BETA

Activities of Louis MICHEL related to 2015/2229(INI)

Plenary speeches (1)

2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2015/2229(INI)

Shadow reports (1)

2016/11/22
Committee: AFET
Dossiers: 2015/2229(INI)
Documents: PDF(417 KB) DOC(426 KB)

Amendments (83)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Expresses its deep concern regarding the proliferation of barbaric and inhumane forms of torture, such as beheadings and the gang rapes of women, girls and babies, in conflict situations; recalls that rape is used as a weapon of war in the hands of rebel groups, and that it destroys all hope of physical, psychic and moral survival and of integrating into society;

2015/10/21
Committee: DEVE

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Expresses its deep concern regarding the attacks carried out against humanitarian hospitals; stresses that during the Syrian conflict, according to Physicians for Human Rights, 313 attacks have been carried out against 227 separate medical installations since 2011, and that at least 184 of those attacks were perpetrated using weapons of mass destruction, such as missiles and bombs; believes that these acts represent an even worse form of crime against humanity, as they target the sick and casualties of war;

2015/10/21
Committee: DEVE

Hilde VAUTMANS, Louis MICHEL

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)

- having regard to the Action Plan on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment: Transforming the Lives of Girls and Women through EU External Relations 2016-2020 (GAPII), adopted by the Council on 26 October 2015,

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Hilde VAUTMANS, Louis MICHEL

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)

- having regard to the Council conclusions of 26 May 2015 on Gender in Development,

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Condemns the EU Member States and non-EU countries that are violating the principles of non-assistance of persons in danger and of non-refoulement, which apply to displaced persons;

2015/10/21
Committee: DEVE

Hilde VAUTMANS, Louis MICHEL

Motion for a resolution
Citation 20 a (new)

- having regard to its resolution of 8 October 2015 on the renewal of the EU Plan of Action on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in Development,

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Citation 20 c (new)

– having regard to its resolution of 8 October 2015 on the death penalty,

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Citation 24 a (new)

– having regard to the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Subcommittee on Human Rights on the EU’s new approach to human rights and democracy – evaluating the activities of the European Endowment for Democracy (EED) since its establishment1, --- 1(AFET/8/02278)

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Citation 24 f (new)

– having regard to the 2014 annual report of UNFPA-Unicef on the Joint Programme on Female Genital Mutilation,

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas Article 21 TEU commits the EU to developing a Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) guided by the principles of democracy, the rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for human dignity, the principle of equality and solidarity and compliance with the UN Charter, the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and international law;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)

Ba. whereas respect for, and the promotion, indivisibility and safeguarding of, the universality of human rights must be cornerstones of the EU’s external action;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas more than half of the world’s population is still living under undemocratic regimes, and whereas global freedom has continuously declined over the past few years; whereas failure to respect human rights comes at a high price to society and to the individual;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)

Cb. whereas, in addition to the holding of free elections, features of democratic regimes include transparent governance, respect for the rule of law, freedom of expression, respect for human rights, the existence of an independent judicial system and respect for international law and international agreements and guidelines on respecting human rights;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas ~~increased coherence~~progress will be made with regard to the credibility and effectiveness of the EU in its external relations and international action when the EU displays greater cohesion, coherence and consistency between EUits internal and external ~~policies stands as an indispensable requirement for a successful EU human rights policy~~action and when its human rights policy is an integral part of its external action; whereas better coherence should enable the EU to anticipate breaches of human rights more quickly at an early stage;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) stated, when the New Joint Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy was proposed, that human rights would be one of the overarching priorities of her mandate, a compass in all relations with EU institutions as well as with third countries, international organisations and civil society; whereas in 2017 a mid-term review of the Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy is to be performed which will coincide with the mid-term review of external financial instruments, which should contribute to greater coherence of the EU’s external action;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Commission, the Council and the Member States are responsible for implementing the new Action Plan; whereas the EU missions and EU representations in third countries can play a significant supplementary role in the success of the action plan;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas appropriate resources need to be ensured, and those resources deployed in the most efficient manner, in order to enhance the promotion of human rights and democracy in third countries;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Recital J

