Activities of Hélène FLAUTRE related to 2012/2870(RSP)
Plenary speeches (2)
2012 progress report on Turkey (debate)
2012 progress report on Turkey (debate)
Amendments (33)
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 19
Citation 19
– having regard to Turkey's potential to play a pivotal role in diversifying energy resources and routes for oil and gas, gas and electricity transit from neighbouring countries to the EU; having regard to the potential for both Turkey and the EU to benefit from Turkey's rich renewable energy resources in creating a sustainable low-carbon economy,
Amendment 69 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Commends the Commission and Turkey for the implementation of the positive agenda, which proves how, in a context of mutual engagement and clear objectives, Turkey and the EU could advance their dialogue, achieve common understanding and produce positive change; believes that a renewed mutual engagement in the context of the negotiation process is needed to maintain a constructive relationship; stresses the importance of creating the conditions for a constructive dialogue and the foundations for a common understandingBelieves that a renewed mutual engagement in the context of the negotiation process is needed to maintain a constructive relationship; stresses the importance of creating the conditions for a constructive dialogue and the foundations for a common understanding; commends the Commission and Turkey for the implementation of the positive agenda, which proves how, in a context of mutual engagement and clear objectives, Turkey and the EU could advance their dialogue, achieve common understanding and produce positive change;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses Turkey's strategic role, politically and geographically, for the foreign policy of the EU and its neighbourhood policy; recognises Turkey's role as an important regional player and calls on the EU and Turkey to further reinforce their existing political dialogue on foreign policy choices and objectives; regrets that the alignment of Turkey with CFSP declarations continued to be low in 2012; encourages Turkey to develop its foreign policy in the framework of dialogue and coordination with the EU; asks the Member states to open the Chapter on External Relation (30) for closer coordination of Turkey with CFSP;
Amendment 92 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2a (new)
Paragraph 2a (new)
2a. Deeply regrets Turkey's decision to abstain from meetings and contacts with the Presidency of the European Union during the second half of 2012; recalls that the Presidency of the Council of the European Union is provided for in the Treaty on European Union and that Turkey, as a candidate country, must commit to serene relations with the European Union and all its Member States; notes with disappointment that the Turkish insistence not to accept a representative of the Cypriot Presidency has led to the cancellation of the 70th EU- Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee;
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the Council decision to invite the Commission to take steps towards visa liberalisation as a gradual and long term perspective, in parallel with the signature of the readmission agreement; urges Turkey to sign and implement the readmission agreement without further delay and to ensure that, until this agreement enters into force, existing bilateral agreements are fully implemented; recalls that Turkey is one of the key transit countries for illegalrregular migration to the EU and underlines the need to intensify cooperation with the EU on migration management, the fight against human trafficking and border controls; stresses once again the importance of facilitating access to the EU for business people, academics, students and representatives of civil society from Turkey; supports the efforts of the Commission and the Member States to implement the visa code, harmonise and simplify visa requirements and create visa facilitating centres in Turkey; Reminds the Member States of their commitmentobligations under the association agreement in line with the Soysal Ruling of the European Court of Justice of 19 February 2009;
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3a (new)
Paragraph 3a (new)
3a. Is concerned by the continued arbitrary refusal of access to the asylum procedure and the practice of repatriation of refugees, asylum-seekers and other people who may be in need of protection; urges the government to bring into line with international standards detention regulations found to be unlawful by the ECtHR in the case of Abdolkhani and Karimina vs. Turkey; calls on the Turkish Grand National Assembly to adopt a comprehensive law consistent with international standards on protection and reception to protect the rights of all refugees, asylum-seekers and other people who may be in need of protection, without discrimination within Turkey's jurisdiction;
Amendment 117 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Commends the Constitution Conciliation Committee for its commitment to a new Constitution and for the inclusive process of consultation of civil society, which reflected the diversity of Turkish society; encourages the Committee to continue its work and to tackle in a collegial way, and in line with the values of the EU, key issues such as (i) the separation of power and an adequate system of checks and balances, (ii) relations between the State, society and religion, (iii) an inclusive system of governance securing the basicfundamental rights of all citizens and (iv) an inclusive concept of citizenship;
Amendment 128 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Reaffirms the fundamental role of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) as the centre of Turkey's democratic system and stresses the importance of support and commitment amongst all political parties for the reform process, in particular a valuable legal framework protecting and enhancing fundamental rights for all communitieitizens; commends the work of the Human Rights Inquiry Committee and asks for a more central role of the EU Harmonisation Committee to promote the alignment of new legislation with the acquis or with European standards during the legislative process;
