58 Amendments of Isabel SERRA SÁNCHEZ related to 2024/2081(INI)
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the EU is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, as set out in Article 2 TEU; whereas the EU’s action worldwide ishould be guided by the universality and indivisibility of human rights and by the fact that the effective protection and defence of human rights and democracy is at the core of the EU’s external action;
Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the rise in authoritarianism, and illiberalism and populismregimes as well as a number of long-established democratic countries are threatensing the global rules-based order, the protection and promotion of human rights in the world, as well as the values and principles on which the EU is founded;
Amendment 99 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the legitimacy of the international rules-based order is dependent on compliance with the orders of international bodies, such as the United Nations Security Council resolutions and orders and decisions of the International Court of Justice; whereas there are increasing global threats to compliance with such orders and decisions, as well as, generally, with provisions of international law, human rights law and international humanitarian law in emerging and ongoing conflict situations; whereas international institutions, their officials, and those cooperating with them such as the International Criminal Court are the subject of attacks and threats;
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the legitimacy of the international rules-based order is dependent on compliance with the orders of international bodies, such as the United Nations Security Council resolutions and orders and decisions of the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice; whereas there are increasing global threats to compliance with such orders and decisions, as well as, generally, with provisions of international law, human rights law and international humanitarian law in emerging and ongoing conflict situations;
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas human rights defenders (HRDs) and civil society organisations (CSOs) are crucial partners in the EU’s efforts to safeguard and advance human rights, democracy and the rule of law, as well as to prevent conflicts globally; whereas governments and non-state actors around the world are increasingly censoring, silencing and harassing HRDs and CSOs in their work; whereas this behaviour includes measures encompassing strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), restrictive government policies, defamation campaigns, discrimination, intimidation and violence, including extrajudicial killings, abductions, and arbitrary arrests and detention; whereas attacks on HRDs are increasingly extending to their families and communities; whereas women human rights defenders and civil society organisations working on gender equality, women’s rights and sexual and reproductive health and rights continue to experience shrinking space for their critical work as well as threats of violence, harassment and intimidation;
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas environmental harm and the impacts of climate changeemergencies including those resulting from climate change, deforestation, and extractive business operations are intensifying precariousness, marginalisation and inequality, and increasingly displacing people from their homes or trapping them in unsafe conditions, thereby heightening their vulnerability and jeopardising their human rights;
Amendment 152 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that the EU must be fully prepared to countershould condemn the rise of authoritarianism, and illiberalism and populism, as well as the increasing attacks on the universality of human rights, democracy and international humanitarian law; Notes with concern the lack of EU’s consistency in its external action regarding human rights and the increasing compartmentalisation of human rights by the EU in its discourse and actions; expresses its deep concern on the fact that the EU and certain Member States continue to defend business, military, antiterrorism and migration interests over human rights and democracy;
Amendment 167 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Condemns the increasing trend of violations and abuses of human rights and democratic principles and values across the world, such as deepening levels of inequality, threats of regressions on human rights, notably women’s rights arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture and ill-treatment, clampdowns on civil society and political opponents, excessive use of violence by public authorities, violent crackdowns on peaceful protests and other assemblies, censorship and threats to independent media, political attacks against international institutions, and increasing use of unlawful methods of war in grave breach of international humanitarian law and human rights law, among others; deplores the weakening of the protection of democratic institutions and processes, and the shrinking space for civil societies around the world;
Amendment 180 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Strongly condemns and is deeply concerned by the ongoing Genocide committed by the Israeli authorities in the Gaza Strip; denounces the atrocities, war crimes and serious violations of international law and international humanitarian law committed by the Israeli armed forces in Gaza, West Bank and Lebanon; condemns in the strongest terms the Israeli indiscriminate attacks with airstrikes and the use of chemical weapons against civilians, the forced expulsion of populations, the attacks on hospitals, schools, basic infrastructures and the denial of humanitarian aid access, underlines that these attacks are war crimes and a violation of the Geneva Convention; condemns Israel’s policy of collective punishment against the people of Gaza, which is contrary to international humanitarian law and must be stopped;