J. whereas human rights and democracy support policy is being mainstreamed through other EU policies with an external dimension, such as trade and development; whereas fair and transparent trade in commodities, goods and services promotes respect for human rights;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Recital J b (new)

Jb. whereas Article 207 TFEU stipulates that the EU’s commercial policy is to be based on the principles and objectives of the European Union’s external action;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Recital K

K. whereas the various forms of migration represents an important EU external policy challenge requiring immediate ~~and~~, effective ~~solution~~and lasting solutions that are consistent with European values and with international human rights standards and agreements;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Recital L

L. whereas the death penalty remains one of the EU’s biggest concerns when approaching third countries; whereas in June 2016 the 6th World Congress against the Death Penalty is to take place in Oslo, Norway;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Recital M

M. whereas children and women face increasing threats, acts of violence and sexual violence, especially in war zones;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Recital N

N. whereas on the basis of universal and indivisible values the freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief must be unconditionally enhanced through inter- religious and inter-cultural dialogues;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Recital N a (new)

Na. whereas no form of discrimination, violence, torture, sexual abuse of women and girls, genital mutilation, child marriage, forced marriage, trafficking in women and domestic violence can be justified on grounds of social, religious or cultural traditions;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Recital O

O. whereas the EU considers close cooperation with civil society and human rights defenders in third countries to be one of its main priorities in tackling human rights abuses;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Hilde VAUTMANS, Louis MICHEL

Motion for a resolution
Recital O a (new)

Oa. whereas Article 25 of the UDHR recognises the right of every person to a 'standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family', in which motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance, and which includes medical care; whereas UNHRC Resolution 26/28 calls for the next UNHRC Social Forum meeting to focus on access to medicines in the context of the right of everyone to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; whereas the World Health Organisation (WHO) constitution states that the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Recital O d (new)

Od. having regard to the award of the Sakharov Prize in 2014 to Dr Denis Mukwege for his unremitting efforts, as a doctor and human rights defender, on behalf of victims of sexual violence and genital mutilation; whereas female genital mutilation is a fundamental violation of the rights of women and children and whereas it is absolutely necessary to assign efforts to combat genital mutilation and sexual violence a central role in the EU’s external policy and human rights policy;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Recital O e (new)

Oe. whereas the deliberate and systematic destruction of valuable archaeological sites which form part of the world heritage by terrorist organisations and warring groups has the aim of destabilising populations and depriving them of their cultural identity, and should be regarded not only as a war crime but also as a crime against humanity;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Recital O f (new)

Of. whereas the European Union and its Member States have been close allies of the International Criminal Court since its inception, providing it with financial, political, diplomatic and logistical support while promoting the universality of the Rome Statute and defending its integrity with the purpose of strengthening the Court’s independence;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Reiterates the crucial importance of ensuring increased coherence between the EU’s internal and external policies with regard to respect for human rights and democratic values; emphasises in this context that, while this report deals with the EU’s external policies for advancing human rights, Parliament also ~~adopts~~draws up an annual ~~report~~ on the situation of fundamental rights in the European Union, ~~drawn up~~ by the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (sic – translator’s note);

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Consider~~Stresses that, in order to live up to their commitment to advancing human rights and democracy in the world, the EU and its Member States need to speak and act with a consistent, single voice ~~and ensure that their message is heard~~, avoid double standards inspired by commercial or national interests and ensure that their message is heard, particularly during political discussions, human rights dialogues and trade negotiations and in international and multilateral fora; stresses that greater consistency among the various EU programmes and instruments is a necessary precondition for increasing involvement;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Emphasises, moreover, the importance of enhanced cooperation between the Commission, the Council, the EEAS, Parliament and the EU Delegations for improving the overall coherence of the EU’s policy on human rights and democracy and its centrality among all the EU’s policies with an external dimension, particularly in fields relating to development, security, employment, migration, trade and technology;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 c (new)

