2021/2186(INI) | [ParlTrack]

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Expresses concern about the number of petitions setting out cases of discrimination; in this context, stresses that discrimination remains one of the most serious and unacceptable threats to fundamental rights and that it has no place in any aspect of life; regrets the fact that the proposal for a Council Directive on implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation (COM(2008)0426) (the ‘horizontal Anti-Discrimination Directive’) remains blocked in the Council, and calls on the Commission to propose new anti-discrimination legislation; calls, therefore, on the Member States to effectively tackle every alleged case of discrimination and to deal with it in accordance with EU and national law;

Amendment 10 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1 b. 3. Recalls that in accordance with Article 6 of the TFEU the competence to protect and improve human health lies with the EU Member States; takes note, however, of the increasing number of health-related petitions, linked, interalia, to the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic during the last couple of years, affecting the access to health care especially for patients with chronic diseases; underlines the high level of Covid-19 comorbidities among chronic patients; recalls the critical situation of patients with rare diseases in many Member States, including the patients with ME/CFS, lacking diagnosis, proper treatment and medical care;

Amendment 11 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1 b. Calls on the Member States to ensure the effective practical enforcement of the Race Equality Directive (2000/43/EC) and to ensure effective enforcement of the Framework Decision on Racism and Xenophobia to combat persisting afrophobia, antigypsyism, antisemitism and islamophobia; points out that the Member States should put forward or review national inclusion strategies to ensure that all people regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender or any other status are empowered to actively participate insocial, economic, political and cultural life;

Amendment 12 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)

1 c. 4. Reiterates, that Rule of Law, media freedom and effective fight against corruption lay at the foundation of our societies and are our core values; stresses, that violation of the principles of Rule of Law and Media freedom, as well as the resulting spread of corruption are however persistent in the Union and such cases are even increasing during the pandemic;

Amendment 13 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 d (new)

1 d. 5. Reminds, that the Covid-19 pandemic, especially in its early phases, caused severe violations of the freedom of movement and freedom of work and deterioration of working and living conditions, especially for thousands of mobile, including seasonal and cross- border workers throughout the Union;

Amendment 14 #

1 e. 6. Expresses its concern about the threat that different forms of propaganda and misinformation, including anti- vaccine propaganda, pose to human life and health, freedom of speech and expression and to the independence of the media, and the negative effects they might have on the quality of political debate and on the participation of citizens in democratic societies; calls on the Commission to promote and invest in the strengthening of media literacy, actively support quality journalism and foster data protection and create a more transparent online ecosystem while safeguarding media freedom and pluralism;

Amendment 15 #

Gianna GANCIA, Stefania ZAMBELLI, Markus BUCHHEIT, Mara BIZZOTTO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Considers that particular attention should be paid to the principle of non- discrimination anchored in Article 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (‘the Charter’) and stresses that this provision must be duly respected; calls, therefore, on the Commission to further develop a rigorous mechanism for a regular assessment of the situation of fundamental rights, and, in particular, the right to non- discrimination, as it constitutes one of the most frequently violated rights;deleted

Amendment 16 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Considers that particular attention should be paid to the principle of non- discrimination anchored in Article 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union ~~(‘the Charter’)~~ and stresses that this provision must be duly respected; calls, therefore, on the ~~Commission~~Member States to further develop a rigorous mechanism for a ~~regular~~n assessment of the situation of fundamental rights, and, in particular, the right to non- discrimination, as it constitutes one of the most frequently violated rights;

Amendment 17 #

Jana TOOM, Maite PAGAZAURTUNDÚA, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Michal WIEZIK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2 a. Regrets that the fundamental rights of women are still lagging in Europe; is deeply concerned with the increase in reactionary trends targeting women; reiterates its strong position on ensuring gender equality and protecting women’s rights, including sexual and reproductive health rights;

Amendment 18 #

Gianna GANCIA, Stefania ZAMBELLI, Markus BUCHHEIT, Mara BIZZOTTO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Considers that LGBTI people face some of the biggest challenges as far as fundamental right~~Stresses that the right to life and physical integrity, as well as afre concerned, and, in particular, the right to non- discrimination; stresses that the right of a person to self-determination of their sex, sexual orientation or gender identity is inviolable; highlights that in spite of the progress madedom of belief, freedom of conscience, freedom of art and of expression, and the inviolability of private property are in cre~~cent years wi~~asingly under th re~~gard to LGBTI acceptance, the situation of LGBTI people in the EU remains critical, as they continue to be the targets of discrimination~~at; affirms that all people are equal in front of the law;

Amendment 19 #

Gianna GANCIA, Stefania ZAMBELLI, Markus BUCHHEIT, Mara BIZZOTTO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Considers that ~~LGBTI people face some of the biggest~~minorities face a challenges as far as fundamental rights are concerned, and, in particular, the right to non-discrimination; stresses that the right of a person to self- determination of their sex, sexual orientation or gender identity is inviolable; highlights that in spite of the progress made in recent years with regard to LGBTI acceptance, the situation of LGBTI people in the EU remains critical, as they continue to be the targets of discrimination;

Amendment 2 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

Amendment 20 #

Jana TOOM, Maite PAGAZAURTUNDÚA, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Michal WIEZIK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

Amendment 21 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Considers that LGBTIQ people face some of the biggest challenges as far as fundamental rights are concerned, and, in particular, the right to non- discrimination; is deeply concerned with the results of FRA survey on how LGBTIQ people experience human and fundamental rights1a, which show ‘little, if any, progress’ in past years and regrets the significant differences between Member States; stresses that the right of a person to self- determination of their sex, sexual orientation or gender identity is inviolable; highlights that in spite of the progress made in recent years with regard to LGBTIQ social acceptance, which has increased in most Member States, the situation of LGBTIQ people in the EU remains critical, as they continue to be the targets of discrimination; _________________ 1a https://fra.europa.eu/sites/default/files/fra _uploads/fra-2020-lgbti-equality-1_en.pdf

Amendment 22 #

Ibán GARCÍA DEL BLANCO, Marc ANGEL, Cristina MAESTRE MARTÍN DE ALMAGRO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Considers that LGBTI people face some of the biggest challenges as far as fundamental rights are concerned, and, in particular, the right to non-discrimination; stresses that the right of a person to self- determination of their sex, sexual orientation or gender identity is inviolable~~; highlights that in spite of the progress made in recent years with regard to LGBTI acceptance,~~, and that sexual orientation and gender identity have increasingly been recognised as discrimination grounds in international law; highlights that in spite of the progress made in recent years with regard to LGBTI acceptance, only in the field of employment EU law protects LGBTIQ persons from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, and regrets that the situation of LGBTIQ people in the EU still remains critical, as they continue to be the targets of discrimination across all areas of life, becoming vulnerable to verbal and physical attacks that remain largely invisible out of fear of negative consequences;

Amendment 23 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Considers that LGBTI people face some of the biggest challenges as far as fundamental rights are concerned, and, in particular, the right to non-discrimination; stresses that the right of a person to self- determination of their sex, sexual orientation or gender identity is inviolable~~; highlights that in spite of the progress made in recent years with regard to LGBTI acceptance,~~, and that sexual orientation and gender identity have increasingly been recognised as discrimination grounds in international law; highlights that in spite of the progress made in recent years with regard to LGBTI acceptance, only in the field of employment EU law protects lesbian, bisexual and gay people from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, and regrets that the situation of LGBTI people in the EU still remains critical, as they continue to be the targets of discrimination across all areas of life, becoming vulnerable to verbal and physical attacks that remain largely invisible out of fear of negative consequences;

Amendment 24 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Considers that LGBTI people face some of the biggest challenges as far as fundamental rights are concerned, and, in particular, the right to non-discrimination; stresses that the right of a person to self- determination of their sex, sexual orientation or gender identity is inviolable; highlights that in spite of the progress made in recent years with regard to LGBTI acceptance, the situation of LGBTI people in the EU remains critical, as they continue to be the targets of discrimination; Is deeply concerned about a backlash in rights and attitudes to LGBTI persons and a sharp rise of hate speech, often carried out by public figures; Strongly condemns anti-LGBTI rhetoric and the proclamation of "LGBT-free zones" or "zones free from LGBT ideology";

Amendment 25 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3 a. Conveys worries about the on- going attacks on the independence of the juridicary in some EU Member States; expresses grave concern about the negative developments which took place in both Hungary and Poland; is concerned about the lack of progress in the article 7 proceedings in the Council

Amendment 26 #

Gianna GANCIA, Stefania ZAMBELLI, Markus BUCHHEIT, Mara BIZZOTTO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Urges the Commission, in the light of the increase in the number of cases of discrimination on various grounds, in particular of a person’s sex, sexual orientation and gender identity, to ensure that the Charter is upheld and adhered to, using all legal instruments provided for; calls on the Commission and the Fundamental Rights Agency to work together to raise awareness about the problem, in order to guarantee equality for all EU citizens;deleted

Amendment 27 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Urges the Commission, in the light of the increase in the number of cases of discrimination on various grounds~~, in particular of a person’s sex, sexual orientation and gender identity, to ensure that the Charter~~ to ensure that the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union is upheld and adhered to, using ~~all~~the legal instruments provided for; ~~calls on the Commission and the Fundamental Rights Agency to work together to raise awareness about the problem, in order to guarantee equality for all EU citizens;~~

Amendment 28 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Urges the Commission, in the light of the increase in the number of cases of discrimination on various grounds, ~~in particular of a person’s sex, sexual orientation and gender identity,~~ to ensure that the Charter is upheld and adhered to, using all legal instruments provided for; calls on the Commission and the Fundamental Rights Agency to work together to raise awareness about the problem, in order to guarantee equality for all EU citizens;

Amendment 29 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. Highlights that the Oviedo Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine and its Protocols 1d as well as the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU (especially art. 3) guarantee, without discrimination, the respect for bodily integrity of any person, who can receive a medical product only after "the free and informed consent"; notes, with deep concerns, that despite such protection in the EU law of the fundamental rights, many EU Members States, with the tacit approval of the European Commission, have imposed sanctions or restrictions to EU citizens who are not vaccinated, like denying them access to employment, certain public places, hotels, restaurants, or fining them, thereby coercing them to be vaccinated against their free will; notes, also, that the European Commission had not published the full version of the contracts signed with the vaccine companies, which violates the right to an "informed consent" of a person; calls on the European Commission and the Member States to stop immediately any restrictive or punitive measures against people who are not vaccinated, and respect the right of all the people to bodily integrity; _________________ 1d https://www.coe.int/en/web/bioethics/ovied o-convention

Amendment 3 #

Jana TOOM, Maite PAGAZAURTUNDÚA, Michal WIEZIK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Expresses concern about the number of petitions setting out cases of discrimination; and especially discrimination of people with disabilities, violation of their worker’s and social rights, the right to access to work and independent living; in this context, stresses that discrimination remains one of the most serious and unacceptable threats to fundamental rights and that it has no place in any aspect of life; regrets the fact that the proposal for a Council Directive on implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation (COM(2008)0426) (the ‘horizontal Anti-Discrimination Directive’) remains blocked in the Council, ~~and calls on the Commission to propose new anti- discrimination legislation;~~ calls, therefore, on the Member States to effectively tackle every alleged case of discrimination and to deal with it in accordance with EU and national law; underlines the need for targeted efforts on EU and national level to address violations of the rights of people with disabilities;

Amendment 30 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. Reaffirms its regret concerning the effective limitation of the scope of application of the Charter due to the restrictive interpretation of its Article 51; recalls that the expectations of citizens go beyond the strict implementation of the Charter and that the objective should be to render fundamental rights as effective as possible; reiterates its call for consideration to be given to broadening the interpretation of Article 51 beyond the scope of Union law or deleting it altogether, as stated in previous resolutions2a; emphasises that national parliaments are central to promoting and protecting Charter rights within their territories; encourages Member States to fully observe the principles of the Charter in their legislative drafting and to ensure that their national laws respect the highest standards of protection of fundamental rights; believes that interparliamentary cooperation on issues related to the application of the Charter between the European Parliament and national parliaments can improve compliance with the Charter; _________________ 2a Report on the situation of fundamental rights in the European Union (2012) A7- 0051/2014

Amendment 31 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. Welcomes the landmark judgment of the European Court of Justice in the Common case in June 2018, which clarified that term ‘spouse’ within the meaning of the provisions of EU law on freedom of residence for EU citizens and their family members includes spouses of the same sex; Urges the member states in the EU that do not recognise either same- sex partnerships or marriages to amend their national laws in such a way as to provide a legal framework for ensuring that the CJEU’s ruling is properly implemented. Urges the Commission to propose without delay a New proposed EU legislation on mutual recognition of parenthood

Amendment 32 #

Jana TOOM, Maite PAGAZAURTUNDÚA, Michal WIEZIK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. Expresses its concern on the fact that the 2021 Rainbow Europe Map, ILGA-Europe’s annual benchmarking tool, highlighted the almost complete stagnation on human rights of LGBTIQ persons, notably concerning the recognition of family legislation across Europe; deplores the discrimination rainbow families and their children are still suffering in the EU, including being deprived of their rights on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity, or sex characteristics of the parents or partners when exercising the fundamental right to freedom of movement within the EU;

Amendment 33 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4 b. Stresses that the uses of the Charter in courtrooms can contribute to making the Charter relevant to people’s lives; regrets that knowledge of the Charter amongst national justice practitioners remains low3a and this can contribute to improper application of fundamental rights; calls on the Commission and Member states to increase training on the Charter for legal professionals; _________________ 3a European Commission Communication on Strategy to strengthen the application of the Charter of Fundamental Rights in the EU - COM(2020) 711 final

Amendment 34 #

Jana TOOM, Maite PAGAZAURTUNDÚA, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Michal WIEZIK

4 b. Notes with concern the increasing attacks on Christian churches and synagogues in EU Member States; calls on the Member States to take the necessary legal and practical measures to prevent and stop such attacks;

Amendment 35 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Highlights the importance of the child’s best interests in cross-border family litigation; emphasises the importance of close cooperation and efficient communication between the different national and local authorities involved in child custody proceedings; calls on the Member States to introduce non- discriminatory monitoring and evaluation systems for child-related cases, which ensure full respect for the fundamental rights of the child, particularly the principle of the best interests of the child; calls on the Member States to respect the right of children to see their parents in spite of the restrictive measures ~~linked to~~taken by Member States in case of exceptional circumstances, such as the pandemic, as long as this does not endanger the children’s safety and health;

Amendment 36 #

Gianna GANCIA, Stefania ZAMBELLI, Markus BUCHHEIT, Mara BIZZOTTO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Highlights the importance of the child’s best interests in cross-border family litigation; emphasises the importance of close cooperation and efficient communication between the different national and local authorities involved in child custody proceedings; calls on the Member States to introduce non- discriminatory monitoring and evaluation systems for child-related cases, which ensure full respect for the fundamental rights of the child, particularly the principle of the best interests of the child; calls on the Member States to respect the right of children to see their parents in spite of ~~the~~any restrictive measures linked to the pandemic, as long as this does not endanger the children’s safety and ~~health~~well- being;

Amendment 37 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Highlights the importance of the child’s best interests in cross-border family litigation; emphasises that, when considering child's best interests, one of the guiding principles must be the importance of family integrity and preference for avoiding removal of the child from his/her family; emphasises the importance of close cooperation and efficient communication between the different national and local authorities involved in child custody proceedings; calls on the Member States to introduce non- discriminatory monitoring and evaluation systems for child-related cases, which ensure full respect for the fundamental rights of the child, particularly the principle of the best interests of the child; calls on the Member States to respect the right of children to see their parents in spite of the restrictive measures linked to the pandemic, as long as this does not endanger the children’s safety and health;

Amendment 38 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Highlights the importance of the child’s best interests, including in in cross- border family litigation; emphasises the importance of close cooperation and efficient communication between the different national and local authorities involved in child custody proceedings; calls on the Member States to introduce non- discriminatory monitoring and evaluation systems for child-related cases, which ensure full respect for the fundamental rights of the child, particularly the principle of the best interests of the child; calls on the Member States to respect the right of children to see their parents in spite of the restrictive measures linked to the pandemic, as long as this does not endanger the children’s safety and health;

Amendment 39 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5 a. Expresses concern about the number of petitions setting out cases of gender discrimination, and especially on measures which impact women's rights as such as abortion rights and violence against women and girls. Is deeply concerned about the increasing of attacks against women's rights in the European Union. Regret that six EU Member States, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia, have not yet ratified the Istanbul Convention; Calls the Commission to take urgently further actions to protect women's rights and especially on the implementation of the Istanbul convention at the European level by appropriate legislations and recommandation for Member states.

Amendment 4 #

Gianna GANCIA, Stefania ZAMBELLI, Markus BUCHHEIT, Mara BIZZOTTO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Expresses concern about the number of petitions setting out cases of discrimination; in this context, stresses that discrimination remains one of the most serious and unacceptable threats to fundamental rights and that it has no place in any aspect of life; recalls that the EU is built on diversity, pluralism, tolerance, and non-discrimination; stresses that discrimination undermines human dignity, life opportunities, prosperity, well- being, and often safety; regrets the fact that the proposal for a Council Directive on implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation (COM(2008)0426) (the ‘horizontal Anti-Discrimination Directive’) remains blocked in the Council, and calls on the Commission to unblock this situation by proposeing a new anti- discrimination legislation if the Council does not approve the text as its stands since 2008; calls, therefore, on the Member States to effectively tackle every alleged case of discrimination and to deal with it in accordance with EU and national law;

Amendment 40 #

Ioan-Rareş BOGDAN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5 a. Welcomes the fact that, following Parliament's recommendations, the European Commission has adopted an ambitious strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities for the period 2021-2030; reaffirms the fundamental importance of the implementation of the proposed measures and the further development of national measures in order to ensure that people with disabilities are not disadvantaged and discriminated against in terms of employment, education and social inclusion;

Amendment 41 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Calls on the Commission to uphold the fundamental rights of refugees and migrants~~; emphasises that they are one of the most vulnerable groups in society and need support for their basic needs~~ according to the Geneva Refugee Convention;

Amendment 42 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. ~~Calls on the Commission~~Strongly believes that the Commission must improve its overall approach to uphold the fundamental rights of refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants; emphasises that they are one of the most vulnerable groups in society and ~~need support for~~ their basic needs must be guaranteed; strongly regrets that pushbacks through any means have become the norm in several Member States and that the overall EU’s asylum and migration policy degenerated into national efforts to prevent people from entering the EU and isolate them upon their arrival; reiterates the urgent need to build a fair, effective and humane asylum policy in the EU and urges the Commission to step up efforts in this direction;

Amendment 43 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the Commission to ensure specifically that all refugee camps and asylum accommodations meet the needs of refugees and provide them with a basic standard of living, thereby observing the principle of respect for human dignity; calls on the Member States to work closely with the Commission and to strictly follow the Commission’s guidelines in order to ensurthat decent reception and accommodation system is guaranteed for refugees, migrants and asylum seekers, thereby observing the principle of respect for human dignity as well as full respect for their fundamental rights of ; asks the Member States and the Commission to collaborate to guarantee sufficient protection of the fundamental rights of asylum seekers;”.

