BETA


2016/2324(INI) Addressing shrinking civil society space in developing countries

Progress: Procedure completed

RoleCommitteeRapporteurShadows
Lead DEVE JIMÉNEZ-BECERRIL BARRIO Teresa (icon: PPE PPE) FRUNZULICĂ Doru-Claudian (icon: S&D S&D), THEOCHAROUS Eleni (icon: ECR ECR), MICHEL Louis (icon: ALDE ALDE), HEUBUCH Maria (icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE), CORRAO Ignazio (icon: EFDD EFDD)
Committee Opinion AFET ASSIS Francisco (icon: S&D S&D) Renate WEBER (icon: ALDE ALDE)
Lead committee dossier:
Legal Basis:
RoP 54

Events

2018/01/22
   EC - Commission response to text adopted in plenary
Documents
2017/10/03
   EP - Results of vote in Parliament
2017/10/03
   EP - Decision by Parliament
Details

The European Parliament adopted by 509 votes to 90, with 96 abstentions, a resolution on addressing shrinking civil society space in developing countries.

Members recalled that the civil society (which includes non-governmental and non-profit organisations) represented, together with the public and private sectors, the third sector of a healthy and decent society , as a necessary counterweight to the existing power in force.

Civil society organisations (CSOs) have become important players in development aid at the global level, while the Cotonou Agreement recognises civil society as a key actor witin ACP-EU cooperation.

Recognising the major role of civil society : the resolution stressed the importance of an independent, diverse and pluralistic civil society to ensure the development and stability of a country, to ensure democratic consolidation, social justice and respect for human rights, and to establish an inclusive society.

Parliament stressed that the contraction of space devoted to civil society - through legislation, taxation, restrictions on funding, excessive administrative burdens, or by stigmatization as ‘foreign agents’ of CSO representatives - was a global phenomenon that was not limited to developing countries, but also increasingly manifested itself in countries where democracy is firmly anchored, including in EU Member States.

Members therefore called on the EU to recognise the need to assist the governments of beneficiary countries in creating a political, administrative and legal environment for civil society organisations to work effectively.

Protecting human rights defenders : Parliament called for the systematic denunciation of the killings of human rights defenders, and any attempt to subject them to any form of violence, persecution, threat, harassment, forced disappearance, imprisonment or arbitrary arrest. It invited the Union to:

support human rights defenders and increase the conditions and funding mechanisms for civil society actors; put in place monitoring tools for the effective joint implementation of EU guidelines on human rights defenders; ensure the protection and application of sanctions in the event of serious violations human rights; implement EU guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief .

Parliament also called on the EU to:

work towards greater autonomy of civic space , not only through EU development and human rights policies, but also by integrating all other EU internal and external policies, including justice, home affairs, trade and security policies; address the root causes of shrinking civil society space within the framework of a uniform and coherent approach in its relations with the third countries; promote institutional mechanisms and initiatives to strengthen dialogue and build partnerships between governments, CSOs, local authorities and the private sector in developing countries; monitor counter-terrorism measures and aspects of anti-money laundering and transparency legislation and anti-money laundering legislation; develop a monitoring framework of EU external financing instruments , with a special focus on human rights strengthen the role of civil society actors in trade agreement institutions, which should contain binding clauses on human rights.

Parliament reiterated the obligation incumbent on the private sector to adhere to both human rights and the highest social and environmental standards.

Benchmarks and indicators : Members called on the Commission and the EEAS to establish best practices and to develop clear benchmarks and indicators related to shrinking space in the context of the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy and the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR). They also advocated:

increased European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) funds to address the threats to human rights defenders; systematically including shrinking civic space in their bilateral relations between the Union and the Member States; improving protection of civil society organisation representatives in third countries in order to prevent any hostility against them.

Lastly, Parliament shall commit to establishing, on an annual basis, a list of countries where civil society space is most under threat.

Documents
2017/10/03
   EP - End of procedure in Parliament
2017/10/02
   EP - Debate in Parliament
2017/09/05
   EP - Committee report tabled for plenary
Details

The Committee on Development adopted an own-initiative report drawn up by Teresa JIMENEZ-BECERRIL BARRIO (EPP, ES) on addressing shrinking civil society space in developing countries.

