Sittings · Compare
What changed
Amendment 1
MotionDraft motion for a resolution
Citation 15
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
– having regard to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted on 25 September 2015, in particular goals 1, 4, 5, 8, 10 and 16 thereof,
– having regard to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted on 25 September 2015, in particular goals 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10 and 16 thereof,
Amendment 2
Motion for a resolution
Citation 24 a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
– having regard to the EU LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025,
Amendment 3
Motion for a resolution
Citation 48 a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
– having regard to its resolution of 14 March 2024 on the repressive environment in Afghanistan, including public executions and violence against women1a,
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1a Texts adopted, P9_TA(2024)0160.
Amendment 4
Motion for a resolution
Citation 48 b (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
– having regard to the Findings of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on Poland’s abortion law (2024/2867(RSP)),
Amendment 5
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
A. whereas the EU is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, as set out in Article 2 TEU; whereas the EU’s action worldwide is guided by the universality and indivisibility of human rights and by the fact that the effective protection and defence of human rights and democracy is at the core of the EU’s external action;
A. whereas the EU is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, as set out in Article 2 TEU; whereas promoting gender equality and supporting women’s rights, particularly for those in rural, underdeveloped and remote areas, strengthens the EU’s commitment to these values; whereas the EU’s action worldwide is guided by the universality and indivisibility of human rights and by the fact that the effective protection and defence of human rights and democracy is at the core of the EU’s external action;
Amendment 6
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
C. whereas democratic systems are the most suitable to guarantee that every person has the ability to enjoy their human rights; whereas rules-based multilateralism is the best organisational system to defend democracies;
C. whereas democratic systems are the only kind of system which guarantees that every person has the ability to enjoy their human rights; whereas rules-based multilateralism is the best organisational system to defend democracies;
Amendment 7
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
MotionDraft motion for a resolution
Amendment
E. whereas the rise in authoritarianism, illiberalism and populism threatens the global rules-based order, the protection and promotion of human rights in the world, as well as the values and principles on which the EU is founded;
E. whereas the rise in authoritarianism, illiberalism and populism, the backlash against gender-equality and fundamental rights, including women’s rights, and theilliberalism, increasinganti-gender homophobicmovements and anti-trans rhetoric,populism threatenthreatens the global rules-based order, the protection and promotion of human rights in the world, the defence of equal opportunities, as well as the values and principles on which the EU is founded;
Amendment 8
Or. en
Amendment 2
Draft motion for a resolution
Ea. whereas the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action is regarded as a turning point for the global agenda on gender equality and will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2025;
Amendment 9
Or. en
Amendment 3
Draft motion for a resolution
Eb. whereas the International Conference on Population and Development held in Cairo in 1994 and the subsequent WHO global reproductive health strategy underscored the right of all individuals to achieve the highest standards in sexual and reproductive health and rights;
Amendment 10
Or. en
Motion for a resolution
Amendment 4
Recital E c (new)
Draft motion for a resolution
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
Ec. whereas gender equality is paramount to the development of free and equal societies; whereas the human rights of women, girls and non-binary people are still not guaranteed throughout the world and the space for civil society organisations, especially women’s rights, indigenous and grassroots organisations is shrinking in many countries;
Amendment 11
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
Ga. whereas the Istanbul Convention, which the European Union recently joined, despite being ratified by only some Member States, affirms that armed conflicts result in repeated human rights violations affecting civilian populations, especially women, who are subject to widespread or systematic rape and sexual violence, as well as the potential intensification of gender-based violence during and after conflicts; whereas the above-mentioned Convention defines violence against women as a human rights violation;
Amendment 12
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
Ha. whereas sexual and reproductive rights (SRR) are protected as human rights in international and European human rights law, such as in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the European Convention on Human Rights, and constitute an essential element of comprehensive healthcare provision; whereas health rights, in particular sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), are fundamental women’s rights, which should be enhanced and must not in any way be watered down or revoked; whereas the exercise of SRHR is an essential element of human dignity and is intrinsically linked to combating gender-based violence and the achievement of a wide range of other human rights such as a person’s right to life, health, privacy, security of the person, non-discrimination, equality before the law and freedom from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;
Amendment 13
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
I. whereas human rights defenders (HRDs) and civil society organisations (CSOs) are crucial partners in the EU’s efforts to safeguard and advance human rights, democracy and the rule of law, as well as to prevent conflicts globally; whereas governments around the world are increasingly censoring, silencing and harassing HRDs and CSOs in their work; whereas this behaviour includes measures encompassing strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), restrictive government policies, defamation campaigns, discrimination, intimidation and violence, including extrajudicial killings, abductions, and arbitrary arrests and detention; whereas attacks on HRDs are increasingly extending to their families and communities;
I. whereas human rights defenders (HRDs), activists for women’s rights and civil society organisations (CSOs) are crucial partners in the EU’s efforts to safeguard and advance human rights, equal opportunities, democracy and the rule of law, as well as to prevent conflicts globally; whereas governments and non-state actors around the world are increasingly censoring, silencing and harassing HRDs and CSOs in their work; whereas this behaviour includes measures encompassing strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), restrictive government policies, defamation campaigns, discrimination, intimidation and violence, including extrajudicial killings, abductions, and arbitrary arrests and detention; whereas attacks on HRDs are increasingly extending to their families and communities; whereas women human rights defenders and CSOs working on gender equality, women’s rights and sexual and reproductive health and rights continue to experience shrinking space for their critical work as well as threats of violence, harassment and intimidation; whereas attacks on women’s rights, women’s rights defenders, activists and journalists are a common tactic used by anti-democratic actors to further undermine rights and freedoms both in the EU and globally;
Amendment 14
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
Ia. whereas, in a joint statement on the occasion of the International Day of Women Human Rights Defenders, several United Nations special rapporteurs emphasised that ‘women human rights defenders face additional barriers of economic and structural discrimination, as well as unique challenges rooted in deep-seated discrimination against women and stereotypes related to gender and sexuality embedded in patriarchal societies’, and thus that ensuring their safety should be a priority; whereas the UN Women statement on the International Day of Women Human Rights Defenders on 29 November 2022 said ‘we must urgently protect the lives and work of women human rights defenders’, that ‘their right to participate and express their independent opinions is non-negotiable’, and that it is essential to ensure ‘an environment that enables their work, including legislation that protects and supports them and holds accountable those who attack them’;
Amendment 15
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
Ja. whereas while new technologies, including social media and artificial intelligence (AI), have been shown to negatively impact democracy, gender equality and wider human rights, influencing, for example, the outcomes of democratic elections, they can, however, provide a platform for activists, particularly women activists, otherwise unable to pursue their causes and civic engagement; whereas the recently adopted Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law aims to ensure respect for human rights, democracy, gender equality and the rule of law in the application of AI systems; whereas this treaty establishes a legal framework covering the entire life cycle of AI systems and addresses associated risks, such as violence against women, while promoting responsible innovation;
Amendment 16
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
Global challenges to democracy and human rights
Global challenges to democracy, human rights and gender equality
Amendment 17Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
1. Reasserts the universality and indivisibility of human rights and the inherent dignity of every human being; reaffirms the duty of the EU and its Member States to promote and protect democracy and the universality of human rights around the world;
1. Reasserts the universality and indivisibility of human rights and the inherent dignity of every human being; reaffirms the duty of the EU and its Member States to promote and protect democracy and the universality of human rights around the world; stresses that gender equality is a core value of the EU and one of its common and fundamental principles;
Amendment 18
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
1a. Stresses the importance of advancing women’s rights and equality of opportunity between men and women worldwide, which are crucial to the realisation of human rights; emphasises that, in spite of progress, women and girls continue to suffer discrimination and violence, especially in countries under strict Islamic regimes, and that such societies fail to provide women and girls with equal rights under the law and equal access to education, healthcare, decent work and political and economic representation;
Amendment 19
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
