REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide

6.12.2013 - (COM(2011)0844 – C7‑0496/2011 – 2011/0412(COD)) - ***I

Committee on Foreign Affairs
Rapporteur: Alexander Graf Lambsdorff

DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide

(COM(2011)0844 – C7‑0496/2011 – 2011/0412(COD))

(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2011)0844),

–  having regard to Article 294(2) and Articles 209 and 212 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C7‑0496/2011),

–  having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

-  having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 15 November 2012[1],

-  having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions of 9 December 2012[2],

–  having regard to the undertaking given by the Council representative by letter of 4 December 2013 to approve Parliament’s position, in accordance with Article 294(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

–  having regard to Rule 55 of its Rules of Procedure,

–  having regard to the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the opinions of the Committee on Development, the Committee on Budgets and the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (A7-0448/2013),

1.  Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out;

2.  Approves the joint statement by the Parliament, the Council and the Commission annexed to this resolution,

3.  Takes note of the Commission statement annexed to this resolution,

4.  Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it intends to amend its proposal substantially or replace it with another text;

5.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.

Amendment 1 (1)
AMENDMENTS BY THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT[3]* to the Commission proposal
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[REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

of

establishing a financing instrument for ▌ democracy and human rights worldwide

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 209 and 212 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee[4],

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions[5],

Having regard to the Joint Communication by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the European Commission ‘Human Rights and Democracy at the heart of EU external action – Towards a more effective approach’ of December 2011,

Having regard to the adoption of the EU Strategic Framework on Human Rights and Democracy and an Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy by the Council on xx 2012, as well as the decision to appoint an EU Special Representative for Human Rights[6]

Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure,

Whereas:

(1)  This Regulation constitutes one of the instruments providing direct support for the European Union’s external policies. It replaces Regulation (EC) No 1889/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council[7].

(2)  This Regulation establishes a financing instrument for the promotion and support of democracy and human rights worldwide allowing for assistance independent from the consent of third country governments and other public authorities.

(3)  Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union provides 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. These values are common to the Member States in a society in which pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men prevail.

(4)  Pursuant to Articles 2 and 3 (3) of the Treaty of the European Union and Article 8 of TFEU, equality between women and men is a fundamental value and objective of the EU and the EU should promote and mainstream gender equality in all its activities.

(5)  Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union provides that the external action of the European shall be guided by the same principles which have inspired its own creation, namely democracy, the rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for human dignity, the principles of equality and solidarity and respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.

(6)  This financing instrument contributes to achieving the objectives of the Union’s external action, including those of the European Development Policy, in particular the European Consensus on Development and An Agenda for Change, and the European Human Rights Policy, including the EU Strategic Framework and Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy, adopted by the Council on 25 June 2012.

(7)  Within the framework of the principles and objectives of the Union’s external action the promotion of human rights, democracy, the rule of law and good governance and of inclusive and sustainable growth are two basic pillars of the EU’s development policy. A commitment to respect, promote and protect human rights and democratic principles is an essential element of the EU’s contractual relations with third countries.

(8)  The EU should apply a rights-based approach encompassing all human rights, whether civil and political, economic, social and cultural, in order to integrate human rights principles in the implementation of this Regulation.

(9)  The Union's contribution to democracy and the rule of law and to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms is rooted in the ▌International Bill of Human Rights, and ▌other human rights instruments adopted within the framework of the United Nations, as well as relevant regional human rights instruments.

(10)  Gender equality▌, women's rights, including the empowerment of women, and non-discrimination are fundamental human rights and essential for social justice as well as fight against inequalities. Their promotion is a cross-cutting priority of this Regulation.

(11)  Democracy and human rights are inextricably linked and mutually reinforcing, as recalled in the Council Conclusions of 18 November 2009, on democracy support in the EU’s external relations. The fundamental freedoms of thought, conscience and religion or belief, expression, assembly and association, are the preconditions for political pluralism▌, democratic process and an open society, whereas democratic control, domestic accountability and separation of powers are essential to sustain an independent judiciary and the rule of law which in turn are required for effective protection of human rights.

(12)  The task of building and sustaining a culture of human rights and of supporting the emergence of an independent civil society, including by enhancing its role in its country and making democracy work for all, though especially urgent and difficult in emerging democracies, is essentially a continuous challenge, belonging first and foremost to the people of the country concerned but without diminishing the commitment of the international community. It▌ requires a range of institutions, including national democratic parliaments and locally elected assemblies that should ensure participation, representation, responsiveness and accountability. Special attention should be paid to countries in transition as well as fragile or post-conflict situations. In the implementation of this Regulation, the transition experiences and lessons learned of the enlargement and neighbourhood policies of the EU should be taken into account.

(13)  In order to address these issues in an effective, transparent, timely and flexible manner after Regulation (EC) No 1889/2006 expires, there is a continued need for specific financial resources and a separate financing instrument that can continue to work in an independent manner.

(14)  Union assistance under this Regulation should be designed in such a way as to complement ▌various other tools for implementing of Union policies on democracy and human rights. These tools range from political dialogue and diplomatic demarches to various instruments for financial and technical cooperation, including both geographic and thematic programmes. It will also complement the more crisis-related actions under the Instrument for Stability, including urgent actions needed during the first phases of the transition process.

(15)  The Union should seek the most efficient use of available resources in order to optimise the impact of its external action. This should be achieved through coherence and complementarity between Instruments for external action, as well as the creation of synergies between the present Instrument, other Instruments for external action and other policies of the Union. This should further entail mutual reinforcement of the programmes devised under these Instruments.

(16)  Under this Regulation, the Union will provide assistance to address global, regional, national and local human rights and democratisation issues in partnership with civil society, understood to span all types of social actions by individuals or groups that are independent from the state and whose activities help to promote human rights and democracy▌, including human rights defenders as defined by UN Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (Declaration on Human Rights Defenders). In the implementation of this Regulation, due consideration should be given to the local EU human rights country strategies.

(17)  Furthermore, whilst democracy and human rights objectives must be increasingly mainstreamed in all external assistance financing instruments, Union assistance under this Regulation will have a specific complementary and additional role by virtue of its global nature, and its independence of action from the consent of third country governments and other public authorities. This will allow for cooperation and partnership with civil society on sensitive human rights and democracy issues ▌, including migrants' enjoyment of human rights, rights of asylum seekers and internally displaced persons, providing the flexibility and requisite reactivity to respond to changing circumstances, and/or needs of beneficiaries or periods of crisis. It may also provide Union capacity to articulate and support specific objectives and measures at international level which are neither geographically linked nor crisis related and which may require a transnational approach or involve operations both within the Union and in a range of third countries. Moreover, it will provide the necessary framework for operations, such as support for independent European Union election observation missions requiring policy coherence, a unified management system and common operating standards.

(18)  Developing and consolidating democracy under this Regulation may include strategic support to national constituent assemblies and democratic parliaments in particular to enhance their capacity to support and advance democratic reform processes.

(19)  The Union will pay particular attention to countries and urgency situations where human rights and fundamental freedoms are most at risk and where disrespect for these rights and freedoms is particularly pronounced and systematic. In such situations, the political priorities will be to promote respect for the relevant international laws, to provide tangible support and means of action to local civil society and to contribute to its work, carried out in very difficult circumstances. In conflict situations, the Union will promote the compliance of all warring parties with their legal obligations under international humanitarian law, in accordance with the relevant Union guidelines. Especially in countries in transition this instrument should support an enabling environment for the emergence of political actors committed to a democratic pluralistic multiparty system. It consists also of promoting democratic structures, division of powers and accountable state institutions.

(20)  In such most difficult countries or situations and in order to address urgent protection needs of human rights defenders and democracy activists, the Union should be able to respond in a flexible and timely manner, through the use of faster and more flexible administrative procedures and by a range of funding mechanisms. This will particularly be the case when the choice of procedural modalities could impact directly on the effectiveness of the measures or could subject beneficiaries to serious intimidation, retaliation or other types of risks.