The Committee on Foreign Affairs, exercising its prerogative as an associated committee in accordance with Article 54 of the Rules of Procedure, also gave its opinion on the report.

Members recalled that the civil society (which includes non-governmental and non-profit organisations) represented, together with the public and private sectors, the third sector of a healthy and decent society , as a necessary counterweight to the existing power in force.

Civil society organisations (CSOs) have become important players in development aid at the global level, while the Cotonou Agreement recognises civil society as a key actor witin ACP-EU cooperation.

Recognising the major role of civil society : the report stressed the importance of an independent, diverse and pluralistic civil society to ensure the development and stability of a country, to ensure democratic consolidation, social justice and respect for human rights, and also to promote accountability and good governance, particularly in the fight against corruption and violent extremism.

While the shrinking of space for civil society in developing countries, and particularly in conflict-stricken countries, is being carried out in increasingly complex ways which are harder to tackle and imposed through legislation, taxation, funding limitations, increased bureaucracy, Members called on the EU to recognise the need to provide guidance to governments, political parties, parliaments and administrations in beneficiary countries on developing strategies for establishing the appropriate legal, administrative and political environment to enable the efficient work of civil society organisations.

Protecting human rights defenders : concerned at the growing number of attacks on human rights defenders worldwide, Members called for the systematic denunciation of the killings of human rights defenders, and any attempt to subject them to any form of violence, persecution, threat, harassment, forced disappearance, imprisonment or arbitrary arrest.

The Union is invited to: (i) develop guidelines on the freedom of peaceful assembly and association; (ii) put in place monitoring tools for the effective joint implementation of EU guidelines on human rights defenders; (iii) ensure the protection and application of sanctions in the event of serious violations human rights; (iv) implement EU guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief.

The report also called on the EU to:

work towards greater autonomy of civic space , not only through EU development and human rights policies, but also by integrating all other EU internal and external policies, including justice, home affairs, trade and security policies; continue to provide funding to create an enabling environment for civil society at the national and local levels; address the root causes of shrinking civil society space within the framework of a uniform and coherent approach in its relations with the third countries; promote institutional mechanisms and initiatives to strengthen dialogue and build partnerships between governments, CSOs, local authorities and the private sector in developing countries; monitor counter-terrorism measures and aspects of anti-money laundering and transparency legislation and anti-money laundering legislation; establish mandatory and legally enforceable human rights due diligence for the business activities conducted in third countries by companies based in the Union; strengthen the role of civil society actors in trade agreement institutions, which should contain binding clauses on human rights.

Benchmarks and indicators : Members called on the Commission and the EEAS to establish best practices and to develop clear benchmarks and indicators related to shrinking space in the context of the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy and the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR). They also advocated:

increased European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) funds to address the shrinking space and the threats to human rights defenders; establishing a shrinking space monitoring and early warning mechanism ; systematically including shrinking civic space in their bilateral relations between the Union and the Member States; improving protection of civil society organisation representatives in third countries in order to prevent any hostility against them.

Lastly, Parliament shall commit to establishing, on an annual basis , a list of countries where civil society space is most under threat.

Documents
2017/08/30
   EP - Vote in committee
2017/07/11
   EP - Committee opinion
Documents
2017/06/02
   EP - Amendments tabled in committee
Documents
2017/04/26
   EP - Committee draft report
Documents
2017/02/16
   EP - Referral to associated committees announced in Parliament
2017/01/26
   EP - ASSIS Francisco (S&D) appointed as rapporteur in AFET
2017/01/19
   EP - Committee referral announced in Parliament
2016/10/20
   EP - JIMÉNEZ-BECERRIL BARRIO Teresa (PPE) appointed as rapporteur in DEVE

Documents

Votes

A8-0283/2017 - Teresa Jiménez-Becerril Barrio - Résolution 03/10/2017 12:41:10.000 #

2017/10/03 Outcome: +: 509, 0: 96, -: 70
DE IT ES RO FR PL AT BG BE SE CZ NL FI PT DK HR LT SK LV SI EE LU IE HU CY EL GB MT
Total
84
67
52
31
65
49
18
16
19
19
21
26
12
17
13
10
10
13
7
7
6
5
9
14
6
20
51
6
icon: S&D S&D
177

