Activities of Helmut SCHOLZ related to 2023/2028(INI)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the situation of fundamental rights in the EU in 2022 and 2023
Amendments (9)
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Calls for the EUDemands to finalise the European Union’s accession to the European Convention on Human Rights to be finalised andand calls for the EU to accede to the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages;
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls foron the accession of the EU and its Member Statbodies tof the Council of Europe conventEuropean Unions to be finalised and for theirfoster a comprehensive and constructive cooperation with the Council of Europe to be strengthenedwith the aim of strengthening the responsibilities of both institutions to guarantee the safeguarding of fundamental rights;
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Takes note of the Council of Europe’s report of 6 October 2022 entitled ‘Freedom of political speech: an imperative for democracy’; stresses that freedom of expression in the EU must not be limited by the interests, constitutional framework or political choices of a Member State; reiterates in the light of these developments the need for afurther mechanism for democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights, which should be established through an interinstitutional agreements to safeguard the freedom of expression in the European Union;
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Takes note of the Council of Europe's report from June 2022 entitled 'Pegasus spyware and its impacts on human rights'; expresses deep concern on its conclusion that Pegasus spyware has or potentially could have detrimental effects on human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to dignity, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, and even the physical and psychological integrity of an individual; calls on the Member States to immediately cease the usage of Pegasus spyware;
Amendment 19 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. CRegrets that the fundamental rights and residence status of EU and UK citizens have been severely affected by the UK's withdrawal from the European Union; calls on the UK Government and theall Member States to ensure the full protection of the rights of both EU and UK citizens, who are still being penalised by Brexit as laid out in the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement as well as the Windsor Framework; points out that this must explicitly include the protection against the risk of discrimination by prospective employers or landlords;
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Considers that Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine places the EUuropean Union in a new situation, namely that of a prospective enlargement to include and dramatically endangers the fundamental rights of all citizens; stresses that a prospective enlargement of the EU, namely through a potential integration of the Western Balkan countries, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, with the Copenhagen criteria as a fundamental basis; calls for all refugees to be treated with humanity, solidarity and generosity, needs subsequent inclusive debates about fundamental rights in the respective countries; calls therefore for dedicated public and political dialogues on these issues that include participation of the respective countries' civil societies; calls on the Member States to treat all persons that seek refuge from Russian's war of aggression with solidarity and generosity in line with respective international law and agreements;
Amendment 27 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the Commission to take a very firm stance against persistent attacks on the rule of law in certain Member States; Strongly condemns the severe violations of the principles of the rule of law in some Member States, which are causing serious danger in relation to fundamental rights and freedoms; considers that in some cases these violations are of a systemic nature; emphasises the link between deteriorating rule of law standards and violations of fundamental rights, such as those perpetrated in the area of the judiciary, attacks against journalists and free media, including the use of excessive force by law enforcement authorities during protests and at the EU’s borders, the lack of guarantees and due process for detainees, incitement to hatred by political actors, an increase in the power of authorities to carry out mass surveillance and the widespread collection of intercepted data, and restrictions imposed on civil society organisations receiving foreign funding or based on their religious affiliation; further condemns the efforts of some Member State governments to weaken the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary; expresses its deep concern, in particular, about decisions which call into question the primacy of European law and calls on the Commission to use all available means to take action against these attacks;
Amendment 32 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Deplores the recent scandals that have tarnished the EU’s image, such as Qatargate and State espionage using Pegasus, with MEPs among the targetStrongly deplores that decisions adopted by committees and the plenary assembly with regard to Qatar are likely to have been altered by corruption and undue influence, including the resolution on the situation of human rights in the context of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, adopted on 24 November 2022; regrets that the alleged criminal activity of a then Vice-President as well as other Members and former Members of the European Parliament has severely damaged the citizens' trust in Parliament’s integrity and therefore the functioning of European democracies;
Amendment 39 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Is appalled by and expresses serious concern about the findings of the European Anti-Fraud Office's (OLAF) report on Frontex operational activities in Greece and the agency's blatant disregard for the lives of migrants and active violations of their human rights;