(21)  European Union Election Observation Missions contribute significantly and successfully to democratic processes in third countries. However, the promotion and support of democracy extends far beyond the electoral process alone and thus the full electoral cycle should be taken into account. Expenditure for election observation missions should therefore not take up a disproportionate amount of the total funding available under this Regulation.

(22)  The Union and the Member States shall seek regular exchanges of information and consult each other at an early stage of the programming process in order to promote complementarity among their respective activities. The Union shall also consult other donors and relevant actors.

(23)  The importance of the establishment of the position of the EU Special Representative for Human Rights (EUSR) should be underlined.The EUSR should contribute to the unity, consistency and effectiveness of the Union’s action and human rights policy and help to ensure that all Union instruments and Member States’ actions are engaged consistently, to attain the Union’s policy objectives.

(24)  The Commission and the EEAS, as appropriate, should hold regular and frequent exchanges of views and information with the European Parliament. In addition, the European Parliament and the Council should be given access to documents in order for their right of scrutiny under Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and the Council[8], to be exercised in an informed manner. Measures taken under this Regulation should duly take into consideration the views of the European Parliament and of the Council.

(25)  The Union, including where appropriate through its Delegations, should seek regular exchanges of information and consult with the civil society, at all levels, including in third countries, as early as appropriate in the programming process, in order to facilitate its respective contributions, to ensure they play a meaningful role in that process.

(26)  In order to adapt the scope of this Regulation to the rapidly evolving reality in third countries, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission in respect of the priorities defined in the Annex. It is of particular importance that the Commission should carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level. The Commission, when preparing and drawing-up delegated acts, should ensure simultaneous, timely and appropriate transmission of relevant documents to the European Parliament and to the Council.

(27)  The implementing powers relating to the programming and financing of the actions supported under this Regulation should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) N° 182/2011. Taking into account the nature of those implementing acts, in particular their policy orientation nature or their financial implications, the examination procedure should in principle be used for their adoption, except for technical implementing measures of a small financial scale.

(28)  Common Rules and procedures for the implementation of the Union's instruments for external action are laid down in Regulation (EU) No …/…of the European Parliament and of the Council[9], hereinafter referred as "the Common Implementing Regulation".

(29)  The organisation and functioning of the European External Action Service are described in Council Decision 2010/427/EU[10]▌.

(30)  Since the objectives of this Regulation, namely promoting democracy and human rights worldwide, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States but can rather, by reason of its scale and effets, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives.

(31)  It is appropriate to align the duration of this Regulation with that of Council Regulation (EU) No …/… [11]. Therefore, this Regulation should apply as from 1 January 2014.

HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1Subject-matter and objectives

This Regulation establishes a European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights under which the Union shall provide assistance to the development and consolidation of democracy and the rule of law and of respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Such assistance shall aim in particular at:

(a)  enhancing the respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international and regional human rights instruments, and strengthening their protection, promotion, implementation and monitoring, mainly through support to relevant civil society organisations, human rights defenders and victims of repression and abuse;

(b)  supporting, developing and consolidating democracy in third countries, by enhancing participatory and representative democracy, strengthening the overall democratic cycle, in particular by reinforcing an active role for civil society within this cycle, the rule of law and improving the reliability of electoral processes, in particular by means of election observation missions.

Article 2Scope

1.  Union assistance shall relate to the following fields:

(a)  support to and enhancement of participatory and representative democracy, in line with the overall democratic cycle approach, including parliamentary democracy, and the processes of democratisation, mainly through civil society organisations at the local, national and international level, inter alia, by:

(i)  promoting freedom of association and assembly, unhindered movement of persons, freedom of opinion and expression, including political, artistic and cultural expression, unimpeded access to information, free press and independent pluralistic media, both traditional and ICT based, internet freedom and measures to combat administrative obstacles to the exercise of these freedoms, including the fight against censorship, particularly through adoption and implementation of relevant legislation;

(ii)  strengthening the rule of law, promoting the independence of the judiciary and of the legislature, supporting and evaluating legal and institutional reforms and their implementation, and promoting access to justice; supporting National Human Rights Institutions;

(iii)  promoting and strengthening the International Criminal Court, ad hoc international criminal tribunals and the processes of transitional justice and truth and reconciliation mechanisms;

(iv)  supporting democratic transition and reforms to achieve effective and transparent democratic and domestic accountability and oversight, including that of the security and justice sectors, and strengthening measures against corruption;

(v)  promoting political pluralism and democratic political representation, and encouraging political participation by men and women, in particular marginalised and vulnerable groups, in democratic reform processes at local, regional and national level both as voters and as candidates;

(vi)  reinforcing local democracy by ensuring better cooperation between civil society organizations and local authorities, thus strengthening political representation that is closest to the citizens;

(vii)  promoting the equal participation of men and women in social, economic and political life, and supporting gender equality, and the participation of women in decision making processes and political representation of women in particular in processes of political transition, democratisation and state-building;

(viii)  promoting the equal participation of people with disabilities in social, economic and political life, including measures to facilitate the exercise of related freedoms, and supporting equality of opportunity, non-discrimination and political representation;

(ix)   supporting measures to facilitate the peaceful conciliation between segments of societies, including support for confidence-building measures relating to human rights and democratisation.

(b)  promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international and regional instruments concerning civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, mainly through civil society organisations, relating to inter alia:

(i)  the abolition of the death penalty and the establishment of moratoria with a view to abolition and, where the death penalty still exists, advocacy for its abolition and the observance of international minimum standards;

(ii)  the prevention of torture, ill-treatment and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, as well as enforced disappearances and the rehabilitation of victims of torture;

(iii)   support for, protection of, and assistance to human rights defenders, including addressing their urgent protection needs, in accordance with Article 1 of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders; these objectives could be covered by a Human Rights Defenders Mechanism, including longer-term assistance and access to shelter;

(iv)   the fight against racism and xenophobia and discrimination based on any ground, including sex, race, colour, caste, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age▌, sexual orientation and gender identity;

(v)  ▌freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief, including by measures to eliminate all forms of hatred, intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief and by fostering tolerance and respect for religious and cultural diversity within and among societies;

(vi)  the rights of indigenous peoples as contained in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, emphasising the importance of their involvement in the development of projects concerning them and including support to facilitate indigenous peoples' interaction with and participation in international mechanisms;

(vii) the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities as contained in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities;

(viii)  the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) persons, including measures to decriminalise homosexuality, combat homophobic and transphobic violence and persecution, and promote freedom of assembly, association and expression for LGBTI persons;

(ix)   the rights of women as proclaimed in the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and its Optional Protocols, including measures to combat all forms of violence against women and girls, particularly female genital mutilation, forced and arranged marriages, crimes of "honour", domestic and sexual violence, trafficking of women and girls;

(x)   the rights of the child, as proclaimed in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocols, including▌ fight against child labour, child trafficking and child prostitution, and the recruitment and use of child soldiers, and protection from discrimination of regardless of their race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status;

(xi)   the rights of persons with disabilities as enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;

(xii)   economic, social and cultural rights▌, including the right to an adequate standard of living and core labour standards▌;

(xiii)  corporate social responsibility, particularly the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and freedom to conduct business as proclaimed in the European Social Charter;

(xiv)   education, training and monitoring in the area of human rights and democracy▌;

(xv)   support for local, regional, national or international civil society organisations involved in the protection, promotion or defence of human rights and ▌fundamental freedoms;

(xvi)  promoting the improvement of conditions and observance of standards in prisons, consistent with human dignity and fundamental rights.