1b. Underlines the importance of strengthening the participation of women in democratic systems order to tackle the discrepancy in the representation of women in decision-making; calls for the EU’s external action to facilitate better participation of women in politics, business and civil society;
Amendment 20Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
2. Insists that respect, protection and fulfilment of human rights and fundamental freedoms must be the cornerstone of the EU’s external policy; strongly encourages the EU, to that end, to strive for a continued ambitious commitment to make human rights a central part of all EU policies in a streamlined manner and to enhance the consistency between the EU’s internal and external policies in this field;
2. Insists that respect, protection and fulfilment of human rights and fundamental freedoms must be the cornerstone of the EU’s external policy; strongly encourages the EU, to that end, to strive for a continued ambitious commitment to make human rights a central part of all EU policies, including trade agreements, in a streamlined manner, and to enhance the consistency between the EU’s internal and external policies in this field;
Amendment 21
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
3. Stresses that the EU must be fully prepared to counter the rise of authoritarianism, illiberalism and populism, as well as the increasing attacks on the universality of human rights, democracy and international humanitarian law;
3. Stresses that the EU must be fully prepared to counter the alarming rise of authoritarianism, illiberalism and populism, the global backlash against gender-equality and fundamental rights, including women’s rights, and the rise in homophobic and anti-trans rhetoric, undermining the rights of the most vulnerable people, as well as the increasing attacks on the universality of human rights, democracy and international humanitarian law; highlights the interdependence of women’s rights, democracy, and the rule of law;
Amendment 22
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
4. Condemns the increasing trend of violations and abuses of human rights and democratic principles and values across the world, such as arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture, clampdowns on civil society and political opponents, excessive use of violence by public authorities, censorship and threats to independent media, political attacks against international institutions, and increasing use of unlawful methods of war in grave breach of international humanitarian law and human rights law, among others; deplores the weakening of the protection of democratic institutions and processes, and the shrinking space for civil societies around the world;
4. Condemns the increasing trend of violations and abuses of human rights and democratic principles and values across the world, such as arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture, female genital mutilation, clampdowns on civil society and political opponents, excessive use of violence by public authorities, censorship and threats to independent media, political attacks against international institutions, and increasing use of unlawful methods of war in grave breach of international humanitarian law and human rights law; deplores the weakening of the protection of democratic institutions and processes, and the shrinking space for civil societies around the world, including that for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) defenders and journalists, who are particularly under threat and consistently targeted; condemns, further, the continuous backsliding on human rights, especially women’s rights and gender equality; expresses deep concern over the targeted suppression of women’s rights and gender equality initiatives as part of this trend;
Amendment 23
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
4a. Deplores the gender equality crisis and the ongoing repression of women throughout the world; condemns entirely the Taliban’s continued repression and severe mistreatment of women and girls in Afghanistan, which has stripped away their fundamental human rights and access to basic freedoms; highlights, in particular, the recent ‘morality law’ in Afghanistan which effectively erases women from public life; stands in solidarity with the women and girls of Afghanistan and elsewhere; calls for the EU to work to restore and expand women’s rights in Afghanistan and throughout the world; condemns the devastating policy of gender apartheid implemented by the Taliban in Afghanistan and urges the de facto authorities to immediately restore the full, equal and meaningful participation of women and girls in public life, particularly as regards access to education, healthcare and work; calls for the EU and its Member States to recognise gender apartheid as a crime under international law in order to hold Afghanistan and those responsible for this crime accountable;
Amendment 24
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
4b. Emphasises that sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are fundamental human rights that must be upheld globally and in the EU Member States and expresses deep concern over global setbacks in gender equality and SRHR; reaffirms that the denial of quality comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services constitutes a form of gender-based violence; stresses the importance of leading by example; urges the EU to prioritise access to SRHR as part of promoting human rights and achieving sustainable development goals;
Amendment 25
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
4c. Recalls that promotion of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) is a key principle under Gender Action Plan III; calls for support for human rights defenders and CSOs advocating for and facilitating access to SRHR, whose efforts are increasingly threatened by the shrinking space for civil society; calls for cases such as the conviction of Justyna Wydrzynska in Poland in March 2023 to be avoided; highlights the need for humanitarian aid to be gender-sensitive to ensure it reaches the most vulnerable people; advocates for universal access to SRHR services, particularly comprehensive family planning, contraception, unbiased information, antenatal, childbirth and postnatal care, as well as HIV care, including pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP and PrEP) medication; emphasises that women and girls must have continuous access to SRHR during conflict and displacement, including safe delivery, family planning services, legal and safe abortions, and clinical management of rape; calls for funds to be allocated for essential and life-saving sexual and reproductive health services, in line with the UN Minimum Initial Services Package;
Amendment 26
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 d (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
4d. Expresses its concern about the global prevalence of gender-based violence, including female genital mutilation, child and forced marriages, femicides, ‘honour-based’ violence, and the trafficking of women and girls; calls on global actors and the Member States to forcefully tackle the plight of women and girls across the world who are subjected to human trafficking and sexual exploitation; supports efforts to rescue and rehabilitate victims and to rigorously prosecute and reform male and female offenders; welcomes the EU’s accession to the Istanbul Convention; deplores Türkiye’s decision to withdraw from – and remain outside of – the Convention; urges the remaining EU Member States – Bulgaria, Czechia, Hungary, Lithuania and Slovakia – to ratify the Convention and implement its provisions; highlights the importance of recognising gender-based violence as an area of crime under Article 83(1) TFEU; reiterates that rape remains one of the most widespread human rights violations globally and stresses the importance of consent-based rape legislation and comprehensive sexuality and relationships education in this regard and reiterates that rape on the basis of the lack of consent needs to be criminalised under EU law; urges compliance with the recommendation of the UN Special Rapporteur that a femicide watch initiative1a should be established (where it does not already exist) to monitor and highlight femicides, as a resource to improve policies, and to raise awareness of the gender-based killing of women as fatal manifestations on the continuum of violence against women; demands the recording of data in official homicide statistics;
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1a WAVE, https://wave-network.org/wp-content/uploads/WAVE_CountryReport2023.pdf, p. 67.
Amendment 27
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
5. Notes with deep concern the ongoing international crisis of accountability and the challenge to the pursuit of ending impunity for violations of core norms of international human rights and humanitarian law in modern conflicts around the world;
5. Stresses that women and girls, including LGBTIQ+ persons, are more vulnerable in conflicts; condemns Russia’s unprovoked and illegal war against Ukraine and its disproportionate consequences for women and girls; recognises the courage of women serving in the first line of defence on the ground; calls for Russia to be held accountable for all breaches of human rights against women and girls, including, but not limited to, all accounts of gender-based violence such as sexual violence, human trafficking and rape; calls for all victims to be guaranteed access to justice; notes, additionally, with deep concern the ongoing international crisis of accountability and the challenge to the pursuit of ending impunity for violations of core norms of international human rights and humanitarian law in modern conflicts around the world, which are leading to violations of women’s and girls’ rights and the continuing existence of areas where girls and women are forced to marry without their consent, or are trafficked into prostitution or forced labour by human traffickers;
Amendment 28
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
6. Notes with satisfaction that there are also ‘human rights bright spots’ within this context of major challenges to human rights worldwide; underlines the need for a more strategic communication on human rights and democracy by spreading news about positive results, policies and best practices; supports the Good Human Rights Stories initiative9 as a way of promoting positive stories about human rights;
6. Notes with satisfaction that there are also ‘human rights bright spots’ within this context of major challenges to human rights worldwide; underlines the need for a more strategic communication on human rights and democracy by spreading news about positive results, policies and best practices; supports the Good Human Rights Stories initiative9 as a way of promoting positive stories about human rights; highlights the importance of recognising the work of, celebrating and promoting women human rights defenders and activists; supports the awarding by the European Parliament of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, noting that in the last two editions it has been awarded to women activists for democracy and human rights, such as Jina Mahsa Amini and the Iranian protest movement ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ in 2023, and María Corina Machado, leader of the Venezuelan democratic forces, in 2024;
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9 https://goodhumanrightsstories.net/.
