Activities of Véronique DE KEYSER
Plenary speeches (312)
Human rights in 2003 and EU policy
Policy challenges and budgetary means of the enlarged Union 2007-2013
Vote
Elections in Iran
Vote
Preparations for the 60th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights
EU aid to Iran following the earthquake
Medicinal products
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Subsidy package - Community action programmes
Sri Lanka
Vote (continuation)
Vote
Human rights 2002
Vote
International Criminal Court
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Vote
Conservation and protection of the marine environment
Vote
Turkey's application for EU membership
MEDA 2000
Vote
Closure of undertakings after receiving EU financial aid
Iraq
Crisis in the steel sector and the measures to be taken at Community level
Situation in Iraq
Withdrawal of North Korea from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
Illegal exploitation of the wealth of the Democratic Republic of Congo
Vote
Vote
Medicinal products
Situation in Iraq
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Iraq
Iraq eleven years after
Vote
Νatural disasters
Order of business
Opening of international negotiations in view of adopting an international treaty for the protection of the Arctic (vote)
Opening of international negotiations in view of adopting an international treaty for the protection of the Arctic (debate)
The mandate of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (debate)
Situation in the Middle East/Gaza Strip (debate)
Outcome of the European Council on 11-12 December 2008 - French Presidency’s term of office (debate)
Israel’s participation in Community programmes - Israel’s participation in Community programmes (debate)
Israel’s participation in Community programmes - Israel’s participation in Community programmes (debate)
The case of the al-Kurd family
The case of the al-Kurd family (vote)
Explanations of vote
Situation in Georgia (debate)
The Commission's 2007 enlargement strategy paper (debate)
Palestinian prisoners in Israel (debate)
2009 budget: First reflections on the 2009 PDB and mandate for the conciliation (debate)
Turkey's 2007 progress report (debate)
Human Rights in the World 2007 and the EU's policy on the matter - EU Election Observation Missions (debate)
Human Rights in the World 2007 and the EU's policy on the matter - EU Election Observation Missions (debate)
Voting time
The European Union's role in Iraq (debate)
Annual policy strategy 2009 (debate)
Situation in Gaza (debate)
Presentation of the programme of the Slovenian Presidency (debate)
Situation in Pakistan following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto (debate)
Draft general budget of the European Union - Financial year 2008 (vote)
EU-Serbia relations (debate)
Composition of the European Parliament (vote)
The humanitarian situation in Gaza
Human rights dialogues and consultations on human rights with third countries (debate)
MEDA and financial support to Palestine - evaluation, implementation and control (debate)
Middle East (debate)
Human rights in Syria
Human rights in Syria (vote)
Situation in Palestine (debate)
EU strategy for reform in the Arab world (vote)
EU strategy for reform in the Arab world (vote)
EU strategy for reform in the Arab world (vote)
EU strategy for reform in the Arab world (debate)
Prospects for the EU's Common Foreign Policy in 2007, including the deployment of anti-missile defence systems in Europe by the United States (debate)
Transportation and illegal detention of prisoners (debate)
Economic and social consequences of restructuring in the automobile sector in Europe (debate)
EU-Mauritania fisheries agreement (vote)
Situation in Gaza (debate)
Legislative and work programme of the Commission for 2007 (debate)
EC-Syria Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement (debate)
Turkey's progress towards accession (debate)
Situation in the Middle East (debate)
EU-China relations (debate)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Situation in Palestine (debate)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Women in armed conflicts and their role in post-conflict reconstruction (debate)
Women in armed conflicts and their role in post-conflict reconstruction (vote)
Approval of Minutes of previous sitting: see Minutes
Suspension of aid to the Palestinian authority (debate)
Situation in the Middle East following the elections in Israel (debate)
Change to the agenda (events in Palestine)
Euro-Mediterranean policy/preparation for the next meeting of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (debate)
Explanations of vote
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Results of the elections in Palestine and situation in the Middle-East, and the Council's decision not to publish the report on East Jerusalem
Human rights and freedom of the press in Tunisia and evaluation of the World Summit on the Information Society held in Tunis
Opening of the sitting
Iraq after the referendum on the Constitution
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Tunisia
Opening of negotiations with Turkey - Additional Protocol to the EEC-Turkey Association Agreement
Political prisoners in Syria
Political prisoners in Syria
Liberty and security
Situation in the Middle East
European Union general budget for 2006
Dialogue with churches and non-denominational organisations
EU/Iraq - A framework for engagement
Policy challenges and budgetary means
Explanations of vote
Human rights in the world 2004 and the EU's policy
Follow-up to the Fourth World Conference on Women Platform for Action (Beijing + 10)
Situation in Lebanon
EU relations with the Mediterranean region
Situation in the Middle East
Explanations of vote
Turkey's progress towards accession
Explanations of vote
European Council of 4 and 5 November 2004
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Preparation of the European Council (Brussels, 4 and 5 November 2004)
Situation in the Middle East
Situation in Iraq
Statement by the President-designate of the Commission (continuation)
Syria: situation of certain vulnerable communities
EU priorities for the 25th session of the UN Human Rights Council (RCB7-0234/2014, B7-0234/2014, B7-0235/2014, B7-0236/2014, B7-0237/2014, B7-0238/2014) (vote)
EU priorities for the 25th session of the UN Human Rights Council (debate)
Eradication of torture in the world (short presentation)
Situation in Thailand
Bahrain, in particular the cases of Nabeel Rajab, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja and Ibrahim Sharif
Situation in Syria (debate)
Situation in Egypt (debate)
Situation in South Sudan (RCB7-0018/2014, B7-0018/2014, B7-0019/2014, B7-0020/2014, B7-0021/2014, B7-0022/2014, B7-0032/2014) (vote)
Situation of rights defenders and opposition activists in Cambodia and Laos
Recent elections in Bangladesh
Recent moves to criminalise LGBTI people
Recent moves to criminalise LGBTI people (RCB7-0043/2014, B7-0043/2014, B7-0045/2014, B7-0047/2014, B7-0048/2014, B7-0050/2014, B7-0051/2014) (vote)
Situation in South Sudan (debate)
Situation in the Central African Republic (debate)
Organ harvesting in China (debate)
Organ harvesting in China (debate)
Organ harvesting in China (debate)
Development and 'state building' in South Sudan (A7-0380/2013 - Véronique De Keyser) (vote)
Development and 'state building' in South Sudan (short presentation)
Bangladesh: human rights and forthcoming elections (debate)
Qatar: situation of migrant workers (debate)
Fair justice in Bolivia, in particular the cases of Előd Tóásó and Mario Tadic (debate)
Fair justice in Bolivia, in particular the cases of Előd Tóásó and Mario Tadic (RCB7-0499/2013, B7-0499/2013, B7-0537/2013, B7-0538/2013, B7-0540/2013, B7-0542/2013, B7-0543/2013) (vote)
Horizon 2020 - framework programme for research and innovation (2014-2020) - Rules for the participation and dissemination in Horizon 2020 - Specific programme implementing Horizon 2020 - Strategic innovation agenda of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology - European Institute of Innovation and Technology (debate)
Main aspects and basic choices of the common foreign and security policy and the common security and defence policy (Article 36 TEU) - Annual report from the Council to the European Parliament on the common foreign and security policy in 2012 (debate)
Recent cases of violence and persecution against Christians, notably in Maaloula (Syria), Peshawar (Pakistan) and the case of Pastor Saeed Abedini (Iran) (debate)
Recent cases of violence and persecution against Christians, notably in Maaloula (Syria), Peshawar (Pakistan) and the case of Pastor Saeed Abedini (Iran) (debate)
Clashes in Sudan and subsequent media censorship (debate)
EU and Member State measures to tackle the flow of refugees as a result of the conflict in Syria (debate)
Situation in Syria (debate)
Situation in Egypt (debate)
Situation in Egypt (RCB7-0362/2013, B7-0362/2013, B7-0363/2013, B7-0364/2013, B7-0365/2013, B7-0366/2013, B7-0367/2013) (vote)
Situation in Djibouti (debate)
Situation in Nigeria (debate)
US NSA surveillance programme, surveillance bodies in various Member States and impact on EU citizens' privacy (debate)
Situation in Egypt (debate)
Conclusions of the European Council meeting (27-28 June 2013) (debate)
Preparations for the European Council meeting (27-28 June 2013) (debate)
Labour conditions and health and safety standards following the recent factory fires and building collapse in Bangladesh (debate)
Modification of the agenda
Situation of Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries (debate)
EU trade and investment agreement negotiations with the US (debate)
Vietnam, in particular freedom of expression (debate)
Human rights situation in Kazakhstan
Guantánamo: hunger strike by prisoners (debate)
Guantánamo: hunger strike by prisoners (debate)
Human rights situation in Kazakhstan (B7-0167/2013, B7-0167/2013, B7-0173/2013, B7-0175/2013, B7-0176/2013, B7-0177/2013, B7-0178/2013) (vote)
Case of Arafat Jaradat and situation of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails
Preparations for the European Council meeting (14-15 March 2013) (debate)
Decision on the opening of, and mandate for, interinstitutional negotiations on financing, management and monitoring of the CAP - 2011/0288(COD) (B7-0082/2013) (vote)
Situation in Egypt (debate)
Syria, with specific reference to the humanitarian situation (debate)
Situation in Mali (debate)
Impact of the economic crisis on gender equality and women's rights - Eliminating gender stereotypes in the EU - Situation of women in North Africa (debate)
Preparations for the European Council meeting (7-8 February 2013) (debate)
Programme of activities of the Irish Presidency (debate)
Situation in Syria (debate)