(c)  strengthening of the international framework for the protection of human rights, justice, gender equality, the rule of law and democracy, and for the promotion of international humanitarian law, in particular by:

(i)   providing support for international and regional instruments and bodies concerning human rights, justice, the rule of law and democracy;

(ii)   fostering cooperation of civil society with international and regional intergovernmental organisations, and supporting civil society activities, including capacity building of NGOs, aimed at promoting and monitoring the implementation of international and regional instruments concerning human rights, justice, the rule of law and democracy;

(iii)   training in and dissemination of information on international humanitarian law and support to its enforcement;

(d)  building confidence in and enhancing the reliability and transparency of democratic electoral processes and institutions, along the full electoral cycle, in particular▌:

(i)   through deployment of European Union Election Observation Missions and other measures of monitoring electoral processes;

▌

(ii)   by contributing to the development of the electoral observation capacity of domestic civil society organisations at regional and local levels, and supporting their initiatives to enhance participation in, and the follow-up to, the electoral process;

(iii)   by supporting measures aimed at the consistent integration of electoral processes into the democratic cycle, disseminating and at implementing recommendations made by European Union Election Observation Missions, working in particular with civil society organisations, as well as in cooperation with relevant state institutions, including Parliaments and Governments, in accordance with this Regulation;

(iv)  by promoting the peaceful outcome of electoral processes, the reduction of electoral violence and the acceptance of credible results by all segments of society.

2.  The principles of non-discrimination on any ground, gender mainstreaming, participation, empowerment, as well as accountability, openness and transparency, shall be taken into account whenever relevant for all assistance measures referred to in this Regulation.

3.  The assistance measures shall be implemented in the territory of third countries or shall be directly related to situations arising in third countries, or shall be directly related to global or regional actions.

4.  The assistance measures shall take into account the specific features of crisis or urgency situations and countries or situations where there is a serious lack of fundamental freedoms, where human security is most at risk or where human rights organisations and defenders operate under the most difficult conditions.

Article 3

Coordination, Coherence and Complementarity of European Union’s Assistance

1.  European Union assistance under this Regulation shall be consistent with the overall framework of the European Union's external action, and complementary to that provided by other instruments or agreements for external assistance.

2.  In order to enhance the effectiveness, coherence and consistency of the Union's external action, the Union and the Member States shall seek regular exchanges of information and consult each other at an early stage of the programming process in order to promote complementarity and coherence among their respective activities both at decision-making level and on the ground. Such consultations may lead to joint programming and joint activities between the Union and Member States. The Union shall also consult other donors and actors.

3.  The Commission and the EEAS, as appropriate, shall hold regular exchanges of views and information with the European Parliament.

4.  The Union shall seek regular exchanges of information and consult civil society, at all levels, including in third countries. In particular the Union shall provide, whenever possible and in accordance with relevant procedures, technical guidance and support for applications procedures.

Article 4General Framework for programming and implementation

Union assistance under this Regulation shall be implemented through the following measures and in accordance with the Common Implementing Regulation:

(a)  Strategy Papers and revisions thereof as appropriate;

(b)  Annual Action Programmes, individual measures and support measures;

(c)  Special Measures▌;

(d)  Any programming or reviews of programmes taking place after the publication of the Mid-term report referred to in Article 17 of the Common Implementing Regulation shall take into account the results, findings and conclusions of it.

Article 5Strategy Papers

1.  Strategy Papers shall set out the European Union's strategy for its assistance under this Regulation, based on the Union's priorities, the international situation and the activities of the main partners. They shall be consistent with the overall purpose, objectives, scope, and principles of this Regulation.

2.  Strategy Papers shall set out the priority areas selected for financing by the Union during the period of validity of this Regulation, the specific objectives, the expected results and the performance indicators. They shall also give the indicative financial allocation, both overall and per priority area; this may be given in the form of a range, where appropriate.

3.  Strategy Papers shall be approved in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 16 (3) of the Common Implementing Regulation. When significant changes of circumstances and policy so require, Strategy Papers shall be updated in accordance with the same procedure.

Article 6Thematic priorities and delegation of powers

The specific objectives and priorities to be pursued by the Union’s assistance under this Regulation are listed in the Annex. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts to amend the thematic priorities laid down in the Annex to this Regulation. In particular, following the publication of the Mid-term review report, as referred to in Article 17 of the Common Implementing Regulation, and based upon the recommendations contained in the Mid-term review report, the Commission shall adopt a delegated act amending the Annex by 31 March 2018.

Article 7Exercise of the delegation

1.  The power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this Article.

2.  The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 6 shall be conferred on the Commission for a period of [seven] years from 1 January 2014. [The Commission shall draw up a report in respect of the delegation of power not later than nine months before the end of the [seven]‑year period. The delegation of power shall be tacitly extended for periods of an identical duration, unless the European Parliament or the Council opposes such extension not later than three months before the end of each period].

3.  The delegation of power referred to in Article 4a may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force.

4.  As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council.

5.  A delegated act adopted pursuant to Article 6 shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or the Council within a period of [two months] of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by [two months] at the initiative of the European Parliament or of the Council.

Article 8Committee

The Commission shall be assisted by a Democracy and Human Rights Committee, hereinafter referred to as "the Committee". That Committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.

Article 9Access to documents

In order to ensure the exercise of their powers of scrutiny in an informed manner, the European Parliament and the Council shall have access to all EIDHR documents relevant for that exercise, in accordance with the applicable rules.

Article 10Financial reference amount

The financial envelope for the implementation of this Regulation for the period 2014-2020 shall be [EUR 1 332 752 000]. Annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the Financial Framework 2014 – 2020.

Article 11European External Action Service

The application of this Regulation shall be in accordance with Decision 2010/427 EU.

Article 12Entry into force

This Regulation shall enter into force on the ▌day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

It shall apply from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2020.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels,

For the European Parliament  For the Council

The President  The President

Annex

Specific objectives and priorities for the EIDHR

The EU strategic response to deliver on the purpose of the EIDHR is based on five objectives described in this Annex.

-  Objective 1 – Support to Human Rights and Human Rights Defenders in situations where they are most at risk.

Actions under this objective will provide effective support to Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) that are most at risk and to situations where fundamental freedoms are most endangered. The EIDHR will, among others, contribute to meeting the HRDs’ urgent needs; it will also provide medium and long-term support that will enable HRDs and civil society to carry out their work. The actions will take into account the current worrying trend of the shrinking space for civil society.

-  Objective 2 – Support to other EU Human Rights Priorities

Actions under this objective will focus on providing support to activities where the EU has an added value and/or specific thematic commitment (e.g. current and future EU guidelines in the field of human rights adopted by the Council or resolutions adopted by the EP), in line with Article 2 of the EIDHR Regulation. Actions will be consistent with the priorities set out in the EU Strategic Framework on Human Rights and Democracy.

Actions under this objective will, among others, support human dignity (in particular fight against the death penalty, against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment or treatment); economic, social and cultural rights; the fight against impunity; the fight against discrimination in all its forms; women's rights and gender equality. Attention will also be given to emerging human rights issues.

-  Objective 3 - Support to Democracy

Actions under this objective will support peaceful pro-democracy actors in third countries with the view to enhancing participatory and representative democracy, transparency and accountability. Actions will focus on the consolidation of political participation and representation, as well as pro-democracy advocacy.

All aspects of democratisation will be addressed, including, the rule of law, the promotion and protection of civil and political rights such as freedom of expression online and offline, freedom of assembly and association. This includes an active participation in the evolving methodological debate in the area of democracy support.

Where applicable, actions will take into account the recommendations of EU Election Observation Missions (EU EOMs).

-  Objective 4 - EU Election Observation

Actions under this objective will focus on election observation which contributes to increasing transparency and trust in the electoral process as part of the wider promotion and support to democratic processes described in objective 3.

Full-scale EU Election Observation Missions are widely recognised as flagship projects of EU external relations and remain the principal form of action under this objective.

They are best placed to provide both an informed assessment of electoral processes as well as recommendations for their further improvement in the context of EU cooperation and political dialogue with partner countries. In particular, the approach encompassing the full electoral cycle, including follow-up activities, will be further developed with complementary actions between bilateral programming and EIDHR projects.

-  Objective 5 - Support to targeted key actors and processes, including international and regional human rights instruments and mechanisms.

The general aim is to strengthen international and regional frameworks for the promotion and protection of human rights, justice and the rule of law and democracy in accordance with EU policy priorities.

