Procedure completed
2007/2208(INI) Stabilisation of Afghanistan: challenges for the EU and the international community
Lead committee dossier: AFET/6/53530
Legal Basis RoP 052
| Role | Committee | Rapporteur | Shadows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | AFET | BRIE André (GUE/NGL) | |
| Opinion | DEVE | SCHRÖDER Jürgen (PPE-DE) |
Legal Basis RoP 052
Subjects
Activites
-
2008/07/08
Results of vote in Parliament
- Results of vote in Parliament
- Debate in Parliament
-
T6-0337/2008
summary
The European Parliament adopted by 423 votes to 74 with 43 abstentions, a resolution on the process of Stabilisation in Afghanistan: challenges for the EU and the international community.The report had been tabled for consideration in plenary by André BRIE (GUE/NGL, DE) on behalf of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. It should be noted that the rapporteur withdrew his name from the report as he considered that he was not be able to convince MEPs that military solutions were not viable for Afghanistan. Above all, Parliament takes the view that, as a result of the last 30 years of Soviet occupation, the fighting between various Mujahideen factions and repression under the Taliban regime, Afghanistan has started an important and complicated reconstruction process. It welcomes the efforts and progress made since 2002 by the Afghan people, although the country must make considerable efforts to put an end to the vicious circle of poverty and violence. On violence, Parliament condemns in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attack on the Indian Embassy in Kabul on 7 July 2008 and reiterates its view that the Afghanistan-Pakistan relationship has been the source of much of the region's instability. It hopes that, with the new government in Pakistan, the improvement of the bilateral relationship will receive a fresh impetus. It believes, however, that without the active engagement and assistance of the international community, the two countries will not be able to extricate themselves from their difficult bilateral relationship. It urges the international community to initiate and support measures to lessen tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, including a long-term programme to stabilise and develop the cross-border region involving stakeholders on both sides. To rebuild a durably stable and democratic Afghanistan, Parliament considers it necessary to mobilise the whole population and civil society at the different stages of the country’s reconstruction, including during elections. It is also essential to combat corruption, drug trafficking and violence, which undermines the development of Afghan society as a whole.The EU, a political and humanitarian organisation: Parliament notes that in Afghanistan the EU is primarily known as a humanitarian organisation. According to the Parliament, the EU must have a stronger political influence, by strengthening its visibility at local level. As for the international community, it must better coordinate its efforts to provide efficient and sustainable civilian aid. A balanced budget allocating sufficient funds for civil reconstruction and humanitarian assistance is therefore essential. In this context, Parliament welcomes the fact that the International Conference of 12 June 2008 not only saw pledges of a further USD 21 billion but also reviewed the procedures needed to make international aid more effectively and precisely oriented towards priorities and to prevent corruption. Measures are also necessary in terms of security, by providing Afghanistan with additional combat troops in the most difficult areas. In this regard, MEPs stress that the US operation ‘Enduring Freedom’ could be perceived as counterproductive if the military pressure on the insurgents is not matched by a strengthened political process through which the Afghan authorities reach out to all segments of the population.Strengthen security: efforts must be made to strengthen the fight against local and international terrorism, religious extremism, ethnic extremism, ethnic separatism and all actions aimed at subverting the territorial integrity and state unity of Afghanistan. Parliament supports the efforts of NATO forces to improve security in the country and tackle local and international terrorism. Parliament recalls that Afghanistan's security problems are more complex than just a war on terror and they therefore require more than a military solution. According to the Parliament, security and the rule of law are interdependent, and strengthening the rule of law is necessary in order to enable the country's citizens to make healthy economic and social choices. Parliament also stresses the urgent need to develop a balanced and sustainable approach to security sector reform, providing for a professional national army and police force. However, it is worth noting that the overall outcome of police reform efforts during the past five years has been disappointing. Therefore, the international community and the EU police mission (EUPOL) must continue their efforts to develop Afghanistan’s own police force, characterised by respect for human rights and the rule of law. In this context, the EU must increase considerably the resources envisaged for EUPOL, in terms of both personnel and financing (in particular, Parliament regret the fact that the EUPOL mission has yet to reach full strength). Security and development: according to the Parliament, provincial reconstruction teams (PRTs) should concentrate on specific objectives related to security, training and working with the Afghan police and military, and supporting the reach of the central government into insecure areas. There is an urgent need to develop and strengthen the nascent civil society in Afghanistan, in order to develop a broad awareness of the importance of human rights and gender equality as well as the protection of minorities. In order to overcome the culture of violence prevailing in Afghan society, the international donor community should lend financial and technical support to local projects aimed at reconciliation.Strengthen freedom of expression: all efforts must be made to ensure freedom of the media and the press. In this context, Parliament expresses its concern about President Karzai's refusal to sign the draft media law. It therefore calls on the Afghan Government to undertake to guarantee effective freedom of speech for all its citizens, starting with the defence of Internet freedom. It also emphasises the importance of a forward-looking mass media law that is mindful of the country’s religious and cultural values without curtailing the independence of the media. Parliament is very concerned about the rising number of attacks on journalists, and calls on the Afghan authorities to seriously investigate these violations.Death penalty: Parliamentexpresses its concern for the physical integrity of Ms Malalai Joya, Member of the Wolesi Jirga, and of Latif Pedram, two human rights activists under house arrest. Once again, its calls on the Afghan authorities to introduce the moratorium on the death penalty as well as for fair trials for those