Amendment 44 #

Gianna GANCIA, Stefania ZAMBELLI, Markus BUCHHEIT, Mara BIZZOTTO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Calls on~~Is deeply concerned that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the already inhumane and undignified conditions faced by refugees and asylum- seekers, particularly by those who are in camps, and that little has been done to address their acute overcrowding and lack of healthcare, access to adequate water, sanitation and hygiene products; calls on Member States and the Commission to ensure specifically that all refugee ~~camp~~s and asylum-seekers accommodations and facilities meet their needs ~~of refugees and~~and are adequate to provide them with ~~a basic~~ standard of living~~, thereby observing~~ fully in line with the principle of respect for human dignity~~; calls on the Member States to work closely with the Commission and to strictly follow the Commission’s guidelines in order to ensure sufficient~~ and with all other fundamental rights enshrined in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights; urges Member States to work closely with the Commission in order to urgently adopt a real EU-wide migration and asylum policy based on the highest human-rights standards and a solidarity framework aimed at ensuring full protection of the fundamental rights of asylum seekers; and refugees;

Amendment 45 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the ~~Commission~~Member States to ensure specifically that all refugee camps and asylum accommodations meet the basic needs of refugees and provide them with a basic standard of living, thereby observing the principle of respect for human dignity; calls on the Member States to ~~work closely with the Commission and to strictly follow the Commission’s guidelines in order to~~ ensure sufficient protection of the fundamental rights of asylum seekers;

Amendment 46 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7 a. Expresses its deep concern about the set of temporary measures adopted by the Commission to address the emergency situation at the EU's external border with Belarus which implicitly back the current practice of pushbacks at EU borders, thus leaving asylum seekers with no access to protection;

Amendment 47 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)

7 b. Notes with concern that persistent inequalities and the lack of successful policies to provide basic infrastructure and services widened the gap between Roma communities and the general population, including in education, and led to deteriorated conditions for Roma in crucial areas such as employment, healthcare and housing; regrets that the first EU Framework on National Roma Integration Strategies brought little overall progress; calls on the Commission and Member States to step up their efforts to ensure full equality, inclusion and participation of Roma at both EU and national levels;

Amendment 48 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Highlights that more progress is needed with regard to the safeguarding of refugees’ fundamental rights, especially in the light of the evolving migrant movements; in this context, urges the Commission to develop further approaches guaranteeing respect for fundamental rights, specifically those of asylum seekers;deleted

Amendment 49 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

Amendment 5 #

Gianna GANCIA, Stefania ZAMBELLI, Markus BUCHHEIT, Mara BIZZOTTO

1. Expresses concern about the number of petitions setting out cases of discrimination; in this context, stresses that discrimination remains one of the most serious and unacceptable threats to fundamental rights and that it has no place in any aspect of life; regrets the fact that the proposal for a Council Directive on implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation (COM(2008)0426) (the ‘horizontal Anti-Discrimination Directive’) remains blocked in the Council, and urges the Council to unblock it; calls on the Commission to propose new additional anti- discrimination legislation; calls~~, therefore,~~ on the Member States to effectively tackle every alleged case of discrimination and to deal with it ~~in accordance with EU and national law~~by enhancing their legal systems and adopt more robust measures in accordance with EU law and international human rights standards in order to ensure the highest levels of protection;

Amendment 50 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Highlights that more progress is needed with regard to the safeguarding of refugees’ fundamental rights, especially in the light of the evolving migrant movements, as stipulated by treaty in the Geneva Refugee Convention; in this context, urges the ~~Commission~~Member States to develop further approaches guaranteeing respect for fundamental rights, specifically those of asylum seekers; clarifying that asylum - per definition - is limited to a certain period of time; offering refugees to return to their countries of origin as soon as the reason for asylum ceases to exist;

Amendment 51 #

Ibán GARCÍA DEL BLANCO, Marc ANGEL, Cristina MAESTRE MARTÍN DE ALMAGRO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8 a. Recalls that the protection of natural persons in relation to the processing of personal data should be a fundamental right; alerts that although the GDPR provides ways for people to protect their personal data, and by extension their privacy, data breaches occur resulting in a breach of confidentiality, availability and integrity, and posing individuals’ rights and freedoms at risk or at high-risk; urges the Commission and the European Data Protection Supervisor to continue their efforts to oversee the implementation of the appropriate technical and organisational measures by the responsible entities to avoid such data breaches;

Amendment 52 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8 a. Points out that EU and its Member States should combat effectively discriminatory or violent treatment and reactions against the schooling and participation of children from minority backgrounds especially migrant, refugee and Roma children, both through law enforcement and by promoting mutual understanding and social cohesion; calls on Member States to structurally address respect for diversity, intercultural understanding and human rights, including children’s rights, in regular school curricula;

Amendment 53 #

Ibán GARCÍA DEL BLANCO, Marc ANGEL, Cristina MAESTRE MARTÍN DE ALMAGRO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8 a. Strongly criticises that some Member States did not fully and correctly transpose into national law the Council Framework Decision on Racism and Xenophobia; deplores that the provisions of the Racial Equality Directive are still not correctly implemented in all Member States;

Amendment 54 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 b (new)

8 b. Recalls that the freedom of expression, to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas is a fundamental right; shows concern over the creation, dissemination and amplification of false or manipulated information using digital technologies for political, ideological or commercial motives; notes that such actions unleash immediate disruptive effects in our societies and can have serious consequences for democracy and human rights; urges the Commission and the Member States to launch initiatives calling for multidimensional and multistakeholder responses to counter disinformation, enhancing the role of free, independent and diverse media, investing in media and digital literacy, empowering individuals and rebuilding public trust.

Amendment 55 #

Ibán GARCÍA DEL BLANCO, Marc ANGEL, Cristina MAESTRE MARTÍN DE ALMAGRO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 b (new)

8 b. Expresses its concern at the lack of reporting of hate crimes by victims owing to inadequate safeguards and to the failure of authorities to investigate properly and obtain convictions for hate crimes in the Member States; Calls the Council to proceed with the assessment of the Commission proposal for a Council decision on hate crime and hate speech and to formally notify the Parliament with no delay of its unanimous decision

Amendment 56 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 c (new)

8 c. Welcomes the European Commission’ proposal for an inter- institutional European Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles as a reference point to guide the European digital transformation and Europe’s pioneering role in digital policies; recalls that “the Charter” dates from a time when digital economy was not contemplated as it is today; consequently, efforts to protect our citizens’ in the digital sphere have been scattered in a myriad of proposals, resolutions and legislative acts; calls for a European Charter for Digital Rights that responds to the EU rights in the digital age and recognises, among others, the access to the internet as a human right;

Amendment 57 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Emphasises that the measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic adopted by many of the Member States have interfered with the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Union’s legal order, such as the freedom of movement of persons, including travelling within the EU and within countries~~, the freedom of expression and information, and the right to privacy and data protection, especially in relation to public health and measures taken in order to safeguard it~~; stresses that the measures taken to contain the pandemic must be in accordance with the rules and principles of the Charter;

Amendment 58 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Emphasises that the measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic adopted by many of the Member States have interfered with the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Union’s legal order, such as the freedom of movement of persons, including travelling, working and studying within the EU and within countries, the freedom of expression and information, ~~and~~ the right to privacy and data protection, especially in relation to public health and measures taken in order to safeguard it; stresses that the measures taken to contain the pandemic must be ~~in accord~~grounded on a human-rights based approach and be necessary, based on law, temporary and proportional, ensuring full compliance with the rules and principles of the Charter;

Amendment 59 #

Ibán GARCÍA DEL BLANCO, Marc ANGEL, Cristina MAESTRE MARTÍN DE ALMAGRO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Emphasises that the measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic adopted by many of the Member States have ~~interfered with~~violated the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Union’s legal order, such as the freedom of movement of persons, including travelling within the EU and within countries, the freedom of expression and information, and the right to privacy and data protection, especially in relation to public health and measures taken in order to safeguard it; stresses that the measures taken to contain the pandemic must be in accordance with the rules and principles of the Charter;

Amendment 6 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Expresses concern about the number of petitions setting out cases of discrimination; in this context, stresses that discrimination remains one of the most serious and unacceptable threats to fundamental rights and that it has no place in any aspect of life; recalls that the EU is built on diversity, pluralism, tolerance, and non-discrimination; stresses that discrimination undermines human dignity, life opportunities, prosperity, well- being, and often safety; regrets the fact that the proposal for a Council Directive on implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation (COM(2008)0426) (the ‘horizontal Anti-Discrimination Directive’) remains blocked in the Council, and calls on the Commission to propose new anti- discrimination legislation; calls, therefore, on the Member States to effectively tackle every alleged case of discrimination and to deal with it in accordance with EU and national law;

Amendment 60 #

Francesca DONATO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Emphasises that the measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic adopted by many of the Member States have interfered with the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Union’s legal order, such as the freedom of movement of persons, including travelling within the EU and within countries, the freedom of expression and information, the right to work, to attend educational establishments of all types and at all levels, and the right to privacy and data protection, especially in relation to public health and measures taken in order to safeguard it; stresses that the measures taken to contain the pandemic must be in accordance with the rules and principles of the Charter;

Amendment 61 #

Gianna GANCIA, Stefania ZAMBELLI, Markus BUCHHEIT, Mara BIZZOTTO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Emphasises that the measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic adopted by many of the Member States have interfered with the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Union’s legal order, such as the freedom of movement of persons, including travelling within the EU and within countries, the freedom of expression and information, and the right to privacy and data protection, especially in relation to public health and measures taken in order to safeguard it; stresses that the measures taken to contain the pandemic must be in accordance with the rules and principles of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and the constitutions of the Member States;

Amendment 62 #

Jana TOOM, Maite PAGAZAURTUNDÚA, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Michal WIEZIK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9 a. Highlights that continuous access to data and systemic monitoring of individuals’ by contact tracing and similar apps constitutes a serious interference with fundamental rights; expresses concern that evidence collected by FRA did not capture any instances of in-depth analysis of the Member States governments of the potential impact of using new technologies to curb the spread of the virus on fundamental rights other than privacy or protection of personal data1c. _________________ 1c https://fra.europa.eu/sites/default/files/fra _uploads/fra-2020-coronavirus- pandemic-eu-bulletin-may_en.pdf, p.45

Amendment 63 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9 a. Notes that restrictions imposed to tackle the pandemic have also hindered the work of civil society; stresses that civil society organisations play an important role in helping victims of fundamental right breaches, as well as in awareness- raising and prevention; calls on the Commission and Member States to provide support to civil society and to adopt measures that facilitates their work;

Amendment 64 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10

10. ~~Expresses its concern about several exceptional actions taken by the Member States to combat the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic;~~ calls on the Commission to monitor the emergency measures put in place to deal with the pandemic in the light of the EU’s founding values as laid down in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union, including fundamental rights, the rule of law and democracy;

Amendment 65 #

Francesca DONATO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10

10. Expresses its grave concern about several exceptional actions, which seriously violate fundamental rights, taken by the Member States to combat the impact of the COVID- 19 pandemic; calls on the Commission to monitor the emergency measures put in place to deal with the pandemic in the light of the EU’s founding values as laid down in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union, including fundamental rights, and to take action, where necessary, to uphold the rule of law and democracy;

Amendment 66 #

Jana TOOM, Maite PAGAZAURTUNDÚA, Michal WIEZIK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10

10. Expresses its concern about several exceptional actions taken by the Member States to combat the impact of the COVID- 19 pandemic; calls on the Commission to monitor and assess the emergency measures put in place to deal with the pandemic in the light of the EU’s founding values as laid down in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union, including fundamental rights, the rule of law and democracy; considers that the Commission must fully and transparently report back to the public the outcomes of all its assessments of such emergency measures adopted by Member States during the pandemic;

Amendment 67 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10

10. Expresses its concern about several exceptional actions taken by the Member States to combat the impact of the COVID- 19 pandemic; stresses that the urgency of the emergency situation shall not provide an excuse to bypass the democratic principles of the legislative process; calls on the Member States to ensure that all exceptional actions taken under the emergency situations are transparent and involve those concerned and to ensure that all emergency measures are necessary, strictly proportionate and in place only for necessary time; calls on the Commission to monitor the emergency measures put in place to deal with the pandemic in the light of the EU’s founding values as laid down in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union, including fundamental rights, the rule of law and democracy;

Amendment 68 #

Gianna GANCIA, Stefania ZAMBELLI, Markus BUCHHEIT, Mara BIZZOTTO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10 a. Highlights that, even though the Regulation 2021/953 on a framework for the issuance, verification and acceptance of interoperable COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates (EU Digital COVID Certificate) was intended only to "facilitate freedom of movement" during the COVID-19 pandemic1a, in practice it was used to condition people's fundamental rights like the right to work, the right to travel, the right to healthcare and the right to freely express their religious beliefs; calls on the EU Member States to stop conditioning the exercise of people's rights based on this certificate; _________________ 1a https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal- content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32021 R0953

Amendment 69 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11

11. Notes with regret the high number of petitions concerning emergency quarantine measures that have been adopted by several Member States as a result of the pandemic and which may have restricted citizens’ rights and freedoms, such as the freedom of expression and information, the freedom of assembly and of association, and the freedom of movement and of residence; calls, therefore, on the Commission and the Member States to effectively tackle COVID-19-related discrimination~~, hate speech and racism against ethnic minority groups, migrants and refugees, or people with a migrant background~~;

Amendment 7 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Emphasises that the COVID-19 pandemic showed severe gaps in the capacity and preparedness of healthcare, education, employment and social protection systems of Member States; strongly believes that Member States must greatly improve their healthcare, social welfare and social assistance systems to ensure they provide full support to everyone, and notably to those more vulnerable, even during a crisis, thereby adequately protecting health, economic and social rights of all;

Amendment 70 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11

11. Notes with regret the high number of petitions concerning emergency quarantine measures that have been adopted by several Member States as a result of the pandemic and which may have restricted citizens’ rights and freedoms, such as the freedom of expression and information, the freedom of assembly and of association, and the freedom of movement and of residence; calls, therefore, on the Commission and the Member States to effectively tackle COVID-19-related discrimination, hate speech and ~~racism against~~discrimination against mobile workers, ethnic minority groups, migrants and refugees~~, or people with a migrant background~~;

Amendment 71 #

Francesca DONATO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11

11. Notes with regret the high number of petitions concerning emergency quarantine measures that have been adopted by several Member States as a result of the pandemic and which ~~may~~ have restricted citizens’ rights and freedoms, such as the freedom of expression and information, the freedom of assembly and of association, and the freedom of movement and of residence; calls, therefore, on the Committee on Petitions of the European Parliament to step up its work in relation to the texts submitted by citizens and calls on the Commission and the Member States to take urgent action to effectively tackle COVID-19-related discrimination, hate speech and racism against all individuals, including ethnic minority groups, migrants and refugees, or people with a migrant background;

Amendment 72 #

Jana TOOM, Maite PAGAZAURTUNDÚA, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Michal WIEZIK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11

11. Notes with regret the high number of petitions concerning emergency quarantine measures that have been adopted by several Member States as a result of the pandemic and which ~~may~~ have restricted citizens’ rights and freedoms, such as the freedom of expression and information, the freedom of assembly and of association, and the freedom of movement and of residence; calls, therefore, on the Commission and the Member States to effectively tackle COVID-19-related discrimination, hate speech and racism against ethnic minority groups, migrants and refugees, or people with a migrant background;

Amendment 73 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11 a. Reiterates that everyone has the right to education as enshrined in the Article 14 of the Charter and stresses that this right must be guaranteed under all circumstances and for every child, including those from vulnerable and disadvantaged groups; is concerned about the impact that schools closures during the Covid-19 pandemic might have on mental health and future of children; calls on the Member States to ensure equal and quality education for all children even in times of crisis such as the pandemic; encourages Member States to exchange best practises in this regard;

Amendment 74 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11 a. Highlights that, due to the emergency measures adopted in many Member States, physical access to doctors and healthcare services, including hospitals, was limited, non-urgent medical treatments, including surgical interventions, were often postponed, number of hospitalised cancer patients dropped severely and the right to healthcare was repeatedly and systemically violated 1b; calls the Member States to respect the right to healthcare of all the people, and remove any restrictions that would discriminate people in having access to proper healthcare; _________________ 1b https://fra.europa.eu/sites/default/files/fra _uploads/fra-2021-fundamental-rights- report-2021-focus_en.pdf

Amendment 75 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 b (new)

11 b. Highlights that the close of educational facilities in all Member States has led to an unprecedented shift to online learning, even though the educational systems lacked the digital infrastructure, less than 40% of educators being ready to use digital technologies in teaching 1c and many low-income homes having no access to computers; calls the Member States to respect the right to education and to not discriminate children from low-income homes; _________________ 1c OECD (2019), TALIS 2018 results, OECD Publishing, Paris. The main survey (International Standard Classification of Education level 2) was conducted in 31 OECD countries, including 22 EU Member States (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden).

Amendment 76 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 c (new)

11 c. Emphasises that the restrictive measures in the EU Member States also affected the courts activities and the judicial system, which has violated people's right to access to justice, defense and due process;

Amendment 77 #

Gianna GANCIA, Stefania ZAMBELLI, Markus BUCHHEIT, Mara BIZZOTTO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 d (new)

11 d. Deplores the fact that the European Commission has violated the right of European citizens to have access to documents and transparency in the decision-making process by refusing to publish the non redacted versions of the purchase agreements; highlights in this regard that the European Ombudsman has opened an inquiry in September 2021 regarding the fact that the Commission President and the chief executive (CEO) of a pharmaceutical company had exchanged texts and calls related to the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines and has found that this practice was maladministration and below reasonable expectations of transparency and administrative standards 1e; calls the European Commission to fully publish the contracts it signed with the vaccine manufacturing companies so the EU citizens will know what's in them; _________________ 1e https://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/rec ommendation/en/151678

Amendment 78 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 12

12. Points to the petitions criticising travel restrictions~~, especially for couples living in different countries~~; highlights the importance of individual freedom and of the respect for private and family life.

Amendment 79 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 12

12. Points to the petitions related to the pandemic criticising travel restrictions, especially for couples living in different countries~~; highlights the importance of respect for~~, as well as those raising issues concerning the lack of adequate protection at work for workers in vulnerable situations and problems in getting the EU digital COVID certificate for persons recovered from Covid-19 infections; highlights the importance to timely address and solve all cases of non- compliance with EU law, ensuring the respect of the highest levels of health and safety in all work environments as well as of private and family life.

Amendment 8 #

Michal WIEZIK, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. 2. Highlights Article 37 of the Charter of Fundamental rights, which affirms that measures towards achieving a high-level of environmental protection and the improvement of the quality of the environment must be integrated into the policies of the Union; takes note of the serious increase of the number of environmental petitions and emphasises the urgent need of including relevant environmental concerns into the decision- making process of all policies;

Amendment 80 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12 a. Emphasizes the Preamble of the Aarhus Convention on the right of every person to live in an environment adequate to his or her health and well-being and the Article 37 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU which provides that a high level of environmental protection must be integrated in EU policies; Recalls the European Parliament's resolution 2020/2273(INI) considering that the right to a healthy environment should be recognised in the Charter and calls for action in this regard;

Amendment 81 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12 a. Considers paramount to enhance actions aimed at removing any obstacle preventing persons with disabilities from having a full and equal participation in society in order to fully uphold their fundamental rights; calls on the Commission and Member States to ensure that all measures to implement the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030 at national and EU levels are in full compliance with the UNCRPD;

Amendment 82 #

Michal WIEZIK, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE

Draft opinion
Paragraph 12 b (new)

12 b. Deplores that during the pandemic, cases of violence against women and girls, and other forms of gender-based violence, increased alarmingly; believes that the EU must ratify the Istanbul Convention without further delay; strongly criticises those Member States still continuing to block the ratification process within the Council; is seriously concerned of the legal acts adopted in some Member States weakening women’s rights and gender equality; stresses the urgent need to strengthen the legal framework at national and EU levels to effectively address all situations of violence that millions of women in the EU suffer on a daily basis in order to ensure for them full protection; reiterates the EP call on the Commission to add gender-based violence in the list of EU crimes and urges the Commission to present a comprehensive Directive on gender-based violence that covers all forms of gender-based violence;

Amendment 83 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 12 b (new)

12 b. Notes that the ECHR's case law only provides for indirect protection of the right to a healthy environment by sanctioning only environmental violations that simultaneously result in an infringement of other human rights already recognised in the European Convention on Human Rights; Calls for the intrinsic value of nature and ecosystems in the light of the interrelationship between human societies and nature to be recognized in the Convention and to anchor the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment as called by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in its recommendation from September 2021;

Amendment 84 #

Michal WIEZIK, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE

Draft opinion
Paragraph 12 c (new)

12 c. Highlights that fundamental rights, democracy and the rule of law are mutually reinforcing values which, when undermined, may pose a systemic threat to the Union; considers that the deliberate process of the rule of law backsliding in Poland and Hungary is seriously undermining citizens' capacity to fully enjoy their fundamental rights as set out in the Charter of fundamental rights of the European Union; expresses concern about the increasing rule of law and fundamental rights violations in some other Member States;

Amendment 85 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 12 c (new)

12 c. Notes the EU citizens concerns expressed in the petitions No 0229/2020, 0126/2016, 1166/2018 delivered to the European Parliament on the disruptions and deterioration of environment demanding the right to live in a healthy environment and access to justice in environmental matters;

Amendment 86 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 12 d (new)

12 d. Is extremely alarmed about the use of surveillance technology to undermine human rights as brought to light by the recent revelations concerning the NSO Pegasus scandal confirming the spying of, inter alia, human rights defenders and journalists; highlights the paramount importance to adopt more effective national and international rules in this area in order to ensure full protection and safety for civil society organisations, human rights defenders, journalists and other individuals concerned from cyber surveillance and interference;

Amendment 87 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 12 e (new)

12 e. Points to the numerous petitions received denouncing environmental crimes, also with cross-border implications, related to, inter alia, illegal logging, illicit waste trafficking and dumping, wildlife trafficking and destruction provoking the worsening of biodiversity conditions and increased levels of deforestation, soil, water and air contamination; stresses the urgent need to strengthen the current EU legal framework, flawed by significant limitations and shortcomings, in order to ensure the highest levels of protection of citizens' health and of the environmental;

Amendment 9 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Calls for full implementation of legislations and stronger sanctions against any discrimination on the grounds of race, ethnic or social origin, religion or belief, membership of a national minority, disability, age, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, sex characteristics, residence status or health;

source: 719.746

2022/04/11 LIBE 392 amendments...