Amendment 181 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, an end to violence, for de-escalation and for full compliance with international law and international humanitarian law;
Amendment 182 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4c. Strongly condemns, based on the statements of the UN, those who suffer the most in any armed conflict are women and children; in the case of the genocide against Palestine, preventing the entry of food and medicine and bombing hospitals and refuge areas further aggravates the violations of women's rights; denounces and rejects the use of sexual violence against women and girls as a a weapon of war by the Israeli army;
Amendment 183 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 d (new)
Paragraph 4 d (new)
4d. Is seriously concerned at the persistence of the scourge of protracted occupation or annexation of territories; calls to pay special attention to the human rights situation in the illegally occupied territories including in cases of protracted occupation such as in Palestine and Western Sahara, and the multiple frozen conflicts, and take effective measures with the aim to prevent grave human rights abuses on the ground, including the violation of right to life, restriction of freedom of movement, and discrimination;
Amendment 184 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 e (new)
Paragraph 4 e (new)
4e. Strongly condemns Israel’s colonial-settlement and its continued expansion, which violates international law and fuels Palestinian resentment; notes that according to national and international NGOs, the system of oppression and domination that the Israeli government imposes on the Palestinian population in all areas under its control and on Palestinian refugees, constitutes apartheid and is prohibited by international law; recalls the opinion issued by the International Court of Justice on 19 July, which concluded that the State of Israel ‘is under an obligation to immediately cease all new settlement activities and to evacuate all settlers from the Occupied Palestinian Territory’; calls on the EU Member States to demand Israel to fully end the occupation of Palestine, including East Jerusalem, thereby to pave the way for peace;
Amendment 185 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 f (new)
Paragraph 4 f (new)
4f. Deplores the flagrant human rights violations committed in Western Sahara, from the violation of freedom of expression and assembly, the torture and ill-treatment reported by political prisoners, the unfair trials, the repression during demonstrations (including cases of torture and killings), and the prohibition of free entry to the occupied territories for observers and the international press; stresses that Western Sahara is a separate and distinct territory in relation to any State, including Morocco; urges on the EU and the Member States to support the self-determination and decolonization efforts of Sahrawi people by ensuring an urgent, just and lasting solution to the conflict in Western Sahara, based on the right to self-determination of the Saharawi people and in accordance with the relevant UN Resolutions;
Amendment 190 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes with deep concern the ongoing international crisis of accountability and the challenge to the pursuit of ending impunity for violations of core norms of international human rights and humanitarian law in modern conflicts around the world; is firmly opposed to any reorientation of the CFSP towards greater militarisation focused solely on strengthening NATO and considers that European policies should be solely focused on peace and conflict resolution;
Amendment 234 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Stresses the failure of the introduction of human rights clauses in free trade agreements with third countries, as such agreements have even led to the violation of basic economic and social rights, including the impoverishment of the populations concerned and the hoarding of resources by transnational companies; Reiterates its call to include robust clauses on human rights in agreements between the EU and non-EU countries, supported by a clear set of benchmarks and procedures to be followed in the event of violations, including the suspension; calls on the Commission and the EEAS to actively reflect on how to ensure that the human rights clauses in current international agreements are effectively enforced; urges the EU to refrain from engaging in international agreements with authoritarian regimes and those who doesn’t respect human rights; reiterates that in the face of persistent breaches of human rights clauses by its partner countries, the EU should react swiftly and decisively, including by suspending the agreements in question if other options prove ineffective;
Amendment 244 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Notes that Israel stands accused of genocide; Stress that the EU-Israel Association Agreement is, according to its Article 2, based on the fulfilment of human rights and emphasizes these as a guiding principle; calls, therefore, for the immediate termination of the EU-Israel Association Agreement;
Amendment 245 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Urges the EU and its Member States to fully comply with the TJEU rule, and to suspend the EU-Morocco Association Agreements;
Amendment 251 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses the important role of human rights dialogues within the EU’s human rights toolbox and as a key vehicle for the implementation of the EU action plan on human rights and democracy; highlights that these dialogues should address the overall situation of human rights and democracy with the relevant countries; and calls on the EU to systematically raise gender equality issues, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, with third countries; notes that human rights dialogues should be seen as a key element of sustained EU engagement and not as a free-standing instrument; recalls that these dialogues need to be used in conjunction and synergy with other instruments; reiterates the need to raise individual cases, in particular those highlighted by Parliament in its resolutions, and ensure adequate follow-up; calls to increase the visibility of these dialogues and their outcomes, including through the publication of a joint press statementensuring that are results-oriented and based on clear set of benchmarks that enable effective monitoring, including through effective ex-ante and ex-post consultation with civil society and the publication of a joint press statement and to conduct suitable follow-up action to them;