Actions under this objective will include activities to support the local civil society’s contribution to EU Human Rights Dialogues (in line with the relevant EU guidelines) and the development and implementation of international and regional human rights and international criminal justice instruments and mechanisms, among others, the International Criminal Court. The promotion and monitoring of these mechanisms by civil society will be given special attention.

• [1]    OJ C 11, 15.1.2013, p. 81.
• [2]    OJ C 391, 18.12.2012, p. 110
• [3] ^*   Amendments: new or replacement text is marked in bold italics, and deletions are indicated by the symbol ▌
• [4]   OJ C 11,15.1.2013, p.81.
• [5]   OJ C 391, 18.12.2012, p. 110.
• [6]   To be updated both regarding titles and dates
• [7]   Regulation (EC) No 1889/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on establishing a financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide (OJ L 386, 29.12.2006, p. 1).
• [8]    Regulation No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning the mechanisms of control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers (OJ L 55, 28.2.2011,p. 13).
• [9]   Regulation (EU) No …/…of the European Parliament and of the Council of … establishing common rules and procedures for the implementation of the Union's instruments for external action (OJ….)
• [10]    Council Decision 2010/427 EU of 26 July 2010 establishing the organisation and functioning of the European External Action Service (OJ L 201, 3.8.2010, p. 30).
• [11]    Council Regulation (EU) No …/… of laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014-2020 (OJ …).

ANNEX TO THE LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

JOINT STATEMENT BY THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL AND THE COMMISSION ON ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSIONS

The European Parliament, the Council and the Commission underline the important contribution of European Union Election Observation Missions (EU EOMs) to Union policy on democracy support in external relations. EU EOMs contribute to increase transparency and confidence in electoral processes and provide an informed assessment of elections as well as recommendations for their further improvement in the context of Union cooperation and political dialogue with partner countries. In this regard, they agree that up to 25 % of the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights budget over the period 2014-2020 should be devoted to the funding of EU EOMs, depending on annual election priorities.

COMMISSION DECLARATION ON THE STRATEGIC DIALOGUE WITH THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT The Commission will be represented at the responsible Commissioner level* Where applicable

On the basis of Article 14 TEU, the Commission will conduct a strategic dialogue with the European Parliament prior to the programming of the EIDHR and after initial consultation of its relevant beneficiaries, where appropriate. The Commission will present to the Parliament the relevant available documents on programming with indicative allocations foreseen per country/region, and, within a country/region, priorities, possible results and indicative allocations foreseen per priority for geographic programmes, as well as the choice of assistance modalities*. The Commission will present to the Parliament the relevant available documents on programming with thematic priorities, possible results, choice of assistance modalities*, and financial allocations for such priorities foreseen in thematic programmes. The Commission will take into account the position expressed by the European Parliament on the matter.

The Commission will conduct a strategic dialogue with the European Parliament in preparing the Mid Term Review and before any substantial revision of the programming documents during the period of validity of this Regulation.

The Commission, if invited by the European Parliament, will explain where Parliament's observations have been taken into consideration in the programming documents and any other follow-up given to the strategic dialogue.

• [1]  The Commission will be represented at the responsible Commissioner level
  * Where applicable

OPINION of the Committee on Development (4.6.2012)

for the Committee on Foreign Affairs

on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a financial instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide
(COM(2011)0844 – C7‑0496/2011 – 2011/0412(COD))

Rapporteur: Filip Kaczmarek

AMENDMENTS

The Committee on Development calls on the Committee of the Foreign Affairs, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following amendments in its report:

Amendment    1 Proposal for a regulation Recital 5
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(5) This financing instrument contributes to achieving the objectives of the Union’s external action, including those of the European Development Policy.	(5) This financing instrument contributes to achieving the objectives of the Union’s external action, including those of the European Development Policy, based on the European Consensus on Development1, Policy Coherence for Development and a human rights based approach to development.
	_______________
	1 OJ C 46, 24.2.2006, p. 1.
Amendment    2 Proposal for a regulation Recital 8
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(8) Democracy and human rights are inextricably linked, as recalled in the Council Conclusions of 18 November 2009, on democracy support in the EU’s external relations. The fundamental freedoms of expression and association are the preconditions for political pluralism and democratic processes, whereas democratic control and separation of powers are essential to sustain an independent judiciary and the rule of law which in turn are required for effective protection of human rights.	(8) Democracy, democratic governance, development and respect for all human rights are interdependent and mutually reinforcing, as recalled in the Council Conclusions of 18 November 2009, on democracy support in the EU’s external relations. The fundamental freedoms of expression and association are the preconditions for political pluralism and democratic processes, whereas democratic control and separation of powers are essential to sustain an independent judiciary and legislature and the rule of law which in turn are required for effective protection of human rights.
Amendment    3 Proposal for a regulation Recital 9
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(9) The task of building and sustaining a culture of human rights and making democracy work for citizens, though especially urgent and difficult in emerging democracies, is essentially a continuous challenge, belonging first and foremost to the people of the country concerned but without diminishing the commitment of the international community. It also requires a range of institutions, in particular national democratic parliaments that should ensure participation, representation, responsiveness and accountability.	(9) The task of building and sustaining a culture of human rights and good financial, social, administrative and fiscal governance principles, and making democracy work for citizens, though especially urgent and difficult in emerging democracies, is essentially a continuous challenge, belonging first and foremost to the people of the country concerned but without diminishing the commitment of the international community to promoting the right to a process of development in which all human rights and fundamental freedoms can be fully realised. It also requires a range of institutions, in particular national democratic parliaments that should ensure participation, representation, responsiveness and accountability.
Amendment    4 Proposal for a regulation Recital 11
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(11) Union assistance under this Regulation is designed to complement the various other tools for implementing of Union policies on democracy and human rights, which range from political dialogue and diplomatic demarches to various instruments for financial and technical cooperation, including both geographic and thematic programmes. It will also complement the more crisis-related actions under the Instrument for Stability.	(11) Union assistance under this Regulation is designed to complement the various other tools for implementing of Union policies on democracy and human rights, which range from political dialogue and diplomatic demarches to various instruments for financial and technical cooperation, including both geographic and thematic programmes. It will also be complementary to but separate from the more crisis-related actions under the Instrument for Stability and a future European Endowment for Democracy.
Amendment    5 Proposal for a regulation Recital 12
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(12) Under this Regulation, the Union will provide assistance to address global, regional, national and local human rights and democratisation issues in partnership with civil society understood to span all types of social action by individuals or groups that are independent from the state and active in the field of human rights and democracy support.	(12) Under this Regulation, the Union will provide assistance to address global, regional, national and local challenges with a view to promoting democracy, democratic governance, development and respect for all human rights in partnership with civil society understood to span all types of social action by individuals or groups that are independent from the state and active in the field of human rights and democracy support.
Amendment    6 Proposal for a regulation Recital 13
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(13) Furthermore, whilst democracy and human rights objectives must be increasingly mainstreamed in all external assistance financing instruments, Union assistance under this Regulation will have a specific complementary and additional role by virtue of its global nature and its independence of action from the consent of third country governments and other public authorities. This will allow for cooperation with civil society on sensitive human rights and democracy issues possible, providing the flexibility to respond to changing circumstances. It should also provide Union capacity to articulate and support specific objectives and measures at international level which are neither geographically linked nor crisis related and which may require a transnational approach or involve operations both within the Union and in a range of third countries. Moreover, it will provide the necessary framework for operations, such as support for independent European Union election observation missions requiring policy coherence, a unified management system and common operating standards.	(13) Furthermore, whilst democracy and human rights objectives must be increasingly mainstreamed in all external assistance financing instruments, Union assistance under this Regulation will have a specific complementary and additional role by virtue of its global nature and its independence of action from the consent of third country governments and other public authorities. This will allow for cooperation with civil society on sensitive human rights and democracy issues possible, applying good financial, social, administrative and fiscal governance principles, thus providing the flexibility to respond to changing circumstances. It should also provide Union capacity to articulate and support specific objectives and measures at international level which are neither geographically linked nor crisis related and which may require a transnational approach or involve operations both within the Union and in a range of third countries. Moreover, it will provide the necessary framework for operations, such as support for independent European Union election observation missions requiring policy coherence, a unified management system and common operating standards.
Amendment    7 Proposal for a regulation Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point a
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(a) enhancing the respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international and regional human rights instruments, and strengthening their protection, promotion and monitoring, mainly through support to relevant civil society organisations, human rights defenders and victims of repression and abuse;	(a) enhancing the respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international and regional human rights instruments, and strengthening their protection, promotion and monitoring, mainly through support to relevant civil society organisations, human rights defenders and victims of repression and abuse, with the aim of improving and catching up with democratic standards of living and consolidating human dignity and democratisation;
Amendment    8 Proposal for a regulation Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point b
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(b) supporting and consolidating democratic reforms in third countries, by enhancing participatory and representative democracy, strengthening the overall democratic cycle, and improving the reliability of electoral processes, in particular by means of election observation missions.	(b) supporting and consolidating democratic reforms and governance in third countries, by enhancing participatory and representative democracy, in particular through the key role played by national parliaments, local authorities and civil society, and applying good financial, social, administrative and fiscal governance principles, thus strengthening the overall democratic cycle, and improving the reliability of electoral processes, in particular by means of election observation missions and local civil society election observation activities.
Amendment    9 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(i) promoting freedom of association and assembly, unhindered movement of persons, freedom of opinion and expression, including artistic and cultural expression, free press and independent pluralistic media, both traditional and ICT based, internet freedom and measures to combat administrative obstacles to the exercise of these freedoms, including the fight against censorship;	(i) promoting and enshrining in law freedom of association and assembly, unhindered movement of persons, freedom of opinion and expression, including artistic and cultural expression, free press and independent pluralistic media, both traditional and ICT based, internet freedom and measures to combat administrative obstacles to the exercise of these freedoms, including the fight against censorship;
Amendment  10 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point ii
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(ii) strengthening the rule of law, promoting the independence of the judiciary, encouraging and evaluating legal and institutional reforms, and promoting access to justice;	(ii) strengthening the rule of law, promoting the independence of the judiciary and of the legislature – in particular national parliaments, encouraging and evaluating legal and institutional reforms, and promoting access to justice; promoting civil society's role in monitoring the performance of the public sector;
Amendment    11 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iv
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(iv) supporting reforms to achieve effective and transparent democratic accountability and oversight, including that of the security and justice sectors, and encouraging measures against corruption;	(iv) supporting reforms to achieve effective and transparent democratic accountability and oversight, including that of the security and justice sectors, and encouraging measures against corruption, in particular good financial and fiscal governance;
Amendment    12 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point v
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(v) promoting political pluralism and democratic political representation, and encouraging political participation by citizens, in particular marginalised groups, in democratic reform processes at local, regional and national level;	(v) promoting political pluralism and democratic political representation, and encouraging political participation by citizens, in particular women and marginalised groups, in democratic reform processes at local, regional and national level;
Amendment    13 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(iii) the fight against racism and xenophobia and discrimination based on any ground, including 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;	(iii) the fight against racism and xenophobia and discrimination based on any ground, including sex, race, colour, caste, 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;
Amendment    14 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point v
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(v) the rights of indigenous peoples and the rights of persons belonging to minorities and ethnic groups;	(v) the rights of indigenous peoples, the rights of persons affected by caste-based discrimination and the rights of persons belonging to minorities and ethnic groups;
Amendment    15 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point vi
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(vi) the rights of women as proclaimed in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and its Optional Protocols, including measures to combat female genital mutilation, forced marriages, crimes of honour, trafficking, and any other form of violence against women;	(vi) the rights of women as proclaimed in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and its Optional Protocols, particularly access to education and healthcare and the right to decide freely and independently about their bodies, including measures to combat female genital mutilation, forced marriages, crimes of honour, trafficking, and any other form of violence against women;
Amendment    16 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point x
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(x) education, training and monitoring in the area of human rights and democracy, and in the area covered by point (vii);	(x) education, training and monitoring in the area of human rights and democracy;
Amendment    17 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c – introductory wording
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(c) strengthening of the international framework for the protection of human rights, justice, the rule of law and democracy, and for the promotion of international humanitarian law, in particular by:	(c) strengthening of the international framework for the protection of human rights, justice, the rule of law and democracy, and for the promotion of international humanitarian law and the right to a process of development in which all human rights and fundamental freedoms can be fully realised, in particular by:
Amendment    18 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(iia) providing legal and tax-related training for local stakeholders with a view to establishing good-governance mechanisms that prevent corruption.
Amendment  19 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d – introductory wording
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(d) building confidence in and enhancing the reliability and transparency of democratic electoral processes, while contributing to the efficiency and consistency of the whole electoral cycle, in particular,	(d) building confidence in and encouraging countries where elections are to take place to provide protection of political candidates as well as to guarantee their relevant human and political rights and enhance the reliability and transparency of democratic electoral processes, while contributing to the efficiency and consistency of the whole electoral cycle, in particular,
Amendment    20 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d – point i
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(i) through deployment of Union Election Observation Missions;	(i) through deployment of Union Election Observation Missions, on the basis that such missions shall not be granted more than 25 % of the total budget of the Instrument hereby created;
Amendment    21 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d – point iii
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(iii) by contributing to the development of the electoral observation capacity of civil society organisations at regional and local levels, and supporting their initiatives to enhance participation in, and the follow-up to, the electoral process;	(iii) by contributing to the development of the electoral observation capacity of civil society organisations and supporting their initiatives to enhance participation in, and the follow-up to, the electoral process, and by channelling part of democracy assistance through civil society organisations at regional and local levels;
Amendment    22 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d – point iv
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(iv) by supporting measures aimed at the consistent integration of electoral processes into the democratic cycle and at implementing recommendations made by Union Election Observation Missions;	(iv) by supporting measures aimed at the consistent integration of electoral processes into the democratic cycle and at implementing recommendations made by Union Election Observation Missions and by the European Parliament election observation delegations;
Amendment  23 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d – point iv a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(iva) by supporting the efforts of the partner country concerned in building and developing the framework and the institutional capacity required in order to uphold democracy and human rights after the democratic elections have taken place;
Amendment    24 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2. The promotion and protection of gender equality, the rights of the child, rights of indigenous peoples, rights of persons with disabilities, and principles such as empowerment, participation, non-discrimination of vulnerable groups and accountability shall be taken into account whenever relevant for all assistance measures referred to in this Regulation.	2. In the framework of a human rights-based approach to development, the promotion and protection of gender equality, the rights of the child, rights of indigenous peoples, rights of persons with disabilities, rights of minorities, LGBT rights, and principles such as empowerment, participation, non-discrimination of vulnerable groups and accountability shall be taken into account for all assistance measures referred to in this Regulation.
Amendment    25 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 4
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
4. The assistance measures shall take into account the specific features of crisis or urgency situations and countries or situations where there is a serious lack of fundamental freedoms, where human security is most at risk or where human rights organisations and defenders operate under the most difficult conditions.	4. The assistance measures shall take into account the specific features of crisis or urgency situations and countries or situations where there is a serious lack of fundamental freedoms, where human security is most at risk or where human rights organisations and defenders operate under the most difficult conditions, or where there is a serious threat to an environment allowing citizen participation.