Recommendations of the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference regarding the establishment of a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction (debate)
Situation in Mali (debate)
Situation in Gaza (B7-0522/2012) (vote)
Situation in Gaza (B7-0522/2012) (vote)
Human rights situation in Iran, particularly mass executions and the recent death of the blogger Sattar Beheshti
Situation of migrants in Libya
Human rights situation in Iran, particularly mass executions and the recent death of the blogger Sattar Beheshti (B7-0500/2012) (vote)
Situation in Gaza (debate)
Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the EC and Israel on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (CAA) (debate)
Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the EC and Israel on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (CAA) (A7-0289/2012 - Vital Moreira) (vote)
South Africa: massacre of striking miners
Azerbaijan: the case of Ramil Safarov
Azerbaijan: the case of Ramil Safarov
Situation in Syria (debate)
Situation in Syria (debate)
Situation in Syria (debate)
Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement between the EU and its Member States, Australia, Canada, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland and the USA (debate)
EU-Israel agreement on conformity assessment and acceptance of industrial products (debate)
EU-Israel agreement on conformity assessment and acceptance of industrial products (debate)
Human rights and the security situation in the Sahel region (debate)
Situation of ethnic minorities in Iran (debate)
Female genital mutilation (debate)
Latest developments in the Middle East, including the situation in Syria (debate)
Follow-up of the elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (debate)
Venezuela: possible withdrawal from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (debate)
Venezuela: possible withdrawal from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (debate)
Azerbaijan (debate)
Azerbaijan (debate)
European Parliament’s right of inquiry (A7-0352/2011 - David Martin) (vote)
Sudan and South Sudan (debate)
EU and China: unbalanced trade? (debate)
Human rights in the world and the European Union's policy on the matter (debate)
Human rights in the world and the European Union's policy on the matter (debate)
Situation in Mali (debate)
Situation in Syria (debate)
Other business
Human trafficking in Sinai, in particular the case of Solomon W.
Palestine: raids by Israeli forces on Palestinian TV stations
Human rights violations in Bahrain
Opening of the sitting
Situation in Nigeria (debate)
Situation in Syria (debate)
Agreement between the EU and Morocco concerning reciprocal liberalisation measures on agricultural products and fishery products (debate)
Question Hour with the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Question Hour with the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Azerbaijan, notably the case of Rafiq Tagi
Tunisia: the case of Zakaria Bouguira
Human rights (debate)
Human rights (debate)
Situation in Syria (debate)
Tibet, in particular self-immolation by nuns and monks
Tibet, in particular self-immolation by nuns and monks
Tibet, in particular self-immolation by nuns and monks
The case of Rafah Nached in Syria
Surge in job dismissals in Europe as a result of the economic crisis in particular at Arcelor and Nokia (debate)
Ministerial week’s activity at the UN General Assembly, in particular the Middle East peace process and North Africa (debate)
Belarus: arrest of Ales Bialatski, human rights defender
Sudan: situation in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile State
Situation in Libya (debate)
Situation in Syria (debate)
State of play of the Middle East peace process (debate)
State of play of the Middle East peace process (debate)
Democratic Republic of Congo, mass rape in South Kivu province (B7-0442/2011)
Situation in the Arab world and North Africa - Situation in Yemen - Situation in Syria (debate)
EU external policies in favour of democratisation (debate)
EU external policies in favour of democratisation (debate)
Madagascar (debate)
Sudan and South Sudan (debate)
Sri Lanka: follow-up of the UN report (debate)
Main aspects of the common foreign and security policy and the common security and defence policy - Situation in Syria and in Camp Ashraf - Report: Albertini - Annual report from the Council to Parliament on the main aspects of CFSP in 2009 - Report: Gualtieri - Development of CSDP following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty - Report: Muñiz De Urquiza - The EU as a global actor: its role in multilateral organisations (debate)
Situation in Syria, Bahrain and Yemen
16th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (Geneva, 28 February - 25 March 2011) (debate)
State of play of the peace process for the Middle East (debate)
Situation in the Mediterranean, in particular in Tunisia and Egypt (debate)
Referendum on the future status of Southern Sudan (debate)
Uganda: the Bahati Bill and discrimination against the LGBT population
Human rights in the world 2009 and EU policy on the matter (debate)
Situation in Côte d'Ivoire (debate)
Iraq - in particular, the death penalty (including the case of Tariq Aziz) and attacks against Christian communities
Burma - conduct of elections and the release of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi
Iraq - in particular, the death penalty (including the case of Tariq Aziz) and attacks against Christian communities (B7-0629/2010)
Situation in Western Sahara (debate)
Forced evictions in Zimbabwe
Cambodia, in particular the case of Sam Rainsy
Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities as regards the European External Action Service - Draft amending budget No 6/2010: Section II - European Council and Council; Section III - Commission; Section X - European External Action Service - Amendment of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Communities and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of those Communities (debate)
Health care systems in Sub-Saharan Africa and Global Health (short presentation)
Conclusions of the European Council meeting (16 September 2010) (debate)
Failures in protection of human rights and justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo (debate)
Human rights in Syria, in particular the case of Haythan Al - Maleh
Draft bill on Israeli NGOs (debate)
Situation of the Jordan River with special regard to the Lower Jordan River area (debate)
Situation of the Jordan River with special regard to the Lower Jordan River area (debate)
Humanitarian situation after the floods in Pakistan (debate)
Zimbabwe, in particular the case of Farai Maguwu
Venezuela, in particular the case of Maria Lourdes Afiuni
The Belgian Presidency’s programme of activities (debate)
Israeli military operation against the humanitarian flotilla and the Gaza blockade (debate)
Annual report on human rights (2008) - EU policies in favour of human rights defenders - Trade in goods used for torture - (debate)
Situation in Thailand
Burma
Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting
Implementation of Goldstone recommendations on Israel/Palestine (debate)
Venezuela
Madagascar
Burma
Order of business
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Recent attacks on religious minorities in Egypt and in Malaysia
Human Rights violations in China, notably the case of Liu Xiaobo
Second revision of the ACP-EU Partnership agreement (Cotonou agreement) (debate)
Nicaragua
Laos and Vietnam
China: Minority rights and application of the death penalty
Nicaragua (vote)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance (continuation)
Guinea
Preparation of the TEC meeting and the EU/USA Summit (2 and 3 November 2009) - Transatlantic judicial and police cooperation (debate)
Climate change and developing countries in the framework of the UN Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen (debate)
Democracy building in external relations (debate)
Murder of human rights activists in Russia
Syria: the case of Muhannad Al Hassani
China (debate)
Election of Vice-Presidents (first, second and third ballots)
Reports (9)
Annual report on human rights in the world in 2003 and the European Union's policy on the matter - Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy PDF (353 KB) DOC (266 KB)
REPORT Recommendation on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of a Protocol to the Euro Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the State of Israel, of the other part, on a Framework Agreement between the European Community and the State of Israel on the general principles governing the State of Israel's participation in Community programmes PDF (135 KB) DOC (72 KB)
REPORT EU Election Observation Missions : objectives, practices and future challenges PDF (201 KB) DOC (132 KB)
REPORT containing the European Parliament’s recommendation to the Council on the conclusion of a Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Syrian Arab Republic, of the other part PDF (141 KB) DOC (80 KB)
REPORT Report on the situation of women in armed conflicts and their role in the reconstruciton and democratic process in post-conflict countries PDF (242 KB) DOC (176 KB)
REPORT on the eradication of torture in the world PDF (277 KB) DOC (147 KB)
REPORT on the efforts of the international community in the area of development and of ‘state building’ in South Sudan PDF (331 KB) DOC (160 KB)
REPORT on EU external policies in favour of democratisation PDF (250 KB) DOC (170 KB)
REPORT on health care systems in sub-Saharan Africa and global health PDF (196 KB) DOC (102 KB)
Opinions (8)
OPINION 2009 budget: Section III - Commission
OPINION Draft opinion on budget 2009: first reflection on the 2009 PDB and mandate for the conciliation
OPINION European Commission : Final annual accounts of the European Communities — Financial Year 2006 — Volume I — Consolidated financial statements and consolidated reports on implementation of the budget
OPINION on MEDA and financial support to Palestine - evaluation, implementation and control
OPINION Draft opinion on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2006
OPINION on policy challenges and budgetary means of the enlarged Union 2007-2013
OPINION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of a Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the State of Israel, of the other part, on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (CAA)
OPINION on discharge in respect of the implementation of the European Union general budget for the financial year 2009, Section III – Commission
Shadow opinions (3)
OPINION on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council providing macro-financial assistance to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