Amendment 1 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)

— having regard to Article 2 of the TEU,

Amendment 10 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)

— having regard to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR),

Amendment 100 #

Sira REGO, Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 (new)

-1. whereas whistleblowing is a fundamental aspect of freedom of expression and plays an essential role in detecting and reporting wrongdoing, and in strengthening democratic accountability and transparency; whereas whistleblowing represents a key source of information in the fight against organised crime, and in investigating, identifying and publicising cases of corruption within the public and private sectors; whereas the adequate protection of whistleblowers at EU, national and international level, as well as the acknowledgement of the important role played by whistleblowers in society, are preconditions for ensuring the effectiveness of such a role;

Amendment 101 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Considers that too much parliamentary time is taken up with targeting conservative Member States, such as Hungary or Poland, but that not enough is done to eliminate corruption and breaches of the rule of law and media freedom in other Member States;deleted

Amendment 102 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

Amendment 103 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

Amendment 104 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Reiterates, that rule of law, media freedom and effective fight against corruption lay at the foundation of our societies and are our core values which affect all fundamental rights; notes with regret, however, that violation of these principles is persistent in the Union;

Amendment 105 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Is deeply concerned about the deterioration of fundamental rights in the EU in 2020 and 2021;

Amendment 106 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Considers that the rule of law is intimately linked with respect for democracy and fundamental rights and highlights that deterioration of any of these values constitutes an attack on the pillars of the Union as stipulated in TEU; repeats the numerous calls by the Parliament to broaden the scope of the Rule of Law report to include all Article 2 TEU values in order to have a holistic overview of the situation in all Member States;

Amendment 107 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1e. Condemns the use of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) which are being used to silence and intimidate journalists and human rights defenders, including LGBTI rights defenders critiquing human rights abuses;

Amendment 108 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Reiterates, that rule of law, media freedom and pluralism, and effective fight against corruption lay at the foundation of our societies and are our core values which affect all fundamental rights; notes with regret, however, that violations of these principles are persistent across some EU Member States and pose a serious threat to the fair, legal and impartial distribution of EU funds; calls on the Commission to make use of all tools at its disposal, including the procedure envisaged under the Rule of Law Conditionality Mechanism which entered into force on 1 January 2021, to address these violations of the principles of the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights;

Amendment 109 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Alice KUHNKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 c (new)

1c. Regrets that structural problems regarding independence of the judiciary and autonomy of prosecution services in some member states undermines citizens’ access to justice and has negative impact on their rights and freedoms; reminds that deficiencies in rule of law in one member state affect right of all persons in the EU; calls on Member States and EU institutions to protect judges and prosecutors from political attacks and pressures that attempt to undermine their work;

Amendment 11 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 b (new)

— having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

Amendment 110 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 d (new)

1e. Regrets that structural problems regarding independence of the judiciary and autonomy of prosecution services in some member states undermines citizens’ access to justice and has a negative impact on their rights and freedoms; reminds that deficiencies in rule of law in one member state also affect the other EU Member States, in terms of the mutual trust between them and the respect of the fundamental rights of all EU citizens’ under Union law; calls on Member States and EU institutions to protect judges and prosecutors from political attacks and pressures that attempt to undermine their work;

Amendment 111 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 e (new)

1d. Insists that Member States must fully comply with Union and international law as well as with CJEU and ECHR judgements, including those, which are related to judicial independence; condemns the lack of compliance of Poland and Hungary with multiple laws and judgements of the European courts;

Amendment 112 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 f (new)

1f. Condemns all types of incidents of hate crime, hate speech and accusations devoid of foundation or formulated in bad faith, both offline and online, motivated by discrimination based on any grounds, such as sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation; expresses concern over the hate crimes and crimes relating to incitement to discrimination or violence which occurred during the COVID- 19pandemic, leading to the stigmatisation of some particularly vulnerable individuals; recalls that racism and xenophobia are crimes, not opinions;

Amendment 113 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 g (new)

1g. Is concerned about the reports which show that some Member States’ authorities have used the Pegasus spyware for political or other unjustified purposes to spy on journalists, politicians, lawyers, civil society actors and other persons, in violation of Union law and of the values enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty of the European Union and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights; recalls that Pegasus is only one of the many examples of a program that is abused by state entities for illicit mass surveillance purposes against innocent citizens;

Amendment 114 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 h (new)

1h. Welcomes the creation of an inquiry committee on Pegasus in the European Parliament, which will investigate the scope of alleged violation of rights and freedoms enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights and in the Article2 of the Treaty;

Amendment 115 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 i (new)

1i. Recognises the crucial role played by civil society organisations (CSOs) in the promotion and protection of the Union values enshrined in Article 2 TEU and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights; stresses their key contribution to protection of the rule of law principles in the Member States, giving a voice to vulnerable and marginalised people, and ensuring access to crucial social services;

Amendment 116 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 j (new)

1j. Acknowledges, that a healthy civic space is a prerequisite for democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights; stresses that the Union should therefore commit to the preservation and cultivation of civic space at local, regional, national and European level, including through adoption of a dedicated strategy for civic space;

Amendment 117 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1

Right to equal treatment: Multiple and intersectional discrimination.

Amendment 118 #

Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1

Right ~~to equal treatment~~s of children, elderly and people with disabilities

Amendment 119 #

Sira REGO, Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 a (new)

Recognises and condemns the existence of structural racism in the EU caused by stereotypes fostered by discourses that result in discrimination against ethnic minorities in all areas of their lives; is deeply concerned by individual, structural, and institutional forms of racism and xenophobia in the EU and rising discrimination against Arabs, Black Europeans, People of Asian descent, Jewish people, Muslims, and Roma people; urges the Member States to end with discriminatory institutional practices, policies and laws;

Amendment 12 #

Rob ROOKEN

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 c (new)

— having regard to the conclusions of the European Council adopted on 11 December 2020,

Amendment 120 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 a (new)

Stresses the need for the recognition of all partnerships for the purpose of freedom of movement, including for non-EU partners of EU nationals; is alarmed at the continuing non-implementation of the 2018 CJEU Coman &Hamilton Case (C- 673/16), which recognises that the term “spouse” include same-sex spouses under EU freedom of movement laws;

Amendment 121 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 a (new)

Recalls the importance of collecting mandatory and systematic disaggregated equality data and to develop indicators in order to measure and report progress of the EU strategies against racism and discrimination; calls on the Commission and the Member States to step up efforts in this direction;

Amendment 122 #

Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 a (new)

Is worried by terrorism and counter- terrorism policies that have led to discrimination and hostility against certain groups, including communities of colour, Muslim communities, anti-racism movements, activists and organisations; denounces that the effect of such policies includes delegitimising and in some instances criminalising, or attempting to criminalise political, religious and other discourses, discriminatory legal and law enforcement practices, including racial and religious profiling, shrinking of civil society space and self- censorship of civil society's political views and a chilling of open and free political debate;

Amendment 123 #

Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Cyrus ENGERER, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 b (new)

Highlights that the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights has pointed out in its annual reports on fundamental rights, that discriminatory institutional practices, policies and laws exists in many Member States; recalls the urgent need to extend protection against discrimination beyond employment through a horizontal and intersectional approach; urges the Commission and the Council to unblock the ETD without further delay and without lowering the standards;

Amendment 124 #

Sira REGO, Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 b (new)

Denounces the lack of access to abortion for women in many countries, and condemns the deaths of at least four women in Poland due to the application of regulations prohibiting abortion in virtually all circumstances; calls on the European Commission to consider abortion as a fundamental right, to remove any obstacles to its access and to ensure that it is carried out in public health care system;

Amendment 125 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 b (new)

Calls on the Commission and the Member States to collect equality data disaggregated by racial and ethnic origin as well as other protected characteristics in order to document racism; urges the Commission to step up efforts, including by proposing ambitious legislation, in order to act against racism; further calls on the Commission to ensure a proper follow-up of the EU anti-racism action plan 2020-2025 and to put in place efficient monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to measure progress;

Amendment 126 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 c (new)

Calls for a mainstreaming mechanism for cooperation and coordination for EU and national equality policies, ensuring that all forms of discrimination, especially those intersecting, are taken into account in the review and adoption of policies, including via equality impact assessments in a regular and transparently addressed manner pursuant to clear goals and timelines, informed by evidence and by using performance indicators; calls for the establishment of close cooperation with relevant stakeholders, support organisations, communities and people facing discrimination while ensuring adequate resources to undertake actions and monitoring measures;

Amendment 127 #

Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 c (new)

Points out that gender-based violence is a form of discrimination and as violation of fundamental rights, as well as the result of gender stereotypes, heteropatriarchal structures, power asymmetries and structural and institutional inequalities; underlines the importance to apply an intersectional and victims-centred approach to all policies and measures to address gender-based violence; calls on the Commission and the Member States to advance their efforts in that direction;

Amendment 128 #

Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Cyrus ENGERER, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 d (new)

Is deeply concerned about the increase of poverty and social exclusion, particularly as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as of hate speech and hate crime; expresses further concerns about the unprecedented strain that the pandemic has put particularly for individuals in vulnerable situations, including women, individuals from racialized groups, migrants and people with disabilities; calls on the Commission to ensure the enforcement of anti- discrimination legislation and to launch of infringement proceedings if Member States do not transpose or fully implement EU anti-discrimination legislation;

Amendment 129 #

Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 d (new)

Recalls that the reproductive coercion and the denial of safe and legal abortion care is also a form of gender-based violence; underlines that ECtHR has ruled on several occasions that restrictive abortion laws and the lack of implementation violates the human rights of women;

Amendment 13 #

Rob ROOKEN

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 d (new)

— having regard to the judgments of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in cases C-156/213 and C- 157/214 regarding the legality of the Conditionality Regulation,

Amendment 130 #

Sira REGO, Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 e (new)

Welcomes the European Commission's recognition, for the first time, of the existence of structural racism in its EU Anti-Racism Action Plan 2020-2025 and the setting out of concrete measures for tackling racism and ethnic discrimination in the EU, and urges both the Commission and the Member States to implement public policies and measures to tackle this discrimination at its root; calls on the European Commission to monitor and tackle action against racism and discrimination in Member State including through initiating infringement procedures to foster the effective application of legislation;

Amendment 131 #

Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 e (new)

Highlights that the new EU Roma Strategic Framework for equality, inclusion and participation sets ambitious targets in seven key areas: non- discrimination, inclusion, participation, education, employment, health and housing, and a stronger monitoring framework, with a range of quantifiable and measurable targets to track progress; urges the Commission to ensure an adequate follow-up of the strategy and progress; further urges the Commission and the Member states to enforce the prohibition of racial or ethnic profiling in law enforcement, counter-terrorism measures and immigration controls, as well as police violence, and to ensure accountability;

Amendment 132 #

Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Cyrus ENGERER, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 f (new)

Recalls the need to pay close attention to digitalisation and the social biases introduced into new technologies; calls on the Commission and the Member States to put in place measures to prevent the risks that new technologies, including AI, have in exacerbating discrimination, existing inequalities and poverty; further calls on the Commission and the Member States to tackle the gender and diversity gap in ICT and STEM sectors, particularly in the development of new technologies, including AI, and, in particular indecision-making positions;

Amendment 133 #

Sira REGO, Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 g (new)

Denounces the fact that gender-based violence is one of the most widespread forms of violence in the European Union, with surveys carried out by the Union revealing that one in three women in the Union - i.e. 62 million women - has suffered physical or sexual violence since the age of 15 and that one in two (55 %) has suffered sexual harassment, which has increased sharply as a result of the COVID-19pandemic;

Amendment 134 #

Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Cyrus ENGERER, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 h (new)

Calls on the Commission and Member States to step up measures to prevent institutional discrimination, particularly from law enforcement and the judiciary system, which might have a stronger negative impact on individuals from groups in vulnerable situations;

Amendment 135 #

Sira REGO, Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 i (new)

Condemns the increase in attacks on LGBTIQ+ people and urges the Member States and the Commission to take measures to put an end to these attacks and to guarantee effective equality for LGBTIQ+ people in all areas;

Amendment 136 #

Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Cyrus ENGERER, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 j (new)

Stresses the urgency to address all forms of gender-based violence; welcomes the Commission proposal to combat gender- based violence and that it includes provisions on intersectionality; underlines the cross-border dimension of gender- based violence and calls on the Commission to add gender-based violence in the list of EU crimes; urges the Commission to ratify the Istanbul Convention; points out that the Istanbul Convention should be understood as the minimum standard to eradicate gender- based violence;

Amendment 137 #

Sira REGO, Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 k (new)

Calls on the Member States to adopt National Action Plans Action Racism (NAPARs) by the end of 2022 and prioritise actions to tackle lack of access to justice, and sustained socio-economic inequalities in areas such as housing, healthcare, employment and education, which need to be acknowledged as major barriers to full enjoyment of fundamental rights and key barriers to inclusion and equality;

Amendment 138 #

Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Cyrus ENGERER, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 l (new)

Condemns the actions of anti-gender and anti-feminist movements that systematically attack women’s and LGBTIQ+ rights, including sexual and reproductive rights; urges the Commission to ensure that civil society organisations supported and funded by the Union do not promote gender discrimination; welcomes the first-ever EU LGBTIQ Equality Strategy and further condemns the increasing cases of discrimination, hate crime and violence against LGBTIQ+ people’s; asks the Commission to ensure proper follow-up of the Strategy;

Amendment 139 #

Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Cyrus ENGERER, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 m (new)

Welcomes that the Commission appointed a victims’ rights coordinator, adopted its first victims’ rights strategy and sept up a victims’ rights platform; stresses, however, that challenges to access to justice, particularly for victims in vulnerable situations, and to judicial independence persisted in several Member States;

Amendment 14 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6

— having regard to Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation)1 , __________________ 1 OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 1.deleted

Amendment 140 #

Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Cyrus ENGERER, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 n (new)

Highlights the worrying increase in gender-based violence during the Covid- 19 pandemic; stresses the importance to ensure that the response to the Covid-19 crisis incorporates the gender perspective and gender budgeting, as well as ex-post gender impact assessments, as indicated in the Commission’s 2020-2025 Gender Equality Strategy; urges the EU institutions to ensure gender mainstreaming in all EU policies and actions;

Amendment 141 #

Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Cyrus ENGERER, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 o (new)

Urges the EU institutions and the Member States to tackle the root causes of structural discrimination; calls on the Commission and the Member States to implement measures to address persisting structural inequalities in key areas such as criminal justice system, education, housing, employment, healthcare, goods and services; underlines the important role of education and media in countering racist narratives and deconstructing prejudices and stereotypes; calls on the Commission and Member States to promote anti-racism trainings;

Amendment 142 #

Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Cyrus ENGERER, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 p (new)

Underlines that the Black Lives Matter movement mobilised societies across the globe to address racism and discrimination by law enforcement authorities; welcomes the adoption of the EU anti-racism action plan and the appointment of the EU Coordinator on anti-racism; urges the Member States to adopt and implement national action plans against racism and the Commission to monitor and ensure proper follow-up of the NAPARs and of the EU action plan; further urges the Commission to mainstream anti-racism and anti- discrimination in all EU policies;

Amendment 143 #

Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Cyrus ENGERER, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 q (new)

Highlights the need to address the potential risks of AI, especially for individuals from racialized groups, not as a technological, but as a societal problem; calls on the Commission and the Member states to ensure that AI systems are guided by the principles of transparency, explainability, fairness, and accountability and that independent audit are put in place to prevent that these systems exacerbate racism;

Amendment 144 #

Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Cyrus ENGERER, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 r (new)

Expresses deep concern that the Covid-19 crisis was increasingly used as a pretext to attack groups in vulnerable situations, including migrants, people with immigrant backgrounds and Romani people, who are already subject to racial and ethnic discrimination, hate speech and hate crime; is particularly concerned about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Romani people, which has amplified inequalities and fuelled prejudice, including the cases of police violence;

Amendment 145 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

Amendment 146 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

Amendment 147 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Calls on the Commission to cease its strategies of identity politics, favouring groups based on sex, ethnicity, skin colour, group history or self-perception; notes that so-called ‘positive discrimination’ includes negative discrimination towards those not in that particular group; further notes that intersectional discrimination does not solve the problems of underprivilegedStresses with concern that discriminatory practices continue to occur, based on grounds such as sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, perople, but rather multiplies a victim mentality for people in every applicable category; urges the Commission and the Member States to take a meritocratic viewpoint, whereby people are judged on individual meriterty, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation; emphasises the obvious link between deteriorating rule of law standards and violations of fundamental rights;

Amendment 148 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point 1 (new)

(1) Expresses its concerns that in many EU Member States, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people run the risk of discrimination and harassment on a daily basis; Highlights that prejudices and misconceptions about homosexuality and transgender people further fuel intolerant attitudes and behaviour towards this community.

Amendment 149 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point 2 (new)

(2) Reminds that due to the differences between EU Member States in legal recognition for same-sex couples, LGBTI individuals and their families may encounter difficulties when travelling, moving to or residing in other EU Member States that different-sex couples do not experience.

Amendment 15 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)

— having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/953 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2021 on a framework for the issuance, verification and acceptance of interoperable COVID- 19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates (EU Digital COVID Certificate) to facilitate free movement during the COVID-19 pandemic,

Amendment 150 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point 3 (new)

(3) Highlights that in some Member States, Public Administrations cannot display unofficial flags and any sign of support to of the rights of LGBTI. Expresses grace concern about the fact that in Spain this has been established by t the Supreme Court, which has established as a doctrine that the use of unofficial flags outside buildings and public spaces in a clear violation of freedom of expression. 1a __________________ 1a https://elpais.com/espana/2020-06- 01/el-supremo-establece-que-ninguna- administracion-publica-puede-utilizar- banderas-no-oficiales-en-el-exterior-de- sus-edificios.html

Amendment 151 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point 4 (new)

(4) Considers that EU institutions should make a great effort with national and linguistic minorities and grant the fundamental rights of the 50 million European citizens that speak a non- official EU language and should ensure that knowledge of these languages is treated at least on equal basis with other languages in the internal processes of EU institutions.

