195 Amendments of Marco CAPPATO
Amendment 44 #
2008/2336(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. In this regard, calls on the Council and the Commission to strengthen their engagement with democratic governments from other regional groups within the UNHRC, with a view to improving the chance of success of initiatives aimed at respect for the principles contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; asks the Commission to provide an annual report on voting patterns at the UN in matter concerning human rights, analysing how these have been affected by the policies of the EU and of its Member States and those of other blocs;
Amendment 69 #
2008/2336(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 68 a (new)
Paragraph 68 a (new)
68a. Draws attention to the abuse and sexual exploitation of millions of children worldwide; asks the Council, the Commission and Member States to do everything possible to prevent and combat sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children, protect the rights of child victims of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse, and promote national and international cooperation in the fight against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children;
Amendment 75 #
2008/2336(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 71 a (new)
Paragraph 71 a (new)
71a. Draws specific attention to the significant impact that the right of free expression on the internet can have on closed communities, and calls on the EU to support cyber-dissidents worldwide; accordingly, asks the Commission and the Council to deal with all restrictions on the provision of internet and information society services by European companies in third countries as part of the EU external trade policy and to regard as barriers to trade all unnecessary limitations on the provision of those services;
Amendment 81 #
2008/2336(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 76
Paragraph 76
76. Regrets China's postponement of the ninth China-EU summit on the grounds of the Dalai Lama's visit to Europe; emphasises the need for a radical intensification of the European Union- 1 Texts adopted, P6_TA(2008)0021. China human rights dialogue; expresses its disquiet at the serious human rights violations in China and stresses that, despite promises made by the regime before the Olympic Games in August 2008, the situation on the ground regarding human rights has not improved; notes that, despite repeated assurances by the Chinese government of its intention to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ratification is still pending; refers to its resolution of 17 January 2008 on the arrest of the Chinese dissident Hu Jia1, who has been awarded the 2008 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought; calls on the Chinese government to release Hu Jia immediately; notes the persisting frailty of internet freedom in China, and in this respect asks European businesses providing an internet content hosting service to refrain from disclosing to any foreign official any information that personally identifies a particular user of the service in question save for legitimate foreign law-enforcement purposes in compliance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; remains concerned about many aspects of Chinese legislation, including the State Secrets system, preventing the transparency necessary for the development of good governance and a system in which the rule of law prevails; in this context, deplores the systematic punishment of lawyers who try to make the Chinese legal system function in accordance with China's own laws and the rights of its citizens; 1 Texts adopted, P6_TA(2008)0021.Or. en
Amendment 95 #
2008/2336(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 86 a (new)
Paragraph 86 a (new)
86a. Expresses its concern about the lack of progress in the human rights situation in Burma, especially in view of the upcoming elections scheduled for 2010; condemns the recent arrests and convictions after show trials of more than one hundred members of the Burmese opposition, and the draconian sentences they received; urges the Burmese government to release all political prisoners immediately; considers that Parliament should send a heavyweight mission to Burma, seeing that the current human rights situation is still not improving despite all sanctions and international pressure on the Burmese regime has to be reinforced;
Amendment 24 #
2008/2234(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5a. Calls on Member States to review their citizenship laws and explore the possibilities of making it easier for non- nationals to acquire citizenship and enjoy full rights, thereby overcoming discrimination between nationals and non-nationals, notably for EU citizens;
Amendment 43 #
2008/2234(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b. Warmly welcomes the Commission's intention to insert measures in the Stockholm Programme aimed at addressing the problems faced by EU citizens during their life circle in the EU; asks the Commission to propose, within this framework, appropriate measures, including in the field of civil law, to finally implement the principle of equal treatment not only in relation to goods, capitals and services, but also in relation to persons, including same-sex partners, as the current situation is discriminatory, constitutes a barrier to free movement and is contrary to the common European values of equality and non- discrimination;
Amendment 46 #
2008/2234(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Calls on Member States to launch on national and local media, including television, radio and the internet, information campaigns in EU languages to inform EU citizens about their right to vote and stand in elections, as well as about registration procedures, which should be as easy as possible;
Amendment 15 #
2008/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Insists on the need for recognition of parity between the EU's official languagesto resist and prevent any form of language discrimination;
Amendment 17 #
2008/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the Commission to devise a funding mechanism for the European institutions' language services which is proportionate to the extent to which the languages are actually used in the course of the institutions' activities; those Member States whose official languages are used as the European institutions working languages should be required to make additional payments to the Community budget to be used for the specific purpose of developing the language services;
Amendment 20 #
2008/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses the crucial role of the EU institutions in ensuring respect for the principle of parity, in relations between Member States as also, in EU citizens' relations with national administrations and international institutions and bodies, and in the employment field, particularly in the private sector;
Amendment 29 #
2008/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls that the importance of multilingualism is not confined to the economic and social aspects and that attention must also be paid to those related to cultural and scientific creation and transmission and to the importance of translation, both literary and technical, in the lives of the citizens and for the EU's long-term development; calls on the Commission and the Member States, therefore, to promote and provide financial support for the setting up and running of research centres and university courses covering subjects such as multilingualism, the language economy, linguistic democracy, language law, linguistic federalism and interlingualism;
Amendment 36 #
2008/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on the Commission to introduce a European Supervisor for the protection of linguistic diversity and the prevention of language discrimination or, alternatively, to confer those tasks on the European Ombudsman; the linguistic diversity Supervisor should have the task of receiving complaints about cases of language discrimination and notifying the Commission, in particular, of any cases involving breaches of European principles and abuses of dominant position;
Amendment 37 #
2008/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Calls on the Commission to produce a study of the direct and indirect costs, to the public and private sector, of the current situation with regard to the teaching of foreign languages in the European Union's education systems; this economic report should show the economic and financial consequences, and impact on the employment market, of the current system, and in particular should indicate who benefits from, and who pays for, such resource flows, any dominant positions and the costs involved;
Amendment 60 #
2008/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Recalls that for these reasons it is vital to ensure quality in this context; calls on the Commission, therefore, to take steps to introduce Esperanto as an international foreign language under the educational systems both of the Member States and of countries excluded from the globalisation process, on the grounds of its neutral status and because it is simple enough to be learned thoroughly in the course of basic compulsory education;
Amendment 67 #
2008/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses the need to give sufficient importance to language learningearning national and mother-tongue languages and those included in the programme at pre- school level;
Amendment 77 #
2008/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Amendment 89 #
2008/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. Considers that the European dubbing industry should be safeguarded; calls for care to be taken, therefore, to ensure that the use of subtitles is limited and compatible with maintaining linguistic diversity, and that they are not used inappropriately to impose a language which has a dominant position in relation to other languages;
Amendment 95 #
2008/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Amendment 100 #
2008/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Calls on the Council and the Commission to appoint, together with Parliament, a committee of experts to draw up a legal proposal designed to punish the deliberate destruction of languages, and in particular lesser-used, regional, minority or indigenous languages, as a flagrant abuse of human rights, as called for in the recommendations of the international group of experts on indigenous languages of the United Nations adopted by the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at its seventh session in May 2008;
Amendment 112 #
2008/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Recommends that the language competence indicators should also be extended to classical Greek and Latin and the international language, Esperanto, not only because these languages are part of a shared European heritage that is of major civilisational and cultural importance, but also because learning them facilitates further learning experiences and stimulates reflection on language;
Amendment 24 #
2008/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Regrets the growing division of the UNHRC into regional blocs; considers that this "bloc mentality" undermines its ability to deal effectively, impartially and objectively with human rights violations around the world; considers that this "bloc mentality" could be the real cause of the politicisation and selectivitybias, selectivity and weakness of the UNHRC; looking ahead to the 2011 review, stresses that, if the situation does not improve, serious consideration should be given to opening up the UNHRC to universal membership, as in the case of the Third Committee of the General Assembly;
Amendment 25 #