9 https://goodhumanrightsstories.net/.
Amendment 29
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
7. Notes with concern the increasing divide worldwide; stresses the responsibility of the EU to continue defending democratic values and principles and human rights, peace and dignity around the world, which are even more important to defend in the current volatile state of global politics; calls upon the EU to keep communication channels open with different stakeholders and to continue to develop a comprehensive toolbox to strengthen human rights and democracy globally;
7. Notes with concern the increasing economic, educational, cultural, social and technological divides worldwide; stresses the responsibility of the EU to continue defending democratic values and principles and human rights, peace and dignity around the world, which are even more important to defend in the current volatile state of global politics; calls for the EU to keep communication and negotiation channels, where necessary, open with different stakeholders and to continue to develop a comprehensive toolbox to strengthen human rights and democracy globally;
Amendment 30
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
27. Stresses that women’s rights and gender equality are indispensable and indivisible human rights, as well as a basis for the rule of law and inclusive resilient democracies; deplores the fact that millions of women and girls continue to experience discrimination and violence, especially in the context of conflicts, and are denied their dignity, autonomy and even life; calls for the EU, its Member States and like-minded partners to step up their efforts to ensure the full enjoyment and protection of women’s and girls’ human rights; condemns in the strongest terms the increasing attacks on sexual and reproductive health and rights around the world, as well as gender-based violence; welcomes the accession of the EU to the Istanbul Convention; calls for the EU and its international partners to strengthen their efforts to ensure that women fully enjoy human rights and are treated equally to men; stresses the need to pursue efforts to fully eradicate the practice of female genital mutilation;
27. Stresses that women’s rights and gender equality are indispensable and indivisible human rights, as a basis for the rule of law and inclusive resilient democracies and a core value of the EU and one of its common and fundamental principles; deplores the fact that millions of women and girls continue to experience discrimination and violence, especially in the context of conflicts, post-conflict situations and displacement, and are denied their dignity, autonomy, voice, agency and even life; notes with particular concern that women from marginalised communities, rural and underdeveloped areas, and those facing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination are especially vulnerable; calls for the EU, its Member States and like-minded partners to intensify their efforts to ensure the full enjoyment and protection of women’s and girls’ human rights; condemns in the strongest terms all forms of attacks on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) around the world, as well as gender-based violence, including the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war; calls for the EU and the Member States to uphold SRHR as human rights, enshrine the right to legal and safe abortion in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, and prioritise access to SRHR to advance human rights and sustainable development goals; welcomes the accession of the EU to the Istanbul Convention and calls on the Member States and members of the Council of Europe that have not yet done so, to ratify the Convention; emphasises the need for its full and swift implementation; calls for the EU and its international partners to strengthen their efforts to spread the standards of the Istanbul Convention across the globe and ensure that women fully enjoy human rights and to promote gender equality in all their actions; stresses the need to pursue efforts to fully eradicate female genital mutilation; stresses that achieving gender equality and SRHR is integral to the EU’s external action; calls for consistent advocacy in multilateral and bilateral forums to ensure women’s and girl’s equal rights and protections globally;
Amendment 31
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
MotionDraft motion for a resolution
Amendment
7a. Stresses that education represents the starting point for cultivating principles and values that contribute to the personal development of children, as well as to social cohesion and democracy, and the rule of law around the world; to that end calls for the EU to promote its values by supporting access to education and learning for women and girls;
Amendment 32
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
8. Observes that the EU and its Member States have made substantial progress in implementing the EU action plan on human rights and democracy, although they have not reached all of its goals, in particular due to the unprecedented challenges the world has experienced since its adoption; welcomes, in this sense, the extension of the action plan until 2027, with a view to maximising the synergies and complementarity between human rights and democracy at local, national and global levels;
7a. Stresses that women’s rights and gender equality are indispensable and indivisible human rights, as well as a basis for the rule of law and inclusive resilient democracies; deplores the fact that millions of women and girls continue to experience discrimination and violence, especially in the context of conflicts, and are denied their dignity, autonomy, voice and even life; welcomes the EU decision to extend the duration of the EU gender action plan to 2027; calls for the EU, its Member States and like-minded partners to step up their efforts to ensure the full enjoyment and protection of women’s and girls’ human rights; condemns in the strongest terms the increasing attacks on sexual and reproductive health and rights around the world, as well as gender-based violence; welcomes the accession of the EU to the Istanbul Convention; calls for the EU and its international partners to strengthen their efforts to address the root causes of gender inequalities across all areas and ensure that women fully enjoy human rights and are treated equally to men; stresses the need to pursue efforts to fully eradicate the practice of female genital mutilation;
8. Observes that the EU and its Member States have made substantial progress in implementing the EU action plan on human rights and democracy, although they have not reached all of its goals, in particular due to the unprecedented challenges the world has experienced since its adoption, and therefore takes note of how much remains to be done; welcomes, in this sense, the extension of the action plan until 2027, with a view to maximising the synergies and complementarity between human rights and democracy at local, national and global levels;
Or. en
Amendment 335
MotionDraft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
MotionDraft motion for a resolution
Amendment
10. Recalls the fundamental role of the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe, including its thematic programme on human rights and democracy, as a flagship EU instrument in promoting and protecting human rights and democracy around the world; highlights the need to engage with civil society in all the EU’s relevant external activities; reiterates the importance of streamlining a human-rights based approach in the EU’s external action instruments; underlines Parliament’s role in the instrument’s programming process and calls on the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) to share all relevant information in a timely manner in order to enable Parliament to play its role accordingly, in particular during high-level geopolitical dialogues with the Commission;
10. Recalls the fundamental role of the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) – Global Europe, including its thematic programme on human rights and democracy, as a flagship EU instrument in promoting gender equality and women’s and girls’ empowerment and protecting human rights and democracy around the world; highlights the need to engage with civil society in all the EU’s relevant external activities; reiterates the importance of streamlining a human-rights based approach in the EU’s external action instruments;instruments, including gender-mainstreaming and addressing the root causes of gender inequalities; underlines Parliament’s role in the instrument’s programming process and calls on the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) to share all relevant information in a timely manner in order to enable Parliament to play its role accordingly, in particular during high-level geopolitical dialogues with the Commission; recalls that NDICI – Global Europe promotes gender equality, the rights and empowerment of women and girls, and non-discrimination on any grounds, through targeted and integrated actions, at least 85 % of which should have gender equality as a primary or significant objective as defined by the OECD Development Assistance Committee’s gender equality policy marker;
Amendment 34
Or. en
Amendment 6
Draft motion for a resolution
13. Welcomes the increasing use of the EU GHRSR as a key political tool in the EU’s defence of human rights and democracy across the world, including the recent sanctions imposed on individuals responsible for systematic and widespread sexual and gender-based violence; notes, however, the challenges that the requirement of unanimity poses in the adoption of sanctions and reiterates its call for the introduction of qualified majority voting for decisions on the GHRSR; fully supports the possibility of imposing targeted anti-corruption sanctions within the EU framework in this regard, which has been a long-standing priority of Parliament, whether through its inclusion in the GHRSR or under a different regime; highlights the need for the complete enforcement of sanctions and calls for circumventions to be tackled;
Amendment 35
Or. en
Motion for a resolution
Amendment 7
Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
MotionDraft motion for a resolution
Amendment