individuals who are facing the death penalty.Women’s rights: while Parliament notes the unquestionable progress made in terms of women’s rights, it remains concerned about the huge income disparities between men and women, the very low literacy rate of women and the injustices – induced by cultural practices – suffered by women and girls. It stresses the urgent need for measures aimed at protecting the rights of women as well as the need to earmark funds for them (particularly with a view to their education).Afghan refugees: Parliament draws attention to the fact that the UNHCR has helped 3.69 million Afghan refugees to return to Afghanistan since March 2002, but that, despite these returns, approximately 3.5 million Afghans still remain in Pakistan and Iran. It is concerned about the decline in funding for Afghan refugees, and underlines that maintaining a successful repatriation programme is likely to become more expensive. According to the Parliament, the safe and voluntary return of Afghan refugees and displaced persons should remain a high priority for the international community. Parliament calls on the Commission and the Member States to increase funding for refugee reintegration. Trafficking of drugs and opium: Parliament expresses its deep concern about the ever-expanding trafficking of opium, and stresses that this trafficking is a source of corruption and undermines public institutions, particularly those in the security and justice sectors. Parliament states that the international community led by the Afghan government must develop a long-term strategy aimed primarily at comprehensive rural development to curtail poppy cultivation. Parliament calls on the US Government to abandon its crop eradication policy and notably the use of "Roundup" for aerial sprayings, a substance which is associated with serious environmental and health hazards, inasmuch as targeting poppy farmers will only fuel resentment against the international troop presence.Furthermore, the major social and health problems caused by drug addiction in general, and the social and economic consequences for addicted Afghan women in particular, appear to be catastrophic (according to a survey in 2005, there were 920 000 drug users in Afghanistan, of which 120 000 were women). Parliament considers that the government of Afghanistan is currently unable to enforce the anti-drug laws in the country. The international community must therefore devise appropriate programmes, activities and awareness-raising campaigns targeting addicted women and their families. Lastly, Parliament recalls the European Parliament’s initiative to support democracy-building with parliaments in third countries, and resolve to make use of it for capacity-building of the Afghan Parliament.
- 2008/06/27 Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
-
2008/06/24
Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
- #2870
-
2008/05/26
Council Meeting
- #2864
-
2008/04/29
Council Meeting
- #2839
-
2007/12/10
Council Meeting
-
2007/09/27
Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
Documents
- Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading: A6-0269/2008
- Results of vote in Parliament: Results of vote in Parliament
- Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
- Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: T6-0337/2008
| Amendments | Dossier |
| 148 |
2007/2208(INI)
2008/05/15
AFET
148 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph - 1 a (new) -1a. Stresses that, since the attack on Afghanistan six years ago and the subsequent military interventions, the situation of the people of Afghanistan has not improved;
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Draws attention to the lasting effects of the wars that have taken place in the country, the millions of victims, the disabled, refugees and displaced and the material costs resulting from the destruction of almost all the main infrastructure;
Amendment 100 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 a (new) 13a. Considers that the Afghanistan- Pakistan relationship, which has been tense for most of the last sixty years and now even threatens global security, has been the source of much of the region’s instability, and therefore concludes that stabilising the region requires a comprehensive policy geared to that relationship; hopes that, with the new government in Pakistan, the improvement of the bilateral relationship will receive a fresh and positive impetus; believes, however, that without the active engagement and assistance of the international community the two countries will not be able to extricate themselves from their difficult bilateral relationship; recognises that security in Afghanistan hinges to a very large extent on the democratisation of Pakistan; urges the international community to initiate and support measures that lessen tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, including a long-term programme to stabilise and develop the cross-border region, involving stakeholders on both sides;
Amendment 101 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 b (new) 13b. Draws attention to the ethnic dimension in the state of affairs in Afghanistan, which has done much damage in the past and continues to pose an obstacle to the reconstruction process; acknowledges the difficulty in eradicating this problem, which may require a very long time to be resolved because ethnic divides run deep; takes the view that, although Afghanistan has a very centralised government, it actually needs decentralised governance to provide services to its scattered and ethnically diverse population; urges the international community to support the solidification of multi-ethnic parties, striving for a ‘united’ Afghanistan and advocating national reconciliation, and refers in this respect to Article 35 of the Constitution, which states that the ‘formation and functioning of a party based on ethnicity, language, Islamic school of thought (mazhab-i fiqhi) and region is not permissible’;
Amendment 102 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 c (new) 13c. Is concerned about the major social and health problems caused by drug addiction in general, and the social and economic consequences for addicted Afghan women in particular; refers to a UN Office on Drugs and Crime survey of 2005 according to which there were 920 000 drug users in Afghanistan, of which 120 000 were women; highlights the statement contained in the survey that, instead of viewing drug addiction as a social problem, Afghan society views it as an individual problem, and many women use drugs for medical purposes to alleviate and remedy a range of physical and psychological problems; notes that, although there are severe punishments are prescribed for growing, smuggling and using drugs, the government of Afghanistan is currently unable to enforce the laws in that regard; urges the Afghan government and the international community to devise, finance and implement appropriate programmes, activities and awareness-raising campaigns targeting addicted women and their families;
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14.