2008/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Regrets the growing division of the UNHRC into regional blocs; considers that this "bloc mentality" undermines its ability to deal effectively, impartially and objectively with human rights violations around the world; considers that this "bloc mentality" could be the real cause of the politicisation and selectivity of the UNHRC; looking ahead to the 2011 review, stresses that, if the situation does not improve, serious consideration should be given to opening up the UNHRC to universal membership, as in the case of the Third Committee of the General Assembly; asks the Commission to provide an annual report on voting patterns at the UN on human rights, analysing how these have been affected by the policies of the EU, of EU Member States and of other blocs;
Amendment 52 #
2008/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Calls on donors to address the training and funding needs of human rights organisations, especially those not based in Geneva, in such a way as to enable them to participate consistently and effectively in the work of the UNHRC; calls on the Commission to support civil society initiatives for the scrutiny of government policies on UN human rights issues;
Amendment 63 #
2008/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. EncourageDemands the EU to continue to press for the establishment of membership criteria for election to the UNHRC, including the issuing of permanent invitations to Special Procedures mandate- holders, as well as for monitoring of the actual implementation of the UN Member States’ election pledges; also reiterates its calls for this rule to be applied in determining whether the EU should support candidate countries; regrets that this request has not yet been upheld by the EU;
Amendment 67 #
2008/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Supports the EU’s stance in seeking a coordinated, common position at the UNHRC; regrets however that, in the process of achieving a common policy amongst the EU Member States at the UNHRC, the EU often arrives at the UNHRC forum with the lowest common denominator, thereby restricting the dynamics of the EU diplomatic potential with other regional groupings; encourages the EU High Representative to give a mandate to his Personal Representative for Democracy and Human Rights – if necessary by dispatching personal envoys – to conduct intensive consultations in Africa, Asia and Latin America on issues discussed at the UNHRC, with a view to engaging countries from other blocs in common initiatives at the UN level;
Amendment 70 #
2008/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. Calls on the EU and its Member States to interact more energetically with other democratic members of the UNHRC, including countries within the African and Asian groups and especially with democratic states abiding by the international rule of law; considers that the Nigerian Presidency of the UNHRC constitutes a window of opportunity for the EU in this respect;
Amendment 72 #
2008/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45 a (new)
Paragraph 45 a (new)
45a. Calls on the Council, the Commission and the Member States to promote the officialisation and strengthening of a UN Democracy Caucus based on objective criteria involving compliance with the principles and instruments of international law on human, civil and political rights and maximum openness on the part of the countries concerned to international monitoring of their internal situation;
Amendment 75 #
2008/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
Paragraph 48
48. Once again calls on the EU to make more effective use of its aid and political support to third countries, as well as other instruments such as human rights dialogues and consultations, with a view to guaranteeing broader agreement on its initiatives or initiatives that it co-sponsors, which should be guided by respect for international law and universally recognised human rights standards and the promotion of democratic reforms; at the same time, calls on the EU Member States and the European Commission to take into account the outcome of the UNHRC's work vis-à-vis a given State, including the recommendations and conclusions of the UPR, when defining objectives and priorities of EU assistance programmes;
Amendment 78 #
2008/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50
Paragraph 50
50. Considers that, while EU Member States have better human rights records than many other UNHRC members, the action of the EU will be more effective if it cannot be accused of applying double- standards and of being selective in its own human rights and democracy policies; therefore calls on the EU to live up to its commitment to boost human rights in all regions in the world and on all issues; in this respect, calls on the EU to actively engage in the review of the Durban Conference which is to take place in 2009, bearing in mind in particular the need to implement the resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2007 calling for a universal moratorium on the death penalty;
Amendment 155 #
2008/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Stresses the importance of the prompt entry into force of the EU-US Extradition and Legal Assistance Agreement, and urges those Member States that have not yet ratified it to do so as soon as possible; stresses at the same time that the US needs to explicitly halt its policy of extraordinary rendition, and calls on the US to exercise restraint in issuing requests for the extradition of EU citizens;
Amendment 52 #
2008/2184(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on Member States to fully implement the rights granted under Article 2 and Article 3 of Directive 2004/38/EC not only to different sex spouses, but also to registered partners, members of the household and partners, including same-sex couples and irrespective of nationalityintroduce civil and family law reforms to provide that same-sex couples may also enter into marriages, civil partnerships or civil unions, on the basis of the principles of mutual recognition, equality, non-discrimination, dignity, private and family life; in tequality and in order to overcome discrimination based on sexual orientation, as well as to recognise in their civil and family law same-sex marriages and partnerships regard, calls the Commission to issue strict guidelines, in addition drawing on the analysis and conclusions contained in the Fundamental Rights Agency reportcontracted in another Member State or at least to allow them to re-register their relationship under the law of the host Member State;
Amendment 57 #
2008/2184(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls on Member States to include same-sex couples in the definition of "family" under EC law, including under Article 2 of the Directive 2004/38/EC, and to grant them equal rights, including free movement rights; calls on the Commission to issue guidelines in this regard or to propose a corresponding change to the Directive;
Amendment 59 #
2008/2184(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Stresses that the absence of mutual recognition of same-sex couples is a barrier to the free movement of Union citizens and their families, as it results in discriminatory treatment in a range of fields, such as social, civil, legal rights and taxation, as couple/next of kin;
Amendment 62 #
2008/2184(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 c (new)
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2c. Calls on the Commission to issue appropriate proposals within the framework of the Stockholm Programme to guarantee free movement without discrimination based on the grounds listed in Article 13 of the EC Treaty, drawing on the analysis and conclusions contained in the Fundamental Rights Agency report;
Amendment 85 #
2008/2184(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Calls on the Commission to monitor whether certain ethnic communities, such as Roma, or national communities, such as Romanians and Bulgarians, are subject to discriminatory practices in relation to free movement, and to require Member States to refrain from such practices and review them urgently; calls on the Italian government to repeal the law providing for heavier criminal penalties for Union citizens who do not register, as it is contrary to EC law but still provided for in the law adopted in July 2008;
Amendment 99 #
2008/2184(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Calls on the Commission to verify the existence in Member States of systems for processing personal data specific to Union citizens who are not nationals of that Member State and whether they contain only those data necessary for applying the Directive and national transposition legislation; calls on it also to verify whether similar systems exist for the purpose of fighting crime, and calls on those Member States which have such systems, to review them, in compliance with the Huber case;
Amendment 100 #
2008/2184(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15b. Calls on those Member States which have laws that are not compatible with the Metock case to review them urgently and invites the Commission to bring proceedings against them if they do not comply;
Amendment 14 #
2008/2171(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Regrets the collapse of the talks between the authorities of the People’s Republic of China and the envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and repeats its call for a halt to the persecution of the Tibetan people and for real autonomy for Tibet;
Amendment 23 #
2008/2152(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Amendment 1 #
2008/2125(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital E
Recital E
E. Whereas the objective of creating a European area of justice is to a certain extent slowed down by the small number of judicial authorities and criminal defence lawyers who can access EU judicial training, and electronic tools could contribute significantly to disseminating widely a European judicial culture which is the basis of the future European area of justice;
Amendment 2 #
2008/2125(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital G
Recital G
G. Whereas the current system of gathering criminal evidence in other Member States is still based on slow and ineffective instruments offered by mutual assistance in criminal matters, and whereas, where appropriate and only where it would not be detrimental to the legal position of the person giving testimony, the use of technological tools such as video conferencing would be a great step forward in the taking of evidence at distance;
Amendment 3 #
2008/2125(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital H
Recital H
H. Whereas the creation of a European area of justice does not in principle impinge on the fundamental rights of EU citizens and notably the protection of their personal dataalso entails enhancing the fundamental rights and procedural safeguards of EU citizens, and the implementation of the strategy should be carried out in full compliance with the highest standard of data protection,
Amendment 5 #
2008/2125(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – point h
Paragraph 1 – point h
(h) ensuring the full respect of fundamental rights and the highest standards ofhancing fundamental rights, procedural safeguards in criminal proceedings and data protection whileas an integral part of drafting and implementing the Action Plan on EU justice.
Amendment 6 #
2008/2125(INI)
Draft opinion
Annex – point 5
Annex – point 5
5. (judicial training) In order to spread the European judicial culture and in view of reaching as many judicial authorities as possible from the very first moment they join the judiciary, a sort of "survivor" kit in the form of a CD or USB key containing the EU Treaty, the EC Treaty as well as the basic texts on judicial cooperation and information on the other Member States' judicial systems should be given to any newly appointed judicial authority. A similar "survivor" kit should be available to criminal defence lawyers. Thought should also be given to EU publications addressed to citizens which provide practical information on EU judicial cooperation and the criminal justice systems of other Member States. In addition, electronic training tools offered by the EJTN, which represents judicial training schools all over the EU, should receive adequate attention and support by the Commission and the Council.
