BETA


2016/2607(RSP) Resolution on freedom of expression in Kazakhstan

Progress: Procedure completed

Events

2016/03/10
   EP - Results of vote in Parliament
2016/03/10
   EP - Debate in Parliament
2016/03/10
   EP - Decision by Parliament
Details

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the freedom of expression in Kazakhstan.

The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ECR, ALDE, GUE/NGL, Greens/EFA and EFDD groups.

Parliament stressed its concerns about the climate for media and free speech in Kazakhstan and pointed out that freedom of speech for independent media, bloggers and individual citizens is a universal value that cannot be bargained away.

Concerned about the amendments to the Communications Law adopted in 2014, Members regretted the indiscriminate blocking of news, social media and other websites on the grounds that they feature unlawful content. They called on the Kazakh authorities to quash the convictions of bloggers and to ensure that any measure to restrict access to internet resources is based on law.

Parliament emphasised that the legitimate fight against terrorism and extremism should not be used as an excuse to ban opposition activity, hinder the freedom of expression or hamper the independence of the judiciary. It called on the Kazakh authorities to:

release the opposition leader Vladimir Kozlov, who is currently being held under strict prison conditions, pending an independent and impartial review of his case; guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights activists and NGOs in Kazakhstan are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals; review the articles of the Criminal Code that can be used to criminalise lawful behaviour protected by human rights law, in particular Article 174 on ‘inciting social, national, clan, racial, class or religious discord’; implement fully the recommendations of the OSCE/Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights before the next parliamentary elections in March 2016; implement the national torture prevention mechanism; commit to the achievements of the Sustainable Development Goals recently adopted at international level.

Parliament also highlighted the great interest the EU has in a sustainable relationship with Kazakhstan in terms of political and economic cooperation. It stressed that deeper political and economic relations with the EU as envisaged by the recently signed Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement must be b ased on shared values and correspond to an active and concrete engagement by Kazakhstan to conduct political and democratic reforms stemming from its international obligations and commitments.

The EU, and in particular on the European External Action Service, are called upon to monitor closely developments in Kazakhstan , to raise concerns with the Kazakh authorities where necessary, to offer assistance, and to report regularly to Parliament.

Documents
2016/03/10
   EP - End of procedure in Parliament
2016/03/08
   EP - Motion for a resolution
Documents
2016/03/08
   EP - Motion for a resolution
Documents
2016/03/08
   EP - Motion for a resolution
Documents
2016/03/08
   EP - Motion for a resolution
Documents
2016/03/08
   EP - Motion for a resolution
Documents
2016/03/08
   EP - Motion for a resolution
Documents
2016/03/08
   Joint motion for resolution
Documents
2016/03/07
   EP - Motion for a resolution
Documents

Documents

Activities

Votes

RC-B8-0337/2016 - Am 5 #

2016/03/10 Outcome: +: 483, -: 145, 0: 25
DE IT ES RO PL HU PT EL SE BE IE FR SK AT SI MT BG HR CZ GB CY LU DK FI LV EE LT NL
Total
87
61
49
29
41
16
19
20
18
20
10
64
12
16
8
6
15
11
16
58
6
6
11
10
6
4
11
22
icon: PPE PPE
191

Cyprus PPE

1

Luxembourg PPE

3

Denmark PPE

For (1)

1

Estonia PPE

For (1)

1
2
icon: S&D S&D
171

Ireland S&D

For (1)

1

Slovenia S&D

For (1)

1

Malta S&D

3
3

Croatia S&D

2

Czechia S&D

3

Cyprus S&D

2

Luxembourg S&D

For (1)

1

Finland S&D

1

Latvia S&D

Against (1)

1

Estonia S&D

For (1)

1

Netherlands S&D

2
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
42

Hungary Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Sweden Verts/ALE

3

Belgium Verts/ALE

2

Austria Verts/ALE

2

Slovenia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Croatia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

United Kingdom Verts/ALE

4

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Denmark Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Finland Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Estonia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Lithuania Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Netherlands Verts/ALE

2
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
44

Italy GUE/NGL

2

Portugal GUE/NGL

For (1)