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 a (new) 14a. Recalls the European Parliament’s initiative, under its 2008 budget, to support democracy-building with parliaments in third countries, and resolves to make use of it for capacity- building and technical assistance aimed at improving the ability of the Afghan Parliament to legislate and to monitor the executive branch, especially by upholding the rule of law and respect for human rights, and women’s rights in particular;
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 a (new) 14a. Considers that the European Union should – in view of the objective linguistic and cultural difficulties encountered by civil operators sent out for the reconstruction work – promote training courses for personnel of this kind; considers that one of the reasons for the many failures of the international community lies in fact in the mistaken approach of applying Western principles and methods that are beyond the experience of local people;
Amendment 106 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 15. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Secretary-General of NATO, the Council and the Commission, and to the governments and parliaments of the Member States and of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
Amendment 107 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A A. whereas Afghanistan is at a crossroads,
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A A. whereas Afghanistan is at a crossroads, as evidenced by the rise in the violent insurgency, increased opium production
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A A. whereas Afghanistan is at a crossroads, as evidenced by the rise in t
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 b (new) 1b. Welcomes the efforts and progress made since 2002 by the Afghan people and institutions towards establishing the rule of law and democracy and the search for stability; considers these achievements to be extremely important with regard to the structural problems of a lack of legality and respect for humanity dignity that characterised Afghanistan under the Soviet regime and the Taliban;
Amendment 110 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A A. whereas Afghanistan is at a crossroads, as evidenced by the rise in the violent insurgency, a seriously deteriorating security situation, increased opium production, and growing popular discontent over corruption and government failures; whereas despite the efforts of the international community and the partial success as regards civil reconstruction, the living conditions of considerable sections of the Afghan population have not improved
Amendment 111 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A A. whereas Afghanistan is at a crossroads, as evidenced by the rise in the violent insurgency, increased opium production, and growing popular discontent over corruption and government failures; whereas despite the efforts of the international community and the partial success as regards civil reconstruction, the living conditions of considerable sections of the Afghan population have not improved; whereas the current threat Afghanistan is facing requires short-term action but long-term solutions will only come about through comprehensive improvements in governance and the emergence of a stronger state that is delivering to its citizens,
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A a (new) Amendment 113 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B B. whereas the United States – with support from the United Kingdom – began Operation Enduring Freedom on 7 October 2001; whereas four other EU Member States - the Czech Republic, France, Poland and Romania - are among the coalition forces participating in the operation; whereas apart from Cyprus and Malta all EU Member States contribute troops to the NATO-led ISAF mission, amounting to more than 21,500 troops; whereas the presence of foreign troops constitutes an occupation; whereas the first provincial reconstruction teams (PRTs) started in late 2001 and currently there are approximately 34 PRTs operating in the entire country,
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B B. whereas the United States – with support from the United Kingdom – began Operation Enduring Freedom on 7 October 2001; whereas four other EU Member
Amendment 115 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B B. whereas the United States – with support from the United Kingdom – began Operation Enduring Freedom on 7 October 2001; whereas four other EU Member States - the Czech Republic, France, Poland and Romania - are among the coalition forces participating in the operation; whereas apart from Cyprus and Malta all EU Member States contribute troops to the NATO-led ISAF mission, amounting to more than 21,500 troops; whereas the first provincial reconstruction teams (PRTs) started in late 2001 and currently there are approximately
Amendment 116 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B a (new) Ba. whereas the military activities of the Taliban do not pose a direct threat to Afghanistan's sovereignty and their main objective is to sow discord among the NATO allies and create the impression that it is impossible to bring peace to the region, with the result that the dispatching of new NATO forces to Afghanistan has been suspended,
Amendment 117 #
Motion for a resolution Recital C Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution Recital C a (new) Ca. whereas more than half of the inhabitants of Afghanistan are living below the poverty line and the country's economy is one of the weakest in the world, with unemployment reaching 40%,
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E E. whereas Afghanistan’s educational system is showing the first signs of positive developments such as an increasing number of children and particularly girls, students and teachers who have returned to school (although female enrolment has been stagnating at some 30%), the ongoing rehabilitation of primary schools and the training for teachers,
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 c (new) 1c. Considers, in particular, that the massive turnout at the country's various elections attests to the desire of the women and men of Afghanistan to help establish a country based on the principles of active and participatory democracy; stresses that these elections have provided an example in the regional context and for developing countries experiencing serious armed conflicts;
Amendment 120 #
Motion for a resolution Recital F Amendment 121 #