Netherlands S&D

3

Croatia S&D

2

Latvia S&D

1

Slovenia S&D

For (1)

1

Estonia S&D

For (1)

1

Ireland S&D

For (1)

1

Cyprus S&D

2

Malta S&D

3
icon: PPE PPE
198

Denmark PPE

For (1)

1

Lithuania PPE

Abstain (1)

2

Estonia PPE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg PPE

3

Cyprus PPE

1
icon: ALDE ALDE
67

Romania ALDE

3

Austria ALDE

For (1)

1

Portugal ALDE

1

Croatia ALDE

For (1)

1

Latvia ALDE

1

Slovenia ALDE

For (1)

1

Estonia ALDE

3

Luxembourg ALDE

For (1)

1

Ireland ALDE

For (1)

1

United Kingdom ALDE

1
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
45

Italy Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Spain Verts/ALE

3

Austria Verts/ALE

3

Belgium Verts/ALE

2

Netherlands Verts/ALE

2

Finland Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Denmark Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Croatia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Lithuania Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Latvia Verts/ALE

1

Slovenia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Estonia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

1
icon: ECR ECR
53

Italy ECR

2

Romania ECR

For (1)

1

Bulgaria ECR

2

Belgium ECR

2

Czechia ECR

2

Netherlands ECR

For (1)

Against (1)

2

Finland ECR

1

Croatia ECR

For (1)

1

Lithuania ECR

Abstain (1)

1

Slovakia ECR

Abstain (1)

3

Latvia ECR

For (1)

1

Cyprus ECR

1

Greece ECR

Abstain (1)

1

United Kingdom ECR

Abstain (1)

5
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
47

Italy GUE/NGL

3

Sweden GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Netherlands GUE/NGL

3

Finland GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Portugal GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

3

Denmark GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Ireland GUE/NGL

3

Cyprus GUE/NGL

2

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

Against (1)

1
icon: EFDD EFDD
36

France EFDD

1

Poland EFDD

1

Sweden EFDD

2

Czechia EFDD

Against (1)

1

Lithuania EFDD

For (1)

1
icon: NI NI
15

Germany NI

Against (1)

1

France NI

Against (1)

Abstain (1)

2

Poland NI

Against (1)

Abstain (1)

2

Hungary NI

2

United Kingdom NI

3
icon: ENF ENF
35

Germany ENF

Against (1)

1

Romania ENF

Abstain (1)

1

Poland ENF

Against (1)

1

Belgium ENF

Abstain (1)

1

Netherlands ENF

4

United Kingdom ENF

Against (1)

1
AmendmentsDossier
218 2016/2324(INI)
2017/06/01 AFET 61 amendments...
source: 605.959
2017/06/02 DEVE 157 amendments...
source: 604.630

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)