Amendment 152 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point 5 (new)

(5) Believes that there are still too many different standards across EU member states when it comes to recognising EU citizens fundamental rights; notes that while it should be welcomed that the Irish language became an EU official language, on the 1 January 2022 1a ,on an equal footing with the EU's other 23 official languages, in some EU countries there is a clear hostility against linguistic diversity; notes that, for instance, the non-officiality of Catalan language at EU level despite having 10 million speakers 2a 3a inside the Union in three different Member States remains an anomaly to be solved. __________________ 1a https://ec.europa.eu/info/news/irish- now-same-level-other-official-eu- languages-2022-jan-03_en 2a http://www.caib.es/conselleries/educacio/d gpoling/user/catalaeuropa/angles/angles5. pdf 3a https://www.plataforma- llengua.cat/campanyes/no-official-no- exist-eng/

Amendment 153 #

Sira REGO, Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Denounces the discrimination that exists in the European Union on the basis of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, class, ethnic origin or religion and calls on the Commission to promote public policies aimed at eliminating such discrimination, and to collect data disaggregated by race, origin, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation and identity in order to be able to develop public policies that meet the needs of the people affected in a real and effective way, and that the EU Framework Decision on combating racism and xenophobia (2008/913/JHA) is properly and fully implemented; believes that should Member States fail to do so, the European Commission should initiate infringement proceedings against them;

Amendment 154 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Urges the Member States to ensure the full implementation of the Race Equality Directive and Employment Equality Directive in order to combat persisting racism against people of different origins, ethnicity or colour; condemns the fact that racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious minorities still face deep-rooted structural and institutional racism, discrimination, hate- crime and hate-speech, a lack of access to justice, and sustained socio-economic inequalities which are major barriers to them fully enjoying their fundamental rights, social inclusion and equality as EU citizens, in all spheres of life, including housing, education, healthcare and employment;

Amendment 155 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Calls on the Council, the Commission and the Member States to revoke the EUDCC and any other national equivalent of the digital passport, as it infringes on the right of equal treatment, and has resulted in discrimination against those who do not wish to be vaccinated or tested;

Amendment 156 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Welcomes the Commission’s EU Agenda for the Rights of the Child, the Commission’s efforts to ensure respect for, and promotion of, the rights of the child in judicial proceedings, and the fact that the Directive on victims of crime ensures a higher level of protection of children as vulnerable victims; regret however that the Agenda does not clearly highlight the prior responsibility of both parents for the well-being of their children and the rights of the child;

Amendment 157 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Calls on the EU institutions and all Member States to elaborate child- friendly policies especially in relation to education, data-protection and judiciary; recalls that the EU and its Member States must take into account the rights and duties of the parents, legal guardians, or other individuals legally responsible for the child;

Amendment 158 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Calls on the Member States to strengthen checks at border crossing points, in particular with Ukraine, in order to identify children in vulnerable situations; calls on Member States and border control authorities to cooperate and exchange information in order to identify unaccompanied minors;

Amendment 159 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Alice KUHNKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2b. Reiterates calls on all EU institutions and Member States to effectively address challenges such as the sexual exploitation of children and child pornography, protection of unaccompanied migrant children and the situation of institutionalised disabled children, protection of children who have suffered domestic abuse and workplace exploitation, missing children;

Amendment 16 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7

~~— having regard to Council Directive 2002/90/EC of 28 November 2002 defining the facilitation of unauthorised entry, transit and residence2 , __________________ 2 OJ L 328, 5.12.2002, p. 17.~~deleted

Amendment 160 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2b. Notes that the collection and processing of personal data for the purposes of behavioural manipulation have an increasing impact on the fundamental rights of citizens in the EU, particularly the rights to privacy, data protection and information; urges competent authorities to ensure the full application of EU data protection law and privacy law, and to ensure that individuals understand when and how their personal data is processed and for what purposes, and how they can object to data processing and file complaints, in order to protect their right to personal data protection and privacy;

Amendment 161 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 c (new)

2c. Urges the Council and the Member States to immediately unblock and conclude the negotiations on the Horizontal Directive on discrimination;

Amendment 162 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 c (new)

2c. Welcomes the fact that, following Parliament's recommendations, the European Commission has adopted an ambitious strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities for the period 2021-2030; reaffirms the fundamental importance of the implementation of the proposed measures and the further development of national measures in order to ensure that people with disabilities are not disadvantaged and discriminated against in terms of employment, education and social inclusion;

Amendment 163 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 d (new)

2d. Is concerned about the lack of progress as regards precarious working conditions in care services which has dramatic consequences on the ability of older persons needing such services to live dignified lives and to remain integrated in society; calls on the Commission and the Member States to strengthen their efforts to combat all forms of discrimination against older people; as a consequence of demographic change in the EU, underlines the importance of supporting initiatives linked to active ageing;

Amendment 164 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2

Media freedom and the protection of journalists

Amendment 165 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2

Media fFreedom and Right to Information

Amendment 166 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2 a (new)

Believes that Member States should reform any laws that criminalise freedom of expression, assembly, and association, and facilitate an environment where criticism is part of healthy debate on any issue of public concern; is of the opinion that businesses should be held accountable for any acts of retaliation against journalists, rights defenders, whistleblowers, activists and NGOs;

Amendment 167 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2 a (new)

Condemns the use of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation(SLAPPs) which are being used to silence and intimidate human rights defenders

Amendment 168 #

Sira REGO, Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2 a (new)

Highlights that SLAPP lawsuits are but one threat to a free and pluralist media, with others including commercial pressures and imperatives; political pressure; journalistic self-censorship on issues of particular controversy; career precarity and heavy journalist workloads; pressure on journalists to maintain access to elite sources through uncritical reporting; and career promotion being closed off to journalists who breach unspoken and internalised assumptions regarding the correct ‘line’ on issues of particular controversy, in particular regarding foreign policy;

Amendment 169 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

Amendment 17 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8

— having regard to the ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) of 21 June 2017 in Case C- 621/15, N. W and Others v Sanofi Pasteur MSD SNC and Others, regarding Directive 85/374/EEC3 , __________________ 3 Judgment of the Court of Justice of 21 June 2017, N. W and Others v Sanofi Pasteur MSD SNC and Others, C-621/15, ECLI:EU:C:2017:484.deleted

Amendment 170 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Condemns attempts by governments to silence media outlets that criticise them and to eliminate media freedom and pluralism; also condemns social media platforms that censor, deplatform or intimidate independent journalists and freealls on Member States to protect and develop an independent, pluralist and free media sector; condemns in this respect any measures aimed at silencing criti~~zens who express a narrative differing from that of mainstream media~~cal media and undermining media freedom and pluralism;

Amendment 171 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Condemns attempts by governments and the European Union to silence media outlets that criticise them and to eliminate media freedom and pluralism; also condemns social media platforms that censor, deplatform or intimidate independent journalists and free citizens who express a narrative differing from that of mainstream media;

Amendment 172 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Condemns attempts by governments to silence and intimidate media outlets that criticise them and to eliminate media freedom and pluralism; also condemns social media platforms that censor, deplatform or intimidate independent journalists and free citizens who express a narrative differing from that of mainstream media;

Amendment 173 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Calls on Member States to protect and develop an independent, pluralist and free media sector; condemns in this regard any measures aimed at silencing critical media and undermining media freedom; expresses concern about the creation of government-controlled bodies which manage large parts of a country’s media landscape and the hijacking of public service media outlets to serve partisan interests; recalls that where media ownership remains highly concentrated, whether in government or private hands, it constitutes a significant risk to the diversity of information represented in media content; recalls that freedom of information, and media freedom are fundamental to democracy and the rule of law and urges Member States to guarantee the independence of their media authorities;

Amendment 174 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Notes that several Member States’ positions in international press freedom rankings have declined; highlights the irreplaceable role of public service media and stresses that it is essential to ensure and maintain their independence from political interference; strongly condemns threats to media freedom, including harassment and attacks aimed at journalists and whistle-blowers, the disregard of their legal protection as well as media capture or politically motivated actions in the media sector;

Amendment 175 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Is deeply concerned by the further deterioration of media freedom in Hungary, Poland and Slovenia, and the different reforms put in place by the ruling coalitions in order to reduce diversity and critical voices within the media;

Amendment 176 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Is deeply concerned about attacks, harassment, violence and threats against journalists, human rights defenders and other persons exposing foreign interference and disinformation campaigns;

Amendment 177 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Points out that foreign interference seriously affects democratic processes in the EU;

Amendment 178 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Urges the EU institutions to draw up a Code of Ethics to guide public authorities and political representatives in the use of social media platforms and networks; insists on responsible use of such platforms and networks to combat manipulation and misinformation originating in the public sphere and to oblige platforms to do their part to reduce information manipulation and interference;

Amendment 179 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Expresses its concern about the threat that different forms of propaganda and misinformation, including anti- vaccine propaganda, pose to human life and health, freedom of speech and expression and to the independence of the media, and the negative effects they might have on the quality of political debate and on the participation of citizens in democratic societies; calls on the Commission to promote and invest in the strengthening of media literacy, actively support quality journalism and foster data protection and create a more transparent online ecosystem while safeguarding media freedom and pluralism;

Amendment 18 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)

— having regard to the ruling of the European Court of Human rights in case 21881/20, Communaute genevoise d’action syndicale (CGAS) v. Switzerland 1a, __________________ 1a Judgement of the European Court of Human Rights if 15 March 2022, Communaute genevoise d’action syndicale (CGAS) v. Switzerland, 21881/20,

Amendment 180 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Recalls the fundamental role of investigative journalism in acting as a watchdog in a democratic society; condemns the persistence and increase in many Member States of threats and intimidation against journalists, including in relation to the disclosure of information about breaches of fundamental rights;

Amendment 181 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Believes that EU binding rules providing robust and consistent protection for the independent media and journalists from vexatious lawsuits intended to silence or intimidate them in the EU are much needed in order to help end this abusive practice;

Amendment 182 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Is deeply concerned about the spread of manipulative disinformation and interference in EU’s democratic processes by state actors, non-state actors and third parties in the EU; calls for the EU institutions and the Member States to play an active role in countering foreign interference and spread of manipulative disinformation;

Amendment 183 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Notes that some measures taken by Member States in the fight against COVID-19 impacted severely the right to privacy and data protection, that the data protection authorities were not fully consulted, that necessity and proportionality were not always clear, often a solid legal basis was lacking and no proper evaluation has taken place; calls on the European Commission, the EDPS and EDPB to evaluate the situation without delay;

Amendment 184 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 c (new)

3c. Expresses its concern about the threat that different forms of propaganda and misinformation pose to freedom of speech and expression and to the independence of the media, and the negative effects they might have on the quality of political debate and on the participation of citizens in democratic societies;

Amendment 185 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 c (new)

3c. Welcomes the Commission’s recent initiative to issue a Recommendation on Ensuring Safety of Journalists in the European Union; calls on the Commission to deliver on the Media Freedom Act without delay;

Amendment 186 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 c (new)

3e. Reiterates the importance of building resilience to foreign interference, detecting and countering attacks as efficiently as possible, within the EU framework of fundamental rights and in a transparent and democratic way;

Amendment 187 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 c (new)

3c. Expresses deep concern over weak and uneven enforcement of the GDPR, with which it risks becoming a paper tiger, not providing actual protection to citizens; deplores that the Commission ignored Parliament's call for infringement proceedings against Ireland for not properly enforcing the GDPR;

Amendment 188 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 d (new)

3d. Calls on the Commission to ensure proper implementation of the Audio- visual Media Services Directive, in particular with reference to the independence of media regulators, transparency of media ownership and media literacy; calls on the Commission to make effective use of infringement procedures in situations where Member States implement these provisions incorrectly or incompletely

Amendment 189 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 d (new)

3d. Welcomes the fact that the European Democracy Action Plan envisages that the Commission and the EEAS together develop a toolbox for foreign interference and influence operations, including hybrid operations and the clear attribution of malicious attacks by third parties and countries against the EU;

Amendment 19 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK

Motion for a resolution
Citation 9

— having regard to the CJEU ruling of 18 October 2011 in Case C-34/10, Oliver Brüstle v Greenpeace eV4 , __________________ 4 Judgment of the Court of Justice of 18 October 2011, Oliver Brüstle v Greenpeace eV, C-34/10, ECLI:EU:C:2011:669.deleted

Amendment 190 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 d (new)

3d. Expresses concern over the European Commission's internal guidelines on records management and archives, which is based on an erroneous interpretation of the Regulation (EC) 1049/2001 on access to documents, and over the exclusion of text messages from the scope of the rules on access to documents, which has been qualified "maladministration" by the European Ombudsman

Amendment 191 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 e (new)

3e. Urges the Member States, in the context of increased and rapid spread of disinformation, hoaxes and political propaganda, to include targeted age- appropriate activities in their curricula focused on the development of critical thinking, media literacy and digital skills; calls on greater emphasis to be put on citizenship education with focus on fundamental rights, democracy and participation in public affairs;

Amendment 192 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 e (new)

3e. Underlines the importance of the review of the Code of Practice on Disinformation and the proposals for a Digital Services Act, a Digital Markets Act and other measures linked to the European Democracy Action Plan in order to become effective tools to tackle foreign interference;

Amendment 193 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 e (new)

3e. Strongly condemns Kremlin’s active role in spreading manipulative disinformation across both traditional media outlets and social media platforms in the EU; strongly condemns the destabilizing efforts of the Russian government in the EU, including its interference in elections and democratic processes in the EU and in the candidate/potential candidate countries; notes that Russia’s malign disinformation campaigns linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine have been targeting the EU and its Member States;

Amendment 194 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 f (new)

3f. Is extremely concerned about the existence and continuous spread of extreme right-wing movements, especially neo-fascist and neo-Nazi groups, in the EU; calls on the Member States to take urgent measures to effectively ban these groups; at the same time calls on more research on the foundations, membership base and especially funding of such groups with the aim of identifying possible foreign interference; stresses the need to give greater space in the history curricula to objective and factual learning about different racial or ethnic ideologies, such as slavery, colonialism or fascism, and their forms and origins, including the misuse of science for their justification, as well as their consequences and possible remnants in present times in order to combat repeated resurgence of these ideologies;

Amendment 195 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 f (new)

3f. Welcomes the EU-wide ban on Russian propaganda outlets such as Sputnik TV, Russia Today and other Russian disinformation organs which have the sole aim of weakening and dividing the EU’s public opinion and EU decision makers; welcomes the various bans EU Member States have introduced in their legislations in order to combat Kremlin’s disinformation campaign linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine;

Amendment 196 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 g (new)

3g. Regrets that some Member States have thwarted the effective exercise of citizens’ right of access to documents, by unnecessarily delaying or even eliminating deadlines for access to documents requests; emphasises that this not only led to lack of trust in authorities amongst citizens, but also to the undermining of media pluralism in the EU;

Amendment 197 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

Amendment 198 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

Amendment 199 #

Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Condemns governmental politicisation of the media, wh~~ereby~~ich is prejudicing the provision of proper information to EU citizens and respect for the principle of access to information, and through which governments use ithe media as a tool for their own propaganda; urges the Member States to decouple nominations to broadcasting councils from political parties, ensuring independence of financing, editorial freedom and journalistic integrity; notes that the German broadcasters ARD and ZDF are firmly in the hands of politicians, despite decades of appeals by the German Constitutional Court to try and change this;

Amendment 2 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)

— having regard to Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union, which notes that the Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities,

Amendment 20 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK

Motion for a resolution
Citation 10

— having regard to the exchange of views held on 30 June 2021 at the German Chancellor’s Office with the German Federal Constitutional Court, during which more than 750 constitutional complaints about excessive lockdown measures were dismissed5 , __________________ 5 https://rsw.beck.de/aktuell/daily/meldung/ detail/das-bundesverfassungsgericht-zu- gast-im-bundeskanzleramtdeleted

Amendment 200 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

Amendment 201 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Condemns governmental politicisation of the media, whereby governments and the European Union use it as a tool for their own propaganda; urges the Member States and the European Commission to decouple broadcasting councils from political parties, ensuring independence of financing, editorial freedom and journalistic integrity; notes that the German broadcasters ARD and ZDF are firmly in the hands of politicians, despite decades of appeals by the German Constitutional Court to try and change this;

Amendment 202 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Condemns governmental politicisation of the media, whereby governments use it as a tool for their own propaganda; urges the Member States to decouple broadcasting councils from political parties, ensuring independence of financing, editorial freedom and journalistic integrity; notes that the German broadcasters ARD and ZDF are firmly in the hands of politicians, despite decades of appeals by the German Constitutional Court to try and change thRegrets the fact that that the safety of journalists is not universally guaranteed; underlines the importance of media pluralism and the need to protect journalists against threats and attacks in order to prevent self-censorship and to assure freedom of expression and the right to information and safeguard the journalistic profession; calls on the Commission to improve the instruments for assessing measures taken by governments that may undermine freedom of information and pluralism;

Amendment 203 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Expresses concern about the creation of government-controlled bodies which manage large parts of a country’s media landscape and the hijacking of public service media outlets to serve partisan interests; recalls that where media ownership remains highly concentrated, whether in government or private hands, it constitutes a significant risk to the diversity of information and viewpoints represented in media content; recalls that freedom of expression and information, including the freedom of artistic expression, and media freedom are fundamental to democracy and the rule of law and urges Member States to guarantee the independence of their media authorities; recalls that the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media, is a component of the freedom of artistic expression;

Amendment 204 #

Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Urges the Commission to come up with an ambitious proposal to combat all SLAPPs; further calls on the Commission to ban spyware products such as Pegasus which have been used to carry out surveillance on journalists, human rights activists, opposition figures and lawyers in and outside the EU;

Amendment 205 #

Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Cyrus ENGERER, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4b. Recalls the importance to ensure media freedom, pluralism and independence, the transparency of media ownership and regulation of market concentration, as well as the protection of journalists; calls on the Commission to step up efforts in this direction, including by proposing binding measures and by protecting and promoting funding for investigative journalism;

Amendment 206 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 c (new)

4c. Strongly condemns the continuous smear campaigns in public media against judges, journalists and politicians critical of the current government, including SLAPP (strategic lawsuit against public participation) lawsuits initiated by government agencies, government officials, state-owned companies or individuals with close ties to the government coalitions across Europe; urges the Commission to use all legislative and executive instruments at its disposal to prevent these intimidator actions that endanger freedom of expression from occurring; calls on the Commission, in cooperation with journalists’ organisations, to monitor and report on attacks against journalists, as well as on lawsuits intended to silence or intimidate independent media, and to guarantee access to the appropriate legal remedies;

Amendment 207 #

Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Cyrus ENGERER, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 d (new)

4d. Condemns the attacks, detentions and violence against journalists during protests, who have been prevented from reporting, and thus, doing their job; expresses deep concern about the cases of police brutality, particularly against journalists, during protests, and urges accountability; calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure the safety and protection of journalists, particularly during protests;

Amendment 208 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 e (new)

4e. Believes that EU binding rules providing robust and consistent protection for the independent media and journalists from vexatious lawsuits intended to silence or intimidate them in the EU are much needed in order to help end this abusive practice;

Amendment 209 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3

~~Rule of law~~deleted

Amendment 21 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK

Motion for a resolution
Citation 11

— having regard to the political instrumentalisation of the German public prosecutor’s office, whereby political opponents are subjected to spurious legal claims designed to waste their time, energy and resources, thereby harming their chances in elections,deleted

Amendment 210 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3

Rule of law and Fundamental Rights

Amendment 211 #

Sira REGO, Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3 a (new)

Underlines that the emergency measures that have implied concentrations of powers and derogations of fundamental rights go hand in hand with corruption risks; calls on the Member States to step up their efforts to ensure that adequate legislation and institutional frameworks to combat corruption are applied effectively in practice, and that governments act with transparency and accountability; calls on the Member States in this regard to closely follow the guidelines issued by GRECO in 2020 to prevent corruption risks in the context of the pandemic;

Amendment 212 #

Sira REGO, Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3 b (new)

Considers that the rule of law is intimately linked with respect for democracy and fundamental rights and highlights that deterioration of any of these values constitutes an attack on the pillars of the Union as stipulated in TEU; repeats the numerous calls by the Parliament to broaden the scope of the Rule of Law report to include all Article 2 TEU values in order to have a holistic overview of the situation in all Member States;

Amendment 213 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3 c (new)

Welcomes the infringement procedures initiated by the Commission against Hungary and Poland as part of the July 2021 infringement package concerning the respect for the human rights of LGBTIQ persons and breaches of EU law, which constitute the first time the Commission has specifically initiated infringements to safeguard their rights; takes note of the Commission’s reasoned opinion to the Hungarian government on the ‘anti-LGBTIQ’ law and the government’s response, and calls on the Commission to proceed with the infringement by bringing the case to the CJEU; takes note of the decision of the Budapest High Court annulling the obligation to print a disclaimer in children’s books in Hungary, and calls on the Commission to monitor the development of the case to assess necessary next steps in the infringement; is concerned over the lack of follow-up vis-a-vie infringement procedures on Polish ‘LGBTI-free’ zones and lack of sincere cooperation by the Polish authorities, and calls on the Commission to send a reasoned opinion to the government;

Amendment 214 #

Sira REGO, Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3 d (new)