4

France GUE/NGL

2

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

1

Cyprus GUE/NGL

2

Denmark GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Finland GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Netherlands GUE/NGL

3
icon: EFDD EFDD
39

Poland EFDD

1

Sweden EFDD

2

France EFDD

Against (1)

1

Czechia EFDD

Abstain (1)

1

Lithuania EFDD

Against (1)

1
icon: NI NI
13

Germany NI

2

Poland NI

Against (1)

1

Hungary NI

Abstain (1)

2

France NI

2

United Kingdom NI

Against (1)

1
icon: ENF ENF
34

Romania ENF

Against (1)

1
2

Belgium ENF

Abstain (1)

1

Austria ENF

3

United Kingdom ENF

Against (1)

1

Netherlands ENF

4
icon: ECR ECR
56

Italy ECR

Against (1)

1

Romania ECR

Against (1)

1

Greece ECR

For (1)

1

Slovakia ECR

Against (1)

Abstain (1)

2

Bulgaria ECR

2

Croatia ECR

Against (1)

1

Czechia ECR

Against (1)

1

Cyprus ECR

Against (1)

1

Denmark ECR

3

Finland ECR

2

Lithuania ECR

Abstain (1)

1

Netherlands ECR

Against (1)

1
icon: ALDE ALDE
62

Romania ALDE

3

Portugal ALDE

2

Ireland ALDE

For (1)

1

Austria ALDE

Against (1)

1

Slovenia ALDE

Against (1)

1

Bulgaria ALDE

3

Croatia ALDE

2

United Kingdom ALDE

Against (1)

1

Luxembourg ALDE

Against (1)

1

Denmark ALDE

2

Finland ALDE

2

Latvia ALDE

1

Estonia ALDE

Against (1)

1

RC-B8-0337/2016 - Am 3 #

2016/03/10 Outcome: +: 370, -: 234, 0: 46
IT GB ES DE BE SE IE PT DK NL FI CZ CY LT EE MT RO LU BG HR AT EL SI SK LV FR HU PL
Total
59
57
49
87
20
18
10
19
11
22
10
17
6
11
4
6
29
6
16
11
16
19
8
12
6
62
16
42
icon: S&D S&D
169

Ireland S&D

For (1)

1

Netherlands S&D

2

Finland S&D

1

Czechia S&D

3

Cyprus S&D

2

Lithuania S&D

Abstain (1)

2

Estonia S&D

For (1)

1

Malta S&D

3

Luxembourg S&D

For (1)

1
3

Croatia S&D

2

Slovenia S&D

For (1)

1

Latvia S&D

Against (1)

1
icon: ALDE ALDE
63

United Kingdom ALDE

1

Ireland ALDE

For (1)

1

Denmark ALDE

2

Finland ALDE

2

Estonia ALDE

For (1)

1

Romania ALDE

Abstain (1)

3

Luxembourg ALDE

For (1)

1

Croatia ALDE

2

Austria ALDE

For (1)

1

Slovenia ALDE

For (1)

1

Latvia ALDE

1
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
43

Italy GUE/NGL

2

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

1

Denmark GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Netherlands GUE/NGL

3

Finland GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Czechia GUE/NGL

1

Cyprus GUE/NGL

2

France GUE/NGL

1
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
42

United Kingdom Verts/ALE

4

Belgium Verts/ALE

2

Sweden Verts/ALE

3

Denmark Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Netherlands Verts/ALE

2

Finland Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Lithuania Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Estonia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Croatia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Austria Verts/ALE

2

Slovenia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Hungary Verts/ALE

For (1)

1
icon: EFDD EFDD
39

Sweden EFDD

2

Czechia EFDD

Abstain (1)

1

Lithuania EFDD

Against (1)

1

France EFDD

Against (1)

1

Poland EFDD

1
icon: ECR ECR
56

Italy ECR

Abstain (1)

1

Netherlands ECR

Abstain (1)

1

Finland ECR

Abstain (1)

2

Czechia ECR

1

Cyprus ECR

1

Lithuania ECR

Abstain (1)

