Activities of Liisa JAAKONSAARI related to 2017/2035(INI)
Reports (1)
REPORT containing a motion for a non-legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Kazakhstan, of the other part PDF (425 KB) DOC (71 KB)
Amendments (13)
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses the high importance of enhancing political and economic relations of the EU with Kazakhstan, which should be based on shared commitments to internationuniversal values and guided by mutual interest;
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Takes note that in its concluding observations on Kazakhstan adopted in summer 2016, the UN Human Rights Committee expressed concern about broadly formulated provisions of Criminal Code article 174, which bans “inciting” social, national or other discord and article 274, which prohibits “spreading information that is known to be false,” and the use of them to unduly restrict freedom of expression and other rights protected by the ICCPR;
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Regrets that defamation also remains criminalised in Kazakhstan, with special protection granted to public officials, and underlines that this has become problematic in the light of freedom of expression in the country;
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the ambition expressed in the EPCA to enhance cooperation in diverse areas of concern and common interest such as democracy and the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms; sustainable development; foreign and security policy; trade; justice, freedom and security; and in 29 other key sector policy areas, such as economic and financial cooperation, energy, transport, environment and climate change, employment and social affairs, culture, education and research;
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Takes note that as of 2016 all Kazakh NGOs are required to provide annual information on their activities for inclusion in a government database on NGOs; underlines that this step might be directed to enhance transparency in the sector; however, is concerned that the new requirements add to the already extensive reporting obligations from non- governmental sector to the state, while the transparency policy is disproportionally applied towards non-profit, non- governmental sector, as it does not apply to any other legal entities; is concerned that failing to provide information for the new database or that provide “incorrect” information may result in penalties for organisations;
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Regrets that the amendments to the Tax Code that entered into force in October 2016 introduced additional reporting obligations for NGOs, this time for organisations receiving foreign funding for certain types of activities;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 c (new)
Paragraph 9 c (new)
9c. Is concerned by the large number of defamation lawsuits initiated by public officials and other public figures who demand large amounts in moral compensation because of articles about corruption allegations, alleged misconduct or other issues that do not please them;
Amendment 55 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Expects that the EPCA will promote a strengthened rule of law and a more diverse political landscape, a better functioning, independent and impartial judiciary, increased transparency and accountability of the government, improvement in labour laws in line with ILO requirements and the sustainable development of environment, more business opportunities for small and medium enterprises, sustainable development of environment, water management, and of other resources such as an efficient use of energy and the development of renewable energy sources;
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Asks to put an end to persecution, harassment and imprisonment of civil society activities, human rights defenders, opposition political figures and journalists; asks for full rehabilitation and release of all those activists currently in jail as well as for lifting of movement restrictions on others; requests an end to abuse of its Interpol’s extradition procedures and stop harassment of political opposition aboard;
Amendment 106 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Recognises the security challenge posed to Kazakhstan by the Daesh and other UN-designated terrorist organisations; recommends closer cooperation on countering violent extremism and terrorism, including addressing the root causes of radicalisation;
Amendment 110 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Recognises the potential for further destabilisation of Kazakhstan by the on-going conflict in Afghanistan including by means of religious extremism, drug trafficking and terrorism;
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Recognises Kazakhstan as an important player in foreign and security policy not least due to the consistent role it plays in global nuclear disarmament and security, and its non-permanent membership on the UN Security Council in 2017-2018, and its facilitation of the talks on the Iranian nuclear deal and the conflict in Syria, and its diplomatic efforts with regard to the conflict in Ukraine;
Amendment 128 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)
Paragraph 35 a (new)
35a. Notes that Kazakhstan belongs to all the main regional organisation, such as the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU); in this context, welcomes Kazakhstan’s clear statements that its membership in the EAEU will not affect the strengthening of relations with the EU;