Amendment 8 #
2008/2125(INI)
Draft opinion
Annex – point 8
Annex – point 8
8. (respectenhancing fundamental rights and procedural safeguards) Any technological progress is welcome insofar as it does not jeopardise fundamental rights. Bearing this in mind, in drafting and implementing the strategy and the Action Plan, strong attention must be devoted to the respect ofor fundamental rights and notably of procedural safeguards and data protection, giving EU citizens the right to access the information stored and shared by the relevant authorities and informing them onf the available remedies. A real e-justice strategy can not function without harmonisation of procedural safeguards and adequate data protection safeguards applying to criminal justice cooperation.
Amendment 51 #
2008/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Considers that a sanctions policy leads de facto to the isolation of the country concerned but should under no circumstances isolate the population, unless coordinated with other political instruments, economic sanctions can succeed only with great difficulty in facilitating political reform within the regime targeted; stresses, therefore, that any sanctions taken against government authorities should systematically be coupled with political and financial support for civil society in the relevant country;
Amendment 58 #
2008/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Insists, therefore, on the systematic incEmphasises once again the proposals set out in Parliament's above-mentioned resolustion of human rights clauses and a specific implementation mechanism in all new bilateral agreements signed with third countries; recalls, in this connection, the importance of the recommendations issued with a view to more effective and systematic implementation of the clause, namely the formulation of objectives and reference criteria, regular evaluation, involvement14 February 2006 on human rights and democracy clauses in European Union agreements; stresses in particular the need to include such clauses in all EU agreements, including sector-specific agreements; reiterates its call for the human rights clauses to be implemented through a more transparent procedure of consultation between the parties, including Parliament, detailing the political and legal mechanisms to be used in the event of a request for bilateral cooperation being suspended ofn the European Parliament and civil society at all stages of the clause's implementation; grounds of repeated and/or systematic human rights violations in breach of international law; considers that such clauses should also include details of a mechanism to allow for the temporary suspension of a cooperation agreement as well as a warning mechanism;
Amendment 70 #
2008/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Calls on the EU to systematically develop a dialogue with non-sanctioning states with a view to reaching a common position on restrictive measures, especially at regional level; points out that, as shown in the case of Burma/Myanmar, sanctions do not often bring about the required change of policy or activities when the international community is divided and major players are not involved in their implementation;
Amendment 73 #
2008/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Calls for a more in-depth analysis of each specific situation prior to the adoption of sanctions in order to assess the potential impact of different sanctions, and to determine which are the most effective in the light of all other relevant factors and comparable experiences; considers that a prior analysis is all the more justified since it is difficult to backtrack once the sanctions process has been initiated without undermining the EU's credibility and the expression of the EU's support for the population of the target third country, given the fact that the country's authorities can instrumentalise the EU decision; considers that prior analysis of this kind should not prejudice the possibility of adopting sanctions by urgent procedure;
Amendment 76 #
2008/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Calls for the systematic inclusion in the legal instruments of clear and specific benchmarks as conditions for the lifting of the sanctions; insists, in particular, that the reference criteria should be established on the basis of an independent evaluation and should not be altered at a later stage, depending on political changes within the Council;
Amendment 91 #
2008/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Calls for enhanced cooperation by the Council and the Commission with the SWIFT management and shareholders in Europe, so as to achieve improved results in the freezing of blacklisted accounts and the elimination of money transfers from/to such accounts;
Amendment 108 #
2008/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49
Paragraph 49
Amendment 116 #
2008/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 59
Paragraph 59
59. Calls on the Commission to set up a group of independent experts to puttake systematic responsibility for putting forward, as and when necessary, the most appropriate restrictive measures, to draw up regular reports on developments on the basis of the established criteria and objectives and, where necessary, to suggest ways in which implementation of sanctions might be improved; considers that the setting-up of such a group would improve transparency and discussions on sanctions in general, and would also strengthen the implementation and ongoing monitoring of sanctions in particular; considers that the setting-upCommission should play a more proactive role in defining a clear EU policy ofn such a groupanctions; invites the Commission to set up an independent working group on sanctions that would improve transparency and discussions on sanctions in general, and would also strengthen the implementation and ongoing monitoring of sanctions in particular cases;
Amendment 13 #
2008/2025(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Reaffirms its support for democracy and human rights as key elements of the EU's foreign policy; considers the promotion of non-violent methods as an appropriate means of supporting democracy and human rights; notes with satisfaction the increase, albeit modest, in funding for the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), including that allocated for electoral observation, and stresses that this amount provided for in the PDB 2009 should be preserved as a minimum;
Amendment 34 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 2 a (new)
Recital 2 a (new)
Amendment 43 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 7 a (new)
Recital 7 a (new)
(7a) This Directive also covers multiple discriminations, that is where discrimination occurs on the basis of two or more grounds listed in Articles 12 and 13 EC. Effective legal procedures must be available to deal with such situations and national legal procedures shall ensure that a complainant can raise all aspects of a multiple discrimination claim in a single procedure.
Amendment 54 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 11
Recital 11
Amendment 83 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 16
Recital 16
Amendment 88 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 16 a (new)
Recital 16 a (new)
(16a) Discrimination has a negative impact on the economy, as the use of non- economic criteria leads to the exclusion of certain categories of persons, with negative economic and social consequences for everybody. Economic contracts and the choice of contractual partners for an economic transaction shall consequently be balanced with the principle of equality, non-discrimination and the Lisbon objectives.
Amendment 90 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) While prohibiting discrimination, it is important to respect other fundamental rights and freedoms, including the protection of private and family life and transactions carried out in that context, the, freedom of religion, and the freedom of association. This Directive is without prejudice to national laws on marital or family status, including on reproductive rights. It is also without prejudice to the secular nature of the State, state institutions or bodies, or education.
Amendment 101 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 17 a (new)
Recital 17 a (new)
(17a) The principle of equality implies that discriminations based on sexual orientation shall be prohibited in Member States, notably as regards national laws on marital, family and civil status, including sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Amendment 102 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 17 b (new)
Recital 17 b (new)
(17b) As also held by the Court of Justice, in the exercise of their competences in the fields of marital, family and civil status, Member States must comply with Community law and, in particular, with the provisions relating to the principle of equality and non-discrimination.
Amendment 103 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 17 c (new)
Recital 17 c (new)
(17c) This Directive will also contribute to the full application of the fundamental right to freedom of movement, conferred upon Union citizens and their families by the Treaty, and the lifting of discriminatory obstacles related to differences in national laws on the basis of marital, family and civil status and the consequent absence of mutual recognition.
Amendment 104 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) Member States are responsible for the organisation and content of education. The Commission Communication on Competences for the 21st Century: An Agenda for European Cooperation on Schools draws attention to the need for special attention to be paid to disadvantaged children and those with special educational needs. In particular national law may provide for differences in access to educational institutions based on religion or belief. Member States may also allow or prohibit the wearing or display of religious symbols at school.
Amendment 114 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) The European Union in its Declaration No 11 on the status of churches and non-confessional organisations, annexed to the Final Act of the Amsterdam Treaty, has explicitly recognised that it respects and does not prejudiright to freedom of religion and belief is a fundamental right that shall be fully guaranteed in the EU and in Member States, and this Directive reinforces the status under national law of churches and religious associations or communities in the Member States and that it equally respects the status of philosophical and non-confessional organisationsprotection against discriminations based on grounds of religion and belief by individuals, churches and non-confessional organisations, in application of the principle of equality. Measures to enable persons with disabilities to have effective non- discriminatory access to the areas covered by this Directive play an important part in ensuring full equality in practice. Furthermore, individual measures of reasonable accommodation may be required in some cases to ensure such access. In neither case are measures required that would impose a disproportionate burden. In assessing whether the burden is disproportionate, account should be taken of a number of factors including the size, resources and nature of the organisation. The principle of reasonable accommodation and disproportionate burden are established in Directive 2000/78/EC and the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Amendment 170 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 6
Article 2 – paragraph 6
6. Notwithstanding paragraph 2, Member States may provide that differences of treatment on grounds of age shall not constitute discrimination, if, within the context of national law, they are justified by a legitimate aim, and if the means of achieving that aim are appropriate and necessary. In particular, this Directive shall not preclude the fixing of a specific age for access to social benefits, education and certain goods or services.
Amendment 182 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 8
Article 2 – paragraph 8
Amendment 188 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. Within the limits of the powers conferred upon the Community, and in application of the general principle of equality, the prohibition of discrimination shall apply to all persons, as regards both the public and private sectors, including public bodies, including in relation to:
Amendment 191 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 - point d
Article 3 – paragraph 1 - point d
(d) Access to and supply of goods and other services which are available to the public, including housing. Subparagraph (d) shall apply to individuals only insofar as they are performing a professional or commercial activity.- any other field of EU and Community competence, including implementation by Member States of EU laws and policies
Amendment 206 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 2
Amendment 216 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. This Directive applies also in relation to national laws on marital, family and civil status and sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Amendment 217 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 3
Article 3 – paragraph 3
Amendment 228 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. This Directive applies also to the content of teaching, activities and the organisation of their educational systems, including the provision of special needs education, as well as in relation to differences in treatment in access to educational institutions based on religion or belief.