Motion for a resolution Recital F F. whereas there are no official figures on civilian deaths in Afghanistan but a study by the Afghan government suggests that more than 3,700 people were killed by fighting in Afghanistan in 2006; whereas the majority appear to be insurgents, but it is estimated that some 1,000 civilians were killed by both Taliban attacks and NATO air strikes
Amendment 122 #
Motion for a resolution Recital F F. whereas although there are no official figures on civilian deaths in Afghanistan
Amendment 123 #
Motion for a resolution Recital F F. whereas there are no official figures on civilian deaths in Afghanistan but a study by the Afghan government suggests that more than 3,700 people were killed by fighting in Afghanistan in 2006; whereas the majority appear to be insurgents, but it is estimated that some 1,000 civilians were killed
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution Recital F F. whereas
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution Recital F a (new) Fa. whereas under the US secret detention programme hundreds of Afghan prisoners remain detained in various prison facilities, such as at the Bagram military base and at Guantánamo, in violation of international humanitarian and human rights law; whereas prisoners in Afghan custody continue to be faced with a law enforcement system that lacks the minimum standards of the rule of law and respect for fundamental human rights,
Amendment 126 #
Motion for a resolution Recital F a (new) Fa. whereas the new Afghan Constitution does not guarantee full religious freedom, since abandoning Islam remains a punishable offence,
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution Recital F a (new) Fa. Whereas the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board for Afghanistan meeting on 5 and 6 February 2008 in Tokyo began to prepare an international conference to review progress of implementation of the plan adopted by the London Conference of 2006 (Afghanistan Compact),
Amendment 128 #
Motion for a resolution Recital G (new) G. whereas the 2008 Afghanistan Opium Winter Rapid Assessment Survey (done by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) confirms the trends of the 2007 survey, according to which the number of opium-free provinces in the north and centre might grow but the level of cultivation in the south and west is likely to increase; whereas the 2007 report on the one hand repeats the misconception that provinces with little or no poppy cultivation are ‘opium-free’ but emphasises on the other hand the link between insecurity and narcotics production; whereas the core tools of a counter-narcotics policy are crop eradication, interdiction (which is much more complex than arresting traffickers), and development (alternative livelihoods) pursued simultaneously,
Amendment 129 #
Motion for a resolution Recital H (new) Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 d (new) 1d. Highlights the continuing difficulties and growing threats resulting from the weakness of the institutions intended to provided for the citizens’ basic needs, such as education, housing, health and food; stresses the need for Afghanistan’s institutions to continue to fight against all forms of corruption and to put in place effective policies to improve social conditions for the population;
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution Recital I (new) I. whereas under Article 61 of the Constitution President Karzai’s presidential tenure must end on 22 May 2009, with elections held 30-60 days before that date; whereas President Karzai has lost the broad popular support and legitimacy that he enjoyed before the presidential elections in 2004; whereas in addition to the Presidential elections the Constitution requires Provincial Council elections to be held in the autumn of 2009 and National Assembly elections in the spring of 2010; whereas the country’s ability to hold free and fair elections is a key benchmark of its progress; whereas the Taliban have already pledged to bring widespread disruption to the elections,
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 2 Amendment 132 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 3 Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 4 Amendment 134 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 5 Amendment 135 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 6 a (new) Amendment 136 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 7 Amendment 137 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 9 Amendment 138 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 10 Amendment 139 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 10 – having regard to the UNODC Afghanistan Opium Survey 2007
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Notes that in Afghanistan the EU is primarily known as a humanitarian organisation, but considers that there is also a need for the EU to be seen as having a stronger political influence and therefore calls on the Commission to propose strategies whereby, mindful of the natural sovereignty of the Afghan people, the EU might strengthen its visibility when empowering the civil, political and bureaucratic apparatus, until the governmental infrastructure has passed into times of greater stability and permanence;
Amendment 140 #
Motion for a resolution 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 141 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 11 Amendment 142 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 12 Amendment 143 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 12 a (new) – having regard to the Government of Afghanistan’s National Drug Control Strategy (NDCS) launched at the London Conference in January 2006,
Amendment 144 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 13 a (new) – having regard to the conclusions of the General Affairs Council on Afghanistan of 10 March 2008,
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 14 Amendment 146 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 17 - having regard to the visit of the delegation from the Afghan Parliament (Wolesi Jirga) to the European Parliament on 2
Amendment 147 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 17 a (new) – having regard to the Council Conclusions of 29 April 2008 on Afghanistan’s National Drug Control Strategy,
Amendment 148 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 19 Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Stresses the need for the international community to better coordinate its efforts to provide efficient and sustainable civilian aid; therefore also calls for a balanced budget allocating sufficient funds for civil reconstruction and humanitarian assistance, inasmuch as the creation of security and respect for the rule of law are matters of core importance;
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2.