Recalls that the abuse of discretionary power should be controlled by judicial or other independent review and that available remedies should be clear and easily accessible, including access to an ombudsperson or another form of non- contentious jurisdiction; calls on the Member States to establish mechanisms to prevent, correct and sanction abuse of discretionary powers and to provide adequate reasons for their decisions, in particular when they affect the rights of individuals;

Amendment 215 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3 a (new)

Recalls that holding legally innocent persons in pre-trial detention is only acceptable as an exceptional measure of last resort; believes that the authorities should take the current COVID-19 context as an historical opportunity to end over-reliance on pre-trial detention and to reconsider their approach to incarceration; stresses the need for EU standards on pre-trial detention establishing a minimum sentence necessary before imposing pre-trial detention so that minor offenders are exempt from the possibility of pre-trial detention; is of the opinion that individuals should not be serving their entire sentence on remand;

Amendment 216 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3 e (new)

Condemns the approach of some EU governments to adopt legislation in fast- track procedures without public consultations, such as constitutional changes to legitimise discriminatory policies that could otherwise not be legislated upon, such as provisions that specifically aim at LGBTIQ persons; notes that the changes approved to the Hungarian constitution, or the ‘anti- LGBTIQ’ bill adopted in June 2021 by the Hungarian Parliament are notable examples of encroachment on the right to equal treatment and the principle of non- discrimination;

Amendment 217 #

Sira REGO, Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3 a (new)

Calls on the Member States to put in place and apply procedures guaranteeing that persons are heard before being passed back to a neighbouring Member State, and formally notify them of the decision taken; denounces that migrants and asylum seekers apprehended after crossing an internal or external EU border are not systematically heard before they are passed back to a neighbouring Member State and are also not systematically notified of the decision to pass them back to another Member State; recalls Member States' obligation to effectively guarantee the right to a fair trial and the right to equality before the law to all people;

Amendment 218 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

Amendment 219 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

Amendment 22 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK

Motion for a resolution
Citation 12

~~— having regard to President von der Leyen’s heavily redacted disclosure of vaccine purchase contracts to MEPs,~~deleted

Amendment 220 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. ~~Highlights the seeming impunity of some national government~~Underlines that the rule of law is a cornerstone of democracy, maintains the separation of powers, ensures accountability, contributes to tru~~le of law scrutiny, especially Germany, where political parties continue to exert influ~~st in public institutions and guarantees the principles of legality, legal certainty, prohibition of arbitrariness of the executive powers, judicial independence, i~~n the appointment of judges, and seek to eliminate political opposition parties by intimidation and spurious court case~~mpartiality, and equality before the law; stresses that the rule of law and judicial independence in particular are critical for citizens’ ability to enjoy their fundamental rights and freedoms;

Amendment 221 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Highlights the seeming impunity of some national governments and the European Union to rule of law scrutiny, especially Germany, where political parties continue to exert influence in the appointment of judges, and seek to eliminate political opposition parties by intimidation and spurious court cases;

Amendment 222 #

Sira REGO, Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Highlights the seeming impunity of some national governments to rule of law scrutiny, especially Germany, where political parties continue to exert influence in the appointment of judges, and seek to eliminate political opposition parties by intimidation and spurious court casrule of law backsliding in many Member States over different periods and by different levels of authority, from the executive level through procedures such as fast-tracking laws in periods of state emergencies, to the local level such as pervasive abuse by policing authorities;

Amendment 223 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – point 1 (new)

(1) Calls the Commission to ensure that the right to freedom of assembly is duly protected in all Member States where it is being threatened.

Amendment 224 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – point 2 (new)

(2) Highlights that promoting and upholding the Rule of Law requires vigilance and constant improvement, because there is always a risk of backsliding; Considers that the Rule of law guarantees fundamental rights and values, allows the application of EU law, and supports an investment-friendly business environment; notes that the absence of a level playing field in the EU that ensures equal rights and equal treatment for EU citizens produces discriminatory situations; stresses, moreover, that the credibility of our external policies relies on the state of the Rule of Law in the EU itself;

Amendment 225 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – point 3 (new)

(3) Underlines as a case of rule of law failings inside the EU the events of 12 November 2019, when hundreds of peaceful demonstrators blocked the border bridge between Spain and France at La Jonquera; noting that participants were arrested on both sides of the border; whereas in France, proceedings were open against 12 people 1a for the crime of obstruction of public roads, a crime that would have entailed only a fine, but were quickly dismissed. By contrast, in Spain, more than 200 people were prosecuted for the crimes of damages and public disorders. Proceedings are still ongoing, with possible prison sentences of up to six years. The crime of public disorders was amended by the 2015 Spanish Criminal Code 2a reform and prison sentences for acts committed in the context of demonstrations significantly increased; However UN experts have stressed the chilling effect this has on the exercise of freedom of peaceful assembly. This is an illustrative case, where the same protest is being aggressively prosecuted in a Member State while in another it has no consequences 3a. __________________ 1a https://directa.cat/investiguen-mes-de- 200-persones-pels-talls-de-lap7- convocats-per-tsunami-democratic 2a https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2015/03/31/pd fs/BOE-A-2015-3439.pdf 3a https://www.ohchr.org/en/press- releases/2015/02/two-legal-reform- projects-undermine-rights-assembly-and- expression-spain- un?LangID=E&NewsID=15597

Amendment 226 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – point 4 (new)

(4) Believes that the quality of public administration and the rule of law culture as reflected in the way authorities apply the law and implement court decisions are key; stresses that the fight against corruption is essential for maintaining the rule of law and preserving citizens’ trust in public institutions

Amendment 227 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – point 5 (new)

(5) Recognises that the Commission was encouraged by the response to the 2020 Rule of Law Report in the European Parliament and in the Council, as well as in national Parliaments; expresses deep concern about the fact that there are still one too many cases where there is not enough inter-institutional cooperation on the rule of law.

Amendment 228 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – point 6 (new)

(6) Is concerned that the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) regretted that Spain had not fully implemented any of the recommendations made in 2019 to fight corruption 1a.In a report on the prevention of corruption in governments and the police, GRECO noted that the state had not fully complied with any of its nineteen recommendations. Only seven had been partially completed, while twelve have not been implemented, according to the report. GRECO pointed especially to the police and considered its progress in building an "ethical infrastructure" to be "disappointing". On the political front, GRECO regretted that the state has not taken any steps to strengthen transparency in the case of advisers or to establish a strategy to mitigate the risks of corruption in the case of senior officials. In the same line GRECO´s report pointed out that no progress in the recommendation to ensure that the Transparency and Good Governance Council has "adequate independence, authority and resources to function effectively"; expresses grave concern about the fact that the report also stated that the Spanish state has also made no progress in establishing rules on the relationship between senior officials and lobbies, nor in the recommendation to expand public information on the assets of senior officials nor in the supervision of possible conflicts of interest. __________________ 1a https://www.coe.int/en/web/greco/- /spain-publication-of-5th-evaluation- round-compliance-report

Amendment 229 #

Sira REGO, Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Emphasises the obvious link between deteriorating rule of law standards and violations of fundamental rights, such as the use of excessive force by law enforcement authorities during protests and at the EU borders, the lack of guarantees and due process for detainees, incitation of hatred by political actors, the increase in the authorities’ powers to carry out mass surveillance and bulk collection of intercepted data, and restrictions imposed on civil society organisations receiving foreign funding or based on their religious affiliation;

Amendment 23 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 a (new)

— having regard to the Commission recommendation of 16 September 2021 on ‘on the protection, safety and empowerment of journalists’ (COM(2021)6650),

Amendment 230 #

Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Cyrus ENGERER, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Is concerned that the Covid-19 pandemic, and responses to it, have had an unprecedented impact on the functioning of courts and on the ability to exercise defence rights, as lawyers’ ability to consult with their clients was severely restricted; underlines that access to police stations and courts were severely restricted, and many court hearings were postponed or moved online; stresses that these measures had serious implications for the ability of persons arrested, prosecuted, or detained to exercise their fair trial rights;

Amendment 231 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Believes that all Member States must fully comply with the Charter in their legislative practices and must fully respect the rule of law and the principle of the separation of powers;

Amendment 232 #

Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Expresses concern about the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on people in detention; stresses that some Member States adopted measures to reduce prison populations, but often only on a temporary basis; underlines that the EU is facing a long-standing crisis in prison overcrowding, which is mainly driven by the excessive use of pre-trial detention; is concerned about the increasing mental health problems among people on remand; calls on the Commission to propose minimum standards on prison and detention conditions in the EU;

Amendment 233 #

Rob ROOKEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Notes that the CJEU has explicitly stated that the Conditionality Regulation is not intended to protect the rule of law, but to protect the EU budget;

Amendment 234 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Stresses the indispensability of enforcing court sentences, both at national and EU level; condemns all national governments and sub-state entities on EU territory that refuse to follow judgments; emphasises that sentences of the Court of Justice of the European Union have to be implemented in a timely manner and as soon as possible in accordance with the Treaties, which the Member States agreed to comply with, in particular, those court sentences that seek to prevent discrimination on grounds of sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic characteristics, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation;

Amendment 235 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5b. Strongly condemns the ongoing severe violations of the principles of the rule of law in some Member States, which are causing a serious danger in relation to fundamental rights and freedoms; recognises the links between violation of rule of law and fundamental rights violations in a number of areas such as judiciary, independent journalism and free media;

Amendment 236 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5b. Stresses that despite numerous European Parliament resolutions and reports, and several infringement proceedings and decisions of the CJEU in 2020 and 2021, the rule of law situation in the European Union is continuing to deteriorate, regrets the Commission’s inability to respond properly to the many concerns expressed by Parliament about democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights in several Member States;

Amendment 237 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5b. Calls on the Council, the Commission, the European Parliament, and the governments and parliaments of the Member States to protect and uphold the rule of law and the fundamental values of the Union, including fundamental rights and democracy for the upcoming years and to learn from the mistakes made in 2020 and 2021;

Amendment 238 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)

5c. Is deeply concerned by the fact that the Polish authorities have deliberately and systematically violated rule of law-related judgments and orders of the CJEU; calls on the Polish authorities to comply with the various CJEU and European Court of Human Rights rulings regarding the composition and organisation of the illegitimate ‘Constitutional Tribunal’ and the Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Court in order to comply with the standards of judicial independence that Poland committed to;

Amendment 239 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)

5c. Notes that the EU has acted ultra vires in adopting the rule of law conditionality regulation, in that it has gone beyond the powers conferred upon it by the Member States; further considers that the rule of law conditionality regulation violates the unanimity principle set out in Article 7 TEU and therefore constitutes a breach of EU law;

Amendment 24 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 b (new)

— having regard to the Commission communication of 9 December 2021 on ‘Amore inclusive and protective Europe: extending the list of EU crimes to hate speech and hate crime’ (COM(2021)777),

Amendment 240 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)

5c. Notes that in October2021, pursuant to Article 265 TFEU, Parliament launched an action against the Commission before the ECJ over its failure to act and apply the regulation, which had been requested in two resolutions in 2021 and which followed on from the unsatisfactory replies from the Commission and its attempt to play for time; regrets the fact that the Commission has not yet responded to Parliament’s call to trigger Article 6(1) of the regulation and has not sent written notifications to the Member States concerned, but only sent requests for information to Hungary and Poland in November 2021;

Amendment 241 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 d (new)

5d. Reiterates its condemnation of the practice of prosecuting and harassing judges who are critical of the Polish Government; calls on the Disciplinary Chamber in its current composition to stop all of its activities and cases, including legal cases, and to reinstate all judges who have been removed from their positions as adjudicators by this Chamber, including those judges who continue to be prevented from adjudicating despite them having successfully appealed their suspension by the Chamber in a court of law, as the final verdicts on appeal are subsequently and continuously disregarded by the presidents of the courts in which they serve;

Amendment 242 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 d (new)

5d. Recalls that the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation provides a clear definition of the rule of law, which must be understood in relation to the other values of the Union, including fundamental rights and non- discrimination; is of the opinion that state-sponsored discrimination against minorities has a direct impact on which projects the Member States decide to spend EU money on, and therefore directly affects the protection of the financial interests of the Union; calls on the Commission to immediately trigger the procedure provided for in Article 6(1) of the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation;

Amendment 243 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 e (new)

5e. Recalls that no proper response has yet been given to Parliament’s initiative on the establishment of an EU mechanism on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights to be governed by an interinstitutional agreement between Parliament, the Commission and the Council; calls on the Commission and the Council to immediately enter into negotiations with Parliament on an interinstitutional agreement pursuant to Article 295 of the TFEU;

Amendment 244 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 e (new)

5e. Highlights that the EU is a Union based on the Rule of Law, and that the enforcement of EU law is crucial to ensure that citizens have real access to their fundamental rights; regrets in this regard that the Commission has made less use of its enforcement tool box, in particular by decreasing the number of infringements it initiates; Notes that citizens, therefore, increasingly have to turn to litigation to attain the enjoyment of their fundamental rights; Calls on the Commission to support this litigation through setting up a dedicated Fund for the Financial Aid to Strategic Litigation for Charter rights.

Amendment 245 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 f (new)

5f. Reiterates its position on the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation, which entered into force on 1 January 2021 and is directly applicable in its entirety in the European Union and all its Member States for all funds of the EU budget, including resources allocated through the EU Recovery Instrument since then;

Amendment 246 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 f (new)

5f. Strongly condemns the efforts of the governments of some Member States to weaken the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary; expresses its deep concern, in particular, about decisions which call into question the primacy of European law and calls on the Commission to use all available means to take action against these attacks;

Amendment 247 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 g (new)

5g. Stresses that under Article 47 of the Charter, the fundamental right to an effective remedy requires access to an independent tribunal; notes the increasing challenges posed by national constitutional courts and some politicians in this regard and calls on the Member States to respect the crucial role of the CJEU and to comply with its rulings;

Amendment 248 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 h (new)

5h. Reiterates that corruption is a serious threat to democracy, the rule of law and fair treatment for all citizens; highlights the link between corruption and fundamental rights violations in a number of areas such as the independence of the judiciary, media freedom and freedom of expression of journalists and whistle-blowers, detention facilities, access to social rights, or trafficking of human beings;

Amendment 249 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 i (new)

5i. Calls on the EU institutions and the Member States to resolutely fight corruption, and to devise effective instruments for preventing, combating and sanctioning corruption, and fighting fraud, as well as regularly monitoring the use of public funds; calls on the Commission to immediately resume its annual anti-corruption monitoring and reporting, with reference to the EU institutions and the Member States;

Amendment 25 #

Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Cyrus ENGERER, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 c (new)

— having regard to the Commission communication of 5 March 2020 entitled ‘A Union of Equality: Gender Equality Strategy (2020-2025)’,

Amendment 250 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 j (new)

5j. Stresses that in action and a lax approach towards oligarchic structures and the systemic violation of the rule of law weaken the entire European Union and undermine the trust of its citizens; underlines the need to ensure that taxpayers’ money never ends up in the pockets of those who undermine the EU’s shared values;

Amendment 251 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 k (new)

5k. Welcomes the rapid establishment of an efficient, independent and fully operational European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in order to strengthen the fight against fraud in the European Union; highlights the importance of supporting and strengthening cooperation between the EU institutions, the Member States, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO);

Amendment 252 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 l (new)

5l. Stresses the need to monitor and enforce the compliance with all Article 2 TEU values comprehensively; calls on the Commission to integrate this comprehensive monitoring in an Annual Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights report;

Amendment 253 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4

~~Right to congregate, free movement and freedom of conscience~~deleted

Amendment 254 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4

~~Right to congregate, free movement and freedom of conscience~~Situation and fundamental rights violations at the EU’s external borders

Amendment 255 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4

Right ~~to congregate, free movement and freedom of conscience~~s of minorities and vulnerable groups

Amendment 256 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4 a (new)

Welcomes the Commission’s commitment to present in 2022 a Regulation on the mutual recognition of parenthood between Member States, which will create legal certainty for rainbow families across the EU.

Amendment 257 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4 a (new)

Calls on all Member States to respect the bodily autonomy of all people, in particular by banning intersex genital mutilation , so-called ‘conversion therapy’ practices, and the forced sterilisation of trans people as a precondition for accessing legal gender recognition; reiterates that legal gender recognition laws should be adopted in accordance with international human rights standards, there by being accessible, affordable, administrative, quick and based on self-determination;

Amendment 258 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4 b (new)

Is concerned about reports of excessive force, police brutality and misconduct against Romani people reported across the EU, in line with the 2020 findings of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), which also revealed that Romani people are subject to widespread poverty, inadequate living conditions, poor health, exclusion from the labour market and harassment.

Amendment 259 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4 c (new)

Condemns the persisting social exclusion and anti-gypsyism that lead to the disproportionate criminalisation of Romani people and calls on the Commission to put forward better legislation and specific policy measures to prevent such incidents and ensure justice for victims, while placing the fight against anti-gypsyism at the heart of EU policies;

Amendment 26 #

Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Cyrus ENGERER, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 d (new)

— having regard to the Commission communication of 24 June 2020 entitled ‘EU Strategy on victims’ rights (2020- 2025)’,

Amendment 260 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

Amendment 261 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

Amendment 262 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Condemns the violence of Antifa rioting in the midst of peaceful vaccine passport protests across Europe; notes the allegations that they are working in cooperation with police authorities to create headlines and discredit the protestpush backs and violence against migrants and asylum seekers at the external borders; Calls on the Commission and the Member States to set up a fully-fledged fundamental rights monitoring system at the external borders; Calls on the Commission to start infringement procedures where there are indications of push backs and violence; Calls on Frontex to suspend all operations in Member States where such instances take place and to provide full transparency and accountability of its operational activities;

Amendment 263 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Condemns the violence of Antifa rioting in the midst of peaceful vaccine passport protests across Europe and the lack of any measures to counter these groups; notes the allegations that they are working in cooperation with police authorities to create headlines and discredit the protests;

Amendment 264 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Stresses that law enforcement officials must respect and protect human dignity and maintain and uphold the human rights of all persons while performing their duty; stresses that the foremost task of police forces is to ensure the safety of citizens, and to ensure protests are conducted in a peaceful manner; condemns the use of violent and disproportionate interventions by law enforcement authorities during peaceful demonstrations over COVID-19 measures and government overreach in Member States as Austria, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands;

Amendment 265 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Underlines that COVID-19 pandemic put additional burden on most vulnerable groups of society worldwide such as women and girls, who remain the most vulnerable and were increasingly exposed during the pandemic to domestic violence, intimate partner violence mobbing, sexual exploitation, human trafficking, child and forced marriage, rape as a weapon of war and economic discrimination;

Amendment 266 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Considers that the rights of access to health, in particular to sexual and reproductive health, are fundamental rights of women which should be reinforced and which should in no case be reduced or taken away;

Amendment 267 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6b. Strongly condemns the increasing restrictions on freedom of assembly, including during the COVID-19 period; calls on Member States to refrain from adopting restrictive laws concerning freedom of assembly and encourages the EU and its Member States to take further steps to safeguard and protect freedom of assembly, as a fundamental right and as basic principles of democratic processes;

Amendment 268 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6b. Insists on the fact that gender- based violence must be tackled at European level in order to put an end to inequalities in protection between Member States; welcomes the Commission's proposal for a directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence; nevertheless regrets that the Commission proposal does not take into account Parliament's desire to include gender-based violence in Article 83 of the Treaty;

Amendment 269 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 c (new)

6c. Stresses the importance of combatting gender-based violence in all its forms and advancing gender equality and women’s rights; welcomes the Commission’s proposal for a directive on “combating violence against women and domestic violence” presented on March 8th, 2022, which proposes among others measures in the areas of criminalization of certain forms of violence, including criminalisation of rape based on lack of consent and certain forms of cyber violence, as well as measures on protection of victims, and access to justice, victim support and prevention;

Amendment 27 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 e (new)

— having regard to the Commission communication of 12November 2020 on the ‘Union of Equality: LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025’1a, __________________ 1a (COM(2020)698)

Amendment 270 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Alice KUHNKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 d (new)

6d. Regrets that in the European Union one in three women above 15 years of age has experienced some form of physical or sexual violence; is highly concerned about the alarming increase in incidents of gender-based violence, particularly in regard to domestic violence, due to health-related measures imposed to curb the spread of the COVID- 19 pandemic (e.g., lockdowns);