Amendment 229 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 4
Article 3 – paragraph 4
4. This Directive is without prejudice to national legislation ensuring the secular nature of the State, State institutions or bodies, or education, or concerning the status and activities of churches and other organisations based on religion or belief. It is equally without prejudice to national legislation promoting equality between men and women. It is equally without prejudice to national legislation promoting equality between men and women. The status and activities of churches and other organisations based on religion or belief is covered by the directive.
Amendment 236 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 5
Article 3 – paragraph 5
5. This Directive does not covercovers also the application of asylum and immigration laws by the EU and the Member States, such as differences of treatment based on nationality and is without prejudice to provisions and conditions relating to the entry into and residence of third-country nationals and stateless persons in the territory of Member States, and to any treatment which arises from the legal status of the third-country nationals and stateless persons concerned.
Amendment 309 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – indent 2
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – indent 2
- monitoring and conducting independent surveys concerning discrimination, including on the application of anti- discrimination law,
Amendment 310 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – indent 3 a (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – indent 3 a (new)
- cooperating and exchanging information with the Fundamental Rights Agency and with other corresponding European bodies.
Amendment 312 #
2008/0140(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Member States shall consider the possibility to integrate bodies dealing with the defence of human rights or the safeguard of individuals' rights, including rights under other Community acts, notably Directives 2000/43/EC and 2004/113/EC, and with the promotion of equal treatment, into a single body or Agency.
Amendment 86 #
2008/0090(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – point a
Article 3 – point a
(a) «'document»' shall means any content whatever its medium (written on paper or stored in electronic form or as ainformation, data or content (text, sound, visual or audiovisual recording) drawn-up bymaterial, data and instituruction and formally transmitted to one or more recipients or otherwise registered, or received by an institution; data contained in electronic storage, processing and retrieval systems are documents if they can be extracted in the form of a printout or electronic-format copy using the available tools for the exploitation of the systems of data processing systems) whatever its physical or electronic storage medium concerning a matter relating to the policies, activities and decisions falling within the institution's sphere of responsibility, including information contained in electronic storage, processing and retrieval systems (including external systems used for the institution's work). An institution that intends to create a new electronic storage system, or to change significantly an existing system, shall evaluate the likely impact on the right of access guaranteed by this Regulation and act so as to promote the objective of transparency;
Amendment 94 #
2008/0090(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point b
Amendment 97 #
2008/0090(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) legal advice andexclusively drafted within the framework of a court, arbitration andor dispute settlement proceedings to which the institution is one of the parties;
Amendment 98 #
2008/0090(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point e
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point e
Amendment 103 #
2008/0090(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 4
Article 4 – paragraph 4
4. The exceptions under previous paragraphs (2) and (3) shall apply unless there is an overriding public interest in disclosure. As regards paragraph 2(a)Such an overriding public interest in disclosure shall be deemed to exist where the information requested relates to emissions into the environment, the principle of publicity, democracy, the rule of law, the protection of fundamental rights and particularly the right to live in a healthy environment.
Amendment 105 #
2008/0090(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Emissions into the environment shall be defined as direct or indirect releases of substances, vibrations, heat or noise from individual or diffuse sources into the air, water or land, in accordance with Council Directive 96/61/EC.
Amendment 106 #
2008/0090(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 4 b (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Disclosure of public procurement or framework contracts between an institution and a vendor shall not fall within the exceptions set out in paragraph 2.
Amendment 107 #
2008/0090(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 5
Article 4 – paragraph 5
5. Names, titles and functions of public office holders, civil servants and interest representatives in relation with their professional activities shall be disclosed unless, given the particular circumstances, disclosure would adversely affect the persons concerned. Other personal data shall be disclosed in accordance with the conditions regarding lawful processing of such data laid down in EC legislation on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data.
Amendment 111 #
2008/0090(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2
Article 5 – paragraph 2
2. Where an application concerns a document originating from a Member State, other th not acting as a Member of the Council and documents transmitted in the framework of procedures leading to a legislative act or a non-legislaes not directly concern the adoption or implementation of EU legislation and policies, until such tivme act of general applicatios any proceedings before a court have begun, the authorities of that Member State shallmay be consulted. The institution holding the document shall disclose it unless the Member State gives reasons for withholding it, based on the exceptions referred to in Article 4 or on specific provisions in its own legislation preventing disclosure of the document concerned. The institution shall appreciate the adequacy of reasons given by the Member State insofar as they are based on exceptions laid down in this Regulation.
Amendment 112 #
2008/0090(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 a (new)
Article 5 a (new)
Amendment 122 #
2008/0090(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 3
Article 10 – paragraph 3
3. Documents shall be supplied in an existing version and format (including electronically or in an alternative format such as Braille, large print or tape) with full regard to the applicant's preference and to the requirement of technology neutrality.
Amendment 123 #
2008/0090(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. The content of a document shall be available without discrimination in terms of visual impairment, working language or operating system platform. Institutions shall provide for actual access by an applicant to the content of documents without technical discrimination.
Amendment 125 #
2008/0090(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 5
Article 10 – paragraph 5
Amendment 126 #
2008/0090(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1
Article 11 – paragraph 1
1. To make citizens' rights under this Regulation effective, each institution shall provide public access to a register of all documents. a) Access to the register should be provided in electronic form. b) References to documents shall be recorded in the register without delay. c) Registers of the institutions shall provide an easy-to-use interface in the languages of all the Member States and comply with the principles of interoperability, technology neutrality and barrier-free access. d) Registers shall provide simple and static long-term hyperlinks to stored electronic documents. e) To the extent possible, the institutions shall provide for re-use of the electronic register's source code under the European Union Public Licence. f) Electronic text documents shall be made available, if practicable, through registers using international standards such as ISO/IEC 32000:2008, ISO/IEC 26300:2006, ISO/IEC 15445:2000 or more recent versions. g) The institutions shall establish a common interface for their registers of documents and create a single point of access for direct access to documents by ... *. * OJ: one year from the adoption of this Regulation.
Amendment 127 #
2008/0090(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 3
Article 11 – paragraph 3
3. The institutions shall immediately take the measures necessary to establish a register which shall be operational by 3 June 2002European Parliament shall furthermore create a register of parliamentarians' activities, ensuring appropriate publicity and granting access to information relating, among other things, to Members' activities, participation and attendance, use of allowances, and declarations of financial interest. All the institutions covered by this Regulation shall create similar registers in order to ensure the accountability and legitimacy of the European Union.
Amendment 128 #
2008/0090(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1
Article 12 – paragraph 1
1. DocumentsThe institutions shall make all documents directly accessible to the public in electronic form or trough a register, particularly those drawn up or received in the course of procedures for the adoption of EU legislative acts or non-legislative acts of general application shall, subject to Articles 4 and 9, be made directly accessible to the public. .
Amendment 129 #
2008/0090(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2
Article 12 – paragraph 2
2. Where possible, oOther documents, notably documents relating to the development of policy or strategy, shall or to their implementation, shall in principle be made directly accessible in electronic form.
Amendment 130 #
2008/0090(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 4
Article 12 – paragraph 4
Amendment 131 #
2008/0090(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 a (new)
Article 12 a (new)
Article 12a Principle of publicity and better documentation 1. Each institution shall ensure appropriate publicity for its activities and the availability of information and documentation relating to its activities with regard to: a) timetables and electronic calendar information, b) rules of procedure and administrative processes, c) working groups, d) membership of its advisory groups such as High Level Groups of the European Commission and authors of studies drawn-up for the institution, e) audiovisual streaming and recording of hearings, meetings, conferences and stakeholder consultations, f) use of technology-neutral data formats and proactive support for barrier-free access. 2. All documents drawn-up by an institution and formally transmitted to one or more recipients or received by an institution shall be registered at least internally. 3. To the extent possible institutions should allow public access to the specifications of formats and protocols used for their documents and allow implementation and use without restriction or discrimination. 4. The institutions shall document their compliance with paragraph 3.
