Activities of Nikolaos CHOUNTIS related to 2011/2032(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
EU external policies in favour of democratisation (debate)
Amendments (12)
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)
Citation 3 a (new)
- having regard to ILO Convention 169 of 7 June 1989 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples,
Amendment 33 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the Union has at its disposal a wide range of instruments for supporting democracy and human rights (including: political, economic and trade agreements, which contain clauses on human rights and democracy; the special incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance (GSP+); political dialogues; CFSP actions; ESDP missions; financing instruments; and election observation missions); butwhereas these clauses are implemented only in part and economic interests often take precedence over the interests of peoples; and whereas it is essential to develop a coherent and more effective set of instruments tailored to the situation in each country,
Amendment 41 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas, despit the EU’s sanctions policy is ineffective in combating the frequent breaches of the human rights and democracy clause and the failure of some third countries to honour the commitments made in the relevant agreements, the countries in question are penalised only very rarely, and whereas the use of this tool often results in EU policy being biased,
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
Amendment 61 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 (new)
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. Recalls the inalienable right of peoples to self-determination and to choose their own form of political, economic and social development, without external interference;
Amendment 66 #
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 partipeoples;
Amendment 69 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Points out that EU human rights policy will only be properly consistent once the Member States have given a genuine undertaking to respect those rights themselves;
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that the events unfolding on the southern shore of the Mediterranean have demonstrated the primacy of economic interests over the interests of peoples and the limitations of a focus on a misguided concept of security and 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 97 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recommends thatCalls for international agreements, country strategy papers, action plans, the GSP+ programme and all other sources of reciprocal undertakings by the Union and third countries to be tightened up by means of more clearly worded clauses on human rights and democracy and the right of indigenous peoples to be consulted before decisions are taken, 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 126 #
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 of appropriate and effective conditionality serving as a genuine incentive to democratic reform, and that it verify 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; stresses that cooperation with third countries must be based on the premise that the countries concerned are equal and sovereign;
Amendment 180 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Emphasises the crucial role played by third countries’ civil society and parliaments in exercising democratic supervision over budgets; calls for all EU budget support to be coupled with technical and political consolidation of parliaments’ supervisory powers; maintains that the Union should actively inform third countries’ parliaments of the scope of EU cooperation;
Amendment 219 #
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 leaders; suggests fostering the influence of such movements and individuals by means of specific programmes and by incorporating this concept into existing programmes;