – or with dependent family members with disabilities – who are in the service of the European institutions, paying particular attention to the needs of disabled parents;
Amendment 180 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Urges the EU institutions to make their internet-based content and apps, including their intranets and all documents and audiovisual content, accessible while equally ensuring physical accessibility of their buildings;
Amendment 183 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Calls for the EU to revise the rules of the Joint Sickness Insurance Scheme, the pension system and disability-related social security and social protection measures in order to ensure non- discrimination and equality of opportunities for persons with disabilities, inter alia by recognising disability-related health needs as being distinct from an illness;
Amendment 3 #
2015/2255(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
Citation 1 a (new)
Amendment 138 #
2015/2255(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D d (new)
Recital D d (new)
Dd. whereas strong safeguards to protect the rights of posted workers and to prevent 'social dumping' are laid down in Directive 96/71/EC, that presents a core of mandatory rules regarding the terms and conditions of employment to be applied to an employee posted to work in another Member State,
Amendment 141 #
2015/2255(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D e (new)
Recital D e (new)
D e. having regard to the on-going implementation of the Posting of Workers Enforcement Directive (2014/67/EU) and its aim to further increase the protection of posted workers and to specifically tackle cases of "social dumping",
Amendment 178 #
2015/2255(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on Member States to increase the staffing levels and resources of their labour inspectorates, agencies and their liaison offices, in particularto monitor and enforce protections in new models of employment relationships, as well as for interpretation and translation;
Amendment 376 #
2015/2255(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Considers that the notion of 'minimum wage' contained in Directive 96/71/EC should be revised to ensure equal pay for posted workers and local workers in similar positions; stresses the need to respectadhere to the collective agreements of the host country and to ensure, through the revision of Regulations (EC) No 883/2004 and (EC) No 987/2009, the payment of gross earnings corresponding to the remuneration paid by the employer before the deduction of taxes and social security contributions payable by employees and withheld by the employer; recalls that specific postings bonuses should be paid on top of remuneration;
Amendment 406 #
2015/2255(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Wishes periods of postings to be further limited in Directive 96/71/EC and temporary employment agencies to be excluded from the scope of the directive;
Amendment 476 #
2015/2255(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Calls on the Commission to introduce measures to prevent the manipulation of employment status with the aim of avoidance of employment rights and social protections;
Amendment 536 #
2015/2255(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Calls on Member States to review their laws to eliminate on-call work models, such as precarious contracts called 'zero hour contracts' or 'pay to fly contracts', which can dramatically reduce workers´ income and security; believes that precarious working conditions are an additional safety risk;
Amendment 577 #
2015/2255(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Calls on the Commission rapidly to draw up proposals to combat unfair competition in the digital and sharing economy as well as addressing the blurring of employment status which leaves workers unprotected, and tackling avoidance of social security and tax payments;
Amendment 631 #
2015/2255(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Desires that wage floorsmechanism be established, possibly in the form of a minimum wagwhere appropriate, to guarantee equal pay for equal work in the same place; emphasises that this instrument should be set up on the basis of legislation or conventionllective agreement, in accordance with national practices, with due respect for the role and the autonomy of the social partners; believes that these wage floors should represent at least 60% of the average national wage; calls on the Commission to consult the social partners with a view to introducing, where appropriate, a minimum wage in some border areas associated with highly mobile workersfully before presenting any measures to introduce a system for delivering equal pay for equal work in the same place;
Amendment 98 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67 b (new)
Paragraph 67 b (new)
67b. Stresses that Parliament and the Council must address the need for a roadmap to a single seat, as requested by a large majority in this Parliament in several resolutions, in order to create long term savings in the Union budget;
Amendment 99 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67 c (new)
Paragraph 67 c (new)
67c. Stresses that Parliament and the Council must address the need for a roadmap to a single seat, as requested by the large majority of this Parliament in several resolutions, in order to create long term savings in the Union budget;
Amendment 68 #
2015/2094(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Encourages theall Member States to ratify ILO Convention 189, and urges those who have already done so toensure that it is apply itied stringently;
Amendment 84 #
2015/2094(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls for measures to be taken to ensure full compliance with the law on issues affecting this group, to step up labour inspections and ensure that these can take place in private residences, so as to clamp down on unlawful behaviour and to facilitate and incentivise legal hiring practices;
Amendment 107 #
2015/2094(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recommends the establishment of an information service in each Member State (including an office, a helpline and a website) to providinge assistance and information to domestic workers and carers, and their employers, on the rights of women workerthese employees in each Member State as well as best practice, advice and guidance for employers;
Amendment 185 #
2015/2094(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on the Commission and Member States to ensure that domestic workers and carers in Europe are valued as human beings and are able to have a work-life balance, including being covered by the Working Time Directive (2003/88/EC), in order that the employees are able to have essential periods of rest and are not forced into working excessive hours;
Amendment 190 #
2015/2094(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Asks the EU institutions to amend all EU Directives which conflict with ILO Convention 189;
Amendment 191 #
2015/2094(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7c. Calls on EU institutions to remove all discrimination in EU legislation against domestic workers and carers in the EU, such as their exemption in Occupational Health and Safety Directive 89/391/EEC, to ensure that these employees receive the same level of protection as those in other sectors;
Amendment 192 #
2015/2094(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 d (new)
Paragraph 7 d (new)
7d. Calls on Member States to ensure that the visas of domestic workers and carers allow employees to change employer if they have been subjected to abuse, removal of human rights, a substandard working environment or any conditions deemed as below national standards as set in national or European employment legislation;
Amendment 193 #
2015/2094(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 e (new)
Paragraph 7 e (new)
7e. Calls on the Member States with a national minimum wage to ensure that all domestic carers and workers are paid at this rate as a minimum;
Amendment 194 #
2015/2094(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 f (new)
Paragraph 7 f (new)
7f. Calls on Member States to consider introducing a service/voucher scheme, if not already in existence, to make domestic work and caring more official, in order to stamp out undeclared work;
Amendment 195 #
2015/2094(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 g (new)
Paragraph 7 g (new)
7g. Calls on Member States to ensure that domestic workers and carers receive pension contributions in line with national legislation.
Amendment 84 #
2015/2088(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses the need to build up partnerships between local authorities, education and employment services and the business community to support the creation, implementation and monitoring of employment strategies and action plans; calls for closer co-operation between education, public administration, business and civil society, especially youth organisations; emphasises the need to improve links between young people and employment and education institutions, including through second-chance options;
Amendment 100 #
2015/2088(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Recalls that policies should focus on helping NEETs, including those who have become disengaged, to renew with education or integrate into the labour markets;
Amendment 190 #
2015/2088(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses that a smooth transition from education to employment should be promoted by linking education with practical training and providing high- quality and financially accessible internships as stipulated in the European Quality Charter on Internships and Apprenticeships as well as through the recognition of qualifications gained during formal and non-formal education;
Amendment 12 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recommends that the EU’'s approach to Turkmenistan strike a balance between the promotion of democracy and the pursuit of EU’'s strategic interests; underlines that the ratification of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) willcould contribute to the achievement of EU objectives in these areas only provided Turkmenistan makes significant and tangible progress towards the fulfilment of the benchmarks set out by the European Parliament in 2009 and 2011;
Amendment 30 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Is of the opinion that the establishment of a Cooperation Council and a Cooperation Committee, under Articles77 and 79 of the PCA, respectively, willcould revitalise EU-Turkmen relations in a constructive manner, both at the executive level and in civil society, only on the condition of the fulfilment by Turkmenistan of the benchmarks set out by the European Parliament in 2009 and 2011;
Amendment 32 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. WBelcomesieves that the establishment of a Parliamentary Cooperation Committee between the European Parliament and the Turkmen Parliament (the Mejlis) under Article 82 of the PCA, leading to could prove to be a useful tool for more regular and structured parliamentary dialogue and scrutiny of the implementation of the agreement once it is ratified subject to the significant progress by Turkmenistan in fulfilling the benchmarks set out by the European Parliament;
Amendment 45 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recognises the timid legal, political, social and economic reforms introduced by the current government since 2012 asat in spite of recent legal reforms and other initiatives declared to be aimed ant encouraging sign of a renewed climate of openness, most notably with regard to prison reform, laws on internet, public assembly and public associationhancing human rights protection in the country, the situation remains highly repressive in practice; notes that the state of democracy, the rule of law and the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms remain weak in Turkmenistan;
Amendment 64 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Takes note of the constitutional reform announced for this year, possibly including aand encourages the government to strengthening of the separation of powers between the executive, legislative and judiciary branches, reinforcing the role of Mejlis, and the creation of an office with the function of Ombudsman;
Amendment 69 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the Turkmen authorities to address the recommendations made by the OSCE/ODIHR5 , following the parliamentary elections in December 2013; notes that, according to the OSCE/ODIHR conclusions, the existence of a third offtwo politicial party, the Agrarian Party, since 2014ies, besides the ruling Democratic Party of Turkmenistan, is no substitute for a genuinely pluralistic environment which would provide for the functioning of a political opposition to the incumbent authorities; __________________ 5 Election Assessment Mission Final Report of 4 March 2014 by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR), TURKMENISTAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS of 15 December 2013; http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/11601 1?download=true.
Amendment 81 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Underlines the need for the European Parliament to closely follow and monitor developments in Turkmenistan and the implementation of the PCA in coming years; calls, in this context, on the VP/HR to honour the agreement reached with her predecessor regarding a monitoring mechanism, allowing Parliament to be properly informed by the EEAS about the implementation of the PCA, once it enters into force, in the format of a functional monitoring mechanism, whereas the EEAS will provide information to the Parliament not limited to de-briefings on Human Rights Dialogues and enables the European Parliament to react to the developments on the ground in the event of no progress in human rights protection, and, in particular, of its objectives and of compliance with its Article 2;
Amendment 94 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Notes that the EU has held seveneight rounds of Human Rights Dialogue with Turkmenistan since 2008, and that while the last round in SeptemberJuly 20145 was held in a constructive and open atmosphere, it has, disappointingly, so far had very scant results;
Amendment 97 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes the invitation to Turkmenistan of a UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion in 2008, the first UN special rapporteur to visit the country; calls, at the same time, on the Turkmen authorities to allow entry to the remaining nintwelve rapporteurs, all of whom have asked to visit the country;
Amendment 102 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Takes note of the slightly improved cooperation between Turkmenistan and the UN on the treatment of prisoners, but remains concerned about the hunknown numberdreds of political prisoners in the country, and about the dozens of cases of enforced disappearances in prisons6 ; __________________ 6 Prove They Are Alive ! Campaign; http://provetheyarealive.org/.who are forcibly disappeared in the criminal justice system of Turkmenistan as a result of massive repressions that took place in early 2000s;
Amendment 113 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Takes note of some limited improvements regarding the legislative framework on the freedom of the media, including a new law adopted in 2013; however, notes, that these provisions stand in stark contrast to the current restrictive media environment in the country, as expressed by, inter alia, an absence of independent media in the country, tight control of the state media by the authorities, restrictions on import of foreign newspapers; calls on the Turkmen authorities to fully guarantee freedom of speech, to lift any state controls on print and electronic media and to allow foreign media outlets access to the country and to information;
Amendment 124 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. NotWelcomes the modest improvements introduced in the new law on public associations adopted in 2014, and the adoption of the first Law on Assemblies which entered into force in July 2015; however, is concerned that the new Law on Public Associations contains major restrictive provisions, such as a requirement of compulsory registration of associations, strict registration rules for national-level organisations, provisions granting authorities wide and largely unfettered powers to oversee the activities and funding of associations and broad grounds for closing down organisations; calls on the Turkmen authorities to remove restrictions on civil society organisations and to permit the development of a genuinely independent civil society;
Amendment 131 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. UrgWelcomes, in this context, the adoption by the Turkmen Government – as a positive sign of cooperation facilitating Parliament’s consent to the PCA – to adoptin January 2016–– of the draft National Action Plan on Human Rights, prepared with the assistance of the UNDP in 2013, which contains the recommendations made during Turkmenistan’'s appearance before the Universal Periodic Review process at the UN Human Rights Council in 2013; recommends that a constructive resolution of the issue of forced disappearances be included in the Plan; notes that the implementation of this plan will be seen as a positive sign of cooperation facilitating Parliament's consent to the PCA;
Amendment 158 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. EmphasisNotes Turkmenistan’'s potential for enhancing the EU’'s energy security; supports the Commission’'s plans to use all of the EU’s foreign policy instruments to establish a strategicpromote an energy partnership with Turkmenistan, thus helping the EU wean itself off dependence on Russian gao diversify the EU gas supplies; points to the reliability and stability of the EU and its companies as potential investment partners in the exploitation of the vast reserves of natural gas and oil that Turkmenistan possesses; underlines that future pipeline projects connecting Turkmenistan to Europe could lead to the fulfilment of common objectives; recognises Turkmenistan’'s role as exporter of energy resources in Central Asia and beyond;
Amendment 162 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Urges the EU to finalise talks with Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan on facilitating an accord on building a trans- Caspian gas pipeline (TCP); urges Turkmenistan to resolve the legal disputes and infrastructural deficiencies with the potential transit countries;
Amendment 170 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Notes that Turkmenistan maintains constructiveneutral relations with all its neighbours;
Amendment 185 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Takes note of China’'s ‘'Silk Road Economic Belt’' policy for the Central Asian region and beyond, and cautions against Turkmenistan’s increasing economic dependence on China;
Amendment 11 #
2015/2038(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Recalls that the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning multinational enterprises and social policy, the ILO Decent Work Agenda and the labour elements of the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprise, are core texts in relation to corporate social responsibility, and underlines that DG Employment of the European Commission must continue to play a leading role in jointly coordinating the EU’s corporate social responsibility policy, as in the past;
Amendment 16 #
2015/2038(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the European Union has played a leading role in negotiating and implementing a number of global initiatives for global responsibility, in particular the UN's Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights, the revised OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles Concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy, the framework of the International Integrated Reporting Council, the ten principles of the United Nations Global Compact, and the ISO 26000 Guidance Standard on Social Responsibility;
Amendment 18 #
2015/2038(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas the draft French law on 'due diligence' advancing the UN Guiding Principles, the statement of President Juncker at the 2015 G7 Summit in favour of "urgent action" to improve responsibility in global supply chains and the commitment of the current Dutch EU Presidency to seek Council Conclusions on global supply chains, all demonstrate the global responsibility for European business to promote and respect international standards;
Amendment 20 #
2015/2038(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital D c (new)
Recital D c (new)
Dc. whereas the "Realising Long-term Value for Companies and Investors project" being undertaken by the UN Principles of Responsible Investment and the UN Global Compact demonstrate that economic recovery in Europe and the world is compatible with and mutually reinforcing to principles of social justice, environmental sustainability and respect for human rights;
Amendment 27 #
2015/2038(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recommends, therefore, that the EU’s trade strategy be a tool for the promotion of European values and interests in third countries; welcomes, therefore, the enhancement of trade agreements and trade preference programmes as levers to promote human rights; welcomes the reference to corporate social responsibility now included in all the EU's trade and other bilateral agreements, but calls for a follow-up mechanism to also be included, to seek to operationalise this commitment;
Amendment 40 #
2015/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the EU has played a leading role in negotiating and implementing a number of global initiatives for global responsibility, in particular the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights, the revised OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy, the framework of the International Integrated Reporting Council, the ten principles of the United Nations Global Compact, and the ISO 26000 guidance Standard on Social Responsibility;
Amendment 41 #
2015/2038(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Reiterates its support for the systematic introduction of human rights clauses in all international agreements between the EU and third countries; and for the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and other international corporate responsibility standards to be consistently raised by EU representatives in Human Rights Dialogues with third countries;
Amendment 45 #
2015/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas the draft French law on ‘due diligence’ advancing the UN Guiding Principles, the statement of President Juncker at the 2015 G7 Summit in favour of ‘urgent action’ to improve responsibility in global supply chains and the commitment of the current Dutch EU Presidency to seek Council Conclusions on global supply chains, all demonstrate the global responsibility for European business to promote and respect international standards;
Amendment 47 #
2015/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D c (new)
Recital D c (new)
Dc. whereas the ‘Realising Long-term Value for Companies and Investors project’ being undertaken by the UN Principles of Responsible Investment and the UN Global Compact demonstrate that economic recovery in Europe and the world is compatible with and mutually reinforcing to principles of social justice, environmental sustainability and respect for human rights;
Amendment 49 #
2015/2038(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the Commission’s efforts to support the implementation of the UN’s Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights and the UN Global Compact, the revised OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles Concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy, the framework of the International Integrated Reporting Council, the UN Global Compact and the ISO 26000 Guidance Standard on Social Responsibility, and at the same time to encourage, assist and monitor how all trading partners to comply with these international principles;
Amendment 55 #
2015/2038(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Stresses that the European ‘Trade for All’ strategy commits the European Union to ‘reinforcing corporate social responsibility initiatives’ and underlining that this must mean new action at the EU level including the agreement of a new EU CSR Action Plan up to 2020 and a mechanism in all new trade agreements not simply referencing corporate social responsibility, business and human rights but introducing a follow-up and implementation mechanism in each case;
Amendment 57 #
2015/2038(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Welcomes the study on dealing with gross corporate violations of human rights through judicial remedy which was conducted by the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights, and reiterates its call on the European Union and its Member States to engage constructively in the UN Working Group for a treaty process on business human rights;
Amendment 59 #
2015/2038(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Stresses that the European's "Trade for All" strategy commits the European Union to "reinforcing corporate social responsibility initiatives" and underlines that this must mean new action at the EU level including the agreement of a new EU CSR Action Plan up to 2020;
Amendment 61 #
2015/2038(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7c. Strongly welcomes the inclusion of human rights reporting by large business in the EU Non-Financial Reporting Directive; calls on the EU Member States to transpose the Directive swiftly and effectively; draws attention to the UN Guiding Principles Reporting Framework, the Corporate Human Rights Benchmark and the objective of 'integrated reporting', and calls on all EU listed companies and their stakeholders to comply with the spirit of the Directive;
Amendment 62 #
2015/2038(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Recalls that the European Social Dialogue provides an integral opportunity for the social partners to address corporate social responsibility issues, and encourages the negotiation of new Framework Agreements in particular sectors to advance CSR aims;
Amendment 63 #
2015/2038(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 d (new)
Paragraph 7 d (new)
7d. Reiterates its call on the Commission, in particular its DG Trade, to move from a 'passive' to an 'active' approach to the OECD Guidelines, inter alia by applying to adhere to the OECD Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises, which includes the OECD Guidelines, ensuring the promotion of, and continuous support for, the OECD Guidelines by the EU's Delegations in third countries, funding capacity-building initiatives in conjunction with businesses, trade unions and civil society in third countries in relation to the implementation of the Guidelines, ensuring that the Guidelines are specifically cited in all new agreements between the EU and third countries, including all trade and investment treaties; and to provide civil society groups with concrete support for raising 'specific instances' of alleged breaches, in cooperation with Member States;
Amendment 64 #
2015/2038(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 e (new)
Paragraph 7 e (new)
7e. Invites the European Commission to apply the emerging results of the "Realising Long-term Value for Companies and Investors project" being undertaken by the UN Principles of Responsible Investment and the UN Global Compact, to its own European Fund for Strategic Investments, to its dialogue with investors and to support the concept of a "Sustainable Capital Markets Union".
