58 Amendments of Michael GAHLER related to 2020/2081(INI)
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 a (new)
Citation 10 a (new)
— having regard to the statement of the President of the European Parliament of 13 August and the leaders of the five political groups of 17 August on the situation in Belarus following the presidential election of 9 August,
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 b (new)
Citation 10 b (new)
— having regard to the extraordinary meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council 14 August and European Council on 19 August on the situation in Belarus following the presidential election of 9 August,
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas despite the fundamental restrictions on basic freedoms and human rights that remain in Belarus, the EU policy of critical engagement with Belarus has produced some results in the form of signed agreements and increased cooperation in areas such as environment and connectivity, cross-border cooperation and border management; whereas future relations between the EU and Belarus will be defined in the Partnership Priorities to be agreed by both sides;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the OSCE ODIHR International Election Observation Mission noted an overall disregard for the fundamental freedoms of assembly, association and expression during the 2019 parliamentary elections, which took place after a limited amount ofspace for election campaigning, and within a restrictive environment and repressions that did not provide for a meaningful or competitive political contest overall;
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas, despite the 2016 EU Council's decision to lift restrictive measures against 170 individuals and three companies in light of steps taken by Belarus to improve EU-Belarus relations, no progress has been achieved in areas of democratic governance and human rights, with increasing administrative, financial and physical repressions against the democratic opposition, civil society organisations, journalists and bloggers, and even ordinary people;
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the 2020 presidential elections have thus farnot only followed the same pattern as the parliamentary elections, but demonstrated even more regime- orchestrated repressions than in previous years;
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the Belarusian authorities denied that COVID-19 had spread in the country, thereby wasting precious time that could have been used to prepare and protect the country’s population and in particular its medical staff, did not cancel mass events, and instead engaged in the intimidation of journalists and bloggers, the democratic opposition, civil society organisations and ordinary people who dared to contradict the official government narrative;
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the EU stood in solidarity with the people of Belarus from the on-set of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing financial and material support through bilateral and regional programmes;
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas press freedom in Belarus has significantly deteriorated since 2015, the few independent journalists or, media outlets and bloggers that are able to operate in the country are subject to systematic harassment and punitive measures, such as arrests or initiation of criminal investigations, and the number of prosecutions for statements on the internet has increased;
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas there has been notable increase in engagement with the Belarusian civil society, including through EU-supported activities and intensifying people-to-people contact;
Amendment 93 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
Recital E b (new)
Eb. whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has displayed the resilience, strong resolve and unprecedented self- organisation of the Belarusian society, particularly in light of the authorities' lethargic response, and even denials of the pandemic and its impact;
Amendment 115 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas from a security point of view, Belarus is closely linked to and dependent on Russia and is engaging in actions posing a threat to the EU Member States such as the non-transparent Zapad 2017 joint military exercises;
Amendment 116 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Amendment 122 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G b (new)
Recital G b (new)
Gb. whereas independent platforms established by civil society organisations of Belarus (such as Golos - Belarus2020.org) conducted independent exit polls and analysed protocols of more than 200 precinct electoral commissions, which released genuine results, that clearly point to the fact that Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya received an absolute majority of votes (in the range of 71.1% to 97.6%);
Amendment 123 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G c (new)
Recital G c (new)
Amendment 126 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G d (new)
Recital G d (new)
Gd. whereas the Belarusian authorities did not comply with minimum international standards for a credible, transparent, free and fair presidential election process;
Amendment 128 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G e (new)
Recital G e (new)
Ge. whereas peaceful protests expressing a desire for democratic change and freedom started already on the night of Sunday 9 August in Minsk and many other cities around the country, the scale of protests is unprecedented in the history of Belarus going into the hundreds of thousands;
Amendment 129 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G f (new)
Recital G f (new)
Gf. whereas the authorities responded to peaceful protests with disproportionate brute force, heavy use of tear gas, batons, flash grenades and water cannons, several thousand protestors were detained, there have been reports of torture, rape, missing persons, several people have been found dead so far;
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G g (new)
Recital G g (new)
Gg. whereas Lukashenko and his regime have approved these criminal actions and pogroms by OMON of innocent people and whereas more than 7000 Belarusians were detained, more than 400 hospitalised, 5 confirmed dead and dozens still missing, while further arrests and harassment of activists, including journalists, are still taking place all over Belarus;
Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G h (new)
Recital G h (new)
Gh. whereas the European Union and its Member States did not recognise the results of the presidential election due to substantial doubt about the fairness of the election, condemned the disproportionate, unacceptable use of force against peaceful protestors and supported the right of the people of Belarus to determine their future;
Amendment 135 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G i (new)
Recital G i (new)
Amendment 164 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a
Paragraph 1 – point a
(a) support the sovereignty of Belarus, including against pressure from the Russian Federation for deeper integration, and remind Belarus that the European Union is open to further development of relations with the country both bilaterally and within the Eastern Partnership framework if Belarus meets conditions linked to democracy, the rule of law, international law, human rights and fundamental freedoms;
Amendment 179 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) acknowledge that while the critical engagement policy has brought about some developments in bilateral relations, progress in the key areas of democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and civil society remains very limited or almost non- existent, and, as the EU is engaging in a more tailored approach to the Eastern Partnership, consider applying the ‘less for less’ principle in the case of further deteriorationwith regards to the Belarusian authorities in the case of continued deterioration of the human rights situation, while pursuing a 'more for more' principle with regards to the civil society;
Amendment 186 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c
Paragraph 1 – point c
Amendment 223 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e
Paragraph 1 – point e
(e) pay close attention to the presidential election campaign and insist that a lack of progress in conducting elections according to international standards and furthercondemn the lack of free and fair presidential election, including the repressions and crackdowns, against the oppositionnd insist that these developments will have direct adverse effeimpacts on relations with the EUthe EU-Belarus relations;
Amendment 225 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e
Paragraph 1 – point e
(e) pay close attention to the fallout of the presidential election campaign and insist that a lack of progress innot conducting new elections in according toance with international standards and further crackdowns against the opposition will have direct adverse effects on relations with the EU;
Amendment 241 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f
Paragraph 1 – point f
(f) insist thaton the transparency and inclusiveness of the upcoming constitutional reform i, through a national dialogue, as a crucial opportunity to introduce genuine changes, including basic civil rights and freedoms, which would address the weaknesses of the current political system, ensure transparent and pluralistic electoral process, and enable the Belarusian people to participate more actively in the political life and processes;
Amendment 245 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f
Paragraph 1 – point f
(f) insist that the upcoming constitutional reform is a crusupports the initiative of the Belarusian People's Coordination Councial opportunity to introduce genuine changes which would address the weaknesses of the current political system and enable the Belarusian people to participate more actively in political lifeto immediately reintroduce the Constitution of 1994, which can be done through a national referendum;
Amendment 253 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g
Paragraph 1 – point g
(g) call on the authorities to remove the arbitrary barriers under which no new political party has been registered in Belarus since 2000 and enable the registration of political parties, religious and civic and public organisations, and to stop the restrictions applied to established organisations;
Amendment 258 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
Amendment 262 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subheading 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 – subheading 1 a (new)
Post-election situation in Belarus
Amendment 263 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
(ga) strongly support the decision to not recognise the election results as announced by the Belarusian Central Electoral Committee, not to recognise Alexander Lukashenko as president of the country once his current term of office expires; note that the current presidential term in Belarus ends at the latest on 5 November 2020 and after that date a position of the President of Belarus will be vacant. According to the article 81 of the Constitution of Belarus in this case new election of President has to be held not earlier than 30 days and not later than 70 days;
Amendment 265 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point g b (new)
(gb) support an inclusive national dialogue between the People's Coordination Council and the regime, led by representatives of churches as respected and neutral mediators, to help set Belarus on road out of the current crisis and towards a peaceful and democratic transition;
Amendment 271 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g c (new)
Paragraph 1 – point g c (new)
Amendment 272 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g d (new)
Paragraph 1 – point g d (new)
(gd) recommend to recognise the Belarusian People's Coordination Council as the legitimate representative of the people demanding democratic change and freedom in Belarus;
Amendment 273 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g e (new)
Paragraph 1 – point g e (new)
(ge) welcome the efforts of the Belarusian People's Coordination Council for a peaceful and democratic transition of power as a result of an inclusive national dialogue;
Amendment 274 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g f (new)
Paragraph 1 – point g f (new)
(gf) urge to prepare a comprehensive review of its policy towards Belarus, taking into account different scenarios of developments in the country, that also include a substantially increased financial and technical commitment from the EU;
Amendment 275 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g g (new)
Paragraph 1 – point g g (new)