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Stresses the urgent need for the international community to analyse what strategic and conceptual misjudgements have contributed to the current situation in Afghanistan, including an honest assessment of both the current military strategy and the strategy for civil reconstruction; concludes that a major shift of strategy is necessary as peace, security and development will only prevail if the spiral of violence is brought to an end, if the prevailing military solution is replaced by reinforced civil reconstruction efforts, and if, as a result, the confidence of the Afghan population is restored;
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Stresses the urgent need for the international community to analyse what strategic and conceptual misjudgements have contributed to the current situation in Afghanistan, including an honest assessment of both the current military strategy and the strategy for civil reconstruction; concludes that a major shift of strategy is necessary as peace, security and development will only prevail if the spiral of violence is brought to an end, if the prevailing military solution is replaced by reinforced civil reconstruction efforts, and if, as a result, the confidence of the Afghan population is restored;
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Stresses the urgent need for
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1.
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Stresses the urgent need for the international community to
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Stresses the urgent need for the international community to analyse what strategic and conceptual misjudgements have contributed to the current situation in Afghanistan, including an honest assessment of both the current military strategy and the strategy for civil reconstruction; concludes that a major shift of strategy is necessary as peace, security and development will only prevail if the spiral of violence is brought to an end, if
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Stresses the
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Stresses the urgent need for the international community to analyse what strategic and conceptual misjudgements have contributed to the current situation in Afghanistan, including an honest assessment of both the current military strategy and the strategy for civil reconstruction; concludes that a major shift of strategy is necessary as peace, security and development will only prevail if the spiral of violence is brought to an end
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Stresses the urgent need for the international community to
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Stresses the urgent need for the international community to analyse what strategic and conceptual misjudgements have contributed to the current situation in Afghanistan, including an honest assessment of both the current military strategy and the strategy for civil reconstruction; concludes that a major shift of strategy is necessary as peace, security and development will only prevail if the spiral of violence is brought to an end, if the prevailing military solution is
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Stresses the urgent need for the international community to analyse what strategic and conceptual misjudgements have contributed to the current situation in Afghanistan, including an honest assessment of both the current military strategy and the strategy for civil reconstruction; insists that one of the first steps towards a possible lasting peace must be the withdrawal of all occupying troops; concludes that a major shift of strategy is necessary as peace, security and development will only prevail if the spiral of violence is brought to an end, if the prevailing military solution is replaced by reinforced civil reconstruction efforts, and if, as a result, the confidence of the Afghan population is restored; considers in particular that "Operation Enduring Freedom" is politically counterproductive because reconciliation and consolidation of peace cannot be imposed militarily from the outside but have to be developed inside Afghanistan;
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Stresses the urgent need for the international community to analyse what strategic and conceptual misjudgements
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 a (new) 2a. Calls on the United States to put an end to its secret detention programme, to dismantle the facilities used in that connection, and to try, or else release, the remaining detainees in full compliance with international law and standards; considers that the perpetrators of the documented crimes of torture, murder and enforced disappearances in the context of the secret detention programme should be held accountable;
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 b (new) 2b. Insists that, as long as the basic conditions for due process are not met, Coalition and ISAF forces should refrain from delivering prisoners to the Afghan law-enforcement bodies;
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1.