Amendment 75 #
2015/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Welcomes the Commission’s efforts to support the implementation of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the revised OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, the ILO tripartite Declaration of Principles Concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy, the framework of the International Integrated Reporting Council, the UN Global Compact and the ISO 26000 Guidance Standard on Social Responsibility and, at the same time to encourage, assist and monitor how all trading partners comply with these international principles;
Amendment 77 #
2015/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Welcomes the study on dealing with gross corporate violations of human rights through judicial remedy which was conducted by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and reiterates its call on the EU and its Member States to engage constructively in the UN Working Group for a treaty process on business and human rights;
Amendment 77 #
2015/2038(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Welcomes the role of DG Employment and the European Commission in convening the High Level Group in Corporate Social Responsibility amongst EU Member States and calls for increased dialogue and cooperation between EU institutions and Member States to promote the European Union’s corporate social responsibility strategy;
Amendment 78 #
2015/2038(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Strongly welcomes the labour elements in the social impact reporting by big business incorporated in the EU Non- Financial Reporting Directive; Calls on the EU Member States to transpose the Directive swiftly and effectively; Calls on all EU listed companies and their stakeholders to comply with the spirit of the Directive, in order to pursue a more socially just and sustainable economy;
Amendment 84 #
2015/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the reference to corporate social responsibility now included in all the EU’s trade and other bilateral agreements, but calls for a follow-up mechanism to also be included, to seek to operationalise this commitment; welcomes the Commission and Council’s efforts to insert legally binding HR clauses into all the free trade agreements (FTAs) in accordance with the common approach; regrets that HR clauses are not included in treaties such as those with Korea and Canada (CETA) or in the TTIP and Vietnam negotiations; and calls for implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and other international corporate responsibility standards to be consistently raised by EU representatives in Human Rights Dialogues with third countries;
Amendment 84 #
2015/2038(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7c. Notes the increasing attention to promoting good employment practices through global supply chains following the Rana Plaza factory collapse, the introduction of the draft French law on ‘due diligence’ and the statement of President Juncker at the G7 Summit in favour of ‘urgent action’ to improve responsibility in global supply chains;
Amendment 86 #
2015/2038(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 d (new)
Paragraph 7 d (new)
7d. Recalls that there is a continuing failure for the European Union to address the justice gap in relation to the provisions of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights on ‘access to remedy’ in extreme cases where there is a mass loss of life by workers such as the Bhopal tragedy; Calls for provisions to be brought forward to enable jurisdiction by European Courts in such cases where there is insufficient remedy available in the third countries concerned;
Amendment 89 #
2015/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Stresses that the European Union’s ‘Trade for All’ strategy commits the European Union to ‘reinforcing corporate social responsibility initiatives’ and underlines that this must mean new action at the EU level including the agreement of a new EU CSR Action Plan up to 2020;
Amendment 111 #
2015/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Recalls that there is a continuing failure for the EU to address the justice gap in relation to the provisions of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights on ‘access to remedy’ in extreme cases where there is a mass loss of life by workers such as the Bhopal tragedy; calls for provisions to be brought forward to enable jurisdiction by European Courts in such cases where there is insufficient remedy available in third countries concerned;
Amendment 140 #
2015/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Reiterates its call on the Commission, in particular its DG Trade, to move from a ‘passive’ to an ‘active’ approach to the OECD Guidelines, inter alia by applying to adhere to the OECD Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises, which includes the OECD Guidelines, ensuring the promotion of, and continuous support for, the OECD Guidelines by the EU’s Delegations in third countries, funding capacity-building initiatives in conjunction with businesses, trade unions and civil society in third countries in relation to the implementation of the Guidelines, ensuring that the Guidelines are specifically cited in all new agreements between the EU and third countries, including all trade and investment treaties; and to provide civil society groups with concrete support for raising ‘specific instances’ of alleged breaches, in cooperation with Member States;
Amendment 152 #
2015/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Recalls that the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning multinational enterprises and social policy, the ILO Decent Work Agenda and the labour elements of the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises, are core texts in relation to corporate social responsibility, and underlines that DG Trade of the European Commission must engage with the EU’s corporate social responsibility policy;
Amendment 159 #
2015/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Invites the European Commission to apply the emerging results of the ‘Realising Long-term Value for Companies and Investors project’ being undertaken by the UN ¨Principles of Responsible Investment and the UN Global Compact, to its own European Fund for Strategic Investments, to its dialogue with investors when negotiating trade agreements and to support the concept of a ‘Sustainable Capital Markets Union’ through supporting sustainable trade;
Amendment 162 #
2015/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Strongly welcomes the inclusion of human rights reporting by large business in the EU Non-financial Reporting Directive; calls on the EU Member States to transpose the Directive swiftly and effectively; draws attention to the UN Guiding Principles Reporting Framework, the Corporate Human Rights Benchmark and the objective of ‘integrated reporting’, and calls on all EU listed companies and their stakeholders to comply with the spirit of the Directive within EU and when trading outside of the EU;
Amendment 40 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the review of the ENP must be conducted with the objective of strengthening it and in the spirit of sustaining progress towards a comprehensive and effective EU Common Foreign and Security Policy as a whole;
Amendment 54 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas, despite the complexities and challenges in practice, the European Union must remain steadfastly in support of transition processes in all and any countries in support of democratisation, respect for human rights and the rule of law;
Amendment 73 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas differentiation is needed, especially as the EU neighbourhood has become more fragmented than ever, with the countries differing in many respects, including in their ambitions and expectations as regards the EU; whereas the EU's bilateral relations with ENP countries are at different stages of development, in particular believes that the European Union should "reward" countries which demonstrate enhanced cooperation with the EU and progress in achieving European values, both in terms of resources and other incentives within the framework of the ENP;
Amendment 234 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the EU to improve its coordination with other donors and international financial institutions and calls for joint programming with its Member States; considers that better coordination with the Member States is necessary in order to achieve a common approach to the short- and medium-term goals of the EU's cooperation with neighbouring countries; believes the ENP must demonstrate that the EU is willing and able to demonstrate real leadership in relation to our global partners;
Amendment 247 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Whilst recognising reform and transition must come first and not wishing to raise unrealistic expectations, nevertheless insists that a membership perspective is sustained as an incentive to all countries who are eligible;
Amendment 248 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Recognises that attitudes toward Europe and the EU in neighbouring countries have a real impact on conflict but reject any complicity with repression and human rights violations in neighbouring countries through misguided short-term pursuit of stability;
Amendment 345 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Stresses the importance of developing a thriving and active civil society in the processes of transformation and democratisation, which includes social partners and the business community; underlines the importance of European companies and their role in the promotion and dissemination of international standards for business; calls for much increased civil society dialogue to be part of the revised ENP with significantly enhanced support to civil society organisations and to human rights organisations in particular;
Amendment 384 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Stresses the need to implement conditionality in relation to reform processes; emphasises that the EU cannot compromise its fundamental values and should avoid creating double standards; stresses that countries that are making progress in implementing reforms and following European policy should be granted more substantial support; supports the policy of 'more for more' but believes that the ENP must embrace difficult but important questions of 'less for less';
Amendment 414 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Notes that security and stability are basic concerns in the neighbourhood and that current developments in the region call for a strong security component in the ENP, which has regrettably been missing to date; invites neighbourhood countries to contribute to CSDP missions where relevant;
Amendment 3 #
2014/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 a (new)
Citation 10 a (new)
- having regard to the Commission communication on of 6 may 2015 entitled 'A Digital Single Market Strategy for Europe' (COM(2015) 192);
Amendment 4 #
2014/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 b (new)
Citation 10 b (new)
– having regard to the Commission communication of 20 March 2013 entitled 'Towards Social Investment for Growth and Cohesion – including implementing the European Social Fund 2014-2020' (COM(2013) 83);
Amendment 11 #
2014/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas, as a consequence of the economic and financial crisis, levels of poverty and social exclusion have increased sharply, as has long-term unemployment and youth unemployment;
Amendment 21 #
2014/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas social economy enterprises are moreoffer flexible and innovative, offer favourable working conditions and are better atcapable of adapting to economic and social circumstances;
Amendment 25 #
2014/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas social economy enterprises comprise a wide range of companies, and most of these enterprises are not recognised by a European-level legal framework, being recognisedut only at national level in some Member States, with different legal forms;
Amendment 27 #
2014/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas 'social innovation refers to new ideas, whether they be products, services or social organisations' are innovations that are social both as to their ends and their means and in particular those which relate to the development and implementation of new ideas (concerning products, services and models), designed tothat simultaneously meet new social and environmental demands and challenges, such as the ageing populneeds and create new social relationships or collaborations, balancing work and family life, managing diversity, youth unemployment and climate changethereby benefiting society and boosting its capacity to act;
Amendment 31 #
2014/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas social investments are investments in people designed to strengthen their skills and capacities and support them to fully participate in employment and social life; whereas social investments generally refer to policies in the areas of education, childcare, healthcare, training, job-search assistance and rehabilitation;
Amendment 33 #
2014/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the lack of recognition that frequently faces social economy enterprises are frequently faced with makes it even more difficult for them to access both public and private financing; whereas social economy enterprises are chiefmainly SMEs and micro- enterprises;
Amendment 37 #
2014/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas education and training must be priority areas in fostering the entrepreneurial spiritculture among our young people;
Amendment 43 #
2014/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the social economy, and in particular employment support, training and placement enterprises, offer job opportunities for people who are furthest awaymost often excluded from the labour market;
Amendment 51 #
2014/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
Ia. whereas social dialogue is essential for the functioning of the EU's social market economy and crucial to promote both competitiveness and fairness; whereas social dialogue and the consultation of social partners within the EU's policy- making represents a major social innovation;
Amendment 53 #
2014/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that social economy enterprises are enterprises whose main purpose is to achieve means an undertaking, regardless of its legal form, which: (a) in accordance with its Articles of Association, Statutes or with any otheir social objective, which may be to create jobs for vulnerable groups,legal document by which it is established, has as its primary objective the achievement of measurable, positive social impacts rather than generating profit for its owners, members and shareholders, and which: (i) provides services for their members, or more generally to create a positive social and environmental impact, over and above maximising profits for their members or partners, and which reinvest their profits in order to achieve those objectives; points out that, despite legal disparities and the different activities carried out by social economy enterprises across the EU, they share a series of common recognisable features; goods which generate a social return and/or (ii) employs a method of production of goods or services that embodies its social objective; (b) uses its profits first and foremost to achieve its primary objective and has predefined procedures and rules covering any distribution of profits to shareholders and owners that ensure that such distribution does not undermine the primary objective; and (c) is managed in an entrepreneurial, accountable and transparent way, in particular by involving workers, customers and stakeholders affected by its business activities1 a; __________________ 1a [Justification: this definition makes reference to art 2(1) of the Regulation (EU) No 1296/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on a European Union Programme for Employment and Social Innovation ('EaSI')]
Amendment 67 #
2014/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Points out that social economy enterprises have a strong local and regional basis, which means that they are more aware of specific needs and able to offer products and community-based services which match those needs, thus improving social and territorial cohesion;
Amendment 74 #
2014/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Believes that social innovation, in particular by aiming at improving the quality of services rather than simply at lowering costs, makes a significant contribution towards laying the foundations for a type of growth which serves a more sustainable, inclusive society generating social cohesion;
Amendment 82 #
2014/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Points out thatHighlights the need to promote exchanges among innovative social enterprises, the academic world and social investment stakeholders, in order to strengthen entrepreneurial skills, professionalisation, the conditions enabling social economy enterprises to develop and grow and the creation of social innovation poles, it is vital to promote exchanges with other innovative social enterprises, with the academic world and with social investorand social services to develop and grow, as well as to create social innovation poles;
Amendment 90 #
2014/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Recognises that the EU is a long way away from achieving the targets set in the Europe 2020 Strategy, particularly those relating to high-quality employment, innovation and poverty reduction, and that the social economy contributes to a sustainable, smart and inclusive economic model in line with the objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy;
Amendment 94 #
2014/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Emphasises that, given its social and inclusive nature, the social economy offers jobs to the most vulnerable groups, contributing to economic growth,groups most often excluded from the open labour market, thereby contributing to solidarity and, social cohesion as well as economic growth;
Amendment 100 #
2014/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the Commission and Member States to include social economy enterprises and social services in action plans for employment and social integration with a view to unlock and exploit at the fullest the job-creation potential in the sector;
Amendment 102 #
2014/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on Member States to include measures to promote social entrepreneurship and social innovation in their national Youth Guarantee schemesImplementation Plans and in the national Operational Programmes of the Youth Employment Initiative;
Amendment 107 #
2014/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Points out that social economy enterprises face difficulties in accessing public procurement; calls for action to facilitate their participation in public procurement by providing appropriate advice and simplifying the swift and effective transposition and implementation of Directives 2014/24/EU, 2014/25/EU and 2014/23/EU on Public procedures; calls for bids to be rewarded that offer most economic and social value rather ments and Concessions with a view to reach a higher participation of social economy enterprises withain the lowestendering prioce in public procurement, with social or environmental criteria being included in public procurement contractdures for public contract and to ensure quality services accessible to and affordable for all citizens;
Amendment 110 #
2014/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Urges the Member States to adequately implement the new Public procurement and Concessions directives in order to allow contracting authorities and entities to make full use of the specific provisions on reserved contracts and of the simplified procurement regimes for social services, both at national and local level, in order to foster the role of social economy, social enterprises and social services and promote social inclusion and innovation;
Amendment 111 #
2014/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes the reform of the Public Procurement Directive, which includes social clauses and criteria in order to promote social inclusion and social innovation, inter alia; urges the Member States to include social clauses and criteria in public procurements and Concessions directives aiming at driving public expenditure and investment towards sustainable growth and employment, social integration and territorial cohesion; calls therefore on the Member States for a proper implementation of the procurement principles in compliance with environmental, social and labour law obligations and on all contracting authorities at national and local level for a wide use of the MEAT (Most Economically Advantageous Tender) based on the life-cycle approach and encompassing qualitative, environmental and social aspects as the main awarding criterion within all tendering and selection procedures;
Amendment 116 #
2014/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Regrets that the Commission Digital Single Market strategy for Europe fails to mention social economy enterprises and their potential contribution to the achievement of the Union's goals; deplores the fact that the Digital Single Market strategy takes in no account the need to ensure a full, equal and unrestricted access for all to new digital technologies, markets and telecommunications, in particular with regard to people with disabilities;
Amendment 126 #
2014/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15 Highlights the role to be played by the social entrepreneurship axis of the EaSI programme and the remaining structural funds and European programmes in improving their financing; highlights the insufficient budgetary allocation of the EaSI programme in the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF); considers it necessary to ensure and facilitate the access to EaSI programme's funding to the community- based social enterprises and services; with a view to this, calls on the Member States to establish national contact points or one-stop-shops to assist social economy actors in accessing the EU's funding schemes;
Amendment 136 #
2014/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls on the Commission to be as flexible as possible with regard toPoints out that State Aid Rules should not constitute an impediment for public funding to social economy enterprises and social services; in this sense, calls on the Commission to be flexible in the application of state aid rules for social economy enterprises, and social services and to help local and regional authorities understand and apply correctly state aid targeted at social economy enterprises and social services;
Amendment 142 #
2014/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls for investment in the social economy and social services to be taken into account when assessing European Strategic Investment Fund projects;
Amendment 158 #
2014/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Calls on Member States to promote lifelong learning amongnd assistance for older workers and the long-term unemployed to help them move into the social economy;
Amendment 172 #
2014/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Calls on Member States to take account ofenhance best practice exchange with regard to adapting national tax systems to favournational support fostering social enterprises and services and social investment;
Amendment 180 #
2014/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Calls on the Commission to enhance social dialogue in the social economy in order to facilitate the social innovation, improvement of working conditions and to fully recognise the job-creation potential of the sector;
Amendment 13 #
2014/2228(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Believes that the United States is the EU's key strategic partner; stresses that the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is the most significant recent EU-US project and will reinvigorate the transatlantic partnership as a whole, beyond its trade aspects; emphasises that its successful conclusion is of high geopolitical importance at a moment when the US is pivoting to Asia and concluding the Trans-Pacific Partnership; underlines that the TTIP willmay have a positive impact on jobs and growth for the two economies, which have both been hit by the crisis; notes, however, that this is by no means certain; the Commission should work with trade unions and employers to develop training which will allow the workforce to reskill in light of the labour market impact of TTIP; the Commission should make clear how the Globalisation Adjustment Fund will be used to support this process;
Amendment 24 #
2014/2228(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 e (new)
Paragraph 1 e (new)
1e. Stresses that it is crucial for the Parties in TTIP to commit to the ratification and the full and effective implementation of the eight core conventions of the ILO; notes that these labour rights must be enforceable through a monitoring process that has the full involvement of trade unions and is backed up with sanctions as the final penalty; emphasises that TTIP should moreover be used to create a gold standard for labour rights in future trade agreements;
Amendment 43 #
2014/2228(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes the TTIP's strategic importance in strengthening and shaping global trade and economic governance based on the values shared by the EU and the US, particularly in an increasingly multipolar world; notes that its impact would go beyond the bilateral implications by facilitating the establishment of common regulations and rules that could later be adopted at global level; notes that consequently TTIP should secure a high level of labour protection and should also preserve adequate policy space for governments to protect essential goods, such as agriculture, in order to prevent developing countries from being adversely affected by the deal; notes that, to this end, TTIP must exempt public services from the market access and investment protection chapters so foreign investors are not able to challenge Member States for introducing new regulations for public protection; notes that ISDS should not be in the agreement as this establishes an unaccountable, commercially driven court system that will have a chilling effect on the introduction of new regulations;
Amendment 45 #
2014/2228(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Stresses that both parties in TTIP must make an engagement to encourage companies to respect the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises; notes that parties should work with unions to monitor MNEs adherence to these Guidelines;
Amendment 762 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xiv
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xiv
(xiv) to ensure that foreign investors are treated in a non-discriminatory fashion and have a fair opportunity to seek and achieve redress of grievances, which can be achieved withoutle benefiting from no greater rights than domestic investors; to oppose the inclusion of an ISDS mechanism; such a mechanism is not necessary in TTIP given the EU’s and the US’ developed legal systems; a state-to- state dispute settlement system and the use of national courts are the most appropriate tools to address investment disputin TTIP, as other options to enforce investment protection are available, such as domestic remedies;
Amendment 104 #
2014/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Stresses the importance of EU security and defence cooperation with other international institutions, particularly the UN, NATO, the African Union and the OSCE as well as relevant platforms of regional organisations that are of strategic importance to the EU, such as the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) and SAARC mechanisms dealing with security; welcomes the statement from the NATO summit in Wales in September 2014 reasserting support for the development of the CSDP;
Amendment 78 #
2014/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Insists that theEncourages Member States and the EU to further consider pooling of political, economic, financial and defence resources of the EU and its Member States must be combined to maximise the EU’'s influence in the world, produce synergies and ensure peace and stability in Europe;
Amendment 122 #
2014/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Reiterates that the internal structures of the EEAS need to be reformed, without detracting from the need to continue pursuit of day to day foreign policy goals, so as to enable it to assist the HR/VP in all her roles and to enable her to advance strategic planning and coordinate political processes within the Council and the Commission; insists on the need to rationalise the EEAS top management structure and to streamline decision- making processes; reiterates its call for closer integration of the EU Special Representatives into the EEAS, including through a transfer of their budget from the CFSP operational budget into the EEAS budget;
Amendment 130 #
2014/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls for the modernisation of the EU delegations network so as to reflect the needs of EU foreign policy in the 21st century, including by adapting staff numbers and expertise; asks the HR/VP to strengthen the authority of the head of delegation over all staff, irrespective of their institutional origin, and to simplify the administrative budgets of delegations towards a single funding source; points to the potential for synergies and economies of scale afforded by the strengthening of cooperation between Member State embassies and EU delegations; within this context seeks to ensure a major shift within delegations from European Commission to EEAS staff;
Amendment 159 #
2014/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 – indent 1
Paragraph 16 – indent 1
– launching – on the basis of the review of the EU’s strategic framework – a process of strategic reflection on objectives and priorities in the field of security and defence, setting out the required capabilities and options for deepening defence cooperation and welcomes the commitment of the High Representative/Vice-President that this review will involve the participation of both the European Parliament and national parliaments;
Amendment 179 #
2014/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 – indent 4
Paragraph 16 – indent 4
– further increasing common financing in the field of military CSDP operations through the Athena mechanism, so as to prevent financial considerations from compromising the EU’s ability to respond to crises without prejudice to budgetary prerogatives;
Amendment 215 #
2014/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls for a reform of the EU’s approach to migration policy; insists on the need to address the root causes of irregular migration, using all policy and assistance instruments, including development and trade policies, humanitarian aid, conflict prevention and, crisis management in combination with the need to strengthen routes of legal migration; reiterates its call to step up humanitarian support to countries which host refugees and to strengthen Regional Protection Programmes, run in collaboration with UNHCR close to regions of origin; stresses that migration management should be a priority in EU cooperation with neighbours in the east and south;
Amendment 238 #
2014/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Welcomes the establishment of the post of Vice-President for the Energy Union and the Commission’s communication on European Energy Security Strategy; calls on the Commission and the Member States to intensify cooperation in order to implement short- and long-term actions listed in this strategy; insists on the need to strengthen the coherence between EU foreign policy and other policies with an external dimension, such as energy policy, and expects the Commission’s new cluster- based structure to deliver results in this regard; urges further reflection on the compatibility of energy security goals with other objectives pursued by the EU; calls on the HR/VP to develop strategic priorities for the external energy policy enshrined in the general foreign policy objectives; acknowledges the importance of the upcoming Paris Summit on climate change; calls on the EEAS to prioritise diplomacy on climate change goals to build support for a strong and comprehensive agreement to achieve European goals to combat climate changes from third countries worldwide;
Amendment 261 #
2014/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Underlines the need to consolidate the EU and to strengthen its integration capacity, which is one of the Copenhagen criteria; reiterates the enlargement perspective for the countries of the Western Balkans and Turkey, based on fulfilment of the Copenhagen criteria; supports, in this connection, the Commission’s approach, which consists in addressing fundamental reforms in the area of the rule of law, public administration and economic governance early in the enlargement process;
Amendment 390 #
2014/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36a. Welcomes the ongoing negotiations of E3+3 with Iran and hopes that they will lead to a mutually acceptable agreement, ensuring the exclusively peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear programme and offer a long-term prospect of Iran's full reintegration in the international community; warns that the imposition of new sanctions against Iran would jeopardize the talks and imperil the international community's unity on Iran's nuclear programme;
Amendment 400 #
2014/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Believes that the US is the EU’s key strategic partner, and encourages closer coordination with the US on EU foreign policy, pursuing common approaches to challenges in the EU neighbourhood and at global level; underlines the strategic nature of the transatlantic relationship, including Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, which has the potential to enable the transatlantic partners to set global standards and strengthen a rules- based approach to global governance; believes that Latin America is an important partner for the EU and that various modalities of triangular transatlantic cooperation should be developed;
Amendment 4 #
2014/2205(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that, under Article 208 TFEU, the primary objective of EU development cooperation is to reduce and eradicate poverty; highlights the fact that development cooperation must be guided by that objective and not by geostrategic or economic interests; refu, furthermore, that under Article 3 (5) TEU, the aim of the EU in its relations with the wider world is to contribute to sustainable development, solidarity and mutual respect, free and fair trade, eradication of poverty and the protection of human rights; stresses, to acceptherefore, that development cooperation should be subordinate to external and security policymust be guided by these objectives and not by geostrategic or economic interests;
Amendment 25 #
2014/2205(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that development is the primary responsibility of the State; notes that reducing poverty or inequality is not the primary objective of the private sector, by its very nature, and that that is therefore a task for the public sector; rejects and therefore private sector involvement in development objectives must be carefully designed with special emphasis on Corporate Social Responsibility; emphasises, however, that building up an endogenous private sector with local microbusinesses, SMEs and local value chains is important for job creation and a source of tax revenue for developing countries; notes that public- private partnerships, and blending and the focus on microcredit, since they finance corporate profits, above all, and do not reduce povertmechanisms can be efficient, but need to be thoroughly analysed in terms of development impacts, accountability and transparency;
Amendment 41 #
2014/2205(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Is dismayed that because of public procurement contract awards and debt servicing, inter alia, 61 % of official development assistance goes back to donor countries1 ; calls for an increase in real aid and for sustainable building offurther empowerment of local actors and an emphasis on building sustainable regional/local value chains; __________________ 1 ActionAid. ActionAid.
Amendment 48 #
2014/2205(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Is concerned at the devastating consequences of land grabbing, inter alia, for human rights, the economy and the environmentHighlights that the defence of human rights, gender equality, social cohesion and the fight against inequalities should remain at the core of development activities; recalls the need to comply with agreed international standards such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights; calls for binding international rules for firms on compliance with human rights, labour law and environmental standards and urges the European Commission to take the lead by developing a clearly defined framework agreement governing all partnership agreements with private sector in line with the Corporate Social Responsibility principles and standards;
Amendment 55 #
2014/2205(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Calls for European development efforts to play a significant role in implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, including working with European enterprises and investors to ensure full compliance with the guiding principles and the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprise in their business activities and in their supply chains in developing countries;
Amendment 58 #
2014/2205(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. Calls on the European Commission to champion the proposal from investors and other stakeholders to support binding rules on social, environmental and human rights reporting by business, consistent with the EU directive on non- financial reporting, which are encompassed as one of the new proposed UN Sustainable Development Goals;
Amendment 67 #
2014/2205(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the EU and its Member States to support developing countries in garnering their resources, e.g. through national tax systems, and in combating illicit financial flows and corruption, as a result of which developing countries lose at least € 660-870 billion a year2 ; calls for the ownership principle to be resolutely acted on; calls for further measures to ensure corporations are accountable to countries they operate in; calls for effective international rules against tax avoidance and evasion; __________________ 2 Eurodad.
Amendment 69 #
2014/2205(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Calls for greater transparency in finance to help combat corruption and illicit financial flows, including through the development of fair and effective tax systems;
Amendment 71 #
2014/2205(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5 b. Stresses that financing for development must strengthen the resources available to promote equality between women and men, women's rights and women's empowerment, as well as to eliminate child labour; points out that the private sector can play a major role in this respect;
Amendment 77 #
2014/2205(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. CInsists that the EU and its Member States should maintain their position as major donors of development aid and play a leading role in upholding international sustainable development commitments; calls on the Member States to honour the commitment to give over 0.7% of their GDP to development assistance; stresses that private funds must not be used to increase contributions artificially.
Amendment 79 #
2014/2205(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Welcomes the Commissions differentiated approach to the highly diverse private sector from microbusinesses to large corporations; calls for a differentiated approach with regards to least developed and fragile states;
Amendment 80 #
2014/2205(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6 b. Calls on the EU to continue to actively engage in the discussions on the post-2015 agenda, considering also the opportunities and challenges that arise from a closer partnership with private sector actors.
Amendment 97 #
2014/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 d (new)
Paragraph 1 d (new)
1d. Notes that development cooperation is the primary responsibility of the State; notes that reducing poverty or inequality is not the primary objective of the private sector and therefore private sector involvement in development objectives must be carefully designed with special emphasis on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR);
Amendment 168 #
2014/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Highlights that the defence of human rights, gender equality, social cohesion and the fight against inequalities should remain at the core of development activities; recalls the need to comply with agreed international standards such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights; calls for binding international rules for firms on compliance with human rights, labour law and environmental standards and urges the European Commission to take the lead by developing a clearly defined framework agreement governing all partnership agreements with private sector in line with the Corporate Social Responsibility principles and standards;
Amendment 172 #
2014/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 c (new)
Paragraph 9 c (new)
9c. Calls for European development efforts to play a significant role in implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, including working with European enterprises and investors to ensure full compliance with the guiding principles and the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprise in their business activities and in their supply chains in developing countries;
Amendment 179 #
2014/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Calls on the European Commission to champion the proposal from investors and other stakeholders to support binding rules on social, environmental and human rights reporting by business, consistent with the EU directive on non- financial reporting, which are encompassed as one of the new proposed UN Sustainable Development Goals;
Amendment 183 #
2014/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 c (new)
Paragraph 10 c (new)
10c. Calls for greater transparency in finance to help combat corruption and illicit financial flows, including through the development of fair and effective tax systems;
Amendment 64 #
2014/0059(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 a (new)
Recital 1 a (new)
(1a) This Regulation should be consistent with and complementary to the UN Principles on Business and Human Rights, the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprise, the concept of ‘integrated reporting’ and the obligations laid down in the EU Directive on Non- Financial Reporting. Member States are encouraged to implement that Directive and companies encouraged to apply it accordingly;
Amendment 201 #
2014/0059(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Amendment 214 #
2014/0059(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(e a) establish a system of controls and transparency over the resources supply chain, including the identification of upstream actors in the supply chain, which may be implemented through participation in industry-driven programmes;
Amendment 216 #
2014/0059(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point f – introductory part
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point f – introductory part
(f) as regards minerals,In addition to the obligations set out in paragraph 1, smelters and refiners, shall operate a chain of custody or supply chain traceability system that provides, supported by documentation, the following information: (i) description of the mineral, or metal including its trade name and type, (ii) name and address of the supplier to the importer smelter and refiner, (iii) country of origin of the minerals or metals, (iv) quantities and dates of extraction, expressed in volume or weight, (v) when minerals or metals originate from conflict- affected and high-risk areas, additional information, such as the mine of mineral origin; locations where minerals are consolidated, traded and processed; and taxes, fees, royalties paid, in accordance with the specific recommendations for upstream companies as set out in the OECD Due Diligence Guidance.
Amendment 251 #
2014/0059(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1
Article 6 – paragraph 1
Amendment 269 #
2014/0059(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. By 31 March of each year at the latest, the responsible importer of minerals or metals within the scope of this Regulation, smelters and refiners shall also submit to the Member State competent authority the following documentation covering the previous year’s calendar period:
Amendment 354 #
2014/0059(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 a (new)
Article 13 a (new)
Amendment 9 #
2013/2945(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9
Citation 9
– having regard to the fact that accession negotiations with Turkey were opened on 3 October 2005 and that the opening of such negotiations is the starting point for a long- lasting and open-ended process based on fair and rigorous conditionality and the commitment to reform, with the common goal of full EU membership as soon as the membership criteria' are fulfilled,
Amendment 14 #
2013/2945(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 12
Citation 12
– having regard to the fact that full compliance with the Copenhagen criteria and EU integration capacity, in accordance with the conclusions of the December 2006 European Council meeting, remains the basis for accession to the EU,
Amendment 116 #
2013/2945(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Is concerned that no progress had been made regarding anti-discrimination legislation and that the current anti- discrimination laws are insufficient and not in line with the EU acquis; stresses the urgent need for comprehensive anti- discrimination legislation and the establishment of an anti-discrimination and equality board to protect individuals against discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation or sexual identity;
Amendment 144 #
2013/2945(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Reiterates the importance of active and independent civil society organisations (CSO's) for democracy; underlines the importance of dialogue with them and stresses their crucial role in contributing to enhanced regional cooperation on social and political aspects; is therefore worried that CSO's continue to face fines, closure proceedings, and administrative obstacles to their operations and that consultation of CSO's remains to be an exception rather than the rule; welcomes the Turkish governments improved cooperation with NGOs, but calls for their broader consultation in policy-making, including the formulation of policies and legislation and in the monitoring of activities of the authorities;
Amendment 203 #
2013/2945(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Highlights the problem of women not having equal access to education, the labour market and politics; underlines that further continuous work is needed to turn gender equality legislation into political, social and economic reality; encourages the Turkish government to ensure this, to proactively promote changes in stereotypes and in the perception of gender roles in all spheres; stresses the importance of mainstreaming gender equality in the legislative process and in the implementation of laws;
Amendment 237 #
2013/2945(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Notes the limited progress in the areas of labour and trade union rights; regrets that the legislation on trade unions rights is still not in line with EU and ILO standards and that collective action by trade unions suffers numerous restrictions; calls on Turkey to continue working on new legislation in this area to ensure that it is in line with the EU acquis and ILO conventions;
Amendment 3 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)
Citation 2 a (new)
- having regard to the UN Standard Minimum Rules on the Treatment of Prisoners and other universally applicable relevant UN standards,
Amendment 6 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4
Citation 4
– having regard to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Secondits two Optional Protocols on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography1, and on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict2, __________________ 1 http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInt erest/Pages/OPSCCRC.aspx. 2 http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInt erest/Pages/OPACCRC.aspx.