OPINION on the EU Strategy for the Horn of Africa
OPINION on a proposal for a European Parliament recommendation to the Council on the modalities for the possible establishment of a European Endowment for Democracy (EDD)
Written declarations (6)
Amendments (210)
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 2 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas children are the primary victims of the insecurity and conflict affecting South Sudan; whereas sexual violence is being perpetrated against children and women, and children are being recruited by armed bands;
Amendment 4 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas suspension of oil production by the South Sudanese Government for over a year and the closure of the oil pipes hasin Sudan have deprived the country of one of its principal sources of income and plunged it into a major financial crisis leading to continuingly harsher austerity;
Amendment 10 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital T a (new)
Recital T a (new)
Ta. whereas there is a shortage of teachers and a crying need for people with vocational qualifications, as well as a need for education and training colleges to produce a skilled workforce;
Amendment 11 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital W
Recital W
W. whereas the quantity of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) still buried in South Sudan since the civil war is estimated to be in the millions;
Amendment 12 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital X a (new)
Recital X a (new)
Xa. whereas the population faces major risks in terms of food insecurity, which has affected 4.1 million South Sudanese in 2013; whereas access to health services is very limited, there is a shortage of medical personnel and supplies, and there is evident humanitarian need among the people displaced by conflict; whereas the rate of mortality of under-5s is very high and the maternal mortality rate is the highest in the world;
Amendment 13 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital X b (new)
Recital X b (new)
Xb. whereas South Sudan dropped 12 places in the Reporters Without Borders 2013 World Press Freedom Index – to 124th out of 180 countries ranked;
Amendment 15 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital Z a (new)
Recital Z a (new)
Za. whereas South Sudan’s official language is English but it is not generally spoken, and most of the South Sudanese population is illiterate; whereas English is the predominant language in the public services and the legal system, in private- sector companies and in the country’s major media outlets; whereas South Sudan’s various ethnic groups speak, in total, more than 60 languages and dialects; whereas language is a key factor in national cohesion and an appropriate language policy is therefore important;
Amendment 16 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital Z b (new)
Recital Z b (new)
Zb. whereas South Sudan still keeps capital punishment in place unless amendments are introduced in the country's constitution;
Amendment 29 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Underscores the urgent need to combat illiteracy and to give women – who have a key role to play in building the new country – better access to education;
Amendment 30 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Recommends the establishment, without delay, of an education system that will provide qualified people to build and maintain South Sudan’s infrastructure, including its roads, housing, water purification system, sewage treatment plants, electricity, IT and telephone networks, etc.;
Amendment 33 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Paragraph 15 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Underscores the importance of developing and improving infrastructure to give people throughout the country access to drinking water and improved water supplies; recommends that plans for investment in hydropower be stepped up;
Amendment 34 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Calls for agriculture to be developed as a matter of priority in order to establish food security and to diversify the national economy; is concerned that national food security may be jeopardised by the granting of fertile land to private, foreign groups for excessively long periods of time and by an extremely high level of exports;
Amendment 37 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Is deeply concerned that women and children of the armed conflicts in South Sudan represent the overwhelming majority of the internally displaced persons and refugees; calls for an effective human rights monitoring, including of any sexual and gender-based violence or violations and abuses committed against children; calls all warring parties to end the impunity of the perpetrators;
Amendment 38 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b. Urges the South Sudanese government to ensure gender equality and guarantee that women enjoy their rights and freedoms without discrimination on any ground such as sex, race, religious or cultural believes, national or social origin;
Amendment 39 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Expresses surprise that the United Nations, in view of the EU contributions to its budget, does not grant the Union special status during election missions, ensuring that its observers are protected and can do their job properly (i.e. affording them secure accommodation and access to health care);
Amendment 42 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Urges the government of South Sudan to enact any media laws to protect media freedom and safeguard the media in carrying out their reporting;
Amendment 43 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Recommends the Human Rights Council to establish a meaningful follow- up mechanism on the situation of human rights in South Sudan, such as an Independent Expert;
Amendment 44 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)
Paragraph 22 b (new)
22b. Strongly opposes the death penalty in all circumstances, calls on South Sudan to take specific steps to move towards its abolition;
Amendment 79 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. Whereas, although the opening up of the Chinese economy has brought major benefits such as better access to the employment market and a fall in rural unemployment, not all segments of the Chinese population have equally benefited from the economic growth and there are large disparities emerging between urban and rural parts of the country;
Amendment 80 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J b (new)
Recital J b (new)
Jb. Whereas inequalities in incomes, access to employment, social welfare, health and education between the urban and rural populations constitute a significant cohesion policy challenge for China;
Amendment 214 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 e (new)
Paragraph 8 e (new)
(e) Calls on China to comply with minimum social standards; stresses that observance of human rights, in all their complexity, is essential in the cooperation between the EU and China; underlines the importance of compliance with, and a rapid implementation of all rules of the International Labour Organisation and the World Trade Organisation, including the right to freely form independent trade unions; supports the pursuit of decent pay and working conditions; calls for mutual respect for labour legislation, especially the prevention of illegal forms of labour such as child labour and prison labour; notes the improvements made by the Chinese government regarding better conditions for employees, yet observes that workers' rights are not always respected due to poor enforcement of labour laws and employers frequently failing to comply with environmental, health and safety standards, which thus leads to dangerous work environments; calls for a thorough improvement of the legislation concerned;
Amendment 47 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas no international military action can, of itself, establish security, stability and lasting peace if it is not accompanied by a programme for democratic development;
Amendment 49 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas access to the people remains a major problem in the Horn of Africa countries as far as dealing with the humanitarian emergency there is concerned;
Amendment 50 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C c (new)
Recital C c (new)
Cc. whereas the Commission is about to raise to EUR 158 million the total amount of humanitarian aid granted this year to the populations that have been victims of the drought in the Horn of Africa countries;
Amendment 51 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C d (new)
Recital C d (new)
Cd. whereas, at the international Pledging Conference in Addis Ababa, the main African Union member states undertook to release almost USD 350 million for the countries affected by the drought;
Amendment 77 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Takes the view that it is important to support agriculture, pastoralism and cattle breeding in the Horn of Africa countries, and welcomes the important work done by various NGOs in these spheres;
Amendment 79 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Calls on the Commission to support all programmes for access to water as a fundamental right and a common asset of humanity, and to support public and private partnerships for access to drinking water;
Amendment 80 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1c. Urges the international community, in cooperation with the ICRC and the Red Crescent, to implement and develop in Somalia, as soon as possible, health facilities, healthcare centres and therapeutic nutrition centres for outpatients;
Amendment 81 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 d (new)
Paragraph 1 d (new)
1d. Asks the Commission to consider assisting and supporting all the African countries that are involved militarily in the peace-keeping effort in the Horn of Africa countries, particularly in Somalia;
Amendment 95 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Welcomes the new EU SHARE programme, which aims to increase the resilience of the countries in the Horn of Africa in respect of the various threats they have to face, but stresses that this programme should be coordinated with the EU strategy for the Sahel, which has to face the same threats (terrorism, drugs, climate change, influxes of refugees and displaced persons, etc.);
Amendment 96 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Welcomes the establishment of a Local Stability Fund, which aims in particular to coordinate international aid in the newly liberated and accessible areas in the south of Somalia;
