Activities of Cristian Dan PREDA related to 2018/2148(INI)
Plenary speeches (3)
2018 Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina (A8-0467/2018 - Cristian Dan Preda) (vote) RO
2018 Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina (debate) FR
2018 Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina (debate) FR
Reports (1)
REPORT on the 2018 Commission Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina PDF (325 KB) DOC (72 KB)
Amendments (28)
Amendment 15 #
Ba. whereas since mid-2017 there was a marked slowdown in the adoption of EU related reforms, despite BiH’s commitment to the Reform Agenda;
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas general elections were held in BiH on 7 October 2018; whereas political parties have not been able to agree on the changes to the elections law needed to implement the Constitutional Court decisions in the Ljubić case concerning the election of the members of the Federation’s House of People; whereas the facilitation efforts on this issue, led by the EU and US ambassadors to BiH, with involvement from the Venice Commission, have not been fruitful;
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)
Recital B c (new)
Bc. whereas BiH remains in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights, as per the Sejdić-Finci and related cases;
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B d (new)
Recital B d (new)
B d. whereas there is no place in modern Europe for the glorification of persons convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity;
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B e (new)
Recital B e (new)
Be. whereas the persistent challenges in the reconciliation process should be addressed more forcefully;
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B f (new)
Recital B f (new)
Bf. whereas corruption, including at the highest level, continues to be widespread;
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Is concerned about the marked slowdown in the pace of reforms due to disagreements between parties and the pre- electoral campaign that started very early; stresses that the declared commitment of the BiH authorities to the European path must be matched by consistent implementation of reforms stemming from the Reform Agenda and translated into concrete results, to the benefit of citizens; regrets that, apart from the adoption of the countrywide strategies in the field of the environment and, rural development and energy, and of some important reform measures, such as the Law on Excise Duties, no substantial progress has been achieved;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Regrets that no compromise has been reached with regard to changes to the electoral legislation required to implement the Constitutional Court decision in the Ljubić case on the election of the members of the Federation House of Peoples; urges all political leaders to show responsibility and amend swiftly the electoral framework in order to ensure smooth implementation ofNotes that the 7 October elections were competitive and generally orderly, despite some irregularities on elections day; notes that this electoral cycle was also marked by segmentation along ethnic lines and the electoral campaign was focused mainly on divisive issues linked to the past, rather than on proposing concrete solutions to answer the daily problems of people from BiH; regrets that no compromise has been reached with regard to changes to the electoral legislation required to implement the Constitutional Court decision in the Ljubić case on the election of the members of the Federation House of Peoples; hopes that a solution will be found in order to ensure smooth implementation of the results of the elections; urges all political leaders to show responsibility and warns against delays and attempts of blocking the formation of the authorities after the elections, as this will not serve the interesults of the electionscitizens, nor the objective of European integration; stresses that holding credible elections and implementing the results is an essential feature of a well-functioning democracy, as well as a requirement for any country aspiring to join the EU;
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for the adoption of further countrywide strategies in areas such as energy, employment and public financial management, which will enable consistent implementation of reforms throughout the country, as well as access to further IPA funding; stresses the need to ensure better absorption of IPA funding, notably by improving donor coordination and administrative capacity; urges the adoption of a national programme for approximation of the country’s laws with the EU acquis, a legal requirement under the SAA and an indispensable means of preparing for EU accession;
Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Renews its call for the adoption of a countrywide strategy on human rights; underlines that amendments to the Ombudsman Law should be adopted as soon as possible, in order to ensure compliance with the Paris Principles; urges once more the authorities in Republika Srpska to repeal the provision on the death penalty from the entity’s constitution; deems necessary the establishment of a national preventive mechanism for the prevention of torture and ill treatment, as well as the adoption of a state Law on the rights of civilians tortured during the war, in accordance with BiH’s international obligations; considers that BiH should make more efforts to bring in line with international standards the conditions in prison and police holding facilities; reiterates the need to ensure non- discriminatory access to justice throughout the country through a harmonised and sustainable system of free legal aid;