Amendment 271 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 e (new)

6e. Urges the Council to conclude the Union’s ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (i.e., Istanbul Convention); regrets that to this date not all 27 EU Member States have ratified the Convention and reiterates its call on Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia to ratify the Convention;

Amendment 272 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Recognises that freedom of conscience includes the right to conscientious objection; notes with concern that there are still Member States in which competent and well-qualified medical staff are denied employment, or have their employment terminated, because of their conscientious objection to life-ending procedures; urges Sweden and Finland to end their practice of compelling midwives to perform abortions even if this is against their conscience;deleted

Amendment 273 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

Amendment 274 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Condemns the approach of some EU governments to adopt legislation in fast-track procedures without public consultations or even, in exceptional cases, constitutional changes as a way to legitimise discriminatory policies that could otherwise not be legislated upon, such as provisions that specifically aim at LGBTIQ persons; notes that the changes approved to the Hungarian constitution, or the ‘anti-LGBTIQ’ bill adopted in June 2021 by the Hungarian Parliament are notable examples of encroachment on the right to equal treatment and the principle of non-discrimination;

Amendment 275 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Highlights that smear campaigns against LGBTIQ people and civil society more broadly are more prevalent in Member States in which media freedom is under attack;

Amendment 276 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Welcomes the clear support by 18 Member States who published a joint statement condemning the anti-LGBT amendments in Hungary’s Child Protection Law; welcomes the reiterated support for fighting against discrimination against LGBTIQ people by 16Member States; stresses that the promotion of the European way of life unquestionably includes the promotion of tolerance, acceptance, non-discrimination and equal treatment;

Amendment 277 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)

7b. Welcomes the Commission’s commitment to present in 2022 a Regulation on the mutual recognition of parenthood between Member States, which will create legal certainty for rainbow families across the EU;

Amendment 278 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)

7c. Stresses the need for the recognition of all partnerships for the purposes of freedom of movement, including for non-EU partners of EU nationals; is alarmed at the continuing non-implementation of the 2018 CJEU Coman & Hamilton Case(C-673/16), which recognised that the term “spouse” includes same-sex spouses under EU freedom of movement laws; points out the submission of a complaint to the Commission pertaining to an identical Romanian case (A.B. and K.V. v. Romania - 17816/21; complaint (CHAP(2019)3147)); stresses that the Commission's inaction has resulted in the Coman & Hamilton plaintiffs bringing the case to the ECtHR in an attempt to secure legal redress (Coman and others v. Romania – 2663/21); reiterates its call on the Commission to open infringement procedures against Romania for the non- implementation of the Coman & Hamilton case;

Amendment 279 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 d (new)

7d. Calls on all Member States to respect the bodily autonomy of all people, in particular by banning intersex genital mutilation, so-called ‘conversion therapy’ practices, and the forced sterilisation of trans people as a precondition for accessing legal gender recognition; reiterates that legal gender recognition laws should be adopted in accordance with international human rights standards, thereby being accessible, affordable, administrative, quick and based on self-determination;

Amendment 28 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 f (new)

— having regard to the Committee of the Regions’ opinion on the LGBTIQ Equality Strategy of 14 October 2021,

Amendment 280 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 e (new)

7e. Welcomes the infringement procedures initiated by the Commission against Hungary and Poland as part of the July 2021 infringement package concerning the respect for the human rights of LGBTIQ persons and breaches of EU law, which constitute the first time the Commission has specifically initiated infringements to safeguard their rights; takes note of the Commission’s reasoned opinion to the Hungarian government on the ‘anti-LGBTIQ’ law and the government’s response, and calls on the Commission to proceed with the infringement by bringing the case to the CJEU; takes note of the decision of the Budapest High Court annulling the obligation to print a disclaimer in the children’s book in Hungary, and calls on the Commission to monitor the development of the case to assess necessary next steps in the infringement; is concerned over the lack of follow-up on the infringement on the Polish ‘LGBTI- free’ zones and lack of sincere cooperation by the Polish authorities, and calls on the Commission to send a reasoned opinion to the government;

Amendment 281 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Deplores the vaccine mandates, which coerce and oblige all citizens to take part in a medical trial of experimental gene therapies, some of which were tested on the kidneys of aborted babies (Moderna and Pfizer), contrary to Article 10 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights;deleted

Amendment 282 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

Amendment 283 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 5

~~Freedom of expression~~deleted

Amendment 284 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 5

~~Freedom of expression~~Rights of minorities and vulnerable groups

Amendment 285 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 5

~~Freedom of expression~~Combatting hate crime and hate speech

Amendment 286 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 5 a (new)

Is concerned about the increase of hate speech and smear campaigns across Members States, often perpetrated by high-ranking public officials or leading politicians, which specifically target media, NGOs and certain social groups or minorities, such as LGBTIQ persons; notes their undeniable impact on civil space, creating an unsafe environment for civil society and human rights defenders; is alarmed by the numerous examples of attacks on LGBTI offices and staff in 2021 alone in several member states

Amendment 287 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 5 b (new)

Encourages Member States to fully transpose and apply the Framework Decision on Racism and Xenophobia to criminalise racist hate crime and hate speech; Encourages Member States to take the necessary measures to ensure that a racist or xenophobic motive is considered an aggravating circumstance or, alternatively, that the courts may take such a motive into consideration in determining the penalties.

Amendment 288 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 5 c (new)

Welcomes the Commission’s proposal for a Council Decision to extend the list of EU crimes in December 2021 to ‘hate crime and hate speech’ and calls on the Council to diligently work towards its unanimous adoption; recalls the need for the Commission and the Member States to work in cooperation with internet companies in order to provide adequate safeguards and to thoroughly implement the Code of Conduct on countering illegal hate speech online;

Amendment 289 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Reiterates that freedom of speech is a fundamental right, vital for the development of a pluralistic and democratic society; emphasises that any restriction to the online or offline exercise of this freedom, such as the removal of content, must be exceptional, prescribed by law and justified by the pursuit of a legitimate aim, in accordance with Article 11 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights;deleted

Amendment 29 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 g (new)

— having regard to the debate in the Council of Europe’s Congress of Local Regional Authorities Current Affairs Committee, and to its subsequent reports entitled ‘Fact-finding report on the role of local authorities with regard to the situation and rights of LGBTIQ people in Poland’ of 27 January 2021 and ‘Protecting LGBTIQ people in the context of rising anti-LGBTIQ hate speech and discrimination: The role of local and regional authorities’ of 10 February 2021,

Amendment 290 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. ~~Reiterates that freedom of speech is a fundamental right, vital for the development of a pluralistic~~Deplores the fact that a significant number of Roma people in the EU still live in marginalised settlements in extremely precarious conditions and in very poor socio-economic circumstances, often lacking access to clean drinking water, electricity, safe and ade~~mocratic society; emphasises that any restriction to the~~ quate housing, education, employment, healthcare, sewage facilities and waste collection; recalls that the situationl ine or offline exercise of this freedom, such as the removal of content, must be exceptional, prescribed by law and justified by the pursuit of a legitimate aim, in accordance with Article 11 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and Article 10 Roma settlements is in clear violation of human rights and fundamental rights and has serious ramifications, especially for Roma children; urges the Member States to follow the Council recommendation on Roma equality, inclusion and participation as well as the EU Roma Strategic Framework on Equality, Inclusion and Participation for 2020 - 2030 and to make full use of EU and national funding towards this end; calls ofn the ~~European Convention on Human Rights~~Commission to intensify the monitoring of Member States’ progress and take further steps accordingly;

Amendment 291 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – point 1 (new)

(1) Believes that CE should support European Parliament draft report on measures to counteract the threat that Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) pose to journalists, NGOs and civil society. 1a __________________ 1a https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/p ress-room/20211108IPR16838/eu-rules- needed-against-abusive-lawsuits- targeting-critical-voicesdm

Amendment 292 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – point 2 (new)

(2) Moreover no member state has yet enacted targeted legislation against SLAPPs; stresses that these lawsuits have an impact on EU values and the internal market; highlights that SLAPPs reflect an imbalance of power and resources between claimants and defendants, which undermines the right to a fair trial; expresses its concerns for the fact that SLAPPs are being funded from state budgets, and their use in combination with other state measures against independent media outlets, journalism and civil society.

Amendment 293 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – point 3 (new)

(3) Underlines that during the reporting period artists and singers were prosecuted and imprisoned in the EU for exercising their freedom of speech as denounced by organisations such as Amnesty International 1a. __________________ 1a https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2 018/03/spain-counter-terror-law-used-to- crush-satire-and-creative-expression- online/

Amendment 294 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – point 4 (new)

(4) Expresses its concern for the imprisonment of the rapper Pablo Hasel; highlights that Pablo Hasel, is one of the first rappers in Europe to go to jail for exercising his freedom of expression; considers that Hasel's imprisonment for his artistic expressions is unfair and disproportionate and highlights the need to eliminate the articles of the Penal Code of an EU member state that violate the right to freedom of expression 1a ; Notes that the crimes of glorifying terrorism, insulting the crown and State institutions, and offending religious sentiments must disappear from Member States Penal Codes, including Spain´s; reminds that the European Court of Human Rights has already condemned Spain three times for applying the crime of libel against the Crown recalling that greater protection for Heads of State through a special law on insult is not compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights 2a . __________________ 1a https://www.bbc.com/news/world- europe-56082117 2a https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2 018/03/spain-counter-terror-law-used-to- crush-satire-and-creative-expression- online/

Amendment 295 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – point 5 (new)

(5) Highlights that the imprisonment of musicians like Mr Hasel is not an isolated case; recalls that another rapper Josep Miquel Arenas Beltran, also known as Valtonyc had to flee to Belgium in 2018 after being sentenced to three-and-a- half years in prison on charges of glorifying terror, insulting the Spanish monarchy and making threats in his lyrics; notes that the musician also came under fire for calling former king Juan Carlos of Spain a "thief."; notes that Juan Carlos, who abdicated in 2014, is currently facing a string of corruption allegations in several countries; recalls that at the moment Belgium’s courts have not decided on his extradition despite having resolved on the Valtonyc case that lèse majesté is not considered a crime anymore and no one can be imprisoned for it 1a. __________________ 1a https://www.dw.com/en/valtonyc- belgium-refuses-extradition-of-spanish- rapper/a-60276667

Amendment 296 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Is concerned about the fact that the Member States have different thresholds for the use of force and weapons by law enforcement authorities for maintaining public order; urges the prohibition of certain types of less-lethal weapons and devices for maintaining public order, such as tear gas, stun grenades and LBD 40 launchers; calls on Member States to refrain from adopting restrictive laws concerning freedom of assembly;

Amendment 297 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Strongly condemns the discrimination and segregation of Roma women in maternal health care facilities; welcomes that the Czech Republic adopted a compensation-law for victims of forced and illegal sterilization, Slovak’s government took a step and apologized in 2021 but for the moment no compensation law has been proposed.

Amendment 298 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Urges that the European Union, by article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, is not allowed to make any decisions to take away freedom of expression and the freedom to receive information. The European Union should therefore trust the judgement of their citizens.

Amendment 299 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Expresses its deep concern at the increasing forms of intimidation and political pressure exerted upon scientists, elected officials and activists engaged in exposing the disinformation spread by the EU institutions and the national governments regarding COVID-19;

Amendment 3 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3

~~— having regard to Article 2(1) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, which enshrines the right to life for all persons,~~deleted

Amendment 30 #

Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Cyrus ENGERER, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 h (new)

— having regard to the reports of the Fundamental Rights Agency, in particular, the Fundamental Rights Reports for the years 2020 and 2021,

Amendment 300 #

Sira REGO, Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Stresses that under international human rights law, certain restrictions can be lawfully placed on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly in order to protect public health or other legitimate interests, but they must be provided by law and be necessary and proportionate to a specific aim; expresses deep concern at imposing blanket bans on protests, prohibiting or restricting protests where other public gatherings of similar sizes remained unaffected or using force against peaceful protesters;

Amendment 301 #

Sira REGO, Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Stresses that the COVID-19 pandemic does not relieve law enforcement authorities of their obligation to carefully balance the interests at stake and to use their powers in a manner that complies with their human rights obligations; recalls that when violations of human rights related to policing and the use of force have taken place, Member States must conduct prompt, thorough, effective and independent investigations, and ensure that all those responsible are held accountable in fair trials;

Amendment 302 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)

9b. Deplores the fact that the fight against disinformation has been abused, as so often in the past, to try to suppress dissident opinions which have, in fact, turned out to be useful in helping the public better to understand the COVID-19 situation; emphasises that the right to freedom of expression and opinion does not permit censorship on the basis of allegations that an opinion is false;

Amendment 303 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 c (new)

9c. Emphasises the important role of whistle-blowers in safeguarding the public interest and in promoting a culture of public accountability and integrity in both public and private institutions;

Amendment 304 #

Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Is concerned about the use of the vague notion of ‘hate speech’; calls on the Commission and the Member States to work, in cooperation with internet companies, to provide adequate safeguards, in particular to ensure that any interference is limited to what is necessary and proportionate, and to include the possibility of judicial redress;deleted

Amendment 305 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Is concerned about the use of the vague notion of ‘hate speech’; calls on the Commission and the Member States to work, in cooperation with internet companies, to provide adequate safeguards, in particular to ensure that any interference is limited to what is necessary and proportionate, and to include the possibility of judicial redress;deleted

Amendment 306 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. ICalls concerned about the use of the vague notion of ‘hate speech’; calls on the Commission and the Member States to work, in cooperation with internet companies, to provide adequate safeguards, in particular to ensure that any interference is limited to what is necessary and proportionate, and to include the possibility of judicial redress; the Member States to ensure proper involvement of social-legal protection bodies regarding children and social guardianship in marginalised Roma communities in order to ensure that children receive the protection and care necessary for their well-being and development, while respecting their best interests and to put in place procedures tailored to the different needs of marginalised Roma communities in order to carry out their duties in the same way as for children from the majority population;

Amendment 307 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Is concerned about the use of the vague notion of ‘hate speech’; calls on the Commission and the Member States to work, in cooperation with internet companies, to provide adequate safeguards, in particular to ensure that any interference is Highlights the growing racist and xenophobic sentiments by opinion leaders, politicians and the media that have created a hostile climiate~~d to what is necessary and proportionate, and to include the possibility of judicial redress~~ for advocates and organisations working against racism;

Amendment 308 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Is concerned about the use of the vague notion of ‘hate speech’ and stresses the need to clarify this concept in European legislation; calls on the Commission and the Member States to work, in cooperation with internet companies, to provide adequate safeguards, in particular to ensure that any interference is limited to what is necessary and proportionate, and to include the possibility of judicial redress;

Amendment 309 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

Amendment 31 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 i (new)

— having regard to its resolution of 11 March 2021 on the declaration of the EU as an LGBTIQ Freedom Zone,

Amendment 310 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Calls for transparent implementation and public review of the EU Guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief, adopted by the Council on 24 June 20137 , as called for by Parliament in its resolution of 15 January 2019 on EU Guidelines and the mandate of the EU Special Envoy on the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU8 ; calls for progress reports on the implementation of the Guidelines to be communicated regularly to Parliament and the Council; __________________ 7 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/c ms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/137585 .pdf 8 OJ C 411, 27.11.2020, p. 30.Deplores the fact that the practice of segregation of children from minority groups in schools remains a significant issue in Europe; emphasises that such practices often stem from misdiagnosing these children with intellectual disabilities based on their social or personal circumstances; calls on the Member States to strengthen their inclusive policies to prevent these discriminatory practices, both intentional and non-intentional and to put in place supervisory mechanisms in order to review and where necessary reverse diagnostic decisions;

Amendment 311 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 6

~~Promoting the European way of life~~deleted

Amendment 312 #

Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 6

~~Promoting the European way of life~~ Fundamental rights of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees

Amendment 313 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 6

~~Promoting the European way of life~~Environmental protection

Amendment 314 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 6

~~Promoting the European way of life~~Structural Racism

Amendment 315 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 6 a (new)

Recalls the European Parliament resolution of 19 June 2020 on the anti- racism protests following the death of George Floyd which reaffirms that Black Lives Matter; Reinstates its support for the massive protests in European capitals and cities all around the world against racism and discrimination following the death of George Floyd in 2020;Supports the protesters’ call to take a stand against oppression and structural racism in Europe;

Amendment 316 #

Sira REGO, Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 6 a (new)

Expresses its deep concern at the information that has been published about the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, acknowledging its involvement and knowledge in pushbacks; Calls on the Commission to investigate and to take the necessary measures in Frontex to put an end to these practices;

Amendment 317 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 6 b (new)

Notes that the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights pointed out that discriminatory institutional practices, policies and laws exist in many EU Member States;

Amendment 318 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 6 c (new)

Is concerned by individual, structural, and institutional forms of racism and xenophobia in the EU and rising discrimination against Arabs, Black Europeans, People of Asian descent, Jewish people, Muslims, and Romani people;

Amendment 319 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 6 d (new)

Stresses that as pointed out in the Fundamental Rights Agency’s 2021Report, Member States should significantly improve the effectiveness of their measures and institutional arrangements for applying fully and correctly the Racial Equality Directive in particular by enhance the independence of equality bodies by ensuring they are appropriately mandated and resourced to fulfil effectively the tasks assigned to them in the EU’s non-discrimination legislation;

Amendment 32 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 j (new)

— having regard to its resolution of 24 June 2021 on the situation of sexual and reproductive health and rights in the EU, in the frame of women’s health,

Amendment 320 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 6 e (new)

Welcomes the appointment of the EU Coordinator on Anti-Racism in May2021, the organisation of the EU Anti-Racism Summit, the creation of a Permanent Forum of consultation with civil society on anti-racism and the Council Conclusions on racism and antisemitism;

Amendment 321 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 6 f (new)

Calls on the Member States to ensure the full implementation of legislation and to pass the Equal Treatment Directive in order to combat persisting racism and discrimination against racialised/ethnic groups, religious minorities, people with disabilities and LGBTIQ+ people;

Amendment 322 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 6 g (new)

Calls on the Member States to adopt National Action Plans Action Racism(NAPARs) by the end of 2022 and prioritise actions to tackle lack of access to justice, and sustained socio-economic inequalities in areas such as housing, healthcare, employment and education, which need to be acknowledged as major barriers to full enjoyment of fundamental rights and key barriers to inclusion and equality;

Amendment 323 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

~~12. Fully supports the work of Frontex in their difficult task protecting the EU external borders against floods of illegal migrants;~~deleted

Amendment 324 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

~~12. Fully supports the work of Frontex in their difficult task protecting the EU external borders against floods of illegal migrants;~~deleted

Amendment 325 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. ~~Fully supports the work of Frontex in their difficult task protecting the EU external borders against floods of illegal migrants~~Highlights Article37 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, which affirms that measures towards achieving a high level of environmental protection and the improvement of the quality of the environment must be integrated into the policies of the Union;

Amendment 326 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Recalls that Member States with external borders still face high migratory pressure as well as the risk of becoming hotspots; the protection of external borders is essential in order to combat violation of fundamental rights such as smuggling and human trafficking; commends the work of fundamental rights officers integrated in the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, which has an important role to play against organised crime at Europe’s external borders;

Amendment 327 #

Sira REGO, Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Condemns that some Member States have adopted laws, policies and practices that undermine the effective protection of the human rights of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, on land and at sea; calls on the European Commission and Member States to put the human rights of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, as well as the principle of responsibility sharing, at the centre of its migration and asylum policies;

Amendment 328 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Commends the efforts of Member States who are hosting the biggest share of Ukrainian refugees and showing tremendous European solidarity; expresses deep concern on potential violation of fundamental rights of Ukrainian refugees, especially women and children, from those who seek to take advantage of their tragic circumstances; urges Member States and Frontex to put additional effort in combating any abuse and violation of the rights and dignity of Ukrainian refugees;

Amendment 329 #

Sira REGO, Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)

12b. Condemns the cases of pushbacks and violations of fundamental rights and violence at the external borders of the EU towards migrants and refugees, as denounced by institutions such as the International Migration Organisation1a, and calls for action to be taken and for a rapid and effective investigation and increased transparency regarding the measures taken, as called for by the FRA1b; __________________ 1a https://www.iom.int/news/iom-calls- end-pushbacks-and-violence-against- migrants-eu-external-borders 1b https://fra.europa.eu/sites/default/files/fra _uploads/fra-2021-fundamental-rights- report-2021-opinions_es.pdf