6c. Expresses its deep concern about the deliberate and systematic destruction and looting of valuable archaeological sites which form part of the world heritage by terrorist organisations and warring groups, with the aim of destabilising populations and undermining their cultural identity, which finance their violent activities by means of illegal trade in stolen art works; calls on the Commission therefore, in cooperation with the UN and UNESCO, to combat illegal trading in art treasures from war zones and to devise initiatives to protect the cultural heritage in war zones; calls on the Commission to classify the deliberate destruction of the collective human heritage as a crime against humanity and to take legal action on it accordingly;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Welcomes the adoption of the EU Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World 2014; considers that the Annual Report is an indispensable tool for scrutiny, communication and debate on the EU’s policy on human rights and democracy in the world; urges the Commission to include in the Annual Report not only an in-depth analysis but also specific proposals tailored to resolving the problems arising in connection with human rights policy;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Commends the EEAS and the Commission for their exhaustive reporting on the activities undertaken by the EU in the area of human rights and democracy in 2014; considers nevertheless that the current format of the Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy could be improved by offering a better overview of the concrete impact of the EU’s actions on human rights and democracy in third countries, including an assessment of EU responses to early warnings and human rights infringements regarding which it has announced that action will be taken, indicating whether progress has been made and revealing what concrete measures it has taken in response to Parliament resolutions on specific human rights infringements;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Recommends in this respect that the EEAS adopt a more analytical approach in the drafting of the Annual Report, while continuing to report on the implementation of the EU Strategic Framework and the Action Plan; considers that the Annual Report should not only underline the EU’s achievements and the best practices in the field, but also indicate what challenges and limitations the EU encounters in its efforts to promote human rights and democracy in third countries, and what lessons can be drawn for concrete action in years ahead; calls on the EEAS and the Commission to ensure greater consistency in documents and reports concerning human rights and democracy outside the EU so as to better anticipate developments in European Neighbourhood and other third countries;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Maintains its view that the country reports presented in the Annual Report should be less descriptive and less static, and should instead better reflect the implementation of the human rights country strategies and give an overview of the impact of the EU’s action on the ground;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Reiterates its view that the adoption of the EU Strategic Framework and of the first Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy in 2012 constituted a major milestone for the EU in ~~plac~~integrating human rights and democracy ~~at the core of~~without exception in its relations with the wider world;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Welcomes the adoption by the Council in July 2015 of a new Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy for 2015- 2019; commends the EEAS for consulting the Commission, Parliament, the Member States, civil society and regional and international organisations during the evaluation of the first Action Plan and the drafting of the new one; welcomes the projected mid-term review; urges in this connection that the new 2017 Action Plan review seek to streamline external EU initiatives more effectively and that it be discussed by the relevant parliamentary committees; calls for the EEAS and HR/VP, the Commission, the Member States, civil society and international and regional stakeholders to be given a say therein;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Calls on the VP/HR, the EEAS, the Commission, the Council and the Member States to ensure an efficient and coherent implementation of the new Action Plan; draws particular attention to the importance of increasing the effectiveness and maximising the local impact of the tools used by the EU to promote respect for human rights and democracy in the world; highlights the need to ensure a rapid and appropriate response to human rights infringements; reiterates the importance of intensifying efforts to mainstream human rights and democracy in all EU external action, including at a high political level;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Reiterates its view that a solid consensus and enhanced coordination between Member States and the EU institutions is needed in order to coherently and consistently advance the human rights and democracy agenda; firmly stresses that Member States without exception should take greater ownership of the implementation of the Action Plan and of the EU Strategic Framework and use them as their own blueprint in promoting human rights and democracy bilaterally and multilaterally;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Welcomes the extension of the EUSR’s mandate until February 2017, and reiterates its request for this mandate to be turned into a permanent one; recommends, in this regard, that the EUSR have own-initiative powers, and higher public visibility ~~and~~; urges that the EUSR be allowed to speak publicly and openly regarding EU positions on human rights and be given adequate staff and financial resources to work at his full potential;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Notes that 132 human rights country strategies (HRCS) have been endorsed by the Political and Security Committee, following concerted efforts by the EU Delegations, EU institutions and Member States; reiterates its support for the objective of the HRCS, which is to tailor the EU’s action in each country to its specific situation and needs; ~~calls for further improvement in cooper~~stresses the need for continuous HRCS assessment, making adjustments where necessary, and calls for further improvement in cooperation, communication and exchanges of information between EU Delegations, Member States’ embassies and EU institutions in drawing up and implementing the HRCS;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Reiterates its call for the Members of the European Parliament, if they are to fulfil their duties properly and transparently, to have access to the content of the strategies, so as to allow a proper degree of scrutiny; calls for the EEAS and Commission to communicate also with external interlocutors regarding the objectives of the respective strategies; insists that the EEAS include clear and measurable progress indicators for each individual strategy;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Strongly underlines the importance of taking into account the HRCS at all levels of policy-making vis-à-vis individual third countries, including during the preparation of high-level political dialogues, human rights dialogues, country strategy papers and annual action programmes;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Hilde VAUTMANS, Louis MICHEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Welcomes the designation of human rights and/or gender focal points by all Delegations and by the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions; notes, however, that the information publicly available online is in many instances out of date, and calls, therefore, for its swift ~~revision~~update; furthermore calls on all Heads of Delegations to ensure that these focal points can allocate a certain part of their worktime to this role;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Recalls its recommendation to the VP/HR and the EEAS to develop clear operational guidelines as to the role of focal points in Delegations, in order to empower them to act as true human rights advisors and enable them to efficiently carry out their work and endeavour to achieve maximum coherence and cooperation between and with these delegations; believes that the work of the human rights focal points should be equally supported by Member States’ diplomatic staff;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Urges the VP/HR and the EEAS to conduct their human rights dialogues and the corresponding civil society seminars with a clear, results-oriented focus mirroring the HRCS; urges the EEAS to consistently include a preparatory dialogue with civil society organisations, which should automatically feed into the dialogue itself; further urges the VP/HR and the EEAS to raise individual cases of human rights defenders and human rights infringements in an accountable and transparent manner during human rights dialogues; considers it essential that the EEAS systematically ensure that all the commitments made during each of the human rights dialogues are honoured;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Reiterates its call on the EEAS to develop a comprehensive mechanism, including consultation of local civil society and human rights organisations, for monitoring and reviewing the functioning of human rights dialogues with a view to improving their impact; believes that, if such dialogues persistently fail, alternative tools for supporting the advancement of human rights in the country concerned should be used; notes, in this respect, that the human rights dialogue with Russia was suspended in 2014; urges, therefore, that the EEAS profoundly rethink its human rights strategy vis-à-vis Russia;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)