Amendment 96 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls for more effective measures to combat all forms of discrimination, in particular by adopting country-wide human rights and anti-discrimination strategies; regrets that there was no progress in addressing the ‘two schools under one roof’ issue; urges that decisive action be taken at all levels in order to find systemic solutions that will ensure inclusive and non-discriminatory education for all children; calls for more effective implementation of the legal provisions regarding equality between men and women; urges that progress be made towards ensuring that the rights of persons with disabilities are respected, in particular by swiftly addressing the relevant UN recommendationnotes with concern the lack of effective implementation of the legislation for the prevention and protection from gender-based violence, in particular domestic violence; points out the need to bring the legislation in line with the Istanbul Convention; is concerned that lack of resources and coordination hampers the implementation of the 2015- 2018 action plan for children; welcomes the FBiH legislation on foster care and underlines the need to support further deinstitutionalization of children throughout the country; urges that progress be made towards ensuring that the rights of persons with disabilities are respected, in particular by swiftly addressing the relevant UN recommendations; calls for improved access to education and to appropriate social services for children with disabilities, as well as more generally, enhancing access to buildings, institutions and transport for persons with disabilities; acknowledges the steps taken towards the legal protection of LGBTI persons but stresses that more needs to be done in order to prosecute violence and hate crimes against them, as well as to promote their social inclusion; is concerned that lack of coordination between different levels of authority and lack of funding continue to hamper effective protection of minorities and vulnerable groups, in particular Roma people;
Amendment 106 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Calls for a comprehensive reform of the social protection systems, by eliminating discriminatory practices in accordance with human rights obligations and ensuring that adequate minimum standards are set for the protection of the most vulnerable population, including addressing gaps in legislation that prevent some children from having medical insurance; invites all the relevant institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina to strengthen coordination and collaboration on child rights monitoring, including establishment of a comprehensive child rights data collection mechanism in Bosnia and Herzegovina;
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Is concerned about the high rates of young people leaving the country and the lack of adequate policies and investments regarding children and youth;
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 c (new)
Paragraph 8 c (new)
8c. Calls on BiH to ensure the right to property; points out the lack of a comprehensive legislative framework on handling restitution claims and encourages the authorities to open a dialogue with interested parties on issues pertaining to the restitution of, or compensation for property seized;
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Regrets the lack of progress on freedom of expression and the independence of the media; clearly rejects continued attempts to put political and financial pressure on the media; condemns the recurrent cases of intimidation, threats, and verbal and physical attacks against journalists; calls on the authorities to collect data on these cases, ensure swift investigation and prosecution of the perpetrators and promote an environment conducive to freedom of expression; points out the need to strengthen the Communications Regulatory Agency’s financial stability, as well as its political neutrality; reiterates its call for the independence and sustainable financing of the public broadcasters to be ensured; deplores the fact that due to political obstruction a functional public broadcasting service, could not be established; renews its call for the transparency of media ownership to be ensured, notably through a dedicated law; emphasizes that, like for other countries in the region, concerns remain regarding political instrumentalisation of the media, either directly by political players, or by business players in their attempts to exert political influence;
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes efforts aiming at promoting reconciliation, mutual respect and religious tolerance in the country, including those of the Inter-religious Council of BiH; deplores continued cases of discrimination on religious grounds, as well as incidents targeting religious sites, and calls on the authorities to react promptly and consistently in these cases;
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Regrets the lack of progress with regard to the reform of public administration; acknowledges the steps taken towards the development of the new country-wide pWelcomes the adoption of the Strategic Framework for the Public aAdministration rReform strategyin Bosnia and Herzegovina 2018-2022 and calls for its swift adopimplementation; draws attention again to the fragmentation of the policy- making system in BiH and stresses the need to improve the quality, coherence and financial affordability of public policies throughout the country; calls for the adoption of a country-wide strategy on public financial management and for increased budget transparency in BiH, as well as for stronger mechanisms to prevent inefficiency and waste of public resources, including in the area of public procurement; calls in particular for action to be taken to reduce the risk of politicisation of civil service, through an effective human resources management system at all administrative levels;
Amendment 136 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Acknowledges that some progress has been made in establishing institutional mechanisms of cooperation between authorities and civil society organisations (CSOs) and in ensuring public financing for CSOs; reiterates its call for the adoption of a strategic framework of cooperation with civil society at all levels of governance, for enhancing the transparency of public-decision making and for additional efforts in enabling public scrutiny of governments’ work;