Amendment 14 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 a (new)
Citation 16 a (new)
- having regard to the UN General Assembly Resolutions on torture,
Amendment 17 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 20 a (new)
Citation 20 a (new)
- having regard to the UN Committee against Torture Statement published in connection with the events of 11 September 2001 on 22 November 2001, that the prohibition against torture is an absolute and non-derogable duty under international law, and that whatever responses to the threat of international terrorism are adopted by States party to the Convention, such responses must be in conformity with the obligations undertaken by them in ratifying the Convention against Torture,
Amendment 18 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas the term "torture" in this resolution should be understood as in the UN definition and also include cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment;
Amendment 19 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the eradication of torture, ill- treatment, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment is an integral part of EU human rights policy, in close interdependence with other areas and instruments of EU action;
Amendment 32 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the inclusion of three actions related to the eradication of torture in the EU Action Plan on Democracy and Human Rights but emphasises the need for specific and measurable benchmarks to assess their timely implementation, in partnership with civil society;
Amendment 34 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Notes that, according to the CAT, the term 'torture' means any act by which 'severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person [...] by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity'; however, situations where acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment occurs with the involvement of actors other than state or public officials also need to be addressed through policy measures for prevention, accountability and rehabilitation;
Amendment 38 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the 2012 update of the EU Guidelines on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; underlines the importance of their effective and results-oriented implementation in conjunction with other guidelines and policy initiatives;
Amendment 40 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the fact that the EU Guidelines reflect a holistic policy approach, including the promotion of an adequate legislative and judicial framework for the effective prevention and prohibition of torture, monitoring places of detention, addressing impunity, and the full and effective rehabilitation of torture victims, backed up by credible, consistent and coherent action;
Amendment 43 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Regrets that no comprehensive and public stocktaking review of the implementation of the Guidelines has been carried out since 2008 and stresses the need for a regular and comprehensive assessment of their implementation;
Amendment 46 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Reiterates Parliament’s earlier call for the insertion of a ‘catch-all torture end- clause’ into the regulationto insert into the Regulation a ‘torture end- clause’, which would allow Member States, on the basis of prior information, to license and refuse the export of any items which pose a substantial risk of being used for torture, ill treatment or the capital punishment;
Amendment 54 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Notes with grave concern the existence of secret detention centres and the practice of incommunicado detention and prolonged solitary confinement in several countries, which represent some of the most worrying examples of torture and ill- treatment; believes that these cases should be systematically raised in statements and démarches and included in the individual cases list at human rights dialogues and consultations;
Amendment 63 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Reiterates its call on the US authorities to immediately close the Guantánamo Bay detention camp immediatelyand all similar forms of indefinite detention without trial or charge and prohibit the use of torture and ill-, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment in all circumstances;
Amendment 64 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Reiterates the need for a comprehensive legal study and discussions at UN level on the links between the application of the death penalty, including the death row phenomenon of severe mental trauma and physical deterioration and the prohibition on torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment; emphasises the need to interpret EU Guidelines on the death penalty and torture as cross-cutting;
Amendment 68 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses that no exceptions from the absolute prohibition of torture can be justified, and practices of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment can be justified, and that states have an obligation to implement safeguards to prevent the commission of torture and ill- treatment, as well as to ensure accountability and access to effective remedies and reparations at all times, including in the context of national security concerns and counter- terrorism measures; emphasizes that the prohibition equally applies to the transfer and use of information where it is either obtained by or likely to result in torture;
Amendment 71 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Welcomes the joint project of the Council of Europe and the Association for the Prevention of Torture on drawing up a practical guide for parliamentarians on visiting immigration detention centres;
Amendment 73 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
Amendment 76 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Calls on the EEAS, COHOM and other relevant actors to jointly undertake a survey of EU support to National Preventive Mechanisms establishment and functioning, to identify best practices as outlined in the EU Action Plan;
Amendment 77 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13 b. Calls on the EEAS, Member States and the Commission to facilitate the establishment and functioning of independent and effective NPMs, and particularly the professional training of their staff;
Amendment 78 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 c (new)
Paragraph 13 c (new)
13 c. Calls on COHOM, the torture task force and the European Commission DG HOME to elaborate measures with regards to the integration of torture prevention measures into all Freedom, Security and Justice activities;
Amendment 82 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Notes that in an increasingly globalised world characterised by violence and commercialisation, children are subject to more diverse forms of torture; calls for the EU to undertake political, diplomatic and financial measures to prevent torture aimed at children;
Amendment 86 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls for the EU to address types of torturehuman rights violations, affecting children, especially linked to child trafficking, child pornography, child soldiers, children in military detention, child labour, child witchcraft, and othcyber vbulnerable groups of childlying, when they amount to torturen, including in orphanages, detention centres and refugee camps, implementing effective safeguards for their protection;
Amendment 88 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Notes that the abusive use of deprivation of liberty of children, especially for preventive detention and detention of migrant children, has resulted in overcrowded detention centres, and the increase of practices of torture and ill-treatment against children; calls on states to ensure that deprivation of liberty of children is, as required by universal human rights standards, genuinely used only as a measure of last resort, for the minimum necessary period and always taking into account the best interest of the child;
Amendment 89 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15 b. Calls on states for a more child- friendly justice system, comprising free and confidential child-friendly reporting mechanisms, including in detention centres, that not only empower children to claim their rights, but also to report violations;
Amendment 96 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Calls on the EEAS and COHOM to specifically address the torture of children in the forthcoming update of the Guidelines and the EU Action Plan on Human Rights;
Amendment 111 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Recommends that HRCSs should address the root-causes of violence and ill- treatment by government agencies and in private settings and they should define assistance needs with a view to offering EU technical assistance for capacity building, legal reform and training in order to help third countries comply with international obligations and norms, in particular in the context of signing and ratifying the CAT and the OPCAT, and complying with the provisions they contain on prevention (specifically establishing national preventive mechanisms (- NPMs), fighting impunity and the rehabilitation of victims;
Amendment 113 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Underlines the need for the EEAS and EU Delegations to make available specific information regarding third countries' available support and possible legal remedies for victims of torture and ill-treatment;
Amendment 115 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls on the EEAS and EU delegations to make full but carefully targeted and country-specific use of the political instruments at their disposal, including public statements, local démarches, human rights dialogues and consultations to raise individual cases, necessary legislative reform and ratification and implementation of relevant international conventions;
Amendment 121 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Notes that a general guide for parliamentarians on visiting places of detention in third countries would be a useful tool in the context of regular Parliament delegation visits to prisons and other places of detention, and should include a specific perspective for visits in detention centres and other places were children and women might be detained, to secure the application of the "do no harm" principle in compliance with the UN Training Manual on Human rights Monitoring, particularly in order to avoid reprisals following visits;
Amendment 122 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24 b. Recommends placing torture-related issues in the focus of local and regional civil society forums and seminars, with the potential of follow-up in the regular human rights consultations and dialogues;
Amendment 123 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Calls on EU delegations to carry out prison visitsvisits to prisons and other place of detention, including to juvenile detention centres and places were children might be detained, and observe trials where there is reason to believe that defendants may have been subjected to torture or ill- treatment and ask for information on and the independent investigation of individual cases;
Amendment 129 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Calls on Member States to identify best practireview and analyse with diligences amongnd transparency the existing NPMs and national human rights institutions in the EU and in third countries, with a view to promotingand to identify best practices among them, making sure that they have a child rights perspective, with a view to strengthening the existing mechanisms, make changes for their improvement and promote these examples to partner countries;
Amendment 131 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Invites EU delegations to call for detention to be used as a last resort, and seek alternatives, particularly for persons in situations of vulnerability (such as women, children, asylum seekers and migrants);
Amendment 135 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Calls on third countries to fully cooperate with the UN Special Rapporteur on torture, the Committee against Torture and regional anti-torture bodies such as the Committee for the Prevention of Torture in Africa, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture, and the Rapporteur on persons deprived of their liberty in America; encourages the Member States and the EEAS to systematically take into account the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur and other bodies for follow-up in contacts with third countries, including in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process;
Amendment 137 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Urges the EEAS and the Member States to actively promote the ratification and implementation of the CAT and the OPCAT as a priority and to step up their efforts to facilitate the establishment and functioning of effective and independent NPMs in third countries;
Amendment 142 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Underlines the importance of member states' active participation in the implementation of the provisions of the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and providing the EEAS with regular updates on the actions undertaken by them in this regard;
Amendment 143 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 b (new)
Paragraph 30 b (new)
30 b. Calls on the EU to cooperate more efficiently with the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) and the Commissioner for Human Rights from the Council of Europe;
Amendment 144 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3 a (new)
Subheading 3 a (new)
European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR)
Amendment 145 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 c (new)
Paragraph 30 c (new)
30 c. Welcomes the existing initiatives and projects under the EIDHR, of which 7% of the funds have been allocated to torture-related projects, and underlines the need to continue earmarking specific funds to the fight against torture and cruel, degrading, with a focus on awareness-raising, prevention, addressing impunity, as well as the social and psychological rehabilitation of torture victims, with a priority to projects of a holistic nature;
Amendment 146 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 d (new)
Paragraph 30 d (new)
30 d. Stresses that funds allocated to projects under the upcoming programming period should take into account EU priorities as outlined in the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy;
Amendment 147 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 e (new)
Paragraph 30 e (new)
30 e. Calls on EU member states to provide an overview of bilateral assistance programmes in the field of torture prevention and rehabilitation with a view to share best practices, achieve efficient burden sharing and to create synergies and complementarity with EIDHR projects;
Amendment 150 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Calls on all Member States that have yet to ratify the OPCAT to do so as a matter of priority; Belgium, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia to ratify the OPCAT as a matter of priority and establish independent, well resourced, and effective NPMs, noting the importance of individual communications as an instrument for the prevention of torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, urges CAT Member States to accept individual jurisdictions in compliance with art.21; as well as signatories to the UN CRC to sign and ratify the 3rd Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child;
Amendment 153 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Calls on all Member States which have NPMs to engage in a constructive dialogue to implement NPM recommendations; as well as recommendations of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture, UN Committee against torture and UN Subcommittee for the Prevention of Torture in a coherent and complementary way;
Amendment 156 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Regrets the limited support provided by EU and non-EU state parties to the UN- managed Special Fund for Torture Victims under the OPCAT Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, and to the OPCAT Special Fund; calls on the Member States and the Commission to support the work of the Special Fund for Torture Victimse funds through substantial and regular voluntary contributions;
Amendment 1 #
2013/2092(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Communication by the Commission on EU Space Industrial Policy; is convinced that only a more cost- efficient and consolidated European space industry can be internationally competitivethe European space industry can be internationally competitive within the context of the agreed Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF); stresses that European space industrial policy must be developed in coordination with the European Space Agency to ensure complementarity;
Amendment 5 #
2013/2092(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses the need to clarify first the EU's level of ambition especially with regard to its strategic and geopolitical objectives; notes the fact that the Communication does not define the relationship between EU space industrial policy and the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP); calls on the Commission, the Member States and the HR/VP clearly to define the potential contribution of this sector to CSDP, the nature and degree of civil-military synergiesbelieves that EU space policy should be seen as an asset to the CSDP, providing a better synergy between space civilian means and space military means mirroring the CSDP's own dual civilian and military role calls on the Commission, the Member States and the HR/VP clearly to define the potential contribution of this sector to CSDP, the nature and degree of civil-military synergies, the role for such technologies in the effective deployment of humanitarian aid operations and for predicting migration flows and patterns following conflicts or natural disasters, and the relevance for CSDP operations and other EU actions and missions in the field of conflict prevention, arms control, the non-proliferation of WMD technologies, counter-terrorism, migration and border control;
Amendment 11 #
2013/2092(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes the fact mentioned in the Communication that 60 % of electronics on board European satellites are currently imported from the US; calls for an initiative on how to protect sensitive or personal data in this context; also u and also to use the current public procurement process to ensure wherever possible that the purchase of space infrastructure from Member States is used as a further driver of growth in the sector, which in the UK alone has seen 7.5% annual average growth since 2008; Recognises that workers within the space sector are of the highest educational and technologically skilled calibre. Two thirds of the direct workforce holds at least one degree. However, the sector continues to suffer from a shortage of key specific skills, which range from engineering disciplines to physics degrees which must be addressed in order to maintain European leadership in this area; Urges the Commission, ESA, EDA and the Member States to identify critical technologies in the context of the joint European non- dependence process; recalls the risk that the US might, in the event of disagreement, close down or block European space infrastructure;
Amendment 15 #
2013/2092(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Supports the point made by the Commission that many components of space systems are of dual-use or military nature and are hence subject to the Directive on intra-Community transfers, the dual-use export regulation or the Common Position on arms exports; welcomes the proposal within the Communication to have a formal report to the Parliament on the dual-use export control system before the end of 2013.
Amendment 17 #
2013/2092(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Supports the focus on supporting space research and innovation under FP7 and Horizon 2020 which must be a prerequisite to future development of this area, and the provision of €3786 million within the MFF for the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security "Copernicus" programme which will provide reliable, timely and accurate services to manage the global environment, understand and mitigate the effects of climate change and help respond to crises;
Amendment 19 #
2013/2092(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Is deeply concerned at the ongoing militarisation and possible future weaponisation of space, e.g. the emergence of anti-satellite, laser and other kinetic weapons which pose a threat to European space infrastructure and thus to the security and safety of EU citizens; is alsoNotes with concerned with the increasing use of space assets by the military which might reduce and limit civilian use and possible future civilian applications; calls on the Member States and the HR/VP to initiate a review of the outdated 1967 Outer Space Treaty or to initiate a new regulatory framework which takes into account technological progress since the 1960s and effectively prevents; welcomes the EU sponsored multilateral initiative towards an International Code of Conduct for Space Activities as a way of introducing norms of behaviour in space; believes any new framework must take into account the views of all Member States and be a strategically devised framework looking at the long term future of the industry, effectively preventing an arms race in outer space and ensuresing the prohibition of harmful interference with space objects.
Amendment 13 #
2013/2065(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas 840 million peoplewomen and girls with disabilities living in the European Union are in significant need of an accessible and unprejudiced environment;
Amendment 21 #
2013/2065(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Notes that disability hate crime has increased in recent years and that violence and hostility are a feature of daily life for many people with disabilities; insists that competent authorities in Member States refrain from exacerbating negative stereotypes in the language used, discourse entered into and policies pursued regarding women and girls with disabilities;
Amendment 30 #
2013/2065(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Union toNotes that women and girls with disabilities face higher than average illiteracy rates, lower education levels, lower rates of participation in the labour market and/or jobs carrying less responsibility and lower salaries; calls on the Union to develop both mainstream and positive actions to tackle these issues including targeting further support to mothers with disabilities or disabled children, with special regard to their difficult position in the labour market, by maintaining or setting up services better tailored to their needs.
Amendment 37 #
2013/2065(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Proposes to use the European Social Fund as an effective tool to improve the inclusion levels of women and girls with disabilities in education and in the labour market and reduce instances of women and girls with disabilities living in poverty;
Amendment 38 #
2013/2065(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6 b. Insists that a gender perspective and a disability perspective should be mainstreamed in all Union policies; calls for specific measures to assist young women with disabilities to be included in Union's and Member States' proposals to tackle youth unemployment;
Amendment 39 #
2013/2065(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas women with disabilities are pfarticularly vulnerable to sexual violence; whereas more likely to experience violence or sexual exploitation than their counterparts without disabilities; whereas escaping abuse or an abuser can be much more difficult for this group, specific measures must be taken to tackle this inexcusable phenomenon including full access to support services for all women;
Amendment 50 #
2013/2065(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas it is the responsibility of public authorities to provide women with disabilities with an environment that is adapted in such ways that they can fully assume their rights and responsibilities, and make decisions for themselves, on equal footing with people that do not suffer from any impairmenthave a disability;
Amendment 53 #
2013/2065(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
L. whereas the community of people suffering from one or more impairmentwith one or more physical, mental or intellectual disabilities is extremely heterogeneous and must be treated accordingly;
Amendment 122 #
2013/2065(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Notes that the various steps in a woman's life – pregnancy being one – entail specific challenges which have to be dealt with, and that when women with disabilities do so they should enjoy the same rights and opportunities offered women without disabilities; notes that forced sterilisation and coerced abortion are forms of violence against women and constitute inhuman or degrading treatment that Member States must eradicate and strongly condemn;
Amendment 7 #
2013/0157(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) The self-provision of service which entails shipping companies or providers of port services to employ staff of their own choice and to provide themselves port services is regulated in a number of Member States for safety or social reasons. The stakeholders consulted by the Commission when preparing its proposal highlighted that imposing a generalised allowance of the self-provision of service at Union level would require additional rules on safety and social issues in order to avoid possible negative impacts in these areas. It appearis therefore not appropriate at this stage not to regulate this issue at Union level and to leave iit should be left to the Member States to regulate the self-provision of port services or not. Therefore, this Regulation should only cover the provision of port services for remuneration.
Amendment 8 #
2013/0157(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) In the interest of efficient, safe and, environmentally and socially sound port management, the managing body of the port should be able to require that port service providers can demonstrate that they meet minimum requirements to perform the service in an appropriate way. These minimum requirements should be limited to a clearly defined set of conditions concerning the professional qualifications of the operators, including in terms of training, and the equipment required insofar as these requirements are transparent, non- discriminatory, objective and relevrelevant local knowledge essential for safe operations, the equipment needed in order to provide the relevant port service and compliance with maritime safety requirements, including the application of laws and agreements to protect health and safety antd for the provistection of the port serviceemployees including the good repute of the provider regarding the respect of social and labour rights.
Amendment 10 #
2013/0157(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
Recital 7 a (new)
(7a) Each service provider and especially new market entrants should demonstrate their ability to serve a minimum number of vessels with their own staff and equipment. All must comply with the relevant provisions and rules including applicable labour laws, applicable collective agreements and quality requirements of the ports.
Amendment 11 #
2013/0157(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9 a (new)
Recital 9 a (new)
(9a) The significant variations in the economic capacity, the size of ports, and the amount of space available for operations on the water need to be taken into account when limiting the number of providers of port services. Moreover, it should be possible to limit access to the market so as to ensure safe, secure or environmentally sustainable port operations.
Amendment 12 #
2013/0157(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) The selection procedure for selecting providers of port service in the cass where the number of those providers is limited should follow the principles and approach determined in Directive ../../… [concession]7, including the threshold and method for determining the value of the contracts as well as the definition of substantial modifications and the elements related to the duration of the contract. __________________ 7 Proposal for a Directive on the award of concession contracts (COM 2011) 897 finalbe open to all interested parties and should be non- discriminatory.
Amendment 14 #
2013/0157(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) The recourse to public service obligations leading to a limitation in the number of providers of a port service should only be justified for reasons of public interest in order to ensure the accessibility of the port service to all users, the availability of the port service all year long or the affordability of the port service to certain category of users, and safe, secure, environmentally and socially sustainable port operations.
Amendment 17 #
2013/0157(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) Member States should retain the power to ensure an adequate level of social protection for the staff of undertaking providing port services. This Regulation shall not affect the application of the social and labour rules of the Member States. In cases of limitation of the number of port service providers, where the conclusion of a port service contract may entail a change of port service operator, it should be possible for the competent authorities to askshould require the chosen service operator to apply the provisions of Council Directive 2001/23/EC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the safeguarding of employees' rights, terms and conditions in the event of transfers of undertakings, businesses or parts of undertakings or businesses11. __________________ 11 OJ L 82, 22.3.2001, p. 16. OJ L 82, 22.3.2001, p. 16.
Amendment 20 #
2013/0157(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) In many ports, the market access for providers of cargo-handling and terminal passenger services is granted by means of public concession contracts. This type of contracts will be covered by the Directive ..../…[concessions]. Consequently, Chapter II of this Regulation should not apply to the provision of cargo-handling and passenger services, but Member States should remain free to decide to apply nevertheless the rules of this Chapter to these two services. For other types of contracts used by public authorities for granting market access to cargo handling and terminal passenger services, the Court of Justice of the European Union has confirmed that the competent authorities are bound by the principles of transparency and non-discrimination when concluding these contracts. These principles are fully applicable as regards the provision of any port service.
Amendment 21 #
2013/0157(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20 a (new)
Recital 20 a (new)
(20a) According to Resolution A.960 of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), each pilotage area needs highly specialised experience and local knowledge on the part of the pilot. Given that the IMO recognises the appropriateness of regional or local administration of pilotage, pilotage should be exempt from the market access provisions laid down in Chapter II of this Regulation.
Amendment 22 #
2013/0157(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22 a (new)
Recital 22 a (new)
(22a) The Commission should clarify the notion of State aid with regard to the financing of port infrastructure, taking into consideration the non-commercial nature of public access and defence infrastructure. This includes infrastructure for rail and road land access connections to the national transport system, infrastructure necessary for utilities in the port area, and all infrastructure that allows access to a port area, including maritime access, navigable channels and defence works. These types of infrastructure should be accessible to all potential users on equal and non-discriminatory terms and fall within the State's responsibility to meet the general needs of the population.
Amendment 23 #
2013/0157(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 29
Recital 29
(29) In order to supplement and amend certain non-essential elements of this Regulation and in particular to promote the uniform application of environmental charging, reinforce the Union-wide coherence of environmental charging and to ensure common charging principles in relation to the promotion of short sea shipp, reinforce the Union-wide coherence of environmental charging, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission in respect of common classifications of vessels, and fuels and types of operations according to which to vary the infrastructure charges and common charging principles for port infrastructure charges. It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level. When adopting such delegated acts, the Commission should take into account the Environmental Ship Index (ESI) and the progress made by the World Ports Climate Initiative (WPCI). These classifications should serve only as basis for allowing variations of port infrastructure charges and should not affect the competence of the managing body of a port to set the level of port infrastructure charges autonomously, in accordance with applicable rules. The Commission, when preparing and drawing- up delegated acts, should ensure a simultaneous, timely and appropriate transmission of relevant documents to the European Parliament and to the Council.
Amendment 27 #
Amendment 28 #
Amendment 29 #
Amendment 31 #
Amendment 33 #
2013/0157(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2
2. ‘cargo handling services’ means the organisation and handling of cargo between the carrying waterborne vessel and the shore be it for import, export or transit of the cargo, including the processing, lashing, unlashing, transporting and temporary storage of the cargo on the relevant cargo handling terminal and directly related to the transporting of the cargo, but excluding warehousing, stripping, repackaging or any other value added services related to the handled cargo;
Amendment 35 #
2013/0157(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 18 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 18 a (new)
18a. "subcontractor" means any natural person or any legal entity, to whom the execution of all or part of the obligations of a prior contract is assigned.
Amendment 42 #
2013/0157(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
(da) the good repute of the applicant regarding respect of social and labour rights, including the application of laws and agreement to protect health and safety.
Amendment 46 #
2013/0157(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
(ba) the need to ensure the provision of safe, secure, environmentally and socially sustainable port operations.
Amendment 47 #
2013/0157(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2
Article 7 – paragraph 2
Amendment 48 #
2013/0157(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3
Article 7 – paragraph 3
Amendment 49 #
2013/0157(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 5
Article 7 – paragraph 5
Amendment 50 #
2013/0157(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 6
Article 7 – paragraph 6
6. Paragraphs 1 to 54a of this Article shall not apply in the cases referred to in Article 9(1).
Amendment 51 #
2013/0157(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 7
Article 7 – paragraph 7
7. This Regulation is without prejudice to Directive …/… [concession]15 , Directive .…/…Where contracts for the provision of port services take the form of service concessions within the meaning of Directive …/… [concession]15 , the provisions of that Directive shall apply. This Regulation is without prejudice to Directive ..../....[public utilities]16 and Directive …/… [public procurement]17 __________________ 15 Proposal for a Directive on the award of concession contracts (COM 2011) 897 final 16 Proposal for a Directive on procurement by entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors (COM/2011/0895 final) 17 Proposal for a Directive on public procurement (COM/2011/0896 final)
Amendment 53 #
2013/0157(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(ca) the safety, security or environmental sustainability of port operations.
Amendment 55 #
2013/0157(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 6
Article 8 – paragraph 6
Amendment 57 #
2013/0157(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Article 10 – paragraph 1
1. This Regulation shall not affect the application of the social and labour rules ofapplicable in the Member States.
Amendment 59 #
2013/0157(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2
Article 10 – paragraph 2
2. Without prejudice to national and Union law including collective agreements between social partners, the managing bodies of the port mayMember States shall require theat when designated provider of port services appointed in accordance with the procedure established by Article 7, in the case where this provider is different from the incumbent provider of port services, to grant staff previously taken on by the incumbent provider of port services the rights to which they would have been entitled if there had been a transfer within the meaning of Directive 2001/23/EC.
Amendment 65 #
2013/0157(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 3
Article 10 – paragraph 3
3. Where managing bodies of the port require providers of port services to comply with certain social standards as regards the provision of relevant port services, tender documents and port service contracts shall list the staff concerned and give transparent detailindicate the status of their contractual rights and the conditions under which employees are deemed to be linked to the port services.
Amendment 67 #
2013/0157(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11
Article 11
This Chapter and the transitional provisions of Article 24 shall not apply to cargo handling services and, passenger services and pilotage.
Amendment 68 #
2013/0157(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Chapter II a (new)
Chapter II a (new)
Amendment 72 #
2013/0157(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 16 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. The managing body of the port shall regularly consult stakeholders such as undertakings established in the port, providers of port services, operators of waterborne vessels, cargo owners, land transport operators and, public administrations and representatives of the workforce operating in the port area on the following:
Amendment 77 #
2013/0157(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17
Article 17
Amendment 78 #
2013/0157(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18
Article 18
Amendment 79 #
2013/0157(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 2
Article 21 – paragraph 2
2. The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 14 shall be conferred on the Commission for an indeterminate period of five years from ...*. The Commission shall draw up a report in respect of the delegation of power no later than nine months before the end of the five-year period. The delegation of power shall be tacitly extended for periods of timean identical duration, unless the European Parliament or the Council opposes such extension no later than three months before the end of each period. _________________ * OJ: Please insert the date of entry into force of this Regulation.