33a. Stresses that, in conflict situations, international humanitarian law must be consistently implemented in accordance with all guidelines regarding children in armed conflict, violence against women and girls and ways of combating all forms of discrimination;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34

34. Strongly underlines the importance of systematically assessing the implementation of the EU Guidelines on Human Rights by using well-defined benchmarks; considers that, in order to ensure proper implementation of the Guidelines, further measures aimed at raising awareness of their content among EEAS and EU Delegation staff ~~must be taken~~and Member State representations abroad must be taken; reiterates its call for civil society and human rights organisations to be more actively involved in the selection, development, evaluation and review of the Guidelines;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

35. Recalls that the EU committed itself to placing human rights and democracy at the centre of its relations with third countries; stresses, therefore, that the advancement of human rights and democratic principles needs to be supported through all EU policies which have an external dimension, such as the enlargement and neighbourhood policy, the Common Security and Defence Policy, and the development, migration, trade, justice and home affairs policies;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36

36. Notes the Commission’s efforts to fulfil its commitment to including human rights provisions in its impact assessments for legislative and non-legislative proposals, implementing measures and trade agreements; urges the Commission to improve the quality and comprehensiveness of the impact assessments, for example by seeking to achieve an optimal mechanism for consultation and cooperation with civil society and human rights organisations and the EU institutions involved, and to ensure the systematic incorporation of human rights issues;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38

