Activities of Ana GOMES related to 2011/2032(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
EU external policies in favour of democratisation (debate)
Amendments (22)
Amendment 27 #
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 governance is the best means of guaranteeing those human rights and working to combat poverty,
Amendment 35 #
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), but whereas it is essential to develop a coherent and more effective set of instruments tailored to the situation in each country, promoting democracy, human rights and development as interlinked objectives,
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas, despite 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 governments of the countries in question are penalisedheld accountable only very rarely,
Amendment 76 #
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 focus on security and stability, which has failed to stamp out poverty and social injustice and stresses that 'security versus democracy' is a false dilemma since there can be no human security in a society without a democratic and accountable government; 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 population and respects the rule of law and basic human rights and freedoms;
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises that priority is 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, which promotes democracy, the rule of law and human rights;
Amendment 95 #
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 by 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; regrets that despite the human rights clauses in the Cotonou Agreement, the EU often turns a blind eye to continued and systematic human rights violations committed by some Cotonou partner governments, adopting a 'business as usual' relationship; calls on the Commission to adopt consistent policies aimed at discouraging human rights violations, such as reducing the financial envelopes for governments that disrespect democracy and human rights, namely denying them budget support while increasing financial means to strengthen civil society bypassing those governments;
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Reaffirms that Parliament must supervise these aspects more closely; calls, therefore, for the Union to involve Parliament at every stage in the negotiation, 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 113 #
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 and constitutes an obligation on all UN Members; calls on the Union, 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 122 #
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 populationuses conditionality as an incentive to democratic reform, considering, when appropriate, proportionate and smart sanctions targeted against the regime's main authorities, while providing support for the population and increasing direct assistance to strengthen civil society; 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 150 #
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 for all and pro-poor growth, and the political approach, which supports political pluralism and, parliamentary democracy; calls for and respect for the rule of law, human rights and basic freedoms and for a functioning civil society; underlines that such support for the political dimension in third countries toshall consist of pluralist, institutional support rather than interference;
Amendment 155 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Is of the opinion that the funding available under the EIDHR should be significantly increased to allow the instrument to cope with its goals; considers that the democracy component of this instrument should be reinforced and should go beyond the electoral-cycle approach, advancing an encompassing democracy support plan; calls on the Commission to reflect on the limitations of this instrument namely in what concerns its difficulty in responding to urgent needs and invites the Commission to discuss with the Parliament possible ways to overcome these limitations, for instance, by creating a tranche for urgent actions, which could be used in accordance with more rapid and flexible procedures;
Amendment 164 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Acknowledges the efforts made by the Union, in many cases via the EIDHR, to support certain players working to effect democratic reform, including human rights defenders and independent media; stresses, however, the need to strengthen the organisation of democratic political parties without taking sides; calls for systematic support for new, democratically elected parliaments, especially in countries in transition and those to which the EU has sent election observation missions;
Amendment 169 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Calls for the creation of a European Endowment for Democracy, as a flexible tool to help organise and strengthen democratic political parties in societies in transition towards democracy and to help strengthen civil society, namely by supporting the broadcasting by independent free media, based inside or outside the countries concerned;
Amendment 187 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes that this 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; calls on the EU to link future financial commitments to the progress made by third countries in the implementation of human rights strategies and real democratic progress;
Amendment 189 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Amendment 191 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls for the development of a genuine political strategy in relation to EU election observation missions, including submission of the political blueprint associated with each mission; demands that, two years after each mission, an assessment of the democratic progress made and those aspects needing further improvement be submitted during Parliament's annual human rights debate with the High Representative/Vice-President; calls on the Commission to revise the partnerships in light of the achievements in the implementation of the recommendations made by the EU EOMs, and to reorient financial support foreseen to countries that are not making democratic progress, by reducing what is geared into government projects and budgets; and shifting those funds instead into actions to strengthen democratic forces, independent media and freedom of information as well as civil society as a whole;
Amendment 196 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Stresses the importance of choosing priority countries for election observation missions on the basis of a mission's real potential impact on the Union's relations with the country in question; calls on the EEAS to adopt a highly selective approach to choosing such countries while ensuring that the EOMs budget is fairly allocated between different missions to avoid a disproportionate share of available funds, and points out that the Election Observation Coordination Group, which is consulted about the Union's annual programme of election observation missions, has laid down detailed criteria in this area;
Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Calls for EU institutions and the Member States to align themselves with the conclusions of such missions and endorse their genuine independence, and for the Commission, the EEAS and the Member States to place special emphasis on supporting the implementation of such recommendations by means of cooperation and demands that the High Representative refrain from sending EOMs to countries that have ignored previous EU EOM recommendations since this practice undermines the EU's credibility and counterproductively affects those forces fighting for democracy and justice;
Amendment 212 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Underlines that governments must be held accountable for human rights violations, bad governance, corruption and misappropriation of national resources that should be used for the benefit of the whole of society; in this light, calls on the EU and on Member States to continue to make efforts to promote good governance and to fight impunity, including by demanding full cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC) from third countries, ensuring commitment to the Rome Statute in new agreements;
Amendment 222 #
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 capacity building and funding programmes and by incorporating this concept into existing programmes;
Amendment 229 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Affirms the need for a more committed policy onpromoting economic, social, and 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 accessrights as much as civil and political rights; underlines that extreme poverty prevents human beings fulfilling their basic needs and thus it is the obligation of a democratic government to fight extreme poverty, as much as to ensure basic freedom, and to work towards the human security of its society;
Amendment 232 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Underlines that access to information and independent media is crucial to fostering public demand for democratic reforms and therefore calls for increased support in the areas of promoting the freedom of ‘old’ and ‘new’ media, protecting independent journalists, reducing the digital divide and facilitating internet access;