Amendment 80 #
2013/0157(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22
Article 22
Amendment 25 #
2013/0110(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) In order to enhance consistency and comparability of non-financial information disclosed throughout the Union, companies should be required to include in their annual report a non-financial statement containing information relating to at least environmental matters, gender balance, social and employee-related matters, respect for human rights, anti-corruption and bribery matters. Such statement should include a description of the policies, results, and the risks related to those matters.
Amendment 28 #
2013/0110(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 6 a (new)
Recital 6 a (new)
(6a) In order to promote equal treatment of workers, Member States should encourage large companies to establish a diversity policy with medium and long term targets.
Amendment 52 #
2013/0110(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point a
a description of the policy and a strategy plan for achieving the targets pursued by the company in relation to these matters;
Amendment 73 #
2013/0110(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Directive 78/660/EEC
Article 46a – paragraph 1 – point g
Article 46a – paragraph 1 – point g
a description of the company's diversity policy for its administrative, management and supervisory bodies with regard to aspects such as age, gender, geographical diversity, educational and professional background, the objectives of this diversity policy, how it has been implemented and the results in the reporting period and the strategy to obtain the targets in the diversity policy. If the company has no such policy, the statement shall contain a clear and reasoned explanation as to why this is the case.
Amendment 75 #
2013/0110(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) In providing this information, companies may rely on national frameworks, EU-based frameworks such as the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), and international frameworks such asundertakings should rely, as a general rule, on the United Nations (UN) Global Compact, the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights implementing the UN ‘"Protect, Respect and Remedy’" Framework, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 26000, the International Labour Organization ( and the ILO) Tripartite Declaration of principles concerning multinational enterprises and social policy, and the Global Reporting Initiative. Undertakings may also rely on national frameworks, Union-based frameworks such as the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), and international frameworks such as the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 26000, the Global Reporting Initiative, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and the Climate Disclosure Standards Board (CDSB).
Amendment 77 #
2013/0110(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 7 b (new)
Recital 7 b (new)
(7b) This directive should be transposed with the objective of integrated reporting.
Amendment 78 #
2013/0110(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 8 a (new)
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) Companies should provide detailed information in relation to matters that stand out as being most likely for risks of severe impacts to materialise along with those that have already materialised. Severity of impacts should be judged by their scale and gravity, the number of individuals impacted at present or in the future and any irremediable character, in the sense of any limits to restore those who have been impacted by a situation to at least the same as, or equivalent to, the situation before an adverse impact.
Amendment 83 #
2013/0110(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 9 c (new)
Recital 9 c (new)
(9c) The risks of adverse impacts may stem from companies' own initiatives or may be linked to companies' operations, products or services by a business relationship, including with their suppliers clients, subcontractors or other business partners. It is therefore necessary that this is reflected in information provided by companies on their policies, risks and results.
Amendment 128 #
2013/0110(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 1 – point a
Article 1 – point 1 – point a
Directive 78/660/EEC
Article 46 – paragraph 1 – point b – subparagraph 1 – point ii
Article 46 – paragraph 1 – point b – subparagraph 1 – point ii
(ii) the results of these policies; including quantified key performance data, historic trend analysis and performance against quantified targets.
Amendment 35 #
2012/2870(RSP)
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 #
2012/2870(RSP)
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 #
2012/2870(RSP)
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 #
2012/2870(RSP)
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 #
2012/2870(RSP)
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 #
2012/2870(RSP)
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 #
2012/2870(RSP)
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 #
2012/2870(RSP)
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 #
2012/2870(RSP)
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 #
2012/2870(RSP)
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;
Amendment 1 #
2012/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)
Citation 3 a (new)
– having regard to the EU Strategic Framework on Human Rights and Democracy1, and to EU Council Conclusions, "The roots of democracy and sustainable development: Europe's engagement with Civil Society in external relations"2,
Amendment 39 #
2012/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
Amendment 91 #
2012/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. to ensure mainstreaming of human rights into all EU policies and mechanisms, including trade, environment, development, energy, migration and trade;
Amendment 93 #
2012/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. to ensure that the European Union Special Representatives (EUSRs) are closely integrated into the work of the EEAS by anchoring them and their staff, with adequate staff and resources, in the EEAS structure, and to consider, whenever possible, double-hatting them with EU Heads of Delegation;
Amendment 121 #
2012/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. to that end, to develop further an ‘appropriate structure’ that integrates crisis response, peace building and CSDP structures, and assures coordination with the geographical desks, delegations and other policy departments concerned in crisis management, building on the crisis platform concept; to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the various institutions responsible for fragility and conflict at a policy and operational level; in line with attempts to enhance institutional coordination through the establishment of an inter-institutional CPG, to ensure, through its Conflict Security and Policy Division which chairs the CPG, that the group is operational and delivers effectively against its mandate, which includes gathering and reviewing early warning information, identifying early response options, developing conflict risk analysis methodologies and broadly mainstreaming conflict-prevention into EU external action at regional level and across all areas of cooperation;
Amendment 127 #
2012/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. to ensure effective and integrated planning, and faster decision-making, for CSDP operations, by combining the relevant planning capacities from the Crisis Management and Planning Directorate (CMPD) and the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC); in addition, to create a permanent conduct structure by establishing a permanent military Operational Headquarter, co-located with a Civilian Conduct Capability, in order to allow the effective implementation of military and civilian operations whilst safeguarding their respective chains of command;
Amendment 129 #
2012/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. to finalise the Action Plan on security, fragility and development requested by the Council in 2007, which should be based on a whole-of-EU approach aiming to ensure that the EU's objectives in the field of development cooperation, humanitarian assistance, peacebuilding, conflict prevention and international security are mutually reinforcing; to convene a high-level coordination group on fragility, comprising the Commissioners of relevant DGs and headed by the HR/VP, to ensure that the views of the European Parliament are regularly taken into consideration, tasked with agreeing policies and monitoring progress for specific countries of EU focus;
Amendment 145 #
2012/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. to ensure that, whenever applicable, human rights issues are mainstreamed within every EU delegation has a human rights focal point, including through due prioritisation and attention by the Heads of Delegation;
Amendment 154 #
2012/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26 a. to devolve decision-making powers on integrated programming and flexible resource utilisation in fragile and conflict-affected states to Heads of Delegation, in line with the country-level locus of the New Deal; to avoid implementation gaps in support of long- term prevention and post-emergency transition, and maximise the speed and flexibility with which emerging gaps and needs can be addressed accordance with country plans and compacts established under the New Deal;
Amendment 168 #
2012/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33 a. to ensure human rights training becomes obligatory for all levels of EEAS staff, including EEAS Directors and Heads of EU Delegations; to ensure that evaluation of human rights considerations become an integral part of the annual performance reviews for all EU diplomats and relevant officials;
Amendment 189 #
2012/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. in order to develop a truly European esprit de corps and to ensure that the Service only serves common European interests, to oppose all attempts by the Member States to interfere with the recruitment process of EEAS staff, and make a serious investment in human resources at country level; once the transition period is over, to ensure that the EEAS can develop its own and independent recruitment procedure, open to officials from all EU institutions and to candidates from the outside through open competitions; to ensure that EU Delegations are fully staffed and have access to the necessary expertise in human rights, gender, international justice, humanitarian law, conflict prevention and peacebuilding;
Amendment 219 #
2012/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 b (new)
Paragraph 42 b (new)
42b. Stresses the importance of the anchoring of the CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) in free trade agreements between the EU and third or developing countries, to promote human rights, social and environmental standards; welcomes the fact the EU Special Representative on Human Rights in line with his mandate has the power to monitor the compliance and implementation of the concept of the CSR.
Amendment 296 #
2012/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 70
Paragraph 70
70. Strongly regrets that homosexuality remains criminalised in 78 states, including five in which it is subject to the death penalty; calls on these states to decriminalise homosexuality without delay, to free those imprisoned on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity and not to execute them; calls on the EEAS to make full use of the LGBT Toolkit to protect the rights of LGBTI people; calls on the Council to work towards binding guidelines in this area; calls on the EEAS and Member States to assist LGBTI human rights defenders in countries where they are at risk, and calls on the VP/HR to continue making clear the European Union's firm commitment to equality and non-discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in the world, including by launching and supporting initiatives at bilateral, international and UN level on these matters; repeats its call on the Commission to issue a roadmap for equality on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity;
Amendment 298 #
2012/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 70 a (new)
Paragraph 70 a (new)
70a. Calls on Member States to grant asylum to people fleeing persecution in countries where LGBT people are criminalised, on the basis of applicants' well-founded fears of persecution, and relying on their self-identification as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex;
Amendment 299 #
2012/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 70 b (new)
Paragraph 70 b (new)
70b. Reasserts that the principle of non- discrimination, including on grounds of sex and sexual orientation, is a fundamental element in the ACP-EU partnership;
Amendment 300 #
2012/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 70 c (new)
Paragraph 70 c (new)
70c. Underlines that for the EU's foreign policy to be credible and coherent in the field of fundamental rights, equality and anti-discrimination, the Council should adopt the directive on equal treatment between persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation and enlarge the application of the Framework Decision on Racism and Xenophobia to cover other targeted groups, such as LGBT persons;
Amendment 321 #
2012/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 75
Paragraph 75
75. Urges the EU to enhance its action to end the practices of female genital mutilation (FGM), early and forced marriages, and gender-selective abortion; insists that these policies should be essential elements in EU approach to development cooperation; stresses the importance of adequate access to medical means, and of information about sexual and reproductive health and rights, to the wellbeing of women in all countries;
Amendment 327 #
2012/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 75 a (new)
Paragraph 75 a (new)
75a. Notes that there continues to be insufficient attention given to sexual and reproductive rights violations that undermine efforts towards the Cairo Programme of Action (ICPD) commitments; underlines that progress on reproductive health has been limited in some contexts by violations such as child, early and forced marriage and failure to enforce a legal minimum age of marriage, coercive practices such as forced sterilisation or FGM, as well as denial of autonomy to women and girls to make decisions about their sexual and reproductive health free of discrimination, coercion and violence;
Amendment 363 #
2012/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 81 a (new)
Paragraph 81 a (new)
Amendment 4 #
2012/2098(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. CUnderlines that the current global economic crisis arose from fundamental errors with respect to transparency, accountability, responsibility and short- termism; and that the EU has a duty to ensure these lessons are learnt not simply by banks, but all businesses; commends the Commission's intention to conduct Eurobarometer surveys on trust in business; advocateconsiders that corporate social responsibility (CSR) can fully contribute to restoring lost confidence, as this is absolutely necessary for economic recovery; calls for the results to be fully debated and acted on by all stakeholders;
Amendment 15 #
2012/2098(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that co- and self-regulation cannot be a substitute for appropriate regulation in any of the areas covered by CSR, but believes that it could underpin existing private and voluntary CSR initiatives by establishing minimum principles to ensure consistency, materiality, multi-stakeholder input and transparency; believes self-regulation must include provision for "access to remedy" in line with "pillar three" of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights;
Amendment 17 #
2012/2098(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Rejects the notion that small businesses are less responsible than large simply because they do not have separate CSR infrastructure; believes that sensible thresholds must be established to take account of small business needs in any new CSR-related legislative proposals that come forward; nevertheless calls for European action to build on the experience of Italy through regional Chambers of Commerce and of France through its savings banks (Cordé Initiative) to build awareness and visibility for the small business contribution through clustering of small businesses by locality or sector;
Amendment 26 #
2012/2098(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Fully supports the Commission's intention to bring forward a legislative proposal on ‘non-financial disclosure’ by business; commends that this proposal is based on a wide-ranging public consultation as well as a series of workshops with relevant stakeholders warns that use of the term ‘non- financial’ should not disguise the very real financial consequences for business of social, environmental and human rights impacts; calls for an ambitious proposal which places the EU at the heart of the many current international initiatives on mandatory corporate sustainability reporting and which is fully in line with the objective of making Integrated Reporting, as currently developed by the IIRC, the global norm by the end of the decade;
Amendment 31 #
2012/2098(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Condemns corporate corruption and tax evasion; believes that corporate transparency must extend to open and accountable relations for companies inside and outside Europe; that responsible companies must take a vigorous and public stand against corruption at all levels and at all times; condemns any attempts to evade fair taxation in all countries where companies operate; and although companies have a duty to speak out on public issues of concern including human rights, their lobbying activities must themselves be fully transparent and give absolute respect to democratic principles; calls on the Commission to place new emphasis on these issues in the CSR debate under the heading ‘good governance’;
Amendment 33 #
2012/2098(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Welcomes the discussion in the Commission of the dangers of "Greenwash" and the Commission's intention to consider the possibility of some CSR as leading to misleading advertising; urges the Commission to ensure that necessary grievance mechanisms are in place to ensure that external stakeholders can challenge, including legally where necessary, misleading or false advertising and seek effective sanctions including corrections and penalties; believes such an inclusive and balanced approach will inspire confidence from all stakeholders and citizens that EU initiatives in the field of CSR are objective, fair and credible;
Amendment 35 #
2012/2098(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Stringent human rights due diligence and transparency is particularly needed in ensuring supply chain responsibility, measuring sustainability footprint of European business, and combating tax avoidance and illicit money flows. The ongoing parliamentary debates over the draft EU Extractive Transparency Law for the extractive and logging industry (2011/0307(COD)), the review of the Anti- money laundering directive and the announced draft of legislation on non- financial reporting provide opportunities to improve companies' transparency towards these ends;
Amendment 41 #
2012/2098(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses that the link between good corporate responsibility and good corporate governance can only be achieved if CSR is a mainstream part of the company affecting its day-to-day financial strategy; believes that the Commission should explore opportunities to ensure that CSR strategy is agreed at board level. in the company; calls on the Commission and Member States to introduce corporate stewardship codes which reflect the importance of responsibility for all in the company, and which establish the strong link between the company's environmental, social and human rights performance and its financial results;
Amendment 2 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
Citation 7 a (new)
- having regard to the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles launched in March 2010 which offer guidance on how to empower women in the workplace, marketplace and community and are a result of a collaboration between UN Women and the United Nations Global Compact;
Amendment 3 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 b (new)
Citation 7 b (new)
- having regard to the "Consistency Project," a collaborative project between the Climate Disclosure Standards Board (CDSB), the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) designed to support greater consistency of approach to the demand for and supply of corporate climate change-related information;
Amendment 4 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15
Citation 15
– having regard to the October 2010 study produced for the Commission on governance gaps between international corporate social responsibility instruments and standards and existing European legislation (known as the ‘Edinburgh Study’), the findings of which were reported in the 2011 European Parliament Annual Human Rights Report, fully endorsed by the European Council;
Amendment 13 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the concept of "corporate social responsibility" typically used in the EU institutions should be regarded as largely indistinguishable from related concepts of responsible or ethical business, "environment, society and governance," sustainable development and corporate accountability;
Amendment 15 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas the multi-stakeholder approach must remain the cornerstone of all EU-backed initiatives on CSR, and the basis of the most credible CSR by business itself, starting from the local level;
Amendment 16 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
Recital A c (new)
Ac. whereas the Global Reporting Initiative has provided the most widely accepted methodology internationally by far for business transparency and whereas the formation of the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) involving the major global accountancy standard-setting bodies indicates corporate sustainability reporting integrated in financial accounts will become the global norm within less than a decade;
Amendment 17 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A d (new)
Recital A d (new)
Ad. whereas ground-breaking work by the Prince’s Accounting for Sustainability Project, by TEEB for Business and by the United Nations Environmental Programme has now made it possible for business to fully and accurately understand the monetary valuation of its external social and environmental impact and thus build it in to the financial management of the company;
Amendment 18 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A e (new)
Recital A e (new)
Ae. whereas there has been a sea-change in the investment community with 1123 investors representing $32trn total assets under management endorsing the UN Principles of Responsible Investment (UNPRI); the European Sustainable Investment Forum estimates that the global SRI market reached approximately €7 trillion as of September 2010 and 82 investors led by Aviva Global Investors and representing US$50trillion total assets under management leading the call at the UN Summit for Sustainable Development for corporate sustainability reporting to be made mandatory;
Amendment 19 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A f (new)
Recital A f (new)
Af. whereas the formation of the European Multi-stakeholder Platform on CSR, the undertaking of a series of pilot projects and research projects, the activities of the former Alliance for Business have all established a firm track record for European action in the field of CSR, together with continuing valuable contribution made by a ‘family’ of European CSR organisations including CSR Europe, the European Academy of Business in Society (EABIS), the European Social Investment Forum (Eurosif), and the European Coalition for Corporate Justice (ECCJ);
Amendment 20 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A g (new)
Recital A g (new)
Ag. whereas, although it is essential to establish a core set of common standards for CSR, differences in the materiality of different social and environmental questions necessitates differential approaches to CSR according to different industrial sectors;
Amendment 21 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A h (new)
Recital A h (new)
Ah. whereas company codes of conduct have played an important role in initiating and raising awareness of CSR, but are an insufficient response given frequent lack of specificity, inconsistency with existing international standards, examples of avoidance of material issues, lack of comparability and transparency in application;
Amendment 22 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A i (new)
Recital A i (new)
Ai. whereas the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights were agreed unanimously in the United Nations with the full support of EU member states, the International Organisation of Employers and the International Chambers of Commerce, including support for the concept of a "smart mix" between regulatory and voluntary actions;
Amendment 23 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A j (new)
Recital A j (new)
Aj. whereas former UN Secretary General Special Representative Ruggie appealed to EU Member States to clarify and support the issue of extraterritorial jurisdiction for violations by companies in fragile third countries as part of the CSR Conference convened by the then Swedish Presidency, which was subsequently endorsed in European Council conclusions, but that currently no action has been taken in response;
Amendment 24 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A k (new)
Recital A k (new)
Ak. whereas the European Commission study in to governance gaps between international CSR instruments and standards and existing European legislation known as "the Edinburgh Study," published in October 2010 and whose results were reported in the 2011 Annual Human Rights Report fully endorsed by the European Council and European Parliament;
Amendment 25 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A l (new)
Recital A l (new)
Al. whereas the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprise are the most credible international CSR standard and that the Update agreed in May 2011 presents a significant opportunity to advance implementation of CSR;
Amendment 26 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A m (new)
Recital A m (new)
Am. whereas numerous international initiatives have taken place to secure mandatory sustainability reporting by business, including the requirement to report for Chinese state-owned businesses, for businesses to report on implementation of CSR Guidelines developed by the Government of India, and for businesses to disclose their sustainability performance required as a stock exchange listing requirement in Brazil, South Africa and Malaysia and by the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States;
Amendment 27 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A n (new)
Recital A n (new)
An. whereas the Danish Financial Statements Act (2008) on corporate sustainability reporting with specific additional reporting requirements on climate change and on human rights impact has proven hugely popular with Danish business, with 97 per cent choosing to report despite its "comply or explain" provision within the first three years of its application;
Amendment 28 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A o (new)
Recital A o (new)
Ao. whereas France and Denmark have agreed to be two of four UN member state governments who have agreed to lead implementation of the UN Rio +20 commitment on corporate sustainability reporting;
Amendment 29 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A p (new)
Recital A p (new)
Ap. whereas the update of the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprise led by the Netherlands has offered the opportunity to upgrade their visibility and status through the system of "national contact points," ended the "investment nexus" which prevented their full application to the supply chain and fully integrated the UN Principles on Business and Human Rights;
Amendment 30 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A q (new)
Recital A q (new)
Aq. whereas the European Parliament resolution on Europe 2020 states that there is an inextricable link between corporate responsibility and corporate governance;
Amendment 31 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A r (new)
Recital A r (new)
Ar. whereas the "Green Winners" 2009 study of 99 companies which showed that in 16 separate industrial sectors, companies with CSR strategies out- performed their industry average by at least 15 per cent, representing extra market capitalisation of €498 ($650m) per company;
Amendment 32 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A s (new)
Recital A s (new)
As. whereas the Global CEO survey 2012 shows that business recognises that growth requires working closely with local populations with, for example, over 60% planning to increase investments in the next three years to help maintain the health of the workforce;
Amendment 34 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recognises that the Commission cCommunication is part of a series of policy statements thanks to which CSR is now embedded in EU policies and an established principle for European action;
Amendment 38 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Agrees, nevertheless, with the analysis set out in the communication to the effect that CSR practices are still largely confined to a minority of big companies, and that the direct appeal for more companies to embrace CSR in the 2001 and 2006 Commission communications largely failed to come to fruition; notes also the need to engage SMEs in the debate on CSR many of whom are willing but who lack recognition that many of the day-to- day actions they take are in fact core elements of corporate social responsibility;
Amendment 42 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Believes that the global financial crisis provides a real risk that policy makers including in the EU will suffer their own fatal short-termism, focusing exclusively on measures for narrowly-defined transparency and accountability in financial markets and neglecting the urgent need for the financial as well as all industrial sectors to address pressing and over-riding challenges of environmental degradation and social disintegration in an integrated way;
Amendment 43 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Warns that businesses can only be sustainable in the future if they exist within a sustainable economy, and that there can be no alternative to transformation to a low-carbon future which also encompasses preservation of social and natural capital in the world, a process in which CSR must play a decisive role;
Amendment 49 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Believes that future key drivers for ‘scaling up’ CSR will include an emphasis on global CSR instruments, fresh momentum from leading businesses among their peers, the use of appropriate regulation, a robust impact analysis of existing CSR initiatives, and increasing recognition within both the business community and wider society of thabout the huge scale of global social and environmental challenges; facing Europe and the world
Amendment 51 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Supports the Commission’s intention to deepen CSR in Europe by producing guidelines and supporting multi- stakeholder initiatives for individual industrial sectors, and appeals to leading companies and associations to embrace this initiative;
Amendment 53 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Reiterates that CSR must move from process to outcome;
Amendment 56 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the fact that the definition of CSR set out in the Commission communication, which reflects the new approach first adopted by the Commission in the Multi-stakeholder Forum in 2009, provides an indispensable opportunity for inclusivity and consensus-building, and properly reflects the new consensus reached between business and other stakeholders on this issue thanks to the unanimous agreement of the UN Guiding Principles and other instruments such as the ISO 26000 Guidance Standard on Social Responsibility;
Amendment 58 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Strongly commends the contribution made by the Commissioners for Employment, Enterprise and Internal Market and their services for the forward- looking and constructive approach contained within the Commission Communication; acknowledges the contribution of other parts of the Commission through the Inter-Service Group on CSR; nevertheless calls on the President of the Commission to give personal leadership in the field of CSR and to ensure there is full "ownership" of the Commission’s commitment to CSR in particular in the Directorates General for Environment and in those covering external relations;
Amendment 63 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Restates its belief in the ‘business case’ for CSR, but reiterates that, where such a case does not apply in the short term in any given situation or company, it can never be used as an excuse for choosing irresponsibility; believes sufficient existing research exists to prove the "business case" and the priority should be the dissemination of that research; calls for new research on CSR to be devoted to assessment of the cumulative impact of changed business behaviour due to CSR in dealing with overall European and global challenges such as carbon emissions, water acidification, extreme poverty, child labour or inequality, and for the lessons learnt to be fed in to Europe’s future input in developing global CSR initiatives;
Amendment 66 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Agrees with the Commission’s analysis that CSR is increasingly important for a company’s social license to operate, given the incidence of social protest such as the anti-globalisation and "Occupy" movements, of social conflicts and sometimes confrontational industrial relations; believes that the European Union itself must adopt CSR as its own ‘social licence’ to pursue trade and economic benefits with other countries and regions of the world; in particular considers that CSR must be a ‘core’ part of Europe’s trade policies;
Amendment 69 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Recognises that a deep flaw in CSR initiatives arises when companies avoid critical interest groups or sensitive issues relevant to their business; calls on the Commission, working with financial authorities, to build on the previous work of CSR ‘laboratories’ in order better to identify how companies and their stakeholders can objectively pinpoint social and environmental issues which are ‘material’ to the business in question; and for a fair and balanced selection of stakeholders to be involved in company CSR initiatives;
Amendment 87 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Invites the Multi-stakeholder Forum to consider possible courses of action in response to the growRecognises that the economic crisis has been accompanied by a rise ing casualisation of employment, enforced part-time working in place of full-time employment, the rise infor many who aspire to full-time jobs; a rise in sometimes exploitative work in particular through increased sub- contracting and thea resurgence ofin the informal sector, all of which are a result of the economic crisis; calls on the European Commission and the European Multi-stakeholder Forum to specifically examine the growth of sub-contracting as a response to the economic crisis and to come forward with recommendations for responsible business; urges this work to be informed by the UN Guiding Principles applicability to the supply chain and in particular to the concept of "impact assessment" irrespective of different tiers of supplier;
Amendment 94 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recognises that business closures and retrenchment are jeopardising some of the gains made through CSR in terms of the employment of marginalised groups in societysuch as employment of marginalised groups in society, improving training and status for these workers, promoting the "living wage," innovating new forms of socially- useful production and services for example through credit unions, promoting new models of employment through social businesses, cooperatives and fair trade; calls on the European Commission to undertake a major analysis of the social impact of the crisis on suchthese initiatives, and to fully consult with social partners and with CSR stakeholders on its outcome;
Amendment 107 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Believes the financial crisis has shaken employee confidence in company obligations to meet long-term private pension entitlements; believes companies must be fully accountable for pension investments made including for maintaining payments on a regular and continuous basis; calls on companies to take action to redress the imbalance in the eyes of many employees, who believe that their pension entitlements have been disproportionately cut; following the crisis; invites responsible companies to address this problem working with the Commission and the social partners, including by establishing open, inclusive and rules-based arrangements for managing pension investments, and as part of the wider challenge within CSR to address active ageing in an era of demographic change;
Amendment 111 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. EndorseStrongly commends the emphasis given in the Commission communication to strengthening and implementing international standards, and – in view of the 2011 update of the OECD Guidelines and agreement of the UN Guiding Principles – believes that a major emphasis of EU action must now be on the full implementation of those guidelines and principles amongst European business;
Amendment 117 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Welcomes in particular the inclusion of the ICT sector for specific European guidelines on business and human rights; recognises the genuine dilemmas created by the need to protect privacy and combat criminal content on the one hand with the objective of defending freedom of expression on the other, as evidenced by the recent controversy created by the anti- Islamic video posted on YouTube; calls for many more European companies to engage with the leading multi-stakeholder initiative in this respect, the Global Network Initiative (GNI), whose membership is currently dominated by US-based companies;
Amendment 118 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Insists that all ‘finance for trade and development’ offered to private-sector actors by EU investment facilities, the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development should include contractual clauses requiring compliance with the OECD Guidelines and the UN Guiding Principleon Multinational Enterprises and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, with a clear complaints mechanism and sufficient capacity to independently evaluate alleged breaches; reiterates its call for Member States to do the same with respect to the issuing of Export Credits to business;
Amendment 120 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Welcomes the Commission’s initiative on national action plans for the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights ; calls on the European External Action Service (EEAS) to play a far greater role in helping to lead implementation at a senior level; calls for a ‘peer review process’ to take place between Member States in order to advance implementation; calls for the European Commission and EEAS to undertake an evaluation of implementation of the action plans together with an assessment of actions taken at EU level to report to the European Council and Parliament by the end of 2014;
Amendment 122 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Recognises that companies increasingly operate in fragile states and that they have a duty of care to protect their staff from conflict, terrorism and organised crime; nevertheless insists that companies have an equal duty to ensure security arrangements do not prejudice peace or security of others where they operate and which can open them up to accusations of complicity in human rights violation; calls on the Commission and the Member States to secure far greater adoption of the international Voluntary Security Principles and to seek agreement of an international regulatory framework on the regulation, monitoring and oversight of the activities of private military and security companies (PMSCs);
Amendment 123 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Calls on enterprises and other stakeholders to engage constructively in the Commission’s process on sector- specific human rights guidance, and to use the resulting guidance when it is complete;
Amendment 125 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Calls on the Commission, in particular its DG Justice, to put forward proposals for better facilitating extraterritorial jurisdiction in EU courts foraccess to justice in EU courts for the most extreme, egregious cases of human or labour rights violation by EU- uropean-based businesses or, their subsidiaries or business partners; where there is insufficient access to remedy in a third country where the alleged violation has taken place, as recommended by the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Business and Human Rights;
Amendment 128 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Believes the "Green Matters" study shows definitively the positive link between companies pursuing CSR and achieving better financial performance as they emerge from the crisis; endorses the concept of "responsible competitiveness" and underlines that the potential market for socially and environmentally useful goods and services remains a crucial market opportunity for companies as well as meeting societal need;
Amendment 129 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14b. Shares the view of business identified in the Global CEO Survey 2012 that sustainable business growth requires close working with local populations, governments and business partners, and investing in local communities; supports and calls for intensification of business initiatives in job creation, training, helping to manage resource constraints and contributing to health solutions;
Amendment 130 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls on the European Commission, in particular its DG Trade, to move from a "passive" to an ‘"active’" approach to the OECD Guidelines, ensuring the promotion of, and continuous support for, those guidelines through the EU’s Delegationincluding through specifically adhering to them similar to the commitment already made to the Investment Principles, ensuring promotion and continuous support for the OECD Guidelines through the EU’s Delegations in third countries, funding capacity-building initiatives with businesses, trade unions and civil society in third countries on implementation of the Guidelines, ensuring the Guidelines are specifically cited in all new agreements between the EU and third countries including all trade and investment treaties; for the European Union to mount a major diplomatic effort to persuade more countries internationally to become signatories and by providing concrete support to civil society groups for "specific instances" of alleged breaches to be raised, in cooperation with Member States;
Amendment 132 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Believes that CSR is an important tool into helping the EU touropean Union support the implementation of ILO conventionsnternational Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions internationally; supports the provision of funding to enable European trade unions to undertake pilot projects on the OECD Guidelines and other international CSR standards with a view to building capacity in third countrieto build capacity with unions in third countries; asks the European Commission to set a specific target for negotiation and agreement of new Framework Agreements on CSR-related issues and to invite the social partners to conclude these within the context of their new sectorally-based approach to CSR; invites the European Commission in particular the DG Employment to integrate labour standards in CSR by conducting pilot projects on "Decent Work" with third country governments;
Amendment 135 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Agrees with the Commission communication that "respect for applicable legislation and for collective agreements between social partners is a prerequisite for meeting CSR"; believes CSR should complement, but in no way replace, legislation, collective bargaining or dialogue with workers organised in trade unions that companies should commit themselves to discuss their CSR policy – and elements such as an annual company report on the social and environmental impact of their activities - with the employees and their representatives; believes that an optional frame of rules for EFAs should be adopted on the basis of the possible contents of such a framework, as described in Staff Working Document from the Commission on that subject.