Amendment 273 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. WelcomNotes the increasing use of the EU GHRSR as a key political tool in the EU’s defence of human rights and democracy across the worlddemands, however, that this mechanism should not be used for geostrategic interests and that it should also apply to likeminded countries such as Israel, accused of committing genocide in Gaza; notes, however, the challenges that the requirement of unanimity poses in the adoption of sanctions and reiterates its call for the introduction of qualified majority voting for decisions on the GHRSR; fully supports the possibility of imposing targeted anti-corruption sanctions within the EU framework in this regard, which has been a long-standhighlights the need for the complete enforcement of sanctions and calls for circumventions to be tackled; calls for sanctions that have a direct effect on the population to be lifted, ing priority of Parliament, whether through its inclusion in the GHRSR or under a different regime; highlights the need for the complete enforcement of sanctions and calls for circumventions to be tackarticular those aimed at promoting political change in countries or responding to human rights violations, to avoid increasing the suffering of the peopleds;
Amendment 282 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Reiterates its concern regarding the increasing attacks by authoritarian and illiberal regimes and also by a number of long-established democratic countries across the world on democratic principles and values; stresses that the defence and support of democracy around the world is increasingly becoming of geopolitical and strategic interest; emphasises the importance of Parliament’s efforts in capacity-building for partner parliaments, promoting mediation and encouraging a culture of dialogue and compromise, especially among young political leaders, and empowering women parliamentarians, HRDs and representatives from civil society and independent media; reiterates its call on the Commission to continue and expand its activities in these areas by increasing funding and support for EU bodies, agencies and other grant-based organisations; stresses the critical importance of directly supporting civil society and persons expressing dissenting views, particularly in the current climate of growing global tensions and repression in increasing numbers of countries; reiterates the importance of EU election observation missions and Parliament’s contribution to developing and enhancing their methodology; calls for enhanced collaboration between Parliament’s Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group, the relevant Commission directorates-general and the EEAS;
Amendment 287 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Is extremely concerned by the continuing restriction of civil society space and rising threats to the work of HRDs and civil society organisations (CSOs), as well as their families, communities and lawyers, and finds particularly concerning the increasingly sophisticated means used to persecute them; supports wholeheartedly the work of HRDs and EU action to ensure their protection worldwide; calls for the complete and consistent application of the EU Guidelines on HRDs by the EU and its Member States; calls for efforts to strengthen the visibility of EU actions and channels for the protection and support of HRDs:deplores the harassment of CSOs through legislative provisions such as foreign agents laws and similar, and other restrictions they face; highlights the increasing phenomenon worldwide of transnational threats against HRDs; supports wholeheartedly the work of HRDs and EU action to ensure their protection worldwide; Urges the EU and its Member States to reinforce their budgetary commitments to human rights defenders, ensuring flexible, accessible, and long-term funding mechanisms that allow HRDs to sustain their critical work amidst rising challenges; calls for the complete and consistent application of the EU Guidelines on HRDs by the EU and its Member States; calls for efforts to strengthen the visibility of EU actions and channels for the protection and support of HRDs: Calls for the EU and its Member States to urge third countries to adopt – in consultation with HRDs – legislation or policies that explicitly recognize the right to defend human rights and enable its exercise, and to call for the creation of well-resourced mechanisms and systems dedicated to the protection of HRDs that adopt a comprehensive, collective and preventative approach;
Amendment 296 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Deplores that women human rights defender continue to face relentless and ever-more sophisticated violations against them, including targeted killings, physical attacks, disappearances, smear campaigns, arrests, judicial harassment and intimidation; notes with concern that these attacks seem designed to systematically silence women human rights defenders and erase their voices from the public sphere; condemns the impunity with which perpetrators commit violations against women human rights defenders, both in the public and private spheres; deplores that political leaders often fail to protect women human rights defenders against powerful and dangerous anti-gender popular movements, and sometimes even embolden them; calls on the EU and its Member States to continue and enhance their support for women human rights defenders in every possible fora;