PROCEDURE

Title	Establishing a financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide
References	COM(2011)0844 – C7-0496/2011 – 2011/0412(COD)
Committee responsible        Date announced in plenary	AFET 17.1.2012
Opinion by        Date announced in plenary	DEVE 17.1.2012
Rapporteur        Date appointed	Filip Kaczmarek 14.2.2012
Discussed in committee	14.5.2012
Date adopted	4.6.2012
Result of final vote	+: –: 0:	23 0 2
Members present for the final vote	Thijs Berman, Ricardo Cortés Lastra, Corina Creţu, Véronique De Keyser, Nirj Deva, Leonidas Donskis, Charles Goerens, Eva Joly, Filip Kaczmarek, Gay Mitchell, Norbert Neuser, Birgit Schnieber-Jastram, Michèle Striffler, Alf Svensson, Keith Taylor, Ivo Vajgl, Iva Zanicchi
Substitute(s) present for the final vote	Emer Costello, Enrique Guerrero Salom, Fiona Hall, Edvard Kožušník, Judith Sargentini, Horst Schnellhardt, Patrizia Toia
Substitute(s) under Rule 187(2) present for the final vote	Marisa Matias

OPINION of the Committee on Budgets (22.6.2012)

for the Committee on Foreign Affairs

on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide
(COM(2011)0844 – C7‑0496/2011 – 2011/0412(COD))

Rapporteur: María Muñiz De Urquiza

SHORT JUSTIFICATION

Respect for human rights and democratic principles are among the founding values of the EU (Article 2 TEU). Article 21 TEU further stipulates that the Union's external actions should be guided by the principles that inspired its own creation, which places the promotion of democracy and human rights at the heart of EU external action.

The EIDHR is a horizontal instrument aiming to promote democracy and human rights and strengthen the role of civil society by making it an effective actor in political reform and successful defendant of human rights. Elections observation missions are a central element of the EIDHR as well.

Another particularity of the EIDHR is that due to its independence of action from the consent of third country governments and public authorities it is a powerful tool for adding complementarity to all external assistance financing instruments. Being a horizontal instrument, the EIDHR should remain interlinked and consistent with the goals of all other external action instruments.

Budgetary aspects

The Commission has proposed EUR 1400 mln (constant prices 2011) for the period 2014 – 2020 for the EIDHR. This represents a nearly 20% increase in real terms for the next MFF compared to the amount available for this instrument in 2007 – 2013 (EUR 1148 mln, constant prices 2011) but this increase is below the increase foreseen for the average of heading 4. It should be noted however that this is only an indicative amount and the final budgetary allocation available for this instrument will only be know after the completion of negotiations on the next MFF.

In this opinion, the Rapporteur would like to emphasise the need to ensure easier access to finance for beneficiaries of the EIDHR. This could be done through simplification and acceleration of the procedure and reduced administrative burden. To this end the package of proposals for external instruments of the Commission is a step in the right direction as it contains elements of simplification by making all Union external instruments subject to the rules of the general implementing Regulation, providing for more flexible procedures in urgent cases, through the possibility of ad-hoc actions through direct grants or low value grants for human rights violations and consistency with the Financial Regulation.

Nevertheless, the Rapporteur believes that the Commission proposal has some significant drawbacks and would like to introduce amendments ensuring the complementarity and coherence of EU and MS assistance, as well as financing from regional, local and international donors, in order to avoid any potential overlaps. The Rapproteur would further like to underline that the creation of any potential additional instruments, such as the European Endowment for Democracy, should not take away from the resources available for EIDHR and should have their separate budgetary allocations.

AMENDMENTS

The Committee on Budgets calls on the Committee on Foreign Affairs, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following amendments in its report:

Amendment    1 Draft legislative resolution Paragraph 1a (new)
Draft legislative resolution	Amendment
	1a. Points out that the financial envelope specified in the legislative proposal constitutes only an indication to the legislative authority and can not be fixed until agreement is reached on the proposal for a regulation laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014-2020;
Amendment    2 Draft legislative resolution Paragraph 1b (new)
Draft legislative resolution	Amendment
	1b. Recalls its resolution of 8 June 2011 on "Investing in the future: a new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for a competitive, sustainable and inclusive Europe"1; reiterates that sufficient additional resources are needed in the next MFF in order to enable the Union to fulfil its existing policy priorities and the new tasks provided for in the Treaty of Lisbon, as well as to respond to unforeseen events; challenges the Council, if it does not share this approach, to clearly identify which of its political priorities or projects could be dropped altogether, despite their proven European added value;
	_______________
	1 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2011)0266.
Amendment    3 Draft legislative resolution Paragraph 1c (new)
Draft legislative resolution	Amendment
	1c. Regrets that the proposed increase in the financial reference amount for EIDHR in the 2014-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework is below the average increase proposed for heading 4 (external relations) as a whole;
Amendment    4 Proposal for a regulation Recital 10
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(10) In order to address the issues in an effective, transparent, timely and flexible manner after Council Regulation (EC) No 1889/2006 expires, there is a continued need for specific financial resources and a specific financing instrument that can continue to work in an independent manner.	(10) In order to address the issues in an effective, transparent, timely and flexible manner after Council Regulation (EC) No 1889/2006 expires, there is a continued need for specific financial resources and a separate financing instrument that can continue to work in an independent manner, whilst remaining mutually complementary with the other instruments for the Union's external policies.
Amendment    5 Proposal for a regulation Recital 16 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(16a) The new challenges in the Union's Neighbourhood and beyond call for a more flexible, efficient and targeted approach to the financing of the Union's external policies in the field of promoting democracy and human rights, in line with the principles guiding the present review of the Union's external instruments. To that end, the establishment of the European Endowment for Democracy will allow the Union to provide context-specific, timely and bottom-up assistance for democracy support. Its funding and programming should be complementary to the other external instruments of the Union, including the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights and the Instrument for Stability, maximising the overall coverage, coherence and sustainability of the Union's policies in favour of democratisation.
Amendment    6 Proposal for a regulation Recital 16 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(16b) The relevance and scope of Union assistance in promoting democracy and human rights are such as to require the Commission systematically to inform and consult the European Parliament and the Council on the strategic choices under this instrument, especially where the Union's financial resources are concerned. This includes entering into a regular dialogue with the European Parliament and taking due account of its position before and when implementing the strategies.
Amendment    7 Proposal for a regulation Recital 16 c (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(16c) Union assistance under this Regulation should be sufficiently accessible for beneficiaries through the use of faster, more flexible procedures that should lead to a reduction of the administrative burden, especially where a need for urgent protection of human rights is at stake.
Amendment    8 Proposal for a regulation Recital 17
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(17) The implementing powers relating to the programming and financing of the actions supported under this Regulation should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) N° 182/2011 of the European Parliament and the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission's exercise of implementing powers. Taking into account the nature of those implementing acts, in particular their policy orientation nature or their financial implications, the examination procedure should in principle be used for their adoption, except for technical implementing measures of a small financial scale.	(17) In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Regulation, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission. The implementing powers relating to the programming and financing of the actions supported under this Regulation should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission's exercise of implementing powers. Taking into account the nature of those implementing acts, in particular their policy orientation nature or their financial implications, the examination procedure should in principle be used for their adoption, except for technical implementing measures of a small financial scale.
Amendment    9 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	Article 3a
	Coherence and complementarity of Union assistance
	1. In implementing this Regulation, coherence shall be ensured with other areas and instruments of the Union's external action, as well as other relevant Union policies.
	2. The Union and the Member States shall coordinate their respective support programmes with the aim of increasing effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of support and policy dialogue in line with the established principles for strengthening operational coordination in the field of external support, and for harmonising policies and procedures. Coordination shall involve regular consultations and frequent exchanges of relevant information during the different phases of the support cycle.
	3. The Union shall take the necessary steps, in liaison with the Member States, to ensure proper coordination and cooperation with multilateral and regional organisations and entities, including, but not limited to, European financial institutions, international financial institutions, United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, private and political foundations and non-Union donors.
Amendment    10 Proposal for a regulation Article 4 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2. Strategy papers shall set out the priority areas selected for financing by the Union during the period of validity of this Regulation, the specific objectives, the expected results and the performance indicators. They shall also give the indicative financial allocation, both overall and per priority area; this may be given in the form of a range, where appropriate.	2. Strategy papers shall set out the priority areas selected for financing by the Union during the period of validity of this Regulation, the specific objectives, the expected results and the performance indicators. They shall also give the indicative financial allocation, without prejudice to the powers of the budgetary authority, both overall and with an indicative breakdown of resources per priority area; this may be given in the form of a range, where appropriate.
Amendment    11 Proposal for a regulation Article 4 – paragraph 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
3. Strategy papers shall be approved in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 15 (3) of the Common Implementing Regulation. When significant changes of circumstances and policy so require, strategy papers shall be updated in accordance with the same procedure.	3. Strategy papers, and any revision or extension thereof, shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 15(3) of the Common Implementing Regulation. When significant changes to the circumstances and policy so require, strategy papers shall be updated in accordance with the same procedure. Strategy papers shall be reviewed regularly, and at least once every three years, or ad hoc if necessary.