Amendment 169 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Condemns the commercial incoherence whereby Somalia exports some of the food it produces while failing to guarantee food security for its own population;
Amendment 173 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Welcomes Somalia’s observance of the timetable set by the international community for ending the transition period; welcomes the establishment of the Constituent Assembly, the drafting of the new constitution and its adoption by the newly constituted Parliament, and the election of the President; welcomes the fact that the 30% quota for female Members of Parliament has almost been met;
Amendment 202 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Is concerned by the resurgence of violence in Jonglei state in South Sudan, jeopardising the progress made on re-establishing peace and security in the region, supports the investigation requested by UNMISS and calls for those responsible for the violence to be punished;
Amendment 203 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Calls on the Government of South Sudan to (i) take the necessary steps to strengthen its international and national human rights framework, including by reconfirming its obligations under international human rights treaties to which Sudan was party at the time of South Sudan's independence, while withdrawing reservations to them, and becoming party, without reservations, to other key international human rights treaties;(ii) immediately swear in members of the Investigation Committee into the Jonglei State Crisis and provide them with necessary resources to carry out an independent, full and impartial investigation;(iii) immediately impose an official moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty and to commute all death sentences to terms of imprisonment;
Amendment 206 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Welcomes the fact that Sudan and South Sudan have reached agreement on their common borders, albeit with many details yet to be finalised; underscores the urgent need for a definitive resolution of the Abyei situation;
Amendment 209 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 c (new)
Paragraph 13 c (new)
13c. Welcomes the conclusion, at the end of the period stipulated in the AU Peace and Security Council Roadmap, as enshrined in UN Security Council Resolution 2046(2012), of an agreement between Sudan and South Sudan on oil resources; hopes that this agreement will also finally resolve, at the earliest possible date, the problem of transit arrangements for oil from South Sudan;
Amendment 210 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 d (new)
Paragraph 13 d (new)
13d. Welcomes the memoranda of understanding concluded separately between the Sudanese Government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N), with the UN, the African Union and the Arab League, with a view to allowing humanitarian aid to get through to civilians in the states of Blue Nile and South Kordofan;
Amendment 211 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 e (new)
Paragraph 13 e (new)
13e. Is concerned about the deteriorating health situation of the estimated 170 000 Sudanese refugees, more than half of whom are children, in the four camps in Upper Nile state and the camp in Unity state, where the risks of infection, diarrhoea and malaria are sharply increasing, with malnutrition as an aggravating factor;
Amendment 212 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 f (new)
Paragraph 13 f (new)
13f. Calls on the governments of Sudan and South Sudan to find solutions for the future of the areas still in dispute and the final status of Abyei; urges the two countries to finalise the agreements to which they are already committed;
Amendment 213 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 g (new)
Paragraph 13 g (new)
13g. Congratulates former President Mbeki’s High Level Panel, which was part-financed by the EU, on the successes it achieved, with the support of the African Union, in negotiating and mediating between Sudan and South Sudan;
Amendment 214 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 h (new)
Paragraph 13 h (new)
13h. Condemns any support provided by either Sudan or South Sudan to any armed group other than their respective regular armed forces;
Amendment 32 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a
Paragraph 1 – point a
(a) ascertain whether the EED will generate a more strategic and political EU approach to democracy support by providing context-specific, flexible, timely and bottom-up assistance with rapid reprogramming where this is needed to facilitateensure the promotion of universal democratic transitionvalues in partner countries;
Amendment 37 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(aa) to work out a clear mission and values of the EED in order to have a clear criteria of the selection of beneficiaries, in particular to the methodology of the selection process;
Amendment 41 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) ensure that the EED fosters andwhile encouragesing ‘deep and sustainable democracy’ in pre- transition, transition and post- transition countries, with a primary, although not exclusive, focus on the European Neighbourhoodll receive a focused mandate allowing it to complement democracy support measures of other instruments and underlining the added- value of the new entity;
Amendment 58 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d
Paragraph 1 – point d
(d) ensure that the EED plays a role which complements and does not curtail the activities of existing funding instruments; emphasizes that the setting up of a European Endowment for Democracy must not lead to overlapping and duplication with existing instruments, particularly the EIDHR; where appropriate, the EED should launch projects which can later be continued by the EIDHR, creating an interface with the EIDHR so as to ensure coherence and sustainability in the longer term;
Amendment 60 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(da) define a precise methodology to avoid any overlap between financial instruments, the complex web of Community and parliamentary structures (OPPD, ECG, etc.) dealing with human rights, and the EED before any work is started on the project;
Amendment 61 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e
Paragraph 1 – point e
(e) enable the EED to act in the early stages of transition, to kick-start projects which thus far could not be supported by the EU owing to bureaucratic restrictions; and model the EED in such a way that it is less risk-averse;
Amendment 67 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e
Paragraph 1 – point e
(e) enable the EED to act in the early stages of transition, to kick-start projects which thus far could not be supported by the EU owing to bureaucratic restrictidue to procedural reasons; and model the EED in such a way that it is less risk-averse; regrets however that the community framework could not be used for such projects; highlights the importance of the community method and calls on the Commission to examine how EU instruments could be reformed and changed, so that they in the future also allow for swift and rapid response mechanisms;
Amendment 69 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f
Paragraph 1 – point f
(f) address, in the early stages of funding in a specific country, a wide group of potential beneficiaries, including key political players (emerging political actors, fledgling political parties, grassroots movements and non-registered NGOs, trade unions), watchdogs, whistleblowers, individual dissidents, media outlets and think tanks, in order to enable the EED to support a wide variety of local actors striving for democratic reforms;
Amendment 74 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f
Paragraph 1 – point f
(f) address, in the early stages of funding in a specific country, a wide group of potential beneficiaries, including key political players (emerging political actors, fledgling political parties, grassroots movements and non-registered NGOs, trade unions), watchdogs, whistleblowers, individual dissidents, media outlets and think tanks, new media actors (for e.g. bloggers, etc.), minority rights organisations and women organisations in order to enable the EED to support a wide variety of actors striving for democratic reforms;
Amendment 82 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g
Paragraph 1 – point g
Amendment 88 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h
Paragraph 1 – point h
(h) maintain a light, transparent and incluspolitically representative governance structure, providing a balanced mix between representatives from the Member States and EU institutions, including Parliament, and independent experts and practitioners; strike a balance between the autonomy and independence of the EED and its accountability to its funders;
Amendment 89 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h
Paragraph 1 – point h
(h) maintainensure that the EU have political influence in accordance with its' budgetary contribution; establish a transparent and inclusive governance structure, providing a balanced mix between representatives from the Member States and EU institutions, including Parliament, and independent experts and practitioners; strike a clear balance between the autonomy and independence of the EED and its accountability to its funders;
Amendment 96 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j
Paragraph 1 – point j
(j) ensure that the EED has robust links with beneficiary groups, but without having regional offices, relying instead on the European Union delegations and on local organisations or independent experts and practitioners;
Amendment 102 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k
Paragraph 1 – point k
(k) structure the EED as an administratively flexible and efficient Brussels-based structure, with straightforward grant-award mechanisms administered by staff trained in application of the Financial Regulation applicable to the EU budget; applicants should not be required to undergo cumbersome tendering procedures; co- financing by beneficiaries should not be a prerequisite for funding;
Amendment 108 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l
Paragraph 1 – point l
(l) guarantee that the EU's contribution to the EED budget is delivered in full conformity with EU financial rules, whilst reaffirming the right of the budgetary authority to monitor and scrutinise the way this funding is used by appropriately trained staff, and ensure transparency of the allocation of EU funds; underlines the right of the budgetary authority to monitor, scrutinise, and grant discharge on the implementation of EU funds; recalls the Commission's responsibility to implement and supervise EU funds in accordance with financial regulation rules;