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the third judicial reform package as a step towards a comprehensive reform process in the area of the judiciary and fundamental rights; stresses however the crucial importance to continue the reform process with a fourth judicial reform package addressing (a) the issues related to the excessively broad definitions of criminal offences under the Criminal Law orand in particular what constitutes an act of terrorism under the Penal Code and the Anti-Terror Law, with the urgent need to introduce a clear distinction between the promotion of terrorism and the incitement to violence and the expression of non- violent ideas in line with the ECtHR case law, in order to safeguard freedom of expression, (b) the issue of the excessively long pre-trial detention periods, and (c) the need to and media, (b) procedures, including an independent and impartial interpretation of legal provisions that respect fundamental rights, such as allowing full access to the prosecution file for defence lawyers and addressing concerns regarding the quality and consistency of the evidence, c) efficiency such as the backlog of cases, which combined with procedural norms lead to issues such as the excessively long pre- trial detention periods;
Amendment 136 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the third judicial reform package as a step towards a comprehensive reform process in the area of the judiciary and fundamental rights; stresses however the crucial importance to continue the reform process with a fourth judicial reform package addressing (a) the issues related to the excessively broad definitions of criminal offences under the Criminal Law or the Anti-Terror Law, with the urgent need to introduce a clear distinction between the promotion of terrorism and the incitement to violence and the expression of non-violent ideas, in order to safeguard freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of association right of strike and collective bargaining(b) the issue of the excessively long pre-trial detention periods, and (c) the need to allow full access to the prosecution file for defence lawyers;
Amendment 138 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7a (new)
Paragraph 7a (new)
7a. Considers that the provisions contained in the Turkish anti-terror legislation and Article 220 TCC allow for a very wide margin of appreciation, in particular in cases where membership in a terrorist organisation has not been proven and when an act or statement may be deemed to coincide with "the aims" of a terrorist organisation; asks Turkish authorities to take legislative measures and reflect the case-law of the ECtHR (Güzel and Özer v. Turkey, judgment of 6 July 2010), the Recommendation 1426 (1999) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe ("European democracies facing up to terrorism"), and the Guidelines of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on human rights and the fight against terrorism (11 July 2002);
Amendment 144 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7a (new)
Paragraph 7a (new)
7a. Calls upon the Turkish government, in order to increase the efficiency of judicial proceedings and address the ongoing backlog of cases, to bring its regional courts of appeal, which were legally due to be operational by June 2007, into operation as soon as possible and to focus on training judges and prosecutors for this purpose;
Amendment 146 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7b (new)
Paragraph 7b (new)
7b. considers the verdict in the Pinar Selek case on 24 January2013 to be a obvious example of the shortcomings in Turkey's justice system and of the weakness of investigations in Turkey; considers this trial to be a test for the rule of law and the credibility of the judiciary in Turkey;
Amendment 148 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7b (new)
Paragraph 7b (new)
7b. Notes that the Ad Hoc Delegation for the Observation of the Trials of Journalists in Turkey will continue to monitor the trial of journalists and will follow judicial reforms in Turkey addressing freedom of expression and media;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8a (new)
Paragraph 8a (new)
8a. Underlines the importance of providing effective protection for human- rights defenders; expresses concern about continuing court cases against human- rights defenders and their continued prosecution; in this respect, draws particular attention to the trial of the writer, sociologist and feminist Pinar Selek, which has lasted almost 15 years and, despite three acquittal decisions, resulted in a life sentence pronounced on 24 January 2013; strongly condemns this decision, pointing out that the long duration of the court case raises questions as regards the right to liberty and security, as well as the right to a fair trial, enshrined respectively in Articles 5 and 6 of the European Convention of Human Rights;
Amendment 162 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recalls that freedom of expression and media pluralism are core European values and that a truly democratic society requires true freedom of expression, including the right of dissent; underlines the importance of abolishing legislation providing for disproportionately high tax fines on the media, leading in some cases to their closure or to self-censorship, and the urgent need to reform the internet law;
Amendment 164 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recalls that freedom of expression and media pluralism are core European values and that a truly democratic society requires true freedom of expression, including the right of dissent; underlines the importance of abolishing legislation providing for disproportionately high fines on the media, leading in some cases to their closure or to self-censorship, and the urgent need to reform the internet law; regrets that a number of laws such as Articles 301- 318- 220/6 in combination with 314/2 , Articles 285 and 288 of the penal code, Articles 6 and 7/2 of the anti terror law and law 5651/2007 on the internet continue to limit freedom of expression; reiterates its previous calls to the government to finalise the review of the legal framework on freedom of expression and to bring it, without delay, in line with the ECHR and the ECtHR case law; deplores thus unlawful prosecutions of journalists, writers, publishers, academics, human rights defenders, peaceful demonstrators and activists, officials of Kurdish political parties and associations;