PROCEDURE

Title	Establishing a financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide
References	COM(2011)0844 – C7-0496/2011 – 2011/0412(COD)
Committee responsible        Date announced in plenary	AFET 17.1.2012
Opinion by        Date announced in plenary	BUDG 17.1.2012
Rapporteur        Date appointed	María Muñiz De Urquiza 6.2.2012
Discussed in committee	21.3.2012
Date adopted	20.6.2012
Result of final vote	+: –: 0:	34 2 2
Members present for the final vote	Richard Ashworth, Francesca Balzani, Reimer Böge, Zuzana Brzobohatá, Andrea Cozzolino, James Elles, Eider Gardiazábal Rubial, Jens Geier, Ingeborg Gräßle, Estelle Grelier, Lucas Hartong, Jutta Haug, Sidonia Elżbieta Jędrzejewska, Anne E. Jensen, Ivailo Kalfin, Sergej Kozlík, Giovanni La Via, George Lyon, Barbara Matera, Claudio Morganti, Juan Andrés Naranjo Escobar, Nadezhda Neynsky, Dominique Riquet, Alda Sousa, László Surján, Helga Trüpel, Angelika Werthmann
Substitute(s) present for the final vote	Alexander Alvaro, Franziska Katharina Brantner, Lidia Joanna Geringer de Oedenberg, Jürgen Klute, Jan Mulder, María Muñiz De Urquiza, Georgios Papastamkos, Paul Rübig, Peter Šťastný, Theodor Dumitru Stolojan
Substitute(s) under Rule 187(2) present for the final vote	Bogdan Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz

OPINION of the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (25.6.2012)

for the Committee on Foreign Affairs

on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide
(COM(2011)0844 – C7‑0496/2011 – 2011/0412(COD))

Rapporteur: Barbara Matera

AMENDMENTS

The Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality calls on the Committee on Foreign Affairs, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following amendments in its report:

Amendment    1 Proposal for a regulation Recital 3 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(3a) The EU has adopted a plan of Action on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in Development (2010-2015).
Amendment    2 Proposal for a regulation Recital 3 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(3b) Pursuant to Articles 2 and 3 (3) of the Treaty of the European Union and Article 8 of TFEU, equality between women and men is a fundamental value and objective of the EU and the EU should promote gender equality in all its activities.
Amendment    3 Proposal for a regulation Recital 7
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(7) Gender equality and women's rights are fundamental human rights and a question of social justice and their promotion is a strong component of this Regulation.	(7) Gender equality and women's rights count among the values and principles that underpin EU foreign policy. The promotion of women’s rights and the principles of gender equality and non-discrimination are the cornerstone of this regulation and the concrete, unequivocal expression of the Union’s commitment to upholding human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Amendment    4 Proposal for a regulation Recital 7 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(7a) Violence against women in all its forms is a structural phenomenon linked to the unequal distribution of power between women and men in society and constitutes a violation of fundamental rights. Taking action to combat violence against women contributes to the promotion of equality between women and men and is a strong component of this Regulation.
Amendment    5 Proposal for a regulation Recital 13
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(13) Furthermore, whilst democracy and human rights objectives must be increasingly mainstreamed in all external assistance financing instruments, Union assistance under this Regulation will have a specific complementary and additional role by virtue of its global nature and its independence of action from the consent of third country governments and other public authorities. This will allow for cooperation with civil society on sensitive human rights and democracy issues possible, providing the flexibility to respond to changing circumstances. It should also provide Union capacity to articulate and support specific objectives and measures at international level which are neither geographically linked nor crisis related and which may require a transnational approach or involve operations both within the Union and in a range of third countries. Moreover, it will provide the necessary framework for operations, such as support for independent European Union election observation missions requiring policy coherence, a unified management system and common operating standards.	(13) Furthermore, whilst democracy and human rights and gender equality objectives must be increasingly mainstreamed in all external assistance financing instruments, Union assistance under this Regulation will have a specific complementary and additional role by virtue of its global nature and its independence of action from the consent of third country governments and other public authorities. This will allow for cooperation with civil society on sensitive issues concerning human rights, fundamental freedoms, women’s rights, the principles of gender equality and non-discrimination and democracy, providing the flexibility to respond to changing circumstances. It should also provide Union capacity to articulate and support specific objectives and measures at international level which are neither geographically linked nor crisis related and which may require a transnational approach or involve operations both within the Union and in a range of third countries. Moreover, it will provide the necessary framework for operations, such as support for independent European Union election observation missions requiring policy coherence, a unified management system and common operating standards.
Amendment    6 Proposal for a regulation Recital 14
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(14) The Union will pay particular attention to countries and urgency situations where human rights and fundamental freedoms are most at risk and where disrespect for these rights and freedoms is particularly pronounced and systematic. In such situations, the political priorities will be to promote respect for the relevant international laws, to provide tangible support and means of action to local civil society and to contribute to its work, carried out in very difficult circumstances. In conflict situations, the Union will promote the compliance of all warring parties with their legal obligations under international humanitarian law, in accordance with the relevant Union guidelines.	(14) The Union will pay particular attention to countries and urgency situations where human rights and fundamental freedoms are most at risk and where disrespect for these rights and freedoms is particularly pronounced and systematic. The Union and the Member States will pay particular attention to the plight of women and girls in security, humanitarian and/or food urgency situations since they are a particularly vulnerable group. In such situations, the political priorities will be to promote respect for the relevant international laws, to provide tangible support and means of action to local civil society and to contribute to its work, carried out in very difficult circumstances. In conflict situations, the Union will promote the compliance of all warring parties with their legal obligations under international humanitarian law, in accordance with the relevant Union guidelines.
Amendment    7 Proposal for a regulation Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point a
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(a) enhancing the respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international and regional human rights instruments, and strengthening their protection, promotion and monitoring, mainly through support to relevant civil society organisations, human rights defenders and victims of repression and abuse;	(a) enhancing the respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international and regional human rights instruments, and strengthening their protection, promotion and monitoring, mainly through support to relevant civil society organisations, human rights defenders and victims of repression and abuse, and particularly protection of the most vulnerable groups in the event of security, humanitarian and/or food urgency situations, including women and girls.
Amendment    8 Proposal for a regulation Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(ba) contributing to the promotion and protection of the principles of women's rights, gender equality and non-discrimination.
Amendment    9 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point vi
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(vi) promoting the equal participation of men and women in social, economic and political life, and supporting equality of opportunity, and the participation and political representation of women;	(vi) promoting the participation of women in social, economic and political life, respect for women’s rights, male-female parity in economic and political decision-making positions, the active participation and involvement of women in processes of political transition, democratisation and state-building, with a particular attention to situations where women suffer violence and discrimination in third countries.
Amendment    10 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(iii) the fight against racism and xenophobia and discrimination based on any ground, including 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;	(iii) the fight against racism and xenophobia and discrimination based on any ground, including gender, gender expression, gender identity, 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;
Amendment    11 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point vi
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(vi) the rights of women as proclaimed in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and its Optional Protocols, including measures to combat female genital mutilation, forced marriages, crimes of honour, trafficking, and any other form of violence against women;	(vi) the rights of women as proclaimed in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and its Optional Protocols, including measures to combat female genital mutilation, forced marriages, crimes of honour, trafficking, sexual violence including corrective rape, domestic violence and any other form of violence against women;
Amendment    12 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point vi
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(vi) the rights of women as proclaimed in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and its Optional Protocols, including measures to combat female genital mutilation, forced marriages, crimes of honour, trafficking, and any other form of violence against women;	(vi) promotion of the rights of women as proclaimed in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and its Optional Protocols, and the Beijing Platform of Action, including measures to combat all forms of male violence against women, to protect women and girls against violence and discrimination, particularly female genital mutilation, forced and arranged marriages, crimes of honour, dowry related violence, trafficking of women and girls for commercial sexual exploitation, domestic violence, sexual violence including corrective rape, partner rape, spousal abuse and economic and other forms of violence;
Amendment    13 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point vi a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(via) promoting and putting greater emphasis on maternal health and stressing the importance of education and awareness of sexual and reproductive health as an integral part of the women’s health agenda;
Amendment    14 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point vii
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(vii) the rights of the child, as proclaimed in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocols, including the fight against child labour, child trafficking and child prostitution, and the recruitment and use of child soldiers;	(vii) the rights of the child, as proclaimed in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocols, including the fight against child labour, sexualisation of girls, child prostitution, trafficking and abuse for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation, and the recruitment and use of child soldiers;
Amendment    15 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point vii a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(viia) special emphasis on the equal treatment of boys and girls, in particular in respect of equality of access to education;
Amendment    16 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point x
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(x) education, training and monitoring in the area of human rights and democracy, and in the area covered by point (vii);	(x) education, training and monitoring in the area of human rights and democracy, and in the area covered by point (vii); these measures play a particularly important role in promoting the active participation of women in political, economic and social life by enhancing their skills;
Amendment    17 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point xi
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(xi) support for local, regional, national or international civil society organisations involved in the protection, promotion or defence of human rights and in measures referred to in point (vii);	(xi) support for local, regional, national or international civil society organisations, particularly women’s or youth organisations, involved in the protection, promotion or defence of human rights, fundamental freedoms and women’s rights and in measures referred to in point (vii);
Amendment    18 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c – introductory part
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(c) strengthening of the international framework for the protection of human rights, justice, the rule of law and democracy, and for the promotion of international humanitarian law, in particular by:	(c) strengthening of the international framework for the protection of human rights, justice, gender equality, the rule of law and democracy, and for the promotion of international humanitarian law, in particular by:
Amendment    19 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d – point i
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(i) through deployment of Union Election Observation Missions;	(i) through deployment of Union Election Observation Missions – ensuring male-female parity in the core team – and of short- and long-term observers;
Amendment    20 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(da) gender equality and women empowerment:
	(i) through supporting regional and country level programmes to promote women's economic and social empowerment, leadership and political participation;
	(ii) through supporting national, regional and global initiatives and commitments, to promote the integration of gender equality and women and girls' empowerment into policies, plans and budgets;
Amendment    21 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2. The promotion and protection of gender equality, the rights of the child, rights of indigenous peoples, rights of persons with disabilities, and principles such as empowerment, participation, non-discrimination of vulnerable groups and accountability shall be taken into account whenever relevant for all assistance measures referred to in this Regulation.	2. The promotion and protection of gender equality, women’s rights, the rights of the child, rights of indigenous peoples, rights of persons with disabilities, and principles such as empowerment, participation, non-discrimination of vulnerable groups and accountability shall be taken into account for all assistance measures referred to in this Regulation.
Amendment    22 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 4
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
4. The assistance measures shall take into account the specific features of crisis or urgency situations and countries or situations where there is a serious lack of fundamental freedoms, where human security is most at risk or where human rights organisations and defenders operate under the most difficult conditions.	4. The assistance measures shall take into account the specific features of crisis or urgency situations and countries or situations where there is a serious lack of fundamental freedoms, where human security is most at risk or where human rights organisations and defenders operate under the most difficult conditions. Since women and girls are particularly vulnerable, special attention should be paid to situations in which they are being exposed to physical and psychological violence.
Amendment    23 Proposal for a regulation Article 4 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. Strategy papers shall set out the European Union's strategy for its assistance under this Regulation, based on the Union's priorities, the international situation and the activities of the main partners. They shall be consistent with the overall purpose, objectives, scope, and principles of this Regulation.	1. Strategy papers shall set out the European Union's strategy for its assistance under this Regulation, based on the Union's priorities, the international situation and the activities of the main partners. They shall be consistent with the overall purpose, objectives, scope, and principles of this Regulation, and they should integrate the principles of gender mainstreaming.
Amendment    24 Proposal for a regulation Article 4 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2. Strategy papers shall set out the priority areas selected for financing by the Union during the period of validity of this Regulation, the specific objectives, the expected results and the performance indicators. They shall also give the indicative financial allocation, both overall and per priority area; this may be given in the form of a range, where appropriate.	2. Strategy papers shall set out the priority areas selected for financing by the Union during the period of validity of this Regulation, the specific objectives, the expected results and the performance indicators, including gender equality performance indicators. They shall also give the indicative financial allocation, both overall and per priority area; this may be given in the form of a range, where appropriate.