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  • date: 2017-09-05T00:00:00 type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A8-2017-0283&language=EN title: A8-0283/2017 summary: The Committee on Development adopted an own-initiative report drawn up by Teresa JIMENEZ-BECERRIL BARRIO (EPP, ES) on addressing shrinking civil society space in developing countries. The Committee on Foreign Affairs, exercising its prerogative as an associated committee in accordance with Article 54 of the Rules of Procedure, also gave its opinion on the report. Members recalled that the civil society (which includes non-governmental and non-profit organisations) represented, together with the public and private sectors, the third sector of a healthy and decent society , as a necessary counterweight to the existing power in force. Civil society organisations (CSOs) have become important players in development aid at the global level, while the Cotonou Agreement recognises civil society as a key actor witin ACP-EU cooperation. Recognising the major role of civil society : the report stressed the importance of an independent, diverse and pluralistic civil society to ensure the development and stability of a country, to ensure democratic consolidation, social justice and respect for human rights, and also to promote accountability and good governance, particularly in the fight against corruption and violent extremism. While the shrinking of space for civil society in developing countries, and particularly in conflict-stricken countries, is being carried out in increasingly complex ways which are harder to tackle and imposed through legislation, taxation, funding limitations, increased bureaucracy, Members called on the EU to recognise the need to provide guidance to governments, political parties, parliaments and administrations in beneficiary countries on developing strategies for establishing the appropriate legal, administrative and political environment to enable the efficient work of civil society organisations. Protecting human rights defenders : concerned at the growing number of attacks on human rights defenders worldwide, Members called for the systematic denunciation of the killings of human rights defenders, and any attempt to subject them to any form of violence, persecution, threat, harassment, forced disappearance, imprisonment or arbitrary arrest. The Union is invited to: (i) develop guidelines on the freedom of peaceful assembly and association; (ii) put in place monitoring tools for the effective joint implementation of EU guidelines on human rights defenders; (iii) ensure the protection and application of sanctions in the event of serious violations human rights; (iv) implement EU guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief. The report also called on the EU to: work towards greater autonomy of civic space , not only through EU development and human rights policies, but also by integrating all other EU internal and external policies, including justice, home affairs, trade and security policies; continue to provide funding to create an enabling environment for civil society at the national and local levels; address the root causes of shrinking civil society space within the framework of a uniform and coherent approach in its relations with the third countries; promote institutional mechanisms and initiatives to strengthen dialogue and build partnerships between governments, CSOs, local authorities and the private sector in developing countries; monitor counter-terrorism measures and aspects of anti-money laundering and transparency legislation and anti-money laundering legislation; establish mandatory and legally enforceable human rights due diligence for the business activities conducted in third countries by companies based in the Union; strengthen the role of civil society actors in trade agreement institutions, which should contain binding clauses on human rights. Benchmarks and indicators : Members called on the Commission and the EEAS to establish best practices and to develop clear benchmarks and indicators related to shrinking space in the context of the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy and the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR). They also advocated: increased European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) funds to address the shrinking space and the threats to human rights defenders; establishing a shrinking space monitoring and early warning mechanism ; systematically including shrinking civic space in their bilateral relations between the Union and the Member States; improving protection of civil society organisation representatives in third countries in order to prevent any hostility against them. Lastly, Parliament shall commit to establishing, on an annual basis , a list of countries where civil society space is most under threat.
  • date: 2017-10-02T00:00:00 type: Debate in Parliament body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20171002&type=CRE title: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2017-10-03T00:00:00 type: Results of vote in Parliament body: EP docs: url: https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=30139&l=en title: Results of vote in Parliament
  • date: 2017-10-03T00:00:00 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2017-0365 title: T8-0365/2017 summary: The European Parliament adopted by 509 votes to 90, with 96 abstentions, a resolution on addressing shrinking civil society space in developing countries. Members recalled that the civil society (which includes non-governmental and non-profit organisations) represented, together with the public and private sectors, the third sector of a healthy and decent society , as a necessary counterweight to the existing power in force. Civil society organisations (CSOs) have become important players in development aid at the global level, while the Cotonou Agreement recognises civil society as a key actor witin ACP-EU cooperation. Recognising the major role of civil society : the resolution stressed the importance of an independent, diverse and pluralistic civil society to ensure the development and stability of a country, to ensure democratic consolidation, social justice and respect for human rights, and to establish an inclusive society. Parliament stressed that the contraction of space devoted to civil society - through legislation, taxation, restrictions on funding, excessive administrative burdens, or by stigmatization as ‘foreign agents’ of CSO representatives - was a global phenomenon that was not limited to developing countries, but also increasingly manifested itself in countries where democracy is firmly anchored, including in EU Member States. Members therefore called on the EU to recognise the need to assist the governments of beneficiary countries in creating a political, administrative and legal environment for civil society organisations to work effectively. Protecting human rights defenders : Parliament called for the systematic denunciation of the killings of human rights defenders, and any attempt to subject them to any form of violence, persecution, threat, harassment, forced disappearance, imprisonment or arbitrary arrest. It invited the Union to: support human rights defenders and increase the conditions and funding mechanisms for civil society actors; put in place monitoring tools for the effective joint implementation of EU guidelines on human rights defenders; ensure the protection and application of sanctions in the event of serious violations human rights; implement EU guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief . Parliament also called on the EU to: work towards greater autonomy of civic space , not only through EU development and human rights policies, but also by integrating all other EU internal and external policies, including justice, home affairs, trade and security policies; address the root causes of shrinking civil society space within the framework of a uniform and coherent approach in its relations with the third countries; promote institutional mechanisms and initiatives to strengthen dialogue and build partnerships between governments, CSOs, local authorities and the private sector in developing countries; monitor counter-terrorism measures and aspects of anti-money laundering and transparency legislation and anti-money laundering legislation; develop a monitoring framework of EU external financing instruments , with a special focus on human rights strengthen the role of civil society actors in trade agreement institutions, which should contain binding clauses on human rights. Parliament reiterated the obligation incumbent on the private sector to adhere to both human rights and the highest social and environmental standards. Benchmarks and indicators : Members called on the Commission and the EEAS to establish best practices and to develop clear benchmarks and indicators related to shrinking space in the context of the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy and the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR). They also advocated: increased European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) funds to address the threats to human rights defenders; systematically including shrinking civic space in their bilateral relations between the Union and the Member States; improving protection of civil society organisation representatives in third countries in order to prevent any hostility against them. Lastly, Parliament shall commit to establishing, on an annual basis, a list of countries where civil society space is most under threat.
  • date: 2017-10-03T00:00:00 type: End of procedure in Parliament body: EP
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  • The Committee on Development adopted an own-initiative report drawn up by Teresa JIMENEZ-BECERRIL BARRIO (EPP, ES) on addressing shrinking civil society space in developing countries.

