5 Amendments of László TŐKÉS related to 2016/2324(INI)
Amendment 4 #
1. Deplores the fact that in certain states often limit or restrictdeveloping countries the freedom of expression is often limited in order to silence dissent or criticism; recalls that the long-term stability and resilience of a society can only be achieved and maintained by ensuring openness of the civic space and the rights to freedom of expression, opinion, peaceful assembly and association; notes that NGOs representing people with disabilities often face even stronger challenges;
Amendment 16 #
2. Considers that the EU should use its foreign policy instruments, including human rights and development instruments, to deal with the structural roots of the shrinking space problem and to design a multifaceted approach, since some regimes are now using not only draconian NGO laws but also a wide range of direct and indirect tactics to limit the operation or financing of civil society organisations (CSOs),in developing countries are using restrictions such as arbitrary registration and reporting requirements, distorted criminal charges, raids and audits, and counterterrorism measures;
Amendment 28 #
3. Calls on the Commission, the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Member States and the EU Special Representative for Human Rights to be more vocal, consistent and timely in expressing objections to restrictive CSO laws and to exert effective and tailored pressure on the host governments in question and raise this issue systematically in political and human rights dialogues; considers that EU actors could exert more positive conditionality by allocating additional funds to those governments allowing a wider space for civil societyraise this issue systematically in political and human rights dialogues;
Amendment 46 #
5. Requests the establishment of a ‘Shrinking Space Early Warning’' mechanism, with the involvement of the relevant EU institutions, capable of issuing an alert when a given governmentdeveloping country is preparing serious new restrictions against civil society so that the EU is able to respond begin negotiations with the government in question to better understand the problem and to find a solution together with the government in timelier, coordinated and tangible and democratic manner;
Amendment 55 #
6. Calls on the Commission to increase the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) funds relevant to the shrinking space, since the annual sums per country are at an extremely low level; calls on the Commission to identify new forms of activism to be funded by the EIDHR and to put in place a more flexible and simplified procedure for accessing EIDHR funding, including more significant exceptions for those CSOs in particular danger and support for unregistered groups; considers that greater emphasis should be put on local groups and actors, since human rights issues are often experienced in a more real and acute way at local level;