14. Reiterates its concern regarding the increasing attacks by authoritarian and illiberal regimes on democratic principles and values; stresses that the defence and support of democracy around the world is increasingly becoming of geopolitical and strategic interest; emphasises the importance of Parliament’s efforts in capacity-building for partner parliaments, promoting mediation and encouraging a culture of dialogue and compromise, especially among young political leaders, and empowering women parliamentarians, HRDs and representatives from civil society and independent media; reiterates its call on the Commission to continue and expand its activities in these areas by increasing funding and support for EU bodies, agencies and other grant-based organisations; stresses the critical importance of directly supporting civil society and persons expressing dissenting views, particularly in the current climate of growing global tensions and repression in increasing numbers of countries; reiterates the importance of EU election observation missions and Parliament’s contribution to developing and enhancing their methodology; calls for enhanced collaboration between Parliament’s Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group, the relevant Commission directorates-general and the EEAS;
14. Reiterates its concern regarding the increasing attacks by authoritarian and illiberal regimes on democratic principles and values; stresses that the defence and support of democracy around the world is increasingly becoming of geopolitical and strategic interest; emphasises the importance of Parliament’s efforts, as well as the role of its delegations and other EU delegationsefforts in capacity-building for partner parliaments, promoting mediation and encouraging a culture of dialogue and compromise, especially among young political leaders, the promotion of women’s access to political participation, both within institutions and in the public, associative, and civic spheres and empowering women parliamentarians, HRDs and representatives from civil society and independent media; recalls the importance of the work of activists, particularly in defending fundamental rights and specifically those most under attack, such as the rights of women, minorities and LGBTQIA+ people; reiterates its call on the Commission to continue and expand its activities in these areas by increasing funding and support for EU bodies, agencies and other grant-based organisations; stresses the critical importance of directly supporting civil society and persons expressing dissenting views, particularly in the current climate of growing global tensions and repression in increasing numbers of countries; recalls that funding for anti-gender movements in and outside of the EU by far outweighs EU funding for women’s rights movements; reiterates the importance of EU election observation missions and Parliament’s contribution to developing and enhancing their methodology; calls for enhanced collaboration between Parliament’s Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group, the relevant Commission directorates-general and the EEAS; calls for the EU to raise gender equality issues, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, with non-EU countries; calls for human rights dialogues to be given more visibility, ensuring that they are results-oriented and based on a clear set of benchmarks that enable effective monitoring, including through effective ex ante and ex post consultation with civil society and the publication of joint press statements and the conducting of suitable follow-up actions;
Amendment 36
Or. en
Motion for a resolution
Amendment 8
Subheading 10
Draft motion for a resolution
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
EU support for human rights defenders
EU support for human rights defenders and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) defenders
Amendment 37
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
15. Is extremely concerned by the continuing restriction of civil society space and rising threats to the work of HRDs, as well as their families, communities and lawyers, and finds particularly concerning the increasingly sophisticated means used to persecute them; supports wholeheartedly the work of HRDs and EU action to ensure their protection worldwide; calls for the complete and consistent application of the EU Guidelines on HRDs by the EU and its Member States; calls for efforts to strengthen the visibility of EU actions and channels for the protection and support of HRDs:
15. Is extremely concerned by the continuing restriction of civil society space and rising threats to the work of HRDs and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) defenders, particularly women, as well as their families, communities and lawyers, and finds particularly concerning the increasingly sophisticated means used to persecute them; supports wholeheartedly the work of HRDs and SRHR defenders, and EU action to ensure their protection worldwide; reiterates its previous calls for the EU to take into account the gender-specific threats, needs and challenges faced by women human rights defenders (WHRDs) and urges EU institutions to guarantee their access to specific protection mechanisms, as well as to provide political support and more direct financial support; deplores the fact that WHRDs continue to face relentless and ever-more sophisticated violations against them; condemns the impunity with which perpetrators commit violations against WHRDs, both in the public and private spheres; deplores the fact that political leaders often fail to protect WHRDs against powerful and dangerous anti-gender movements; calls for the complete and consistent application of the EU Guidelines on HRDs by the EU and its Member States; calls for efforts to strengthen the visibility of EU actions and channels for the protection and support of HRDs and SRHR defenders; calls for support for HRDs and CSOs engaged in promoting and facilitating access to SRHR, whose work is threatened by the shrinking civil society space; calls for the EU to commit to increase and sustain funding for women’s rights movements, including in the framework of the post-2027 Gender Action Plan;
Amendment 38
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
MotionDraft motion for a resolution
Amendment
17. Reaffirms that promoting the respect, protection and fulfilment of human rights around the world requires strong international cooperation at a multilateral level; underlines the particularly important role of the UN and its bodies as the main forum which must be able to effectively advance efforts for peace and security, sustainable development and respect for human rights and international law; calls for the EU and its Member States to continue supporting the work of the UN, both politically and financially; reiterates the need for the EU and its Member States to speak with one voice at the UN and in other multilateral forums; calls for EU delegations to play a stronger role in multilateral forums, for which they should have appropriate resources available;
17. Reaffirms that promoting the respect, protection and fulfilment of human rights around the world requires strong international cooperation at a multilateral level; stresses that EU territory is still under illegal occupation, with catastrophic consequences for human rights, including women’s rights; underlines the particularly important role of the UN and its bodies as the main forum which must be able to effectively advance efforts for peace and security, sustainable development and respect for human rights and international law; recalls that all people have a sacred right to peace and calls for the EU and its Member States to play a greater role in peace talks at the global level; highlights the need to involve women in peace negotiations and conflict resolution; calls for the EU and its Member States to continue supporting the work of the UN, both politically and financially; reiterates the need for the EU and its Member States to speak with one voice at the UN and in other multilateral forums; calls for the EU to adopt a fully fledged feminist foreign policy; calls for EU delegations to play a stronger role in multilateral forums, for which they should have appropriate resources available;
Amendment 39
Or. en
Motion for a resolution
Amendment 9
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Draft motion for a resolution
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
21a. Deplores, given the gendered impacts of armed conflicts, the insufficient focus on or priority given to sexual and gender-based violence and to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) across the EU’s humanitarian and refugee response; reiterates that humanitarian crises intensify SRHR- and gender-related challenges and recalls that in crisis zones, particularly among vulnerable groups such as refugees and migrants, women and girls are particularly exposed to sexual violence, sexually transmitted diseases, sexual exploitation, rape as a weapon of war and unwanted pregnancies; calls on the Commission and the Member States to give high priority to gender equality and SRHR in their humanitarian aid response, as well as to accountability and access to justice and redress for sexual and reproductive rights violations and gender-based violence, including in terms of training for humanitarian actors and current and future funding;
Amendment 40
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
21b. Condemns targeted violence against women and girls in situations of armed conflict; calls for decisive action to put an end to sexual violence as a weapon of war and to end the impunity of those guilty of these human rights violations; calls for the EU to ensure that humanitarian assistance is based on gender-responsive needs assessments carried out in consultation with specialist women’s rights organisations and other civil society organisations working with women, children and other marginalised groups, including internally displaced persons;
Amendment 41
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
22. Recognises the potential for stronger alignment in approaches to human rights protection and promotion between Member States’ embassies and EU delegations in non-EU countries; emphasises the opportunity for Member States’ embassies to take an increasingly active role in advancing and safeguarding human rights, while also supporting civil society in these countries; highlights the importance of shared responsibility between Member States and EU delegations in these efforts; calls for the EU and its Member States to intensify their collective efforts to promote the respect, protection and fulfilment of human rights and to support democracy worldwide;
22. Recognises the potential for stronger alignment in approaches to human rights protection and promotion between Member States’ embassies and EU delegations in non-EU countries; emphasises the opportunity for Member States’ embassies to take an increasingly active role in advancing and safeguarding human rights, while also supporting civil society in these countries; highlights the importance of shared responsibility between Member States and EU delegations, supported by the European Parliament delegations, in these efforts; calls for the EU and its Member States to intensify their collective efforts to promote the respect, protection and fulfilment of human rights and to support democracy worldwide;
Amendment 42
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