Amendment 137 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Welcomes those from business use ofwho used the UN Rio+20 summit to advocate a new global convention on corporate responsibility in the UN system; believes that although such a convention is probably some years away, Europe should constructively engage in the debate; nevertheless believes that such discussions must not distract policy- makers in business and government from proceeding with implementation of existing CSR instruments as a matter of urgency; draws attention to the fact that there are different models on how new forms of global governance on CSR might emerge as well as through the UN system, for example by promoting the growth of the OECD Guidelines amongst non- members or through a free-standing initiative from like-minded governments; calls on the European Union, the European Commission and the Member States to develop and advocate specific proposals for a concrete and verifiable business contribution to be agreed as part of the proposed UN Sustainable Development goals post-2015;
Amendment 138 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Endorses the view, dating from the June 2004first report of the Multi-stakeholder Forum, in June 2004 that public authorities can makeplay a significant contribution byrole using convening, incentivising ands well as regulatory roles to advance CSR, and calls on the Member States through the High Level Group and elsewhere to give a major new impetus to these efforts;
Amendment 144 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Invites the Commission and Member States given the multi-stakeholder approach to CSR, to consider broadening observer attendance at the bi-annual High Level Group meetings to include observer representatives comprising the two Rapporteurs from Relevant committees of the European Parliament, representatives from the United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations Human Rights Council and the International Labour Organisation, and from one nominee each from European business, trade unions and civil society agreed from the co-ordinating committee of the Multi- Stakeholder Forum;
Amendment 147 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Recognises that social indicators lag behind environmental indices in terms of economic valuation and general specificity in many CSR initiatives; despite the handbook on social procurement believes that the European Union itself has been too constrained in this area; calls for a study on "valuing social capital" leading to a wide-ranging European-led debate on better integrating social impact in sustainable business management; supports funding for pilot projects to develop social indices, social ratings agencies and the practice of social auditing in some Member States and business sectors;
Amendment 149 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)
Paragraph 18 c (new)
18c. Remains unclear how far successive amendments to EU procurement rules have actually been taken-up by public authorities and what overall impact has been achieved in improved environmental or social performance of business as a result as well as to incentivising CSR; calls for further research and evaluation of impact accordingly leading to clear recommendations to provide easily- understandable incentives to business; asks for this to include study of the growing practice of businesses building in CSR clauses in their own private purchasing i.e. in business-to-business contracts, and calls for the identification of good practice in this area;
Amendment 150 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 d (new)
Paragraph 18 d (new)
18d. Commends the Commission for undertaking CSR pilot projects to support employee volunteering schemes; urges all Member States to include employee volunteering in their national action plans; calls for a "compact" to be signed through the European Volunteer Centre (CEV) to engage civil society organisations from throughout Europe to engage business to this objective; points out that practical schemes such as mentoring or genuine work exchange schemes can break down barriers for unemployed and excluded people and contribute to social and economic objectives; supports a formal examination of the ‘Solidarité proposal’ for an inter- institutional human resources programme in the EU institutions to facilitate the involvement of the institutions’ staff and trainees in volunteering, humanitarian and social activities, both as part of staff training and volunteering in their own time;
Amendment 151 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 e (new)
Paragraph 18 e (new)
18e. Encourages the use of Information Communication Technology and social media to encourage those interested globally to take a more active part in multi-stakeholder consultations;
Amendment 152 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Commends many Member States for theirconsiderable efforts to develop and implement national action plans on CSR in consultation with national multi- stakeholder forums; expresses concern, however, that the number of public policy measures is not yet matched by their impact in advancing CSRs in many EU countries; however expresses concern that a large variety of public policy measures has yet to yield significant visible impact in advancing CSR; calls for there to be greater research and evaluation into public policy measures on CSR at the European level; calls for the European Commission itself to show its own "leadership by example" as a responsible employer by publishing it’s own CSR report according to the GRI’s public sector supplement, offering Commission staff ‘matched’ time-off to pursue employee volunteering initiatives and by reviewing use of pension fund investments according to ethical criteria;
Amendment 155 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Calls for the European Year of Citizenship 2013 to include a specific strand on business citizenship, inviting entrepreneurs and business people to engage with existing CSR initiatives in Member States and at the EU-level to promote and develop the concept of a "good corporate citizen";
Amendment 158 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. Welcomes the European Commission's intention to base its new award scheme by building on existing practices on this area; believes that the awards can incentivise CSR but only if winners represent genuine best practice at their national, European and global level; invites the European Commission to set up an independent panel of experts to assess this and to "audit" the scheme in this and future years on a continuing basis; asks that the publicity around the awards reflects the real complexity of the challenges being faced and emphasises lessons for all companies and not exclusively the winners;
Amendment 160 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Calls on the Commission to accelerate its efforts to putbring forward new proposals forin its work programme to meeting governance gaps with regard to international CSR standards, as recommended in the ‘Edinburgh Study’ it commissioned;
Amendment 161 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Commends the European Commission’s plans to advance initiatives in the fields of responsible production and consumption; believes the EU can build on the experience of CSR initiatives which have undertaken specific training and capacity-building for purchasers within companies; believes the planned initiative on transparency can be a major driver for the ethical consumer movement; remains sceptical of new initiatives for social and environmental labels at an EU-wide, national or sectoral level, instead preferring continuing support to existing labelling initiatives to continuously promote collaboration from "bottom-up" under the auspices of the International Social and Environmental Accreditation and Labelling (ISEAL) Alliance;
Amendment 168 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Notes that a key driver of the socially responsible investment market remains institutional investor demand; notes, in this vein, that disclosure is a key driver of CSR and must be principles-based; welcomes the Commission’s moves to engage with the investor community on CSR issues; calls for this engagement to be firmly based on support for the UN Principles for Responsible investment and the principle of integrated reporting (IR);
Amendment 170 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Notes that beneficiaries of long-term investors such as pension funds have an interest in sustainable returns and in responsible corporate behaviour; believes that it is important that the incentives of investment agents are effectively aligned with beneficiaries’ interests, and do not restrict them to a narrow interpretation of those interests which focuses solely on the maximisation of short-term returns; endorses a legal framework supports this aim; welcomes that the Commission is developing proposals on long-term investing and on corporate governance which will help to address these issues
Amendment 178 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Fully supports the Commission's intention to put forward a legislative proposal on ‘non-financial disclosure’ by businesses; commends that this proposal is based on a wide-ranging public consultation as well as a series of workshops with relevant stakeholders; warns that use of the term ‘non-financial’ should not disguise the very real financial consequences for business of social, environmental and human-rights- related impact; calls for an ambitious proposal which places the EU right among the many current international initiatives on mandatory corporate sustainability reporting and squarely within the objective of making Integrated Reporting, as being developed by the IIRC, the global norm by the end of the decade;
Amendment 184 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Endorses a continuing leading role for the European Multi-stakeholder Forum in supporting the implementation of the proposals set out in the Commission communication; calls on all participants to engage in the work of the forum with an approach which is flexible, open-minded and consensus-building in the true spirit of CSR;
Amendment 185 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Insists that trade union rights and freedoms are at the centre of any CSR strategy, commends the extensive EU framework of sectoral and cross-sectoral social dialogue structures and calls for full and active consultation and involvement of representative organisations and trade unions in particular in the development, operation and monitoring of companies' CSR processes and structures, working with employers in a genuine partnership approach;
Amendment 186 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23b. Calls for CSR policies to include specific measures to tackle the unlawful practice of blacklisting workers and denying them access to employment, often due to their trade union membership and activities or health and safety representative role;
Amendment 187 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 c (new)
Paragraph 23 c (new)
23c. Insists that any enterprise that is found to be blacklisting workers or breaching human rights and labour standards should be excluded from receiving EU grants and funding and from taking part in calls for tender for other public procurement contracts at EU, national or public authority level;
Amendment 188 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 d (new)
Paragraph 23 d (new)
23d. Asks the Commission to introduce a more open and clear procedure for filing and considering complaints of non- compliance to CSR principles, including enforcement mechanisms and initiating investigations, where necessary;
Amendment 189 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 e (new)
Paragraph 23 e (new)
23e. Notes that CSR policies must be respected not only by the main company or contractor but also by any sub- contractors or supply chains which it may use, whether in the supply of goods, workers or services and whether based in the EU or in a third country, thereby ensuring a level playing field based on fair pay and decent working conditions, and guaranteeing trade union rights and freedoms;
Amendment 190 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 f (new)
Paragraph 23 f (new)
23f. Endorses the Commission's Directive on minimum standards for victims and calls for the CSR policies of companies in the relevant sectors (such as travel, insurance, accommodation and telecommunications) to include positive and practical strategies and structures to support victims of crime and their families during a crisis, and to set up specific policies for any employee who becomes a victim of crime, whether in the workplace or outside;
Amendment 201 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Believes that the notion that CSR is a "luxury good" supported by business only in good economic times has been decisively refuted by the continuing high levels of business engagement with CSR; believes that this was an old-fashioned assumption which ignores the importance of reputation and also of the level of external risk to modern business profitability; calls for all European policy- makers to themselves integrate CSR at all levels of economic policy including reinforcing CSR within the Europe 2020 Strategy;
Amendment 205 #
2012/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Commends the work being undertaken in some business schools to promote CSR, but recognises that they are only a minority; calls on the High-Level Group to address ways of mainstreaming CSR into management education for all future business leaders; believes that this must begin with CSR education for school-age children involved in young entrepreneurship schemes;
Amendment 7 #
2012/2088(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) in order to strengthen the transparency and accountability of the mandate of the EUSR, an exchange of views/hearing with the EUSR for HR nominated by the High Representative should take place before the European Parliament (in an in camera meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and of the Subcommittee on Human Rights) prior to his/her appointment by the Council;
Amendment 9 #
2012/2088(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d
Paragraph 1 – point d
(d) the policy objectives of the EUSR for HR should include enhancing the coherence, effectiveness and visibility of EU action in the protection and promotion of human rights and democracy; the EUSR HR should work in close cooperation with the COHOM; the EUSR for HR should be a high-level interlocutor for its counterparts in third countries and at international organisations, also able to engage with the UN (UNGA, UNHRC, etc.) as well as relevant regional organisations; the EUSR for HR should chair high-level human rights dialogues and lead the consultations with third countries on human rights issues;
Amendment 13 #
2012/2088(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e
Paragraph 1 – point e
(e) in order to achieve these objectives, the EUSR, while acting under the authority of the High Representative, should be granted a strong, independent and flexible mandate not defined by narrow and specific thematic responsibilities but rather allowing the EUSR to act swiftly and effectively; in line with the actions and priorities set out in the Action Plan, the EUSR for HR should also address different horizontal issues contributing to more effective and coherent action in EU external policies; the scope of the EUSR's mandate should be fully in line with the principles of universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and to the policy objectives laid down in Article 21 of TEU and should cover, inter alia, strengthening democracy and institution building, international justice, international humanitarian law, abolition of the death penalty, human rights defenders, freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression, child protection, gender issues, persons with disabilities, as well as, women's rights, women, - peace and security, LGBT rights and persons with disabilities;
Amendment 16 #
2012/2088(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f
Paragraph 1 – point f
(f) the mandate should be based on the principles guiding the EU's HR policy and, in particular, on EU guidelines on the death penalty (2008); torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (2008); human rights dialogues with third countries (2009); children and armed conflict (2008); human rights defenders (2008); promotion and protection of the rights of the child (2008); violence against women and girls and combating all forms of discrimination against them (2008); international humanitarian law (2009), LGBT toolkit (2010) as well as the EU's annual reports on human rights in the world;
Amendment 17 #
2012/2088(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f
Paragraph 1 – point f
(f) the mandate should be based on the principles guiding the EU's HR policy and, in particular, on EU guidelines on the death penalty (2008); torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (2008); human rights dialogues with third countries (2009); children and armed conflict (2008); human rights defenders (2008); promotion and protection of the rights of the child (2008); violence against women and girls and combating all forms of discrimination against them (2008); international humanitarian law (2009), as well as the EU's annual reports on human rights in the world. Moreover, the mandate should include supporting the High Representative and the EU Institutions in the promotion of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, in light of their agreement in 2011 and the priority given to them in the European Commission Cummnication on Corporate Social Responsibility (COM(2011) 681 final);
Amendment 20 #
2012/2088(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h
Paragraph 1 – point h
(h) the EUSR for HR should be appointed for 2-2.5 years in order to ensure continuity. The mandate should be renewable once;
Amendment 23 #
2012/2088(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i
Paragraph 1 – point i
(i) the EUSR for HR should work closely together with and under the authority of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to ensure coherence and mainstreaming of human rights across all policy areas in the work of all EU institutions; the EUSR should interact closely with the EEAS HR and Democracy Directorate and all the multilateral EU Delegations (New York, Geneva, Vienna, Strasbourg as well as with all EU delegations in the World) in order to facilitate contacts on human rights issues with all EU services, EU delegations in third countries and with international organisations; the EEAS HR and Democracy Directorate should provide all necessary services and facilitate the implementation of the EUSR mandate;
Amendment 25 #
2012/2088(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j
Paragraph 1 – point j
(j) while maintaining close links with the Council's Political and Security Committee, the EUSR for HR should regularly report to the European Parliament, in a joint meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Subcommittee on Human Rights, on the situation of human rights in the world and the state of play of the implementation of the mandate, including Human Rights Country strategies and the results of the UNHRC and UNGA sessions and human rights dialogues with third countries;
Amendment 28 #
2012/2088(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l
Paragraph 1 – point l
(l) the EUSR for HR should be provided with sufficientadequate financial and human resources in order to guarantee the effective work of the Special Representative and his/her team; the budget of the EUSR for HR should be reviewed annually;
Amendment 18 #
2012/2039(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Points out that mutual societies lack the necessary legal instruments to facilitate their development and their cross-border activities within the internal market; and given the availability of European statutes for other corporate forms, mutual societies are still at a disadvantage.
Amendment 29 #
2012/2039(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Amendment 38 #
2012/2039(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Recognises that a number of mutuals do operate with a cooperative legal form and are included as part of the International Co-operative Alliance through their involvement with the International Cooperative and Mutual Insurance Federation.
Amendment 41 #
2012/2039(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Points out that the European statute for mutual societies would provide a way of promoting the mutualist model throughout an enlarged Europe, especially in the new Member States, where it is not covered by some legal systems. A European regulation, which would naturally be applicable throughout the whole of the European Union, would have the dual advantage of providing these countries with a European reference statute and of contributing to the status and public profile of this kind of undertaking.
Amendment 54 #
2011/2185(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the development of Country Strategy Papers on human rights and stresses that these should also cover democratisation; calls for their prompt implementation through action plans to complement these strategies, based on broad consultation processes with local and international civil society organisations, analyses of the situation and needs in each country and making full use of the EU's relevant instruments; reiterates its call for the Country Strategy Papers to be made available to Parliament;
Amendment 89 #
2011/2185(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Recommends that, to move beyond general ideas of human rights mainstreaming, a set of practical measures be drawn up which must be binding on all EU officials working externally; stresses that training on human rights must be compulsory across the EEAS and relevant parts of the Commission; recommends that tasks pertaining to mainstreaming be incorporated into officials' job descriptions as part of the yearly staff evaluation;
Amendment 109 #
2011/2185(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Welcomes the updating of the EU's policy on the ICC through the Council Decision of 21 March 2011 and the revision of the EU Action Plan on the ICC; encourages the EU and its Member States to adopt a set of internal guidelines outlining a code of conduct for contacts with persons wanted by the ICC; calls on all Member States (notably the Republic of Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg and Portugal) to sign framework agreements with the ICC in order to facilitate cooperationfully integrate the Rome Statute into national legislation, in particular by enacting relevant national legislation on cooperation with the Court, and concluding framework agreements with the ICC in order to facilitate cooperation, in particular to ensure the execution of arrest warrants and other Court requests and to fully integrate the Rome Statute into national legislation;
Amendment 128 #
2011/2185(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Reiterates its conviction that all EU external actions must combine a development dimension which focuses on socio-economic progress for all based on sustainable development, and a political dimension which supports pluralism, democracy and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms;
Amendment 154 #
2011/2185(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Stresses that participation in a structured human rights dialogue, while welcomed, is too often used as a pretext to avoid discussion of these issues at higher political levels including partner summits; calls on all EU institutions, its Member States and their embassies to make greater efforts to integrate these dialogues in all in- country EU external actions; stresses the need for transparency and genuine previous consultation of civil society organisations, as well as subsequent debriefing after the dialogues, in order to inform on the results;
Amendment 197 #
2011/2185(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Welcomes the clearer definition of the objectives of the EIDHR and its updated scope which reflects the stronger focus on economic, social and cultural rights, on freedom of thought, conscience and religion and on democracy support; appreciates the new possibility to directly award grants to finance actions in the most difficult conditions or situations, or to enhance support for human rights defenders and non-registered organisations;
Amendment 219 #
2011/2185(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53
Paragraph 53
53. Welcomes the EU's political commitment to supporting human rights defenders and the many positive examples of demarches, trial observations, prison visits, and other concrete actions undertaken by EU missions and delegations such as regular, institutionalised meetings with human rights defenders, but remains concerned at the lack of implementation of the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders in some third countries; considers that the HR/VP should make recommendations for enhanced action to those missions where implementation has been noticeably weak;
Amendment 222 #
2011/2185(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55
Paragraph 55
55. Reiterates its call for greater inter- institutional cooperation on human rights defenders; considers that the EU's response capacity and the coherence between the actions of the different institutions on urgent crises for human rights defenders would be well served by a shared alert system based on focal points, and encourages the CouncilEEAS and the Commission to explore this avenue further with the European Parliament;
Amendment 229 #
2011/2185(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 56
Paragraph 56
56. Highlights the distinctive roles, experiences and contributions of women in the context of peace and security; condemns the use of sexual violence in countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and calls for zero tolerance for its perpetrators, particularly among military and police forces in EU- mandated missions and operations; and stresses the importance of ensuring victims access to multi-disciplinary holistic rehabilitation services that include any necessary combination of medical and psychological care as well as legal, social, communal, vocational, educational services, and interim economic support;
Amendment 235 #
2011/2185(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60
Paragraph 60
60. Welcomes the adoption of the landmark Convention by the Council of Europe on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, creating a comprehensive framework to prevent violence, protect victims and end impunity, and calls on all Member States and the European Union to quickly sign and ratify this Convention;
Amendment 265 #
2011/2185(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63 b (new)
Paragraph 63 b (new)
63 b. Welcomes the conclusion by the EU of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), and the adoption of the European Disability Strategy 2010-2020, in particular area of action 8; condemns any and all forms of discrimination based on disability, and calls for all states to ratify and implement the UNCRPD; points out that the EU also needs to monitor the implementation of the UNCRPD on its own territory; also regrets the EU's inaction on human rights for persons with disabilities in the context of the EU-Africa Strategy;
Amendment 332 #
2011/2185(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 90
Paragraph 90
90. Supports the EU concept of ‘deep democracy’ developed by the High Representative; regrets that non- discrimination and gender equality criteria are not included within this concept; urges the EEAS to fully integrate anti- discrimination measures and benchmarks to ensure there is a clear focus on the issue of women's rightsthe rights of women and minorities, equal citizenship and equal political participation;
Amendment 1 #
2011/2177(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Points out that the congoing fiscal consolidation across the EU may lead totraction of investment due to the economic crisis, ferocious international competition, the volatility of exchange rates, euro/dollar parity and the austerity policies introduced by the Member States have already led to job losses and substantial programme cuts, shrinkages or delays for almost allsome Member States, whichand could adversely affect the European defence industry in the medium and long term;
Amendment 2 #
2011/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)
Citation 2 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 9 June 2005 on the reform of the United Nations1, __________________ 1 Text adopted P6_TA(2005)0237.
Amendment 4 #
2011/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
Citation 5 a (new)
– having regard to the preliminary list of items to be included in the provisional agenda of the 66th regular session of the General Assembly1, __________________ 1 United Nations General Assembly document A/66/50.