Amendment 301 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15b. urges to establish an EU-wide multi-entry visa scheme for HRDs at risk; hereby urges the Member States to undertake procedural enhancements within their diplomatic missions, ensuring expeditious, comprehensible, accessible and attainable visa application processes; further calls on the Member States to collaboratively establish and integrate a dedicated category within the EU Visa Code, thereby streamlining visa procedures and promoting uniformity in the EU’s visa application process;
Amendment 324 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Reaffirms that promoting the respect, protection and fulfilment of human rights around the world requires strong international cooperation at a multilateral level; underlines the particularly important role of the UN and its bodies as the main forum which must be able to effectively advance efforts for peace and security, sustainable development and respect for human rights and international law; calls for the EU and its Member States to continue supporting the work of the UN, both politically and financially; reiterates the need for the EU and its Member States to speak with one voice at the UN and in other multilateral forums; calls for EU delegations to play a stronger role in multilateral forums, for which they should have appropriate resources available;
Amendment 344 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Is deeply concerned by growing attacks against the rules-based global order by authoritarian regimes and also by a number of long-established democratic countries across the world, including through the undermining of the functioning of UN bodies, namely the abuse of veto power at the UN Security Council; underlines that the diminished effectiveness of these bodies brings with it real costs in terms of conflicts, lives lost and human suffering, and seriously weakens the general ability of countries to deal with global challenges; calls on the Member States and like- minded partners to intensify their efforts to reverse this trend;
Amendment 346 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Deplores the lack of action by the European Union and by US in the face of the unsubstantiated attacks originating from the Israeli Government and army towards the UN and, in particular, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and even against the general secretary who has been declared persona non grata;
Amendment 350 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes the political and financial support the EU has given to the International Criminal Court (ICC), including the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the ICC, not least and through the launch of the ‘Global initiative to fight against impunity for international crimes’ offering EUR 20 million of support to the ICCcivil society organizations dedicated to foster justice and accountability for international crimes and serious human rights violations, including by enhancing survivors’ participation in processes; calls for the EU and its Member States to keepcontinue and intensify its supporting to the ICC with the necessary means andincluding resources and political backing and to use all instruments at its disposal to strengthen the fight against impunity worldwide; calls on all the Member States to protect the integrity of the court-s treaty, respect and uphold respect the actions and decisions of all organs of the ICC, including the OTP and the Chambers, to urge other countries to join and cooperate with the court, including to enforce ICC arrest warrants and to support their work as an independent and impartial international justice institution everywhere in the world without exception;
Amendment 366 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Reiterates the strong support of the EU for the International Court of Justice and the ICC amid a particularly challenging time for the international justice; notes with deep concerncondemns the worrying and rising trend by state officials to undermine the decisions of international institutions and their employees by state official; and those who cooperate with it; calls for the EU and its Member States to protect the International Criminal Court, its officials, and those cooperating with it from threats and attacks;
Amendment 370 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Calls for support for the initiative of the Republic of South Africa to prosecute Israel for war crimes and genocide in Gaza; calls on the Member States to support the ICJ and to demand that Israel immediately comply with the legally binding orders issued by the court in January, March and May 2024 in which the ICJ ordered Israel to prevent genocide against Palestinians and let necessary aid enter Gaza;
Amendment 388 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Denounces that almost all civilians in Gaza are displaced and nearly all suffer from hunger; reminds that the International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to let necessary aid enter Gaza and in that sense calls on the Israeli Government to ensure the urgently needed provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance;
Amendment 389 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)
Paragraph 21 b (new)
21b. Highlights that UNRWA plays an irreplaceable role in providing critical aid to ensure the day to day survival of 2.2 million civilians in Gaza, who are facing an unspeakable threat to their lives and most basic rights; rejects the suspension of funding to UNRWA and calls to the EU and its Member States to grant UNRWA support with the proper funding to continue and to improve its life-saving humanitarian work;
Amendment 391 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 c (new)
Paragraph 21 c (new)