23. Condemns any action or attempt to legalise, instigate, authorise, consent or acquiesce to torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment methods under any circumstances; condemns the increasing reports of the use of torture by state actors in conflict situations around the world, and reiterates the non-derogable nature of the right to be free from torture or other forms of inhuman or degrading treatment;
23. Condemns any action or attempt to legalise, instigate, authorise, consent or acquiesce to torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment methods under any circumstances, including acts of torture specifically targeting women and girls; emphasises, in this context, that preventing refugees from conflicts who are victims of sexual violence from accessing abortion care constitutes a grave violation of their human rights and may amount to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment; calls for a reform of restrictive abortion laws; condemns the increasing reports of the use of torture by state actors in conflict situations around the world, and reiterates the non-derogable nature of the right to be free from torture or other forms of inhuman or degrading treatment; reiterates its calls for universal ratification of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and its Optional Protocol and the necessity for states to bring their national provisions into line with their international commitments;
Amendment 43
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
MotionDraft motion for a resolution
Amendment
24. Recalls that the right to food, including having physical and economic access to adequate food or the means to its procurement, is a human right; is extremely concerned about the challenges to the right to food worldwide, especially in situations of war and conflicts; notes with concern the increasing reports of the weaponisation of food in situations of armed conflict; calls for the EU and its Member States to promote mandatory guidelines on the right to food without discrimination within the UN system;
24. Recalls that the right to food, including having physical and economic access to adequate food or the means to its procurement, is a human right; is extremely concerned about the challenges to the right to food worldwide, especially in situations of war and conflicts; stresses that women and girls face disproportionate impacts from foodnotes shortageswith dueconcern tothe pre-existingincreasing genderreports inequalities,of whichthe canweaponisation limitof theirfood accessin tosituations resourcesof andarmed aid;conflict; emphasisesrecalls that childrenwomen and breastfeeding mothersgirls are at increased risk of starvation and malnutrition; notes with concern the increasing reportsparticularly ofaffected theby weaponisationshortages of food in situations of armedand conflict;water; calls for the EU and its Member States to promote mandatory guidelines on the right to food without discrimination within the UN system.system;
Amendment 44
Or. en
Motion for a resolution
Amendment 10
Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
MotionDraft motion for a resolution
Amendment
25. Highlights that climate change and its impact on the environment has direct effects on the effective enjoyment of all human rights; recognises the important work of CSOs, indigenous people, land and environmental HRDs and indigenous activists for the protection of a clean, healthy and sustainable environment; deplores the risks that environmental HRDs and indigenous activists face and calls for their effective protection to be guaranteed; notes with deep concern the increasing threats to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment posed by the deployment of weapons of mass destruction and other forms of warfare that adversely and disproportionately affect the environment;
25. Highlights that climate change and its impact on the environment has direct effects on the effective enjoyment of all human rights; notes that women and girls experience the greatest impacts of climate change, which amplifies existing gender inequalities and poses particular threats to their livelihood, health and safety; recognises the important work of CSOs, indigenous people, land and environmental HRDs and indigenous activists for the protection of a clean, healthy and sustainable environment; deplores the risks that environmental HRDs and indigenous activists face and calls for their effective protection to be guaranteed; notes with deep concern the increasing threats to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment posed by the deployment of weapons of mass destruction and other forms of warfare that adversely and disproportionately affect the environment; stresses that the harmful effects of climate change and ecosystem degradation are being borne disproportionately by the poor, in particular women, young people, disabled people, people from other minorities, indigenous peoples and other natural-resource-dependent communities; recognises the important work of CSOs, indigenous people, land and environmental HRDs and indigenous activists in protecting a clean, healthy and sustainable environment; deplores the risks that environmental HRDs and indigenous activists face and calls for their effective protection to be guaranteed; emphasises that women are disproportionately affected by climate change due to pre-existing gender inequalities that exacerbate their vulnerability in socio-economic and environmental contexts; reiterates the critical need for climate actions, including the green transition, to address existing gender inequalities, including by promoting women’s equal and meaningful participation and representation in climate action, policymaking, and green and clean innovative technologies;
Amendment 45
Or. en
Motion for a resolution
Amendment 11
Paragraph 26
Draft motion for a resolution
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Amendment
Draft motion for a resolution
26. Calls for a systematic and consistent approach to promoting and defending children’s rights through all of the EU’s external policies; calls for more concerted efforts to promote the respect, protection and fulfilment of children’s rights in crisis or emergency situations; condemns the decline in respect for the rights of the child and the increasing violations and abuses of these rights, including through violence, early and forced marriage, sexual abuse including genital mutilation, trafficking, child labour, recruitment of child soldiers, lack of access to education and healthcare, malnutrition and extreme poverty; further condemns the increase in death of children in situations of armed conflict and stresses the need for effective protection of children’s rights in active warfare; reiterates its call for a systematic and consistent approach to promoting and defending children’s rights through all EU external policies;
26. Calls for a systematic and consistent approach to promoting and defending children’s rights through all of the EU’s external policies; calls for more concerted efforts to promote the respect, protection and fulfilment of children’s rights in crisis or emergency situations; condemns the decline in respect for the rights of the child and the increasing violations and abuses of these rights, which statistically affects girls and young women more frequently, including through violence, including gender-based violence, early and forced marriage, sexual abuse including genital mutilation, trafficking, child labour, recruitment of child soldiers, lack of access to education and healthcare, malnutrition and extreme poverty; further condemns the increase in death of children in situations of armed conflict and stresses the need for effective protection of children’s rights in active warfare; reiterates its call for a systematic and consistent approach to promoting and defending children’s rights through all EU external policies; highlights the role of education in the development of children and young people around the world; stresses that access to comprehensive and age-appropriate sexuality and relationship education is a human right and a key tool in preventing gender-based discrimination, violence and exploitation and in equipping young people with the knowledge to protect their health and empower them;
Amendment 46
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 20
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
Rights of women and gender equality
Rights of women, including sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender equality
Amendment 47
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
27 a. Stresses that SRHR education and information is one of the main instruments for achieving the commitments made on the 25th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development; emphasises that SRHR education and information can significantly contribute to reducing gender-based violence and sexual harassment; stresses that comprehensive and age-appropriate sexual and relationship education and sexuality information is key to building children’s and young peoples’ skills to form healthy, equal and safe relationships, in particular by addressing gender norms, gender equality, power dynamics in relationships, consent and respect for boundaries, and contributes to achieving gender equality; calls for the EU, the Member States and their international partners to pursue efforts to ensure access to age-appropriate and comprehensive SRHR and sexuality education, while eliminating gender stereotypes and harmful societal norms, as well as to ensure access to comprehensive family planning care, including contraception, emergency contraception, unbiased information, antenatal, childbirth and postnatal care, fertility services, safe and legal abortion and treatment, and preventative treatment, for all sexual-health-related issues, including HIV, and to information for children around the world, promoting shared responsibility in family planning and supporting women’s rights and well-being;
Amendment 48
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 d (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
27b. Points out that equal pay is a recognised human right; recalls that ensuring that the work done by women and men is valued fairly and that ending pay discrimination is essential to achieving gender equality; calls on the Member States to swiftly implement the Pay Transparency Directive1a and to promote the principle of equal pay for equal work at international level;
______________
1a Directive (EU) 2023/970 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 May 2023 to strengthen the application of the principle of equal pay for equal work or work of equal value between men and women through pay transparency and enforcement mechanisms, OJ L 132, 17.5.2023, p. 21, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2023/970/oj.