Amendment 132 #
2008/0090(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 a (new)
Article 14 a (new)
Article 14a Sanctions Any failure by an institution to comply with the obligations provided for in this Regulation in a specific request for access to documents shall lead to the automatic granting of access to the documents requested by the applicant. Any failure to comply with the obligations pursuant to this Regulation, whether intentionally or through negligence on his or her part, shall make an official or other servant of the institutions liable to disciplinary action in accordance with the rules and procedures laid down in the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Communities or in the conditions of employment applicable to other servants and in the institutions' internal rules.
Amendment 134 #
2008/0090(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2
Article 15 – paragraph 2
2. The institutions shall establish an interinstitutional Article 255 committee to examine and exchange best practice, address possible conflicidentify access and usability barriers and unpublished data sources, address possible conflicts, promote interoperability, re-use and merger of registers, standardise document coding through a European standards organisation, creation of a single EU portal to ensure access to all EU documents and discuss future developments on public access to documents.
Amendment 135 #
2008/0090(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 15 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The institutions shall consult users of its document access services with a view to better meeting the actual needs of users.
Amendment 136 #
2008/0090(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16
Article 16
Amendment 10 #
2007/2274(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Is concerned about the fact that international cooperation in the fight against terrorism has often resulted in a lowering of the level of protection for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and believes that the EU should take stronger action at the international level to promote a strategy based on full respect for international standards and obligations in the human rights field;
Amendment 11 #
2007/2274(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Urges the Council to transform its ad hoc working group on fundamental rights and citizenship into a standing Working Party, which could work in parallel with the Working Party on Human Rights (COHOM), and urges the Commission to assign a portfolio on human rights and fundamental freedoms to a single Commissioner;
Amendment 13 #
2007/2274(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Amendment 33 #
2007/2274(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Expresses its grave concern over the situation of third-country nationals applying for refugee status on the grounds of sexual orientation, such as Mehdi Kazemi and Pegah Emambakhsh, who are at risk of being repatriated from the UK to Iran and of being executed; recalls that expulsion of persons to a third country where they would be at risk of persecution, torture or death is a violation of European and international human rights obligations; asks the EU institutions and Member States concerned to find a solution to ensure that these two persons are not repatriated to Iran, and to monitor and evaluate the application of EU asylum law in the Member States; asks the Commission to address and resolve these issues through its forthcoming amendments to Council Regulation (EC) No 343/2003 of 18 February 2003 establishing the criteria and mechanisms for determining the Member State responsible for examining an asylum application lodged in one of the Member States by a third-country national1 ("Dublin 2 Regulation") and Council Directive 2004/83/EC of 29 April 2004 on minimum standards for the qualification and status of third country nationals or stateless persons as refugees or as persons who otherwise need international protection and the content of the protection granted2("Qualification Directive"); 1 OJ L 50, 25.2.2003, p. 1. 2 OJ L 304, 30.9.2004, p. 12.
Amendment 19 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas, whilst previous enlargements have undoubtedly been a success both for the European Union and for the Member States which joined it, this is no guarantee that such accelerated pace can be sustained further,;
Amendment 28 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas this strategy cannot therefore be reduced to a simple negotiating methodology but should involve a debate on the Union's objectives, covering both the Union's own future and its role in the neighbourhoodfundamental principles and objectives,
Amendment 42 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the Union's Enlargement Strategy should be part of a more diversified array of external relations policies, reconciling the Union's geo- strategic interests with our neighbours' diverse expectations,
Amendment 83 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Reaffirms its firm commitment to the people from countries with which it has started membership negotiations and to the people from countries which have been given clear membership prospects, with the understanding that full compliance with the Copenhagen criteria and compatibility with the Union's integration capacity must be fulfilled before these countries can join the Union;
Amendment 94 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Takes the view that the Union's Enlargement Strategy should strike a balance between the Union's geo-strategic interests, the impact of political developments outside its borders together with the resulting expectations ofrights and freedoms of people coming from the EU and from its neighbouring countries, and the Union's integration capacity, including its ability to cope with future internal and external challenges and to realise its political integration project;
Amendment 106 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls that integration capacity reflects the Union's ability at a given point in time to decide and thus to achieve its political objectives, in particular the aim of promoting economic and social progress and a high level of employment in its Member States, of asserting its identity and its ability to act on the international scene, of promoting the rights and interests of Member States' nationals, of developing an area of freedom, security and justice, of fully maintaining and building on its acquis communautaire and of upholding fundamental rights and freedoms, as laid down in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the as listed in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union;
Amendment 144 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
Amendment 162 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Warns, therefore, that further enlargement without adequate consolidation could lead to a Union of multiple configurations, with core countries moving towards closer integration and others lying at its margins, and that this scenario would have seriously detrimental implications for the Union's capacity to act – since it would weaken its institutions, for the stability of some of its Member States – since it would make them more vulnerable to external pressure, and for its credibility as global actor – since it would undermine its already precarious unity in external affairstrategy should be accompanied by a reinforcement of “European citizenship” as well as a strengthening of institutional mechanisms, in order to better monitor and guarantee effective respect of European citizens' civil, political and democratic rights;
Amendment 178 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Believes, moreover, that further enlargements should be accompanied by a concerted communication policy involving all EU Institutions and Member States' Governments, designed to explain toinform our citizens about the political, economic and social benefitimplications of enlargement;
Amendment 193 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Takes the view that the gap existing between the Union's Enlargement Strategy and its Neighbourhood Policy needs to be filled in order to respond to the expectations of our eastern neighbours, in particular the guarantee of the civil, political and democratic rights of their citizens; is convinced that the Commission's strengthened neighbourhood policy is not sufficient in this respect, although it represents an already positive step in the right direction, and that a more substantive qualitative change is requirednd that a structural change in the EU's foreign policy is required for the future;
Amendment 203 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Suggests, therefore, that, as regards those eastern neighbours which, in view of their political, economic and social situation and of the Union's current integration capacity, at present do not enjoy membership prospects but at the same time fulfil certain democratic and economic conditions, the Union should establish an area based on common policies covering, in particular, the rule of law, democracy, human rights and freedoms, economic and financial issues, trade, energy, transport, environmental issues, the rule of law, justice, security, migration and education; takes the view that these common policies, whilst striving gradually to achieve EU standards and opening the way for closer integration of these countries, should be shaped jointly with the participating countries on the basis of specific decision-making mechanisms, and should be underpinned by adequate financial assistance;
Amendment 214 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. WelcomAcknowledges in this respect the launch, within the framework of the EU, of the Union for the Mediterranean as a positive stepreform in our relations with the southern neighbours; believeconsiders that this new development strengthens the argument in favour of specific contractual multilateral relations with our eastern neighbours, which, compared to their southern partners, have clear European ambitions and perspectives; recalls that, as a first step, these relations should translate themselves into the establishment of a Free Trade Area, to be followed by closer relations along the lines of a European Economic Area Plus (EEA +), of a European Commonwealth or of specific regional cooperation frameworks, for example in the Black Sea areaproject should evolve, not just as a merely inter- governmental and economic-based cooperation, but also as a tool to reinforce institutional and political cooperation with the aim of guaranteeing civil and political rights;
Amendment 226 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
Amendment 242 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Welcomes the adoption by the Council on 18 February 2008 of a revised Accession Partnership with Turkey on the basis of the Council conclusions of 10 December 2007 and the Commission's November 2007 Progress Report on Turkey's preparations for integration within the EU; notes furthermore that, in its annual strategy for the EU’s enlargement policy, the Commission covers the Western Balkans and Turkey;
Amendment 250 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Furthermore, urges the Commission to come up with concrete proposals for a more diversified external relations policy towards our neighbours, along the lines outlined in the present resolution, and to reconsider its own administrative structures in order to establish a structural link between the activities carried out by the Enlargement and the RELEX Directorates-General;
Amendment 5 #
2007/2253(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas advertising revenue remains the media's main source of financing, and the existence of dominant advertisers sometimes leads to undesirable pressure on the companies and the content and products they offer their audiences, especially in certain Member States, dominant positions exist and are growing in the advertising market that are liable to distort that market and make it almost impossible for new players to enter, which is in breach of the law,
Amendment 6 #
2007/2253(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas in practice the public authorities and political parties frequently tamper with the basic principle of the free emission and reception of information,
Amendment 8 #
2007/2253(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas as long as they are primarily obliged to satisfy majority public taste, public service broadcasters will be forgetting their subsidiary role, interfering in the advertising market, and competing unfairly with the commercial TV channels,
Amendment 14 #
2007/2253(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses the need to place limits on the domination of advertising by certain brands and advertising licensers;
Amendment 17 #
2007/2253(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Urges the Member States to put an end to the aura of 'guardians of the truth' with which some have of them have surrounded the national regulatory authorities, thus creating a serious democratic deficit, and proposes, in order to avoid censorship, be it ex ante or ex post, that they turn those authorities into bodies for the protection of children and young people and of health, as well as giving them a new name so as to differentiate them from existing audiovisual boards; and invites the Member States to strengthen guarantees of the genuine independence of the national regulatory authorities,
Amendment 5 #
2007/2212(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas a more searching dialogue between the various components of civil society (at national, regional and local level) and the European institutions should be promoted, and having regard to the benefits which a proper, effective dialogue with civil society may contribute to the formulation, implementation and assessment of decisions relating to drugsnarcotics-related policies at both Member- State and EU level, If adopted this amendment applies also to Recital F and to paragraphs 1 and 4.