21c. Given the gendered impacts of armed conflicts, deplores the insufficient priority and focus given to sexual and gender-based violence and to sexual and reproductive health and rights across the EU’s humanitarian and refugee response; reiterates that humanitarian crises intensify SRHR- and gender-related challenges and recalls that in crisis zones, particularly among vulnerable groups such as refugees and migrants, women and girls are particularly exposed to sexual violence, sexually transmitted diseases, sexual exploitation, rape as a weapon of war and unwanted pregnancies; calls on the Commission and Member States to give high priority to gender equality and SRHR in their humanitarian aid response, as well as accountability and access to justice and redress for sexual and reproductive rights violations and gender-based violence including in terms of training for humanitarian actors and existing and future funding;
Amendment 392 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 d (new)
Paragraph 21 d (new)
21d. Expresses concern over frequent violations of Common Position 2008/944/CFSP defining common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment; calls on all the Member States to strictly observe the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports, and in particular to halt all transfers of weapons, surveillance and intelligence equipment and materials that could be used by governments, terrorist groups or mercenaries to crack down on human rights and a fortiori for the purposes of armed conflict; stresses that some EU Member States are among the largest arms exporters in the world and considers it essential to apply and strengthen international standards on arms sales to prevent any EU Member State or European company from participating directly or indirectly in an escalation of violence or in the financing of armies or groups involved in abuses; calls for these companies to commit to their moral, social and legal responsibilities;
Amendment 393 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 e (new)
Paragraph 21 e (new)
21e. Calls for Member States to immediately stop arms exports to Israel in line with Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP defining common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment; warns that states which support Israel with arms shipments can now be sued in the ICJ for aiding and abetting genocide against Palestinians in violation of Article 3(e) of the Genocide Convention, which criminalises complicity;
Amendment 412 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Condemns any action or attempt to legalise, instigate, authorise, consent or acquiesce to torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment methods under any circumstances; condemns the increasing reports of the use of torture by state actors in many different contexts including in custodial and extra custodial settings, particularly in the context of protests, and in conflict situations around the world, and reiterates the non-derogable nature of the right to be free from torture or other forms of inhuman or degrading treatment; echoes human rights bodies’ recognition that banning abortion may subject women to suffering amounting to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and calls for reform of restrictive abortion laws; reiterates its calls for universal ratification of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and its Optional Protocol and the necessity for States to bring their national provisions into line with their international commitments;
Amendment 424 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Recalls that the right to food, including having physical and economic access to adequate food or the means to its procurement, is a human right; is extremely concerned about the challenges to the right to food worldwide, especially in situations of war and conflicts; notes with concern the increasing reports of the weaponisation of food in situationsstrongly condemns the use or the threat of food insecurity as a political instrument of warmed conflict, as well as the adverse effects of speculation with the price of food; calls for the EU and its Member States to promote mandatory guidelines on the right to food without discrimination within the UN system; calls in particular for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in order to allow uninterrupted access to food and water for all its inhabitants;
Amendment 436 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Highlights that climate change and its impact on the environment has direct effects on the effective enjoyment of all human rights including the most basic human rights, such as access to water, natural resources and food; recognises the important work of CSOs, indigenous people, land and environmental HRDs and indigenous activists for the protection of a clean, healthy and sustainable environment; deplores the risks that environmental HRDs and indigenous activists face and calls for their effective protection to be guaranteed; recalls that the transition to clean energy must be fair and respect everyone’s fundamental rights; notes with deep concern the increasing threats to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment posed by the deployment of weapons of mass destruction and other forms of warfare that adversely and disproportionately affect the environment; draws particular attention to the link between the exploitation of natural resources and the financing of conflicts, wars and violence, directly or indirectly included by multinational corporations; recognizes that the environmental consequences of climate change may exacerbate forced migration and displacement;
Amendment 442 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Asks the EU and its Member States to recognise and protect indigenous people’s rights to customary ownership and control of their lands and natural resources as set out in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People and ILO Convention No 169, and to comply with the principle of free, prior and informed consent; requests that the Member States which have not yet done so ratify ILO Convention No 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples;