Amendment 30 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 a (new) 2a. Points out that the origin of the strategic and conceptual misjudgements to which paragraph 2 refers lie in the uncritical acceptance by the international community of the choices made by the American administration after September 11, 2001; choices, not appraised or upheld by the United Nations, that justified launching a military offensive against one State (Afghanistan) in response to a terrorist attack that that State had not committed;
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 a (new) 2a. insists that one of the first steps towards a possible lasting peace must be the withdrawal of all occupying troops;
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 c (new) 2c. Stresses that European Union should use the experience and expertise of its missions and of those Member States that already have a military or civilian presence on Afghanistan territory, in the process of the stabilisation and reconstruction of Afghanistan;
Amendment 33 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 a (new) 2a. Supports the efforts of NATO forces to improve security in the country and tackle local and international terrorism, and considers the presence of these forces to be essential in order to ensure the country’s future;
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 g (new) 2g. Urges the EU and its Member States to support the efforts to combat terrorism, religious extremism, ethnic extremism, ethnic separatism and all actions aimed at subverting the territorial integrity, state unity and national sovereignty of Afghanistan;
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 d (new) 2d. Considers that the EU should support, via EUPOL AFGHANISTAN and through adequate financial instruments, the constitutional construction of the Afghan State and its institutions, which must be democratic, legitimate, credible, stable, functional and capable of acting efficiently in the service of Afghanistan’s citizens;
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 e (new) 2e. Draws attention to the idea that the EU and its Member States should support Afghanistan in the construction of its own state, with stronger democratic institutions capable of ensuring national sovereignty, state unity, territorial integrity, sustainable economic development and the prosperity of the people of Afghanistan, and respecting the historical, religious, spiritual and cultural traditions of all ethnic and religious communities situated on Afghan territory;
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 f (new) 2f. Considers that the EU and its Member States should support the creation of advisory bodies, comprising the leaders of all ethnic and religious communities in Afghanistan, with the purpose of ensuring additional legitimacy and reconciliation for the central authority through their presence and activities;
Amendment 38 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 b (new) 2b. Draws attention to the fact that the EU should engage in a dialogue with the USA and Pakistan about the new EU strategy regarding Afghanistan;
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 a (new) 2a. Points out that the EU should create and promote a multi-annual Country Strategy Paper for Afghanistan;
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Takes the view that after more than 20 years of civil war Afghanistan has practically become a "failed state", characterised by missing or weak institutions at all levels
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 h (new) 2h. Considers that the EU should channel the European funding for Afghanistan directly to the beneficiary local institutions and ensure that those funds are efficiently managed by the EU institutions in a manner that is transparent and open to EU citizens;
Amendment 41 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 a (new) 2a. Notes that redevelopment needs are important throughout Afghanistan, but that the problem of aid distribution and security is a singular problem in the Pashtun-dominated area, and therefore calls for the reconstruction activities in southern Afghanistan to be speeded up;
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 i (new) 2i. Draws attention to the fact that the EU should encourage and help European investors to be involved in rebuilding Afghanistan, to be present on the ground and to develop businesses there;
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Points out that
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Points out that the main problem facing the country is restoring security;
Amendment 45 #
Motion for a resolution 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 stable security
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Points out that the main problems facing the country
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Points out that one of the main problems facing the country is restoring security; notes that
Amendment 48 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Points out that the main problem facing
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Points out that the main problem facing the country is restoring security; notes that Afghanistan’s security problems are more complex
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Takes the view that after more than 20 years of civil war Afghanistan has become a "failed state", characterised by missing or weak institutions at all levels and unable to satisfy the most basic needs of its citizens such as education, housing, health, nutrition; is convinced that the country has become a test case for the success or failure of international
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Welcomes the commitment expressed in the Afghanistan Compact ‘to work towards a stable and prosperous Afghanistan, with good governance and human rights protection for all under the rule of law’; takes the view that in the absence of clear priorities or sequencing the Compact should have defined guidelines on how to achieve these ambitious goals, and stresses, therefore, the need for donors to ensure that their programmes are aligned with these priorities at the central and provincial levels and that the resources allocated are appropriate and effectively disbursed
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Welcomes the commitment expressed in the Afghanistan Compact ‘to work towards a stable and prosperous Afghanistan, with good governance and human rights protection for all under the rule of law’; takes the view that in the absence of clear priorities or sequencing the Compact should have defined guidelines on how to achieve these ambitious goals, and stresses, therefore, the need for donors to ensure that their programmes are aligned with
Amendment 52 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. Calls on the Afghan government to urgently reform the security law of 1987, which is partly responsible for the largely arbitrary criminal justice system in Afghanistan;
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Stresses the urgent need to develop a balanced and sustainable approach to security sector reform (SSR), providing for a professional national army and police force;
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Stresses the urgent need to develop a balanced and sustainable approach to security sector reform (SSR), providing for a professional national army and police force; is concerned about the fact that the different approaches and focus of the main actors in the SSR have resulted in a situation where the development of the army is more advanced than that of the police
Amendment 55 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 Amendment 56 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Draws attention to the
Amendment 57 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Draws attention to the fact that despite some achievements to date, the overall outcome of police reform efforts during the past five years has been
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Draws attention to the fact that despite some achievements to date, the overall outcome of police reform efforts during the past five years has been disappointing, demonstrating the serious inadequacies of the international community when it comes to institution building;
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Draws attention to the fact that the EUPOL m
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Takes the view that after more than 20 years of civil war Afghanistan
Amendment 60 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Draws attention to the fact that the EUPOL mandate