Amendment 9 #
2007/2212(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. having regard in particular to the breadth of experience which civil society can bring to particular areas of drugsnarcotic policies, such as prevention, the provision of information, rehabilitation treatments and social reintegration, If adopted this amendment applies also to Recital C and to paragraphs 2, 9, 16, 25, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33 and 34.
Amendment 12 #
2007/2212(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the Green Paper on the role of civil society in drugs policy in the EU and the establishment of the Civil Society Drugs Forum represent thea first practical steps towards the achievement of that objective,
Amendment 14 #
2007/2212(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. having regard to the importance of greater synergy between civil society and the EU institutions and bodies for the purpose of establishing a relationship based on continuous consultation and encouraging the exchange of information and best practices, with particular attention to scientific contributions,
Amendment 22 #
2007/2212(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses the importance of the role to be played by civil society in the formulation, implementation and assessment of drug policies - the added value of that society stemming from experience gained at grass- roots level; in this connection, acknowledges the potential which civil society has to offer as regards the exchange of information and sound practices scientifically tested and documented in the actual application of drugs policies;
Amendment 26 #
2007/2212(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Acknowledges the role of NGOs and voluntary organisations to be of essential to thvalue in the possible development of innovative and/or alternative approaches based on a realistscientific assessment of existing needs;
Amendment 30 #
2007/2212(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. RegDeplorets the fact that there has been a delay in the implementation of the funding made available in connection with that Programme;
Amendment 33 #
2007/2212(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. RegretsNotes with concern the fact that certainsome associations have criticised the lack of transparency in the criteria used for selecting the associations taking part in the Civil Society Drugs Forum; and hopes that in the future enlargements of the Forum will happen in a more transparent way;
Amendment 49 #
2007/2212(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses the importance of formally involving, among other independent bodies, the Civil Society Drugs Forum in the assessment of the 2005-2008 Action Plan which the Commission is preparing to undertake in 2008;
Amendment 58 #
2007/2212(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Stresses the importance of continuous dialogue between civil society and the European Parliament; to this end, proposes that an annual conference promoted by the European Parliament and involving the Civil Society Drugs Forum and other concerned groups be held for the purpose of sharing information and discussing and analysing current topics relating to drugs policies;
Amendment 70 #
2007/2212(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Stresses the importance of action by civil society in the achievement of the objectives set out in the EU's 2005-2012 drugs strategy as regards prevention, the provision of information and the management of problems associated with drugs dependencithe problematic use of narcotic substances;
Amendment 71 #
2007/2212(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Calls upon all parties involved at both EU and Member-State level to pay greater attention to the innovative aspects which civil society's experience may contribute to the achievement of the objectives set out in the EU's 2005-2012 drugs strategy, with particular reference to damagepublic awareness initiatives, harm-reduction policies, rehabilitation policies and social- reintegration policies;
Amendment 80 #
2007/2212(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Considers that the specific skills of civil-society organisations may enable the latter to play an important role in the treatment of drug addictsusers of narcotic substances, who are in prison;
Amendment 87 #
2007/2212(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Calls upon the Commission and the Member States to promote – with the cooperation of parents' and students' organisations and scientists – programmes which will enable campaigns concerning drugs and the effects which they may have on health to be conducted in schools, reaching out to different demographic groups;
Amendment 94 #
2007/2212(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Stresses the importance of civil-society organisations in street activities relating to the implementation of damageharm-reduction policies;
Amendment 99 #
2007/2212(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Calls upon the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights to carry out an analysis into the effects of anti-drugs policies and to assess the extent to which such policies have resulted in the infringement of European civil society's fundamentindividual rights;
Amendment 102 #
2007/2212(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Acknowledges the importance of the role played by civil society in connection with the external dimension of Europe's drugs policy and values the fact that the EU is the world leader in the fight against drugs as regards the financing of external programmes and initiativesponsoring programmes and initiatives aiming at the control of narcotics;
Amendment 104 #
2007/2212(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Calls for consideration and support to be given to an external European strategy which will have a sustainable, tangible and practical impact on the situation in the regions where the raw materials of drugs are produced; for narcotics are produced, including possible alternative approaches, such as the diversion to the legal market of medicines or their exploitation for non-toxic products, to the current programmes and initiatives promoted by regional and international organisations;
Amendment 106 #
2007/2212(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Emphasises the experience of European organisations which are involved in promoting the switching from local cultivation to commercial, therapeutic and other medical uses;
Amendment 112 #
2007/2212(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Calls upon the Commission and the Member States to follow up to the European Parliament's Recommendation to the Council of 25 October 2007 on production of opium for medical purposes in Afghanistan and support the civil- society initiatives relating to cooperation with Afghanistan in the fight against drugs and in that country's democratisation process and designed to promote pilot schemes such as 'poppies for medicine', which are intended to establish the benefits which may be derived from the granting of licences for the use of poppy crops for medical purposes and to determine in what way this may be brought about;
Amendment 114 #
2007/2212(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Calls upon the Commission and the Member States to take advantage of cooperation involving scientific institutes of Member States, scientific organizations and medical reviews, as well as study centres, associations, specialist institutes and civil- society operators which in recent years have provided a reference point for policies designed to combat drugs trafficking and for the analysis of the geo- political situation and of the economic flows stemming from the international narcotics trade;
Amendment 117 #
2007/2212(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Views with interestNotes the experience of the Vienna NGOs Committee on Narcotic Drugs – an NGO committee representing civil society at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); in particular, emphasises the usefulness of and hopes that a wider participation of organisations and individuals will characterise the future activities of such a Committee, bearing in mind proposals such as 'Beyond 2008' – an initiative whose main objective is to promote the role of civil society in the ten- year revision of the parameters established in 1998 at the UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on narcotic drugs; proposes to establish similar consultations amongst European associations with a view to the revision ofng the EU's drugs strategy after 2012;
Amendment 44 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Points out that the main problem facing the country is restoring security; notes that Afghanistan’s security problems are more complex than just a war on terror and therefore they require more than a military solution; points out that security is a prerequisite for the rule of law, which in turn creates an atmosphere conducive to human development, and that strengthening the rule of law can serve as an important means to advance the freedom of people to exercise choices and enhance their capacity to live meaningful and healthy lives;
Amendment 63 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Amendment 74 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Strongly supports the urgent need to develop and strengthen the nascent civil society in Afghanistan, which requires a lot of time and effort to develop gradually a broad awareness of the importance of human rights and, democracy, and fundamental freedoms, in particular gender equality and educ, education and the protection of minorities such as homosexuals from persecution and discrimination; in order to overcome the prevailing ‘culture of violence’ the international donor community should lend financial and technical support to local projects aimed at reconciliation; calls on the Afghan Government to carry out a review of national law to ensure that it complies with those principles;
Amendment 81 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Expresses its concern about President Karzai’s refusal to sign the new mass media draft on 15 December 2007 following its approval in the two houses of parliament; calls on the President to clarify the status of the draft media law and recalls the government’s commitment in the Afghanistan Compact to develop ‘independent and pluralistic’ media; expresses its concern at the state of freedom of expression, jeopardised by the sentencing of bloggers and independent journalists, and calls on the Afghan Government to undertake to guarantee effective freedom of speech for all its citizens, starting with the defence of Internet freedom;
Amendment 140 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 a (new)
Citation 10 a (new)
– having regard to the Recommendation of the European Parliament and the Council of 25 October 2007 on production of opium for medical purposes in Afghanistan (2007/2125(INI)),
Amendment 1 #
2007/2202(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Regrets that the Commission, in order to ensure that the Member States duly and fully comply with Directive 2000/78/EC, had to send reasoned opinions on 31 January 2008 for failure to implement the Directive to ten Member States (the Czech Republic, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, France, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Finland and Sweden), as well as a letter of formal notice to Germany and two complementary letters of formal notice to Latvia and Lithuania; also notes that the first steps in infringement proceedings have been taken against Belgium and Slovakia, Denmark, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom, while the transposition of the Directive in Austria, Luxembourg, Bulgaria and Romania is being analysed; calls on those Member States to comply with the Directive fully and without delay;