Amendment 452 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Strongly condemns that according to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, since 7 October, some 17,000 children have been killed in the Gaza Strip, dozens of children have died from malnutrition and 3,500 children are at risk of death due to lack of food, at least one million have been displaced, 21,000 are reported missing, 20,000 have lost one or both parents and 17,000 are alone or separated from their families, including in some cases arbitrarily detained;
Amendment 456 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)
Paragraph 26 b (new)
26b. Highlights the role of education in the development of children and young people around the world; stresses that access to mandatory comprehensive sexuality education is a human right and a key tool to preventing gender-based discrimination, violence and exploitation and equip young people with knowledge to protect their health and empower them;
Amendment 457 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 20
Subheading 20
Rights of women including sexual and reproductive health and rights and gender equality
Amendment 459 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Stresses that women’s rights and gender equality are indispensable and indivisible human rights, as well as a basis for the rule of law and inclusive resilient democracies; deplores the fact that millions of women and girls continue to experience discrimination and violence, especially in the context of conflicts, post-conflicts and displacement, and are denied their dignity, autonomy and even life; condemns the ongoing backlash on gender equality and women’s rights, including all attempts to roll back existing entitlements and protections as well as legislation, policies and practices that continue to deny or restrict these rights in many countries; calls for the EU, its Member States and like- minded partners to step up their efforts to ensure the full enjoyment and protection of women’s and girls’ human rights; calls for an EU charter of women’s rights including a right to abortion; condemns in the strongest terms the increasing attacks on sexual and reproductive health and rights around the world, as well as gender-based violence; welcomes the accession of the EU to the Istanbul Convention and calls on the EU Member States who have not yet done so to ratify and implement the Istanbul Convention as soon as possible; calls for the EU and its international partners to strengthen their efforts to ensure that women fully enjoy human rights and are treated equally to men; stresses the need to pursue efforts to fully eradicate the practice of female genital mutilation;
Amendment 487 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Condemns the devastating policy of gender apartheid lead by Taliban in Afghanistan and urges the de facto authorities to immediately restore the full, equal and meaningful participation of women and girls in public life, particularly access to education, healthcare and work; calls on the EU and its member states to recognise gender apartheid as a crime under international law in order to hold Afghanistan and those responsible for this crime accountable;
Amendment 489 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27b. Recognises that the promotion and protection of SRHR is essential to achieving gender equality and affirms the right to access comprehensive SRHR services, including modern contraception, safe and legal abortion, maternal, prenatal and postnatal healthcare, assisted reproduction and access to education and information on SRHR, including comprehensive sexuality education, without any form of discrimination, coercion or violence; calls for the EU, the EEAS and the Member States to take robust action to prioritise and promote SRHR, including access to safe and legal abortion, in multilateral and bilateral relations in accordance with international human rights law and standards and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines;
Amendment 513 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Denounces the erosion of the human rights and the safety of refugees, asylum seekers and forcibly displaced persons; reaffirms their inalienable human rights and fundamental right to seek asylum; recalls the obligation of states to protect them in accordance with international law; denounces the deaths in the Sea as well as other migratory routes and rejects human rights abuses and violations suffered by refugees and migrants; calls for the EU and its Member States to effectively uphold their rights in the EU’s asylum and migration policy and in the EU’s cooperation with partner countries in this regard; stresses that the EU should step up its efforts to acknowledge and develop ways to address the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement, building the resilience of migrants’ communities of origin and helping them offer their members the possibility to enjoy a decent life in their home country; calls for the EU and its Member States to continue and, where possible, step up their support for countries hosting the most refugees, as well as for transit countries; reiterates that close cooperation and engagement with non-EU countries remain key to preventing migrant smuggling; stresses, in this regard, that the dissemination of information and awareness-raising campaigns on the risks of smuggling are crucial; calls for EU- funded humanitarian operations to take into consideration the specific needs and vulnerabilities of children and to ensure their protection while they are displaced; underlines the importance ofat to prevent migrant smuggling is crucial developing an effective framework of safe and legal pathways to the EU and welcomes, in this regard, the Commission communication on attracting skills and talent to the EU10 , including the development of talent partnerships with partner countries; _________________ 10 Commission communication of 27 April 2022 on attracting skills and talent to the EU (COM(2022)0657).