Amendment 110 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point l a (new)
(la) ensure that if the Community budget contributes towards financing the EED, this is not done at the expense of the already limited resources allocated to the EIDHR;
Amendment 120 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point m a (new)
(ma) allow for sufficient space of the European Parliament to share its creative power and transnational experience from European Member States in support to democratisation processes beyond Europe's borders;
Amendment 122 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n
Paragraph 1 – point n
(n) increase participation of the European Parliament in the governing board of this instrument, so as to guarantee proper influence in line with the Parliament's responsibility as one arm of the EU's budgetary authority; ensure that Parliament is involved and consulted throughout the entire process of the creation, setting-up and running of the EED, inter alia through the inclusion of a number of MEPs on its Board of Governors and its Executive Committee, in order to guarantee political balance and to enable Parliament to provide its input into defining the political and strategic guidelines underpinning the endowment's activities in a meaningful and systematic manner;
Amendment 124 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n
Paragraph 1 – point n
(n) ensure that Parliament is involved and consulted throughout the entire process of the creation, setting-up and running of the EED, inter alia through the inclusion of a number of politically balanced MEPs on its Board of Governors and its Executive Committee, in order to guarantee political balance and to enable Parliament to provide its input into defining the political and strategic guidelines underpinning the endowment's activities in a meaningful and systematic manner;
Amendment 130 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point o
Paragraph 1 – point o
(o) review after one year of activities the impact and performance of the EED and its complementary and added-value to EU instruments and their new set-up in the forthcoming financial period;
Amendment 10 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 19 a (new)
Citation 19 a (new)
- having regard to the Council conclusions of 17 November 2009 on ‘Democracy Support in the EU’s External Relations’,
Amendment 25 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas it is now clear that civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights are interdependent and mutually reinforcing, and whereas democratic governancecy is the best means of guaranteeing those rights and working to combat poverty,
Amendment 28 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas, in the EUits Agenda for Action on Democracy Support in EU External Relations adopted by, the Council, the Union stated that it wished to improve the coherence and the effectiveness of its support, but whereas little progress has been made when it comes to implementationin that respect,
Amendment 50 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the Union has a genuine policy of incentives in this area with a view to providing leverage for reform, but whereas the full potential of those incentives has not been exploited for political reasons; whereas in theory, even though there is no structural impediment to using external financing instruments in a coordinated manner to support democratisation,
Amendment 52 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Amendment 54 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas this situation may stem from a lack of political commitment on the part of partner countries’ governmentgovernments of the countries which host EU election observation missions and from the inability of the Commission and the Member States to ensure that the recommendations give rise to specific support programmes, in particular for newly elected parliaments in countries in democratic transition,
Amendment 55 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas it still does not have at its disposal sufficiently detailed studies which would enable it to assess the scope of the support for democracy provided by the Union, including its Member States; whereas this is partly the result of transparency, document-access and consultation issues which have not yet been resolved by the Council,
Amendment 65 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Believes that only flourishing democracy in third countries can lay the foundations for balanced, legitimate partnerships with the Union that are in keeping with the needs and interests of both parties;
Amendment 79 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that the events unfolding on the southern shore of the Mediterranean have demonstrated the limitations of a focuspolicy based on security andconcerns and a desire to maintain stability, which has failed to stamp out poverty and social injustice; believes that, although there has been economic growth, its benefits have not been distributed fairly; highlights the need for a paradigm shift aimed at the genuine consolidation of democracy on the basis of endogenous, sustainable development that benefits the local population;
Amendment 88 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises that priority ismust now being given to making greater and more vigorous practical use of the Union’s existing range of incentives, and to eliminating inconsistencies and double standards in their implementation, which undermine perceptions of Europe and the latter’s ability to implement a strong, consistent policy;
Amendment 98 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recommends that international agreements, country strategy papers, action plans, the GSP+ programme and all other sources of reciprocal undertakings byforms of contractual relations between the Union and third countries be tightened up by means of more clearly worded clauses on human rights and democracy, specific mechanisms in the event of non- compliance (based, at the very least, on those set out in the Cotonou Agreement), commitments coupled with detailed criteria for assessing the progress made, and a specific timetable for implementation;
Amendment 100 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Recalls that the objectives of the common commercial policy should be fully coordinated with the European Union's overall objectives; points out that, pursuant to Article 207 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the EU's common commercial policy must be conducted ‘in the context of the principles and objectives of the Union's external action’, and that, pursuant to Article 3 of the Treaty on European Union, it must contribute, inter alia, to sustainable development, the eradication of poverty and the protection of human rights;
Amendment 103 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Amendment 104 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4c. Recalls the firm position adopted by Parliament in favour of including in all free trade agreements legally binding clauses on social and environmental aspects and respect for human rights, taking as a minimum basis the list of conventions contained in the GSP+ Regulation;
Amendment 106 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Reaffirms that the European Parliament must supervise these aspects more closely; calls, therefore, for the Union to involve ParliamentEuropean Parliament to be involved at every stage in the conclusion, application and suspension of international agreements with third countries, including the process of defining the negotiating mandate for new agreements (in particular as regards the promotion of human rights), in dialogue within association councils or any other equivalent political body responsible for overseeing an agreement (as regards the honouring of commitments relating to democratisation), and in the process of deciding whether to launch consultation or suspend an agreement;
Amendment 114 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Believes that monitoring of the human rights situation in each country derives its legitimacy wholly from the United Nations framework; calls on the UnionCommission and the EEAS, nevertheless, to present regular, comprehensive reports on third countries’ implementation of commitments relating to democracy and human rights that are specifically included in agreements with the Union;
Amendment 117 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -7 a (new)
Paragraph -7 a (new)
-7a. Calls also on the European Union, in such a sensitive field, to base its strategies with regard to democracy on a detailed analysis of the scope for reform in third countries and of the political will of leaders to engage in such a process, and to identify possible logjams in order to determine the most appropriate strategies; takes the view that this identification process should be based on regular exchanges of views with all democratic forces in a country so that it is based on mutual confidence and knowledge;
Amendment 118 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph - 7 b (new)
Paragraph - 7 b (new)
-7b. Endorses the ‘more for more’ approach outlined in the communication entitled ‘A partnership for democracy and shared prosperity with the southern Mediterranean’; believes that, by the same token, the Union should not hesitate to reassign funds previously earmarked for countries whose governments fail to honour their commitments in the area of good democratic governance;
Amendment 119 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recommends, in the case of the most problematic partnerships, that the Union refrain from isolating the countries concerned, instead conducting relations with them on the basis ofAdvises the European Parliament and the Council not to automatically rule out all partnerships with authoritarian regimes if they are deemed capable of transforming themselves; recommends appropriate and effective conditionality serving as a genuine incentive to democratic reform, and that itrecommends verifying that such cooperation genuinely benefits the population; endorses the ‘more for more’ approach outlined in the communication entitled ‘A partnership for democracy and shared prosperity with the southern Mediterranean’; believes that, by the same token, the Union should not hesitate to reassign funds previously earmarked for countries whose governments fail to honour their commitments in the area of democratic governance;
