51 Amendments of Ramona Nicole MĂNESCU related to 2015/2081(INI)
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A (new)
Recital A (new)
A. whereas upon its entry into force, the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) will replace the Interim Trade Agreement between the EU and Turkmenistan concluded in 2009, currently governing relations between the European Communities and the Republic of Turkmenistan (hereinafter referred to as Turkmenistan);
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A (new)
Recital A (new)
A. whereas the PCA contains a clause legally binding on both sides to respect human rights and democracy (Article 2) and providing for the possibility of taking appropriate measures in case of failure to attain these principles (Article 94, (2));
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A (new)
Recital A (new)
A. whereas fourteen out of the fifteen Member States that have signed it have also ratified the PCA; whereas Turkmenistan itself ratified the PCA in 2004;
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B (new)
Recital B (new)
B. whereas strategic, political and economic developments and the continuing trans-regional security challenges in Central Asia have effects on the interests of the European Union itself, and whereas recent developments in Ukraine, Russia and Afghanistan amplify these challenges;
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B (new)
Recital B (new)
B. whereas the PCA, once fully ratified, will be concluded for an initial period of 10 years, then renewed annually;
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B (new)
Recital B (new)
B. whereas economic and trade relations are of vital importance in improving the democratic, social and economic situation of citizens of Turkmenistan;
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C (new)
Recital C (new)
C. whereas Turkmenistan plays an important role in the region as an exporter of gas, with the potential to become a significant importer into the EU;
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D (new)
Recital D (new)
D. whereas Turkmenistan has been undergoing a process of cautious reforms since 2006;
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E (new)
Recital E (new)
E. whereas Turkmenistan adopted in 2015 a National Action Plan on Human Rights for 2016-2020 (NAPHR), prepared with the assistance of the UNDP in 2013;
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recommends that the EU’s approach to Turkmenistan strike a balance between the promotion of human rights and democracy and the pursuit of EU’s strategic interests; underlines that the ratification of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) will contribute to the achievement of EU objectives in these areas;
Amendment 38 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the reinstatement of the position of EU Special Representative for Central Asia, non-existent since early 2014; welcomes the active engagement expressed by the HR/VP regarding the EU involvement in region and Turkmenistan;
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Council and the Vice- President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR), to proceed towards the setting up of a full- fledged EU Delegation in Ashgabat, as announced by her predecessor, thus replacing the current EU Liaison Office run from the EU Delegation to Turkey, accredited also to Turkmenistan; emphasises that the new Delegation could monitor the situation and enable diplomacy on the ground, as well as manage projects under the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI) and the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) in a better way;
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recognises the timid legal, political, social and economic reforms introduced by the current government since 2012 as an encouraging sign of a renewed climate of openness, most notably with regard to prison reform, laws on internet, public assembly and public association; notes that the state of democracy, the rule of law and the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms remain weak in Turkmenistan; notes that implementation of laws remains meagre; in this regard, encourages the Turkmenistan authorities to launch its human rights projects provided by the NAPHR, including those dedicated to the internet access;
Amendment 52 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Welcomes, as a positive sign of cooperation facilitating Parliament's consent to the PCA, the last year adoption of the NAPHR for 2016-2020 , prepared with the assistance of the UNDP in 2013, which contains the recommendations made during Turkmenistan's appearance before the Universal Periodic Review process at the UN Human Rights Council in 2013 and having as main objective protecting, promoting and ensuring human rights by defining them in public policy, developing specific programmes, allocating sufficient resources for the implementation of these programmes and further involvement of all relevant government bodies and civil society;
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Notes that the NAPHR contains detailed tasks and activities, the list of institutions responsible for their fulfilment, specific implementation period, as well as indicators to be used for evaluating the results of each task; notes that the NAPHR covers three main areas: economic, social and cultural rights, civil and political rights and legal system, including the judicial system, law enforcement agencies and lawyers' association;
Amendment 56 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7c. Welcomes that the NAPHR provides the creation of a Monitoring Group and evaluation mechanism in order to track the achievement of expected results and developing an Annual Work plan; points out that this Annual Work Plan will allow appropriate changes and additions to the NAPHR;
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Takes note of the constitutional reform announced for this year2016, possibly including a strengthening of the separation of powers between the executive, legislative and judiciary branches, and reinforcing the role of Mejlis, and the creation of an office with the function of Ombudsman; welcomes that one of the tasks provided by the NAPHR is the adoption of Law on the Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsman) in accordance with the Paris Principles and recommendation of the UN treaty bodies, having the implementation term in 2016-2017;
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Points out that the NAPHR plan contains two main objective regarding the political and civil rights: to carry out a legal analysis of national legislation for compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights through implementation of recommendations, and to incorporate the UN recommendations related to civil and political rights into the national legislation, programmes and action strategies; welcomes that the NAPHR contains improvements of legislation, including from a human rights perspective, in the following fields: education, anti-corruption, National Bar Association, combating human trafficking, criminalising of domestic violence, employment and prevention of diseases;
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the Turkmen authorities to address the recommendations made by the OSCE/ODIHR5 , following the parliamentary elections in December 2013; , which took place in a controlled political environment; notes the existence of a third official party, the Agrarian Party, since 2014; __________________ 5 Election Assessment Mission Final Report of 4 March 2014 by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR), TURKMENISTAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS of 15 December 2013; http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/11601 1?download=true.