Amendment 33 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Cyrus ENGERER, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 k (new)

— having regard to its resolution of 8 July 2021 on breaches of EU law and of the rights of LGBTIQ citizens in Hungary as a result of the legal changes adopted by the Hungarian Parliament,

Amendment 330 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)

12b. Calls on the Member States to ensure the effective and early identification of asylum seekers with special needs, their prompt access to adapted reception conditions and the provision of procedural guarantees; calls on the Member States and the Commission to take the necessary measures to provide information and ensure transparency concerning the detention of migrants and asylum seekers in Member States;

Amendment 331 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

~~13. Strongly condemns NGOs masquerading as aid agencies while facilitating the smuggling of unqualified migrants into the EU; urges the Commission to cease funding such entities;~~deleted

Amendment 332 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

~~13. Strongly condemns NGOs masquerading as aid agencies while facilitating the smuggling of unqualified migrants into the EU; urges the Commission to cease funding such entities;~~deleted

Amendment 333 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. ~~Strongly condemns NGOs masquerading as aid agencies while facilitating the smuggling of unqualified migrants into the EU; urges the Commission to cease funding such entities~~Calls on the Commission to adopt the respective legislative initiatives without delay, and to follow with the adoption of further planned legislation in accordance with the original timeline; emphasises the urgent need of including relevant environmental concerns into the decision-making process of all policies and initiatives and believes that sustainability must be the guiding principle for all macroeconomic policies to ensure the just transition to an environmentally sustainable economy, while protecting and creating sustainable employment; and in order to deal with one of the most significant threats facing humanity;

Amendment 334 #

Sira REGO, Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Str~~ongly condemns NGOs masquerading as~~esses that the saving of lives is a legal obligation under international law aind ~~agencies while facilitating the smuggling of unqualified migrants into the EU; urges the Commission to cease funding such entitie~~EU law; strongly condemns criminal proceedings initiated in some Member States against civil society organisations and individuals for providing humanitarian assistance to migrants; calls on Member States to ensure that prosecution is not pursued against individuals and civil society organisations assisting migrants for humanitarian reasons;

Amendment 335 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Strongly condemns NGOs masquerading as aid agencies while facilitating the smuggling of unqualified migrants into the EU; urges the Commission to cease funding such entities and regularly to publish a list with the names of such organisations to stop them receiving fresh funding from other sources;

Amendment 336 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Strongly condemns NGOs masquerading as aid agencies while facilitating the smuggling of unqualified migrants into the EU; urges the Commission to cease funding such entities; calls on the Commission and the Member States to put a halt to "pull" factors of illegal migration;

Amendment 337 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Strongly condemns NGOs masquerading as aid agencies while facilitating the smuggling of unqualified and illegal migrants into the EU, especially to Sweden; urges the Commission to cease to encourage and funding and such entities;

Amendment 338 #

Charlie WEIMERS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13a. Strongly condemns the practice of awarding public funds to organisations promoting islamism1a; calls for the EU to immediately review and cease all funding for FEMYSO, Islamic Relief, The Islamic University of Gaza, The Lokahi Foundation and the Muslim Association of Ireland Friendly Society because of their links to the Muslim Brotherhood; calls for the EU institutions to cease all cooperation with these entities; __________________ 1a Network of Networks - the Muslim Brotherhood in Europe https://ecrgroup.eu/files/MuslimBrotherh ood.pdf

Amendment 339 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13a. Notes with regret that during the Covid-19 pandemic the Roma population has been scapegoated on many occasions, especially during the first wave; notes that they were exposed to stigmatization, discrimination and hate speech linking the virus to their ethnicity; deplores that some media and social networks often portrayed Roma as a public health hazard responsible for spreading the virus;

Amendment 34 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 l (new)

— having regard to its resolution of 14 September 2021 on LGBTIQ rights in the EU;

Amendment 340 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13a. Calls on the Member States to protect the life, health and property of their citizens who are suffering from the consequences of the uncontrolled influx of economic migrants;

Amendment 341 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)

13b. Regrets that COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected the marginalized Roma communities due to poor housing conditions, limited access to water, electricity and sanitation; notes that their situation was further exacerbated by poverty, as many of them were left without any income due to strict quarantine measures;

Amendment 342 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 c (new)

13c. Is appalled by the fact that throughout the pandemic the younger generation of Roma had little access to schooling due to limited access to internet and appropriate IT equipment, which left them behind the school education even further;

Amendment 343 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 d (new)

13d. Calls on the Commission and the Member states to step up their policies of addressing the poverty and social exclusion of Roma communities, with a special attention to the rights of Roma women and children;

Amendment 344 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

~~14. Urges the Commission to adhere to its competences under the treaties, and not seek to encroach on Member State sovereignty, especially in the area of health legislation;~~deleted

Amendment 345 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

~~14. Urges the Commission to adhere to its competences under the treaties, and not seek to encroach on Member State sovereignty, especially in the area of health legislation;~~deleted

Amendment 346 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. ~~Urges the Commission to adhere to its competences under the treaties, and not seek to encroach on Member Stat~~Calls for the EU wide implementation of the Aarhus Convention that links environmental rights and human rights; highlights that environmental impairment and the failure of some public authorities to provide information about serious environmental risks to which individuals are exposed, may have soevere~~ignty, especially in the area of health legislation;~~ harmful consequences for individuals; calls for the protection of journalists, activists, NGOs, rights defenders, whistleblowers and public watchdogs acting in these fields.

Amendment 347 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Condemns the intolerant rhetoric that describes any conservative voice as being ‘anti-vax’, anti-choice, racist, bigoted or misogynistic; urges the Commission and the Council to live up to our motto of ‘United in Diversity’ by encouraging lively debate on topics with an open mind, rather than ad hominem attacks;deleted

Amendment 348 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

Amendment 349 #

Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Underlines that the respect for fundamental rights at borders remained one of the top human rights challenges in the EU; strongly condemns the pushbacks and fundamental rights violations at external borders, as well as of the criminalisation of humanitarian workers and activists and of the use of EU funding, which has disproportionately served to construct closed facilities and strengthen external borders; calls on the Commission and the Member States to investigate all the allegations of pushbacks and fundamental rights violations and increase transparency on the measures taken;

Amendment 35 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Cyrus ENGERER, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 m (new)

— having regard to its resolution of 7 October 2020 on the establishment of an EU Mechanism on Democracy, the Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights,

Amendment 350 #

Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Expresses deep concerns about the increased use of technology at borders, which is proved to be extremely intrusive on individuals; urges the Commission and the Member States to set up independent monitoring mechanisms at borders, which should also cover the monitoring of border-surveillance activities, and to ensure fundamental rights compliance;

Amendment 351 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 7

~~Right to protect bodily autonomy~~deleted

Amendment 352 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 7

~~Right to protect bodily autonomy~~Women rights

Amendment 353 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

Amendment 354 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

Amendment 355 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Deeply regrets the draconian imposition of the EU Digital COVID Certificate, which has seen the fundamental rights of every EU citizen damaged or lost; notes that the costs (financial as well as psychological) far outweigh any health benefits, as healthy people and those at low risk of death from COVID-19 are forced to obey ever- changing, unreasonable, disproportionate and ineffective legal mandates in order to meet their family, enter their workplace (including the premises of the European Parliament), cross Schengen borders, attend a place of worship, or enter a concert hall, shopping centre or social club; notes that the costs of these unprecedented governmental controls will be regretted by many for decades to come;Calls on the Council to urgently conclude the EU ratification of the Istanbul Convention on the basis of a broad accession without any limitations, and to advocate its ratification by all the Member States, in particular Bulgaria, Czechia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia which haven’t ratify it ; Strongly condemns the attempts in some Member States, in particular Poland, to revoke measures already taken in implementing the Istanbul Convention and in combating violence against women and to step out of the Convention.

Amendment 356 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Alice KUHNKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16a. Highlights that the Oviedo Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine and its Protocols 1d, as well as the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU (especially art. 3) guarantee, without discrimination, the respect for bodily integrity of any person, who can receive a medical product only after "the free and informed consent"; notes, with deep concern that, despite such protection in the EU law of the fundamental rights, many EU Members States, with the tacit approval of the European Commission, have imposed sanctions or restrictions to EU citizens who are not vaccinated, like denying them access to employment, certain public places, hotels, restaurants, or fining them, thereby coercing them to be vaccinated against their free will; notes, also, that the European Commission had not published the full version of the contracts signed with the vaccine companies, which violates the right to an "informed consent" of a person; calls on the European Commission and the Member States to stop immediately any restrictive or punitive measures against people who are not vaccinated, and respect the right of all the people to bodily integrity;

Amendment 357 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16a. Emphasises that the COVID-19 pandemic showed severe gaps in the capacity and preparedness of healthcare, education, employment and social protection systems of Member States; strongly believes that Member States must greatly improve their healthcare, social welfare and social assistance systems to ensure they provide full support to everyone, and notably to those more vulnerable, even during a crisis, thereby adequately protecting health, economic and social rights of all; Recalls that in accordance with Article 6 of the TFEU the competence to protect and improve human health lies with the EU Member States; underlines the high level of Covid- 19 comorbidities among chronic patients; recalls the critical situation of patients with rare diseases in many Member States, lacking diagnosis, proper treatment and medical care;

Amendment 358 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16a. Reminds that the Covid-19 pandemic, especially in its early phases, caused severe violations of the freedom of movement and freedom of work and deterioration of working and living conditions, including for seasonal and cross-border workers throughout the Union;

Amendment 359 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16a. Highlights that, due to the emergency measures adopted in many Member States, physical access to doctors and healthcare services, including hospitals, was limited, non-urgent medical treatments, including surgical interventions, were often postponed, number of hospitalised cancer patients dropped severely and the right to healthcare was repeatedly and systemically violated; calls the Member States to respect the right to healthcare of all the people, and remove any restrictions that would discriminate people in having access to proper healthcare;

Amendment 36 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 n (new)

— having regard to its resolution of 18 December 2019 on public discrimination and hate speech against LGBTI people, including LGBTI free zones,

Amendment 360 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Alice KUHNKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)

16b. Calls on the Member States to ensure that restrictions on Fundamental Rights resulting from the pandemic are lifted as soon as the situation of public health allows, and that all rights and freedoms are restored in full;

Amendment 361 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

Amendment 362 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

Amendment 363 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Expresses grave concern about the excessive lockdown measures, which have put businesses into debt and closure, seen people separated from their loved ones and families (often during their final hours), increased mental illness through isolation, led to rises in domestic violence, as people are imprisoned in their homes and prevented from having external contact, and seen children unnecessarily masked and vaccinated; urges the Member States to encourage early treatment of the SARS-CoV-2 infection9 ; __________________ 9 Alexander, P.E. et al. ‘ECondemns the continuous and persistent backlash in some Member States, particularly Poland, Slovakia, Croatia or Lithuania, against women’s rights, including sexual and reproductive health and rights; emphasises that restrictive abortion laws do not only represent a flagrant violation of the human rights of women and girls and their bodily autonomy, but their effects are also contra-productive and in direct opposition to their proclaimed goal of saving lives, as illustrated by the cases of two Polish women who died of sepsis after having been denied life-saving abortion; urges the Member States to take effective steps to remedy such existing violations of human rights and women´s rights and to put necessarly multidrug treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) and reduced mortality among nursing home (or outpatient/ambulatory) residents’, PMC, 5 June 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles /PMC8178530/echanisms in place to prevent their occurrence in the future; calls on the Commission to put greater emphasis on sexual and reproductive health and rights in its annual Rule of Law Report;

Amendment 364 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Expresses grave concern about the excessive lockdown measures, including the ending of flights and cross-border transport connections, which have put businesses into debt and closure, seen people separated from their loved ones and families (often during their final hours), increased mental illness through isolation, and the number of suicides, and led to rises in domestic violence, as people are imprisoned in their homes and prevented from having external contact, and seen children unnecessarily masked and vaccinated; urges the Member States to encourage early treatment of the SARS- CoV-2 infection9; __________________ 9 Alexander, P.E. et al. ‘Early multidrug treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) and reduced mortality among nursing home (or outpatient/ambulatory) residents’, PMC, 5 June 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC8178530/

Amendment 365 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

Amendment 366 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17a. Strongly condemns Austria for being the first and only Member state to have introduced mandatory vaccination for all its citizens as this is a violation of the right to bodily autonomy;

Amendment 367 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)

17b. Condemns the national governments of Austria, Belgium, France, Greece, Italy, Latvia, which have made access to the workplace conditional on the presentation of the EUDCC; condemns in the strongest possible terms all Member States which have introduced mandatory vaccination in the workplace; stresses that these national measures, which are based on the framework of Regulation2021/953, has impeded the right to work for millions of Union citizens; points out that such an infringement is contrary to Article 15, 20 and 21 of the Charter;

Amendment 368 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 c (new)

17c. Condemns the government of Latvia for stripping the rights of the unvaccinated members of the national Latvian parliament of their right to vote on legislation and participate in discussions;

Amendment 369 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Urges the President of Parliament to rescind the obligation for Parliament staff to show their EU Digital COVID Certificate in order to access their workplace, as this is in contravention of the GDPR, whereby personal data collected for one purpose (crossing borders) cannot be repurposed for another (entering Parliament’s premises), with the privacy contraventions this entails; further urges her to seek assurance that DNA data has not been collected, stored and transferred to third parties;deleted

Amendment 37 #

Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Cyrus ENGERER, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 o (new)

— having regard to the recommendations of the Parliament’s Frontex Scrutiny Working Group as laid down in its Report of 14 July 2021 on the fact-finding investigation on Frontex,

Amendment 370 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Urges the President of Parliament to rescind the obligation for Parliament staff to show their EU Digital COVID Certificate in order to access their workplace, as this is in contravention of the GDPR, whereby personal data collected for one purpose (crossing borders) cannot be repurposed for another (entering Parliament’s premises), with the privacy contraventions this entails; further urges her to seek assurance that DNA data has not been collected, stored and transferred to third parties;deleted

Amendment 371 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Urges the President of Parliament to rescind the obligation for Parliament staff to show their EU Digital COVID Certificate in order to access their workplace, as this is in contravention of the GDPR, whereby personal data collected f1. Is alarmed by the significant increase in domestic violence during the pandemic of Covid-19; commends prompt responses by some national, regional and local governments to put in place measures to help victims of domestic violence, such as expansion of helplines and information sharing, introduction of codeword schemes at pharmacies, pop-up counselling centres at grocery shops or cone purpose (crossing borders) cannot be repurposed for another (entering Parliament’s premises), with the privacy contraventions this entails; further urges her to seek assurance that DNA data has not been collected, stored and transferred to third partiescealed applications to facilitate reporting of domestic violence and abuse; points out, however, to the general lack of shelters or other safe accommodation options for survivors of domestic violence; therefore urges the Member States to allocate adequate funding to existing shelters to help them increase their capacities, as well as to facilitate the setting-up of additional shelters and safe housing facilities for survivors, including for accompanying minors; moreover calls on the Member States to ensure that services for survivors are regarded as essential and remain open, and are complemented by adequate and specialized training for police forces as well as targeted justice responses with the aim to increase preparedness for the future;

Amendment 372 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Urges the President of Parliament to rescind the obligation for Parliament staff to show their EU Digital COVID Certificate in order to access their workplace and leaving their child at the European Parliament's day-care centre, as this is in contravention of the GDPR, whereby personal data collected for one purpose (crossing borders) cannot be repurposed for another (entering Parliament’s premises), with the privacy contraventions this entails; further urges her to seek assurance that DNA data has not been collected, stored and transferred to third parties;

Amendment 373 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Calls on the Commission to present full details of contracts concluded for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines, without redactions, and calls for full transparency of health data associated with the vaccines’ efficacy and side effects; notes that manufacturers of harmful vaccines are liable under Directive 85/374/EEC;deleted

Amendment 374 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

Amendment 375 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Calls on the Commission to present to the European Parliament full details of contracts concluded for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines, without redactions, along with a status report on vaccine stocks and the measures to be taken if those doses are not used, and calls for full transparency of health data associated with the vaccines’ efficacy and side effects; notes that manufacturers of harmful vaccines are liable under Directive 85/374/EEC;

Amendment 376 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Regrets the backlash against women’s and girl’s rights intensified as some Member States have sought to roll back on sexual and reproductive health and rights using Covid-19 pandemic as a pretext for limitation of access to abortions, contraception and gynaecological services, underlines that despite the pandemic in some Members States there have been attempts to restrict existing legal protections for women’s access to abortion are, including the introduction of regressive pre-conditions before abortions can take place, such as mandatory biased counselling or waiting period; particularly condemns that Slovakia count more than 20 parliamentary attempts of limitation of access to abortions over this period of time;

Amendment 377 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Invites the Union to fully protect and promote the fundamental right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion in all its aspects, individual and collective, private and public, as well as institutional;

Amendment 378 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the religious freedoms in the European Union, due to the introduction of unprecedented sanitary measures;

Amendment 379 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to carry out a thorough analysis of imposed restrictions on religious gatherings, in order to remove any unnecessary constraints on religious freedoms of citizens, but also to prevent future unnecessary restrictions;

Amendment 38 #

Sira REGO, Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Recital -A (new)

-A. whereas Article 151 TFEU refers to fundamental social rights such as those set out in the European Social Charter; whereas the Union has still not acceded to the ECHR, in spite of its obligation to do so under Article 6(2) TEU;

Amendment 380 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)

19b. Is alarmed at the rise of attacks on places of worship in the EU, including churches; encourages the continued integration of protection of places of worship in public spaces, recognising their specificity and vulnerability;

Amendment 381 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)

19b. Supports an effective protection on the part of the Member States of the right to conscientious objection, both at the individual and institutional level, especially in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, educational and economical fields, as a fundamental right placed at the basis of democracy and the rule of law;

Amendment 382 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

~~20. Calls on the Member States to take urgent action against acts of modern slavery or reproductive exploitation through surrogacy agreements;~~deleted

Amendment 383 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

~~20. Calls on the Member States to take urgent action against acts of modern slavery or reproductive exploitation through surrogacy agreements;~~deleted

Amendment 384 #

Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Recognises that poverty is another form of discrimination that results in the violation of fundamental rights, especially of those groups whose rights are already most affected, such as women, migrants, black people and people of colour and ethnic minorities, the LGBTIQ community and children; highlights the particular vulnerability of children and the impact that poverty has on them and on their physical and psychological development; it calls on the Commission, the Council and the Member States to develop policies to reduce poverty, with special attention to children; calls on the Member States to guarantee access to health care, quality education and housing on an equal footing for all and to put an end to the reduction of public services, which has led to higher rates of poverty and, above all, inequality; recalls that economic and social rights are fundamental rights; reiterates its call on the Council and the Commission to consider fundamental rights while making economic policy proposals;

Amendment 385 #

Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Notes that hybrid attacks, in various forms, scales and nature, pose a challenge to fundamental rights and freedoms across the EU; notes that the severity of current hybrid threats by foreign authoritarian regimes and malicious actors aim to undermine fundamental rights and legitimacy of democratically elected authorities;

Amendment 386 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Stresses that housing is a prime necessity and that access to housing is a fundamental right, as citizens who lack housing cannot participate fully in society or access all their fundamental rights; calls on the Member States to accept without delay to be bound by Article 31 of the revised European Social Charter on the right to housing; expresses concern that, in particular, young people are deprived of housing due to the huge growth in housing prices, especially in certain urban areas;

Amendment 387 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Urges the competent institutions to ensure that the prison privileges and treatment that may be granted to those convicted of terrorism according to the legislation of the Member States are linked to their cooperation in the resolution of all attacks of which they have knowledge, as an additional sign of their true repentance;

Amendment 388 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Asks the European Commission to update, where appropriate, the Directive 2017/541 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2017 on combatting terrorism, as well as other existing EU rules on victims’ rights, such as the Directive 2012/29/EU, in order to effectively enhance the assistance and protection provided to victims of terrorism and to prevent further victimisation arising from humiliation of the image of the victims by social sectors related to the perpetrator;

Amendment 389 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)