(gg) urge the EU to organise a donors conference for democratic Belarus, which would bring together international financial institutions, G-7 countries, EU member states and institutions, and others willing to pledge a multi-billion euro financial package to support the future reform efforts and restructuring of the economy;
Amendment 276 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g h (new)
Paragraph 1 – point g h (new)
(gh) call on the Russian Federation to refrain from any interference, covert or overt, in the peaceful democratic revolution in Belarus;
Amendment 277 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g i (new)
Paragraph 1 – point g i (new)
(gi) as long as the political situation in Belarus does not change reconsider any ongoing disbursements of the EU financial assistance and adjust it accordingly, so that it reaches the end- recipients and circumvents the authorities;
Amendment 278 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g j (new)
Paragraph 1 – point g j (new)
(gj) encourage Member States to facilitate and accelerate the procedure for obtaining visas for those who flee Belarus for political reasons;
Amendment 279 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g k (new)
Paragraph 1 – point g k (new)
(gk) call for a full EU/international investigation of crimes against the people of Belarus committed by law enforcement authorities of Lukashenko regime against peaceful protesters demanding transparent, free and fair Presidential elections, stopping current repressions and immediate release of all political prisoners in Belarus;
Amendment 280 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g l (new)
Paragraph 1 – point g l (new)
(gl) call to establish in the European Parliament an inquiry committee (or another proper body of the European Parliament) on the investigation of crimes committed in Belarus, which would periodically report on its findings to the plenary sessions of the European Parliament;
Amendment 281 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g m (new)
Paragraph 1 – point g m (new)
(gm) condemn the suppression of internet and media, road blockades, and intimidation of journalists in order to stop the flow of information about the situation in the country - the people have the right to access information; condemn the crackdown on international journalists and media limiting their ability to report on the democratic revolution in a free, fair and balanced way;
Amendment 282 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g n (new)
Paragraph 1 – point g n (new)
(gn) propose to appoint an EU special representative for Belarus in order to support the process of a peaceful transition of power in accordance with the will of Belarusian people under the leadership of the president elect by the people and the Belarusian People's Coordination Council;
Amendment 293 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i
Paragraph 1 – point i
(i) condemn the ongoing intimidation and persecution of opposition figures, including presidential hopefulcandidates, peaceful protesters, civil society activists and independent journalists and bloggers;
Amendment 307 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k
Paragraph 1 – point k
(k) insist on the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners, including members of the democratic opposition, human rights defenders, activists, journalists, bloggers and others convicted in retaliation for exercising their civil and political rights;
Amendment 314 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point k a (new)
(ka) demand for the immediate release of all those arbitrarily detained after participating in the democratic revolution protests following the falsified presidential election of 9 August; demand the authorities to provide all information on people who went missing in relation to their participation in the protests after 9 August;
Amendment 316 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point k b (new)
(kb) demand that all legal actions undertaken by the authorities against members of the Belarusian People's Coordination Council are dropped and all of them who are detained and arrested are freed;
Amendment 324 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l
Paragraph 1 – point l
(l) support independent media outlets and, journalists and bloggers, including those who work on a freelance basis with unregistered foreign media;
Amendment 326 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point l a (new)
(la) ensure that the new targeted sanctions apply to groups, individuals and entities responsible for human rights abuses in Belarus, as well as against those individuals, entities and enterprises, through which such actions are financed and enabled; at the same time, impose visa bans against regime representatives, sanctioned individuals and their family members;
Amendment 331 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point l a (new)
(la) demand that any spread of disinformation in Belarus concerning the EU and its Member States is vigilantly countered as well as any hybrid threats undertaken by third actors;
Amendment 350 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n
Paragraph 1 – point n
(n) welcome and encourage the energy diversification of Belarus, reducing its dependence on Russia through imports of oil and gas from new suppliers, including via the territory of the EU; and through the development of alternative energy sources;
Amendment 353 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point n a (new)
(na) strengthen cooperation with international authorities in the field of nuclear safety, and insist on access and monitoring of the Astravets Nuclear Power Plant (NPP);
Amendment 358 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point o a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point o a (new)
Amendment 383 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point r a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point r a (new)
(ra) explore possibilities for visa-free travel to Belarusian citizens so that people-to-people contact is not held hostage to undemocratic principles of the Belarusian authorities;
Amendment 386 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point r b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point r b (new)
(rb) strengthen democracy support programmes and strategic communication, and support greater outreach to local communities beyond the traditional 'pro-European' cohorts;