1

Romania ECR

Abstain (1)

1

Bulgaria ECR

2

Croatia ECR

Abstain (1)

1

Greece ECR

Abstain (1)

1

Slovakia ECR

2
icon: NI NI
13

United Kingdom NI

Abstain (1)

1

Germany NI

Against (1)

2

France NI

Against (1)

Abstain (1)

2

Hungary NI

2

Poland NI

Against (1)

1
icon: ENF ENF
33

United Kingdom ENF

Against (1)

1

Belgium ENF

Abstain (1)

1

Netherlands ENF

4

Romania ENF

Against (1)

1

Austria ENF

3

Poland ENF

2
icon: PPE PPE
191

Belgium PPE

For (1)

4

Denmark PPE

Against (1)

1

Finland PPE

Against (1)

3

Cyprus PPE

Against (1)

1

Lithuania PPE

2

Estonia PPE

Against (1)

1

Malta PPE

3

Luxembourg PPE

Against (2)

Abstain (1)

3

History

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

docs/0/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-8-2016-0343_EN.html
New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-8-2016-0343_EN.html
docs/1/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-8-2016-0337_EN.html
New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-8-2016-0337_EN.html
docs/2/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-8-2016-0344_EN.html
New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-8-2016-0344_EN.html
docs/3/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-8-2016-0345_EN.html
New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-8-2016-0345_EN.html
docs/4/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-8-2016-0349_EN.html
New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-8-2016-0349_EN.html
docs/5/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-8-2016-0373_EN.html
New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-8-2016-0373_EN.html
docs/6/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-8-2016-0375_EN.html
New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-8-2016-0375_EN.html
docs/7/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/RC-8-2016-0337_EN.html
New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/RC-8-2016-0337_EN.html
events/1/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20160310&type=CRE
New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/CRE-8-2016-03-10-TOC_EN.html
events/2
date
2016-03-10T00:00:00
type
Decision by Parliament
body
EP
docs
url: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-8-2016-0083_EN.html title: T8-0083/2016
summary
events/2
date
2016-03-10T00:00:00
type
Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
body
EP
docs
url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-8-2016-0083_EN.html title: T8-0083/2016
summary
procedure/Modified legal basis
Rules of Procedure EP 144
procedure/Other legal basis
Rules of Procedure EP 144
docs/0/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B8-2016-0343&language=EN
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-8-2016-0343_EN.html
docs/1/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B8-2016-0337&language=EN
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-8-2016-0337_EN.html
docs/2/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B8-2016-0344&language=EN
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-8-2016-0344_EN.html
docs/3/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B8-2016-0345&language=EN
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-8-2016-0345_EN.html
docs/4/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B8-2016-0349&language=EN
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-8-2016-0349_EN.html
docs/5/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B8-2016-0373&language=EN
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-8-2016-0373_EN.html
docs/6/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B8-2016-0375&language=EN
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-8-2016-0375_EN.html
docs/7/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=P8-RC-2016-0337&language=EN
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/RC-8-2016-0337_EN.html
events/2/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2016-0083
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-8-2016-0083_EN.html
activities
  • date: 2016-03-10T00:00:00 body: EP type: Debate in Parliament docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2016-0083 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T8-0083/2016
committees
    docs
    • date: 2016-03-07T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B8-2016-0343&language=EN title: B8-0343/2016 type: Motion for a resolution body: EP
    • date: 2016-03-08T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B8-2016-0337&language=EN title: B8-0337/2016 type: Motion for a resolution body: EP
    • date: 2016-03-08T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B8-2016-0344&language=EN title: B8-0344/2016 type: Motion for a resolution body: EP
    • date: 2016-03-08T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B8-2016-0345&language=EN title: B8-0345/2016 type: Motion for a resolution body: EP
    • date: 2016-03-08T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B8-2016-0349&language=EN title: B8-0349/2016 type: Motion for a resolution body: EP
    • date: 2016-03-08T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B8-2016-0373&language=EN title: B8-0373/2016 type: Motion for a resolution body: EP