Amendment 9 #
2011/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas Article 47 TEU confers legal personality upon the Union, implying for it rights and responsibilities under international law; whereas the EU shares the purposes and respects the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, including the primary responsibility of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) with regard to peace and security in the world,
Amendment 11 #
2011/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the EU should play a proactive part in building a United Nations that can effectively contribute to global solutions, peace and security and a rule-of-law-based international order; whereas, in accordance with Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), the EU is formally committed to effective multilateralism with a strong UN at its core, which is essential in order to address global challenges, such as climate change and securitypeace and security, climate change and environmental degradation, universality and indivisibility of human rights, as well as poverty reduction and development for all,
Amendment 23 #
2011/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas strengthened efforts to combat terrorism in the world have increased the need to address security whilst fully respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Amendment 27 #
2011/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a
Paragraph 1 – point a
(a) to advance effective multilateralism as the overriding strategic concern of the Union and to strengthen the coherence and visibility of the EU as a global actor at the UN, inter alia by reducing the emphasis onbetter coordinating and speeding up the internal EU consultations on UN issues and by moving on to promote greater outreach on a wide range of issues; to authorise the VP/HR to draft a code of conduct framing the relations between ambassadors of the Members States and the EU Ambassadors, especially of those working at a multilateral level in places like Geneva and New York, so that the EU can successfully pursue its UN agenda and meet the expectations of UN members regarding its ability to act; to foster greater cohesion both within the UN system and between the positions of EU Member States and candidate and potential candidate countries, so as to maximise the potential offered by the Lisbon Treaty to strengthen the EU'’s impact through the coordinated and strategic use of its various and distinctive (EU and Member States) entry points,
Amendment 33 #
2011/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) whilst retainingbuilding on its observer status in the UNGA and in accordance with the UN Charter and the intergovernmental nature of the UN, to make - in order to enable the new EU representatives to speak effectively and inaffirm that the Union shares with its Member States the responsibility to be actively involved in the UN system and to stress the need for the EU to speak with a single voice; basing its a ctimely manner on global issues, in keeping withon on the provisions of Article 47 TEU on the legal personality of the EU and implementing Articles 18 and 47 TEU -TEU on the competences of the HR, to make the necessary arrangements so that the EU can participate effectively in the work of the UNGA, on the basis of com and to enable the new EU reprehsensive consultation with UN Member Stattatives to speak effectively and in a timely manner on global issues; to reconfirm its commitment that the UN is at the centre of the EU'’s foreign policy and to reiterate the view that its effective participation in the work of the UN is not only an EU strategic priority, but also consistent with achieving the UN'’s goals and, as such, in the interests of its entire membership,
Amendment 56 #
2011/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f
Paragraph 1 – point f
(f) to work towards achieving consensus on and developing a more operational approach towards the doctrine of Responsibility to Protect (RtoP); whilst stressing its importance in preventing conflicts, to encourage the implementation of RtoP, inter alia, by strengthening the role of regional organisations such as the African Union (AU), by strengthening early-warning mechanisms within the UN and by better defining the roles of relevant UN bodies; welcomes UNSC Resolution S/1970 (2011/95) of 26 February 2011, which called on the Government of Libya to meet its responsibility to protect its population, the very first time that the RtoP doctrine has been mentioned in a formal UNSC statement in referenceas well as UNSC Resolution 1973 (2011) of 17 March 2011, which stressed the determination of the international comunity to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian populated areas, as first practical implementation of the RtoP doctrine under a clear UN mandate and with regard to an ongoing crisis,
Amendment 63 #
2011/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g
Paragraph 1 – point g
(g) to promote security and stabilisation through peacebuilding, whilst tackling peacebuilding itself through longer-term development efforts and by ensuring that peacekeeping is both planned and implemented within the framework of a comprehensive single UN strategy, which takes account of peacebuilding needs and the future transition to a longer-term- strategy early on in both the planning and implementing stages and on which the EU bases its own measures; given that the stabilisation of a conflict-torn country requires more complex action and an integrated approach, and not merely troops, the necessary capacities should be orchestrated by means of such a strategy, in order adequately to address the root causes of conflict, given that half the countries in which peacekeeping operations are deployed lapse back into conflict within 10 years of the departure of the peacekeeping forces,
Amendment 64 #
2011/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
(ga) to insist on the need to take the lessons from the recent developments in Japan and to bring forward proposals aiming at enhancing the international framework with regard to the peaceful use of nuclear energy; to underline the need to increase security standards of existent nuclear plants and conduct proper evaluation studies before constructing new ones, particularly in seismic areas; to call for improved cooperation in case of similar man-made or natural disaster in order to minimize the consequences of radioactive releases for human beings and the environment,
Amendment 73 #
2011/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i
Paragraph 1 – point i
(i) to consider it an EU strategic priority to strengthen international crisis-management partnerships and to enhance dialogue with other major crisis-management actors, such as the UN, OSCE, NATO and the AU, and third countries, such as the USA, Turkey, Norway and Canadaencourage active participations of EU and third countries; to synchronise actions on the ground, share information and pool resources in the fields of peacekeeping and peacebuilding, including cooperation on crisis management and, in particular, maritime security, and the fight against terrorism under international law; to improve coordination, in this regard, with the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and bilateral donors,
Amendment 95 #
2011/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n
Paragraph 1 – point n
(n) to insist on the need of harmonizing the efforts of various UN organs in order to better promote the efficiency and effectiveness of development and social issues around the world; to live up to the pledges made at the MDG summit as regards gathering together the resources needed to meet the targets by 2015, in particular by meeting the EU'’s commitments on official development aid; to strongly advocate an increase in the level of financial investment in order to meet the MDG targets and to rapidly scale up and replicate proven innovative programmes and policies aimed at overall development and economic and social transformation,
Amendment 98 #
2011/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point q
Paragraph 1 – point q
(q) to prepare for and activelyactively continue to participate in the review of the HRC in New York and theits follow- up, to that reviewstrengthen compliance with its mandate; to address the HRC'’s ability to continue to tackle urgent situations involving serious human rights violations as in the recent cases of Libya and the Ivory Coast, to improve its capacity to implement existing international norms and standards and enhance its role as an early- warning and preventive mechanism able to prioritise and address the root causes of human rights violations with the aim of preventing freshnew or further escalation of human rights violations, including through its support for capacity building for national human rights institutions; to seek ways of improving the HRC'’s election procedures in order to address the issue of the quality of HRC membership; to develop a viable working relationship between the HRC and the Third Committee, and between the HRC and the UNHCR , and in that respect calls for the abolition of the possibility of regional groups to present a predetermined slate of candidates for UNHRC membership; to develop a viable working relationship between the HRC and the Third Committee, and between the HRC and the UNHCHR; reiterates its position that the review should preserve the independence of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and opposes any attempts to change the status of the OHCHR which could impact negatively on the funding and consequently on its dependence,
Amendment 116 #
2011/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point t a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point t a (new)
(ta) to promote an official, judicial legitimisation of the term "climate refugee" - intended to describe people who are forced to flee their homes and seek refuge abroad as a consequence of climate change - which is not recognised yet in international law or in any legally binding international convention although 'climate refugees' could receive protection through a broader application of existing international conventions via the principle of the states obligation of guarding the respect of human rights of all in case of disasters; to support an active participation of the Commission in the ongoing debate on Protection Gaps and Responses launched by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the framework of the 2010 High Commissioner's Dialogue on Protection Challenges which aims at improving the existing international protection framework for forcibly displaced and stateless people,
Amendment 38 #
2011/0415(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10 a (new)
Recital 10 a (new)
(10a) The common set of rules and procedures should be consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which entered into forced for the Union on 22 January 2010 pursuant to Council decision 2010/48 of 26 November 2009 concerning the conclusion, by the Community, of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities1, and the European Disability Strategy2. ______________ 1 OJ L 23, 27.1.2010, p. 35. 2 COM(2010)0636.
Amendment 50 #
2011/0415(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Appropriate screening on the implementation of the UNCRPD, including accessibility, non discrimination and support of disabled people's organizations, shall be undertaken at project level. The involvement of interested stakeholders shall be ensured.
Amendment 55 #
2011/0415(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Support measures shall ensure that accessibility criteria for disabled people are observed.
Amendment 56 #
2011/0415(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Supported actions shall ensure that accessibility criteria for disabled people are observed
Amendment 62 #
2011/0415(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point f a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point f a (new)
(fa) Global grants can ensure small size projects for vulnerable groups.
Amendment 63 #
2011/0415(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point f a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point f a (new)
(fa) Global grants can ensure small size projects for vulnerable groups.
Amendment 69 #
2011/0415(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 6 – point e a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 6 – point e a (new)
(ea) Ensure participation of civil society, including organizations of people with disabilities as stated in Article 4.3 of UNCRPD. Capacity building shall be promoted to ensure full participation.
Amendment 82 #
2011/0415(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 8
Article 8 – paragraph 8
8. Tenderers, applicants and candidates who have been awarded contracts shall respect applicable environmental legislation including multilateral environmental agreements as well as, internationally agreed core labour standards and the principles of non discrimination and accessibility for people with disabilities.
Amendment 83 #
2011/0415(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 8
Article 8 – paragraph 8
8. Tenderers, applicants and candidates who have been awarded contracts shall respect applicable environmental legislation including multilateral environmental agreements as well as internationally agreed core labour standards, and the principles of non discrimination and accessibility for people with disabilities.
Amendment 96 #
2011/0415(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 14 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Reporting on the Human rights actions and specifically in civil society and implementation of the UNCRPD.
Amendment 92 #
2011/0412(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19 a (new)
Recital 19 a (new)
(19a) The actions should be consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) that entered into forced for the EU on 22nd January 2010, the Council decision (2010/48), the EU ACP Joint Parliamentary Assembly Resolution on the Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Developing Countries, and with and the European Disability Strategy.
Amendment 94 #
2011/0412(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) enhancing the respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international and regional human rights instruments, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and strengthening their protection, promotion and monitoring, mainly through support to relevant civil society organisations, human rights defenders and victims of repression and abuse;
Amendment 108 #
2011/0412(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i
(i) promoting freedom of association and assembly, unhindered movement of persons, freedom of opinion and expression, including artistic and cultural expression, free press and independent pluralistic media, both traditional and ICT based, internet freedom and measures to combat administrative obstacles as well as physical barriers hindering accessibility to the exercise of these freedoms, including the fight against censorship;
Amendment 120 #
2011/0412(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point vi a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point vi a (new)
(via) promoting the equal participation of people with disabilities in social, economic and political life, and supporting equality of opportunity non discrimination, and the participation and political representation;
Amendment 125 #
2011/0412(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point i
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point i
(i) the abolition of the death penalty, prevention of torture, ill-treatment and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, including forced institutionalization of disabled people, and rehabilitation of victims of torture;
Amendment 136 #
2011/0412(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point viii
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point viii
(viii) the rights of persons with disabilities, as proclaimed in the Convention on the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol;
Amendment 143 #
2011/0412(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii
(ii) fostering cooperation by civil society with international and regional intergovernmental organisations, and supporting civil society activities, including capacity building of NGOs representing vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities and women, aimed at promoting and monitoring the implementation of international and regional instruments concerning human rights, justice, the rule of law and democracy;
Amendment 144 #
2011/0412(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii
(ii) fostering cooperation by civil society with international and regional intergovernmental organisations, and supporting civil society activities, including capacity building of NGOs representing vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities and women, aimed at promoting and monitoring the implementation of international and regional instruments concerning human rights, justice, the rule of law and democracy;
Amendment 72 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) The Union seeks to promote, develop and consolidate the values of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, principles of equality and non discrimination, participation of civil society and nongovernmental organizations and the rule of law on which it is founded through dialogue and cooperation with third countries.
Amendment 133 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) Gender equality and, anti- discrimination and accessibility for disabled people should be a cross-cutting objective in all actions undertaken under this Regulation.
Amendment 168 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) achieving progressive integration into the Union internal market and enhanced sector and cross-sectoral co-operation including through legislative approximation and regulatory convergence towards Union and other relevant international standards, related institution building and investments, notably in interconnectionconventions and standards, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, related institution building and investments, notably in interconnections and full accessibility for people with reduced mobility and disabilities;
Amendment 218 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. Union support provided under this Regulation to each partner country shall be differentiated in form and amounts according to the partner country's commitment to reforms and its progress in implementing these reforms. Such differentiation shall reflect the level of ambition of the country's partnership with the Union, its progress in building deep and sustainable democracy, its progress in implementing agreed reform objectives, the country's needs and capacities, its progress in participation of civil society and non governmental organisations and the potential impact of Union support.
Amendment 226 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. Union support under this Regulation shall, in principle, be established in partnership with the beneficiaries. The partnership shall involve as appropriate, national, regional and local authorities, other stakeholders, civil society, non governmental organizations (including vulnerable groups such as disabled people) social partners and other non-state actors in preparing, implementing and monitoring Union support.
Amendment 257 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 7 – indent 3 a (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 7 – indent 3 a (new)
- not compliance with international legally binding instruments concluded by the Union such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Amendment 111 #
2011/0404(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21 a (new)
Recital 21 a (new)
(21a) The actions should be consistent with United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) that entered into forced for the Union on 22nd January 2011, Council Decision No 2010/48 and the European Disability Strategy. The IPA should reflect the Union's commitment and ambitions of the external relations chapter of the Union's Disability Strategy, where it promotes the rights of people with disabilities in the Union's enlargement programmes.
Amendment 112 #
2011/0404(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21 a (new)
Recital 21 a (new)
(21a) The actions should be consistent with United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) that entered into forced for the Union on 22nd January 2011, Council Decision No 2010/48 and the European Disability Strategy. The IPA should reflect the Union's commitment and ambitions of the external relations chapter of the Union's Disability Strategy, where it promotes the rights of people with disabilities in the Union's enlargement programmes.
Amendment 118 #
2011/0404(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point ii
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point ii
(ii). promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, enhanced respect for minority rights, promotion of gender equality, social inclusion and the rights of persons with disabilities, non- discrimination and freedom of the press, and promotion of good neighbourly relations;
Amendment 137 #
2011/0404(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point v
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point v
(v) development of physical capital, the improvement of connections with Union and regional networks, including accessible environment to increase physical mobility of people with reduced mobility.
Amendment 138 #
2011/0404(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point v
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point v
(v) development of physical capital, the improvement of connections with Union and regional networks, including accessible environment to increase physical mobility of people with reduced mobility.
Amendment 161 #
2011/0404(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. The implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities, including the principles of non discrimination, accessibility for persons with reduced mobility, de-institutionalization and participation of representative NGOs, shall be ensured under all policy areas. The building of the capacities of vulnerable groups enabling them to participate in and access the instrument shall also be ensured.
Amendment 162 #
2011/0404(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. The implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities, including the principles of non discrimination, accessibility for persons with reduced mobility and participation of representative NGOs, shall be ensured under all policy areas. The building of the capacities of vulnerable groups enabling them to participate in and access the instrument shall also be ensured.
Amendment 3 #
2010/2233(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)
Citation 9 a (new)
- having regard to the European Parliament's Rocard Report entitled Reform in the Arab world: what strategy should the EU follow? (INI/2006/2172)
Amendment 6 #
2010/2233(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the Gulf region has to be seen today in terms of the emergence of a new global economic hub comprising the member states of the GCC, notes that the EU is the second largest trade partner of the GCC and that the GCC is the fifth largest export market for the EU,
Amendment 9 #
2010/2233(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas its geopolitical environment makes the Gulf a focus of security challenges that have global and regional implications (the stabilisation of Iraq, Iran's nuclear programme, Islamistthe search for peace in the Middle East, the continuing threat of terrorism, piracy and the situation in Yemen) and the GCC currently remains the only stable regional organisation based on multilateralism and cooperation,
Amendment 34 #
2010/2233(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Draws attention to the social and political developments that have taken place in recent years in most countries in the Gulf; encourages the Gulf states to sustain and extend their efforts to promote human rights, gender equality, the right to work – including for migrant workers – and freedom of expression and opinion; invites the Gulf states to listen to the voices of civil society and to support the emergence of local structures and associations; in relation to Migrant workers calls for necessary reforms to be made to extend comprehensive protections to domestic workers and to ensure enforcement of the labour laws with respect to all workers, as well as promoting women's entry into the labour force as equals;
Amendment 36 #
2010/2233(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Calls on GCC governments to work together and in a spirit of cooperation to tackle human rights concerns in the region especially in relation to equality of the sexes, the situation of the "bidun" group of stateless persons, restrictions to freedom of expression and assembly including trade union rights and the need to ensure the independence of the judiciary and the right to fair and speedy trials; Calls for the proposed increases in political dialogue with the GCC to include dialogue on human rights at a technical and political level;
Amendment 41 #
2010/2233(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Restates EU opposition to the use of the death penalty in all cases and our call for a global moratorium on the use of the death penalty; deplores in this regard the continuing retention of the death penalty by all Member States of the GCC including in some cases the execution of juveniles; particularly calls on those states which use barbaric methods such as beheading and crucifixion to abolish this practice;
Amendment 54 #
2010/2233(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. eExpresses its concern at seeing the Gulf region caught up in an arms race; asks the EU to initiate a strategic dialogue with the GCC states on regional security issues of common interest (Iran's nuclear capability, the stabilisation of Iraq, Islamistthe continuing threat of terrorism and the internal conflict in Yemen, the Middle East Peace Process) and, ultimately, to contribute to building a regional security structure in the Middle East in partnership with the Gulf states; Welcomes the mediation efforts of GCC countries and the leadership of GCC countries within the Saudi Arabian led Arab Peace Initiative; recognises the GCC states’ support for Palestinian refugees (currently home to some 241,000 Palestinians); their support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA); calls for jointly renewed efforts by the EU and the GCC to bring about a negotiated end to the occupation of the Palestinian Territories and provide full support towards a two state solution to the Israel/Palestine conflict;
Amendment 68 #
2010/2233(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Notes that education is a national priority in the GCC countries, with high levels of need in terms of human resources (there are not enough teachers), course content (which has not kept pace with changing labour markets) and syllabus quality (teaching methods and materials are out of date); asks that the authorities‘ efforts to address these shortcomings be actively supported and proposes cooperation on an ambitious scale in higher, secondary and primary education to promote greater access to education for both men and women;
Amendment 2 #
2010/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)
Citation 4 a (new)
Amendment 10 #
2010/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 23 a (new)
Citation 23 a (new)
- Having regard to its resolutions in 2007 on Corporate Social Responsibility "Corporate Social Responsibility - A New Partnership" 2006/2133, in 2002 on the "Commission Green Paper on promoting a European framework for corporate social responsibility " 2002/0278 and in 1998 the "European criteria for European companies operating in developing countries LDCs towards a European code of conduct" 1999/0039
Amendment 38 #
2010/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas there are strong voices stating that corporate social responsibility (CSR) codes do not sufficiently guarantee that actions and behaviour of multinational companies are in accordance with the non- binding CSR documents, and that business associations accept the findings of the UN Secretary General's Special Representative on Business and Human Rights that there should be a 'smart mix' of voluntary and regulatory approaches to CSR.
Amendment 43 #
2010/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas the adoption of a directive regulating CSR and enforcing its respect should become a reality at EU level,European Parliament has consistently supported a revision to the Fourth Company Law Directive in order to bring about mandatory integrated social, environmental and human rights reporting by business.
Amendment 50 #
2010/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas globalisation facilitates the free movement of enterprises, notably of multinational companies, between Member States and even to partner countries, and the OECD Guidelines represent the foremost international standard to apply global social, environmental and human rights standards directly to business.
Amendment 89 #
2010/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Advocates that the Union refrain from trade agreements with countries with production facilities in export processing zones, and at the same time considers exceptionally alarming the growing number of agency workers and their exploitation in the industrial zones in some Member States; and ensures that all new trade agreements refer to the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprise
Amendment 120 #
2010/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls upon all Member States to respect and to promote the core labour standards of the ILO; requests that clear benchmarks on respect for workers‘ rights and universal human rights be clearly set out as an insurmountable precondition for fair and mutually beneficial trade agreements; urges the Commission and the Member States to make the elimination of child labour and respect for child rights a priority in trade agreements, dialogues with other countries and in development cooperation and notes that the private sector has a key role to play in respecting children's rights"
Amendment 140 #
2010/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Recalls the EU guidelines on various human rights issues, which represent a strong political signal that these are priorities for the Union; asks the Council therefore to adopt similar guidelines based on the four core ILO conventions, to be used as a pragmatic instrument of the EU that helps to better advance the Union's external social policy; reiterates that respect for international human rights law remains a binding obligation on all companies according to the Universal Declaration;
Amendment 151 #
2010/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24 a. Calls on the European Commission and Member States to seek to ensure the strengthening of the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprise in its current update, maintaining and enhancing its application to 'specific instances', and introducing best practice for 'National Contact Points' (NCPs) including a review of how the European Union could better undertake its obligations on NCP through the delegations of the European External Action Service.
Amendment 11 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38a (subheading)
Paragraph 38a (subheading)
Amendment 192 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42a (new subheading)
Paragraph 42a (new subheading)
Discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation
Amendment 209 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48a (new)
Paragraph 48a (new)
Amendment 234 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66a (subheading)
Paragraph 66a (subheading)
Freedom of religion andthought, religion conscience or belief
Amendment 304 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
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 #
2010/2202(INI)
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;
Amendment 268 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Expresses its concerns on the remarkable deepening of relations between Iran and EU accession candidate Turkey; asks the Council and the Commission to discuss the Turkish attitude towards Iran with their counterparts in Ankara; calls on the Turkish authorities to follow the European approach towards the Iranian nuclear threat; calls on the EU instRecognizes the role of Turkey as an influential regional actor and commends its efforts at promoting regional stability and cooperation; welcomes the initiative of Turkey and Brazil to reach a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear impasse; encourages Turkey to include the situations to do their utmost to sever the lines between Teheran and Syria, Hezbollah and Hamas of human rights in Iran in its dialogue with Iran;
Amendment 1 #
2009/2219(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Calls on the European Union to uphold the principles of managed and fair trade, which have characterised the development of its own countries and of successful developing countries, including the Asian tigers, rejecting protectionism or any attempt to undermine the legitimate comparative advantages of developing countries that do not undermine human and trade union rights, but applying a different interpretation of WTO Article XXIV than at present to allow for the exemption of vulnerable manufacturing and other sectors from trade agreements where this is justified;
Amendment 8 #
2009/2219(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Insists that, whilst working effectively with the ILO and other treaty bodies, the Commission should continue to meet its responsibility to evaluate the impact of trade negotiations on social, environmental and human rights and to consult trade unions as recognised social partners, and environmental and social NGOs from the EU and third countries in a transparent manner at all stages throughout the process of negotiating and implementing trade agreements, guaranteeing them a clear right to raise violations for consideration and action by the Commission itself;
Amendment 12 #
2009/2219(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls for future trade agreements and the GSP+ regulation revision to overcome existing weaknesses in consistency, transparency and procedural fairness by applying transparent criteria and benchmarks concerning labour, environmental and human rights compliance in partner countries, including any specific recommendations for improvements, where necessary;
Amendment 13 #
2009/2219(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the use of Sustainability Impact Assessments, but deplores failures to act fully on their findings, as in west Africa; in, the case of Colombia; emphasisesMediterranean countries and in Colombia; calls for greater emphasis on using the EU's leverage to pursue concrete improvements in respect for labour and human rights in advance of the finalisation of trade agreements, as well as during their subsequent implementation;
Amendment 18 #
2009/2219(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Recognises that current and future trade agreements are being negotiated in the context of an economic depression; that off-shoring accounts for a high proportion of job losses which is projected to increase the number of people unemployed in OECD countries by eight million in two years; that off-shoring accounts for a high proportion of job losses, for example in Ireland and Portugal (one in four), Denmark (one in six) and Estonia and Slovenia (one in seven); and that EU trade policy should seek to prevent an excessive or over-rapid decline in EU market share and employment levels in any given sector; calls for trade agreements to be concluded in the light of the scope for the EU's Globalisation Adjustment Fund to provide adequate levels of assistance towards consequential restructuring;
Amendment 22 #
2009/2219(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the EU's trade negotiations to promote obligations as well as rights for investors and businesses, as laid down in the 'Heiligendamm Process’, initiated by the former German Presidency with the ILO, OECD and UN, and for all trade agreements to requireaim at compliance with the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises, the ILO Tripartite Declaration on Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy, the UN Global Compact and the Recommendations of the UN Special Representative on Business and Human Rights;
Amendment 25 #
2009/2219(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls for complaints about social problems to be the subject of genuinely independent expert decisions, follow-up and review; ; their recommendations must be part of a defined process which makes for suitably rapid treatment of the issues raised, such that the experts' deliberations are not limited to the issue of reports and recommendations, but result in ongoing follow-up and review provisions, particularly in order to maintain pressure on any governments that allow violations of workers' rights on their territories;
Amendment 30 #
2009/2219(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Insists that any inclusion in trade agreements of 'Mode IV' on temporary movement of labour should be made subject to compliance with core labour standards, national labour standards and collective agreements in partner countries;
Amendment 33 #
2009/2219(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls for the EU to support the extension of the WTO trade policy review mechanism to cover the trade-related aspects of sustainable development, including compliance with core labour standards, the amendment of the 'Definition of a Subsidy' in the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures, with a view to ensuring compliance with core labour standards and respect for human rights in export-processing zones and for the EU's Geneva Delegation to revive and maintain the 'friends of labour' informal grouping it established to promote labour standards in the WTO.