Amendment 61 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Draws attention to the fact that the EUPOL mandate foresees the coordination of activities in reforms of the police and justice sectors, and therefore calls on the Council and the Commission to better co- ordinate their respective activities in order to make the EU’s policies more coherent and efficient; considers it equally important for the EU to considerably increase the resources foreseen for EUPOL both in terms of personnel and financing; expresses its support for the EUR 2.5 million programme under the Stability Instrument concerning measures to reform the appointment of judges and prosecutors, and expects that this pilot scheme will serve to develop a substantial long-term justice sector reform programme for 2009;
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Draws attention to the fact that the EUPOL mandate foresees the coordination of activities in reforms of the police and justice sectors , and therefore calls on the Council and the Commission to better co- ordinate their respective activities in order to make the EU's policies more coherent and efficient;
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 a (new) Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8. Stresses the need to redefine the role of the provincial reconstruction teams (PRTs)
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8. Str
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8. Stresses the need to redefine the role of the provincial reconstruction teams (PRTs) as a result of the wider role of the military, which is increasingly overlapping with the mandates of civilian aid agencies, causing significant friction; is convinced that the goals of humanitarian organisations, which operate on the basis of neutrality, independence and impartiality, and those of the military are not compatible;
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8. Stresses the need to redefine the role of the provincial reconstruction teams (PRTs)
Amendment 69 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8. Stresses the need to redefine the role of the provincial reconstruction teams (PRTs) as a result of the wider role of the military, which is increasingly overlapping with the mandates of civilian aid agencies, causing significant friction; calls on EU Member States that operate PRTs in Afghanistan to strengthen their coordination and exchange best practices with a view to establishing a common approach to civilian-military operations in the country; is convinced that the goals of humanitarian organisations, which
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 a (new) 1. Takes the view that after more than 20 years of civil war Afghanistan has become a ‘failed state’, characterised by missing or weak institutions at all levels and unable to satisfy the most basic needs of its citizens such as education, housing, health, nutrition; is convinced that the country has become a test case for the success or
Amendment 70 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8. Stresses the need to redefine the role of the provincial reconstruction teams (PRTs) as a result of the wider role of the military, which is increasingly overlapping with the mandates of civilian aid agencies, causing significant friction; is convinced that the goals of humanitarian organisations, which operate on the basis of neutrality, independence and impartiality, and those of the military are not compatible; strongly believes that the PRTs should concentrate on specific objectives related to security, training and working with the Afghan police and military, and supporting the reach of the central government into insecure areas; believes that the numbers of Afghans working in PRTs should be boosted and that local ownership should be enhanced as much as possible;
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 a (new) 8a. Stresses the fact that Afghanistan presents particular challenges to international military and civilian actors; underlines the vital need for military authorities and civilian aid agencies to coordinate and cooperate in a way that both responds to the complex security situation on the ground and seeks to safeguard the neutrality, independence and impartiality of the activities of humanitarian organisations;
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 a (new) 8a. Points out that the main challenge lying ahead is the building of democratic institutions that are owned by the Afghan citizens, that are accountable to them and that deliver adequate services; stresses the need to further entrench the re- established Afghan state institutions throughout the country; adds that restoring public confidence in the state institutions should be an important goal and notes in that respect the importance of successfully fighting corruption;
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 a (new) 8a. Is extremely concerned that various areas of Afghanistan, especially the south and south-east regions, remain almost inaccessible for humanitarian aid and involve a great security risk for any actions taken by the international community or by civil society organisations in those regions; calls on the Council and the Commission to draw up a strategy plan in cooperation with other international actors on how to access those regions and provide sustainable humanitarian aid and furthermore to assist those regions in implementing the rule of law and guaranteeing access to education and healthcare;
Amendment 74 #
Motion for a resolution 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
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution 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 in particular gender equality and education; stresses that a strong civil society can only develop in a political environment that is characterised by stable and efficient institutions and well-organised political parties; 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;
Amendment 76 #
Motion for a resolution 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 in particular gender equality and education;
Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution 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
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 a (new) 9a. Believes that the strengthening of Afghan civil society will only be successful if all ethnic and religious groups are represented and heard, which also includes cooperation with traditional tribal leaders (as already practised in the so-called ‘Tribal Liaison Offices’);
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10.
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Takes the view that after more than 20 years of civil war Afghanistan ha
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Emphasises that media freedom is essential in creating a democratic society; is very concerned about the rising number of attacks on journalists and calls on the Afghan authorities to seriously investigate these violations; 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
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution 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 82 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10.
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Expresses its concern about President Karzai’s refusal to sign the
Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 a (new) 10a. Highlights the importance of a forward-looking mass media law for the development of a more inclusive, tolerant and democratic society that is mindful of the country’s religious and cultural values without curtailing the activities and independence of the media on the pretext of national security or religion and culture;
Amendment 85 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 b 10b. Emphasises the importance of the upcoming Presidential elections for the future of Afghanistan, because the country’s problems require a political solution and not a purely military one; is therefore concerned about the deteriorating security situation, particularly in the south, since it may well render the holding of these elections nearly impossible; points out that, so far, the President and his government have been entirely dependent on the continued massive presence of international forces and thus on ‘buying stability’ in the short term; strongly believes that long-term solutions are necessary and that these include the serious commitment of the President and the government to fight the widespread corruption and lack of the rule of law, to introduce an efficient, effective and accountable administration, and to demonstrate good governance that meets the basic needs of the Afghan people;
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 a (new) 10a. Expresses its concern for the physical integrity of Ms Malalai Joya, Member of the Wolesi Jirga, and calls on the Afghan authorities to guarantee her protection;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 b (new) 10b. Expresses its utmost concern for the life of Pervez Kambash and other individuals who are facing the death penalty in a judicial system which is not yet able to ensure a fair trial, and calls on President Karzai to commute their sentences;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 11.