Amendment 49
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 c (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
27c. Strongly condemns, based on the statements of the UN, the fact that those who suffer the most in any armed conflict are women and children;
27. Stresses that women’s rights and gender equality are indispensable and indivisible human rights, as well as a basis for the rule of law and inclusive resilient democracies; deplores the fact that millions of women and girls continue to experience discrimination and violence, especially in the context of conflicts, and are denied their dignity, autonomy and even life; calls for the EU, its Member States and like-minded partners to step up their efforts to ensure the full enjoyment and protection of women’s and girls’ human rights; condemns in the strongest terms the increasing attacks on sexual and reproductive health and rights around the world, as well as gender-based violence; welcomes the accession of the EU to the Istanbul Convention; calls for the EU and its international partners to strengthen their efforts to ensure that women fully enjoy human rights and are treated equally to men; stresses the need to pursue efforts to fully eradicate the practice of female genital mutilation;
Amendment 50
deleted
Motion for a resolution
Or. en
Amendment 12
Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
MotionDraft motion for a resolution
Amendment
28. Denounces the erosion of the human rights and the safety of refugees, asylum seekers and forcibly displaced persons; reaffirms their inalienable human rights and fundamental right to seek asylum; recalls the obligation of states to protect them in accordance with international law; calls for the EU and its Member States to effectively uphold their rights in the EU’s asylum and migration policy and in the EU’s cooperation with partner countries in this regard; stresses that the EU should step up its efforts to acknowledge and develop ways to address the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement, building the resilience of migrants’ communities of origin and helping them offer their members the possibility to enjoy a decent life in their home country; calls for the EU and its Member States to continue and, where possible, step up their support for countries hosting the most refugees, as well as for transit countries; reiterates that close cooperation and engagement with non-EU countries remain key to preventing migrant smuggling; stresses, in this regard, that the dissemination of information and awareness-raising campaigns on the risks of smuggling are crucial; calls for EU-funded humanitarian operations to take into consideration the specific needs and vulnerabilities of children and to ensure their protection while they are displaced; underlines the importance of developing an effective framework of safe and legal pathways to the EU and welcomes, in this regard, the Commission communication on attracting skills and talent to the EU10 ,EU, including the development of talent partnerships with partner countries;
28. Denounces the erosion of the human rights and the safety of refugees, asylum seekers and forcibly displaced persons; reaffirms their inalienable human rights and fundamental right to seek asylum; recalls the obligation of states to protect them in accordance with international law; calls for the EU and its Member States to effectively uphold their rights in the EU’s asylum and migration policy and in the EU’s cooperation with partner countries in this regard; stresses that the EU should step up its efforts to acknowledge and develop ways to address the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement, building the resilience of migrants’ communities of origin and helping them offer their members the possibility to enjoy alead decent lifelives in their home country;countries; deplores the many documented occurrences of illegal pushbacks of refugees by Member States’ national law enforcement authorities, EU partner countries and Frontex officers; welcomes the EU’s accession to the Istanbul Convention, which requires parties to ensure that women who are victims of violence are not returned to any country where their life would be put at risk or where they would be subjected to inhumane or degrading treatment; calls for the EU and its Member States to continue and, where possible, step up their support for countries hosting the most refugees, as well as for transit countries; reiterates that close cooperation and engagement with non-EU countries remain key to preventing migrant smuggling; stresses, in this regard, that the dissemination of information and awareness-raising campaigns on the risks of smuggling are crucial; calls for EU-funded humanitarian operations to take into consideration the specific needs and vulnerabilities of children and women and to ensure their protection while they are displaced; underlines the importance of developing an effective framework of safe and legal pathways to the EU and welcomes, in this regard, the Commission communication on attracting skills and talent to the EU10 ,EU, including the development of talent partnerships with partner countries;
_________________
Or. en
_________________
Amendment 13
10 Commission communication of 27 April 2022 on attracting skills and talent to the EU (COM(2022)0657).
Draft motion for a resolution
10 Commission communication of 27 April 2022 on attracting skills and talent to the EU (COM(2022)0657).
Amendment 51
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
MotionDraft motion for a resolution
Amendment
29. Deplores the human rights violations, including discrimination, persecution, violence and killings, against lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) persons around the world; is extremely concerned by the spreading of hatred and anti-LGBTIQ+ narratives and legislation that target LGBTIQ+ persons and HRDs; reiterates its calls for the full implementation of the LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 as the EU’s tool for improving the situation of LGBTIQ+ people around the world;
29. Deplores the ongoingincreased human rights violations, including discrimination, persecution, violenceviolations and killings,hate crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) persons around the world; is extremely concerned by the risingworld, hatredincluding anddiscrimination, anti-LGBTIQ+persecution, narrativesviolence and legislation targeting LGBTIQ+ personskillings; andis HRDsextremely andconcerned restrictingby theirthe enjoymentspreading of their fundamental rights and freedoms, both inhatred and outside the EU, in particular the backlash in some Member States, such as Hungary, where anti-LGBTIQ+ laws, such as Actnarratives LXXIXand oflegislation 2021,that underminetarget LGBTIQ+ rightspersons and safety;HRDs; reiterates its calls for the full implementation of the LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 as the EU’s tool for improving the situation of LGBTIQ+ people around the world; condemns all forms of violence, discrimination, stigmatisation, persecution, hate crimes, hate speech, conversion therapies, intersex genital mutilation and sexual violence against LGBTIQ+ people within the EU and globally; calls for the EU and its Member States to denounce these injustices and commit to protecting the rights, dignity and safety of LGBTIQ+ individuals; denounces, in this regard, conversion practices targeting LGBTIQ+ persons aimed at changing, repressing or suppressing the sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression of their victims; calls for the implementation of an EU-wide policy to legally ban practices of this kind; emphasises the increasing concerns and fears within LGBTIQ+ communities and urges the EU to take a firm stance against any legislative or social actions that endanger LGBTIQ+ people;
Amendment 52
Or. en
Motion for a resolution
Amendment 14
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Draft motion for a resolution
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
29a. Demands, in view of the increase in restrictive legislation on LGTBIQ+ rights inside and outside the EU, guaranteed safe paths to offer asylum to LGTBIQ+ people who are persecuted, discriminated against or threatened in their countries of origin;
Amendment 53
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
MotionDraft motion for a resolution
Amendment
30. Is concerned by the challenges to the full enjoyment of the rights of persons with disabilities; reiterates its calls for the EU to assist partner countries in the development of policies in support of carers of persons with disabilities; calls for the EU, in its external policy, to make use of the strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030 as a tool to improve the situation of persons with disabilities, particularly concerning poverty and discrimination, but also problems with access to education, healthcare and employment, and participation in political life;
30. Is concerned by the challenges to the full enjoyment of the rights of persons with disabilities; reiterates its calls for the EU to assist partner countries in the development of policies in support of carers of persons with disabilities; underlines the specific needs of girls and other children with disabilities around the world, drawing on recent legislative initiatives such as the European Disability Card for EU citizens and residents of non-EU countries; calls for the EU, in its external policy, to make use of the strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030 as a tool to improve the situation of persons with disabilities, particularly concerning poverty and discrimination, but also problems with access to education, healthcare and employment, and participation in political life, issues that, in the case of women with disabilities, result in extreme cases of multiple discrimination;
Amendment 54
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
31. Reiterates its call for the EU and its Member States to develop new avenues to strengthen the rights of elderly people, taking into account the multiple challenges they face, such as age-based discrimination, poverty, violence and a lack of social protection, healthcare and other essential services, as well as barriers to employment; underlines the work of the UN Open-ended Working Group on Ageing on a legally binding instrument to strengthen the protection of the human rights of older people and calls for the EU and its Member States to consider actively supporting that work;
31. Reiterates its call for the EU and its Member States to develop new avenues and programmes to strengthen the rights of elderly people, taking into account the multiple challenges they face, such as age-based discrimination, poverty, violence and a lack of social protection, limited access to free healthcare and other essential services, especially in rural and isolated or deprived areas, as well as barriers to employment, leading to the loss of a wealth of experience that can be of benefit to young people at the outset of their careers; underlines the work of the UN Open-ended Working Group on Ageing on a legally binding instrument to strengthen the protection of the human rights of older people and calls for the EU and its Member States to consider actively supporting that work, as well as actual implementation in both legislation and real life;
Amendment 55
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
32. Reiterates its condemnation of all forms of racism, intolerance, xenophobia and discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality, social class, disability, caste, religion, belief, age, sexual orientation or gender identity; condemns the growing international threat of hate speech, including online; reiterates the crucial role of education and dialogue in promoting tolerance, understanding and diversity; calls for the EU and its Member States to lead the global fight against all forms of extremism and welcomes the adoption of an EU strategy to this end;
32. Reiterates its condemnation of all forms of racism, intolerance, xenophobia and discrimination on the basis of sex, race, colour, ethnicity, nationality, social origin, genetic features, language, disability, religion, belief, being from a minority, property, birth, age, sexual orientation or gender identity; underlines that discrimination on any ground leads to rights violations in all spheres of life, including access to education, healthcare and, in particular, sexual and reproductive healthcare, work and access to justice; reiterates its calls on the Member States to adopt and implement strategies, policies and programmes to advance the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of marginalised groups of women, and to eradicate the financial, legal, practical and social barriers they face; emphasises that women and girls experiencing intersecting forms of discrimination are particularly vulnerable; condemns the growing international threat of hate speech, including online; reiterates the crucial role of education and dialogue in promoting tolerance, understanding and diversity; calls for the EU and its Member States to lead the global fight against all forms of extremism and welcomes the adoption of an EU strategy to this end.