Amendment 74 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses that Turkmenistan is party to most major international agreements and therefore under the obligation to respect and protect human rights under all circumstances; expresses its readiness to increase EU support in the field of democratic principles and human rights, in particular by making full use of the European Instrument of Democracy and Human Rights and other means to support the reform process in the country;
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes the ratification by Turkmenistan of a number of international treaties on human rights, including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; notes that Turkmenistan is a party to over 130 international conventions and treaties that form the country´s basis for international and legal participation in enhancing human rights and freedoms; calls on Turkmenistan to ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of their Families;
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Encourages Turkmenistan to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court;
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Underlines the need for the European Parliament to closely follow and monitor developments in Turkmenistan and the implementation of the PCA in coming years; calls, in this context, on the VP/HR to honour the agreement reached with her predecessor regarding a on the VP/HR to implement a PCA monitoring mechanism, for allowing Parliament to be properly informed by the EEAS about the implementation of the PCA, once it enters into force, and, in particular, of its objectives and of compliance with its Article 2;
Amendment 85 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Welcomes the commitment made by the VP-HR in her letter to the Committee on Foreign Affairs on 16 December 2016, containing the following elements: - ensuring that the Parliament is properly informed about the implementation of the human rights and democratisation provisions of the PCA, including access to relevant information on the evolution of the situation of human rights, democracy and the rule of law and is briefed upon request ahead and following meetings of the Cooperation Council, subject to applicable confidentiality rules; - closer interaction with the EP and the civil society in the preparation of and debriefings on annual Human Rights Dialogues; - Parliament's consultation in preparation of updates of the EU Human Rights Country strategy for Turkmenistan;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Highlights the importance and necessity of a suspension mechanism of the PCA in the event of a documented and proven serious breach of any human rights;
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Notes that the EU has held seven rounds of Human Rights Dialogue with Turkmenistan since 2008, and that while the last round in SeptemberJune 20145 was held in a constructive and open atmosphere, it has, disappointingly, so far had very scant results; recommends for the 2016 dialogue to address the tasks and activities on human rights progress provided by the NAPHR, including those regarding the political prisoners, the monitoring and visits of detention facilities and the improvements in civil liberties for persons and NGOs; encourages the Turkmen authorities to actively cooperate with the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC);
Amendment 96 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Notes that the NAPHR contains provisions regarding improvement of work on handling appeals and petitions of citizens as well as organisation of training seminars on electronic systems for appeals and register citizens' applications;
Amendment 101 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes the invitation to Turkmenistan of a UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion in 2008, the first UN special rapporteur to visit the country; calls, at the same time, on the Turkmen authorities to allow entry to the remaining nine rapporteurs, all of whom have asked to visit the country; as indicated in the NAPHR for 2016-2020; welcomes that the NAPHR includes permission for the Special Rapporteur procedures on the situation of human rights defenders and the independence of judges and lawyers;
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Takes note of the slightly improved cooperation between Turkmenistan and the UN on the treatment of prisoners, but remains concerned about the unknown number ofremaining political prisoners in the country, and about the dozens of cases of enforced disappearances in prisons6 ; urges the government to apply the recommendation of the UN Committee against Torture of June 2015 to investigate all cases of torture, ill-treatment and deaths in custody; welcomes that the NAPHR contains detailed related activities to be fulfilled, namely the establishment of an independent, effective and regular system for monitoring and inspection of all detention facilities without prior notice and the publishing of conducted investigations results; __________________ 6 Prove They Are Alive ! Campaign; http://provetheyarealive.org/.