Amendment 523 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Calls to respect the principle of non-refoulement to countries where the life and liberty of people would be threatened; regrets that some have even been returned to the border or expelled to places where their lives were in danger in defiance of international law, including the right to asylum;
Amendment 526 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 b (new)
Paragraph 28 b (new)
28b. calls on the EU and its Member States to be fully transparent about the allocation of funds from third countries for cooperation in migration matters, and to ensure that migration-related European funding, training or other forms of support to third countries do not directly or indirectly facilitate the perpetration of human rights violations, nor reinforce and perpetuate impunity for such violations; calls for the suspension of all agreements and negotiations of readmission agreements with countries that do not respect human rights; urges to subject any EU or Member State-funded migratory cooperation project or initiative to thorough and independent ex-ante human rights impact assessments and monitoring throughout the project, and to disclose the results of such assessments and monitoring to the EP;
Amendment 530 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 c (new)
Paragraph 28 c (new)
28c. calls on the EU and its Member States not to include funds for the reception of refugees or migrants or policies for the control or return of migrants in official development assistance and any conditionality of aid in this area; denounces, in particular, the conditionality of the aid provided to certain countries through readmission agreements and the multiplication of negotiations in this area
Amendment 555 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Reiterates its call for the EU and its Member States to develop new avenues to strengthen the rights of elderly people, taking into account the multiple challenges they face, such as age-based discrimination, poverty, violence and a lack of social protection, healthcare and other essential services, as well as barriers to employment; reminds that the gender pay gap and its causes have exponentially damaging consequences for women throughout the lifecycle; calls to implement specific measures to combat the risk of poverty for older women, by the increase of pensions but also by social support; underlines the work of the UN Open-ended Working Group on Ageing on a legally binding instrument to strengthen the protection of the human rights of older people and calls for the EU and its Member States to consider actively supporting that work;
Amendment 563 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Reiterates its condemnation of all forms of racism, intolerance, xenophobia, islamophobia and discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality, social class, disability, caste, religion, belief, age, sexual orientation or gender identity; underlines the importance of taking an intersectional approach when considering discrimination issues; condemns the growing international threat of hate speech, including online; reiterates the crucial role of education and dialogue in promoting tolerance, understanding and diversity; calls for the EU and its Member States to lead the global fight against all forms of extremism and welcomes the adoption of an EU strategy to this end;
Amendment 568 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32a. Notes with great concern the scale and consequences of caste-based hierarchies, discrimination and human rights violations, including the denial of access to the legal system or employment, continued segregation, poverty and stigmatisation, and caste-related barriers to the exercise of basic human rights and human development; reiterates its call for the development of an EU policy on caste- based discrimination and specific local strategies to help fight caste-based discrimination in the countries most affected by it; recommends that the European Parliament address caste-based discrimination in all its relevant committees and delegations, appoints a focal point on caste-based discrimination, and when visiting non-EU countries concerned by the issue, consult with relevant organisations and raise caste- based discrimination with local authorities and other counterparts, as well as hold an annual hearing to review EU actions and progress on the occasion of the International Day on Racial Discrimination;
Amendment 569 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 b (new)
Paragraph 32 b (new)
32b. Strongly condemns the discrimination and human rights violations against women with intersectional identities including those belonging to ethnic minorities such as Romani women; underlines that discrimination on any ground leads to rights violations in all spheres of life including access to education, healthcare and in particular sexual and reproductive healthcare, work, access to justice, and reiterates its calls on Member States to adopt and implement strategies, policies and programmes to advance the sexual and reproductive health and rights of marginalised groups of women and to eradicate the systemic, financial, legal, practical and social barriers they face;