    The Committee on Foreign Affairs, exercising its prerogative as an associated committee in accordance with Article 54 of the Rules of Procedure, also gave its opinion on the report.

    Members recalled that the civil society (which includes non-governmental and non-profit organisations) represented, together with the public and private sectors, the third sector of a healthy and decent society, as a necessary counterweight to the existing power in force.

    Civil society organisations (CSOs) have become important players in development aid at the global level, while the Cotonou Agreement recognises civil society as a key actor witin ACP-EU cooperation.

    Recognising the major role of civil society: the report stressed the importance of an independent, diverse and pluralistic civil society to ensure the development and stability of a country, to ensure democratic consolidation, social justice and respect for human rights, and also to promote accountability and good governance, particularly in the fight against corruption and violent extremism.

    While the shrinking of space for civil society in developing countries, and particularly in conflict-stricken countries, is being carried out in increasingly complex ways which are harder to tackle and imposed through legislation, taxation, funding limitations, increased bureaucracy, Members called on the EU to recognise the need to provide guidance to governments, political parties, parliaments and administrations in beneficiary countries on developing strategies for establishing the appropriate legal, administrative and political environment to enable the efficient work of civil society organisations.

    Protecting human rights defenders: concerned at the growing number of attacks on human rights defenders worldwide, Members called for the systematic denunciation of the killings of human rights defenders, and any attempt to subject them to any form of violence, persecution, threat, harassment, forced disappearance, imprisonment or arbitrary arrest.

    The Union is invited to: (i) develop guidelines on the freedom of peaceful assembly and association; (ii) put in place monitoring tools for the effective joint implementation of EU guidelines on human rights defenders; (iii) ensure the protection and application of sanctions in the event of serious violations human rights; (iv) implement EU guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief.

    The report also called on the EU to:

    • work towards greater autonomy of civic space, not only through EU development and human rights policies, but also by integrating all other EU internal and external policies, including justice, home affairs, trade and security policies;
    • continue to provide funding to create an enabling environment for civil society at the national and local levels;
    • address the root causes of shrinking civil society space within the framework of a uniform and coherent approach in its relations with the third countries;
    • promote institutional mechanisms and initiatives to strengthen dialogue and build partnerships between governments, CSOs, local authorities and the private sector in developing countries;
    • monitor counter-terrorism measures and aspects of anti-money laundering and transparency legislation and anti-money laundering legislation;
    • establish mandatory and legally enforceable human rights due diligence for the business activities conducted in third countries by companies based in the Union;
    • strengthen the role of civil society actors in trade agreement institutions, which should contain binding clauses on human rights.

    Benchmarks and indicators: Members called on the Commission and the EEAS to establish best practices and to develop clear benchmarks and indicators related to shrinking space in the context of the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy and the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR). They also advocated:

    • increased European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) funds to address the shrinking space and the threats to human rights defenders;
    • establishing a shrinking space monitoring and early warning mechanism;
    • systematically including shrinking civic space in their bilateral relations between the Union and the Member States;
    • improving protection of civil society organisation representatives in third countries in order to prevent any hostility against them.

    Lastly, Parliament shall commit to establishing, on an annual basis, a list of countries where civil society space is most under threat.

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