Amendment 189 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes the Law on the Ombudsman and the appointment of a first Head Ombudsman, who shall ensure the credibility of this institution through his decisions; stresses that the establishment of the Ombudsman is an important step in safeguarding the rights of citizens and ensuring accountability of the public administration; calls on the board of the Ombudsman that the regulation on the internal decision-making process guarantees the independence of the institution;
Amendment 196 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Notes that, in the ‘sledgehammer’ trial a first instance court sentenced 324 suspects to 13-20 years; stresses that investigations on KCK and of alleged coup plans, such as the ‘Ergenekon’ and ‘Sledgehammer’ cases, must demonstrate the strength and the proper, independent, impartial and transparent functioning of Turkish democratic institutions and the judiciary, and their firm, unconditional commitment to respect for fundamental rights; is concerned about the allegations regarding the use of inconsistent evidence; regrets that these cases have been overshadowed by concerns about their wide scope and the shortcomings in the proceedings;
Amendment 206 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Welcomes the Law on the protection of family and prevention of violence against women; commends the National Action Plan to combat Violence against Women (2012-2015) and stresses the need to enforce it effectively nationwide; calls on the Ministry for Family and Social Policies to continue its efforts to increase the number and quality of shelters for women and minors in danger; stresses the importance to provide women who have been victims of violence with concrete alternatives and self-sustainment prospects; urgecommends Turkey to continue to step up its preventive's efforts at all levels in the fight against ‘honour killings’, domestic violence and the phenomenon of forced marriages and child brides; calls on the Ministry to continue to actively promote women's participation in the labour market, which remains low, in politics and at senior level in the administration and the private sector, if necessary by foreseeing reserved quotas and by reviewing some special laws regulating employment in Turkey;
Amendment 217 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Stresses the urgent need for comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation and the establishment of an anti- discrimination and equality board to protect individuals against discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or sexual identity; calls on Turkey to adopt an action plan to promote the full equality of rights and full acceptance of LGBT persons; stresses the urgent need for comprehensive antidiscrimination legislation and the establishment of an antidiscrimination and equality board to protect individuals against discrimination based on any ground such as sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic, features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation or sexual identity; calls on Turkey to adopt an action plan to promote the full equality of rights and full acceptance of LGBT persons;
Amendment 236 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Welcomes the continued implementation of legislation amending the 2008 law on foundations and broadening the scope of the restoration of the property rights of non-Muslim communities; calls on the relevant authorities to assist the Syriac community in clarifying the difficulties faced with property and land registration; calls for a solution for the large number of properties of the Latin Catholic Church which remain confiscated by the State; recalls the urgent need to continue vital and substantial reform in the area of freedom of thought, conscience and religion, in particular by enabling religious communities to obtain legal personality, by eliminating all restrictions on the training, appointment and succession of clergy, by recognising Alevi places of worships and by complying with the relevant judgments of the ECtHR and the recommendations of the Venice Commission; calls on Turkey to ensure that the Saint Gabriel monastery is not deprived of its lands, and that it is protected in its entirety; welcomes the initiatives to reopen the Greek School of Büyükada as a international centre of cultures and asks Turkish Government to reopen Halki Seminars;
Amendment 241 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17a (new)
Paragraph 17a (new)
17a. Supports strongly the ongoing negotiations for a peaceful solution of the Kurdish question and asks all political parties in Turkey to support this process and share their responsibility for its success; convinced that a successful dialogue on this question will have a positive impact in the Middle East and open new opportunities for the resolution of regional conflicts;
Amendment 249 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Notes that Turkey continued to demonstrate resilience at the terrorist attacks by the PKK; cCalls on Turkey to invest renewed efforts towards a political solution to the Kurdish issue; asks all political forces to ensure an adequate political platform and to debate in a constructive way the Kurdish issue and to facilitate a real opening to the claims for basic rights in the Constitutional process; asks all political forces to work in alliance towards the goal of reinforced political dialogue and a process of further political, cultural and socio-economic inclusion and participation of citizens of Kurdish origin, in order to guarantee the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly and promote the peaceful inclusion of citizens of Kurdish origin into Turkish society; welcomes the new legislation to open the possibility to use the native language in trials, considers in this context the right to education in the native language and the right to use Kurdish in local administrative communications as essential; recalls that a political solution can only be built upon a truly democratic debate on the Kurdish issue and expresses concern at the large number of cases launched against writers and journalists writing on the Kurdish issue and the arrest of several Kurdish politicians, mayors and members of municipal councils, trade unionists, lawyers, protestors and human rights defenders in connection with the KCK trial; underlines the importance of promoting a discussion of the Kurdish issue within the democratic institutions, particularly the TGNA;