Amendment 56
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
33. Reiterates its principled opposition to the death penalty, which is incompatible with the right to life and a cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment that is irreversible; stresses that the EU must be relentless in its pursuit of the universal abolition of the death penalty as a major objective of its human rights foreign policy; notes that despite the trend in some non-EU countries to take steps towards abolishing the death penalty, significant challenges in this regard still exist; deplores the fact that in other non-EU countries the number of death sentences that have been carried out has reached its highest level in the last five years; reiterates its call for all countries to completely abolish the death penalty or establish an immediate moratorium as a first step towards its abolition;
33. Reiterates its principled opposition to the death penalty, which is incompatible with the right to life and a cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment that is irreversible; stresses that the EU must be relentless in its pursuit of the universal abolition of the death penalty as a major objective of its human rights foreign policy; notes that despite the trend in some non-EU countries to take steps towards abolishing the death penalty, significant challenges in this regard still exist; stresses that the aim of criminal justice continues to be the social reintegration of offenders, the compensation of victims for loss or damage and the prevention of reoffending; deplores the fact that in other non-EU countries the number of death sentences that have been carried out has reached its highest level in the last five years; reiterates its call for all countries to completely abolish the death penalty or establish an immediate moratorium as a first step towards its abolition;
Amendment 57
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
34. Reiterates its concern regarding violations of the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief; deplores the instrumentalisation of religious or belief identities for political purposes and the exclusion of persons belonging to religious and belief minorities and religious communities in certain non-EU countries; recommends that the Special Envoy for the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU be granted more resources so that he can comfortably carry out his mandate; highlights the necessity for the Special Envoy to continue to work closely and in a complementary manner with the EUSR for Human Rights and the Council Working Party on Human Rights; calls for the EU and its Member States to step up their efforts to protect the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, to raise these issues at UN human rights forums and to continue working with the relevant UN mechanisms and committees;
34. Reiterates its concern regarding violations of the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief; deplores the instrumentalisation of religious or belief identities for political purposes and the exclusion of persons belonging to religious and belief minorities and religious communities in certain non-EU countries; notes with concern that the misuse of religious beliefs can lead to gender-based violence and discrimination, disproportionately impacting women and girls through practices such as forced marriage, female genital mutilation, restrictions on education and limitations on personal freedoms; recommends that the Special Envoy for the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU be granted more resources so that he can comfortably carry out his mandate; highlights the necessity for the Special Envoy to continue to work closely and in a complementary manner with the EUSR for Human Rights and the Council Working Party on Human Rights; calls for the EU and its Member States to step up their efforts to protect the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, to raise these issues at UN human rights forums and to continue working with the relevant UN mechanisms and committees;
Amendment 58
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
35. Emphasises the critical significance of freedom of expression and access to trustworthy information for sustaining democracy and a thriving civic space; is seriously concerned about the increasing restrictions on freedom of expression in numerous countries worldwide, particularly for journalists, through censorship, enforced self-censorship, and the misuse of counter-terrorism or anti-corruption laws to suppress journalists and civil society groups; raises concerns, additionally, about the physical security of journalists and media workers and their being targeted in conflict zones;
35. Emphasises the critical significance of freedom of expression and unrestricted access to trustworthy independent information for sustaining democracy and a thriving and free civic space without manipulation or constraints; is seriously concerned about the increasing restrictions on freedom of expression and freedom of assembly in numerous countries worldwide, particularly for journalists, through censorship, enforced self-censorship, and the misuse of counter-terrorism or anti-corruption laws to suppress journalists, civil society groups, opposition politicians and, in the worst cases, lawyers; raises concerns, additionally, about the physical security of opposition politicians, dissidents, lawyers, journalists and media workers and their being targeted in conflict zones;
Amendment 59
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
39. Deplores that the right to participate in free and fair elections is not respected in authoritarian and illiberal regimes; highlights that these regimes conduct fake elections with the aim of entrenching their power, as they lack real political contestation and pluralism;
30. Is concerned by the challenges to the full enjoyment of the rights of persons with disabilities; reiterates its calls for the EU to assist partner countries in the development of policies in support of carers of persons with disabilities; calls for the EU, in its external policy, to make use of the strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 20212030 as a tool to improve the situation of persons with disabilities, particularly concerning poverty and discrimination, but also problems with access to education, healthcare and employment, and participation in political life;
39. Deplores that the right to participate in free and fair elections is not respected in authoritarian and illiberal regimes; highlights that these regimes conduct fake elections with the aim of entrenching their power, as they lack real political contestation and pluralism; emphasises the importance of promoting female political leadership and participation in strengthening democratic processes and ensuring diverse representation;
30. Is concerned by the challenges to the full enjoyment of the rights of persons with disabilities; reiterates its calls for the EU to assist partner countries in the development of policies in support of carers of persons with disabilities; calls for the EU, in its external policy, to make use of the strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 20212030 as a tool to improve the situation of persons with disabilities, particularly concerning poverty, discrimination, and forced sterilisations and abortions, but also problems with access to education, healthcare and employment, and participation in political life; calls for all the Member States to criminalise the practice of forced sterilisation of women and girls with disabilities;
Amendment 60
Or. en
Motion for a resolution
Amendment 15
Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
MotionDraft motion for a resolution
Amendment
41. Highlights that in many regions of the world, micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are often the driving force of local economies; underlines that MSMEs account for 90 % of businesses, 60 to 70 % of employment and 50 % of gross domestic product worldwide; highlights the importance of MSMEs in their contribution to the 2030 Agenda and the achievement of the sustainable development goals, namely those on the eradication of poverty and decent work for all;
41. Highlights that in many regions of the world, micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are often the driving force of local economies; underlines that MSMEs account for 90 % of businesses, 60 to 70 % of employment and 50 % of gross domestic product worldwide; acknowledges that women-led MSMEs may face unique challenges in accessing resources and opportunities, partly due to systemic gender discrimination; emphasiseshighlights the need forimportance supportof toMSMEs enhancein their growth and inclusion in ordercontribution to maintain competitiveness in the global2030 marketAgenda and ensure adequate access to loans andthe credit,achievement businessof angelsthe andsustainable venturedevelopment capitalists,goals, whichnamely shouldthose beon promotedthe througheradication EUof programmespoverty and funds, as well as through the European Investmentdecent Bankwork for access to microfinancing; emphasisesall; thathighlights the EU and its Memberparticular Statesimpact muston removesmall barrierswomen-led forenterprises womenof toglobal startingtrade and owning businessesrecalls inthe orderneed to bridgeaddress the gender gap in entrepreneurship; highlights the importance of MSMEs in their contributionaccess to the 2030 Agenda and the achievement of the sustainable development goals, namely those on the eradication of poverty and decent workfinancing for all.SMEs globally;
Amendment 61
Or. en
Motion for a resolution
Amendment 16
Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
MotionDraft motion for a resolution
Amendment
