13 Amendments of Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN related to 2015/2229(INI)
Amendment 95 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Reiterates the crucial importance of ensuring increased coherence between the EU’s internal and external policies with regard to respect for human rights and democratic values; emphasises in this context that, while this report deals with the EU’s external policies for advancing human rights, Parliament also adopts an annual report on the situation of fundamental rights in the European Union, drawn up by the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs; underlines that for the EU's foreign policy to be credible and coherent in the field of human rights, equality and anti- discrimination, the Council should adopt the directive on equal treatment between persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation;
Amendment 180 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Deplores the fact that the proper implementation of legal frameworks for the protection of minorities remains a challenge, as stated in the Commission’s Enlargement Strategy for 2014-2015; welcomes the Strategy's focus on homophobia, discrimination and hate crimes on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity; stresses that this is a recurring problem in all enlargement countries; invites the enlargement countries to step up their efforts to forge a culture of acceptance of minorities through, for example, improved inclusion of minorities in the education system;
Amendment 288 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60
Paragraph 60
60. Recalls that freedom of thoueverybody is entitled to the complete set of human rights as recognised in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, conscience,without discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, ability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion andor belief is a fundamental human right, as recognised in the Universal Declaration of Human Right; reaffirms that cultural, traditional or religious values can never be invoked to justify any form of discrimination, including discrimination against women or LGBTI persons;
Amendment 313 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63
Paragraph 63
63. Expresses its concern at the growing number of death sentences worldwide; considers it regrettable that Belarus has resumed executions after a two-year pause; reiterates therefore its call on Belarus to implement a moratorium on the death penalty, which should ultimately lead to its abolition; is concerned that 8 states legislate death penalty for homosexuality (Mauritania, Sudan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Qatar) and provinces of Nigeria and Somalia officially implement death penalty for same-sex sexual acts; calls on these states to stop criminalising homosexuality and calls on Brunei Darussalam not to activate the death penalty for homosexuality in 2016, as is currently foreseen; urges the EEAS to maintain fighting criminalization of LGBTI people a key priority;
Amendment 326 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66
Paragraph 66
66. Condemns in the strongest terms all forms of discrimination, including those based on race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, language, culture, social origin, caste, birth, age, disability or any other status; urges the EU to intensify its efforts to eradicate all types of discrimination, racism and xenophobia through human rights and political dialogues, the work of the EU Delegations and public diplomacy; urges the EU also to continue promoting the ratification and full implementation of all UN Conventions that support this cause, such as the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination or the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;
Amendment 328 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66 a (new)
Paragraph 66 a (new)
66a. Welcomes the continued efforts of the EU on the rights of LGBTI persons in its foreign policy, in line with the EU Guidelines to Promote and Protect the Enjoyment of all Human Rights by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) Persons; calls for thorough implementation of the guidelines, including through training of diplomats, staff and interpreters;
Amendment 330 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66 c (new)
Paragraph 66 c (new)
66c. Expresses its strong support for the work of the United Nations on the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people; welcomes, in this regard, the UNHRC resolution on combating violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, adopted on 26 September 2014 (A/HRC/RES/27/32), and the High Commissioner's report on Discrimination and violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity published 5 May 2015 (A/HRC/19/41); reaffirms its support for the Secretary General and High Commissioner's work to promote and protect the enjoyment of all human rights by LGBTI people, in particular through statements, reports and the Free & Equal campaign; encourages the Secretary General and High Commissioner to continue fighting discriminatory laws and practices;
Amendment 333 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66 f (new)
Paragraph 66 f (new)
66f. Calls on the EU and the Member States to continue their efforts to work to enhance respect for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people, in line with the EU Guidelines to Promote and Protect the Enjoyment of all Human Rights by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) Persons; calls for thorough implementation of the guidelines, and for adequate training of diplomats and staff on issues of sexual orientation and gender identity;
Amendment 335 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66 h (new)
Paragraph 66 h (new)
66h. Is severely concerned about the regrettable trend to enact laws restricting freedom of expression and assembly for those who support the human rights of LGBTI persons; calls in this regard on Russia, Algeria, Nigeria and Lithuania to repeal their laws criminalizing the 'propaganda of homosexuality', which curtail human rights, notably freedom of expression and assembly in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity; remains concerned that Kyrgyzstan may soon provide one year imprisonment for the "promotion of non-traditional sexual relations in open or indirect way" and calls on the Kyrgyz parliament to withdraw this proposal; is concerned over the negative consequences of these laws on society, with discrimination and violence against LGBTI individuals increasing; welcomes the withdrawal of Ukraine's "homosexuality anti- propaganda" bill; calls on the EU Delegation to increase its support for defenders of the human rights of LGBTI people, in line with the relevant guidelines;
Amendment 365 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 72
Paragraph 72
72. Welcomes the Council conclusions on the promotion and protection of the rights of the child, adopted in December 2014, and calls for the EU to continue supporting partner countries in combatting all forms of violence against children and reinforcing their capacities to protect children’s rights; supports the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights' statement of May 2014 regarding the rights of intersex children; calls accordingly upon all states to recognize the right to self-determination and physical integrity of intersex children and repeal any law allowing for genital- normalizing surgery to be conducted without free and informed consent of the person concerned;
Amendment 397 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 79
Paragraph 79
79. Positively notes that in the new Action Plan the VP/HR reiterated the EU’s commitment to empowering local actors and civil society organisations, and stresses that, given the significant shrinking of its space, civil society, and in particular human rights defenders working on women's rights and the rights of LGBTI people, requires increased attention and efforts from the EU; urges the EU and its Member States, therefore, to elaborate a coherent and comprehensive response to the major challenges that civil society, including human rights defenders, faces worldwide;
Amendment 402 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 80
Paragraph 80
80. Calls on the EU and its Member States to constantly monitor and raise cases of violations of freedom of assembly and association, including through various forms of bans and limitations on civil society organisations and their activities; points out that this happens in Russia through the 'Foreign Agents law' and 'Undesirable Organizations Law'; notes that these legal restrictions aim to demonise and marginalise independent civil society and human rights activism; is deeply concerned that over 100 NGOs have faced or are facing court cases, or have been forced to register as a foreign agent; regrets that other countries follow the Russian example, including Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, where authorities have imposed or are seeking to impose legal restrictions, and encourages close monitoring of these countries; finds it regrettable that there are cases of shrinking space for civil society within the EU as well; stresses the importance that the EU should lead by example in protecting these rights;
Amendment 403 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 80 a (new)
Paragraph 80 a (new)
80a. Notes with concern that intimidation of civil society occurs through other means too, including public accusations by government officials against NGOs and extraordinary audits, as witnessed in Hungary; regrets that the Hungarian government specifically targeted NGOs working on human rights, particularly on women's rights, LGBTI rights and on anti-corruption; calls on the Hungarian authorities to stop intimidation of civil society and fully respect the right to freedom of association;