Amendment 13 #
2007/2202(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Urges the Commission to issue as soon as possible its proposal for a horizontal directive implementing the principle of equal treatment outside of employment, including access to goods, services and housing, education, social protection and social advantages, immigration and asylum, and covering all grounds of discrimination set out in Article 13 of the EC Treaty;
Amendment 1 #
2007/2154(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4
Citation 4
– having regard to Articles 10 and 16 of the Treaty on European Union as it is due to be amended by the Treaty of Lisbon and to Articles 15 and 298 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Amendment 2 #
2007/2154(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)]
Citation 6 a (new)]
- having regard to Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1700/2003 of 22 September 2003 amending Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 354/83 concerning the opening to the public of the historical archives of the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community1
Amendment 3 #
2007/2154(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the Council does not systematically inserts the legislative procedure references in its documentsinterinstitutional reference number only in a limited number of documents, contrary to Article 11(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001, thereby making it difficult to associate a document with a procedure, while it also either downgrades documents to "sessionroom documents" that are not registered, or treats them as "diplomatic" documents, hereby nullifying citizens' right of access to documents,
Amendment 4 #
2007/2154(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas according to Recital 6 of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001, access should also be granted to documents produced under the delegated powers procedure (comitology) and whereas nine tenths of the legislation produced is adopted under that procedure, and, accordingly, proper and transparent Parliamentary and democratic scrutiny should be fully guaranteed within that framework,
Amendment 5 #
2007/2154(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Urgently calls on all EU institutions to apply Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 in the light of the recent case-law and notably of the Turco case in all its implications, notably in the legislative proceedings (publication of legal service opinions, strict interpretation of exceptions, obligation to provide a detailed statement of reasons for refusal, etc) and calls on the Council also to review its rules to ensure publicity of all discussions, documents and information, including the identity of the Member States’ delegations in the Council, as well as in its working groups and expert groups, and to draw up a transcript of its public meetings, since the ECJ conclusions concerning the fact that the exception on the protection of the decision-making process is outweighed by the public interest in openness - as different views on a legislative act allow for a greater legitimacy for the institutions - apply also in this case;
Amendment 6 #
2007/2154(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)]
Paragraph 3 a (new)]
3a. Calls on the EU institutions to define common rules on the way in which administrative procedures should be carried out and administrative documents should be tabled, classified ,declassified, registered and disseminated inside and outside the institutions, bearing in mind that the transparency principle is indissociable from the principle of good administration as proclaimed by the European Parliament, Council and Commission in Article 41 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union; in the same perspective, Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 354/83 should be merged as part of the revision of Regulation 1049/2001 to include definitions of common rules on live, intermediate and historical archives in order to avoid the current inconsistencies between the practices of the EU institutions and the Member States;
Amendment 7 #
2007/2154(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Believes that Parliament should be at the forefront of publicity, transparency and openness in the EU, and that before the Parliamentary elections of 2009, it should launch an extraordinary action plan , for instance within the framework of the e- Parliament initiative, to ensure that more and easily accessible information is made available, notably on its website, on: -MEPs' activities, participation in and attendance at Parliamentary works, in absolute, relative and % terms, available and accessible to citizens also through search criteria1, 1 Such as: how many days each MEP has been present in the EP and where he has signed and/or voted, as well how when roll call votes take place,-Parliament's activities in plenary and in, committee; to which institutional bodies' meetings he has participated, plenary and/or committee and/or delegation, etc; data should be available also through search criteria, such as name of the MEP / plenary /, delegations and internal bodies: the Legislative Observatory should be improved by including references and links to all relevant documents1; committee /and delegation / votes / presence / day / month / year / legislative term / etc, and links to this webpage should be included in MEPs webpages and in other relevant websites; MEPs webpages should include this information as well as the name of the assistants, opinions made, amendments tabled in committee and plenary to reports and other acts, explanations of vote, audio-video interventions, written declarations signed, including the list of all signatories, etc; - Parliament's activities in plenary and committee: the Legislative Observatory should be improved by including references and links to all relevant documents1; committee works should be streamed on Parliament's website as plenary works are, and also recorded, and made available and accessible to citizens through search criteria,works should be streamed on Parliament's website as plenary works are, and also recorded, and made available and accessible to citizens through search criteria; internal bodies (such as the Conference of Presidents, the Bureau, the Quaestors, the Working Party on Parliamentary Reform, etc) should promote and ensure the highest level of transparency of their works vis-a-vis other members and citizens by making all their documents available; -MEPs' allowances and spending, in conformity with the position taken by the European Ombudsman in relation to the fact that access to information should apply also to such data2, as well as all declarations of financial interests for all MEPs, and that such information should be available in all EU official languages and calls on Member States, national parliaments as well as other elected bodies to do the same by establishing a Register of parliaments' and parliamentarians' activities;
Amendment 8 #
2007/2154(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Considers that retrieving documents and information would be easier if the documents themselves were tabled, registered and re-used by other legislative institutions in compliance with common standards (for instance for references to different version of the same document, its amendments, annexes and corrigenda)1 by using open-source word processors, effective multilingualism and technologies that also allow persons with disabilities to gain access to information and documents, as suggested by the Commission to the Member States in its Communication on interoperability solutions for European public administrations (ISA) (COM (2008)0583) and as provided for in Directive 2003/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 November 2003 on the re-use of public sector information2);
Amendment 9 #
2007/2154(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Amendment 10 #
2007/2154(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Amendment 11 #
2007/2154(INI)
Paragraph 7, indent 3 a (new)]
- all legislative proposals are accompanied by an impact assessment available to the public;
Amendment 12 #
2007/2154(INI)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Underlines the fact that the existing procedures for delegated legislation (the so-called "comitology acts") which cover nine tenths of the legally binding acts adopted every year by the EU institutions should be reviewed and applied in such a way as to ensure that democratic principles and transparency are guaranteed, that the members, proceedings and votes of the comitology committees should be made public and that national and European parliamentarians as well as citizens should have immediate access to the documents in comitology register as soon as they are sent to the members of comitology committees (as promised in 2001 by former Commissioner Barnier); considers that enhanced transparency should apply in particular to draft regulations, while Parliament should organise the processing of such proposals in the most open and transparent way, thereby avoiding opaque situations such as those which arose in connection with the regulations on aviation security on liquids and body scanners;
Amendment 13 #
2007/2154(INI)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Calls on the EU institutions and Member States to promote a common administrative culture of transparency founded on the principles outlined in Article 41 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, by the case-law of the ECJ , the recommendations of the European Ombudsman and the best practices of the Member States; considers that, as is already the case for data protection officers, each Directorate General of the EU institutions should ensure that documents are tabled, registered, classified, declassified and disseminated consistently with the principle of good administration, Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 and the rules of procedure of the institutions concerned;
Amendment 14 #
2007/2154(INI)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Calls for the launch of a European Year of Transparency and for a European transparency campaign to be promoted in 2009 on the occasion of the European elections, so that citizens are aware of their rights of access to EU documents and of EU standards regarding publicity, openness and transparency, as well as in the Member States;
Amendment 15 #
2007/2154(INI)
Paragraph 10 c (new)
10c. Considers that transparency at EU level should be mirrored by Member States when transposing EU legislation into national law and invites national parliaments and Conference of Community and European Affairs Committees of Parliaments of the European Union to examine the proposals contained in this resolution and to promote an EU register of parliaments' and parliamentarians' activities which could serve to ensure and increase mutual cooperation and consultation between the EU, Parliament and national parliaments, drawing also on best practice in terms of e-Parliament and e-government transparency;
Amendment 16 #
2007/2154(INI)
Paragraph 10 d (new)
10d. Calls on political parties and parliamentary political groups to promote transparency and openness internally and in parliaments, for instance by broadcasting their meetings and making programmes and documents available on the Internet;
Amendment 17 #
2007/2154(INI)
Paragraph 10 e (new)