20b. Welcomes the sanctions regimes recently set up by the EU, such as the restrictive measures against cyberattacks threatening the Union and its Member States and the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (EU Magnitsky Act), in order to equip the EU with deterrence tools towards third countries undermining fundamental rights; notes that a deteriorating situation in the EU’s immediate neighbouring countries has a direct impact on the EU; calls on the Commission to ensure that serious acts of corruption are included in the EU’s sanction system;

Amendment 39 #

Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the years 2020 and 2021 saw the most draconian loss of fundamental rights in the history of the EU, whereby citizens were forced to stay at home, close businesses, remain distant from friends and family, maintain physical distance and go untreated for ‘non-urgent’ medical issues, were prevented from attending places of worship and from travelling within and outside the EU, and were forced to show a historically worrisome pass to enter premises or vehicles;deleted

Amendment 390 #

Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)

20b. Stresses that the right to a quality job that allows compatibility with personal and family life and development should be guaranteed by the Member States, as it is the best way to end poverty; recognises that the existence of cases of labour exploitation and abuse is a clear violation of this right; calls on the Member States to strengthen labour inspections and to take measures to end labour abuse;

Amendment 391 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)

20b. Calls on the Commission to look into what steps are needed for accession by the European Union to the European Social Charter, and to propose a timeframe for achieving that objective;

Amendment 392 #

Sira REGO, Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 c (new)

20c. Emphasizes that the availability of online services throughout the Union is one of the fundamental preconditions for full societal inclusion in Europe; observes that some parts of the European Union are still not covered by quality online services, most often in rural areas, which could lead to further widening the inequality gap among European citizens; encourages the Commission and the Member States to accelerate the digital transformation of the European Union, which focuses on human well-being, includes all generations equally and addresses security in the online space;

Amendment 4 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3

— having regard to Article 2(1) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, ~~which enshrines the right to life for all persons,~~

Amendment 40 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

Amendment 41 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas ~~the years 2020 and 2021 saw the most draconian loss of fundamental rights in the history of the EU, whereby citizens~~in many Member States, the lockdown and social distancing measures during the COVID-19 pandemic have been associated with an exponential increase in the prevalence and intensity of cases of intimate partner violence, psychological violence and coercive control and cyber violence, and with a 60 % increase in emergency calls reported by victims of domestic violence(18); where ~~forced~~as requirement to stay at home, close businesses, remain distant from friends and family, maintain physical distance and go untreated for ‘non-urgent’ medical issues, were prevented from attending places of worship and from travelling within and outside the EU, and were f and the alarming upsurge in the ‘shadow pandemic’ made it difficult for women and children to access effective protection, support services and justice and revealed that support resources and structures were insufficient and that victims had limited access to support services, leaving many of them without adequate and timely protection; whereas best practices in specific measures to provide timely and accessible assistance to victims, including setting up emergency texting systems or creating contact points to seek help in pharmacies and supermarkets should be shared among the Member States; whereas in spite of the prevalence of the phenomenon, intimate partner violence against women remains under-reporcted ~~to show a historically worrisome pass to enter premises or vehicle~~in the EU by the victims, their families, friends, acquaintances and neighbours, for various reasons, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and whereas there is a significant lack of comprehensive, comparable and gender-disaggregated data, making it difficult to fully assess the impact of the crisis;

Amendment 42 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the years 2020 and 2021 saw the most draconian loss of fundamental rights in the history of the EU as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, whereby citizens were forced to stay at home, close businesses, remain distant from friends and family, maintain physical distance and go untreated for ‘non-urgent’ medical issues, were prevented from attending places of worship and from travelling within and outside the EU, and were forced to show a historically worrisome ' health' pass to enter premises or vehicles; whereas in times of crisis, respect for fundamental rights is even more essential than in normal times and must therefore be the subject of increased vigilance;

Amendment 43 #

Sira REGO, Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas in the years 2020 and 2021 ~~saw the most draconian loss of fundamental rights in the history of the EU, whereby citizens were forced to stay at home, close businesses, remain distant from friends and family, mainta~~restrictive measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic interfered with a wide range of fundamental rights, such as to movement and assembly, to private and family life, including p~~hysical distance~~ersonal data protection, and gto ~~untreated for ‘non-urgent’ medical issues,~~education, work and social security; where ~~prevented from attending places of worship and from travelling within and outside the EU, and were forced to show a historically worrisome pass to enter premises or vehicle~~as the pandemic exacerbated existing challenges and inequalities in all areas of life, especially affecting vulnerable groups, and sparked an increase in racist incidents;

Amendment 44 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas the European Union is founded on a set of common values, enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), including respect for fundamental rights, equality, democracy and the rule of law; whereas the institutions of the European Union and the EU Member states have a shared responsibility of preserving these values which constitute the cornerstones of our democracies and are essential for the functioning of the European Union;

Amendment 45 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas as enshrined in Article 2 TEU, the Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights, values which must be upheld by the EU and by each individual Member State;

Amendment 46 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas any definition of anti- Semitism should make a clear distinction between a direct or indirect call for or justification of violence, hatred or intolerance towards Jewish people and a legitimate criticism of the actions by the State of Israel;

Amendment 47 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas there is no transparent and clear set of principles in place for the distribution of advertising to media outlets by national, regional and local governments in Slovenia; whereas the situation for local media is particularly lacking in transparency; whereas the economic situation of the media in Slovenia has worsened during theCOVID- 19 pandemic and no specific measures have been adopted to alleviate its impact on media outlets;

Amendment 48 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas sexual orientation and gender identity have increasingly been recognised as discrimination grounds in international law. Under EU law, lesbian, bisexual and gay people are currently protected from discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation only in the field of employment as expressed on article 21 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights explicitly prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and also on article 19 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union allows for taking action to combat this type of discrimination.

Amendment 49 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Vladimír BILČÍK

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas the term ‘Romani people’ encompasses people with Roma, Kalè, Manouches, Lovara, Rissende, Boyash, Domare, Kalderash, Romani child and Sinti background; whereas the new definition, Romani people, better includes even those stigmatised as gypsies without having a corresponding ethnic background, such as Egyptians, Ashkali, or Travellers;

Amendment 5 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)

— having regard to Article 3, 6, 7, 8, 11, 15 and 45 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union,

Amendment 50 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas the framework of the EU Strategy on Victims’ Rights(2020-2025) must be the framework for action to prevent legal, social and moral impunity, increasing the security of all EU citizens;

Amendment 51 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas terrorist organisations have strong hierarchical control structures, in which the decisions are taken by their leaders; whereas the application of the concept of perpetration- by-means in terrorist crimes can serve to convict the most high-ranking perpetrators of the attacks, thus avoiding impunity;

Amendment 52 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)

Ab. whereas under Article2 TEU, the EU is founded on respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities; values which are shared by all Member States and which must be upheld by the EU and by each individual Member State in all their policies;

Amendment 53 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)

Ab. whereas equality before the law and non-discrimination are enshrined in Article 20 and Article 21 of the Charter;

Amendment 54 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)

Ab. whereas international law confirms that seeking asylum is not an unlawful act and that therefore one cannot be detained for the sole reason of being an asylum-seeker; whereas detention must therefore be used only as a last resort and only according to a justified purpose other than the status of being an asylum-seeker; whereas for de jure as well as de facto stateless persons, their lack of legal status or documentation means that they risk being held indefinitely, which is unlawful under international law;

Amendment 55 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)

Ab. whereas the Parliament adopted in June 2021 a comprehensive report on sexual and reproductive health and rights laying out the vision of its Members on the matter; whereas this report acknowledges shortcomings, welcomes progress and makes a multiplicity of calls to ensure access to menstrual products for all, to comprehensive sexuality education, modern contraception as a strategy for gender equality, safe and legal reproductive care, access to fertility treatments and maternity, pregnancy and birth-related care for all;

Amendment 56 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)

Ab. whereas freedom of religion is one of the fundamental rights, recognized by European and international legal instruments;

Amendment 57 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)

Ac. whereas gender-based violence is a severe violation of fundamental human rights and represents a major barrier to achieving gender equality within society; whereas both women and men can experience acts of violence because of their gender, women and girls remain disproportionately affected, particularly through certain forms of violence, including among others, sexual violence and harassment, female genital mutilation, domestic violence and intimate partner violence; whereas these acts of violence can be inflicted both in public and in private;

Amendment 58 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)

Ac. whereas the right to equal treatment and non- discrimination is a fundamental right enshrined in Article 2and Article 3(3) of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), Articles 8, 10, 19 and 157 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and Articles21 and 23 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (the ‘Charter’);

Amendment 59 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)

Ac. whereas the Parliament adopted in June 2021 a comprehensive report on sexual and reproductive health and rights laying out the vision of its Members on the matter; whereas this report acknowledges shortcomings, welcomes progress and makes a multiplicity of calls to ensure access to menstrual products for all, to comprehensive sexuality education, modern contraception as a strategy for gender equality, safe and legal reproductive care, access to fertility treatments and maternity, pregnancy and birth-related care for all;

Amendment 6 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4

~~— having regard to Article 20 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, which states that everyone is equal before the law,~~deleted

Amendment 60 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)

Ac. whereas the rule of law is one of the common values on which the EU is founded;

Amendment 61 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A d (new)

Ad. whereas the limits of Union competences are governed by the principle of conferral, which in consequence means that competences not conferred upon the Union by the Treaties remain competences of the Member States;

Amendment 62 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Recital A d (new)

Ad. whereas the survey by FRA on violence against women indicates that victims report their most serious incidents of partner violence to the police in only 14 % of cases, and that two thirds of female victims systematically do not report to the authorities, either out of fear or a lack of information about victims’ rights, or due to a general belief that intimate partner violence is a private matter, which should not be publicised;

Amendment 63 #

Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Recital A e (new)

Ae. whereas the situation of fundamental rights in the European Union in 2020 and 2021 have been undermined since the introduction of the European Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC), which was introduced to facilitate safe cross-border movement during the Covid-19 pandemic, but in reality has been a limitation to free movement of European citizens;

Amendment 64 #

Sira REGO, Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Recital A e (new)

Ae. whereas the health crisis was increasingly used as a pretext to attack minorities, including migrants, people with a migrant backgrounds and Roma, who were already subject to racial and ethnic discrimination, hate speech and hate crime;

Amendment 65 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Recital A f (new)

Af. whereas the rule of law is one of the common values on which the EU is founded; whereas the Commission, together with Parliament and the Council, is responsible under the Treaties for guaranteeing respect for the rule of law as a fundamental value of the Union and for making sure that EU law, values and principles are respected and adhered to;

Amendment 66 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Recital A g (new)

Ag. whereas media freedom is one of the pillars and guarantees of a functioning democracy and the rule of law; whereas media freedom, pluralism and independence and the safety of journalists are crucial components of the right of freedom of expression and information, and are essential to the democratic functioning of the EU and its Member States; whereas public authorities should adopt a legal and regulatory framework which fosters the development of free, independent and pluralistic media;

Amendment 67 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Recital A h (new)

Ah. whereas online harassment, threats and lawsuits against journalists, targeting investigative journalists in particular, by prominent politicians and public figures, including members of the government, continue to increase in some of the Member States; whereas instances of political interference in the media across Member States have been reported; whereas journalists continue to face obstacles in obtaining access to public information and documents;

Amendment 68 #

Sira REGO, Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Recital A i (new)

Ai. whereas the criminalisation of journalists for their work is a particularly grave issue; whereas journalists should not be imprisoned or threatened with a prison sentence for defamation; whereas Member States should not impose criminal sanctions for media offences except in cases where other fundamental rights have been seriously impaired, for instance in the case of hate speech or incitement to violence or terrorism, and they should ensure that these sanctions are not applied in a discriminatory or arbitrary way against journalists;

Amendment 69 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Recital A j (new)

Aj. whereas the promotion of child rights is an explicit objective of EU policies and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, which requires that the best interests of the child be a primary consideration in all EU action;

Amendment 7 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4

— having regard to Article 20 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, ~~which states that everyone is equal before the law,~~

Amendment 70 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Recital A k (new)

Ak. whereas children’s rights continue to be violated in EU Member States, as a result of violence, abuse, exploitation, poverty, social exclusion and discrimination based on religion, disability, gender, sexual identity, age, ethnicity, migration or residence status;

Amendment 71 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Recital A l (new)

Al. whereas almost 25% of children under 18 are at risk of poverty or social exclusion in the EU; whereas poverty deprives children of educational opportunities, childcare, access to health care, adequate food and housing, family support and even protection from violence and can have very long-lasting effects; whereas as pointed out by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, fighting child poverty is also a matter of fundamental rights and legal obligations;

Amendment 72 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Recital A m (new)

Am. whereas children from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds have been hit hard by the pandemic as they lacked adequate IT equipment, internet access and appropriate working space and conditions, which exacerbated existing learning inequalities;

Amendment 73 #

Sira REGO, Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Recital A n (new)

An. whereas the COVID-19 pandemic put unprecedented strain on children and families across the EU, especially those who were already economically or socially disadvantaged; whereas children continued to submit fewer asylum applications, but their reception conditions remained inadequate in several Member States;

Amendment 74 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Recital A o (new)

Ao. whereas the isolation measures put in place during the covid-19pandemic and the subsequent increase in online time spent by children have led to an increase in reported cases of child sexual abuse and exploitation via the internet;

Amendment 75 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Recital A p (new)

Ap. whereas some other Member States have not yet implemented all the requirements of the Audio-visual Media Services Directive(Directive (EU) 2018/1808), and in particular those regarding independence of the national media market regulator;

Amendment 76 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Recital A q (new)

Aq. whereas safeguarding biodiversity and eco systems is fundamental to climate resilient development[1],Whereas the 2021-2030 is a UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, whereas the Commission has announced postponement of adoption of crucial legislative initiatives related to environmental protection including a flagship law on nature restoration by several months; [1]https://report.ipcc.ch/ar6wg2/pdf/IPCC _AR6_WGII_SummaryForPolicymakers. pdf

Amendment 77 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Recital A r (new)

Ar. whereas the Green Deal aims to protect, conserve and enhance the EU's natural capital, and protect the health and well-being of citizens from environment- related risks and impacts, whereas number of legislative initiatives proposed will have a positive impact on the level of environmental protection as subject of Article 37 of the Charter;

Amendment 78 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Recital A s (new)

As. whereas the intentional targeting of certain minority groups’ rights in some Member States have created and established a momentum elsewhere, as can be evidenced by backtracking on the rights of women and LGBTIQ persons; whereas these are deliberate strategies aiming at weakening the protection of the Union’s fundamental rights, as enshrined in Article 2 TEU;

Amendment 79 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Recital A t (new)

At. whereas during Covid-19 lockdowns LGBTIQ people, in particular youth, were exposed to higher than average rates of domestic violence and gender-based violence due to discrimination against their being LGBTIQ; whereas LGBTIQ people are at heightened vulnerability to homelessness, which has been exacerbated during Covid-19 lockdowns;

Amendment 8 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5

~~— having regard to Article 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, which prohibits all forms of discrimination,~~deleted

Amendment 80 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Recital A u (new)

Au. whereas the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe has adopted a resolution recalling the responsibilities of local authorities in protecting the rights of LGBTIQ persons and has invited them to appoint a ‘Local Expert on Equality and Diversity’; whereas the Committee of the Regions has laid out numerous suggestions for the active role of Local and Regional Authorities in the prevention of and protection against discrimination of LGBTIQ persons;

Amendment 81 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Recital A v (new)

Av. whereas Roma communities remain one of the most vulnerable and oppressed groups in the EU;

Amendment 82 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Recital A x (new)

Ax. whereas Roma women and children - being often subjected to multiple or intersectional discrimination - constitute among the most threatened groups and individuals in the Member States and accession and candidate countries as they face even worse obstacles than Roma men in the general population, too often living in poor, rural or urban - often informal -settlements with low access to education, work and health services, less years of life expectancy, no sanitation and clear water, a situation worsened due to the COVID- 19 pandemic;

Amendment 83 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Recital A y (new)

Ay. whereas under Article47 of the Charter, the fundamental right to an effective remedy requires access to an ‘independent’ tribunal; whereas political influence or control of the judiciary and similar barriers to the independence of individual judges have often resulted in the judiciary being unable to fulfil its role as an independent check on the arbitrary use of power by the executive and legislative branches of government;

Amendment 84 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER

Motion for a resolution
Recital A z (new)

Az. whereas an effective, independent and impartial judicial system is essential to ensure the rule of law and the protection of the fundamental rights and civil liberties of citizens in the EU;

Amendment 85 #

Sira REGO, Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Recital A aa (new)

Aaa. whereas the COVID-19 pandemic illustrated the failure to address the situation of persons held in pre-trial detention; whereas practices related to the use of pre-trial detention during the COVID-19 pandemic varied from Member State to Member State but delays in court hearings and investigations resulted in longer pre-trial detention in a number of them; whereas persons deprived of their liberty were more vulnerable to the COVID-19 outbreak than the general population because of the confined conditions in which they live for prolonged periods of time; whereas court closures and/or delays of hearings and investigation caused confusion and uncertainty for the suspects, especially for those in detention, who had little to no idea when their trial would take place, and how much longer they would be detained;

Amendment 86 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Recital A ab (new)

Aab. whereas revelations that several countries, including EU Members States, have used the Pegasus surveillance spyware against journalists, politicians, and other actors are extremely alarming and appear to confirm the dangers of the misuse of surveillance technology to undermine human rights and democracy;

Amendment 87 #

Vladimír BILČÍK, Alice KUHNKE, Cyrus ENGERER, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Recital A ac (new)

Aac. whereas the phenomenon of gender-based cyber violence is increasing, with one in five women aged between 18 and 29 having reported online cyber sexual harassment in the European Union; whereas the digital public sphere must represent a safe environment for everyone, including for women and girls; reiterates that there must be no impunity in an online environment; whereas the European Parliament has called on the Commission in two adopted own-initiative legislative reports, to submit proposals on combating gender-based violence and cyber violence and on adding gender- based violence as a new area of crime listed in Article 83(1) of the TFEU;

Amendment 88 #

Sira REGO, Alice KUHNKE, Vladimír BILČÍK, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas more than 325 000 illegal crossings were detected by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) and Member State border controls between January 2020 and December 20216 , with untold numbers of illegal migrants, traffickers and smugglers entering, remaining in and destabilising the security of our Union; __________________ 6 Frontex 2022 https://frontex.europa.eu/we- know/migratory-map/deleted

Amendment 89 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK, Sira REGO, Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

Amendment 9 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5

— having regard to Article 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, ~~which prohibits all forms of discrimination,~~

Amendment 90 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas the return of migrants whose asylum application has been rejected is an essential part of a successful migration and asylum policy and in line with international and EU law;

Amendment 91 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas EU law, as upheld in the case of Brüstle v Greenpeace, affirms the right to life and dignity of every human embryo, and this right should therefore be protected under Article 2 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union;deleted

Amendment 92 #

Cyrus ENGERER, Alice KUHNKE, Sira REGO, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Vladimír BILČÍK

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

Amendment 93 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

Ca. whereas the introduction of the EUDCC for every citizen of the EU flouts the principle of non-discrimination (guaranteed by Article 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU) as it provides for a different treatment between vaccinated and unvaccinated persons, in the absence of any valid scientific basis;

Amendment 94 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)

Cb. whereas the (indirect) obligation to vaccinate has been a condition for the exercise of free movement of persons.in the EU, which constitutes a clear violation of the right to freedom enjoyed by every citizen of the Union under Article 6 of the Charter;

Amendment 95 #

Rob ROOKEN, Charlie WEIMERS

Motion for a resolution
Recital C c (new)

Cc. whereas Member States have used the EUDCC for purposes other than cross-border travel, extending the use of so called vaccine passports to allow for entry into non-essential locations as bars and restaurants;

Amendment 96 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C d (new)

Cd. whereas as a result of the COVID- 19 measures in the Member States, forced vaccination and/or regularly testing has been a violation of the integrity of one's body and mind; whereas article 3 of the Charter clearly prescribes that any medical procedure shall be preceded by free and informed consent;

Amendment 97 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C e (new)

Ce. whereas Regulation 2021/953 does not guarantee for the protection of data privacy;

Amendment 98 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C f (new)

Cf. whereas there has been a deterioration of the freedom of expression and the freedom of speech, illustrated by the countless twitter bans and other social media account suspensions and censorships of people exercising their rights;

Amendment 99 #