38. Expresses concern at the deterioration of freedom of expression and media in certain enlargement countries and a number of European Neighbourhood countries; emphasises the urgent need to reinforce independence of the media in those countries and to tackle the political and economic pressures on journalists, which often lead to censorship and self- censorship; calls on the Commission to continue prioritising respect for freedom of expression and for the media in the accession negotiation process; stresses that the EU must have the courage to draw clear political conclusions and take political action if its endeavours to support freedom of expression and democracy in these countries are unsuccessful;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40

40. Notes with concern the deterioration of democratic political cultures in some candidate and potential candidate countries~~; recalls that~~ and in a number of European Neighbourhood countries recalls that good governance, respect for the rule of law, freedom of opinion and human rights, political dialogue, achievement of compromise and inclusiveness of all stakeholders in the decision-making process are at the heart of democratic regimes; notes with equal concern the weak progress made by enlargement countries in improving the independence of the judiciary and in fighting corruption; urges, along with the Commission, the enlargement countries to build up credible track records of investigations, prosecutions and final convictions;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41

41. Recalls, in the context of the ongoing review of the European Neighbourhood Policy, that the TEU stipulates that the Union shall develop a special relationship with neighbouring countries founded on the values of the Union, which include respect for human rights and democracy; underlines the fact that, given the significant challenges both the Eastern and the Southern neighbourhood have faced in the last few years, respect for human rights and democratic principles has been significantly affected in many of those countries; takes the view that, when it comes to progress regarding human rights, the rule of law and the right to freedom of expression and democratically functioning institutions, EU relations with these countries are characterised by conditionality;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43

43. Stresses that the EU should continue to actively support democratic and effective human rights institutions and the civil society and media freedom of neighbouring countries in their efforts to promote democratisation and respect for human rights; positively notes in this context, as indicated in the first annual report assessing the activities of the European Endowment for Democracy’s, the consistent engagement of the latter in the Eastern and Southern neighbourhood of the EU in favour of democracy promotion and respect for fundamental rights and freedoms; stresses that, in situations where other donors are forced to cease their activities or are hampered by lengthy administrative procedures, the EED is, thanks to its innovative approach, able to respond to crisis situations by providing rapid, direct and effective support to the local pro-democracy representatives of civil society, the media and human rights organisations striving for democratic change;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44

44. Reiterates its support for the systematic introduction of human rights clauses in international agreements between the EU and third countries; calls on the Commission to effectively and systematically monitor the implementation of the human rights clauses, to assess the effects of their implementation and to report regularly to Parliament on partner countries’ respect for human rights;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47

47. Believes, therefore, that the EEAS should require that EU Delegations engage with EU companies operating in third countries in order to promote respect for human rights in their business-related activities; recalls, furthermore, its request that EU Delegations include respect for human rights in business operations as a priority in local calls for proposals carried out under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR); urges the EU to ask Member States to ensure compliance with human rights and the principles of corporate responsibility on the part of companies governed by their national law when engaged in business activities in third countries;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Hilde VAUTMANS, Louis MICHEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49

49. Considers that development cooperation and the promotion of human rights and democratic principles should go hand in hand; recalls in this context that the UN has stated that in the absence of a human-rights-based approach, development goals cannot be fully achieved; recalls also that the EU has committed itself to supporting partner countries, taking into account their development situation and their progress as regards human rights and democracy; encourages the inclusion of clearly defined results frameworks in all instruments in order to ensure the inclusion of marginalized and vulnerable groups as well as to mainstream a human rights based approach;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Hilde VAUTMANS, Louis MICHEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 a (new)

49a. Reaffirms the urgent need of addressing the global burden of poverty- related and neglected diseases; calls for an ambitious long-term political strategy and plan of action on global health, innovation and access to medicines that, inter alia, invests in research and development, so as to safeguard the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of every human being without discrimination on grounds of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition, gender identity or sexual orientation;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Hilde VAUTMANS, Louis MICHEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50