    • date: 2016-03-08T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B8-2016-0375&language=EN title: B8-0375/2016 type: Motion for a resolution body: EP
    • date: 2016-03-08T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=P8-RC-2016-0337&language=EN title: RC-B8-0337/2016 type: Joint motion for resolution
    events
    • date: 2016-03-10T00:00:00 type: Results of vote in Parliament body: EP docs: url: https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=26951&l=en title: Results of vote in Parliament
    • date: 2016-03-10T00:00:00 type: Debate in Parliament body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20160310&type=CRE title: Debate in Parliament
    • date: 2016-03-10T00:00:00 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-2016-0083 title: T8-0083/2016 summary: The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the freedom of expression in Kazakhstan. The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ECR, ALDE, GUE/NGL, Greens/EFA and EFDD groups. Parliament stressed its concerns about the climate for media and free speech in Kazakhstan and pointed out that freedom of speech for independent media, bloggers and individual citizens is a universal value that cannot be bargained away. Concerned about the amendments to the Communications Law adopted in 2014, Members regretted the indiscriminate blocking of news, social media and other websites on the grounds that they feature unlawful content. They called on the Kazakh authorities to quash the convictions of bloggers and to ensure that any measure to restrict access to internet resources is based on law. Parliament emphasised that the legitimate fight against terrorism and extremism should not be used as an excuse to ban opposition activity, hinder the freedom of expression or hamper the independence of the judiciary. It called on the Kazakh authorities to: release the opposition leader Vladimir Kozlov, who is currently being held under strict prison conditions, pending an independent and impartial review of his case; guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights activists and NGOs in Kazakhstan are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals; review the articles of the Criminal Code that can be used to criminalise lawful behaviour protected by human rights law, in particular Article 174 on ‘inciting social, national, clan, racial, class or religious discord’; implement fully the recommendations of the OSCE/Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights before the next parliamentary elections in March 2016; implement the national torture prevention mechanism; commit to the achievements of the Sustainable Development Goals recently adopted at international level. Parliament also highlighted the great interest the EU has in a sustainable relationship with Kazakhstan in terms of political and economic cooperation. It stressed that deeper political and economic relations with the EU as envisaged by the recently signed Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement must be b ased on shared values and correspond to an active and concrete engagement by Kazakhstan to conduct political and democratic reforms stemming from its international obligations and commitments. The EU, and in particular on the European External Action Service, are called upon to monitor closely developments in Kazakhstan , to raise concerns with the Kazakh authorities where necessary, to offer assistance, and to report regularly to Parliament.
    • date: 2016-03-10T00:00:00 type: End of procedure in Parliament body: EP
    links
    other
      procedure/Modified legal basis
      Old
      Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 135
      New
      Rules of Procedure EP 144
      procedure/subject
      Old
      • 6.10.08 Fundamental freedoms, human rights, democracy in general
      New
      6.10.08
      Fundamental freedoms, human rights, democracy in general
      activities/0/docs
      • url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2016-0083 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T8-0083/2016
      activities/0/type
      Old
      Debate in plenary scheduled
      New
      Debate in Parliament
      procedure/stage_reached
      Old
      Awaiting Parliament 1st reading / single reading / budget 1st stage
      New
      Procedure completed
      procedure/title
      Old
      Freedom of expression in Kazakhstan
      New
      Resolution on freedom of expression in Kazakhstan
      activities/0/type
      Old
      Indicative plenary sitting date, 1st reading/single reading
      New
      Debate in plenary scheduled
      activities
      • date: 2016-03-10T00:00:00 body: EP type: Indicative plenary sitting date, 1st reading/single reading
      committees
        links
        other
          procedure
          reference
          2016/2607(RSP)
          title
          Freedom of expression in Kazakhstan
          geographical_area
          Kazakhstan
          stage_reached
          Awaiting Parliament 1st reading / single reading / budget 1st stage
          subtype
          Urgent debate or resolution
          Modified legal basis
          Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 135
          type
          RSP - Resolutions on topical subjects
          subject
          6.10.08 Fundamental freedoms, human rights, democracy in general