Amendment 130 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Would welcome the establishment of a forum bringing together national parliaments and the European Parliament to consider foreign policy issues, particularly regarding sensitive subjects such as human rights and democracy;
Amendment 149 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Emphasises that it is essential to combine the two approaches to promoting democracy, namely the developmental approach, which focuses on socio- economic progress, and the political approach, which supports political pluralism and parliamentary democracy; calls for such support for the political dimension in third countries to consist of pluralist, institutional support rather than interference; stresses the added value supplied by former Members of the European Parliament in the EU’s measures to promote democratisation;
Amendment 165 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Stresses that, in order to be completely legitimate and rooted in the will of the people, any strategy for promoting democracy must be based on dialogue with as wide as possible a range of local actors; urges the Council, the EEAS and the Commission to conduct wide-ranging and in-depth consultations with all stakeholders;
Amendment 188 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes that this strategic document should shape all external policies pertaining to the country concerned, along with the use of EU instruments; calls for it to be made available to Parliament;
Amendment 199 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Calls on the Conference of Presidents to expand the remit of the Election Observation Coordination Group to cover all issues relating to the development of parliamentary democracy;
Amendment 200 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14b. Considers that the EP’s standing delegations and the joint parliamentary assemblies should play a significantly enhanced role in following up the recommendations of election observation missions and analysing progress with regard to human rights and democracy;
Amendment 205 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Stresses the importance, at the end of each election observation mission, of drawing up realistic and achievable recommendations, the implementation of which must be strongly supported by all the EU institutions and by the Member States; points out once again that former Members can be called upon in order to bring the European Parliament’s observation delegations up to strength;
Amendment 213 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Calls for the EIDHR to be retained and strengthened when the next revision of the financial instruments is carried out, and calls for more resources to be assigned to it;
Amendment 223 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Proposes developing a more open and active policy of supporting social movements and those encouraging civic participation, such as trade unions, mutual societies, women’s groups, youth associations, farmers’ organisations, indigenous movements, NGOs and social networks, along with individuals promoting reform, including human rights defenders and emerging political leaders; suggests fostering the influence of such movements and individuals by means of specific programmes and by incorporating this concept into existing programmes;
Amendment 231 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Affirms the need for a more committed policy on social, cultural and political rights and in the areas of promoting the freedom of ‘old’ and ‘new’ media, protecting the media, reducing the digital divide and facilitating internet accessmaking access to information a universal right;
Amendment 237 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and, the Commission, the EEAS and to the governments and parliaments of the Member States.
Amendment 555 #
2011/0401(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 3 – point c
Article 16 – paragraph 3 – point c
Amendment 585 #
2011/0401(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 16 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Research activities intended to create human embryos solely for the purpose of research or stem cell procurement, including by means of somatic cell nuclear transfer, may be financed where permitted by relevant Member States if the objects of the research cannot be achieved by use of supernumerary embryos. For research on supernumerary human embryos, funding may be granted for projects which include the procurement of stem cells.
Amendment 721 #
2011/0401(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 3 – point e a (new)
Article 22 – paragraph 3 – point e a (new)
(e a) Particular attention shall be paid to initiatives on sensitive ethical issues such as hESC research. On such issues, the European Commission shall take special steps to support wide dialogue and debate involving all points of view.
Amendment 1 #
2010/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 25 a (new)
Citation 25 a (new)
- having regard to the conclusions of the October 2008 Oslo conference on the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement as a means of ensuring observance of the rights of internally displaced persons, i.e. persons displaced against their will as the result of conflict, persecution, natural disasters or development projects, irrespective of whether they have crossed a state border,
Amendment 2 #
2010/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 26 a (new)
Citation 26 a (new)
- having regard to the study of customary law carried out by the International Committee of the Red Cross, identifying health as a customary right which must be respected under international humanitarian law,
Amendment 5 #
2010/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas there are differences in the terminology used in countries where, respectively, English, French and African languages are spoken and the underlying concepts are not always the same, some countries referring to ‘mutual health organisations’ (‘mutuelles de santé’), others to ‘community-based health insurance’ (‘assurance maladie à base communautaire’) and others to ‘health micro-insurance’ to denote a wide range of mutually supportive risk-sharing schemes designed to cover health service costs in part or in full,
Amendment 6 #
2010/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F b (new)
Recital F b (new)
Fb. whereas the term ‘mutual’ emphasises the social dynamic and joint initiative of a group of members, while the concept of ‘insurance’ implies (1) payment of contributions in advance, i.e. before risks materialise, (2) risk sharing and (3) a guarantee; and mutual organisations may be defined, in accordance with the 1998 Abidjan Platform, as independent, non-profit organisations based on solidarity and democratic participation, whose aim, mainly through their members’ contributions, is to improve access to quality health care for members and their families in the form of providence and mutual aid,
Amendment 7 #
2010/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F c (new)
Recital F c (new)
Fc. whereas people living in certain social and humanitarian circumstances do not always appreciate the concept of providence and do not therefore see the point of contributing to insurance against health risks that may not materialise – particularly so where a whole range of NGOs can offer parallel provision of health care and medicines free of charge,
Amendment 8 #
2010/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F d (new)
Recital F d (new)
Fd. whereas members of the diaspora from sub-Saharan Africa have become aware, in various host countries where mutual health insurance schemes are well developed, that such schemes are useful and beneficial; and whereas many members of the diaspora remain in close contact with their countries of origin,
Amendment 11 #
2010/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Reminds the international community of its commitments to the Millennium Development Goals, and the EU of its undertaking to step up support for health services in sub-Saharan Africa;
Amendment 18 #
2010/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Points out that every child has the right to have access to vaccination and immunisation programmes; points out, too, that 8.8 million children under the age of five (half of them in sub-Saharan Africa) are still dying every year of preventable or curable illnesses;
Amendment 19 #
2010/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Points out that pneumonia and diarrhoea are the main causes of infant mortality in sub-Saharan Africa;
Amendment 31 #
2010/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Is deeply concerned about the circulation on the African market of medicines that are past their sell-by date, adulterated or counterfeit, and about the inadequate response of national authorities and the international community;
Amendment 32 #
2010/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Is concerned by the severe shortage of well trained medical staff and the fact that many doctors do not remain in their own countries; suggests that doctors be offered multi-entry visa arrangements to enable them to pursue training in Europe while continuing to be based in Africa;
Amendment 39 #
2010/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Stresses the key role of local authorities in improving prevention and making health care more accessible;
Amendment 40 #
2010/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Stresses that it is unlikely in the short term that these states will be able to fund national health care systems from their tax revenues alone and that a mixed funding system must be found; and points out that co-financing is a useful lever for promoting partner countries’ ownership of projects;
Amendment 42 #
2010/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Believes that strategic alliances need to be forged among the main parties involved at local, national and international levels and that institutional dialogue between government, service providers and mutual insurance organisations is vital in defining health policy and shaping the way it is introduced;
Amendment 43 #
2010/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b. Shares the WHO’s view that the extension of healthcare must necessarily be associated with a system of social security based on prepayment and sharing, rather than direct payment by users, and that reforms aimed at establishing universal cover are a prerequisite for fairer health provision;
Amendment 46 #
2010/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Encourages the efforts being made by certain states which, aware of local circumstances and needs, are supporting initiatives for specific sections of society (e.g. farmers, coffee growers and women’s or neighbourhood groups), ethnic groups or communities, or traditional-type schemes such as tontine funds;