50. Welcomes the Commission’s Staff Working Document on a rights-based approach, encompassing all human rights, including women's and girls' rights, for EU development cooperation, published in April 2014 and welcomed by the Council; encourages the Commission to monitor the implementation of the rights- based approach and to ensure that human rights and development cooperation are mutually reinforcing on the ground;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52

52. Expresses its solidarity with the high number of refugees and economic migrants who suffer grave human rights violations as victims of conflicts, tangible governance failures and networks of illegal immigration and trafficking; expresses also its deep regret at the tragic loss of lives of people seeking asylum in the EU;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53

53. Stresses the urgent need to tackle the root causes of migration flows, whether of refugees or economic migrants, and, therefore, to address the external dimension of the ~~refugee crisi~~se flows, including by finding sustainable solutions to conflicts in our neighbourhood; underlines the need for a comprehensive human-rights-based approach to migration and calls on the EU to collaborate with the UN, regional organisations, governments and NGOs in order to address the root causes of migration flows; expresses its gravest concerns about the activities of human traffickers who deny migrants their fundamental rights and put their lives in great danger; takes note in this context of the European Union Naval Force – Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med) operation against smugglers and traffickers in the Mediterranean; welcomes the measures proposed by the Commission on 9 September 2015 to address the external dimension of the refugee crisis;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 o (new)

53o. Is seriously concerned that major sports events are increasingly being organised in countries where human rights and fundamental freedoms are seriously breached; considers, therefore, that the Commission should continue to raise this worrying development in international fora and take the necessary steps to bring about a situation in which, in future, international sports organisations regard the human rights factor as a determining criterion in procedures for awarding major international sports events;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 59

59. Calls on the EU and the Member States to actively promote the ICC and the need for the enforcement of its decisions in all type of dialogues with third countries and in multilateral fora;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 62

62. Welcomes the Joint Declaration of the VP/HR and the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe of October 2014, which reaffirmed their strong and absolute opposition to capital punishment in all cases and under all circumstances; maintains its view that the worldwide abolition of the death penalty should be one of the EU’s central objectives as regards human rights; calls, in this context and in connection with the 6th World Congress against the Death Penalty to be held in Oslo in June 2016, for the EU and Member States to unequivocally oppose the death penalty and for the EU to intensify its commitment to the abolition of the death penalty;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63

63. Expresses its concern at the growing number of death sentences and executions worldwide; considers it regrettable that Belarus has resumed executions after a two-year pause; reiterates therefore its call on Belarus to implement a moratorium on the death penalty, which should ultimately lead to its abolition;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 64

64. Calls on the EU to continue engaging with retentionist countries, making use of all diplomatic and cooperation tools in order to ~~promot~~secure the abolition of the death penalty; reiterates, moreover, its call for the EU to continue monitoring the conditions under which executions are carried out in the countries that still use the death penalty;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 65 c (new)

65c. Stresses, however, that no form of discrimination, violence, punishment by way of reprisal, torture, sexual abuse of women and girls, genital mutilation, child marriage, forced marriage, trafficking in women, discrimination and social exclusion on grounds of social class or origin and domestic violence can ever be justified on grounds of social, religious or cultural convictions and traditions;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Hilde VAUTMANS, Louis MICHEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 68

68. Recalls that the 2014 Sakharov Prize was awarded to Dr Denis Mukwege for his strong engagement with victims of sexual violence and continuous promotion of women’s and girls' rights; strongly condemns all forms of abuse and violence against women and girls, including female genital mutilation, child, early and forced marriage, sexual slavery and marital rape; stresses the right of every individual to decide freely on matters related to their sexuality and sexual and reproductive health, in this regard recognises the inalienable rights of women and girls to autonomous decision-making, including on access to family planning; welcomes the fact that the award of the Sakharov Prize to Dr Denis Mukwege has received worldwide, broad attention and that this has led, without doubt, to more awareness about violence against and sexual mutilation of children and (young) women as means of war;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Hilde VAUTMANS, Louis MICHEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69

69. Encourages the EU to continue mainstreaming support for women and girls within CSDP operations and to pursue its efforts towards the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325(2000) on women, peace and security;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69