Amendment 69 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. In order to complete the first phase, firmly supports the resumption of negotiations on the EU-Mercosur Association Agreement, the conclusion of negotiations on the EU-Central America Association Agreement and the multi- party trade agreement between the EU and the countries of the Andean Community, before the Madrid summit, the revision of the 2003 political and cooperation agreement with the Andean Community before the Madrid summit and the deepening of the existing Association Agreements with Mexico and Chile;
Amendment 4 #
2009/2201(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas CSR represents an essential component of the European Social Model, and the need to promote CSR has been recognised in the European Commission Communication on the EU2020 Strategy as a key element in ensuring long term employee and consumer trust;
Amendment 6 #
2009/2201(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas CSR can help hthe UN Human Rights Council mandate on Business and Human rRights in developing countrand its "Protect, Respect and Remedy" Framework currently being operationalised by Professor John Ruggie due for final report in 2011, aims to provide concrete guidance to states, businesses and other social actors on respect for human rights in their activities,
Amendment 48 #
2009/2201(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the promotion of CSR internationally, and calls on the Commission to integrate CSR better in its trade policies and to draw up more binding rules on Environmental Social and Governance reporting standards for the promotion of better and more widespread disclosure for European companies operating in developing countries directly or through subcontractortheir supply chains;
Amendment 50 #
2009/2201(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Calls on the EU's trade negotiations to promote obligations as well as rights for investors and businesses, as laid down in the 'Heiligendamm Process’, initiated by the former German Presidency with the ILO, OECD and UN; and for all trade agreements to seek compliance with the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises, the ILO Tripartite Declaration on Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy, the UN Global Compact and the Recommendations of the UN Special Representative on Business and Human Rights;
Amendment 51 #
2009/2201(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7 b. Notes the vital role for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises in trade agreements; considering the EU's additional responsibilities on trade under the Lisbon Treaty considers any beneficiary from EU investment facilities should be asked to respect the OECD Guidelines; gives its support to the current process towards an update of the OECD Guidelines and considers that the review must look outwardly and be part of promoting CSR standards globally; the update should develop more elaborated guidance on the application of the Guidelines to human rights, including a separate chapter of the Guidelines, drawing, in particular, on the work of the UN Special Representative on Business and Human Rights;
Amendment 12 #
2009/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. Whereas the European Parliament plays an important role as regards the promotion andof human rights and democracy, including protection of human rightstheir defenders, through delegations to third countries, hearings, resolutions, letters and not the least the Sakharov Prize,;
Amendment 45 #
2009/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Reminds that implementation by the EU missions of the guidelines on human rights defenders has so far been unsatisfactory, but through and calls on the Commission to undertake an in-depth analysis to ensure that this issue will be addressed; notes, in this regard, that as a consequence of the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty, Commission delegations in third countries will now have a rare opportunity to address this issue as they become Union delegations, with an increasingly important role in terms of representation of the EU and the implementation of the human rights policy; reiterates therefore its call to systematically appoint to each country a highly qualified political official with a specific responsibility on human rights and democracy, and to integrate guidelines on human rights and their implementation in EU mission staff training programmes, job descriptions and appraisal processes;
Amendment 75 #
2009/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14a (new)
Paragraph 14a (new)
14a. Reminds that the European Parliament’s delegations, as responsible bodies of the EP relations with third countries, could play an even more substantial role in the effort to help human right defenders, pursuant to the specific guidelines for human rights and democracy actions of MEPs in their visits to third countries,
Amendment 13 #
2009/2133(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 – point b
Paragraph 5 – point b
(b) the EEAS must deal with the CFSP and the common security and defence policy (CSDP) and with the tasks and policies; it must also deal with the European Neighbourhood Policy and with those Community policies concerning human rights, security and conflict prevention which are currently dealt with by the Directorate- General for External Relations (DG Relex) in the Commission; the EEAS should have geographical desks covering the entire world; in addition, the High Representative should present a comprehensive proposal on how other major external action-related policies will be organised in the new institutional set- up; however, enlargement, trade, development and humanitarian aid togetrade should maintain their constitute a substantial part of the EU's overall external policies; there are compelling reasons to include development policy in the new servicown separate identity and focus within the European Commission; there are compelling reasons to maintain combined responsibility for development policy programming and implementation under a single Development Commissioner, but with co-signatory rights on programming being granted to the High Representative;
Amendment 26 #
2009/2133(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 – point d
Paragraph 5 – point d
(d) the High Representative should pay particular attention to recruitment and staff issues, asnd the EEAS will encompassmust indeed be created by equitably recruiting new staff from each of the Commission, from the Council and from the Member States; for the EEAS to become a professional diplomatic service it will need to be adequately resourced and staffed on the basis of merit and with respect for the appropriate selection procedures and an adequate geographical balance;
Amendment 38 #
2009/2133(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes that, while the EU delegations in third countries will complement existing diplomatic representations of the Member States, there will be possibilities for long- term gains in efficiency, as the future EU delegation could in many cases take over consular services and deal with Schengen visa issues where this is agreed to by the Member States;
Amendment 61 #
2008/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
5. Is convinced that the TEC, as the body responsible for enhancing economic integration and regulatory cooperation, should be included in the new agreement; welcomes the fact that the TEC is advised by a range of stakeholders, including representatives of business, and asks that a comparable role be given to representatives of the trade union movement on each side of the Atlantic;
Amendment 2 #
2008/2152(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Supports the European Commission's efforts to help Afghanistan and calls on the EC to maintain this commitment in the future and to work closer with the UN and the World Bank to ensure that the Commission's contribution to the Trust Funds is managed transparently; urges the EC to keep Parliament adequately informed;
Amendment 5 #
2008/2152(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Believes that the priorities outlined in the EC Country Strategy Paper (2007- 2013) are in line with Afghan society's needs; underlines the need to focus particular attention on policereform of the criminal justice system, including the police, detention practices and the judicial reformry, as key elements for rebuilding the trust of Afghan citizens in their state of law; calls for an equitable distribution of resources throughout the country according to assessed socio-economic need and not according to other priorities;
Amendment 15 #
2008/2152(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the efforts of the Afghan authorities to improve their management and financial mechanisms, which would lead to Afghan ownership, but believes that a more concerted effort is needed for this process to become sustainable; stresses the need for Afghanistan's institutions to continue to fight corruption and to put in place effective policies to improve social conditions for the population, education and health for the population, and for particular attention to be given to ways of including marginalised groups and women in decision-making structures;
Amendment 17 #
2008/2152(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Welcomes the Commission's intention to target governance as one of three priority sectors in the period until 2013, but calls for specific support for the promotion of human rights, including freedom of expression, and for fresh impetus to be given to transitional justice in accordance with the Afghan Government's Action Plan for peace, justice and reconciliation;
Amendment 18 #
2008/2152(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Noting the intention to transfer Commission funding for basic health care to the Afghan Ministry of Health, stresses that any increased funding directed through the Afghan Government must be accompanied by capacity-building and clear expectation criteria, including specific support to democratic governance at sub-national level;
Amendment 19 #
2008/2152(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Recognising the importance of the Provincial Reconstruction Teams and the work of the Afghan security forces, nevertheless recognises the challenge for aid effectiveness when it comes to promoting development in Afghanistan through civil-military institutions, and calls for maximum participation by Afghan non-governmental and civil society organisations, the Afghan Government and international agencies;
Amendment 20 #
2008/2152(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Recalls Parliament's initiative, under its 2008 budget, to support democracy- building with parliaments in third countries, and resolves to make use of these resources to improve the ability of the Afghan Parliament to legislate and, to monitor the executive branch. and to be fully representative of the Afghan people;
Amendment 21 #
2008/2152(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls for adequate funding for security costs in European Commission projects, in order to ensure both that aid workers are protected and that legitimate security management does not divert monies from project objectives and delivery;
Amendment 13 #
2008/2111(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas such coordination requires closer cooperation between the relevant Brussels-based working groups of the Council and the EU Offices and the Member States’ Permanent Representations in New York and Geneva,
Amendment 17 #
2008/2111(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point a
Paragraph 1 – point a
(a) calls for the Union’s political priorities for the next UN General Assembly session to be the subject of an in-depth, wide- ranging debate in Brussels, with the active involvement of the European Parliament and civil society, and to be spelt out in a formal position of the Council,
Amendment 34 #
2008/2111(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point l
Paragraph 1 – point l
(l) invites the Council to fully support the re-launch of negotiations aimed at implementing the recommendations of the High-Level Panel on System-wide Coherence, and calls on EU Member States to make full use of the Union’s collective leverage, as well as their own leverage, with regard to developing countries which are recipients of European or national assistance in order to secure their support for the overhaul of UN assistance delivery and the promotion of greater coherence between UN policies on the ground,
Amendment 52 #
2008/2111(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point q
Paragraph 1 – point q
(q) is concerned by recent comments on the work of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the impact these could have on the independence of the Office; reiterates its support for the Office and calls on EU Member States to closely monitor the procedure for the appointment of the new High Commissioner when the mandate of the current incumbent expires in June 2008, and to closely monitor the debate on the work of the High Commissioner in the Human Rights Council as well as on resources for the Office of the High Commissioner in the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly, so as to ensure that there is no interference with the independence of the Office and that the Office is granted all the financial resources needed to enable it to carry out its mandate in complete independence,
Amendment 94 #
2008/2111(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point y a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point y a (new)
(ya) calls on the Council to continue to give high priority to building successful cross-regional partnerships, in particular working with partners in all regions of the world to ensure effective implementation of UN General Assembly Resolution 62/149 calling for a worldwide moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty, and to establish an effective international arms trade treaty,
Amendment 12 #
2008/0268(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 6
Recital 6
Amendment 14 #
2008/0268(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) EIB Financing Operations should be consistent with and support the Community's external policies including specific regional objectives and should contribute to the general objective of promoting and consolidating democracy and the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and to the observance of international environmental agreements to which the Community or its Member States are parties. In relation to developing countries in particular, EIB Financing Operations shall foster sustainable economic and social development of these countries, more particularly in the most disadvantaged amongst them; their smooth and gradual integration into the world economy; the campaign against poverty; the general objective of developing and consolidating democracy and the rule of law; the general objective of respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms; as well as compliance with objectives approved by the Community in the context of the United Nations and other competent international organisations. By ensuring overall coherence with Community actions, EIB financing should be complementary to corresponding Community assistance policies, programs and instruments in the different regions. Moreover, the protection of the environment and energy security of the Member States should form part of the EIB's financing objectives in all eligible regions. EIB Financing Operations should take place in countries complying with appropriate conditionality consistent with Community high level agreements on political and macro-economic aspects.
Amendment 22 #
2008/0268(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) EIB financing in the Asian and Latin American countries will be progressively aligned with the EU cooperation strategy in those regions and be complementary to instruments financed by Community budgetary resources. The EIB should endeavour to progressively expand its activities across a larger number of countries in those regions, including in the less prosperous countries. In support of Community objectives, EIB financing in the Asian and Latin American countries should focus on environmental sustainability (including climate change mitigation) and energy security projects, on the goals of Community policy in the sphere of development cooperation as well as the continued support of EU presence in Asia and Latin America through Foreign Direct Investment, and the transfer of technology and know how. Taking into account cost-efficiency, the EIB should be able to work also directly with local companies, in particular in the field of environmental sustainability and energy security. The mid-term review will re- examine the objectives of the EIB financing in Asia and Latin America.
Amendment 23 #
2008/0268(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) In Central Asia, the EIB should focus on major energy supply and energy transport projects which also serve Community energy interests and are consistent with and support the Community policy objectives of diversification of energy sources and the Kyoto requirements, the goals of Community policy in the sphere of development cooperation and of enhancement of environmental protection. EIB financing in Central Asia should be carried out in close cooperation with the EBRD, in particular according to the terms set out in a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding between the Commission, the EIB and the EBRD.
Amendment 24 #
2008/0268(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) To complement the EIB activities under the Cotonou Agreement for the ACP countries, in South Africa the EIB should focus on infrastructure projects of public interest (including municipal infrastructure, power and water supply) and private sector support, including SMEs, as well as on the goals of Community policy in the sphere of development cooperation. The implementation of the provisions on economic cooperation under the EU-South Africa Trade and Development Cooperation Agreement will further promote EIB activities in this region.
Amendment 25 #
2008/0268(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) With a view to enhancing the coherence of overall Community support in the regions concerned, opportunities should be sought to combine EIB financing with Community budgetary resources as appropriate, in the form of grant support, risk capital and interest rate subsidies, alongside technical assistance for project preparation, implementation or enhancement of the legal and regulatory framework and project standards, through the IPA, the ENPI, the Instrument for Stability, the EIDHR, the EIR, the WCD and, for South Africa, the DCI.
Amendment 45 #
2008/0268(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 3
Article 3
1. The consistency of EIB external actions with the external policy objectives of the Community, including the Community policy in the sphere of development cooperation, shall be strengthened with a view to maximising synergies of EIB financing and budgetary resources of the European Union, notably through regular and systematic dialogue and early consultation on: (a) strategic documents prepared by the Commission, such as country and regional strategy papers, action plans and pre- accession documents; (b) the EIB's strategic planning documents and project pipelines; (c) other policy and operational aspects. 2. The cooperation shall be carried out on a regionally differentiated basis, taking into consideration the EIB's role as well as the policies of the Community in each region. The EIB shall contribute, under the terms laid down in its Statute, to the implementation of the measures necessary to further the objectives of the Community's development cooperation policy. 3. An EIB Financing Operation will not be included under the cover of the Community guarantee in case the Commission delivers a negative opinion on such operation within the framework of the procedure provided for in Article 21 of the Statutes of the EIB. 4. The consistency of EIB Financing Operations with the external policy objectives of the Community, including the Community policy in the sphere of development cooperation, shall be monitored in accordance with Article 6.
Amendment 48 #
2008/0268(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 6 − paragraph 1
Article 6 − paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall report annually to the European Parliament and the Council on the EIB Financing Operations carried out under this Decision. The report shall include an assessment of impact and effectiveness of EIB Financing Operations at project, sector, country and regional level as well as the contribution of the EIB Financing Operations to the fulfilment of the external policy objectives of the Community, including Community policy in the sphere of development cooperation, taking into account the operational objectives of the EIB. It shall also include an assessment of the extent of cooperation between the EIB and the Commission and between the EIB and other IFIs and bilateral donors.
Amendment 49 #
2008/0268(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 6 − paragraph 2
Article 6 − paragraph 2
2. For the purposes of paragraph 1, the EIB shall provide the Commission with yearly reports of EIB Financing Operations carried out under this Decision and of the fulfilment of the external policy objectives of the Community, including Community policy in the sphere of development cooperation, including cooperation with other IFIs.
Amendment 62 #
2008/0268(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Annex II
Annex II
Amendment 5 #
2008/0171(CNS)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 3 September 2003 on the Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament 'Towards a United Nations legally binding instrument to promote and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities'1, ______________ 1 OJ C 76 E, 25.3.2004, p. 231.
Amendment 13 #
2008/0171(CNS)
Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Urges the Commission and the Member States actively to involve the organisations of persons with disabilities in the monitoring process of the Convention, pursuant to Article 4 and Article 33(2) thereof;
Amendment 15 #
2008/0171(CNS)
Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Member Sates and the Commission to ensure free access to and dissemination of information concerningabout the UN Convention and the Optional Protocol for European citizensin a form that is accessible to citizens of the Union and forto organisations of people with disabilities at European and national level;
Amendment 3 #
2008/0170(CNS)
Proposal for a decision
Citation 5 a (new)
Citation 5 a (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 3 September 2003 on the Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament 'Towards a United Nations legally binding instrument to promote and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities'1, ______________ 1 OJ C 76 E, 25.3.2004, p. 231.
Amendment 12 #
2008/0170(CNS)
Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Approves conclusion of the UN Convention and calls for the withdrawal of the reservation concerning Article 27(1) thereof;
Amendment 15 #
2008/0170(CNS)
Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Calls the Commission to use Article 3 of the EC Treaty as a basis for defining the extent of Community competencies in respect of the Convention that are listed in the Declaration of the European Community on the application of Article 44(1) of the Convention, set out in Annex 2 of the draft Council Decision; stresses the utmost importance of highlighting development cooperation, health and consumer affairs in the application of the Declaration;
Amendment 18 #
2008/0170(CNS)
Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Urges all Member States to proceed rapidly and without reservations to ratification of the UN Convention and put its content into effect in advance of completion of the ratification process;
Amendment 20 #
2008/0170(CNS)
Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines the importance of equipping the Commission with all necessary financial and human resources to enable it to serve as a focal point in respect of matters falling within the Community'’s competence, relating to the implementation of UN Conventhe Convention; calls for establishment of a procedure that would enable an adequate overview of all policies that inform the implementation of the Convention; requests the Commission to report to Parliament and the Council regularly on the progress in implementation;
Amendment 25 #
2008/0170(CNS)
Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls on the Member States to pay special attention to the establishment of an independent monitoring mechanism pursuant to Article 33(2) of the Convention;
Amendment 26 #
2008/0170(CNS)
Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Urges the Commission and the Member States actively to involve the organisations of persons with disabilities in the monitoring and implementation process of the Convention, pursuant to Article 4 and Article 33(2) of the Convention;
Amendment 31 #
2008/0170(CNS)
Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8.Calls on the Member Sates and the Commission to ensure free access to and free dissemination of information about the UN Convention for European citizensin a form that is accessible to citizens of the Union and forto organisations of people with disabilities at EuropeanU and national level;
Amendment 21 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 2 a (new)
Recital 2 a (new)
(2a) This Directive is one means by which the European Community is complying with its obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and should be interpreted in that light.
Amendment 22 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 2 b (new)
Recital 2 b (new)
Amendment 26 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) Therefore, legislation should prohibit discrimination based on religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation or on a combination of grounds in a range of areas outside the labour market, including social protection, education and access to and supply of goods and services, including housing. It should provide for measures to ensure the equal access of persons with disabilities to the areas covered.
Amendment 28 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 9 a (new)
Recital 9 a (new)
(9a) Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with attitudinal or environmental barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.
Amendment 29 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 9 a (new)
Recital 9 a (new)
(9a) Effective non-discriminatory access can be provided by a variety of means, including through 'design for all' and through facilitating the use of assistive devices by persons with disabilities, including aids to mobility and access, such as recognised guide dogs and other assistance dogs.
Amendment 31 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) The right to equality before the law and protection against discrimination for all persons constitutes a universal right recognised by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women, the International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination, the United Nations Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the UN Convention on the Rights of the child, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and the European Social Charter, to which [all] Member States are signatories. In particular, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities includes the denial of reasonable accommodation in its definition of discrimination.
Amendment 31 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) In implementing the principle of equal treatment irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientationAs discrimination can occur on multiple grounds, in implementing the principle of equal treatment, the Community should, in accordance with Articles 3(2) and 13 of the EC Treaty, aim to eliminate inequalities, and to promote equality between men and women, especially since women are often the victims relating to sex, race or ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief or age, or a combination of these, and to promote equality, whatever combination of characteristics relating to sex, race or ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief or age, a person may have. When implementing the provisions of this Directive, Member States should take into account the problem of multiple discrimination.
Amendment 33 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) The right to equality before the law and protection against discrimination for all persons constitutes a universal right recognised by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women, the International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination, the United Nations Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, article 14 and Optional Protocol 12 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and the European Social Charter, to which [all] Member States are signatories. In particular, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities includes the denial of reasonable accommodation in its definition of discrimination.
Amendment 33 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) Actuarial and risk factors related to disability and to age are used in the provision of insurance, banking and other financial services. These should not be regarded as constituting discrimination where the factors are shown to be key factors for the assessment of riskreflect the positive changes in life expectancy and active ageing as well as increased mobility and accessibility for people with disabilities, and not operate as blanket discrimination on these grounds. The assessment of risk must conclusively justify a finding of significantly higher risks, using recent, accurate, regularly updated and published statistical and actuarial data.
Amendment 37 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) This Directive respects the fundamental rights and observes the fundamental principles recognised in particular by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Article 10 of the Charter recognises the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; Article 20 provides everyone is equal before the law; Article 21 prohibits discrimination, including on grounds of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation; and Article 26 acknowledges the right of persons with disabilities to benefit from measures designed to ensure their independence.
Amendment 39 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) While prohibiting discrimination, it is important to respect other fundamental rights and freedoms, including the protection of private and family life and transactions carried out in that context, the freedom of religion, and the freedom of association. This Directive is without prejudice to national laws on marital or family status, including on reproductive rights. It is also without prejudice to the secular nature of the State, state institutions or bodies, or education.
Amendment 40 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) The European Years of Persons with Disabilities in 2003, of Equal Opportunities for All in 2007, and of Intercultural Dialogue in 2008 have highlighted the persistence of discrimination but also the need to promote the benefits of diversity.
Amendment 41 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 7 a (new)
Recital 7 a (new)
(7a) Discrimination based on religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation may undermine the achievement of the objectives of the EC Treaty, in particular the attainment of a high level of employment and of social protection, the raising of the standard of living and quality of life, economic and social cohesion and solidarity. It may also undermine the objective of developing the European Union as an area of freedom, security and justice.
Amendment 42 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 7 b (new)
Recital 7 b (new)
(7b) Effective legal procedures must be available to deal with situations of multiple discrimination that is where discrimination occurs on two or more grounds listed in Articles 12 and 13 EC. In particular national legal procedures shall ensure that a complainant can raise all aspects of a multiple discrimination claim in a single procedure.
Amendment 52 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 9 a (new)
Recital 9 a (new)
(9a) In this Directive, goods should be taken to be those within the meaning of the provisions of the Treaty establishing the European Community relating to the free movement of goods. Services should be taken to be those within the meaning of article 50 of the Treaty.
Amendment 52 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 - paragraph 5
Article 2 - paragraph 5
5. Denial of reasonable accommodation in a particular case as provided for by Article 4(1)(b) of the present Directive as regards persons with disabilities and young children shall be deemed to be discrimination within the meaning of paragraph 1.
Amendment 56 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 - paragraph 6
Article 2 - paragraph 6
6. Notwithstanding paragraph 2, Member States may provide that differences of treatment on grounds of age shall not constitute discrimination, if, within the context of national law, they are objectively justified by a legitimate aim, and if the means of achieving that aim are appropriortionate and necessary. In particular, this Directive shall not preclude measures aimed at protecting the rights of children or the fixing of a specific age for access to social benefits, and education, or for access to entitlements and benefits or to financial services and certain other goods or services, where these can be shown to be legitimate and proportionate.
Amendment 62 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 - paragraph 7
Article 2 - paragraph 7
7. Notwithstanding paragraph 2, in the provision of financial services Member States may permit proportionate differences in treatment where, for the product in question, the use of age or disability is a key factor in the assessment of risk based on relevant and accurate actuarial or statistical insurance, banking and other financial services, due regard must be given to increased life expectancy and active ageing, as well as increased mobility and accessibility for disabled people, and Member States may permit differences in treatment only on the grounds of age or disability where, for the product in question, that difference in treatment is objectively and conclusively justified and the assessment of risk is supported by relevant and accurate actuarial and statistical data, and where the service provider can objectively demonstrate significantly higher risks, by recent relevant and accurate statistical or actuarial data. Member States shall ensure that such data are published and regularly updataed.
Amendment 73 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 - paragraph 1 - point d - subparagraph 1
Article 3 - paragraph 1 - point d - subparagraph 1
(d) Access to and supply of goods and other services which are available to the public, including housing and transport.
Amendment 78 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 - paragraph 3
Article 3 - paragraph 3
3. This Directive is without prejudice to the responsibilities of Member States for the content of teaching, activities and the organisation of their educational systems, including the provision of special needs education. Member States shall ensure that, in determining which form of education or training is appropriate, the views of the person with a disability are respected. Where the person is a child or adult who is unable to represent himself, the views of their parents, guardians or designated advocates will be considered as a significant factor. Member States may provide for differences in treatment in accessdmission to educational institutions based on religion or belief.
Amendment 82 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 15 a (new)
Recital 15 a (new)
(15a) The award of contracts concluded in the Member States on behalf of the State, regional or local authorities and other bodies governed by public law entities, is subject to the respect of the principles of the Treaty and in particular to the principle of freedom of movement of goods, the principle of freedom of establishment and the principle of freedom to provide services and to the principles deriving therefrom, such as the principle of equal treatment, the principle of non discrimination, the principle of mutual recognition, the principle of proportionality and the principle of transparency. Legal requirements on the co-ordination of procedures for the award of public works contracts, public supply contracts and public service contracts having been laid down by the Directive 2004/18/EC, so that the award of contracts concluded in the Member States on behalf of the State, regional or local authorities and other bodies governed by public law entities, is subject to the respect of the principles of the EC Treaty and in particular to the principle of equal treatment irrespective of sex, race or ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief or age and the principle of non discrimination. However, for public contracts above a certain value, provisions of Community coordination of national procedures for the award of such contracts have been drawn up so as to guarantee the opening- up of public procurement to competition. Member States should interpret these coordinating provisions in accordance with the principles of equal treatment irrespective of sex, race or ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief or age and other rules of the Treaty.
Amendment 85 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) All individuals enjoy the freedom to contract, including the freedom to choose a contractual partner for a transaction. This Directive should not apply to economic transactions undertaken by individuals for whom these transactions do not constitute their professional or commercial activityIt is important, in the context of the access to and provision of goods and services, to respect the protection of private and family life and transactions carried out in this context.
Amendment 85 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 - paragraph 1 - point a
Article 4 - paragraph 1 - point a
(a) The measures necessary to enable persons with disabilities to have effective non-discriminatory access to social protection, social advantages, health care, education and access to and supply of goods and services which are available to the public, including housing and transport, shall be provided by anticipation, including through appropriate modifications or adjustments. Such measures should not impose a disproportionate burden, nor require fundamental alteration of the social protection, social advantages, health care, education, or, telecommunication and electronic communications, information including information provided in accessible formats, financial services, culture and leisure, buildings open to the public, transport modes and other public spaces and facilities, shall be provided by anticipation, including through appropriate modifications or adjustments. Where discrimination arises from practice, policy or procedure, measures need to be taken so that it no longer has that effect. Such measures should not impose a disproportionate burden, nor require fundamental alterations to the nature of the goods, services, trade, profession or business in question. An alteration is fundamental if it alters the goods andor services in question or require the provision of alternatives theretoor the nature of the trade, profession or business to the extent that the provider of the goods or services is effectively providing a completely different kind of goods or services.
Amendment 89 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 - paragraph 1 - point b
Article 4 - paragraph 1 - point b
Amendment 90 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 - paragraph 1 - point b a(new)
Article 4 - paragraph 1 - point b a(new)
(ba) For the purposes of paragraph 1, effective non-discriminatory access involves the identification and elimination of obstacles and barriers, whether attitudinal or environmental, and the prevention of new obstacles and barriers that hamper the access of persons with disabilities to goods, services and facilities available to the general public, irrespective of the nature of the obstacle, barrier or disability. Subject to the provisions of this Directive, and regardless of the measures chosen to remove the obstacles or barriers, effective non-discriminatory access for persons with disabilities must be provided under the same terms and conditions as for persons without disabilities wherever possible, and the use of assistive devices by persons with disabilities facilitated, including aids to mobility and access, such as recognised guide dogs and other assistance dogs wherever necessary. Where effective non-discriminatory access cannot be provided under the same terms and conditions, and subject to the provisions of this Directive, a meaningful alternative to ensure access must be provided.
Amendment 94 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 - paragraph 3
Article 4 - paragraph 3
3. This Directive shall be without prejudice to the provisions of Community law or national rules covering the accessibility of particular goods or services. However, wherever possible, Member States shall take measures to encourage providers of services and goods, in particular manufactured goods, to design accessible solutions, for instance through public procurement practices. Accessible products and services are those designed so that they can be used by all users, including disabled and older people.
Amendment 95 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 a (new)
Article 4 a (new)
Article 4a Young children’s access to public buildings and public transport 1. Member States shall ensure effective non-discriminatory access for young children to public buildings and public transport unless restrictions in access can be shown to be legitimate and proportionate. Notwithstanding this obligation and where necessary in a given case, reasonable accommodation shall be provided unless this would impose a disproportionate burden. 2. For the purposes of assessing whether measures necessary to comply with paragraph 1 would impose a disproportionate burden, account shall be taken, in particular, of the size and resources of the organisation, its nature, the estimated cost, and the possible benefits of increased access for young children. The burden shall not be disproportionate when it is sufficiently remedied by measures existing within the framework of the equal treatment policy of the Member State concerned.
Amendment 98 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 10 a (new)
Article 10 a (new)
Article 10a Multiple discrimination 1. Multiple discrimination occurs when a person is discriminated against on a combination of two or more of the grounds set out in this Directive. 2. Member States shall ensure that the means of enforcement of obligations under this Directive are available to all persons who consider themselves to be victims of multiple discrimination. 3. Member States shall provide that where multiple grounds are established, a claim can be defeated only by reason of a justification or another defence which is applicable to all of those grounds on which the claim is made. However if only one ground is established then the claim may be defeated by any justification or defence relevant to that ground.
Amendment 107 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) Member Sstates are responsible for the organisation and content of education. The CommHowever, the provission Communication on Competences for the 21st Century: An Agenda for European Cooperation on Schools draws attention to the need for special attention to be paid to disadvantaged children and those ws of this Directive shall apply to private education as it is a service. With respecial educational needs. In particular national law may provide for differences in access to educational institutions based on religion or belief. Member States may also allow or prohibit the wearing or display of religious symbols at schoolt to public education, non discrimination provisions shall apply to the extent of EU competence as set out in the Treaty of Rome.
Amendment 108 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) Member States are, being responsible for the organisation and content of education, should ensure effective protection against discrimination on the ground of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation in the field of education. The Commission Communication on Competences for the 21st Century: An Agenda for European Cooperation on Schools draws attention to the need for special attention to be paid to disadvantaged children and those with special educational needs. In particular national law may provide for differences in access to educational institutions basedthe exercise of their discretion, in the area of equal treatment in education, on grounds onf religion orand belief., Member States may also allow or prohibit the wearing or display of religious symbols at schoolust ensure that this does not lead to a denial of the right to education nor to discrimination on any other ground.
Amendment 111 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) Member States are responsible for the organisation and content of education. The Commission Communication on Competences for the 21st Century: An Agenda for European Cooperation on Schools draws attention to the need for special attention to be paid to disadvantaged children and those with special educational needs. In particular national law may provide for differences in access to educational institutions based on religion or belief. , provided that alternative systems are put in place and are geographically accessible to prevent indirect discrimination. Member States may also allow or prohibit the wearing or display of religious symbols at school.
Amendment 128 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1
Article 1
1. This Directive lays down a framework for combating discrimination, including multiple discrimination, on the grounds of religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation, with a view to putting into effect in the Member States the principle of equal treatment other than in the field of employment and occupation. 2. Multiple discrimination occurs when discrimination is (a) on any combination of the grounds of religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation, or (b) any one or more of the grounds set out in Article 1(1), and also on the ground of any one or more of (i) sex (in so far as the matter complained of is within the material scope of Council Directive 2004/113/EC of 13 December 2004 implementing the principle of equal treatment between men and women in the access to and supply of goods and services as well as this Directive), (ii) racial or ethnic origin (in so far as the matter complained of is within the material scope of Council Directive 2000/43/EC of 29 June 2000 implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin as well as this Directive), or iii) nationality (in so far as the matter complained of is within the scope of Article 12 EC). 3. In this Directive multiple discrimination and multiple grounds shall be construed accordingly.
Amendment 183 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 8
Article 2 – paragraph 8
Amendment 194 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 - point d
Article 3 – paragraph 1 - point d
(d) Access to and supply of goods and other services which are available to the public, including housing. Subparagraph (d) shall apply to individuals only insofar as they are performing a professional or commercial activity.
Amendment 204 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 2
Amendment 219 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 3
Article 3 – paragraph 3
3. This Directive is without prejudice to the responsibilities of Member States for the content of teaching, activities and the organisation of their educational systems, including the provision of special needs education. Member States may provide for differences in treatmentMember States shall ensure that, in determining which form of education or training is appropriate, the views of the person with a disability are respected. Where the person is a child or adult who is unable to represent himself, the views of their parents, guardians or designated advocates will be considered as a significant factor. Member States may provide for necessary and proportionate differences in treatment based on a person's religion or belief in access to educational institutions whose ethos is based on religion or belief where this is necessary to protect religious ethos of the educational institution and does not lead to a violation of the right to education - or discrimination on any other ground.
Amendment 230 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 4
Article 3 – paragraph 4
4. This Directive is without prejudice to national legislation ensuring the secular nature of the State, State institutions or bodies, or education, or concerning the status and activities of churches and other organisations based on religion or beliefand belief where this falls outside the competence of the EU. Where the activities of churches or other organisations based on religion and belief fall within EU competence, they will be subject to the EU’s non discrimination provisions. It is equally without prejudice to national legislation promoting equality between men and women.
Amendment 231 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 4
Article 3 – paragraph 4
4. This Directive is without prejudice to national legislation ensuring the secular nature of the State, State institutions or bodies, or education, or concerning the status and activities of churches and other organisations based on religion or belief. It is equally without prejudice to national legislation promoting equality between menales and womenfemales.
Amendment 237 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 5
Article 3 – paragraph 5
5. This Directive does not cover differences of treatment based on nationality and is without prejudice to provisions and conditions relating to the entry into and residence of third-country nationals and stateless persons in the territory of Member States, and to any treatment which arises from the legal status of the third-country nationals and stateless persons concerned.
Amendment 268 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 a (new)
Article 4 a (new)
Amendment 271 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 5
Article 5
With a view to ensuring full equality in practice, the principle of equal treatment shall not prevent any Member State from maintaining or adopting specific measures or from allowing these measures to be taken by the public, private or voluntary sector to prevent or compensate for disadvantages linked to religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation.
Amendment 276 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that judicial and/or administrative procedures, including where they deem it appropriate conciliation procedures, for the enforcement of obligations under this Directive are available to all persons who consider themselves wronged by failure to apply the principle of equal treatment to them, even after the relationship in which the discrimination is alleged to have occurred has ended. In order to ensure equal and effective rights of access and participation in judicial and/or administrative procedures, such procedures shall be organised and conducted in a manner which is accessible to all persons with disabilities.
Amendment 281 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 2
Article 7 – paragraph 2
2. Member States shall ensure that associations, organisations or other legal entities, which have a legitimate interest in ensuring that the provisions of this Directive are complied with, may engage, either on behalf or in support of the complainant, with his or are empowered to engage, in their approvalown name, in any judicial and/or administrative procedure provided for the enforcement of obligations under this Directive, including on behalf of, or in support of, any victim.
Amendment 294 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 a (new)
Article 9 a (new)
9a. Member States shall actively promote equality between persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation when formulating and implementing laws, regulations, administrative provisions, policies and activities in the areas referred to in this Directive.
Amendment 298 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 1
Article 12 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall designate an independent and adequately funded body or bodies for the promotion of equal treatment of all persons irrespective of their religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation. Member States shall ensure that the body or bodies have competence in the fields covered by this Directive and the fields of employment and occupation under Directive 2000/78/EC. These bodies may form part of agencies charged at national level with the defence of human rights or the safeguard of individuals' rights, including rights under other Community acts including Directives 2000/43/EC and 2004/113/EC.
Amendment 306 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – indent 1
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – indent 1
- without prejudice to the right of victims and of associations, organizations or other legal entities referred to in Article 7(2), providing independent assistance to victims of discrimination in pursuing their complaints about discrimination, including engaging in any judicial and/or administrative procedure provided for the enforcement of obligations under this Directive, including on behalf of, or in support of, any victim.
Amendment 324 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 15 – paragraph 2
Article 15 – paragraph 2
2. In order to take account of particular conditions, Member States may, if necessary, establish that the obligacomply with the obligation to provide effective non-discriminatory access to existing infrastructures, policies or procedures within the meaning of article 4.1(a), Member States may, if necessary, have an additional period of 10 years [from the deadline for transposition] to provide effective access as set out in Article 4 has to bcomply with this provision. Member States wishing to use the additional period shall submit to the Commission a plan for progressive complianced with by … [at the latest] four [years after adoption]. the requirements found in article 4.1(a), including targets, means and timeline. Any Member States wishinghich chooses to use this additional period shall informreport annually to the Commission aton the latest by the date set down in paragraph 1 giving reasonssteps taken to provide effective non- discriminatory access and on the progress towards implementation of article 4(1)(a). The Commission shall report annually to the Council.
Amendment 16 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas, whilst previous enlargements have undoubtedly been a success both for the European Union and for the Member States which joined it, this is no guarantee that such accelerated pace can be sustained further,
Amendment 29 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas this strategy cannot therefore be reduced tois more than a simple negotiating methodology butand should involve a thorough debate on the Union's objectives, covering both the Union's own future and its role in the neighbourhood and on the international scene,
Amendment 39 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the Union's Enlargement Strategy should be part of a more diversifiednot be mixed with an indeterminate array of external relations policies, reconciling the Union's geo- strategic interests with our neighbours' diverse expectations,
Amendment 51 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas these policies EU Enlargement Strategy should encompass the variety of situations prevailing in our neighbourhood, notably in those countries which have candidate status and have started negotiations – such as Croatia and Turkey – , those which have candidate status but have not yet started negotiations, those which have membership prospects – such as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia – , those which have membership prospects – the remaining Western Balkan countries – , those which have a European integration goal – such as Ukraine or Moldova – and those which merely wish to have close neighbourly ties with the Union,
Amendment 55 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
Amendment 62 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas, as stated in its above- mentioned resolution of 13 December 2006, countries with European prospects should benefit from a close bilateral or multilateral relationship with the EU, matching their specific needs and interests; whereas this option, which entails a broad spectrum of operational possibilities, would grant partner countries a stable, long-term perspective of institutionalised relations with the EU and provide, and providing the incentive necessary to foster stability, peace and democratic and economic reform in the countries concerned,
Amendment 66 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
Amendment 67 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
L. whereas these policies EU Enlargement Strategy needs also to be effectively explained and communicated to othe current EU citizens as well as to all future citizens so as to ensure public support for the Union's commitments towards its neighbours, thus guaranteeing the Union's credibility as partner,
Amendment 80 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Reaffirms its firm commitment to the countries with which it has started membership negotiations – such as Croatia and Turkey – and to the countries which have been given clear membership prospects – such as the Western Balkan countries – , with the understanding that full compliance with the Copenhagen criteria and compatibility with the Union's integration capacity must be fulfilled before these countries can join the Union;
Amendment 98 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Takes the view that the Union's Enlargement Strategy should strikefirst and foremost fulfil the requirements of the EU Treaty and commitments already entered into by the Union, as well as striking a balance between the Union's geo-strategic interests, the impact of political developments outside its borders together with the resulting expectations of its neighbouring countries, and the Union's integration capacity, including its ability to cope with future internal and external challenges and to realise its political integration project;
Amendment 104 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls that integration capacity reflects the Union's ability at a given point in time to decide and thus to achieve its political objectives, in particular the aim of promoting economic and social progress and a high level of employment in its Member States, of asserting its identity and its ability to act on the international scene, of promoting the rights and interests of Member States' nationals, of developing an area of freedom, security and justice, of fully maintaining and building on its acquis communautaire and of upholding fundamental rights and freedoms, as laid down in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, as underlined by the Commission's above-mentioned communication entitled "Enlargement strategy and main challenges 2007-2008", full attention should be paid to the EU's integration capacity at key stages of the accession process;
Amendment 119 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
Amendment 134 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls, furthermore, that the economic structure and interests of each new Member State could have an impact on the direction which the Union's policies and budget take and could therefore affect the nature of the Union itself, but that past enlargements show the mutual economic benefit of enlargement to existing and new Member States;
Amendment 143 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
Amendment 151 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Therefore takes the view that every enlargement must be followed by adequate consolidation and political concentration, that is to say, by a serious reassessment of the Union's policies and means in order to ensure consensus around such policies and to focus on objectives which responding to the expectations of ourEU citizens and which guaranteeing the viability of the Union as a political project;
Amendment 167 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Warns, therefore, that further enlargement without adequate consolidation could lead toInsists that enlargement must be accompanied by adequate consolidation in order to prevent the establishment of a Union of multiple configurations, with core countries moving towards closer integration and others lying at its margins, and that this scenario would have seriously detrimental implications for the Union's capacity to act – since it would weaken its institutions, for the stability of some of its Member States – since it would make them more vulnerable to external pressure, and for its credibility as global actor – since it would undermine its already precarious unity in external affairs;
Amendment 174 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Believes, moreover, that further enlargements should be accompanied by a concerted communication policy involving all EU Institutions and Member States' Governments as well as representatives of civil society, designed to explain to our citizens the political, economic and social benefits of enlargement, social and cultural benefits of enlargement; therefore reminds the governments and parliaments of the Member States that it is their responsibility adequately to inform public opinion about the positive achievements of former enlargements, the status quo of the ongoing negotiations and the matters at stake in further enlargements;
Amendment 183 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
Amendment 192 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Takes the view that the gap existing between the Union's Enlargement Strategy and itshas to be distinguished from the European Neighbourhood Policy needs to be filled in order to respond to the expectations of our eastern neighbours; is convinced that the Commission's strengthened n should maximise its efforts to further strengthen the European Neighbourhood pPolicy is not sufficient in this respect, althoughas it represents an already positive step in the right direction, andbut that a more substantive qualitative change is required;
Amendment 198 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Suggests, therefore, that, as regBelieves that the policies already existing within the framework of the ENP towards those eastern neighbours which, in view of their political, economic and social situation and of the Union's current integration capacity, at present do not enjoy membership prospects but at the same time fulfil certain democratic and economic conditions, the Union should establish an area based on common policies covering, in particular, economic and financial issues, trade, energy, transport, environmental issues, the rule of law, justice, security, migration and education; takes the view that these common policies, whilst striving gradually to achieve EU standards and opening the way for closer integration of these countries, should be shaped jointly with the participating countries on the basis of specific decision-making mechanisms, and should be underpinned by adequate financial assistanceshould be shaped jointly with the participating countries on the basis of specific decision-making mechanisms, and should be underpinned by adequate financial assistance; underlines that the policies of the ENP involve common policies concerning economic and financial issues, trade, energy, transport, environmental issues, the rule of law, justice, security, migration and education;
Amendment 215 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Welcomes in this respect the re-launch, within the framework of the EU, of the "Barcelona Process: A Union for the Mediterranean" as a further positive step in our relations with theour southern neighbours; believes that this new development strengthens the argument in favour of specific contractual multilateral relations with our eastern neighbours, which, compared to their southern partners, have clear European ambitions and perspectives; recalls that, as a first step,recalls that the re-launch of these relations shcould translate themselves into tha future establishment of a Free Trade Area, to be followed by closer relations along the lines of a European Economic Area Plus (EEA +), of a European Commonwealth orand of specific regional cooperation frameworks, for example in the Black Sea area;
Amendment 225 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
Amendment 236 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Welcomes in this context the Commission Communication on the Western Balkans of 5 March 2008 (COM(2008)0127), which outlines a range of measures for supporting the countries in the region in their efforts towards EU integration and for deepening our relations with them, whether in the areas of trade, energy, education and/or research; believes that such measures should include also finalisation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement wi, including the Serbia and calls on all Member States to overcome their reservations in this respecttabilisation and Association Agreement with Serbia;
Amendment 246 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Furthermore, urges the Commission to come up with concrete proposals for a more diversified external relations policy towards our neighbours, along the lines outlined in the present resolution, and to reconsider its own administrative structures in order to establish a structural lRecalls the administrative structures of the Commission, differentiatinkg between the activities carried out by the Enlargement and the RELEX Directorates- General;
Amendment 112 #
2007/2268(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Recalls that, at world level, most other states have in fact recognised this state under the constitutional name of 'Republika Makedonija', but that the European Union and the United Nations take as their starting point the 1993 interim agreement with Greece, which, for international use, lays down the temporary designation 'former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia', and calls on both parties to reach a final agreement as soon as possible with the help of ongoing mediation by the United Nations, under the direction of Mr Matthew Nimetz, and expresses the hope that this name issue will play no role in any decision on relations withaccession to NATO;
Amendment 171 #
2007/2268(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Notes that, of the three countries which have been European Union candidate Member States since 2005, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is the only country with which no accession negotiations have taken place to date, considers it desirable that this exceptional situation should end, and calls on the European Commissioncalls on the Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to ensure that the necessary reforms are undertaken, and calls on the European Commission following on from its Communication on the Western Balkans to develop a roadmap leading to commencement of those negotiations, after which, if there are no new domestic conflicts, the Council can take a decision in 2008 on a starting date for the negotiations;
Amendment 36 #
2007/2267(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Is aware of the negative impact which the judgments of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) on the Vukovar war crimes cases have had on Croatia's public perception of the work of the ICTY; urges the Croatian governmentUrges the Croatian government to take steps to restore popular support for, and to takgive steps to restore popularrong political support forto the role of the ICTY in addressing the crimes perpetrated during the Yugoslav conflict;
Amendment 46 #
2007/2267(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the strengthening of the mandate of the Office for the Prevention of Corruption and Organised Crime (USKOK) and the increased number of corruption cases which are being prosecuted; calls for these efforts to be maintained in order to eradicate the – in some cases unacceptably high – level of corruption, including at a high level, which undermines the economic development of the country;
Amendment 61 #
2007/2267(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Is pleased to note the sustained growth recorded by the Croatian economy; hopes that this growth will result in increased employment opportunities; commends the work carried out by HitroRez in reducing the administrative burden on business, and looks forward to similar results in other sectors, highlights especially the need for further reform in the area of public administration;
Amendment 93 #
2007/2267(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Recalls that addressing border related issues in particular is defined as a priority for Croatia in its Accession Partnership; expresses in this respect concerns which remain over the opening of Pelješac bridge construction works in October 2007 despite opposition voiced by Bosnia and Herzegovina over uncertain sea borders; notes that construction work on this project is currently halted, and calls for a negotiated resolution of this issue between the two states;
Amendment 3 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Regrets that the EU still lacks a common, comprehensive strategy for promoting democracy, and urges all EU institutions and Member States to continue their efforts to make possible the adoption of such a strategy; in this regard, urges all EU institutions and Member States to agree to establish a European Consensus on Democracy;
Amendment 7 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considers, in the light of this, that election observation is merely a first step towards democracy and that it needs to be complemented by other, adequately funded activities for the promotion of democracy; therefore requests the maintenance of the budgetary ceiling agreed by the Commission of 25% of EIDHR for EU EOMs; asks the Commission to set aside, within this budget funding, allocations for preparatory activities in anticipation of elections, including the training of local election monitors, voter education and other activities which are essential for the long-term establishment of free and fair elections;
Amendment 12 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Pays tribute to the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), whose pioneering work has strongly inspired the EU methodology on election observation; expresses deep concern at any attempts to restrict the independence, funding or effectiveness of the OIDHR;
Amendment 19 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses that this success has made the EU athe leading organisation in the field of international election observation and that the focus on professionalism of EU EOMs is significantly contributing to the emergence of a significant number of highly qualified and experienced electoral experts;
Amendment 21 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the well-established practice of appointing MEPs as Chief Observers of EU EOMs, calls for the appointment process to be clear and transparent in order to ensure the credibility of the Chief Observer and stresses that, while throughout the duration of their mandate they work closely with the Commission and other EU institutions, they should always maintain a clear and well-defined independence, without interference;
Amendment 31 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Stresses, in particular, the importance of coordinating all public statements related to the findings of EU EOMs and underlines the key role played in terms of visibility and credibility by the press conference, where the preliminary statement is presented for the first time; calls for both the press statements and reports of findings to be released in accordance with a timetable which takes into account the electoral sensitivities on the ground;
Amendment 35 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Requests all EU institutions, and in particular the Council and Member States governments, to incorporate the findings and recommendations of EU EOMs into their political dialogues with the countries concerned, as well as in their demarches, declarations, resolutions and statements;
Amendment 42 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Suggests to the Commission that it should set up other mechanisms for the monitoring of electoral processes in cases where the deployment of a fully-fledged EU EOM is not possible; calls on the Commission and the Council to be prepared to make strong and timely public statements in relation to elections in these circumstances;
Amendment 67 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas successful elections can only take place in the context of the long-term rooting of democratic values within a society including voter and civic education, strong mechanisms for the upholding of human rights, the existence of an independent and pluralistic civil society, and respect for the separation of the legislature from the executive; and whereas there is no single European Union statement underpinning democracy promotion similar to the European Consensus on Development;
Amendment 73 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas although it is essential to maintain the policy of deploying EU EOMs in conditions where it is possible for the tasks to be undertaken impartially, comprehensively and with security for the personnel involved, the European Union must not be silent in relation to the conduct of elections in circumstances where such conditions do not exist,
Amendment 74 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1
Citation 1
– having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, in particular Article 25 thereof,
Amendment 6 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Takes the view that after more than 20 years of civil war Afghanistan has become a ‘failed state’,is characterised by missing or weak institutions at all levels and unable to satisfy the mostmust continue to improve the provision of basic needs of its citizens such as education, housing, health, nutrition; is convinced that the country has become a test case for the success or failure of international development assistance and the legitimacy of bi- and multi-lateral development cooperation; stresses the need for the international community to continue to work with the Afghan Government and the people of Afghanistan in order to demonstrate its ability to end the vicious circle of violence and poverty and to give the country the prospect of sustainable peace and development;
Amendment 24 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses the urgent need for the international community to analyse what strategic and conceptual misjudgements have contributed tocontinue to analyse the current situation in Afghanistan, including an honest assessment of both the current military strategy and the strategy for civil reconstruction; concludes that a major shift of strategy is necessary as peace,welcomes in this regard the ‘Vision Statement on Afghanistan’ published at the NATO Summit in Bucharest on 3 April 2008 by Heads of State contributing to the ISAF; and in particular welcomes the third of the four guiding principles which clearly acknowledges that a comprehensive strategic approach by the international community bringing together both civilian and military efforts is needed; considers that security and development will only prevail if the spiral of violence is brought to an end, if the prevailing military solution is replaced by reinforced civil reconstruction efforts, and if, as a result, the confidence of the Afghan population is restored; considers in particular that ‘Operation Enduring Freedom’ is politically counterproductive because reconciliin this regard, also notes that the humanitarian community – UN and NGOs – need to enhance coordination, and consolidation of peace cannot be imposed militarily from the outside but have to be developed inside Afghanistan; void ad hoc initiatives and develop preparedness and contingency planning;
Amendment 46 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Points out that the main problems facing the country isare restoring security and establishing a functioning state; notes that Afghanistan’s security problems are more complex than just a war on terror and therefore they require more than a military solution; points out that security is a prerequisite for the rule of law, which in turn creates an atmosphere conducive to human development, and that strengthening the rule of law can serve as an important means to advance the freedom of people to exercise choices and enhance their capacity to live meaningful and healthy lives, when supplemented by measures aimed at restoring a functioning state in order to protect the rule of law, secure access to basic public services and ensure equal opportunities for its people;
Amendment 90 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes Afghanistan’s progress in improving women’s political representation; remains concerned about the huge income disparities between men and women, very low literacy rate of women, the injustices to women and girls, both in the denial of basic services like healthcare and education and the lack of employment opportunities as well as high levels of domestic violence and discrimination; stresses the urgent need for measures aimed at protecting the rights of women to be built into legal and political reform; calls on the Council and the Commission to lend active support to such an initiative and to earmark funds for measures such as active steps to increase the enrolment of girls in schools and the recruitment of female teachers, which will help build the country’s capacity to protect the rights of women and girls;
Amendment 107 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas Afghanistan is at a crossroads, as evidenced by the rise in thewith an ongoing violent insurgency, increase and opium production, and growing continuing, and popular discontent over corruption and government failures; whereas despite the efforts of the international community and the partial success as regards civil reconstruction, the living conditions of considerable sections of the Afghan population have not improved; whereas the current threat Afghanistan is facing requires short-term action but long-term solutions will only come about through comprehensive improvements in alternative sustainable livelihoods coupled with enhanced governance and the emergence of a stronger and functioning state,
Amendment 123 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas there are no official figures on civilian deaths in Afghanistan but a study by the Afghan government suggests that more than 3,700 people were killed by fighting in Afghanistan in 2006; whereas the majority appear to be insurgents, but it is estimated that some 1,000 civilians were killed by both Taliban attacks and NATO air strikes; whereas in June 2007 a network of Afghan and international NGOs had ‘strongly condemned the operations and force protection measures carried out by international military forces in which disproportionate or indiscriminate use of force has resulted in civilian casualties’,
Amendment 135 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
Citation 6 a (new)
Amendment 143 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 a (new)
Citation 12 a (new)
– having regard to the Government of Afghanistan’s National Drug Control Strategy (NDCS) launched at the London Conference in January 2006,
Amendment 93 #
2007/2124(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 30 a (new)
Rule 30 a (new)
Rule 30 Intergroups Individual members may form Intergroups, which can play an important informal role in promoting exchanges of views on specific issues across different political groups, drawing on Members of different parliamentary committees, and promoting contact between Members and civil society. Intergroups may not engage in any activities which might result in confusion with the official activities of Parliament or of its bodies. Provided that the conditions laid down in the Rules governing the establishment of Intergroups, as adopted by the Bureau, are respected, the political groups shall facilitate the activities of the Intergroups by providing them with logistical support.