Amendment 106 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Welcomes the accession of Turkmenistan in May 2009 to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the more active support given by it to the UNDP programme for 'gender mainstreaming and policy making in Turkmenistan'; calls for effective implementation of the CEDAW; underlines the importance of fighting human trafficking; notes that the NAPHR provides tasks regarding the improving of women's knowledge about their rights through legal education and the creation of a working group aimed at combating trafficking persons;
Amendment 107 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15b. Supports introduction of a facilitated visa regime, ensuring mutual transparency and people-to-people contacts;
Amendment 116 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Takes note of some limited improvements regarding freedom of the media, including a new law adopted in 2013; nevertheless, it is concerned about the situation of repressive media environment; calls on the Turkmen authorities to fully guarantee freedom of speech, to lift any state controls on print and electronic media and to allow foreign media outlets access to the country and to information;
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Points out that the NAPHR contains three main tasks regarding the media: carrying out an analysis of situation concerning the rights of journalists, development of a module on freedom of expression for the faculties of journalism and conducting training sessions for judicial officers, lawyers, media professionals on the rights and obligations of journalists; calls on the Turkmen Government to allow journalists to freely operate in the country; calls on Turkmen authorities to grant access to international journalists to the country;
Amendment 121 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Notes the recent lowering of the membership threshold for registration of religious communities and groups from 2004, as well as the overall changes aimed at protecting the rights of minorities;
Amendment 122 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Welcomes that the NAPHR contains the ensuring of equal participation of representatives of national minorities in decision-making process, creation of favourable conditions for children of ethnic minorities to learn their mother tongue and obtain knowledge about their history and culture of their people, joint activities dedicated to national holidays of national and ethnic minorities and the creation of a mechanism of consultation with representatives of national minorities;
Amendment 126 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Notes the modest improvements introduced in the new law on public associations adopted in 2014; calls on the Turkmen authorities to remove restrictions on civil society organisations and to permit the development of a genuinely independent civil society; free from harassment and persecution; nevertheless, it is concerned that unregistered public associations are still banned and that international NGOs are not allowed to operate in the country; welcomes that the NAPHR for 2016-2020 incudes the creation of favourable conditions for registration, operation and development of non-governmental organisations and the carrying out of an analysis of existing legal and regulatory acts on non- governmental organisations and their improvements;
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. UrgWelcomes, in this context, the Turkmen Government – as a positive sign of cooperation facilitating Parliament’s consent to the PCA – to adopt the draft National Action Plan on Human Rights, prepared with the assistance of the UNDP in 2013, which contains the recommendations made during Turkmenistan’s appearance before the Universal Periodic Review process at the UN Human Rights Council in 2013; recommends that a constructive resolution of the issue of forced disappearances be included in the Plan, the adoption of the NAPHR for 2016-2020 by the Turkmen Government;
Amendment 137 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Notes the mixed results of EU assistance for the period 2011-2013, amounting to EUR 39 million; notes that for the period 2014-2017, the EU allocated EUR 37 million, with a primary focus on the development of human capital; notes that the bilateral development assistance might be phased out as of 2018 when the country could reach the upper income status according to the OECD, despite remarkable difference in living conditions between the urban areas (and notably the capital Ashgabat) and the countryside where poverty is widespread;
Amendment 140 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls on the Turkmen authorities urgently to address the problem of rampant corruption; welcomes the provisions of NAPHR regarding the improvement of anti-corruption legislation; calls on the European Commission to give full assistance to the Turkmen authorities in the implementation of their action plan against corruption;
Amendment 141 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Welcomes the reinstatement of the ninth year of compulsory education and calls on the Turkmen Government to make the modernisation of the education sector one of its top priorities; in this regard, welcomes EU's assistance in this sector; notes that the NAPHR includes the implementation of the "State Programme on Development of the Educational System in Turkmenistan for the period 2012-2016", the improving of school curriculum, applying of international educational standards, free internet access in educational establishment and secondary vocational schools covered by educational programmes on human rights; welcomes that education is one of the main priorities defined in the EU - Central Asia strategy;
Amendment 144 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Calls on the Turkmen authorities to properly implement the laws banning child labour in a better way, as well as to strengthen the legal framework for the protection of minors from exploitation;
Amendment 148 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Recommends the Turkmen authorities to continue with their reform of the healthcare system; calls on the EU to provide expertise in this sector;
Amendment 149 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24b. Stresses the importance of sustainable development in rural areas, including food security and water distribution;
Amendment 150 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Notes that a major component of the PCA is the further development of trade relations and considers that the Turkmenistan - EU trading relation could be enhanced, taking in account the location of Turkmenistan as an East- West/North-South crossroads;
Amendment 154 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Notes that the EU was Turkmenistan's third trade partner in 2013, after China and Turkey, and that currently the trade with the EU remains relatively negligible at 0.1 % of the EU's overall foreign trade;
Amendment 155 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)
Paragraph 25 b (new)
25b. Encourages Turkmenistan to significantly improve its investment environment in line with the PCA provisions; underlines that foreign investment is vital to the country's economy and its modernisation;
Amendment 165 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Underlines the importance of diversification of Turkmenistan economy, in order to enhance its competitiveness;
Amendment 168 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Notes that the Turkmen Government has adopted a National Development Programme for the period 2011-30 aimed at a gradual modernisation of the economy and calls on Turkmenistan to promote rural development, local ownership and investment;
Amendment 172 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Is deeply concerned about the possible negative regional spill-over effect of the current uncertain security situation in Afghanistan and beyond, including Turkmenistan’s porous border with, andcombined with the increasing presence of the Islamic State in, that country Afghanistan as well as drug trafficking, extremism and terrorism, border security and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) risks; therefore, recognises Turkmenistan natural interest in achieving peace in Afghanistan and supports the Turkmenistan's participation in "Heart of Asia" process;
Amendment 175 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32a. Supports Turkmenistan's continued participation in the BOMCA (Border Management in Central Asia) programme which finances also the Central Asia Border Security Initiative (CABSI) Initiative contributing to a sustainable integrated regional border management, and CADAP (Central Asia Drug Action Programme) programme;
Amendment 176 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 b (new)
Paragraph 32 b (new)
32b. Highlights the role of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) based in Ashgabat since 2007, as well as of the OSCE, in conflict prevention in the region;