PROCEDURE (¹)

Title	Establishing a financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide
References	COM(2011)0844 – C7-0496/2011 – 2011/0412(COD)
Committee(s) responsible	AFET
Opinion by   Date announced in plenary	FEMM 17.1.2012
Rule 51 – Joint committee meetings   Date announced in plenary
Associated committee(s)   Date announced in plenary
Rapporteur   Date appointed	Barbara Matera 25.1.2012
Previous rapporteur
Discussed in committee	30.5.2012
Date adopted	21.6.2012
Result of final vote	+: –: 0:	17 0 2
Members present for the final vote	Edit Bauer, Marije Cornelissen, Edite Estrela, Iratxe García Pérez, Zita Gurmai, Mikael Gustafsson, Lívia Járóka, Teresa Jiménez-Becerril Barrio, Nicole Kiil-Nielsen, Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou, Astrid Lulling, Barbara Matera, Elisabeth Morin-Chartier, Siiri Oviir, Raül Romeva i Rueda, Marc Tarabella, Anna Záborská
Substitute(s) present for the final vote	Minodora Cliveti, Christa Klaß, Katarína Neveďalová, Norica Nicolai
Substitute(s) under Rule 187(2) present for the final vote
Comments (available in one language only)

PROCEDURE

Title	Establishing a financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide
References	COM(2011)0844 – C7-0496/2011 – 2011/0412(COD)
Date submitted to Parliament	7.12.2011
Committee responsible        Date announced in plenary	AFET 17.1.2012
Committee(s) asked for opinion(s)        Date announced in plenary	DEVE 17.1.2012	BUDG 17.1.2012	FEMM 17.1.2012
Rapporteur(s)        Date appointed	Alexander Graf Lambsdorff 5.10.2011
Discussed in committee	10.7.2012
Date adopted	5.12.2013
Result of final vote	+: –: 0:	44 1 4
Members present for the final vote	Elmar Brok, Jerzy Buzek, Mark Demesmaeker, Michael Gahler, Marietta Giannakou, Ana Gomes, Andrzej Grzyb, Anna Ibrisagic, Anneli Jäätteenmäki, Jelko Kacin, Tunne Kelam, Nicole Kiil-Nielsen, Andrey Kovatchev, Eduard Kukan, Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, Vytautas Landsbergis, Marusya Lyubcheva, Willy Meyer, María Muñiz De Urquiza, Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck, Norica Nicolai, Raimon Obiols, Kristiina Ojuland, Ria Oomen-Ruijten, Ioan Mircea Paşcu, Alojz Peterle, Bernd Posselt, Hans-Gert Pöttering, Cristian Dan Preda, Libor Rouček, Tokia Saïfi, José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra, György Schöpflin, Werner Schulz, Marek Siwiec, Charles Tannock, Inese Vaidere, Geoffrey Van Orden, Nikola Vuljanić, Sir Graham Watson, Boris Zala
Substitute(s) present for the final vote	Marije Cornelissen, Kinga Gál, Barbara Lochbihler, Antonio López-Istúriz White, Doris Pack, Ivo Vajgl, Paweł Zalewski
Substitute(s) under Rule 187(2) present for the final vote	Hiltrud Breyer
Date tabled	6.12.2013