Amendment 582 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Reiterates its concern regarding violations of the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief including the right to espouse theistic, non-theistic, agnostic or atheistic views, and the right to apostasy; deplores the instrumentalisation of religious or belief identities for political purposes and the exclusion of persons belonging to religious and belief minorities and religious communities in certain non- EU countries; recommends that the Special Envoy for the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU be granted more resources so that he can comfortably carry out his mandate; highlights the necessity for the Special Envoy to continue to work closely and in a complementary manner with the EUSR for Human Rights and the Council Working Party on Human Rights; calls for the EU and its Member States to step up their efforts to protect the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, to raise these issues at UN human rights forums and to continue working with the relevant UN mechanisms and committees;
Amendment 627 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Emphasises the critical significance of freedom of expression and access to trustworthy information for sustaining democracy and a thriving civic space; is seriously concerned about the increasing restrictions on freedom of expression in numerous countries worldwide, particularly for journalists, through censorship, enforced self-censorship, and the misuse of counter-terrorism or anti- corruption laws to suppress journalists and civil society groups; raises concerns, additionally, about the physical security of journalists and media workers and their being targeted in conflict zones notably in the Gaza Strip;
Amendment 658 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Stresses the role of trade as a major instrument to promote and improve the human rights situatiurges to create new types of cooperation with third countries on the basis of mutual development and mutually advantageous relations that respond in the EU’s partner countries; notes, howevfirst hand to the interest of the peoples; consider,s that there has been little to no improvement in some of the countries concernedrade and investment protection agreements contribute to unequal distribution of global wealth, often undermine social and economic justice as well as deepen existing inequalities, bringing a heavy toll to marginalized states and communities; deplores the detrimental effects of some excessive and exploitative business activities on human rights and democracy; welcomes the harmonisation resulting from the adoption of the Directive on corporate sustainability due diligence with binding EU rules on responsible corporate behaviour with regard to human, labour and environmental rights and calls for its swift and ambitious transposition at Member State level; further welcomes the Regulation on prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market11 and calls for its swift implementation at Member State level; stresses the need to establish an international binding instrument to regulate, in international human rights law, the activities of transnational corporations and other companies; _________________ 11 Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market (COM(2022)0453).
Amendment 667 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Highlights that in many regions of the world, micro-, small and medium- sized enterprises (MSMEs) are often the driving forceRejects that some corporations unlawfully exploit natural resources, which not only constitutes a major sustainability and environmental challenge but also results in severe adverse impacts on the social, economic, cultural, civil and political rights of local economies; underlines that MSMEs account for 90 % of businesses, 60 to 70 % of employment and 50 % of gross domestic product worldwide; highlights the importance of MSMEs in their contribution to the 2030 Agenda and the achievement of the sustainable development goals, namely those on the eradication of poverty and decent work for allmmunities; notes that such business practices violate the fundamental right of peoples to self-determination and the principle of permanent sovereignty, access and control over their natural resources, enshrined in UN General Assembly resolution 1803 (XVII);
Amendment 673 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 a (new)
Paragraph 41 a (new)
41a. Recalls the responsibility of businesses in ensuring that their operations and supply chains are not implicated in human rights abuses, including environmental, indigenous and labour rights as well as threats and attacks on human rights defenders; stresses the essential obligations and responsibilities of States and other decision-makers, including businesses, to mitigate the effects of climate change, prevent their negative impact on human rights and promote appropriate policies in compliance with human rights obligations;