Amendment 265 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19a (new)
Paragraph 19a (new)
19a. Welcomes the verdict of the Higher Administrative Court (Danistay) on the annulment of the permit to construct the Ilisu Dam, based on environmental impact studies and based on applicable law; calls on the Turkish Government to preserve this archaeological and environmental heritage by prioritizing smaller, ecologically and socially sustainable projects; and asks the EU institutions and EU member states to make full use of all EU instruments of the negotiations on the Chapter Environment (27) and of enlargement policy for candidate countries in this respect;
Amendment 266 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19b (new)
Paragraph 19b (new)
19b. Calls on Turkey and the Commission to take Regulation (EC) No 1007/2009 on the trade in seal products (so- called 'Seal Regulation') in consideration during the negotiation on the Chapter Environment (27) opened in December 2009, banning the marketing of products derived from seals; urges the Turkish Government to align its policy with the EU Regulation prohibiting the trade of all products from commercial seal hunts and in so doing to strongly contribute to ending the largest commercial hunt of a marine mammal in the world;
Amendment 287 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Deeply regrets Turkey's decision to abstain from meetings and contacts with the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU and tTakes the view that Turkey missed an important opportunity to start a process of engagement and normalisation of relations with Cyprus, with the occasion of its Presidency of the Council of the European Union; recalls that the EU is based on the principles of sincere cooperation and mutual solidarity amongst all its Member States and respect for the institutional framework; stresses that progress towards the normalisation of Turkey's relations with the Republic of Cyprus is urgently needed in order to provide new momentum to the EU- Turkey accession negotiations;
Amendment 292 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Deeply regrets Turkey's decision to abstain from meetings and contacts with the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU and takes the view thatasks all parties concerned and Turkey not to missed an important opportunity to start a process of engagement and normalisation of relations with Cyprus; recalls that the EU is based on the principles of sincere cooperation and mutual solidarity amongst all its Member States and respect for the institutional framework;
Amendment 310 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Expresses once again its strong support to the reunification of Cyprus, based on a fair and viable settlement for both communities; underlines the urgency of an agreement between the two communities on how to proceed with the substantive settlement negotiations, so that the negotiating process, under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General, can soon regain momentum; calls on Turkey to begin withdrawing its forces from Cyprus and transfer Famagusta to the UN in accordance with UNSC Resolution 550 (1984); calls, in parallel, on the Republic of Cyprus to open the port of Famagusta under EU customs supervision in order to promote a positive climate for the successful solution of the ongoing reunification negotiations and allow Turkish Cypriots to trade directly in a legal manner that is acceptable to all; is convinced that the adaption of the Direct Trade Regulation and the application of the Additional Protocol to the EC-Turkey Association Agreement (Ankara Protocol) will have a positive economic impact on both communities in Cyprus;
Amendment 319 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23a (new)
Paragraph 23a (new)
23a. Asks the President to invite two observers representing the Cypriot Turkish community to the Parliament, following the decision of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in this respect;
Amendment 332 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Encourages Turkeyall parties concerned to intensify itstheir support for the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus;
Amendment 386 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Reiterates its condemnation, in the strongest terms, of the continuing terrorist violence by the PKK, which is on the EU list of terrorist organisations, and expresses its full solidarity to Turkey and to the families of the many victims; calls on the Member States, in close coordination with the EU counter terrorism coordinator and Europol, to intensify cooperation with Turkey in the fight against terrorism and organised crime as a source of financing of terrorism; calls on Turkey to adopt a data protection law and legislation on the financing of terrorism so that a cooperation agreement can be concluded with Europol and judicial cooperation with Eurojust and with the EU Member States can further develop; takes the view that the assignment of a police liaison officer to Europol would help improve bilateral cooperation;
Amendment 402 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Welcomes the decision to enhance cooperation between the EU and Turkey on a number of important energy issues and calls onencourages Turkey to commintinue its commitment to this cooperation; believes that, in view of Turkey's strategic role, initialwelcomes the meeting of the steering group in Ankara on 14 February 2013; believes that, in view of Turkey's strategic role and plentiful wind, solar and geothermal energy resources, consideration should be given to the value of opening negotiations on Chapter 15 on energy with a view to furthering the EU-Turkey strategic dialogue on energy; considers that both the enhanced EU- Turkey energy cooperation and any eventual negotiations on Chapter 15 should encourage the development of renewable energy potential and cross- border electricity transmission infrastructure;