Amendment 48 #
2010/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Emphasises that there could be a role for members of the diaspora from sub- Saharan Africa in helping to raise awareness in their countries of origin about the benefits of mutual health insurance and the adoption of such schemes;
Amendment 50 #
2010/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Calls on the Member States and on European laboratories, in accordance with the provisions of the TRIPS Agreement, to negotiate a ‘partnership approach’ respecting patent protection in developed markets and covering voluntary licensing agreements, support for health programmes, technology transfer arrangements and an increase in local production capacity with a view to reducing the price of medicines in low- income countries (through tiered or differential pricing);
Amendment 51 #
2010/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 b (new)
Paragraph 29 b (new)
29b. Asks the EU not to include in EPAs provisions on intellectual property rights that place further obstacles in the way of access to essential medicines; points out that, under the 2001 Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health, the EU is committed to putting public health before commercial interests, and asks it to use the framework of the EPAs to help the ACP countries implement the flexibility provisions of the Doha Declaration;
Amendment 53 #
2010/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Calls on the Commission to supplement its aid for vertical funds with recommendations designed to encourage 'diagonal' measures to support basic health care in the countries concerned; calls likewise on the Commission to make recommendations to the vertical funds with a view to their drawing up medium- term exit strategies for partner countries in line with the progress made in achieving the objectives for which they were set up;
Amendment 54 #
2010/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33a. Calls on the Commission to ensure greater coherence in external relations policies by developing a Communication on social Protection in development cooperation as suggested by the Council in its Conclusions on Promoting Employment through EU Development Cooperation (21 June 2007). This Communication should be tied to a concrete, time-bound action plan with dedicated resources;
Amendment 55 #
2010/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 b (new)
Paragraph 33 b (new)
33b. Asks the Commission to support the introduction of health cards in the EU’s partner countries and to work with the countries concerned – at regional level if necessary – to ensure that resources are available to meet the needs in this field;
Amendment 57 #
2010/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34a. Calls on EU member states’ varying areas of expertise to provide more technical and financial support to developing country governments to implement and extend social protection systems;
Amendment 66 #
2010/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36a. Calls on all the Member States and the Commission to allocate at least 20% of all development spending to basic health and education, to increase their contributions to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and their funding for other programmes designed to strengthen health systems, and to prioritise maternal health and efforts to combat infant mortality;
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 14 #
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 currently dealt with by the Directorate- General for External Relations (DG Relex) in the Commission; in addition, the High Representative, jointly with the Commissioners concerned, should present a comprehensive proposal on how other major external action-related policies will be organised in the new institutional set- up; enlargement, trade, development and humanitarian aid together constitute a substantial part of the EU's overall external policies; there are compelling reasons to include development policy in, but their autonomy must be preserved, so that they cannot be included in the remit of the new service;
Amendment 101 #
2008/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Underlines that a peaceful settlement ofNotes the appointment of George Mitchell as US special envoy for the Middle East; conflict is vital, and hopes that it will represent one of the most alls on the EU and the US to work together so that the curgrent priorities of the new US administrfragile ceasefire in Gaza becomes solid and lasting; considers that an internation,al coordinating closely with the EU and engaging nference, to be attended by all regional actors, could help to achieve this goal and could be instrumental in relaunching the Quartet; emphasises that both partners should strive for intensificationMiddle East peace process; considers that, in view of the negotiallegations based on the road map and the Annapolis Conference achievements, aimed at arriving at a two-state solution; urges both partners to rof violations of international law during the conflict in Gaza, an independent international investigation should be carried ouble their efforts, also within the Quartet and in their dealings with Arab countries, so that a ceasefire in Gaza may be quickly achievedt, because there can be no peace without justice; calls on the transatlantic partners to support efforts to bring about inter- Palestinian reconciliation;
Amendment 2 #
2008/2111(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Citation 5 a (new)
Citation 5 a (new)
– having regard to the results of the Ninth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity held from 19 to 30 May 2008 in Bonn,
Amendment 8 #
2008/2111(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Recital E e (new)
Recital E e (new)
Ee. whereas the UN General Assembly decided to hold on 4 and 5 October 2007 the High-level Dialogue on interreligious and intercultural cooperation for the promotion of tolerance, understanding and universal respect on matters of freedom of religion or belief and cultural diversity, in coordination with other similar initiatives in this area,
Amendment 9 #
2008/2111(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Recital E f (new)
Recital E f (new)
Ef. whereas 2008 is the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue,
Amendment 32 #
2008/2111(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point k a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point k a (new)
(ka) urges the Members State to support efforts by UN Secretary-General in the process of implementation of the concept of ‘responsibility to protect’, as endorsed at the 2005 World Summit; calls on Member States to participate actively in this process,
Amendment 54 #
2008/2111(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point r
Paragraph 1 – point r
(r) calls on all EU Member States to remain engaged in the preparations for the 2009 Durban Review Conference and to ensure that the Conference provides the opportunity for all stakeholders to renew their determination and commitment to fight racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and relatedall other forms of intolerance and to adopt concrete benchmarks with a view to the eradication of racism,
Amendment 59 #
2008/2111(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point t a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point t a (new)
(ta) invites the Council and the Member States to encourage contributions to the UN Peacebuilding Fund in order to ensure that it is provided with sufficient resources,
Amendment 69 #
2008/2111(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point w f (new)
Paragraph 1 – point w f (new)
(wf) considers that maternal mortality rates remain unacceptably high in many developing countries, with more than 500 000 women dying each year from treatable and preventable complications relating to pregnancy and childbirth; therefore urges EU Member States to dramatically step up efforts and funding so as to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health information and services which are essential for the attainment of the health MDGs, gender equality and the fight against poverty,
Amendment 80 #
2008/2111(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point x
Paragraph 1 – point x
(x) calls on the Council to continue its efforts and to fulfil its commitments to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the target date of 2015 and is, in this context, concerned by the scale of the current food crisis and the impact it could have on the achievement of the MDGs; calls on the Council to ensure that the UN is granted the means necessary to tackle this crisis,
Amendment 81 #
2008/2111(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point x a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point x a (new)
(xa) calls on the UN General Assembly to hold discussions highlighting the importance, in 2008 and thereafter, of advancing the Alliance of Civilisations – an initiative officially sponsored by the United Nations – in particular by discussing initiatives such as the development of joint multi-stakeholder initiatives at the regional level, with a view to promoting better intercultural understanding, preventing the mounting of tensions and the rise of extremism, contributing to the upgrading of the intercultural dialogue between the countries bordering the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean Sea, and launching a number of activities within the framework of active city diplomacy,
Amendment 83 #
2008/2111(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point x b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point x b (new)
(xb) urges the Member States to participate actively in the High Level Meeting on Africa’s Development Needs (NEPAD) to be held on 22 September 2008 and in the United Nations High Level meeting on the MDGs to be held on 25 September 2008 in New York,
Amendment 95 #
2008/2111(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point y a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point y a (new)
(ya) appeals to the Council to actively support the central role of the UN in the creation of a post-2012 global climate change agreement; calls on the Member States to actively participate in the comprehensive global negotiations leading to the conclusion of a long-term international climate change agreement by the end of 2009,
Amendment 96 #
2008/2111(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point y b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point y b (new)