Amendment 139 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Urges that action be taken to significantly improve track records in the area of prevention and repression of corruption, including measures to impose effective and deterrent sanctions; emphasizes the need for capacity building regarding the investigation of economic, financial and public procurement related crimes; stresses that particular attention should be given to conducting effective checks on the financing of political parties and electoral campaigns and to improving public access to and oversight over the asset declarations of public officials, including those standing for election; calls for the GRECO recommendations to be addresses, notably those on political party financing and conflicts of interest; deems it essential for BiH to adopt a law on conflicts of interest in accordance with European and international standards; urges BiH to conduct an analysis of the existing anti-corruption legal framework and subsequently to adopt a coherent strategy to address gaps and weaknesses identified, in accordance with international and European standards;
Amendment 143 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Welcomes the adoption of the action plan on the implementation of the 2014-2018 Justice Sector Reform Strategy in March 2017 and the establishment of the necessary reporting and monitoring structures; points to the need for decisive action regarding its implementation; is concerned by continuing politically motivated threats against the judiciary; reiterates the need to strengthen the independence of the judiciary, including from political influence, as well as its impartiality, professionalism, efficiency and accountability; welcomes the implementation of the action plan adopted by the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) aimed at strengthening appointment, disciplinary and integrity measures as regards the judiciary, including through improved assets declarations; emphasises the necessity of revising the HJPC Law based on the Commission’s recommendations and the Opinion of the Venice Commission;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Notes that a comprehensive transitional justice strategy, as well as a solid mechanism for compensation of wartime gross human rights violations across the country, including for victims of war related sexual violence, are still lacking;
Amendment 160 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Welcomes recent initiatives aiming at enhancing regional cooperation for resolving the issue of persons missing as a result of the war; calls on the authorities in BiH to be engaged in this process, including by intensifying cooperation between the two entities;
Amendment 161 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Welcomes the adoption of the 2017-2020 Strategy for Combatting Organised Crime and the progress in implementing the action plans on anti- money laundering measures and on the financing of terrorism; calls for a stepping- up of efforts to establish a track record of investigations, prosecutions, final convictions and confiscation of proceeds of organised crime; bwelievcomes thate adopting the necessaryon of the amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code and the Law on the Intelligence Security Agency, in order to align the provisions on special investigative measures and witness immunity with the BiH Constitutional Court decision and(CPC) by the BiH House of Representatives on 17 September 2018, as they are essential for the ability of rule of law institutions to conduct sensitive investigations and cooperate with international law enforcement agencies; stresses that bringing the Law on the Intelligence Security Agency in line with European and international standards, should be theremain a highest priority for the authorities; appreciates the fact that BiH has been removed from the FATF list of ‘high-risk third countries with structural deficiencies in anti-money laundering/counter-terrorism financing’ and calls further efforts in that area in order to be removed from the EU list of high-risk countries; encourages the authorities to further improve BiH capacities for countering terrorism through better coordination and cooperation, exchange of criminal intelligence, prevention of radicalization and de-radicalization programs;
Amendment 172 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Acknowledges that some progress has been made by BiH regarding economic development and competitiveness, but notes that the country is still at an early stage of establishing a functioning market economy; strongly believes that advancing socio-economic reforms should be a high priority up to the elections and beyond; after the elections; stresses the need to strengthen the economic fundamentals, such as growth, employment and the fight against informal economy; points out the importance of restructuring of public sector, including public enterprises, further reduction of labour costs, improving the business environment (also through developing a single economic space), strengthening the growth- friendliness of public finances, notably by focusing on medium term needs, such as infrastructure and education, providing timely and exhaustive statistics in line with European and international standards;
Amendment 178 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Reiterates that BiH needs to ensure an effective and structured implementation of the environmental legislation in accordance with EU standards throughout the country, in line with the countrywide Environmental Approximation Strategy; stresses again the need to swiftly address the transboundary air pollution caused by the oil refinery in Bosanski Brod;
Amendment 184 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Calls on BiH to further develop its transport and energy infrastructure, and to take advantage of the new EU package for development of regional connectivity, as well as to work towards completing the Regional Energy Market in line with its climate commitments;
Amendment 189 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 c (new)
Paragraph 20 c (new)
20c. Regrets that the degree of compliance with EU declarations and decisions of the Council of the EU regarding the Common Foreign and Security Policy(CFSP) has dropped to 61% alignment in 2017 and calls on BiH to step up its efforts in this area;
Amendment 190 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 d (new)
Paragraph 20 d (new)
20 d. Notes the increasing influence of foreign powers in BiH; strongly believes that stronger EU engagement in BiH remains the best way to ensure progress towards European values, stability and prosperity in the country;