69. Encourages the EU to continue mainstreaming support for women within CSDP operations and to pursue its efforts towards the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325(2000) on women, peace and security; stresses that, in order to arrive at lasting and stable political solutions, the active participation of women in post-conflict and democratic transition processes is required; calls on the EU to actively support initiatives designed to increase the level of participation of women in these democratic transition processes;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Hilde VAUTMANS, Louis MICHEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 70

70. Invites the Commission, the EEAS and the VP/HR to continue promoting the political and economic empowerment of women and girls by mainstreaming gender equality in all their external policies and programmes, while also earmarking funds for this same purpose, and by publicly raising gender-related issues;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Hilde VAUTMANS, Louis MICHEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 70 c (new)

70c. Emphasises the importance of scaling up efforts to ensure access to basic human rights, such as health and education, while empowering women and girls and protecting their rights, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, in order to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73

73. Reiterates its request for the Commission to propose a comprehensive Child Rights Strategy and Action Plan for the next five years, supporting the EU’s efforts to promote children’s rights, namely by contributing to ensuring children’s access to water, sanitation, healthcare and education, as well as by eliminating child labour ~~and assisting~~, forced labour, trafficking in persons, child marriages and sexual exploitation and making sufficient resources and instruments available, and deploying them, in order to guarantee access to and the right to education for children in ar~~med~~eas of conflict and refugee camps;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 75

75. Emphasises the EU’s engagement in upholding and promoting respect for human rights and democratic values in its relations with the wider world; recalls that democratic regimes are characterised not only by free and fair electoral processes, but also by freedom of speech, the press and association, the rule of law and accountability, the independence of the judiciary, and impartial administration, among other aspects; stresses that democracy and human rights are inextricably linked and mutually reinforcing, as recalled in the Council conclusions of 18 November 2009 on democracy support in the EU’s external relations; welcomes the fact that the new Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy pays enhanced attention to democracy support activities;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 76

76. Reiterates the fact that freedom of expression is a vital component of any democratic society, as it nourishes a culture of pluralism that empowers civil society and citizens to hold their governments and decision-makers accountable, and supports respect for the rule of law; urges the EU, therefore, to intensify its efforts to promote freedom of expression ~~through its external policies and instruments~~, freedom of publication and unrestricted Internet access through its external policies and instruments; calls on the EU and its Member States to monitor more effectively exports of dual-use technology in order to prevent the improper use of technology to violate human rights or breach privacy;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 78

78. Is deeply concerned that civil society is increasingly under assault worldwide; recalls that independent civil society plays an essential role in the defence and advancement of human rights and in the functioning of democratic societies; stresses that freedom of association and freedom of assembly are essential features of an open and tolerant society;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 80

80. Calls on the EU and its Member States to constantly monitor and raise, at every level of political dialogue, cases of violations of freedom of assembly and association, including through various forms of bans and limitations on civil society organisations and their activities;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 81

81. Calls also on the EU and its Member States to use all available means, such as human rights dialogues, political dialogues and public diplomacy, to systematically, and at the most appropriate political level, raise individual cases of human rights defenders and civil society activists at risk, particularly those concerning persons that are imprisoned; encourages the EU Delegations and the Member States’ diplomatic staff to continue to actively support human rights defenders, by systematically monitoring trials, visiting detained activists and issuing statements on individual cases, where appropriate; highlights also the importance of silent diplomacy tools when defending human rights defenders;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 87

87. Welcomes the commitment made by the Commission, the EEAS and the Member States in the new Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy to engage more firmly and consistently with election management bodies, parliamentary institutions, local NGOs, human rights defenders and civil society organisations in third countries, in order to involve them more intensively in monitoring elections and contribute to their empowerment and, therefore, to the strengthening of democratic processes;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 88

88. Recalls that the experience gained by the European Union, politicians, academics, the media, NGOs and civil society and the lessons learned from transitions to democracy in the framework of the enlargement and neighbourhood policies could positively contribute to the identification of best practices that could be used to support and consolidate other democratisation processes worldwide;

2015/10/16
Committee: AFET