Amendment 89 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 11. Welcomes Afghanistan’s progress in improving women’s political representation; remains concerned about the huge income disparities between men and women, very low literacy rate of women, the injustices to women and girls
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Takes the view that after more than 20 years of civil war Afghanistan has become a ‘failed state’, characterised by missing or weak institutions
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 11. Welcomes Afghanistan’s progress in improving women’s political representation; remains concerned about the huge income disparities between men and women, very low literacy rate of women, the injustices to women and girls, both in the denial of basic services like
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 11. Welcomes Afghanistan's progress in improving women’s political representation; expresses its solidarity with all the women in the country who are struggling to defend and promote their rights; remains concerned about the huge income disparities between men and women, very low literacy rate of women, the injustices to women and girls, both in the d
Amendment 92 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 a (new) 11a. Is concerned at the influence still wielded by the warlords and the role of the Taliban in the eastern parts of Afghanistan, where there is no control by state structures and public executions take place; views with growing concern the fact that the commitment set out in the Afghanistan Compact ‘to work toward a stable and prosperous Afghanistan, with good governance and human rights protection for all under the rule of law’ is completely meaningless in the absence of an implementation strategy binding on all sides; notes, too, that no positive change in the situation of women will take place until the warlords are disarmed and a fundamental political transformation of the country can be brought about;
Amendment 93 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 a (new) 11a. Stresses the urgent need to enhance efforts to control the growth of the country’s population – which rose by 3.88% p.a. over the period 2000-2005 – by strengthening family planning services at national level, supported by a targeted national campaign to raise awareness of the challenges which uncontrolled population growth poses to the overall wellbeing and development of the country;
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Draws attention to the fact that the UNHCR has helped 3.69 million Afghan refugees return to Afghanistan since March 2002, marking the largest assisted return operation in its history but that, despite these returns, approximately 3.5 million registered and unregistered Afghans still remain in Pakistan and Iran and the governments of both those countries have announced their intention to repatriate large numbers of refugees over the coming year; is concerned about the decline in funding for Afghan refugees and underlines that maintaining a successful repatriation program is likely to become more expensive, as the refugees remaining in Pakistan and Iran have less resources and weaker ties to Afghanistan than those who returned earlier; stresses that the safe and voluntary return of Afghan refugees and displaced persons should remain a high priority for Afghanistan and the international community; calls on the Commission and the Member States to increase funding for refugee reintegration;
Amendment 95 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Expresses its deep concern about the
Amendment 96 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Expresses its deep concern about the ever-expanding cultivation and trafficking of opium which has serious political and national security implications in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries; stresses that the opium economy has become a source of corruption and undercuts public institutions, particularly those in the security and justice sectors; since there is no obvious solution, and since repressive measures aimed at crop eradication have not produced the expected results, calls on the international community and the Afghan government to develop a long-term strategy primarily aimed at comprehensive rural development, including the establishment of the necessary infrastructure and functioning administrative institutions; welcomes the increased dialogue between the Afghanistan, Iran and the international community on ways to curtail opium production and export;
Amendment 97 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Expresses its deep concern about the ever-expanding cultivation and trafficking of opium which has serious political and national security implications; stresses that the opium economy has become a source of corruption and undercuts public institutions, particularly those in the security and justice sectors; since there is no obvious solution, and since repressive
Amendment 98 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13a (new) 13a. Calls on the US government to abandon its crop eradication policy and notably the use of ‘Roundup’ for aerial sprayings, a substance which is associated with serious environmental and health hazards, inasmuch as targeting poppy farmers will only fuel resentment against the international troop presence;
Amendment 99 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 b (new) 13b. Believes that, given the extent of the dependence of Afghan farmers on opium production, all possible contributions to a viable income solution for the rural population concerned should be considered, including licit opium production for medical treatment; expresses its regret that the EU Council, in its conclusions of 29 April 2008, rejects any such notion, and expects the Council and the Commission to present to Parliament within the next few months a conclusive concept of economic development for Afghanistan;
source: PE-404.588
|
History
(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)
2015-11-04Show (1) Changes | Timetravel
| procedure/subject/0 |
Old
6.10.04 Third-countries political situation, local and regional conflictsNew
6.10.04 Third-country political situation, local and regional conflicts |
2014-11-10Show (5) Changes
| activities |
|
| committees |
|
| links |
|
| other |
|
| procedure |
|