(yb) calls on the Council to promote energy efficiency as well as the global use and development of renewable energies and to support the UN in its central role in fighting and mitigating climate change,
Amendment 98 #
2008/2111(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point z
Paragraph 1 – point z
(z) regretstakes note of the fact that the United Nations Secretary-General has so far refrained from recognising the EULEX mission as part of the international civilian presence in Kosovo; is worried about the repercussions which this delay in recognition could have on the implementation of the mission and on the stability of the region, and calls on EU Member States, who have unanimously endorsed the launch of EULEX, to invite the UN Secretary-General to review his positionurgently look for a pragmatic solution as regards the work of EULEX in Kosovo,
Amendment 103 #
2008/2111(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point aa a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point aa a (new)
(aaa) calls on the Council to encourage all activities and appropriate financing aimed at the mainstreaming of gender issues into all aspects of the UN’s activities,
Amendment 104 #
2008/2111(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point aa b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point aa b (new)
(aab) urges the Council to support all activities aimed at combating the extinction of species and protection of the environment as well as mobilising the necessary financial resources;
Amendment 45 #
2008/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Considers that the European Union sanctions against the Palestinian Government formed in February 2006 following elections which the EU recognised as free and democratic have undermined the consistency of Union policy and proved seriously counterproductive by making the political and humanitarian situation considerably worse;
Amendment 57 #
2008/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Considers that failure to take appropriate or restrictive measures in the event of a situation marked by persistent human rights violations seriously undermines the Union's human rights strategy, sanctions policy and credibility; in this connection, believes that the persistent violations of international law by Israel call for urgent action on the part of the Union;
Amendment 5 #
2008/2026(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Welcomes the humanitarian aid allocated by the Commission immediately after the outbreak of the Georgia crisis, which is needed in order to alleviate the suffering of conflict-affected people in Georgia and of refugees who have fled to the Russian Federation; insists that the current amounts under Heading 4 do not allow for the provision of reconstruction assistance to the conflict-affected areas of Georgia, and therefore asks the Council to allocate additional means to that end; at the same time, asks the Commission to analyse the needs in respect of reconstruction assistance and to keep Parliament continuously informed so as to ensure the accountability of any steps to be taken in this regard; insists that international donors are to be strongly involved in carrying out the reconstruction of Georgia;
Amendment 152 #
2008/0142(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 4
Article 8 – paragraph 4
4. The prior authorisation system shall be limited to what is necessary and proportionate to avoid such impact,evaluated by the two Member States concerned and shall not constitute a means of arbitrary discrimination.
Amendment 167 #
2008/0142(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 10
Article 10
Amendment 174 #
2008/0142(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 10 (new)
Article 10 (new)
Amendment 180 #
2008/0142(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) provide and disseminate information to patients in particular on their rights related to cross-border healthcare and the guarantees of quality and safety, protection of personal data, procedures for complaints and means of redress available for healthcare provided in another Member State, and on the terms and conditions applicable;
Amendment 183 #
2008/0142(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) help patients to protect their rights and seek appropriate redress in the event of harm caused by the use of healthcare in another Member State; the national contact point shall in particular inform patients about the options available to settle any dispute, help to identify the appropriate out-of-court settlement scheme for the specific case and help patients to monitor their dispute where necessary;
Amendment 37 #
2007/2267(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Is aware of the negative impact whichsensitivities of the Croatian public opinion after 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 government to take steps to restore popular support for the role of the ICTY in addressing the crimes perpetrated during the Yugoslav conflict; calls on Croatia to comply strictly with the decisions of ICTY and act where any breach of provisional release conditions of indictees occurs;
Amendment 6 #
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 around 25% of EIDHR for EU EOMs;
Amendment 13 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Reaffirms the precedence of ODIHR election observation missions in the OSCE area, where the EU does not as a rule deploy election observation missions; commends the ODIHR for the quality of its work and its adherence to high standards of transparency and independence; expresses its concern about statements and actions of some OSCE participating States that call into question the ODIHR’s mandate and undermine the effectiveness of its missions; calls on OSCE participating States and on the European Council to uphold the ODIHR’s position as the principal election-monitoring body in the OSCE area;
Amendment 17 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses that this success has made the EU a 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; considers in this respect that the experience of former MEPs as short-term observers and long-term observers could be considered;
Amendment 20 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on the Commission to take the appropriate measures to further strengthen the adequate participation of civil society organisations and local observers in electoral processes;
Amendment 32 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Calls on the Commission to consider, in the negotiation of association agreements or strategic partnerships, how to include the feasibility of observing electoral processes in southern Mediterranean countries and Middle East countries;
Amendment 34 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Suggests that the implementation of the recommendations made by EU EOMs be closely followed up, in particular where election assistance is not provided;
Amendment 40 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Recommends the establishment of a political dialogue in cases where the recommendations made by EU EOMs are not implemented;
Amendment 41 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Suggests, in line with the above point, that the European Parliament should be present at the opening of a new parliament whose election has been observed and that cooperation with such newly elected parliament should be strengthened;
Amendment 47 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Confirms its willingness to establishalls for an analysis of the conditions in which short term joint election observation delegations could be organised with the counterpart members of the ACP-EU JPA, the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (EMPA) and the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (EuroLatPA);
Amendment 48 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Considers that electronic voting is already playing, and will increasingly play, a crucial role in electoral processes, giving birth to a new kind of electoral fraud; urges the Commission to take the appropriate measures for the reliable observation of such voting and to properly train observers for that purpose;
Amendment 49 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24b. Calls for the adoption by Parliament of an annual report on EU Election Observation Missions;
Amendment 50 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, and to the Co-Presidents of the ACP-EU JPA, the President of the EMPA and the Co-Presidents of EuroLatPA. , the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Director of the ODIHR.
Amendment 51 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital - A (new)
Recital - A (new)
-A. whereas elections must be organised in accordance with internationally recognised standards,
Amendment 57 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas a Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and a Code of Conduct for International Elections Observers were adopted under the auspices of the UN in 2005, and have been endorsed by both the Commission and Parliament, as well as by 32 other international governmental and non- governmental organisations,
Amendment 58 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the principles highlighted in that Declaration include full coverage, independence and impartiality, transparency and publicity, professionalism, analysis and advice, respect for the sovereignty of the host country including the need to receive an invitation to observe, cooperation between the different observer organisations, and the non-legitimatisation of clearly undemocratic electoral processes,
Amendment 59 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas, since the adoption of the above-mentioned Commission Communication of 2000, more than 50 EU EOMs have been deployed in 32 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America; whereas it is remarkable, however, that far fewer EU EOMs have been deployed in southern Mediterranean countries,
Amendment 60 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C c (new)
Recital C c (new)
Cc. whereas under the EDIHR more than EUR 30 million are made available each year for EU EOMs,
Amendment 61 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C d (new)
Recital C d (new)
Cd. whereas, in a given country where elections have taken place, a democratically elected parliament is of limited value if that institution enjoys no significant power and is dominated by the executive,
Amendment 62 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C e (new)
Recital C e (new)
Ce. whereas some key future challenges remain to be addressed in the field of EU election observation, such as the increasing significance of electronic voting,