10e. Takes note of the concerns expressed with regard to the Draft Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in its Opinion No. 270 (2008), and calls on Member States to include in the Draft Convention at least the amendments put forward by the members of that Assembly;
Amendment 18 #
2007/2154(INI)
Paragraph 10 f (new)
10f. Calls on the European Council and the ECJ(the latter as far as its administrative tasks are concerned, which are the only two bodies still not applying Regulation 1049/2001 to their documents, to reflect and to take appropriate action to remedy that situation;
Amendment 11 #
2007/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Underlines that art. 7 of the EU Treaties provides for a European procedure to make sure that systematic and serious violations of human rights and of fundamental freedoms do not take place in the EU, but that such a procedure has never been used notwithstanding the fact that violations take place in EU Member States, as proven by the European Court of Human rights judgments; asks EU institutions to establish a monitoring mechanism and a set of objective criteria for the implementation of art. 7 TEU;
Amendment 12 #
2007/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Asks to the Commission and the Council to take action - in conformity with art. 7 TEU - on the fact that the Italian Constitutional Court is operating since months without that all judges are appointed and that the monitoring committee on media in the Italian Parliament has still not been elected, hereby impeding the democratic scrutiny works to be carried out;
Amendment 34 #
2007/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Expresses concern at the high number of violations of the European Convention on Human Rights involving EU Member States11 and urges them to execute related judgments and to address structural shortcomings and systematic violation of human rights by introducing the necessary reforms;
Amendment 214 #
2007/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 127 a (new)
Paragraph 127 a (new)
127a. Calls Member States and the EU to make sure that persons abusing narcotic substances have full access to specialised health services and alternatives treatment and are not treated as criminals only because of personal consumption of illicit drugs;
Amendment 222 #
2007/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 132 a (new)
Paragraph 132 a (new)
132a. Ask to those Member States prohibiting prostitution and criminalizing sex workers to review their laws so to ensure that they are not exploited by criminal organisations, that they are guaranteed on their fundamental rights and that they can access appropriate social and health services;
Amendment 241 #
2007/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 144 a (new)
Paragraph 144 a (new)
144a. Asks to those Member States who have not yet done so to introduce legislation on living wills to ensure that, according to art. 8 of the Oviedo Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine, "The previously expressed wishes relating to a medical intervention by a patient who is not, at the time of the intervention, in a state to express his or her wishes shall be taken into account" and to regulate the right to die in dignity;
Amendment 124 #
2007/2124(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Article 68 e (new) (*) (to be introduced in Chapter 6a (new))
Article 68 e (new) (*) (to be introduced in Chapter 6a (new))
Amendment 136 #
2007/2124(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Article 95 – paragraph 3
Article 95 – paragraph 3
3. Decisions under paragraphs 1 and 2 shall require a two-thirds majority of the votes cast, representing athe support of an absolute majority of Parliament's component Members.
Amendment 145 #
2007/2124(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Article 115 – paragraph 4 – interpretation
Article 115 – paragraph 4 – interpretation
4. VDiscussion and votes taken pursuant to this Rule may be organised on a collective basis under the responsibilityshall be entered as the first item ofn the President and the Conference of Presidentsagenda of each part-session.
Amendment 152 #
2007/2124(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Article 142 – paragraph 2 – letter c a (new)
Article 142 – paragraph 2 – letter c a (new)
(ca) the speaking time of Members reading from written texts shall be reduced by one quarter; this provision shall not apply in cases where legal or legislative texts are being quoted.
Amendment 180 #
2007/2124(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Annex 1 – Article 2 – paragraph 3
Annex 1 – Article 2 – paragraph 3
The declarations in the register shall be made under the personlegal responsibility of the MemberParliament and must be updated every year.
Amendment 94 #
2007/0248(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Recital 24
Recital 24
(24) .A television broadcast is a linear audiovisual media service as defined in the Audiovisual Media Services Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council of [….] 2007, which is provided by a media service provider for simultaneous viewing of programmes on the basis of a programme schedule; a media service provider may provide a number of audio or audio visual programme schedules (channels). Legal “must-carry” obligations may be applied, but only to specified broadcast channels supplied by a specified media service provider. Member States should provide a clear justification for the “must carry” obligations in their national law so as to ensure that such obligations are transparent, proportionate and properly defined. In that regard, “must carry” rules should be designed in a way which provides sufficient incentives for efficient investment in infrastructure. “Must carry” rules should be periodically reviewed in order to keep them up-to-date with technological and market evolution in order to ensure that they continue to be proportionate to the objectives to be achieved. Given the rapid change in technology and market conditions such a full review would need to be carried out at least every three years and would require a public consultation of all stakeholders. One or moreAll broadcast channels mayshould be complemented by services to improve accessibility - at least in the case of public service programmes such as television news and current affairs programmes - for users with disabilities, such as a videotext service, subtitling service, an audio description or sign language.
Amendment 117 #
2007/0248(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 3
Article 1 – point 3
Directive 2002/22/EC
Article 4 – paragraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. The connection provided shall beprovision of broadband capable of supporting voice, facsimile and data communications, at data rates that are sufficient to permit functional Internet access, taking into acc shall be ensured throughount prevailing technologies used by the majority of subscribers and technological feasibilitthe territory.
Amendment 121 #
2007/0248(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 3
Article 1 – point 3
Directive 2002/22/EC
Article 4 – paragraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. The connection provided shall be capable of supporting voice, facsimile and data communications, at data rates that are sufficient to permit functional Internet access, taking into account prevailing technologies used by the majority of subscribers and technological feasibility, but may not be below 7/Mbit/s.
Amendment 131 #
2007/0248(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 5
Article 1 – point 5
Directive 2002/22/EC
Article 7 – paragraph 2 c (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 2 c (new)
2c. The Member states shall adopt specific provisions to ensure that SMS messages or video calls are provided free or at cost price (partial exemption) for people with hearing impairments or other users with serious disabilities.
Amendment 194 #
2007/0248(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 13 – point a
Article 1 – point 13 – point a
Directive 2002/22/EC
Article 22 – paragraph 1
Article 22 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that national regulatory authorities are, after taking account of the views of interested parties, able to require undertakings that provide publicly available electronic communications networks and/or services to publish comparable, adequate and up-to- date information for end-users on the quality of their services, including equivalent access for disabled end-users. The information shall, on request, also be supplied to the national regulatory authority in advance of its publication. There shall be a requirement for invoices for telecommunications services to be issued at regular intervals (at least every six months) and clearly state any concessions, with particular reference to partial exemptions for people with serious disabilities.
Amendment 232 #
2007/0248(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 16
Article 1 – point 16
Directive 2002/22/EC
Article 28 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point (b) b (new)
Article 28 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point (b) b (new)
(bb) connection services are provided for text telephones, video telephones and products which help to enable elderly people or people with disabilities to communicate, at least in the case of emergency calls.
Amendment 245 #
2007/0248(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 18
Article 1 – point 18
Directive 2002/22/EC
Article 30 – paragraph 6
Article 30 – paragraph 6
6. Without prejudice to any minimum contractual period, nNational regulatory authorities shall ensure that conditions and procedures for termination of contract do not act as a disincentive for changing suppliers of services and no minimum contractual period may be imposed.
Amendment 251 #
2007/0248(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 19
Article 1 – point 19
Directive 2002/22/EC
Article 31 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 31 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Member States may impose reasonable “must carry” obligations, for the transmission of specified radio and television broadcast channels and accessibility services, on undertakings under their jurisdiction providing electronic communications networks used for the distribution of radio or television broadcasts to the public where a significant numberthe majority of end-users of such networks use them as their principal means to receive radio and television broadcasts. Such obligations shall only be imposed where they are necessary to meet general interest objectives as clearly and specifically defined by each Member State in its national law and shall be proportionate and, transparent and applied to the dominant platforms.
Amendment 16 #
2007/0236(CNS)
The European Parliament rejects the Commission proposal.
Amendment 32 #
2007/0236(CNS)
Article 1 − point -1 (new)
Framework Decision 2002/475/JHA
Article 1 − paragraph 2
Article 1 − paragraph 2
Amendment 37 #
2007/0236(CNS)
Article 1 − point 1
Framework Decision 2002/475/JHA
Article 3 − paragraph 1 − point (a)
Article 3 − paragraph 1 − point (a)
(a) "public provocationincitement to commit a terrorist offence" means the distribution, or otherwise making available, of a message to the public, with the intent to incite clearly, intentionally and directly advocating the commission of one of the actoffences listed in Article 1(1)(a) to (h), where such conduct, whether or not directly advocating terrorist offences, causes a danger that one or more such offences may be committed causes a genuine, imminent and actual risk that one or more such offences may be committed, where these threaten the life or physical integrity of persons;