42. Is concerned by the threat that artificial intelligence (AI) can pose to democracy and human rights, especially if it is not duly regulated; welcomes the Council conclusions on Digital Diplomacy of 26 June 2023 to strengthen the EU’s role and leadership in global digital governance, in particular its position as a shaper of the global digital rulebook; welcomes, in this regard, the adoption of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act which aims to harmonise the rules on AI for protecting human rights, and the advantages that AI can bring to human wellbeing; notes with concern the adverse effects of the ‘fake content industry’ on the right to information and press freedom, including the rapid development of AI and the subsequent empowerment of the disinformation industry12 ;
42. Is concerned by the threat that artificial intelligence (AI) can pose to democracy and human rights, while also recognising the advantages of AI and new technologies; reiterates the need for greater political attention to be paid to the profound changes arising from AI systems, which have the potential to promote, among other things, gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls; points out the risk of creating or perpetuating gender inequalities and biases in our societies through AI, and the risk of incentivising cyber and physical violence, against women, if adequate action is not taken; welcomes the adoption of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, with built-in high levels of protection of fundamental rights and gender equality, which aims to harmonise the rules on AI for protecting human rights, and the advantages that AI can bring to human well-being; welcomes the adoption of the first Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law; emphasises the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in equipping women and girls with future-oriented skills, enabling access to employment and challenging gender stereotypes that have traditionally categorised these fields as male-dominated; calls for the EU, the Member States and international partners to intensify global efforts to promote and encourage STEM learning from an early age to ensure that girls and women are not at an unfair disadvantage when later seeking employment in the scientific and technical sectors, increasing girls’ and women’s access to and leadership in STEM and information and communications technology education and careers; emphasises that gender equality needs to be a priority in the process of conceptualising and building AI systems; welcomes the Council conclusions on Digital Diplomacy of 26 June 2023 to strengthen the EU’s role and leadership in global digital governance, in particular its position as a shaper of the global digital rulebook; welcomes, in this regard, the adoption of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act which aims to harmonise the rules on AI for protecting human rights, and the advantages that AI can bring to human well-being; notes with concern the adverse effects of the ‘fake content industry’ on the right to information and press freedom, including the rapid development of AI and the subsequent empowerment of the disinformation industry1a.
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1a Reporters Without Borders, ‘2023 World Press Freedom Index – journalism threatened by fake content industry’ https://rsf.org/en/2023-world-press-freedom-index-journalism-threatened-fake-content-industry.
12 Reporters Without Borders, ‘2023 World Press Freedom Index – journalism threatened by fake content industry’ https://rsf.org/en/2023-world-press-freedom-index-journalism-threatened-fake-content-industry.
Amendment 62
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
42a. Welcomes the adoption in May 2024 of the first Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law, aimed at ensuring that activities within the entire life cycle of AI systems are fully consistent with human rights, democracy and the rule of law; reiterates the need for greater legislative attention to be paid to the profound changes arising from activities within the life cycle of AI systems, which have the potential to promote human prosperity, individual and social well-being, sustainable development, gender equality, and the empowerment of all women and girls, but also pose the risk of creating or exacerbating inequalities and incentivising cyber and physical violence, including violence experienced by women and individuals in vulnerable situations;
Amendment 63
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 b (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
42b. Reiterates the need to establish a globally applicable legal framework setting out general principles and common rules to govern activities throughout the life cycle of AI systems, effectively preserving shared values and harnessing the benefits of artificial intelligence to promote such values in a manner conducive to responsible innovation; encourages the EU to champion such legislative innovation and therefore calls on the Commission to focus more closely on the risks and opportunities presented by machine learning systems in the field of human rights and democracy, as well as equal opportunities and preventing violence against women;
42. Is concerned by the threat that artificial intelligence (AI) can pose to democracy and human rights, especially if it is not duly regulated; welcomes the Council conclusions on Digital Diplomacy of 26 June 2023 to strengthen the EU’s role and leadership in global digital governance, in particular its position as a shaper of the global digital rulebook; welcomes, in this regard, the adoption of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act which aims to harmonise the rules on AI for protecting human rights, and the advantages that AI can bring to human wellbeing; notes with concern the adverse effects of the ‘fake content industry’ on the right to information and press freedom, including the rapid development of AI and the subsequent empowerment of the disinformation industry.
Amendment 64
42. Is concerned by the threat that artificial intelligence (AI) can pose to democracy and human rights, especially if it is not duly regulated; highlights the explicit risk of bias, particularly in relation to gender, in machine learning and generative AI; welcomes the Council conclusions on Digital Diplomacy of 26 June 2023 to strengthen the EU’s role and leadership in global digital governance, in particular its position as a shaper of the global digital rulebook; welcomes, in this regard, the adoption of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act which aims to harmonise the rules on AI for protecting human rights, and the advantages that AI can bring to human wellbeing; notes with concern the adverse effects of the ‘fake content industry’ on the right to information and press freedom, including the rapid development of AI and the subsequent empowerment of the disinformation industry;
Motion for a resolution
Or. en
Amendment 17
Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
MotionDraft motion for a resolution
Amendment
43. Stresses that the internet should be a place where freedom of expression prevails; considers, nevertheless, that the rights of individuals need to be respected; is of the opinion that, where applicable, what is considered to be illegal offline, should be considered illegal online; expresses concern for the growing number of internet shutdowns; highlights that internet shutdowns are often used by authoritarian regimes, among others, to silence political dissidence and curb political freedom; calls urgently for the EU to combat this alarming phenomenon;phenomenon
43. Stresses that the rights of all individuals need to be respected; considers, nevertheless, that the internet should be a place where freedom of expression prevails; underlines the disproportionateconsiders, harassmentnevertheless, andthat (sexual)the abuserights facedof byindividuals womenneed andto girlsbe online;respected; is of the opinion that, where applicable, what is considered to be illegal offline, should be considered illegal online; deplores any use of AI-generated deepfakes and other abusive image-based actions against women and girls, all of which can have devastating consequences for women’s physical and mental health; urgeshighlights the EUfact tothat implementthat safeguardswomen toare detectdisproportionately andaffected preventby harmfulviolence, deepfakesabuse and to address gender-specific digital threats under AIharassment regulations;online; expresses concern for the growing number of internet shutdowns; highlights that internet shutdowns are often used by authoritarian regimes, among others, to silence political dissidence and curb political freedom; calls urgently for the EU to combat this alarming phenomenon;
Or. en
ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONS FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR HAS RECEIVED INPUT
The rapporteurChair forin opinionhis capacity as rapporteur declares under herhis exclusive responsibility that shehe did not receive input from any entity or person to be mentioned in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.
INFORMATION ON ADOPTION BY COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION
Date adopted
12.12.2024
Result of final vote
+:
–:
0:
24
10
0
Members present for the final vote
Irmhild Boßdorf, Mélissa Camara, Margarita de la Pisa Carrión, Valérie Devaux, Elisabeth Dieringer, Viktória Ferenc, Heléne Fritzon, Lina Gálvez, Alexandra Geese, Arba Kokalari, Sebastian Kruis, Judita Laššáková, Eleonora Meleti, Irene Montero, Carolina Morace, Alessandra Moretti, Mirosława Nykiel, Giusi Princi, Emma Rafowicz, Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus, Benedetta Scuderi, Laurence Trochu, Maria Walsh, Lucia Yar, Dainius Žalimas
Substitutes present for the final vote
Kathleen Funchion, Elisabeth Grossmann, Billy Kelleher
Members under Rule 216(7) present for the final vote
Fredis Beleris, Jorge Buxadé Villalba, Mélanie Disdier, Geadis Geadi, Lukas Mandl, Alexandra Mehnert
FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL IN COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION
Key to symbols: