Istanbul'17 - Academic Preparation Kit by Arda Ulaş Mutlu

ISTANBUL 2017 ACADEMIC PREPARATION KIT Academic Preparation Kit

KEY TO CONTENTS DISCLAIMER 3 FOREWORD 4 THE EU EXPLAINED 5 HOW SHOULD I PREPARE MYSELF FOR THE SESSION? 13 COMMITTEE TOPICS 15 TOPIC OVERVIEWS AFCO 17 JURI 24 ENVI 30 FEMM 36 DEVE 41 46 LIBE I 52 LIBE II 57 AFET I 62 AFET II 68 SEDE I 74 SEDE II DROI 80

APPENDIX 88

Academic Preparation Kit

DISCLAIMER This Academic Preparation Kit was compiled for the 20th National various public entities, no claim is made that their views are in any Selection Conference of the European Youth Parliament Turkey, way represented by the contents of this preparation kit. which will take place in the city of Istanbul, from the 11th to 16th of May, 2017. KEYWORDS & LINKS

BOOKLET STRUCTURE & TOPIC OVERVIEWS

The non-exhaustive list of keywords intends to facilitate the search for information, may that be documents, news items or This Academic Preparation Kit is subdivided into three main articles, through different types of search engines, news websites categories - 1) “How should I prepare myself for the session?” or encyclopaedias. section, which was compiled by the Board of the Session, and aims to help the Delegates to kick off their academic research As regards the suggestions of research links, the list is by no means and preparation in regard their topics for Istanbul 2017; 2) “The exhaustive. Also, several of the websites may contain relevant EU Explained” section explains all the European institutions, its information other than the one cited herewith. Several links have functions and competences which are essential to understand to be been available through footnotes. Please note that the EYP TR is able to perform in Committee Work and General Assembly; 3) The not responsible for the contents of the various websites; the texts, Topic Overviews, which are written by the Committee Chairpersons images and/or audio or video clips reflect the opinions of their and serve as background material. They aim to identify the authors, only. We recommend that you print this preparation kit, importance of the issue at hand, as well as the principal matters together with all the research you will conduct on your own and within it, the interconnections amongst the main actors in those bring all those materials with you to the conference. matters and the actions already by them, while offering a short look at their possible future development. Wishing you a good read and successful preparation, They are written with the intention of providing stimulating, yet neutral, introductions. It must be noted that the content of the Overviews does not reflect the positions of the European Youth Parliament Turkey, who strongly encourages independent thinking, and are the sole responsible of their authors. Likewise, while the National Selection Conference will be held under the patronage of

Koka Kapanadze PRESIDENT, Istanbul ‘17 Arda Ulaş Mutlu and Ataberk Hoşgör HEAD-ORGANISERS, Istanbul ‘17 Onur Can Oçarer PRESIDENT, EYP TR

Academic Preparation Kit

FOREWORD Dear Delegates, It is our utmost pleasure to welcome you allto one of the most important stages of the 20th National Selection Conference of EYP Turkey, which is the academic preparation. On behalf of the Board of the Session, I can say that we have put a lot of time and energy, together with all 12 chairs to provide you with the best possible assistance and guidance before the session. In this document, you will find no just the Topic Overviews that the Chairs have written for you, but also any kind of information you might need during the preparation. We want to encourage each one of you to make your own further research after reading the TOs, and hopefully you will find the inspiration after going through this document.

At the session we are hoping to hear many creative and innovative ideas. The entire Chairsteam will be there for the Delegates throughout the preparation process as well as during the session, to make sure that you have everything needed for writing highquality resolutions. Please be as active and initiative during the time left before the session and try mae the most out of it. Research your topics, and go through what other committees will be discussing at the session. We could not have been more excited for the session to start so soon and we are hoping that the feeling is mutual. We are looking forward to meet each one of you in person Best of luck, Yours in anticipation,

It is also definitely worth mentioning that we, the Board, tried to THE ISTANBUL 2017 CHAIRSTEAM structure all the Overviews in a way that they are easily readable. Amela, Bilge, Diogo, Ella, Elvin, Evgeny, Ines, Koka, Laura, Naira, By this approach we are hoping that you will get to know with not Nika, Olya, Sezen, Sophia, Yuliia, and Yunus just your own topic, but also of eleven other committees. We want to create the sentiment of collective ownsership at he session, where you, the Delegates will be able to contribute and provide support to other committees. In order to achieve that aim, we need your enthusiasm, openness and preparedness.

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THE EU EXPLAINED WHAT IS THE EU?

Mobility, growth, stability, single currency

The EU was created in the aftermath of the Second World War. The first steps were to foster economic cooperation: the idea being that countries who trade with one another become economically interdependent and so more likely to avoid conflict. The result was the European Economic Community (EEC), created in 1958, and initially fostering economic cooperation between six countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Since then, a large single market has been created and continues to develop its full potential.

Thanks to the abolition of border controls between EU countries, people are able to travel freely throughout most of the continent; and it is much easier to live and work abroad in Europe.

From economic to political union

One of the EU’s main goals is to promote human rights both internally and around the world. Human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights: these are the core values of the EU. Since the 2009 signing of the Treaty of Lisbon, the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights brings all these rights together in a single document. The EU’s institutions are legally bound to uphold them, as are EU government whenever they apply EU law.

The European Union (EU) is a unique economic and political The EU has delivered half a century of peace, stability, and supranational1 partnership between by still 28 European countries prosperity; helped raise living standards and launched a single which, together, cover much of the European continent. European currency, the euro.

What began as a purely economic union has evolved into an organisation spanning policy areas, from development aid to environment. A name change from EEC to the European Union (EU) this. The EU is based on the rule of law: everything that it does is founded on treaties, voluntarily and democratically agreed by all the Member States. These binding agreements set out the EU’s goals in its many areas of activity.

1 Having power or influence that transcends national boundaries or governments

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The single or ‘internal’ market is the EU’s main economic engine, enabling most goods, services, money, and people to move freely. Another key objective is to develop this huge resource to ensure that Europeans can draw the maximum benefit from it.

Human rights and equality

Transparent and democratic institutions

As it continues to grow, the EU remains focused on making its governing institutions more transparent and democratic. More powers are being given to the directly elected European Parliament, while national parliaments are being given a greater role, working alongside the European institutions. In turn, European citizens have an ever-increasing number of channels for taking part in the political process.

HOW DOES THE EU WORK?

European Union discuss it. One Commissioner is appointed by each Member State (with one, currently Jean-Claude Juncker, being the President of the Commission). The Commissioners are appointed by their respective Member States, approved by the European Parliament and put in charge of specific issues (e.g. Miguel Arias Cañate, the Spanish Commissioner is responsible for Climate Action and Energy). The Commission monitors the Member State’s and the Union’s adherence to the acquis communautaire (the ensemble of all EU legislation), represents the Union in its foreign relations (especially through one of its Vice-Presidents, Federica Mogherini, who is also the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy) and has the exclusive Right of Initiative

The institutional structure of the EU cannot be compared to that of any other international organisation (e.g. the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), or the United Nations (UN)). It is neither a centralised unity like a nation state, nor does it imitate a relatively loose structure such as the Commonwealth of Nations or a confederation like the United States of America - it is an European Parliament organisation sui generis1. The structure is unique and continuously The European Parliament is the first part of the EU’s legislative developed. The Treaty of Lisbon marks the last big step in this branch and consists of 751 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) who are elected for five-year mandates by all EU citizens process. eligible to vote. The first direct election for the Parliament was held in 1979, and the latest in May 2014.

MAIN INSTITUTIONS

European Commission

The European Commission is the ‘executive’ power of the EU, meaning that the Commission is the one proposing legislation before both the European Parliament and the Council of the 2 unique; of its own 3 The Right of Initiative is the right to propose laws. In the EU, the Commission has the right to propose Regulations and Directives to the European Parliament and to the Council of the European Union

The MEPs in the European Parliament are distributed by a degressive proportionality to their countries’ population, which means no country will have less than 6 MEPs whether their population is. Furthermore, the MEPs are seated by their respective political groups - the three biggest ones are the European People’s Party pooling Christian Democrats (EPP), followed by the Party of European Socialists (PES) and by the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats Party (ALDE). It works either in a big plenary session (General Assembly) or in its 20 different committees, each responsible for specific issue areas (Committee Work). The European Parliament shares its legislative competences with the

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Council of the European Union.

The President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission, and the High Representative of the Union Council of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policies take part in its meetings. The European Council was established as an informal body in 1975, The Council of the European Union is also known as the Council of and it became an official EU institution in 2009, when the Treaty of Ministers, or simply as ‘the Council’. It is structured in issue-specific Lisbon entered into force. groups (Councils), comprising the respective Ministers of Interior/ Home Affairs). The Member States assume the presidency of the While the European Council has no formal legislative power, it is Council, and it changes every six months (Malta presiding until charged under the Treaty of Lisbon with defining “the general 30th June 2017). The ‘president’ in office supplies the different political directions and priorities” of the Union. It thus the Union’s councils with a Chairperson with the exception of the council on strategic (and crisis-solving) body, acting as the collective Foreign Affairs, which is chaired by the High Representative. presidency of the EU. The issues debated in the Council are mirrored in those of the European Parliament (e.g. environment, education, economy, budget, etc) with whom the Council shares its legislative competences, meaning that both the Council and the European Parliament are responsible for passing the Commission’s proposals under the Ordinary Legislative Procedure, which establishes the legal path of approval of a law. Depending on the issue debated, the Council may vote unanimously, by a simple majority (50 or more per cent), or by a qualified majority (55 or more per cent of countries, representing 65 or more per cent of the population) to approve a legislation.

European Council

Court of Justice of the European Union

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) is an EU institution that encompasses the whole judiciary. Located in Luxembourg, it consists of two major courts and a number of specialised courts. The Court interprets EU law to make sure it is applied in the same way in all EU countries, and settles legal disputes between national governments and EU institutions. It can also, in certain circumstances, be used by individuals, companies, or organisations to take action against an EU institution, if they feel it has somehow infringed their rights.

The European Council, is an EU institution comprising the heads of state or heads of government of the Member States, along with the council’s own President, Donald Tusk, being in office since 2014.

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The CJEU gives rulings on cases brought before it. These are the most common types of cases: •• interpreting the law - if a national court has any doubt about the interpretation of EU law, it can ask the CJEU for clarffifications;

The CJEU is divided into 2 other courts:

•• enforcing the law - the European Commission or a EU Member State can take action against a Member State if this fails to comply with EU law;

•• General Court which rules on actions for annulment brought by individuals, companies and, in some cases, EU governments. In practice, this means that this court deals mainly with competition law, State aid, trade, agriculture, and trademarks.

•• annulling EU legal acts - if an EU act is believed to violate EU treaties or fundamental rights, the Court can be asked by an EU government, the Council, the Commission, the Parliament, or even private individuals to annul that act;

•• Court of Justice which deals with requests for preliminary rulings from national courts, certain actions for annulment and appeals;

OTHER CORE BODIES European Central Bank

•• ensuring the EU takes action - the Parliament, Council, and Commission must make certain decisions under certain circumstances. If they do not, EU governments, and other EU institutions, or even individuals and companies can complain to the Court;

The European Central Bank (ECB) is the central bank of the euro and administers the monetary policy of the euro area, which consists of 19 EU Member States. The owners and shareholders of the ECB are the central banks of the 28 Member States of the EU. It was established in 1998, and it is headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany; being its President since 2011 Mario Draghi.

•• sanctioning EU institutions - any person or company who has had their interests harmed as a result of the action or inaction of the EU or its staff can take action against them through the Court.

European Court of Auditors

The European Court of Auditors (ECA) is composed of one member from each Member State, and despite its name, the Court has no judicial functions. It is, rather, a professional external investigatory audit agency, whose primary role is to check if the budget of the EU has been implemented correctly, and if the EU funds have been spent legally and with sound management.

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NOT AN EU BODY (but still important)! Council of Europe

The Council of Europe (CoE) is an international organisation promoting cooperation amongst all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural cooperation. It was founded in 1949, has 47 member states, with over 800 million citizens, and is an entirely separate body from the EU. The CoE cannot make binding laws, yet their decision is still persuasive authority within the EU institutions. Its best-known bodies are the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which enforces the European Convention on Human Rights. The Council of Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work has resulted in standards, charters, and conventions to facilitate cooperation between European countries.

WHAT CAN THE EU DO? Competences

The functioning of the European Union

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The Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) establishes a hierarchy of affairs in which the EU has competence to legislate. In most policy area where the EU can act, the Commission is empowered to submit a proposal for a legal act.

Exclusive Competences Article 3 TFEU

Shared Competences Article 4 TFEU

•• The customs union, including an internal •• Internal market; free trade area with common customs •• Social policy tariffs (art. 31 TFEU); •• Economic, social and territorial cohesion; •• The monetary policy of the EU for •• Agriculture and fisheries (expect the Member whose currency is the euro, conservation of marine biological overseen by the ECB and with certain resources); precepts formulated in the Stability and Growth Pact (art. 129 (3) and (4), arts. •• Environment; •• Consumer protection; 132, 138, 219 TFEU); •• Competition rules controlling state aid •• Transport; from national governments and the •• Trans-European networks; actions of companies necessary for the •• Energy; functioning of the internal market; •• Area of Freedom, Security and Justice; •• A common international trade policy, e.g. a common position in international •• Common safety concerns in public health matters, limited to the aspects trade negotiations, (art. 207 TFEU); defined in the TFEU •• The conclusion of certain international •• Research, technological development agreements, (art. 3 (2) TFEU); and space; •• Common commercial policy; •• Development cooperation and •• The conservation of marine biological humanitarian aid resources (part of the Common Fisheries Policy, art. 38 (1) TFEU).

Supportive Competences Article 6 TFEU

•• Protection and improvement of human health; •• Industry; •• Culture; •• Tourism •• Education, vocational training, youth and sport; •• Civil protection •• Administrative cooperation Note: Legally binding EU acts in these areas cannot imply the harmonisation of national laws or regulations

Member States’ Competences Article 5 TFEU

•• Economic policy; •• Employment; •• Social policies.

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Exclusive Competences: Only the EU may legislate and adopt Non-binding acts legally binding acts. •• Recommendations - without legal force, but negotiated and voted on according to the appropriate procedure, they are not Shared Competence: The Member States have agreed to act binding for the Member States; individually if the EU has not exercised (or planned to exercise) •• Opinions - similar to recommendations in that they have no its competence. If a policy area is neither exclusive nor falls under legal force, they are not voted on, simply emitted. supportive actions, it is a shared competence. Supportive Competence: The EU can financially support the actions of the Member States that have agreed to coordinate their domestic policies through the EU. However, it does not entail harmonisation of regulations.

HOW DOES THE EU DO? Ordinary Legislative Procedure

Article 289 TFEU lays down the core setting of the Union’s main legislative procedure. The Parliament and Council shall jointly Member States’ Competence: The EU may take initiatives to adopt and alter Union legislation based on the initiative of the coordinate the Member States policies. Commission. The procedure is then further defined in article 294 TFEU.

Legal Acts of the EU

While the EU can issue several types of legal acts, not all are fully binding for its Member States. These acts are named according to their legal strength and are divided into Legally binding acts •• Regulations - have to be strictly adhered to in all Member States and leave no room for adjustments during its implementation process; •• Directives - provide a framework and give a certain policy direction, leaving the states with more flexibility and room for adjustments; •• Decisions - always address certain recipients and are only valid for those specific countries/institution/people

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FURTHER INFORMATION & LINKS Institutions: Many of the committee topics in Istanbul 2017 can be resolved by asking institutions of the EU to take action. The main policy makers on an EU level are four institutions, which are explained in the first video. For information on agencies that carry out more specialised work, consult the second link. •• The EU institutions explained by their (former) presidents •• All EU institutions and bodies summarised Motivations for EU integration: Why the EU was formed in the first place, and in how far its overarching ideas changed with time is explained in these links. •• Overview of the history of the EU •• News Statesman: A summary of the EU history for easily bored Competences and decision-making: The EU can only take policy actions in fields which all Member States have transferred to it. In some policy fields, the EU institutions more specific policy. In other policy, the EU may set broad guidelines or provide funding, whilst leaving specific implementation up to Member States. Other policy fields are not subject to EU legislation. Find out more about which policy fields relevat to your topic fall under which area, and what this means for decision-making within them •• Division of competences between the EU and Member States •• Video explaining law-making in the EU •• Legislative powers of the European Parliament The Ordinary Legislative Procedure

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HOW SHOULD I PREPARE MYSELF FOR THE SESSION?

STAGE ONE How do I move on with further research? While the above sources provide solid basic knowledge of the policy area where most topics will be resolved, it is important to find out more about interesting background stories, recent development, and already proposed solutions to your topic.

The Topic Overviews (TOs) are written by your Chairpersons, and are the core documents of any further research you will be developing for this conference. The TOs present the topic in question and analyse elements of debate that are vital for the understanding of the issue at hand, and therefore it is important you research thoroughly, not only your own topic but also the 11 others we will be having at Istanbul 2017.

Do take note of the institution, agenda, or interest behind each source you read. For example, official sources represent the work of an institution, and are likely to display aims and achievements rather than criticism or problems. Newspapers and think tanks also often represent a certain political ideology, for example they might be more liberal, more conservative, or more in favour of European integration. Because of this, different sources will put different problems at the core of their articles, display situations STAGE ZERO differently, and present different arguments. To fully grasp the scope of your topic, it is important to read up on several sources Before starting the research on a certain topic make sure you and cross all the information in your head. read it first, try to visualise it in your head and seek to understand what is the goal for your topic; STAGE TWO Know your needs. No one becomes an expert on the European Union (EU) overnight, neither we are expecting such thing from you. Therefore, look at your topic and the ones which interest you the most and draft what kind of research you will need to do. For example, if you want to study Constitutional or Legal affairs it would be smart to invest the time left until the session to study the structure of the EU, and its respective treaties and policies. However, if you are more interested in Gender Equality or Mental Health make sure you go through studies that seek to understand the problem within the several EU Member States.

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A good place to start research is on quality media, or recognised international platforms, such as BBC, CNN, or Euronews. The following sources will also provide reliable and up to date information.

EU-Oriented new sites:

Official Sources:

•• Euractiv provides news on EU politics, browsing through policy •• Searching from the European Commission homepage will give areas is possible you good summaries, Q&As, and motivations behind legislation and programmes •• EUObserver provides news on EU politics •• Politico provides news on EU politics •• Euronews provides news on EU politics and current events

Sources for Data and Statistics:

•• The European Parliament homepage will help you to check whether your topic is currently debated •• Europa Newsroom shows you press publications by EU institutions, to get an idea of current plans and discussions

Think Tanks:

•• Eurostat provides data on several measurable indicators in Here, you will find well-researched, academic content if you several policy fields from EU Member States would like to go deeper into a topic, and think of it from a more •• The EU’s Eurobarometer surveys regularly European citizens theoretical perspective. Often opinions or news articles on these from all Member States on their opinions on recent issues. pages can give a more concise insight. •• The World Bank provides data base on economic and social indicators for countries around the world •• European Policy Centre •• The OECD database provides a wide range of indicators from •• Carnegie Europe the 34 member states of the OECD •• European Council of Foreign Relations •• Notre Europe - Jacques Delors Institute

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COMMITTEE TOPICS AFCO - Constitutional Affairs

The power to the people: Low turnout at the European Elections, Euroscepticism, and criticism of the EU institutions from its citizens. What stance should the EU adopt in considering amending the European Parliament’s powers, and subsequent revision of the Treaty of Lisbon?

JURI - Legal Affairs

What and How - Keeping the path towards a circular economy: The European Commission is set to put forward a monitoring framework for the circular economy package by the third quarter of 2017. What approach should be taken by the EU legislators to ensure an efficient monitoring of the circular economy framework?

FEMM - Women’s Rights and Gender Equality

Realising every European’s full potential: Women and men across Europe still face discrimination based on their gender, which subsequently results in Gender Pay Gap or female underrepresentation. How can Member States liberate modern generations from gender stereotypes which result in their discrimination in families and workplace?

DEVE - Development

European Neighbourhood Policy, success or a failure? Even though the EU is the world’s biggest aid provider, its development efforts have proven to be inefficient. How could the EU improve its existing development policy in particular the European Neighbourhood Policy countries?

ENVI - Environment, Public Health and Food Safety LIBE I - Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs I Mental Health on EU Agenda: At least one in four people in Europe are affected by some sort of mental illness at some point in their lives according to World Health Organization. Taking into account mental disorders are often underestimated not only by national governments, but also by our societies; how can the EU raise people’s awareness on mental health illness, as well as preventing and providing medical treatment to everyone in need?

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Ethnic minorities on strike: In the light of the recent TurkeyNetherlands diplomatic crisis and high immigration of ethnic minorities to the EU Member States, what stance should the EU take to ensure inclusion within its Member States?

LIBE II - Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs II SEDE I - Security and Defence I Freedom of expression or the European core values? The EU Member States have seen a rise in xenophobic and populist movements in the recent years among its citizens, who do not feel represented by the mainstream politicians. What stance should the European civil society take to guarantee freedom of expression and prevent xenophobic and racist movements?

AFET I - Foreign Affairs I

Neo-Ottomanism within the Turkish diaspora: In the past few years, Turkey has seen some Ottoman revival movements within its regions of influence such as the Southeast Turkey and the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. What position should the EU take towards these revival movements?

SEDE II - Security and Defence II

Europe caught in crossfire: With the new Trump administration and Farewell to alternative facts and misinformation: Widespread and its alleged weariness towards NATO, how should the EU develop its exposure of alternative facts all across the world shows how Security and Defence Policy to ensure the security of its Member influential media is nowadays. What measure should be taken by States? the EU against the misinformation and propaganda, which is spread by non-EU Member States, such as Russiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s information warfare? DROI - Human Rights Islamophobia as a new disease of the modern Europe: The AFET II - Foreign Affairs II majority of the victims of Islamic fundamentalism are themselves Prevalence of economic integration: The European continent is members of the Muslim faith, but Islamophobia has been deeply threatened by frozen conflict zones such as Kosovo, Transnistria, and persistently rooted in Western societies for many years. What or Nagorno-Karabakh. Bearing in mind the sustainable peace, how measures should be taken to protect the Muslimsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; human right in can the EU contribute to the economic reintegration of frozen the EU? conflict zones?

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AFCO

Committee on Constitutional Affairs The power to the people: Low turnout at the European Elections, Euroscepticism, and criticism of the EU institutions from its citizens. What stance should the EU adopt in considering amending the European Parliamentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s powers, and subsequent revision of the Treaty of Lisbon? submitted by Diogo Capelo (PT)

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AFCO

Committee on Constitutional Affairs Powers and Responsibilities Committee responsible for: 1. the institutional aspects of the European integration process, in particular the preparation, initiation and proceedings of ordinary and simplified Treaty revision procedures; 2. the implementation of the Treaties and the assessment of their operation; 3. the institutional consequences of enlargement negotiations of or withdrawal from the Union; 4. interinstitutional relations, including, with a view to their approval by Parliament, examination of interinstitutional agreements pursuant to Rule 140(2) of the Rules of Procedure; 5. uniform electoral procedure; 6. political parties and political foundations at European level, without prejudice to the competences of the Bureau; 7. the determination of the existence of a serious and persistent breach by a Member State of the principles common to the Member States; 8. the interpretation and application of the Rules of Procedure and proposals for amendments thereto.

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KEY WORDS

•• Democratic deficit - the idea that the EU lacks democratic legitimacy, whether due to its non-elected institutions, lack of transparency and accountability, and/or low voter turnout at •• Treaty of Lisbon - binding international agreement which the European elections. reformed how the EU (European Union) and its institutions function. Namely, it gave more legislative power over numerous •• Trilogues - informal meetings between the Member of the areas of intervention to the European Parliament, the ability European Parliament (MEPs) and members of the Council of to accept or reject international agreements, more budgetary the EU prior to a formal decision on a Commission’s proposal. power and the ability to nominate potential Presidents of the •• Opt-outs - means of ensuring that when a given Member European Commission, based on the spitzenkandidaten system. State does not wish to join the others in a particular field of •• Treaty on the European Union (TEU) - one of the two core texts in the Treaty of Lisbon. It lays out the EU’s core principles, its institutions and the EU’s role in foreign affairs.

EU policy, it can opt out, thus avoiding an overall stalemate. Examples, include the Schengen Agreement, or the economic and monetary union.

•• Treaty on the Function of the European Union (TFEU) the second core text in the Treaty of Lisbon. It sets out to describe VIDEOS AND ARTICLES the EU institutions and lays out the basis for EU law with more Lexology: “The Lisbon Treaty - brief overview of the key changes” detail, as well as EU policy and authority. European Parliament: “EP after the Lisbon treaty: Bigger role in •• Euroscepticism - current of thought opposing the concept shaping Europe” of the EU. The main arguments used by Eurosceptics are the European Commission: European Citizens’ Initiative basic facts democratic deficit, overly bureaucratic nature of the EU and its Kurzgesagt - In a Nutshell: “Is the European Union Worth It Or institutions, and the loss of sovereignty of the Member States. Should We End It?” The Guardian: “Rising Euroscepticism ‘poses existential threat to •• Populism - the belief that society is separated into two EU’” homogeneous and opposing groups - the ones who represent The Independent: “What has the European Union ever done for the majority of the people (us) and the elite in the power us?” (them). Populist movements can be both right or left-winged Debatepedia: “Is EU federalization a good idea? Should the EU (respectively Front National in France, and Syriza in Greece). It become the United States of Europe?” demands a more direct connection of the masses to the elites, having a predetermined concept of the people’s will, which leaves no space for pluralism or deliberation;

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ABSTRACT

In an attempt to adapt to a growing EU, to increase its transparency and reduce the democratic deficit, the “Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe” was drafted in October 2004. However, after rejection in referendum by French and Dutch voters, the ratification of the treaty by Member States came to an end. After a period of reflection lasting 3 years, the Treaty of Lisbon, amended the already existing TEU and the TFEU instead of creating a document from scratch. It was signed and ratified by the then 27 Member States, entering into force in December 2009; however, the new document has also been heavily criticised by soft and hard eurosceptics, who call for a reform of the document.

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Many believe that the future of the EU is at stake, as for the first time since its creation, politicians are advertising EU membership referenda, as Geert Wilders in the Netherlands, and Marine Le Pen in France1. Brexit was the first example and consequence of the belief that national sovereignty and EU membership cannot coexist. Instead of blankly dismissing these extremist ideas, it is important to take people’s representation into consideration and start to think about the approach the EU should take to change once again the powers of the European Parliament in an attempt to make it more democratically representative.

in people that the EU is an agent of big businesses and elites. The incomprehension of the EU’s functioning, extreme nationalism, inequality, and social injustice are fuelling the frustration of many EU citizens, especially when they see elites benefiting from loopholes in tax collection and misuse of public funds. The EU’s democratic deficit has two main reasons: the misrepresentation of the European population in the Parliament due to a low voter turnout at the European elections (42.61% in the 2014 European Elections2), and the over complicated legislative procedures of the EU. The Treaty of Lisbon attempted to correct the latter, by replacing the Special Legislative Procedure by the Ordinary Legislative Procedure, which levels the ground between the Council of the EU and the European Parliament, making the latter more powerful and thus, increasing the democratic legitimacy of the decision-making process of the only elected European institution.

The economic and refugee crisis has fuelled xenophobic and nationalist feelings all over the EU Member States, in a similar way far-right parties did before the Second World War. This issue, aligned with the EU’s immense legislative complexity, as well as its seven treaties (Paris, Rome, Schengen, Maastricht, Amsterdam, Nice, and Lisbon) over the last 60 years, brings up the perception 1 “French, Dutch far-right call for EU membership referendums after Brexit”; France24; (2016)

2 “Results of the 2014 European elections - Turnout”; European Parliament; (2014)

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WHO’S IN PLAY?

•• Since the Treaty of Lisbon, the European Parliament can propose treaty amendments, to the Council of the EU under the Ordinary Revision Procedure, stipulated in the art. 48 TEU.

as stipulated in the art. 4, 5 and 6 TFEU, the Member States have the power to legislate where the Treaties do not confer that power to EU institutions

•• The Council of the EU holds jointly with the Parliament a codecision power, and under the Ordinary Revision Procedure, stipulated in the art. 48 TEU, the Council must submit any treaty amendment proposals to the European Council with the notification of the national Parliaments. •• Besides electing the MEPs the European Citizens, after the Treaty of Lisbon, also may produce a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI), enabling them to directly propose legislation to the European Commission. •• The Eurosceptics is the group of people that have challenged the concept of the EU. They are subdivided into hard and soft eurosceptics. Hard eurosceptics, like the Europe of Freedom and Indicators of attitude towards the EU; Eurobarometer Direct Democracy (EFDD) group in the European Parliament, advocate the end of the EU altogether, while soft eurosceptics, as the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group, CURRENT SITUATION accept the idea of some sort of union, but op pose of the The Ordinary Legislative Procedure has contributed to a more policies and current framework. democratic European law-making procedure, allowing the European Parliament, (the citizens’ representative) and the Council of the •• The EU Member States National Governments decide whether EU (the representatives of national governments) to co-decide or not to remain part of the EU. Their stance usually shifts upon the legislative procedure. according to the citizens’ will, and the ruling political party. As the Parliament and the Commission, these also have the possibility to propose treaty amendments under the Ordinary Revision Procedure, stipulated in the art. 48 TEU. Furthermore,

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Furthermore, trilogues are accused of lacking transparency, and can undermine the democratic process, as these meetings are privately held, and do not exist in legal terms, yet account for 76%1 of proposals between 2007 and 2012 that were negotiated through this process. Moreover, these closed meetings make it hard to pinpoint who decides what and who is responsible for the actions taken.

The opposing idea is that the EU is worth it, and it does not mean that changes should not happen or be considered, but pro-European movements believe that the benefits of the union outweigh its ill effects. Despite the expensive membership fees and giving up Member States’ competences over some areas like internal border control, customs union, or the monetary policy, privileges such as trading in the biggest single market of the world,

Lastly, there has been a rise of the EU federalist movement, members of which believe that it is impossible for the Union to prosper and avoid stagnation while “policy remains dependent on the political will of individual Member States2.” Much like the United States, a federal Europe would divide and assign different powers to the states and the EU, with common goals in mind. While there are some benefits in a federal Europe, such as a stronger single market, strengthening of the European institutions, greater European influence on the world, by means of a more unified supranational organisation, and more common efforts and strategies on issues such as global warming. Nonetheless, a federal EU could also cause some downsides, such as the possible extinction of efforts to bring more countries into the EU, as federalism would make the membership procedure more complicated and it could also compromise the Member States’ legislative powers in areas which they currently ay legislate such as legislate, as industry, economic, or social policies; and the overall unwillingness of Europeans to respect a European Parliament when compared to a national one.

1 “The Power to Delay: The European Parliament’s Influence in the Consultation Procedure”; Raya Kardasheva; (2009)

2 “Our Proposals Towards a Federal Europe”; Union of European Federalists

Adepts of anti-EU and anti-globalisation movements, such as Italy’s Five Star Movement, and UK’s UKIP; believe that the concept of the union itself not only puts an end to national and cultural identity, but most importantly, it endangers the sovereignty of Member States - not being able to control borders, immigration, trade, and taxes, is a major concern and one that according to these ideologies, is only solved by invoking art. 50 TEU officially beginning the countries’ divorce from the EU.

with free movement of people and goods; strong health and safety standards among Member States; the possibility for Member States to opt-out of in certain Treaties and deals; as well as taking into account the EU is is one of the most prolific scientific communities outweigh the high price to pay to be part of the Union.

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EXISTING MEASURES & CURRENT LEGISLATION

•• The European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) aims to increase the •• democratic participation of the EU citizens, allowing them to propose legislation directly to the European Commission if one million signatures from 7 of the 28 Member States are gathered.

Social Media Campaigns are being invested by the EU, especially in the field of raising awareness and regular interaction with its citizens about the current events, debates, or frameworks via Youtube, Facebook, and Twitter.

•• Established by the art. 289 TFEU, the Ordinary Legislative WHAT’S NEXT? Procedure is the EU’s legal procedure, which specifies the Currently, the future of the EU is uncertain, as it is immersed in path that a Commission’s proposal has to pass to become a problems such as the UK’s exit from the Union, the refugee crisis, EU’s legislative act. the threat of its neighbours such as Russia and Turkey, and a •• Established by the art. 238 TFEU, Council of the EU’s Qualified possibility of more countries calling for a referendum membership, Majority decision procedure, states that “at least 55% of the as promised by Marine Le Pen, if she wins the French Presidential members of the Council representing the participating Member Elections. Each day it is becoming more obvious Europe needs States, comprising at least 65% of the population of these some sort of reform, but not everyone is willing up to pay the price for it, and it is vital to understand that the reformulation of the States.” must be accomplished to approve legislation. EU Treaties would be a lengthy, expensive, and laborious process. •• Introduced in the Treaty of Lisbon, the Spitzenkandidaten On the other hand, if countries begin to leave the EU, the union system (Lead Candidate System) is used by the European might become fragile to the point of its extinction; with countries parties to nominate a candidate to the presidency of the regaining their sovereignty and autonomy, but at the same time Commission, being the candidate of the most popular party in the benefits of the union would also disappear - “Nation-states the elections appointed Commission’s President. can change their ideological directions, but the EU cannot. If the •• The Citizens’ Dialogue are a series of events in the style of union abandons its core values, it loses its raison d´être.” town-hall debates, happening every week all over Europe open to the public who are invited to join and take an active role by engaging in a discussion with the European Commissioners.

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JURI

Committee on Legal Affairs

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JURI

Committee on Legal Affairs Powers and Responsibilities Committee responsible for: 1. the interpretation, application and monitoring of Union law and compliance of Union acts with primary law, notably the choice of legal bases and respect for the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality; 2. the interpretation and application of international law, in so far as the European Union is affected; 3. better law-making and the simplification of Union law; 4. the legal protection of Parliamentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rights and prerogatives, including its involvement in actions before the Court of Justice of the European Union; 5. Union acts which affect the Member Statesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; legal order, namely in the fields of: a. civil and commercial law, b. company law, c. intellectual property law, d. procedural law; 6. measures concerning judicial and administrative cooperation in civil matters; 7. environmental liability and sanctions against environmental crime; 8. ethical questions related to new technologies, applying the associated committee procedure with the relevant committees; 9. the Statute for Members and the Staff Regulations of the European Union; 10. privileges and immunities as well as verification of Membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; credentials; 11. the organisation and statute of the Court of Justice of the European Union; 12. the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market.

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KEY WORDS

•• Circular Economy - innovative system aiming at continuous usage of capital in order to minimise the negative impact on the environment and enhance flow of goods and services, designs of which should stand out for their durability, reparability, upgradeability, and easy recycling. •• European Union (EU) Action Plan for the Circular Economy - a programme of action, with measures covering the whole cycle: from production and consumption, to waste management and the market for secondary raw materials. •• EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) - is a management instrument developed by the European Commission for companies and other organisations to evaluate, report, and improve their environmental performance. •• European Free Trade Area (EFTA) - is an intergovernmental trade organisation that operates in parallel with the EU, having its member states participants in the European Single Market. Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland are its member countries. •• European Economic Area (EEA) - EU’s Single Market and including the EFTA’s countries allowing both the free movement of persons, goods, service, and capital within its area of intervention.is the area in which the Agreement on the EEA provides for the free movement of persons, goods, services and capital within the European Single Market, as well as the freedom to choose residence in any country within this area.

VIDEOS AND ARTICLES

European Commission: Circular Economy Conference European Commission: Implementation of the Circular Economy Action Plan European Commission: Towards a circular economy: A zero waste programme for Europe European Commission; Growth, Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs: Circular economy EurActiv: “Member states need to agree on a strong Circular Economy Package” Ellen Macarthur Foundation: Circular Economy Overview Ellen MacArthur Foundation: Towards the Circular Economy: Economic and business rationale for an accelerated transition

ABSTRACT

With the world continuously changing and evolving, there is a need to replace a current linear economy with a more efficient system. The introduction of the Circular Economy Action Plan in 2015 became a crucial step forward to the harmonisation and restructuration of the attitude towards the various economic, social, and environmental issues. Despite all the measures employed before 2017, the European countries are still facing challenges towards the implementation of circular economy measures. On the European Commission’s agenda is “closing the loop” of product lifecycles through greater recycling and reuse, and bringing benefits for both the environment and the economy.

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In the upcoming years, it will be essential to keep the momentum created by the adoption of the Circular Economy Package and by its initiatives, to make the circular economy a reality with benefits for all Europeans. The consistent delivery of the Action Plan and a swift adoption of the legislative proposals on waste and fertilisers aim to bring a clear direction to the investors and support the transition from the linear economy. Action on the circular economy therefore ties in closely within the EU key priorities, including the creation of jobs and economic growth, the investment agenda, climate and energy, the social agenda and industrial innovation, and global efforts on sustainable development.

WHO’S IN PLAY?

•• The European Commission’s Directorate-General (DG) for Environment mainly deals with policy development and implementation where its work is guided by multiannual Environment Action Programmes such as Circular Economy Package. Circular Economy Model •• The European Commission’s DG for Internal Market, WHY DOES IT MATTER? Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs is responsible for the The circular economy’s aim is to boost the EU’s competitiveness harmonisation of the Internal Market of goods and services, by protecting businesses against scarcity of resources and volatile facilitating the entrepreneurships’ operations. prices, as well as helping them to create new business opportunities •• Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (Trade Marks in more innovative and efficient ways of producing and consuming. and Designs) is the EU agency that carries out the procedures Furthermore, it is expected to create local jobs at all skill levels, as for trademarks and registered design, and its main function is well as providing opportunities for social integration and cohesion. the registration of industrial property rights within the EU. Simultaneously, it will save energetic consumption, which will help to lower the current carbon dioxide emissions, and improve to •• European Commission is institution responsible for drafting the agenda on the circular economy package, as well as presenting avoiding the irreversible damages caused by the usage of resources any other initiatives to it related. at a rate that exceeds the Earth’s capacity to renew them in terms •• mall and Medium enterprises (SMEs) including social of climate and biodiversity, air, soil, and water pollution. enterprises, play an important role because they are particularly active in fields such as recycling, repair, and innovation.

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CURRENT SITUATION

•• Innovation Deals was launched in 2016 and it takes the form of voluntary guidance and cooperation between innovators, stakeholders, the regulatory authorities, and the Commission, to help innovators with promising solutions to environmental issues to navigate through the regulatory challenges to bring their ideas to market.

For almost two years the European Commission successfully implemented the Circular Economy Action Plan. So far were taken further measures by establishing a Circular Economy Finance Support Platform with the European Investment Bank (EIB) bringing together investors and innovators. •• The framework setting up the ecodesign requirements for energy related products, established by the Directive (EC) Between 9th and 10th March 2012 the European Commission hold 125/2009, it sets ecological requirements for energy-using the Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference in Brussels during and energy-related products, and within its scope covers more which it has announced the European Circular Economy Stakeholder than 40 product groups such as boilers, lightbulbs, Televisions, Platform, its plans for 2017 such as the Plastics Strategy. and fridges, which are responsible for around 40% of all EU Nonetheless, one of the biggest challenges in the implementation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. the circular economy package is to have a monitoring framework, •• Ecodesign Working Plan 2016-2019 was published by the because currently neither the Commission nor the Member States Commission under the Ecodesign Directive, and it describes the have a reliable method to ensure its implementation; and therefore, state of play of the directive’s implementation, and presents the Commission is set to put forward a monitoring framework for the overall energetic benefits it has brought to the European the circular economy package by the third quarter of 2017. economy so far. It also identifies the working priorities until

EXISTING MEASURES & CURRENT LEGISLATION

•• In March 2016, the Commission put forward a legislative proposal on fertilising products, as announced in the circular •• economy action plan. This proposal modernises the conformity assessment and market surveillance covering a wider range of fertilising products, and setting limits for the presence of heavy metals and contaminants in fertilising products.

2019, and how Ecodesign Directive could contribute more efficiently to the Circular Economy Action Plan, by further integrating considerations connected to material efficiency, and not only energy efficiency.

Communication COM(2017) 34 on a waste-to-energy process, from the Commission to the European Parliament, Council of the EU, European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), and Committee of the Regions (CoR) communicating that the recovery of energy from waste in the EU supports the objectives of the Circular Economy Action Plan and is firmly guided by the EU waste hierarchy.

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Furthermore, they will also put forward a detailed analysis of the legal, technical or practical problems at the interface of chemical, product and waste legislation that may hinder the transition of recycled materials into the productive economy. In particular, the Commission will consider options to improve information about substances of concern in products and waste, and options to facilitate the management of substances of concern found in recycled materials. The objective is not only to promote non-toxic material cycles, but also to enhance the uptake of secondary raw materials.

•• The EU legislation restricting the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, initially established by the Directive (EC) 95/2002 was amended by the Directive (EU) 65/2011, and in January 2017, the Commission adopted a legislative proposal to amend this directive according the circular economy package strategy. The RoHS and RoHS 2 Directives aim to provide the creation of collection schemes where consumers return their used e-waste free of charge, and these schemes aim to increase the recycling and/or reuse of such products. It also requires that heavy dangerous Nonetheless, he European Commission will also come forward with metals such as mercury are replaced by safer alternatives. a legislative proposal on minimum quality requirements to promote •• The EU Construction and Demolition (C&D) Waste Protocol the safe reuse of treated wastewater, while ensuring the health (2016) is a guideline developed as a part of circular economy and environmental safety of water reuse practices and free trade package which purports to increase confidence in the C&D of food products in the EU.

waste management process and the trust in the quality of C&D Moreover, the monitoring framework assessing the progress of the recycled materials. circular economy in the EU and its Member States is to be presented by the third quarter of 2017.This year, the implementation of the WHAT’S NEXT? Ecodesign working plan will have an increased focus on circular economy and resource efficiency beyond energy efficiency. The The 2017 Commission Work Programme confirms the full Commission is also to publish the Fitness Check on EU Ecolabel commitment to ensure the timely implementation of the Circular and EMAS in the first quarter of 2017. Economy Action Plan. In 2017, the Commission will propose a Plastic Strategy to improve the economics, quality and uptake of plastic Overall, 2017 will be a crucial year to develop a policy dialogue recycling and reuse, to reduce plastic leakage in the environment with stakeholders. To this aim, the European Commission and the and to decouple plastics production from fossil fuels. EESC have launched a circular economy stakeholders’ platform, at the occasion of an inter-institutional stakeholders’ conference on the circular economy on 9th-10th March 2017 in Brussels where the Economy Stakeholder Platform was announced.

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ENVI

Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Mental Health on EU Agenda: At least one in four people in Europe are affected by some sort of mental illness at some point in their lives according to World Health Organization. Taking into account mental disorders are often underestimated not only by national governments, but also by our societies; how can the EU raise peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s awareness on mental health illness, as well as preventing and providing medical treatment to everyone in need? submitted by Bilge Ă&#x2013;zensoy (TR)

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ENVI

Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Powers and Responsibilities Committee responsible for: 1. environmental policy and environmental protection measures, in particular concerning: a. climate change, b. air, soil and water pollution, waste management and recycling, dangerous substances and preparations, noise levels and the protection of biodiversity, c. sustainable development, d. international and regional measures and agreements aimed at protecting the environment, e. restoration of environmental damage, f. civil protection, g. the European Environment Agency, h. the European Chemicals Agency; 2. public health, in particular: a. programmes and specific actions in the field of public health, b. pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, c. health aspects of bioterrorism, d. the European Medicines Agency and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control; 3. food safety issues, including in particular a. the labelling and safety of foodstuffs, b. veterinary legislation concerning protection against risks to human health; public health checks on foodstuffs and food production systems, c. the European Food Safety Authority and the European Food and Veterinary Office.

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KEY WORDS

•• Mental health - the state of emotional, psychological and social well-being in which individuals can realise their intellectual and emotional potential, cope with normal stresses of life, work productively, participate and contribute to their community. •• Mental disorder - health condition involving changes in thinking, emotion and behaviour, with different symptoms and varying degrees of severity, such as but not limited to: depression; bipolar disorders; schizophrenia; anxiety disorders; dementia; and child development disorders, including autism. •• Treatment gap - number of people with a certain illness that do not receive treatment or receive inadequate treatment, expressed as a percentage of the total numbers of people affected by the illness. •• Stigma - extreme disapproval and marginalization of certain groups of people. In our context, it is used as the bias and negative perception towards mental illnesses, and people who are mentally ill. •• Social exclusion (marginalisation) - denying groups of people access to rights and opportunities essential to their lives such as jobs, housing, healthcare; as well as social relations. •• Deinstitutionalisation - replacing psychiatric hospitals (asylums) with community mental health services with the aim of improving social integration of people with mental disorders.

VIDEOS AND ARTICLES

Eurostat: “Mental health and related issues statistics” European Parliament: “Spotlight on mental health in Europe”

EU Joint Action on Mental Health and Wellbeing: “European Framework for Action on Mental Health and Wellbeing” WHO Regional Office for Europe: “Data and Statistics about Mental Health” Mind, the mental health charity: “Mental Health: In Our Own Words” EYP Poland: “ENVI I’s topic video at the 13th NSC of EYP Poland” BuzzFeedVideo: “Living With A Mental Disorder” BoredPanda: “Illustrations of Various Mental Illnesses”

ABSTRACT

In 2013, there were 177 thousand deaths in the EU-28 resulting from mental and behavioural disorders, equivalent to 3.6% of all deaths.1 Mental disorders, especially suicidal behaviour, is a leading cause of death in EU Member States, however, only 13 European countries are known to have a national suicide strategy2. Due to stigma and social exclusion, individuals with mental disorders are hesitant to seek proper treatment. Even if they do seek treatment, mental health care services are not as prioritized as the ones for physical health care, which subsequently results in mistrust from potential patients. EU should act immediately to close the treatment gap in all Member States; and implement a working mental health plan to replace the institutional facilities with community services for social integration, as well as raise awareness, and educate citizens about mental health to combat stigma and increase the number of patients getting treatment they need.

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Mental health is essential to the wellbeing of persons and their participation in the economic and social life as autonomous, competent individuals. However, the national governments and 1 “Mental health and related issues”; Eurostat; (2017)

2 “Fact sheet - Mental health”; WHO Regional Committee for Europe - 63rd session

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the societies generally do not give equal importance to mental WHO’S IN PLAY? health as they do to physical health. It is estimated that 38.2% •• European Commission is responsible for launching initiatives of the EU population annually suffers from a mental disorder3. and projects. The Green Paper which is at the root of current They account for some 22% of European disabilities, and are the EU action on mental health was published by the European leading cause for work absence and early retirement4. However, Commission in 2005. The European Pact for Mental Health and only about half of people with a severe mental disorder, and far Well-being, followed by a three-year joint action in 2013 and less with a mild-to-moderate mental disorder, in the EU, receive a framework for action in 2016, as well as an EU compass adequate treatment. There is far less coverage of interventions for action (2015-2018) on mental health monitoring activities to prevent mental disorders.5 in the area. Furthermore, EU-financed projects about mental health are coordinated by the Commission. The treatment gap differs in Member States, showing different •• European Parliament contributes to the mental health discussion levels of healthcare integration. Furthermore, social inequalities through resolutions where suggestions are made and specific result in different types of mental disorders and accessibility problems are brought to attention. There’s an Interest Group to health services. Women6 , LGBTI+ people and minorities are on Mental Health, Well-being and Brain Disorders which has vulnerable groups that face mental health issues due to minority a mission “to advocate the development of sound EU policies stress and discrimination. War psychology has led to a refugee which contribute to prevention of mental health problems mental health crisis that is still unresolved.7 Suicide continues to and ensure good services, care and empowerment for those be a leading cause of death accounting for 17.6% of all deaths affected by mental health problems”. among people aged 15-29 years old.8 Constant stigma in the society and in government leads to neglect, and such an essential •• World Health Organization (WHO) European Region has signed the Mental Declaration for Europe with the European part of the citizens’ lives requires urgent action. Commission and the Council of Europe in 2005. In 2008, a partnership project on user empowerment in mental health was co-funded by the WHO and the European Commission. Most importantly, the WHO launched the European Action 3 “The size and burden of mental disorders and other disorders of brain in Europe 2010”; Wittchen, H.U.; (2011) Plan on Mental Health in 2013, signed and endorsed on behalf 4 “Spotlight on mental health in Europe”; European Parliament; (2016) of the Ministers of Health of 53 Member States of the WHO 5 “Mental health Systems in the European Union Member States, Status of Mental European Region. Health in Populations and Benefits to be Expected from Investments into Mental Health”; European Commission; (2013)

6 “Mental health in Europe: a gender perspective”; European Agency for Health and Consumers, World Mental Health Surveys Initiative” 7 “Are refugees in Europe facing a mental health crisis?”; Aljazeera; (2017) 8 “Suicide a leading cause of death among young adults in high-income countries”; WHO Regional Office for Europe; (2014)

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•• National governments, as much as the EU attempt to tackle the problem, it is the responsibility of the national to integrate mental health into their health care policy. According to a pan-European study assessing the degree of commitment of 30 European countries (EU 28 plus Switzerland and Norway), Germany tops the list for integrating those with mental illnesses to their communities. However, research suggests even the countries that ranked high are far from perfect in delivering care and integrating people with mental illnesses to the society.9

It is still a question whether the refugee mental health crisis should be a priority and if so, what measures can be taken. Another point to consider is the effort for deinstitutionalisation. It has been emphasised numerous times that psychiatric hospitals have negative effects on the patients that hinder them from adapting to the social life again, thus, many believe that there is a need to replace the psychiatric hospitals with community based CURRENT SITUATION Despite efforts to raise awareness and improve the health care health services that will lessen social exclusion, and provide a 13 system to include mental health, there appears to be some issues safer, healthier environment for the patients. that still prevail. Stigmatisation of mental health problems causes discrimination and social exclusion of individuals with mental Finally, the most drastic mental health concern is depression and illnesses. This results in denial or lack of willingness to seek suicide. Suicide ranks the second leading cause of death among young adults aged 15-29. Despite this cruciality, the health treatment in people who are affected by mental disorders. care system is insufficient in treating depression and suicidal Furthermore, social inequalities affect the accessibility of public behaviours. An estimated 20% of people who commit suicide had health resources. Especially in vulnerable groups such as women, been in contact with their general practitioners (GPs) or psychiatric LGBTI+ people and ethnic minorities, the stress of facing identity- services within one week of their deaths, and 40% in the preceding 14 based discrimination leads to specific mental health problems. The month. The EU Member States need to aim for a better suicide European Parliament has recently adopted a report on this specific prevention strategy, as well as improving the mental health care issue.1011 Another vulnerable group includes refugees.12 No efforts services both qualitatively and quantitatively. have been made to address their mental health issues effectively.

9 “Germany leads Europe in dealing with mental illness”; EIU Media Directory; (2014) 10 “European parliament adopts ambitious strategy on gender equality in mental health”; GeoNews; (2017) 11 “European Parliament calls for action against harmful trearment trans and intersex people”; The European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBT Rights; (2017) 12 “Europe is failing to help a generation of traumatised children”; The Guardian; (2016)

13 “Community mental health services will lessen social exclusion, says WHO”; WHO Media centre; (2007) 14 “The size and burden of mental disorders and other disorders of brain in Europe 2010”; Wittchen, H.U.; (2011)

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WHAT’S NEXT?

Although its importance is emphasised, and awareness is tried to be raised, the issue of mental health prevails. There is still a huge treatment gap in mental health that needs to be addressed, affecting the European population. There exists various strategies, frameworks and papers published on the issue, but it’s a long way to achieving perfect mental health care. How can the EU combat stigma and social exclusion towards people with mental illnesses? What should be done for people facing identity based social inequality, in order for them to access health care resources and receive adequate treatment? Should the EU address the refugee mental health crisis, and if so, what are possible solutions? How can problems in the existing system such as institutionalization and inadequate treatment especially for depression and suicidal behaviours be overcome

EXISTING MEASURES & CURRENT LEGISLATION •• Green Paper.

•• The European Pact for Mental Health and Well-being. •• Joint Action on Mental Health and Well-being. •• Mental Health Declaration for Europe. •• European Mental Health Action Plan. •• EU Compass for Action on Mental Health and Well-being.15 •• EU-financed projects.

15 “The EU Compass for Action on Mental Health and Well-Being”; European Commission

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FEMM

Committee on Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rights and Gender Equality

Realising every Europeanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s full potential: Women and men across Europe still face discrimination based on their gender, which subsequently results in Gender Pay Gap or female under-representation. How can Member States submitted by Laura Brajak (HR)

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FEMM

Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Powers and Responsibilities Committee responsible for: 1. the definition, promotion and protection of women’s rights in the Union and related Union measures; 2. the promotion of women’s rights in third countries; 3. equal opportunities policy, including the promotion of equality between men and women with regard to labour market opportunities and treatment at work; 4. the removal of all forms of violence and discrimination based on sex; 5. the implementation and further development of gender mainstreaming in all policy sectors; 6. the follow-up and implementation of international agreements and conventions involving the rights of women; 7. encouraging awareness of women’s rights.

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KEY WORDS

It is visible in unequal access to land, property, and housing2. •• Gender Stereotypes - a belief that the group of common Economic and social discrimination result in fewer and poorer 3 features for each gender are applicable to every single life choices for women and the gender pay gap . Furthermore, pregnancy discrimination4 in the workplace often occurs. In addition individual of that gender. to that, women are in general less likely to get a promotion at •• Discrimination - the act of mistreating a person based on their workplace5 than their male colleagues. ethnicity, socio-economic status, age, religion, political belief, skin colour, or in this case, gender. Advancement opportunities are available for both genders, but •• Gender Pay Gap - inequality among genders in the labour women often have to work longer in a lower level position before market, resulting in women receiving lower wages than men advancing. Victims of gender discrimination might start feeling for the same amount of work. inferior and lose the motivation to perform their jobs effectively. Not to mention the fact that women’s rights activists are ostracised VIDEOS AND ARTICLES by their communities and seen as a threat to religion, honour or Vox: “What people miss about the gender wage gap” culture. World Economic Forum: “The Global Gender Gap Report 2015” World Economic Forum: “Will the future be gender equal?” WHY DOES IT MATTER? Health Guidance: “List of Gender Stereotypes” Achieving gender equality is of crucial importance for developing a Rainbo Organization: “Discrimination of Women Throughout the prosperous society as everyone can benefit from it.6 What stands World” on the way to achieve it are gender stereotypes,7 mainly causing the under-representation of women. Stereotypes concerning the ABSTRACT responsibilities and roles of women in family, at workplace and in Throughout the past few decades, a significant progress has been society in general, decelerate and complicate the process of the made in regard to the emancipation of women1. However, gender nullification of discrimination towards women. inequality and denial of women’s rights is still a serious issue on global level. To achieve gender equality means to provide the same rights, opportunities, obligations and privileges to both, men and women, in all spheres of life. Yet millions of women continue to 2 “Women and land, property and housing”; UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner experience discrimination. 3 “Gender pay gap”; European Commission 4 “Pregancy Discrimination in the Workplace”; FindLaw 5 “A new study from Lean In and McKinsey finds exactly how much more likely men are to get promoted than women”; Business Insider; (2015)

1 “This is what 20 years of gender equality progresso looks like”; Mashable; (2015)

6 “Gender Equality Benefits Everyone”; Voice of America Editorials; (2016) 7 “Gender stereotypes/stereotyping”; UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner

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Although the EU is working on enabling parental leave for fathers in its Member States8, statistics show that even in states where men are allowed to take the same kind of parental leave as women, they are not really interested in taking it9, mostly because of the deeply rooted gender stereotypes. The harmfulness of the gender stereotypes manifests itself in the fact that it might limit a person when it comes to pursuing a professional career or making important life choices. At the workplace women also often face some sort of sexual harassment or intimidation.

WHO’S IN PLAY?

•• European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) is an autonomous EU body, established to contribute to and strengthen the promotion of gender equality. •• National Governments •• Civil society •• The European Women’s Lobby (EWL)

CURRENT SITUATION

Gender equality is measured by Gender Equality Index.10 It has six core domains - work, money, knowledge, time, power and health. Two satellite domains are violence against women and intersecting inequalities. Its values vary significantly among different areas in the World. 11 The biggest gender equality rate is noticed in Scandinavia and Western Europe. Countries in Africa and the Middle East have the lowest. 8 “Implementation of Parental Leave Directive 2010/18 in 33 European Countries”; European Commission, Newsroom; (2013) 10 “Gender Equality Index: Overview”; European Institute for Gender Equality 9 “Why are only 1 in 100 men taking up shared parental leave?”; The Telegraph; 11 “Mapped: The best (and worst) countries for gender equality”; The Telegraph; (2016) (2016)

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However, states that accepted the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)12, committed themselves to incorporate the principle of equality of men and women in their legal system, abolish all discriminatory laws and adopt appropriate ones prohibiting discrimination against women. The notable gender inequality in some countries imposes a serious issue for the well-being of the whole World as there is a necessary link between Gender Equality Index and Human Development Index (HDI).13

•• The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action for Equality, Development and Peace (BPfA)

WHAT’S NEXT?

The European Union and the United Nations are actively working on tackling the issue of gender inequality by implementing the aforementioned regulations that prohibit any form of gender based discrimination. The issue itself is very complex due to the fact that it requires significant changes in various fields in order to tackle the problem efficiently, it cannot be solved overnight.

Gender Equality Index varies among EU Member States as well.14 Although these states do not have discriminatory laws, women are still being under-represented due to the gender stereotypes and •• Being aware of all the negative consequences of discrimination the fact that women are way too often observed only through towards women, how can the EU help to eliminate the gender their family role while their other ambitions being disregarded. stereotypes that cause discrimination?

EXISTING MEASURES & CURRENT LEGISLATION

•• What should be done to break through the invisible barriers of the glass ceiling?

•• The convention on CEDAW15 defines what constitutes discrimination against women and sets up agenda for national •• How can the EU minimise the Gender Pay Gap? action to end such discrimination. •• Should there be any innovative approaches towards parental leave systems across the EU? •• Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme 2014 - 2020 defends the rights and freedoms that people are entitled to under the EU law.

12 “CEDAW”; Impower 13 “Human Development Index”; UN Development Programme, Human Development Reports 14 “Map Gender Equality Index”; European Institute for Gender Equality 15 “Convention on te Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women”; UN Human Rights Office of the HIgh Commissioner

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DEVE

Committee on Development

European Neighbourhood Policy, success or a failure? Even though the EU is the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest aid provider, its development efforts have proven to be inefficient. How could the EU improve its existing development policy in particular the European Neighbourhood Policy countries? submitted by Nika Kharaishvili (GE)

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DEVE

Committee on Development Powers and Responsibilities Committee responsible for: 1. the promotion, implementation and monitoring of the development and cooperation policy of the Union, notably: a. political dialogue with developing countries, bilaterally and in the relevant international organisations and interparliamentary fora,

b. aid to, and cooperation agreements with, developing countries, notably oversight of effective aid funding and evaluation of output, including in relation to poverty eradication, c. monitoring of the relationship between the policies of the Member States and those implemented at Union level, d. promotion of democratic values, good governance and human rights in developing countries, e. the implementation, monitoring and advancement of policy coherence with regard to development policy; 2. all legislation, programming and scrutiny of actions carried out under the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI), the European Development Fund (EDF) - in close cooperation with national parliaments - and the Humanitarian Aid Instrument, as well as all matters related to humanitarian aid in developing countries and the policy underpinning them; 3. matters relating to the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement and relations with the relevant bodies; 4. matters relating to Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs); 5. Parliamentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s involvement in election observation missions, when appropriate in cooperation with other relevant committees and delegations. The committee coordinates the work of the interparliamentary delegations and ad hoc delegations falling within its remit.

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KEY WORDS

•• Development Policy - involves the measures and steps taken towards eradicating poverty in LDCs and developing countries, as well as implementing fundamental rights and promoting sustainable development •• European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP)1 - a foreign relations instrument of the European Union (EU) which seeks to tie those countries to the east and south of the European territory of the EU to the Union. •• European Neighbourhood Instrument - a financial arm of ENP, has a budget of 15.4 billion Euros and provides the bulk of funding through numerous programmes. •• Action plan - a document that lists needed steps in order to achieve a specific goal. •• Sustainable growth - economic growth that prioritises environmental and social stability

VIDEOS AND ARTICLES

European Union: “Development and cooperation” European Commission: “Review of the European Neighbourhood Policy” EU Neighbours: “A stronger partnership for a stronger neighbourhood” OECD: “Aid statistics by donor, recipient and sector” New Europe: “The Challenges of EU Neighborhood Policy - At the table with Johannes Hahn” The Spectator: “Why foreign aid fails - and how to really help Africa” 1 The ENP is constituted by the following 16 countries: Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Georgia, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia, and Ukraine.

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ABSTRACT

WHO’S IN PLAY?

•• European Commission is one of the EU’s institutions, and the original introducer of the ENP. In 2004, after welcoming ten new Member States - mainly from its eastern and southern borders, the EU had to stabilise the areas •• Member States cooperate with each other and fund aid and ease disparities between the countries. In order to do this, programmes. the European Commission introduced the concept of a ENP in the •• European Neighbourhood Countries are the countries, to the same year. The policy aimed to promote the stability, prosperity East and South of the EU, that are covered by the ENP. and security of neighbouring countries. But different geopolitical situations and interests between countries revealed major flaws •• Organisation for Economic Cooperative Development (OECD) is an intergovernmental organisation consisting of 35 member in it. states, created in order to stimulate economic progress and world trade. WHY DOES IT MATTER? Through long-term, in-depth engagement, including financial •• Development Assistance Committee (DAC) is a forum created, by OECD, in order to discuss issues surrounding aid, development support, trade agreements, and arrangements for easier travel, and poverty reduction in developing countries. the ENP was meant to promote structural reforms in the EU’s partner countries. The policy was meant to help those partners •• European Development Fund funds cooperation activities become democratic states with developed economies that would in the fields of economic development, social and human benefit both - the partner countries and the EU itself. The aim of development as well as regional cooperation and integration. the policy is crystal clear and well set but it’s hardly brought to life.

CURRENT SITUATION

Apart from ENP Countries, the EU has assisted many other countries as it is the world’s leading humanitarian aid provider. Part of these funds comes directly from Member States, but a large share originates from the EU budget. it is of crucial importance that EU’s development policy is adequate and efficient.

After the EU set ambitious goals with the ENP, it was clear that the result would be beneficial for both, the Union and its neighbours. It seemed like the only thing left was to follow the path that was already set, however over the years the policy has ran into some difficulties. Whether it would be eastern regions becoming increasingly unstable or tremendous dynamics of political change in the south.

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One of the Policy’s shortcomings was revealed by the dynamics of political developments when the neighbouring countries experienced dictatorships and state failure, bullying behaviour by big neighbours, international and civil wars, revolutions, •• ENP itself was reviewed in 2015. insurgencies, political and military coups, and terrorist attacks. The •• Main accents were made in the fields of, EU did its best to address these issues by e.g. various initiatives to ○○ stabilising the neighbourhood; revive the Middle East peace process. ○○ good governance, democracy, rule of Law, and Human rights; Another major problem is the lack of understanding between the two sides. On one hand, European countries do not contribute ○○ economic development for stabilisation; enough, and on the other hand, most of the ENP countries do ○○ trade. not get fully involved in the process. This may be caused by the one-size fits all approach since countries like Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia feel ambivalent about the ENP because they believe WHAT’S NEXT? it promises too little. For others, like Azerbaijan and a number of Certainly, the EU today is in many respects a global actor. But it is countries in the South, the ENP seems to be asking for too much undeniable that most of its interests still relate to its neighbours. in terms of adjustments and reforms while offering only modest It has to be mentioned that even after the latest review of the policy, some major flaws still exist in it. Getting the neighbourhood rewards. policy right is therefore crucial to the EU’s chances to protect its EXISTING MEASURES & CURRENT LEGISLATION interests and promote its values. •• Even outside the ENP funding, the EU serves as the biggest •• How can the EU maximise the efficiency of its development policy? financial aid provider. Bigger stakeholders like France, have been cutting the aid budget for years now. Despite the fact •• Should the national governments prioritise cultural diplomacy in regard to the ENP countries? that financial assistance is still being actively provided, most of the receivers do not spend it in correct areas. •• Which new steps should be taken by the EU to ensure the further advancement of Relations between these different •• Even though the EU has set up commissions for monitoring, it’s countries? mostly up to the countries’ governments to provide accurate reports on spending. Taking into account these facts and statistics, it is more than obvious that there are serious gaps and flaws in current policies regarding the topic.

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LIBE I

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs I Ethnic minorities on strike: In the light of the recent Turkey-Netherlands diplomatic crisis and high immigration of ethnic minorities to the EU Member States, what stance should the EU take to ensure inclusion within its Member States? submitted by Ines Ĺ kobiÄ&#x2021; (BA)

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LIBE I

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs I Powers and Responsibilities Committee responsible for:

1. the protection within the territory of the Union of citizensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; rights, human rights and fundamental rights, including the protection of minorities, as laid down in the Treaties and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union; 2. the measures needed to combat all forms of discrimination other than those based on sex or those occurring at the workplace and in the labour market; 3. legislation in the areas of transparency and of the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data; 4. the establishment and development of an area of freedom, security and justice while respecting the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, in particular: a. measures concerning the entry and movement of persons, asylum and migration, b. measures concerning an integrated management of the common borders, c. measures relating to police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, including terrorism, and substantive and procedural measures relating to the development of a more coherent Union approach to criminal law; 5. the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, Europol, Eurojust, Cepol, the European Public Prosecutorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office and other bodies and agencies in the same area; 6. the determination of a clear risk of a serious breach by a Member State of the principles common to the Member States.

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KEY WORDS

•• Ethnic (national) minority - a group of people of a particular nationality or race living in a country where the majority of people are from a different nationality or race. Term ‘national minority’ is often referred to group of people of a nation that makes the most population in other country (e.g. Albanians in Greece), whilst ‘ethnic minority’ does not have country of nationality (e.g. Basques in France and Spain).

VIDEOS AND ARTICLES

United Nations (UN) Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner: “International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination” The Independent: “British voters discriminate against candidates with foreign-sounding or ethnic minority names, study finds” The Weston Mercury: “People from ethnic minorities still disadvantaged in jobs and education”

•• Migrant - a person who comes to a foreign country to take up permanent residence in order to find work and/or better living conditions. •• Refugee - a person who has been forced to cross national boundaries in order to escape war, persecution or natural disaster. •• Social inclusion - the provision of certain rights as education, health care, employment, adequate housing, to all individuals and groups in society and improvement of the ability, opportunity, and dignity of those disadvantaged on the basis of their identity. •• Discrimination - the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, on the grounds of race, age, sex, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin. Racial and ethnic discrimination differentiates individuals on the basis of the real and perceived ethnic and racial differences, and leads to various forms of ethnic penalty. •• Islamophobia - fear, prejudice, hatred or dislike directed against Islam or Muslims, and/or towards Islamic politics or culture. •• Antisemitism - hostility, prejudice or discrimination against Jews as a group.

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ABSTRACT

Integration of this group of people has to be practiced, however many believe that complete assimilation is absolutely intolerable. On this matter, the Netherlands has the highest ranking compared to the rest of EU, because majority of Dutch are more in favour of cultural assimilation of ethnic minorities rather than cultural enrichment by minority groups. Turks make up 2.4% of population of the Netherlands and, according to the European Network Against Racism (ENAR), half of them reported having experienced racial discrimination.

Although human rights are universal and apply to all human beings, ethnic minorities are often deprived of certain human rights linked to their ethnic status. Existing international treaties and declarations guarantee ethnic minorities rights to maintain and develop their culture, as well as to preserve the essential elements of their identity, namely their religion, language, traditions, cultural heritage1 or to establish and maintain their own schools and other training and educational institutions, and to teach and receive training in their own language.2 Still, ethnic minorities are 4 not only discriminated and devoid of rights on culture, religion and In the same report ENAR signalised growth of islamophobia and language, but also frequently forgotten and neglected by country antisemitism. The Netherlands was already criticised in 2008 by Human Rights Watch for its legislations violating human rights of they live in as well as their native country. Turkish ethnic minority. After prohibiting Turks in the Netherlands from participating in their native country’s politics it was almost WHY DOES IT MATTER? Taking into consideration the large number of immigrants of Member inevitable for this two countries to come into conflict. States and percentage of them in total population, the problems of ethnic minorities should be in focus of the European Union (EU). WHO’S IN PLAY? For instance, there are 10 million of immigrants in Germany at this •• European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI) is a research institute established in 1966, based in Flensburg, Germany. moment, making 13.3% of country’s total population. EU Member ECMI conducts practice and policy-oriented research, provides States with the largest percentage of immigrants compared to 3 information and documentation, and offers advisory services number of all residents is Luxembourg with 45.2%. concerning minority-majority relations in Europe. •• United Nations (UN) bears in mind the promotion and encouragement of respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms regardless of their race, sex, language, or religion. The UN can play a role through its agencies like the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights 1 “Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and (OHCHR). Explanatory Report, section 2, articles 5 and 10”; Council of Europe; (1995) 2 “Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and Explanatory Report, section 2, articles 5 and 10”; Council of Europe; (1995)” 4 “ENAR Shadow Report 2008: Racism in the Netherlands”; European Network 3 “Migration and migrant population statistics”; Eurostat; (2017) Against Racism

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•• Council of Europe (CoE) is an international organisation with aims to strengthen and sustain human rights, democracy, and rule of law in Europe and promoting European culture. The CoE cannot make binding laws, but it has the power to enforce select international agreements reached by European states.

full political privileges, and do not have the same status with the majority within the application of law or justice. In many European cities minorities are not able to practice their religion and cherish their language. They are oftentimes victims of not only discrimination, but also violence. Currently, ethnic •• National governments, although a plan for a solution of issues minorities may be seen as inferior members of society in every of ethnic minorities has to be implemented on the EU-level, possible way. intercultural dialogue plays the crucial importance national governments have to eliminate discrimination and in ensuring that ethnic minority groups are not excluded from the societies. tend to promote ethnic minorities inclusion. •• European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) is an EXISTING MEASURES & CURRENT LEGISLATION independent EU body, established to provide institutions of •• Framework Convention for the Protection of National the EU and its Member States with expert advice on range of Minorities (FCNM) is multilateral treaty of CoE that came issues. FRA works in cooperation with the European Parliament, into effect in 1998. FCNM aims to ensure that the signatory Council of EU, European Commission, national governments, states combat discrimination, promote equality, preserve the CoE, UN and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in culture and identity of national minorities, guarantee certain Europe (OSCE). freedoms in relation to access to the media, minority languages •• European Network Against Racism (ENAR) is the only panand education, and encourage the participation of national European anti-racism network with the mission of achieving minorities in public life. full equality, solidarity, and well-being for all in Europe. It •• International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of combats racism and discrimination based on colour, ethnicity, Racial Discrimination (ICERD) is a UN convention, monitored by national origin, nationality, religion, culture, language or legal the Committee on Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), status. that entered into force in 1969. ICERD commits its members to •• Human Rights Watch (HRW) is an international Noneliminate discrimination and promote understanding among all Governmental Organisation (NGO) that conducts research and races. The Convention also requires its parties to outlaw hate advocacy on human rights. speech and criminalise membership in racist organisations.

CURRENT SITUATION

Ethnic minorities are excluded or assigned as a lower status citizens in one or more of these areas of life: economic, political, legal and social. Members of a minority group are assigned to lower positions within each occupation, they are inhibited to experience

•• EU Charter of Fundamental Rights enshrines certain political, social and economic rights for EU citizens and residents into EU law. It was drafted by the European Convention and proclaimed in 2000 by the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the European Commission. It has full legal effect since the entry into force of Treaty of Lisbon in 2009.

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•• CoE’s European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) is a human rights body of the CoE, composed of independent experts, monitoring racism, xenophobia, antisemitism, intolerance, and discrimination on grounds such as race, national/ethnic origin, colour, citizenship, religion and language. ECRI prepares reports and issues recommendations to CoE member states. •• Minority Rights Group International (MRG) campaigns worldwide with around 130 partners in over 60 countries to ensure that disadvantaged minorities and indigenous peoples, often the poorest of the poor, can make their voices heard.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Besides organisations and agencies such as, ECMI, FRA, or OHCHR and the already existing, conventions and treaties, as FCNM, and ICERD; it is of absolute necessity to ensure the fundamental human rights are being implemented all across all the Member States and that all forms of discrimination are tackled by the national governments. Ethnic minorities deserve to have the same legal rights as all the other citizens. Most importantly, their culture and tradition needs to be maintained as diversity is what makes Europe special. •• With the rise of refugee influx, what stance should the national governments take on their cultural policies in regard to their ethnic minority groups? •• What kind of measures should be taken by the EU to ensure that none of these groups or individuals are excluded on social, economic, or legal basis?

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LIBE II

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs II Freedom of expression or the European core values? The EU Member States have seen a rise in xenophobic and populist movements in the recent years among its citizens, who do not feel represented by the mainstream politicians. What stance should the European civil society take to guarantee freedom of expression and prevent xenophobic and racist movements? submitted by Yunus Derman (TR)

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LIBE II

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs II Powers and Responsibilities Committee responsible for:

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KEY WORDS

•• Xenophobia - fear or hatred of foreigners, people from different cultures, or strangers.

ABSTRACT

•• Far-right - a political label used to identify parties and Recent elections in the European Union (EU) Member States movements based on fascist, racist and/or extremely suggest that there is a rise in popularity of far-right parties within Europe. Many believe that this is a direct consequence of the reactionary ideologies. Syrian migrant crisis and the refugees who have been accepted •• Multiculturalism - the preservation of different cultures or into the EU as a result of the conflict. It can also be said that cultural identities within a unified society, as a state or nation. the Brexit referendum and the UK’s decision to leave Europe has •• Euroscepticism - Current of thought opposing the process of triggered a wave of Euroscepticism. Even though every European European integration and the EU itself. citizen has the right to freedom of speech and should feel that •• Radicalisation - the action or process of causing someone to their opinions are being represented in the European Parliament, this does not mean that the Parliament can turn a blind eye to the adopt radical positions on political or social issues. •• Globalisation - the action or procedure of international discrimination of millions of European citizens based on ethnicity. integration arising from the interchange of world views, products, ideas, and other aspects of culture.

•• Hate Speech - speech that attacks, threatens, or insults a person or group on the basis of national origin, ethnicity, colour, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability.

VIDEOS AND ARTICLES

European Commission: “Racism and xenophobia” Euronews: “Is the far-right on the rise again in Europe?” Time: “European Politics Are Swinging to the Right” United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe: “Intolerance and xenophobia on the rise in Europe” Hans-Georg Beltz: “Xenophobia, Identity Politics and Exclusionary Populism in Western Europe” Freedom House: “Central Europe’s Faceless Strangers: The rise of xenophobia in the region”

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

The EU was established on the basis of multiculturalism with the ideal of creating a unified Europe. Recent elections show that a large portion of European citizens are unsatisfied with the immigration policies adopted by their respective governments and have therefore decided to resort to voting for far-right political parties. It is important that these citizens are represented in the political arena, however there is a clear distinction between excessive nationalism and hate speech which targets and discriminates a certain group. It is important to find the balance between providing representation and publicly promoting racism to be able to sustain a diverse society.

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WHO’S IN PLAY?

•• Far-Right Parties across Europe have gained an enormous support throughout last couple of years. The top 10 such movements are: ○○ Alternative für Deutschland in Germany, ○○ Jobbik in Hungary, ○○ Front National in France, ○○ Golden Dawn in Greece, ○○ Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs in Austria, ○○ The Finns in Finland, ○○ Sweden Democrats in Sweden, ○○ Danish People’s Party in Denmark, ○○ Partij voor de Vrijheid in the Netherlands, ○○ Lega Nord in Italy. •• Civil Society Organisations have a crucial importance in standing up against racist or xenophobic statements. •• European Network Against Racism (ENAR) is one of the biggest anti-racism network that combines advocacy for racial equality and facilitating cooperation among civil society antiracism actors in Europe.

CURRENT SITUATION

Parties such as the National Front in France and Party for Freedom Far-right parties in Europe (2016) in the Netherlands have been gaining popularity by promoting nationalistic and borderline Islamophobic ideologies. The National Front party got through the first round of the elections with results much higher than precedented. The majority of the far-right are Eurosceptic and some of Marine Le Pen’s goals for France include reverting back to the franc, holding a referendum to reconsider

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France’s membership in the EU and banning wearing Muslim headscarves in public.

EXISTING MEASURES & CURRENT LEGISLATION

•• EU Charter of Fundamental Rights Far-right populist parties have promoted the idea that they are the •• European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)1, is an only true defenders of western or their country’s identities. they International treaty aiming to protect fundamental freedoms filled the electoral vacuum as part of the society felt like they were and human rights ignored by liberal governing elites when expressing the anger or protest over immigration policies. It is definitely worth mentioning •• Framework Decision on Racism and Xenophobia that in addition to anti-immigration statements, these parties have •• International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD), adopted by the United Nation’s strong messages in regard to welfare or border security. (UN’s) General Assembly in December 1965.2 •• International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights adopted by the UN’s General Assembly in December 1966.3

WHAT’S NEXT?

Politicians like Geert Wilders from Netherland’s ‘Partij voor de Vrijheid’ has not once used anti-Muslim rhetoric. He has even openly called Moroccans ‘scums’ when giving an interview to the journalists. To begin with, there is not even a universally agreed upon definition for what constitutes hate speech, let alone a EUwide law prohibiting its use. There has also been controversy in regard to how hate speech laws can be easily manipulated. The main question still remains how can the EU protect the freedom of expression while not supporting xenophobic rhetoric? Should there be any kind of measures taken against those parties provoking violence? 1 “European Convention on Human Rights”; Council of Europe; (1953) 2 “International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination”; United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Representative 3 “International Convenant on Civil and Political Rights”; United Narions Eurosceptic parties across the EU Member States Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner

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AFET I

Committee on Foreign Affairs I

Farewell to alternative facts and misinformation: Widespread and exposure of alternative facts all across the world shows how influential media is nowadays. What measure should be taken by the EU against the misinformation and propaganda, which is spread by non-EU Member States, such as Russiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s information warfare? submitted by Sezen Deniz Tokadam (TR)

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AFET I

Committee on Foreign Affairs I Powers and Responsibilities Committee responsible for: Committee responsible for the promotion, implementation and monitoring of the Unionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foreign policy as regards: 1. the common foreign and security policy (CFSP) and the common security and defence policy (CSDP). In this context the committee is assisted by a subcommittee on security and defence;

2. relations with other Union institutions and bodies, the UNO and other international organisations and interparliamentary assemblies for matters falling under its responsibility; 3. oversight of the European External Action Service; 4. the strengthening of political relations with third countries by means of comprehensive cooperation and assistance programmes or international agreements such as association and partnership agreements; 5. the opening, monitoring and concluding of negotiations concerning the accession of European States to the Union; 6. all legislation, programming and scrutiny of actions carried out under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights, the European Neighbourhood Instrument, the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance, the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace and the Partnership Instrument for cooperation with third countries, and the policies underpinning them; 7. the monitoring and follow-up of, inter alia, the European Neighbourhood Policy(ENP), in particular with regard to ENP Annual Progress Reports; 8. issues concerning democracy, the rule of law, human rights, including the rights of minorities, in third countries and the principles of international law. In this context the committee is assisted by a subcommittee on human rights, which should ensure coherence between all the Unionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s external policies and its human rights policy. Without prejudice to the relevant rules, members from other committees and bodies with responsibilities in this field shall be invited to attend the meetings of the subcommittee. 9. Parliamentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s involvement in election observation missions, where appropriate in cooperation with other relevant committees and delegations; The committee provides political oversight to, and coordinates the work of, joint parliamentary committees and parliamentary cooperation committees as well as that of the interparliamentary delegations and ad hoc delegations falling within its remit.

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KEY WORDS

•• Information Warfare - information warfare is a concept which intends to demoralise and manipulate the enemy and the public The New York Times: “Europe Combats a New Foe of Political Stability: Fake News” by using information and communication technologies. Fortune: “How Facebook Is Cracking Down on Fake News” •• Propaganda - deliberate spreading of information, ideas, or rumours with the intent of harming a person, an institution, or ABSTRACT a nation. Many recent studies suggest that most people rely on social •• Disinformation - deliberate spread of false information. media to inform themselves what is happening around the world •• Misinformation - False or inaccurate information or the fact or in their countries. While making it easier to access information that people are falsely informed. for people, internet in our era also makes it easier for us to be •• Fake News - Fake news is deliberately created hoaxes or consumers of misinformative news and false propaganda. Russia misinformative news stories with the intent of misleading the has used fake news stories as a way of propaganda on numerous readers about certain topics in order to politically or financially occasions including during the invasion of Crimea. benefit from it.

•• Freedom of Information - Freedom of information is an extension of freedom of speech, which is a fundamental human right internationally recognised by law. While it covers freedom of privacy and copyrights, it also covers one’s right to access to true information.

VIDEOS AND ARTICLES

European Parliament: “MEPs sound alarm on anti-EU propaganda from Russia and Islamist terrorist groups” European Parliament: “Motion for a European Parliament Resolution on EU strategic communication to counteract propaganda against it by third parties” Euronews: “EU passes anti-propaganda resolution, angers Russia’s Putin” BBC News: “Facebook to roll out fake news tools in Germany” Time: “The Only Antidote to the Poison of Fake News” Zeit Online: “Macron Is Gay, Not!”

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By doing so they not only intervene in the freedom of information of the European Union citizens or justify unethical actions, but they also intervene in the domestic affairs of other countries, some of them being EU Member States. The most recent and popular example of which is the French Presidential elections. Propaganda pressure has significantly risen during the past few years not only from Russia but also from Islamist terrorist groups. In order to counteract anti-EU campaigns, the resolution against propaganda was adopted by the European Parliament in November 2016. According to the European Parliament “MEPs suggested investing in awareness raising, education, online and local media, investigative journalism and information literacy, which would empower citizens to analyse media content critically. It is equally important to adapt communication to specific regions, including access to information in local languages.”

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

•• Social media companies such as Facebook, Google, or Twitter as most of the disinformation stories are always rapidly spread Russia is using disinformation as a way of convincing people to in the social mediums and they are an important ally for the stand at their standpoint as a government in other countries’ fight against fake news. internal affairs. German Chancellor Angela Merkel who seeks re-election in the upcoming elections was targeted by a false news story claiming a Russian 13 years old girl was raped by CURRENT SITUATION Mediterranean looking men and German police tried to cover up Freedom of press is an essential value for the EU even though the crime and by a WhatsApp text in Russian claiming Muslims third parties do not respect it and a limitation of media pluralism in Europe were “organising a sex-jihad” which went viral among cannot be limited to any extent. However, Russia’s propaganda Russian speakers. has a huge effect on the opinions of citizens from rural areas and French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron was falsely immigrants. EU is fighting attacks like this with below mentioned accused of being a closeted gay. Considering Macron is a target for legislations but it is essential that these incidents are not repeated. Kremlin because of his pro-EU standpoint and islamophobia was Russia also used fake news to justify their invasion of Crimea and used against Merkel, these are critical attacks against the integrity labelled local people as terrorists. of EU. Two of Russia’s biggest state-owned news agencies are Sputnik and Russia Today. both have been widely criticised by the international audience. One of the US Senators, Jeanne Shaheen has even compared these two media outlets to ‘Nazi Propaganda’.

WHO’S IN PLAY?

•• Russia Today and Sputnik are Russian-Government owned news agencies, which also have radio broadcasting and which have been widely criticised for spreading misinformation and propaganda. •• European Union (EU) as different Member States of the EU have been targeted by Russia with fake news and anti-EU or anti-western messages are being intensified in aspiring members, such as Georgia and Ukraine. •• East StratCom Task Force is the main European task force combating fake news stories. East StratCom team was founded by the EU in the autumn of 2015 to counter not just fake news but also the misinformation coming from the Kremlin.

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Different researchers suggest that Russian propaganda has intensified throughout recent years. The situation is comparably worse in the neighbouring eastern European countries, where Russia has an obvious interest. Anti-Western messages are being broadcaster not just by news agencies on social media, but also on the television and the minority representatives or citizens living in rural areas are the most vulnerable groups to that propaganda.

WHAT’S NEXT?

The EU is currently seeking further legislations and solutions as a united frontier in order to prevent disinformation and propaganda to be further used as psychological weapons. However, this topic is not an easy one to deal with since censorship is strictly against European values. Several strategies have been already adopted, EXISTING MEASURES & CURRENT LEGISLATION however they prove to lack efficiency in our era of internet and •• European External Action Service (EEAS) now has a Website social media as the milestone of spreading information. There are in Russian to make sure high quality EU knowledge and several core questions under this complex topic, such as: communication is possible in Russian language •• East StratCom is a task force with Russian speaking internet •• What measures need be taken by the European Union to ensure that factually correct information is easily accessible for all the experts, part of the EEAS was set up to address Russia’s European citizens? disinformation campaigns by analysing disinformation trends and myth-busting.

•• Where does the line between fighting propaganda and freedom of expression stand? •• Facebook and Google have developed new strategies to fight fake news. Since December users can report news that they •• Could there be any measures taken against the news agencies think are suspicious by clicking on the upper right hand which purposefully spread disinformation and What further corner of the post. Reported stories are being fact-checked means can be used to fight propaganda? by experts and if they also find the content suspicious, the story will be flagged by Facebook as “disputed by third-party fact-checkers”.

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AFET II Committee on Foreign Affairs II

Prevalence of economic integration: The European continent is threatened by frozen conflict zones such as Kosovo, Transnistria, or Nagorno-Karabakh. Bearing in mind the sustainable peace, how can the EU contribute to the economic reintegration of frozen conflict zones? submitted by Naira Nagervadze (GE)

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AFET II

Committee on Foreign Affairs II Powers and Responsibilities Committee responsible for: Committee responsible for the promotion, implementation and monitoring of the Unionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foreign policy as regards: 1. the common foreign and security policy (CFSP) and the common security and defence policy (CSDP). In this context the committee is assisted by a subcommittee on security and defence;

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KEY WORDS

BBC News: “Cyprus country profile” •• Frozen conflict zone - Conflict area between two opposing Nextgen: “The Danger of ‘Frozen Conflicts’” positions, countries, situations, subjects that are not clearly defined, nor does it apply to any existing set of rules or ABSTRACT As time passes by, Europe gets more and more “Frozen Conflict category. Zones” such as Transnistria, Kosovo, and Nagorno-Karabakh. •• De facto - Territory which is in fact, legally a part of one Those zones are not in a state of war nor are they in the zone of specific state but another state has control of it in practice. peace. They are primarily cut off from the rest of the world. Rule •• Disputed territory - disagreement between two or more of law in those territories is weak, development has been frozen territorial entities over the control of land, and/or often and militarisation is daily seen. Territories that are not recognised disagreement between occupying state and a new state. by many other sovereign states cause instability in Europe. •• Sustainable peace - exists in a state where the probability of using destructive conflict, oppression, and violence to solve The danger lies not just in the possibility of another war in Europe problems is low, while the probability of using cooperation, but also unsustainable peace on European territory. Moreover, dialogue, and collaborative problem-solving is likely. the European Union (EU) has countries in its neighborhood, which cannot join the EU because of the conflicts between the frozen zones and countries they want to have sovereignty from. VIDEOS AND ARTICLES Therefore, in order to keep Europe a sustainable and peaceful European Parliament: “The frozen conflicts of the EU’s Eastern place, many believe that the EU should take actions as one of the neighbourhood and their impact on the respect of human rights” most influential powers in Europe.

EUObserver: “The EU should re-engage with Moldova’s ‘frozen conflict’” European Council on Foreign Relations: “Life in the Grey Zones: Reports from Europe’s breakaway regions” Cartographious: “Nagorno Karabakh Conflict (Map description)” Now This: “Can Kosovo Survive As An Independent State?” BBC News: “Kosovo profile” BBC News: “Nagorno-Karabakh profile” BBC News: “Trans-Dniester profile” BBC News: “South Ossetia profile” BBC News: “Abkhazia profile” BBC News: “Crimea profile”

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Frozen conflict zones are the result of disagreement between two or more states, which do not only affect political and social spheres of the conflict countries but it has a big influence on neighbourhood as well. Conflicts, wars, and disagreements mostly push people to leave their countries and look for shelter in neighbour countries. Thus, when conflicts occur the number of asylum seekers and refugees increases, which means they require more resources from the European countries. Besides, some European countries are not part of the EU which creates a separation between the nations. States should meet some specific requirements in order

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to become members, which is in fact impossible when there are frozen conflict zones. Moreover, in the conflict zones human rights are often violated. The key reason why justice is hard to access is the lack of political will from the de facto authorities to efficiently and impartially administer it.

WHO’S IN PLAY?

•• EU and its Member States are affected by the conflict zones economically. Some of them have free trade with other European countries and export/import goods. For instance, Kosovo is a Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) member, agreed with the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), and enjoys a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) allowing free trade within the EU, creates economic dependency of these countries on the Union. It applies to other conflict zones as well. By having instability and insecurity in trade partner countries economics of both countries are largely affected.

CURRENT SITUATION

There are many frozen conflict zones, which hinder both economic and political development of many countries in Europe. The ones that are especially important to mention are Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Crimea, Nagorno-Karabakh, Transnistria, Kosovo, and the self-declared Turkish Republich of Northern Cyprus. Transnistria is a territory within Moldova between Ukraine and Dniester river, it is a self-proclaimed state which is recognised as a state by three de facto republics: Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Nagorno-Karabakh. This territory is officially recognised by the United Nations (UN) to be a part of the Republic of Moldova. Transnistria is an unrecognised but de facto independent state, having its own government, parliament, police, military, currency, flag, and anthem. Today, there are endless border issues between Transnistria and Moldova. The ceasefire agreement of 1992 between Transnistria and Moldova established peace-keeper Russian military presence in Transnistria.

•• European countries within conflictious zones; Republic of Moldova, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Ukraine, Georgia, Serbia. These countries are the most affected and involved in the conflicts, such as Azerbaijan and Armenia, two neighbour countries which have long-lasting conflict for Nagorno-Karabakh territory. Even though two decades have passed since the implementation of the ceasefire, the painful memories of that era still resound on both sides today.

Kosovo is a disputed territory, partially recognised, which declared independence from Serbia as the Republic of Kosovo in February 2008. Long term division between Kosovo’s Albanian and Serb population left this place ethnically divided, which culminated into Kosovo War in 1998-99 and ended with North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO’s) intervention. Since Kosovo declared itself independent it gained recognition from 111 UN member states. However, Serbia refuses to recognizse it as a state although •• Russia’s intervention is important to be mentioned, since in it accepted Kosovo’s institutions with the Brussels Agreement in most of the conflicts Russia plays a role, for instance Russian 2013. military presence in Transnistria.

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EXISTING MEASURES & CURRENT LEGISLATION

•• The EU has been financing a number of non-governmental discussion frameworks focusing on conflict settlement. The most important of these is the European Partnership for the Peaceful Settlement of the Conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh (EPNK), which got underway in 2010 and is financed from the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP). •• On 26 January 2016, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted the Resolution 2085 (2016)1, requesting immediate withdrawal of Armenian armed forces Nagorno-Karabakh is oday a de facto independent state. The from the region concerned. region is considered by the UN to be a part of Azerbaijan. A brief •• The implementation of the EU Border Assistance Mission to war, Nagorno-Karabakh War, took place between Azerbaijan and Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) resulted in the agreement Armenia over the region in 1920. However, later the Soviet Union which suggests that all Transnistrian companies exporting (URSS) took control over it and created the Nagorno-Karabakh goods would be now asked to go through registration with the Autonomous Oblast (NKAO). After the fall of the URSS, the region Moldovan authorities and in case they wanted to go through reemerged as a source of dispute. Negotiations so far had been the Ukrainian border. failed to produce a permanent peace agreement, and the dispute remains as one of post-Soviet Europe’s “frozen conflicts”. In December 2006, the region approved a new constitution through a referendum. Progress was reported based on the talks of leaders in 2009; however, progress stalled and since then there have been serious ceasefire violations, with the more recent clash happening in April 2016 with the Four Day War. 1 “PACE Resolution 2085 (2016); Inhabitants of frontier regions of Azerbaijan are deliberately deprived of water”; (2016)

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•• The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) created the Minsk Process in 1992 to encourage a peaceful and negotiated resolution to the conflict resolution has been provided, and Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed on a cessation of armed conflict and for OSCE multinational peacekeeping forces to be deployed to promote the peace process. Resolutions from the UN, EU, and Armenia firmly advocate continuing to resolve the conflict wthin the framework of the Process. A commonly voiced solution for facilitating a greater success of the Process includes replacing or adding certain co-cahirs to the Process, in order to balance Armenian and Azerbaijani concerns and the national interests of the current co-chairs. Suggestions have included the EU, Turkey, Germany, and Kazakhstan as potencial new co-chairs.2

WHAT’S NEXT?

It is believed that the EU should take actions to help to stabilise the situation and bring peace and security to the European continent. Further escalation of the conflict could cause serious security issues in Europe and elongating conflict intervention could be economically detrimental. Furthermore, conflicts these ‘frozen conflicts’ might turn to active armed conflicts. Taking into consideration Russian intervention which in fact aims •• According to the NATO’s resolution on 18th November 2008, to bring peace but at the same time causes controversy, the Russia was urged to withdraw its military presence from the question is how can the EU balance the situation and help end the conflicts? Should the EU support economic integration of frozen “Transnistrian region of Moldova”. •• In June 2016, a new law was introduced in Transnistria, which conflict zones while trying to stay neutral? requested to punish every citizen for expressing disrespect for Russia’s so called peace-keeping mission of in Transnistria. The proposal for the ways of the punishment was 3-7 years of jail time depending on the scale of the ‘crime’.

2 “Time to reform the Minsk Group”; The Politicon; (2015)

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SEDE I

Committee on Security and Defence I

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SEDE I

AFET’s Subcommittee on Security and Defence I Powers and Responsibilities Committee responsible for: Committee responsible for the promotion, implementation and monitoring of the Union’s foreign policy as regards: 1. the common foreign and security policy (CFSP) and the common security and defence policy (CSDP). In this context the committee is assisted by a subcommittee on security and defence;

2. relations with other Union institutions and bodies, the UNO and other international organisations and interparliamentary assemblies for matters falling under its responsibility; 3. oversight of the European External Action Service; 4. the strengthening of political relations with third countries by means of comprehensive cooperation and assistance programmes or international agreements such as association and partnership agreements; 5. the opening, monitoring and concluding of negotiations concerning the accession of European States to the Union; 6. all legislation, programming and scrutiny of actions carried out under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights, the European Neighbourhood Instrument, the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance, the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace and the Partnership Instrument for cooperation with third countries, and the policies underpinning them; 7. the monitoring and follow-up of, inter alia, the European Neighbourhood Policy(ENP), in particular with regard to ENP Annual Progress Reports; 8. issues concerning democracy, the rule of law, human rights, including the rights of minorities, in third countries and the principles of international law. In this context the committee is assisted by a subcommittee on human rights, which should ensure coherence between all the Union’s external policies and its human rights policy. Without prejudice to the relevant rules, members from other committees and bodies with responsibilities in this field shall be invited to attend the meetings of the subcommittee. 9. Parliament’s involvement in election observation missions, where appropriate in cooperation with other relevant committees and delegations; The committee provides political oversight to, and coordinates the work of, joint parliamentary committees and parliamentary cooperation committees as well as that of the interparliamentary delegations and ad hoc delegations falling within its remit.

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based on social, political, cultural, and religious reforms in order to achieve establishment of a democratic, secular state supporting science and free education. •• Kin-state policy - the policy of social, cultural, or economic interaction with diaspora living in neighbour countries along with providing optional naturalisation for individuals wishing to move to the kin-state. •• Revanchism - desire of one’s government, political party, or community to return its lost economic or political influence. •• Justice and Development Party (AKP) - is the Turkish largest political party founded in 2001 which ideology is based on conservatism with revanchist and Islamic sentiments.

VIDEOS AND ARTICLES

South Front: Foreign Policy Diary - Turkey Seeks to Become New Ottoman Empire Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik: Turkey’s role in the Western Balkans The Hindu: Why do Turkey and Cyprus not get along? The New York Times: Turkey Asserts Its Role in the Middle East Middle East Centre: The AKP and Turkish Foreign Policy in the KEY WORDS •• Neo-Ottomanism - Turkish political ideology promoting bigger Middle East political and economic engagement of the Republic of Turkey ABSTRACT within regions which were a part of the Ottoman Empire. •• Historical revisionism - process attempting to interpret historic The argument of whether Turkey is adopting a Neo-Ottoman events by minimising, denying, and/or ignoring essential facts foreign policy is being discussed by officials over the past decades,1 as defended by Israeli ex-defence minister, Moshe Yaalon. for its understanding. Initially, the issue arose in the aftermath of Turkish invasion of •• Foreign policy doctrine - foreign strategy promoted by one’s Northern Cyprus in 1974, followed by declaration of independence government with aims and steps to be taken in external affairs by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in 1983. After of the country. 1 “Israel ex-defense chief says Erdogan seeking ‘neo-Ottoman empire”; Arab

•• Kemalism / Atatürkism - ideology of Turkish nationalism News; (2017)

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the collapse of the Soviet Union (USSR) in 1991, which made Turkish foreign affairs more independent in the region; cultural, economic, and political relations between Balkans and Turkey had significantly increased. Moreover since the rise to power of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) in 2002, kin-state policy has been implemented towards Balkans where christian communities deem Ottoman rule as a period of enslavement and tragedy.

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

of law, media censorship, the arrest of those who are believed to be against Erdoğan’s regime. Lastly, the Turkish invasion of Northern Cyprus, as well as the supposed non-implementation of the EU-Turkey Refugee Deal creates problems in Turkey’s accession to the EU and complications within EU Customs Union; as Turkey has refused to recognise the Republic of Cyprus until the elimination of blockade on the TRNC, and it refused to open its ports to Cypriot vessels and planes.

In the recent years, the Turkish government got involved in several conflicts, as the Syrian Civil War, by attacking not only Islamic WHO’S IN PLAY? State of Iraq and Syria’s (ISIS’) positions but also territories under •• Turkish government is the executive authority of the Republic the control of the Kurdish fighters of the Popular Protection Units of Turkey, which has been criticised for taking steps to enlarge (YPG) and Bashar al-Assad’s government of Syrian Arab Republic. its political and economic influence towards its neighbour Furthermore, Turkey has been fighting the Kurdistan Workers’ states. Party (PKK) since 1978 in Southeast Turkey, which is listed as a •• Balkan countries are bound with Turkey by the historical terrorist organisation by both the European Union (EU) and the past where they were under the rule of Ottoman Empire and United States, with the conflicted reigniting again in 2015 after a currently affected by kin-state policy of Turkish government. two year truce. •• Republic of Cyprus is a EU Member State, and it is the recognised authority in the entire island of Cyprus, which Moreover, Turkey’s influence over the Western Balkans creates a was partly occupied by Turkey in 1974. Furthermore, conflict fertile ground for schools and universities - “The Hizmet movement over the TRNC is a major obstacle in Turkey’s EU accession - an Islamic religious and social movement led by Turkish preacher negotiations. Fethullah Gülen and his advocates - has flourished in the Balkans for years and has created its own network of NGOs, religious •• European External Action Service (EEAS) is the EU’s diplomatic service which manages the diplomatic relations with Turkey centers, schools, and colleges”.2 Nonetheless, in the last years having there their delegation and writing annual reports on Turkey has increasingly slid into more authoritarian ruling and developments and events which take place in and out of the non-democratic tendencies create the danger the Balkan political host country. elites may find Turkey’s way of governance as an example to follow. the most recent example of those tendencies could be the •• Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), is a configuration of the 2017 constitutional referendum, together with the lack of the rule Council of the EU, and it is composed by foreign ministers of all EU Member States. It defines and implements EU’s Common 2 “Turkey’s Role in the Western Balkans”; Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik; Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). During Maltese presidency (2016)

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of the Council, it will pay particular attention to EU-Turkey had strong links to Muslim Brotherhood organisation which is relations. supported by the Turkish government, and classified as a terrorist •• High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and organisation by Egypt since 2013. Security Policy is EU’s chief diplomat who is responsible for shaping and implementing EU’s CFSP towards Turkey as well by taking notes of reports made by EEAS and FAC where she chairs. •• European Council is the EU institution identifying EU’s strategic interests, and defines the broad thrust of the CFSP.

CURRENT SITUATION

In 2010 the European Commission marked Turkish engagement in the Balkans in its Progress Report by affirming: “Turkey has taken a number of initiatives in the Western Balkans, expressing commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region. Turkey supports integration of all countries in the region both with the EU and at the Euro-Atlantic level”.3 Nonetheless, there is still the belief that Turkey is misconstruing the history, especially because Turkey is mostly engaging only with the Muslim Balkan communities, by creating a network of NGOs, religious centers, schools, and colleges, expanding their cultural, political, and economic positions within the region. Additionally, tensions between Iran and Turkey are also not in a Moreover, though, Turkey was aimed to enlarge its economic satisfactory level as Iran supports the Syrian government under impact on Balkan region, Turkey is still not among the topmost Bashar Al-Assad formed mostly of Alawite Shia muslims while economic partners there. Turkey is helping Syrian opposition mostly formed of Sunni groups. Although, before the start of the Syrian Civil War, relations between At the same time Turkey is growing its political activity in the Middle Syria and Turkey were stable, they have but deteriorated in the East. In 2013 relations between Turkey and Egypt dramatically past few years, as Turkey is not only attacking Islamic State’s worsened after the arrest of the ex-Egyptian president Mohammed (ISIS’) militants, but also Syrian. At the same time the Turkish Morsi, leading to decrease of Turkish influence in Egypt as he government is fighting with Kurdish separatists in Southeast Turkey and in the Northern part of Syria. Kurdish and Syrian Kurds 3 “Turkey 2010 Progres Report”; European Commission; (2010)

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are accusing Turkey in using coalition led by the United States as a cover to attack Kurdish groups who are actually fighting against ISIS. Recently, Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that his goal in Syria is to end the rule of Bashar al-Assad calling him a tyrant.4 However, Bashar al-Assad is blaming the Turkish government of supporting terrorists financially by trading oil.

EXISTING MEASURES & CURRENT LEGISLATION

WHAT’S NEXT?

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan continues to insist that there is no solution to Syria’s conflict while Bashar al-Assad remains in power. Danger of possible military intervention of Turkey against Syrian government, also threatens to escalate the conflict between Russia, Iran, and Western world.

•• Green line regulation established by Regulation (EC) 866/20045, it defines the terms under which the provisions of EU law will apply to the line between the areas in which the government of the Republic of Cyprus exercises effective control and the areas in which it does not.

Fortunately, negotiations on Cyprus continue, and after the beginning of reunification talks on February of 2014, both sides came up with joint declaration in which it was stated that the current status-quo is unacceptable. Both sides already agreed on four meeting in the future for discussing five out of the six •• EU-Turkey Refugee Deal, is a bilateral agreement under which chapters in one package: governance, properties, economy, EU migrants arriving in Greece are now expected to be sent back matters and territory. to Turkey if they do not apply for asylum or their claim is Last year, the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have rejected. •• As of 2015 the EU and Turkey have declared their willingness voted by 471 to 37 on a resolution to halt Turkey’s EU accession to reform and modernise the current Customs Union. In talks, last April the EU has condemned the Turkish Constitutional December 2015 the European Commission proposed to further Referendum; Stefan Schennach, one of the 20 EU’s delegates extend the bilateral trade relations to areas such as services, expressed serious concerns about the outcome, by stating they public procurement, and sustainable development. Currently, were “unfair and unfree”. alleging that the police had blocked the Commission’s proposal is being discussed in the Council of twice their observation. the EU.

4 “President Erdoğan says Turkey entered Syria to end ‘rule of cruel Assad’”; Newsweek; (2016) 5 “Green line regulation”; EUR-Lex; (2004)

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SEDE II

Committee on Security and Defence II

Europe caught in crossfire: With the new Trump administration and its alleged weariness towards NATO, how should the EU develop its Security and Defence Policy to ensure the security of its Member States? submitted by Amela Tufo (BA)

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SEDE II

AFET’s Subcommittee on Security and Defence II Powers and Responsibilities Committee responsible for: Committee responsible for the promotion, implementation and monitoring of the Union’s foreign policy as regards: 1. the common foreign and security policy (CFSP) and the common security and defence policy (CSDP). In this context the committee is assisted by a subcommittee on security and defence;

2. relations with other Union institutions and bodies, the UNO and other international organisations and interparliamentary assemblies for matters falling under its responsibility; 3. oversight of the European External Action Service; 4. the strengthening of political relations with third countries by means of comprehensive cooperation and assistance programmes or international agreements such as association and partnership agreements; 5. the opening, monitoring and concluding of negotiations concerning the accession of European States to the Union; 6. all legislation, programming and scrutiny of actions carried out under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights, the European Neighbourhood Instrument, the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance, the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace and the Partnership Instrument for cooperation with third countries, and the policies underpinning them; 7. the monitoring and follow-up of, inter alia, the European Neighbourhood Policy(ENP), in particular with regard to ENP Annual Progress Reports; 8. issues concerning democracy, the rule of law, human rights, including the rights of minorities, in third countries and the principles of international law. In this context the committee is assisted by a subcommittee on human rights, which should ensure coherence between all the Union’s external policies and its human rights policy. Without prejudice to the relevant rules, members from other committees and bodies with responsibilities in this field shall be invited to attend the meetings of the subcommittee. 9. Parliament’s involvement in election observation missions, where appropriate in cooperation with other relevant committees and delegations; The committee provides political oversight to, and coordinates the work of, joint parliamentary committees and parliamentary cooperation committees as well as that of the interparliamentary delegations and ad hoc delegations falling within its remit.

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KEY WORDS

•• North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) - is an intergovernmental military alliance between North Americna and European countries which signed the North Atlantic Treaty and committed to fulfil its goals. •• Common Foreign Security Policy (CFSP) - is the framework covering all areas of foreign policy and all questions relating to the European Union’s (EU’s) security. It is put into effect by the High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, who is assited by the EU’s diplomatic corps, the European External Action Service (EEAS). •• Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) - it is a policy within the CFSP and sets the framework for the EU’s political and military system, operations concerning military and civilians as well as the operations abroad. •• Trump administration - key figures selected by the newly elected president Donald Trump for the new government of the United States.

VIDEOS AND ARTICLES

European Parliament: “Common Security and Defence Policy” Historia Civilis: “What is NATO?” Historia Civilis “How Does NATO work?” North Atlantic Treaty Organization: “10 Things You Need to Know about NATO” North Atlantic Treaty Organiaztion: “Relations with the European Union” North Atantic Treaty Organization: “Defence Expenditure of NATO Countries (2009-2016)” North Atlantic Treaty Organization: “Joint declaration by the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission, And Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization” 90 Seconds News: “President trump Joint Press Conference with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg” Dr Antonio Missiroli: “ESDP: How it Works”

ABSTRACT

•• Gross Domestic Product (GDP) - the monetary value of all Donald Trump’s main points of criticism on NATO are that the finished goods and services, in one country throughout once alliance does not serve its initial purpose and that it costs too specific period of time (usually calculated annually or quarterly) much for the United States. Emphasising that, in 2006, the change •• Defence Spending - amount of financial resources dedicated has been made concerning the NATO financing system, which was to contribute at least 2% of their GDP to by a nation for maintaining and improving armed forces or signed by its members 1 defence budget, but only 5 out of 28 NATO member states have other means of defense. successfully contributed to satisfying that agreement - one of which is the US. 1 “Funding NATO”; North Atlantic Treaty Organization

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The EU does not have an army on its own, thus the main military alliance in Europe remains to be NATO, yet this does offer the security insurance for its member countries, stated in the article 5 of the NATO agreement, but the high dependence on the US, by the European member countries, can lead to difficulties, considering that United States contributes the most, both in a military and financial perspective.

Out of 28 NATO member states, only 5 of them were successful to fulfill their commitment and contribute to the defense fund. Those countries are: Greece, Poland, Estonia, the UK and the USA. NATO does not impose any sanctions to those who have not met the 2% target, nor do any of those countries have it written in their law that the target must be met.

It was stated by both EU and NATO officials that their security is interconnected and they had come together and agreed to the reality of future cooperations, emphasising the importance of increasing defence spendeture. The apparency of the same threats which face both the EU and NATO was emphasised, as well as the call for the strengthening of the partnership between both organisations, as well as future intelligence sharing and joint parallel coordinate exercices.

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

The combined wealth of the non-US NATO Allies, measured in GDP, exceeds that of the United States. However, non-US Allies together spend less than half of what the US spends on defence. The US contributes around USD 650 billion per year to NATO, which consists of 3.62% of their total GDP. That accounts for more than 70% of total defence spending of all of the NATO allies.2 This does not mean that USA has contributed 70% of funds for the entire organisation. Nonetheless, there is an obvious overreliance on the United States to cover the essentials which include intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; air-to-air refueling; ballistic missile defence; and airborne electronic warfare.3 2 “Which NATO members are failing short on militar spending?”; CNN Money; (2016) 3 “Funding NATO, Indirect funding of NATO”; North Atlantic Treaty

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President Trump has stated that other members of NATO must satisfy their responsibility and contribute to the defence budget of the Alliance. He has also stated that other countries should not continue to rely on the USA and its contributions, but increase their involvement in order to improve security and defence themselves.

Organization

NATO and the EU have 22 member countries in common, sharing the majority of the territory, and as it was stated by their respective governing officials, the common threats, as well. The importance of the alliance of both organisations has been greatly emphasised and the potential higher success of conjoint cooperations have also been highly valued. The two organisations outlined areas for strengthened cooperation in light of common challenges, including countering hybrid threats, enhancing resilience, defence capacity building, cyber defence, maritime security, and exercises.

WHO’S IN PLAY?

•• North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) puts together the North American and European countries together in a military alliance, and in its infrastructure, two governing individuals of the Alliance are recognised: Secretary-General and the Supreme Commander of NATO forces.

CURRENT SITUATION

Prior to Donald Trump becoming the president, he has called NATO obsolete and not worth being the member of, but later on stood corrected due to his alleged lack of education on the topic. During the Munich Security Conference in February, 2017, the American Vice-President Mike Pence gave a speech reminding the European leaders of their financial responsibilities towards NATO. Trump’s alleged threat still remains that if NATO members fail to fulfill the 2% goal, the USA may withdraw from the alliance. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has stated that Germany is directing high amounts of money on the development aid and helping refugees.

Those comments were negatively taken by President Trump and •• The European Union (EU) through the Common Security Secretary General Stoltenberg, who stressed the difference and Defence Policy (CSDP) because it allows an active role in between reintegration and defence, as well as their dissatisfaction peacekeeping operations, conflict prevention and the bettering with the comment. Nonetheless, Germany agreed to fulfill its signed commitment to 2% of the GDP, but as the long term goal of international security. which will be realised in the future. •• Donald Trump is the current and 45th president of the United States of America. His presidency is to last until 2021, after In June 2016, in Warsaw, a Joint Declaration4 was signed by the which he is eligible to run again, which he intends to do, as Secretary General of NATO, President of European Council, and stated. the President of the European Commission. This declaration •• Sweden, Austria, Cyprus, Finland, Ireland and Malta, are EU was signed in order to benefit future cooperations between EU Member States, but not members of NATO. Albania, Canada, and NATO. At the recent meeting of the representatives of both Iceland, Norway, Turkey and USA, are the countries NATO organisations, held on the 27th April 2017, main seven areas for members, but are not EU Member States, meaning that 75% of deeper EU and NATO cooperation were identified. NATO countries are also the EU member states. 4 “Joint Declaration”; North Atlantic Treaty Organization

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EXISTING MEASURES & CURRENT LEGISLATION

policies, which include: innovation, research, migration, and competitiveness. It also addresses major global challenges, some of which include climate change, global warming, and energy security. The project “Europe 2020” presents a major strategic component of this instrument.

•• The Treaty of Lisbon is the international agreement which amends two treaties which are the form of the constitutional basis of the EU. Specifically, concerning the EU’s CSDP, it introduced new mechanisms, including better structured and enhanced cooperation, mutual assistance and offers flexibility WHAT’S NEXT? in applying the CSDP. With Donald Trump as the president of the United States, the •• EU Security and Defense Package consists of three major general future of the world was intensely discussed in the media pillars which present specific steps to be taken on the road to and by the political leaders. The President has already threatened intensifying EU’s security and defence. This package includes: with leaving the NATO and his intentions might be final. Even though set of specific actions which would follow up the goals defined he openly invited the European NATO member states to contribute in the Joint Declaration between the EU and NATO, the financial their fair share to the defence spending, the effect of his words support for Member States to develop their defence capabilities, is yet to be seen and the situation observed. Germany has already and new political goals and ambitions for Europeans to take stated their disagreement concerning the 2% contribution, but has more responsibility for their defence.5 promised that the end goal will be fulfilled by 2021.

•• European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights serves a role as an important stakeholder providing assistance The Joint Declaratio identified over 40 proposals in several key in development of prosperous and growing civil societies, as areas ofsecurity and defence policy. The effect of the declaration will take time to be realised and seen, but both political and well as the support for human rights protection mechanisms. economic aspect of the relations between NATO and the EU •• Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance is the EU way to depend on decisions of the new Trump administration. Is the EU support “enlargement countries” by financing them and ready for the potential withdrawal of the US from NATO or does providing them with technical support. They help countries the EU need ro review its CSDP? make political and economic reforms and prepare them for the EU membership. •• Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace is the EU instrument which supports peace-building activities in the partner countries, as well as the security initiatives. •• The Partnership Instrument has the objective to promote the EU interests by supporting the external effect of EU internal 5 “Defence Package: Fact Sheet”; European External Action Service

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DROI

Committee on Human Rights Islamophobia as a new disease of the modern Europe: The majority of the victims of Islamic fundamentalism are themselves members of the Muslim faith, but Islamophobia has been deeply and persistently rooted in Western societies for many years. What measures should be taken to protect the Muslimsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; human right in the EU? submitted by Yuliia Koba (UA)

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DROI

AFET’s Subcommittee on Human Rights Powers and Responsibilities Committee responsible for: Committee responsible for the promotion, implementation and monitoring of the Union’s foreign policy as regards: 1. the common foreign and security policy (CFSP) and the common security and defence policy (CSDP). In this context the committee is assisted by a subcommittee on security and defence; 2. relations with other Union institutions and bodies, the UNO and other international organisations and interparliamentary assemblies for matters falling under its responsibility; 3. oversight of the European External Action Service; 4. the strengthening of political relations with third countries by means of comprehensive cooperation and assistance programmes or international agreements such as association and partnership agreements; 5. the opening, monitoring and concluding of negotiations concerning the accession of European States to the Union; 6. all legislation, programming and scrutiny of actions carried out under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights, the European Neighbourhood Instrument, the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance, the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace and the Partnership Instrument for cooperation with third countries, and the policies underpinning them; 7. the monitoring and follow-up of, inter alia, the European Neighbourhood Policy(ENP), in particular with regard to ENP Annual Progress Reports; 8. issues concerning democracy, the rule of law, human rights, including the rights of minorities, in third countries and the principles of international law. In this context the committee is assisted by a subcommittee on human rights, which should ensure coherence between all the Union’s external policies and its human rights policy. Without prejudice to the relevant rules, members from other committees and bodies with responsibilities in this field shall be invited to attend the meetings of the subcommittee. 9. Parliament’s involvement in election observation missions, where appropriate in cooperation with other relevant committees and delegations; The committee provides political oversight to, and coordinates the work of, joint parliamentary committees and parliamentary cooperation committees as well as that of the interparliamentary delegations and ad hoc delegations falling within its remit

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KEY WORDS

•• Islamophobia - fear, prejudice, hatred, dislike directed against Islam or Muslims, and/or towards Islamic politics or culture. •• Prejudice - an unfair and unreasonable opinion or feeling, especially when formed without enough thought or knowledge; an irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race, or their supposed characteristics. •• Religion Discrimination - treating a person unfavorably because of his or her religious beliefs. •• The Open Society Foundations - an organisation, which works to combat discrimination against Muslims in Europe which makes sure Muslim minorities coexist with equal rights in their national communities.

VIDEOS AND ARTICLES

EurActiv: “It’s time to take action against Islamophobia in Europe”; (2014) NDTV: “Why is Europe afraid of the Islamic way of life?” European Network Against Racism: “Islamophobia in Europe: Recent developments” Open Society Foundations: “Islamophobia in Europe”; (2015) Gallup: “Islamophobia: Understanding Anti-Muslim Sentiment in the West” The Runnymede Trust: “Islamophobia: a challenge for us all” Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research: “European Islamophobia Report 2016”; (2017) Collectif Contre L’Islamophobie en France: “Report 2016”

Islamophobia in European Countries

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“What do Europeans Think About Muslim Immigration?”; Chatam House The Royal Institute of International Affairs; (2017)

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ABSTRACT

suggest that Islamophobia can especially affect women - about The European Union (EU) Minorities and Discrimination Survey 80% of reported cases of discrimination across France in 2013 found out that on average one in three Muslim respondents concerned women. faced discrimination and prejudice in the past 12 months, and 11% experienced a racist crime.1 Even though the term ‘Islam- Though each European country strives to handle this issue, still, o-phobia’ itself bears a religious context, over the years it has the EU as a whole does not have common plan or program. Many become racialised. Nowadays Islamophobia evolves from the level state and civil society institutions have done priceless work to of rhetorical animosity and has become a physical animosity that prove and establish the opposite. Yet, institutions like the EU Muslims feel in everyday life. Unfortunately, Muslims are seen as Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) only published irregular the enemies within Europe and are not perceived as equal citizens reports on a restricted number of countries while most civil society organisations tackle racism in general and only few focus by many. on Islamophobia in specific.

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Islamophobia is a “symptom of the disintegration of human values,” according to former Council of Europe (CoE) Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg. It is a specific form of racism that refers to acts of violence and discrimination, as well as hate speech, fuelled by historical abuses and negative stereotyping, which subsequently leads to exclusion and dehumanisation of Muslims.

Taking all mentioned above to the conclusion, Islamophobia poses a growing threat to the democratic foundations of the European constitutions and social peace as well as the coexistence of different cultures throughout Europe.

WHO’S IN PLAY?

•• Collective Against Islamophobia in France (CCIF) is a nonreligious and apolitical organisation. It is a human right advocacy group that specifically focuses on defending the rights and The promotion of Islamophobia creates both prejudice and freedoms of Muslims in France and conducts reports about the discrimination among the general population. Prejudice plays a current situation of Muslim people within the EU. key role in the existence and proliferation of Islamophobia. Seeing Muslims as not loyal and avoiding them as neighbours are all •• Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research symptoms of Islamophobia that exist in the West (e.g. between (SETA) is a non-profit research institute dedicated to innovative 16% and 21% of people in France, Germany, and the U.K. say they studies on national, regional, and international issues. would not like have Muslims as their neighbours, similar to the •• EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) is one of the percentages of each country’s general population that say they EU’s decentralised agencies, which helps to ensure that the would not like homosexuals as neighbours). Many researches also fundamental rights of people living in the EU are protected. 1 “Islamophobia in Europe, ‘physical or verbal attacks on property, places of worship, and people, as well as verbal or online threats of violence, vilification, and abuse’; Open Society Foundations; (2015)

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•• European Commission proposes EU legislaton with a comprehensive approach against discrimination and towards promotion of equal opportunities for all EU citizens. It also established a network of experts in different areas to combat unequal treatment towards minorities, in particular, Muslims.

CURRENT SITUATION

According to SETA, democracy and human rights in Europe are in a state of decline.4 The report also indicated that Islamophobia became a finite problem affecting the everyday lives of Muslims across Europe. Though EU Charter of Fundamental Rights prohibits any discrimination, including religion or belief, reality seems to be •• CoE’s European Commission against Racism and Intolerance different.5 (ECRI) is a human rights body, which monitors racism, xenophobia, antisemitism, intolerance, and discrimination The Global Terrorism Index Report 20146 shows, since 2003 the on grounds such as “race”, national/ethnic origin, colour, fraction of Muslim terrorists in the total amount steadily increases. citizenship, religion and language (racial discrimination). In its This causes more obvious expressions of Islamophobia within report ECRI encourages EU Member States to sign and ratify the societies. The concern rises alongside the influx of Muslim the CoE’s Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime2 predominated refugees within the population of the EU. Due to the atmosphere of distrust and unsafety, the number of violence and criminalising racist and xenophobic acts committed online. 7 •• Companies and Enterprises as discrimination of Muslims at the vandalism towards Muslims in Europe is gaining momentum. workplace still remains as a widespread phenomenon. In 2017 European Court of Justice (ECJ) allowed to ban the hijab in the The European Commission8 established non-discrimination of legal working place3 as it does not constitute “direct discrimination” governmental experts group , the European Network 9 , and the Equinet, if a company has an internal rule banning the wearing of “any experts in gender equality and non-discrimination 10 European Network of Equality Bodies which its central goal is political, philosophical or religious sign”. to prevent unequal treatment of the EU citizens and monitor the •• Political Parties in Europe exploit and encourage fear of Islam implementation of the Racial Equality Directive, and Employment and organise political campaigns which promote simplistic and Framework Directive and the Communication Directive.11 negative stereotypes concerning Muslims in Europe and often compare Islam with extremism. 4 “European Islamophobia Report”; SETA; (2017) 5 “EU Charter of Fundamental Rights”, European Commission 6 “Global Terrorism Index 2014”; Institute for Economics & Peace 7 “World, Islamophobia”; Daily Sabah World 8 “The non-discrimination governmental expert group”; European Commission 9 “European Network of legal experts in gender equality and non-discrimination”; European Commission 2 “Details of Treaty No. 189”; Council of Europe 10 “Equinet at a Glance”; European Network of Equality Bodies 3 “Europe’s right hails EU courts workplace headscarf ban ruling”; The Guardian; 11 “Communication COM(2016) 590, establishing the European Electronic (2017) Communications Code”; EUR-Lex

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•• Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime, concerning the criminalisation of acts of a racist and xenophobic nature committed through computer systems14 entails an extension of the Cybercrime Convention’s scope, including its substantive, procedural and international cooperation provisions, so as to cover also offences of racist or xenophobic propaganda. •• Directive (EC) 78/2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation, prohibits direct and indirect discrimination, harassment, instructions to discriminate and victimisation on grounds of religion and belief.

EXISTING MEASURES & CURRENT LEGISLATION

•• Directive (EC) 43/2000 implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin is aimed on laying down a framework for combating discrimination on the grounds of racial or ethnic origin, with a view to putting into effect in the Member States the principle of equal treatment.

•• European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and expression, •• Directive (EC) 78/2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation lays down a including the right to express religious or philosophical views general framework for combating discrimination on the grounds or oppose and criticise them.12 of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation as •• Protocol No. 12 to the ECHR13 prohibits discrimination in general. regards employment and occupation, with a view to putting into ECRI calls on all remaining states to ratify this instrument as effect in the Member States the principle of equal treatment. soon as possible. •• CoE’s Recommendation 1774 (2006) on the Turkish presence in Europe in which migrant workers and new European citizens, member governments and parliaments as well as the CoE must give priority to fostering the social inclusion of Muslims and other religious minorities. 12 “European Convention on Human Rights”; Council of Europe; (1953) 13 “Protocol No. 12 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms”; Council of Europe 14 “Convention on Cybercrime”; Council of Europe

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•• CoE’s Recommendation 170 (2005) on intercultural and interfaith dialogue calling upon initiatives and responsibilities of local authorities, the Assembly calls on national parliaments to ensure that local authorities in their countries have the necessary legal, administrative and financial frameworks for local activities intended to foster social inclusion and intercultural dialogue.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Through legislative frameworks, directives, and initiatives, the EU has worked intensively to tackle Islamophobia but is it really working well? Though the CoE introduced Protocol No. 12 to the ECHR, it is ratified only by 18 out of the 47 member states of the CoE. Also, other legislative recommendations named above, are not compulsory for recognition by the Member States. How can the EU motivate governments to implement abovementioned •• CoE’s Recommendation 1831 (2008) on European Muslim directives and recommendations? Are further steps required? communities confronted with extremism invites Muslims, their religious communities and their religious leaders to combat any Taking into consideration the interdependence of all actors as well as the main conflicts in this issue, it can be stated that there is still form of extremism under the cover of Islam. •• CoE’s Recommendation 1720 (2005) on education and religion room for improvement in the combating of Islamophobia. Further calls on member states to ensure that knowledge about Islam, success is determined by aiming at long-term results, cooperation, Judaism, and Christianity is taught at school and through and partnership between all involved actors that have different responsibilities. How can they be encouraged to work together lifelong education. and what is the role of the youth in the integration process?

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APPENDIX COMMITTEE WORK AND GENERAL ASSEMBLY DATA HELPER

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AFCO - Constitutional Affairs •• Voter turnouts at European Elections:

•• Around 80% of EU laws are agreed at first reading, and that the average law agreed at first reading takes 14.4 months from start to finish.2 •• “Europe’s security is more fragile today than at any time since the end of the Cold War. Weakening our cooperation for the prosperity and protection of our citizens would be a costly mistake”.3 - Guy Verhofstadt on the Brexit. •• “It’s about mass immigration at a time when 21% of young people can’t find work. It’s about giving £50 million a day to the EU when the public finances are under great strain.”4 Nigel Farage on the EU. •• The MEPs have participated in 1557 trilogue meetings on legislative texts with the Council of the EU and the European Commission from 2009 to 2014.5

•• Of the eight main political groups represented in the European Parliament, three of them,the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy (EFDD) and the Europe of Nations and Freedom (ENL) are eurosceptic right-wing parties, while the European United Left-Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL) is considered a soft eurosceptic. •• Marine Le Pen, French presidential candidate who pledged to hold a referendum on EU membership, had 21.3% of the votes, only 2.7% less than lead-runner, centrist and pro-European candidate Emmanuel Macron, on the first round of the French Presidential Elections held on 23rd April 2017.1

•• As of 23rd May 2016, these are the results for far-right nationalist parties in the most recent national elections:6 ○○ Austria - Freedom Party - 35.1% ○○ Switzerland - Swiss People’s Party - 29% ○○ Denmark - Danish People’s Party - 21% ○○ Hungary - Jobbik - 21% ○○ Finland - The Finns - 18% ○○ France - National Front - 14% ○○ Sweden - Sweden Democrats - 13% ○○ Slovakia - Our Slovakia - 8% ○○ Greece - Golden Dawn - 7% ○○ Germany - Alternative for Germany - 4.7% ○○ Italy - Northern League - 4%

2 “Secret EU lawmaking: the triumph of the trilogues”; EU Observer; (2014) 3 “Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt attacks Theresa May’s ‘threat’ to weaken EU security commitments”; The Independent (2017) 4 “Is UKIP’s Farage poised for an election breakthrough?”; The Telegraph; (2012) 5 “Number of Trilogues Per Year and Per Committee”; European Parliament: 1 “French presidential election: first round results in charts and maps”; The Facts and Figures (2016) Guardian; (2017) 6 “Guide to nationalist parties challenging Europe”; BBC; (2016)

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JURI - Legal Affairs •• The Circular Economy Package, includes revised legislative •• Enterprises around the world which already implemented some sort of circular economy strategy: proposals on waste ○○ A common EU target for recycling 65% of municipal •• “China’s consumption of the world’s resources is reaching crisis levels. To produce 46% of global aluminium, 50% of steel waste by 2030; and 60% of the world’s cement in 2011, it consumed more raw ○○ A common EU target for recycling 75% of packaging materials than 34 countries of the Organisation for Economic waste by 2030; Co-operation and Development (OECD) combined: 25.2 billion ○○ A binding landfill target to reduce landfill to maximum of tonnes.”7 10% of municipal waste by 2030; •• “The UK could save USD 1.1 billion a year on landfill cost by ○○ A ban on landfilling of separately collected waste; keeping organic food waste out of landfills - this would also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 7.4 million tonnes p.a. ○○ Promotion of economic instruments to discourage and could deliver up to 2 GWh worth of electricity and provide landfilling; much-needed soil restoration and specialty chemicals”8 ○○ Simplified and improved definitions and harmonised

calculation methods for recycling rates throughout the •• “The cost of remanufacturing mobile phones could be reduced by 50% per device - If the industry made phones easier to take EU; apart, improved the reverse cycle, and offered incentives to ○○ Concrete measures to promote re-use and stimulate eturn phones.”9 industrial symbiosis - turning one industry’s by-product into another’s raw material;

○○ Economic incentives for producers to put greener products on the market and support recovery and recycling schemes (eg for packaging, batteries, electric and electronic equipments, vehicles).

7 “Circular economy: Lessons from China”; “Nature”; (2016) 8 “Towards the Circular Economy: Economic and business rationale for an accelerated transition”; Ellec MacArthur Foundation; (2013) 9 “Towards the Circular Economy: Economic and business rationale for an accelerated transition”; Ellec MacArthur Foundation; (2013)”

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Example of enterprises who implemented circular-economy measures

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ENVI - Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

FEMM - Women’s Rights and Gender Equality

•• In 2013, there were 177 000 deaths in the EU-28 resulting from •• Although women make up 49.6% of the world’s population, mental and behavioural disorders, equivalent to 3.6 % of all only 11 women served as heads of state in 2015, whilst 10 deaths. served as heads of government.1 •• Suicide accounts for 17.6% of all deaths among young •• Around the world, 63 million girls are currently out of school. adults aged 15-29 in high-income countries. However, only •• 35% of women alive today have experienced sexual or physical 13 European countries are known to have a national suicide violence because of their gender.2 strategy. •• Somewhere in the world a child marriage happens every minute, •• Stigma and social exclusion keep people with mental illnesses which runs up a total of 15 million early marriages every year.3 from seeking proper treatment. Psychiatric hospitals commonly lead to institutionalisation, thus deinstitutionalisation and seeking community based facilities as alternatives must be DEVE - Development considered. •• Social inequalities cause specific mental illnesses and difficulties •• in receiving mental health care in vulnerable groups such as women, LGBTI+ community, ethnic minorities. •• •• There are various strategies, projects and joint actions but •• none of them have been sufficient to integrate mental health into the health care systems of national governments, and to •• give it equal importance as physical health.

According to statistics by OECD, EU is the biggest aid provider in the world. ENP was created in 2003 and launched in 2004. ENP involves 16 countries on EU’s Southern and Eastern borders. ENP is aimed to promote stability, prosperity and security of neighbour countries.

•• Partner countries are not spending the provided aid in the correct aeas. •• Partner countries are not getting fully involved in the process because of the modest rewards. 1 “Facts and figures: Leadership and political participation”; UN Women 2 “Facts and figures: Ending violence against women”; UN Women 3 “Child Marriage Infographic”; Girls not Bribes

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LIBE I - Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs I

LIBE II - Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs II

•• Ethnic minorities are discriminated and devoid of rights on •• Far right parties with xenophobic and racist rhetoric are gaining culture, religion and language. popularity across Member States. •• Ethnic minorities are excluded or assigned as a lower status •• Marine Le Pen, Leader of Front National is in the second round citizens. of French Presidential elections. •• Members of minority are assigned to lower positions within •• There are 10 biggest far-right parties in Europe today each occupation. Alternative für Deutschland, (Germany); Jobbik, (Hungary); Front National, (France); Golden Dawn, (Greece) Freiheitliche •• Ethnic minorities do not have the same status with the majority Partei Österreichs, (Austria); The Finns, (Finland) Sweden in the application of low or justice. Democrats, (Sweden); Danish People’s Party, (Denmark); Partij •• The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates voor de Vrijheid (the Netherlands); and Lega Nord (Italy). that only in 2015 more than 1 011 700 migrants arrived by sea, •• Sometimes there is an obscure thin line between freedom of and almost 34 900 by land. expression and hate speech in regards to xenophobia or even •• FRA works in cooperation with the European Parliament, the promoting violence. Council of European Union, European Commission, national •• Apart from racist statements, far-right parties have strong governments, Council of Europe, UN and the OSCE. anti-immigration and pro-welfare messages.

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AFET I - Foreign Affairs I

AFET II - Foreign Affairs II

•• Russia interferes with other countries’ internal affairs by using •• fake news as a tool and manipulates people especially those who use social media to be informed about current events and those who live in rural areas or in the European neighbourhood.

Existing conflict zones in Europe such as; Transnistria, Kosovo, Nagorno-Karabakh, South Ossetia, Crimea, Northern Cyprus, Abkhazia, Crimea hinder development of both developing countries and frozen territories.

•• There has been false claims about candidates in European •• Even though territories are officially within the countries they elections and many consider it as an attack against democracy. ask sovereignty from, they have different currencies, laws and what is the most important, countries are not able to control •• During the Russian Invasion of Crimea, Russia used fake news frozen zones. They are influenced by other countries such as to manipulate people into thinking they did the right thing by Russia in case of Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transnistria, and invading Crimea. Albania in case of Kosovo. •• In the US elections, Russia promoted and supported Donald Trump by creating false positive stories about him and false •• Frozen conflicts also cause violation of human rights. People are forced to move to other countries which results in absence claims about Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton. constant jobs and living places. •• East StratCom, a task force of information experts working closely with the European Commission combats Russia’s •• The situation gets even more difficult when there is intervention of other countries. Even though some agreements with the aim ongoing disinformation campaign. of bringing the peace already exist, conflicts still remain to •• EU is seeking further means to solve this issue without limiting continue. the freedom of expression.

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SEDE I - Security and Defence I •• Northeastern part of Cyprus was occupied by Turkish forces •• in 1974, and self-declared independence in 1983. Negotiations on reunification of Cyprus started again in 2014, and further discussion are to be set by both Greek and Turkish leaders. •• One of the requirements to become a EU Member State, Turkey must recognise independence of the Republic of Cyprus.

In 2002, PKK was ordered to be removed from the EU terror list, and once again in 2008 by the General Court (EGC) of the EU, on the basis that the EU failed to give a proper justification for listing the organisation in the first place. However, EU officials dismissed the ruling, stating that the PKK would remain on the list regardless of the legal decision.5

region by actively supporting religious centers, schools, and colleges. and Christian communities deem Ottoman governance as a period of slavery and suffering.

In 2015, Turkey has shown its dissatisfaction towards YPG’s advance against ISIS, and accused them of carrying out an “ethnic cleansing” of non-Kurdish populations in Northern Syria.6

4 “Decision (CFSP) 70/2011; updating the list of persons, groups and entities subject to Articles 2.3 and 4 of Common Position (CFSP) 931/2011 on the applicant of specific measures to combat terrorism”; EUR-Lex

5 “EU was wrong to include PKK on terror list”; Reuters; (2008) 6 “Turkey accuses Kurdish forces of ‘ethinic cleansing’ in Syria”; Yahoo News; (2015) 7 “Turkey election 2015: a guide to the parties, polls and electoral system”; The Guardian; (2015) 8 “Turkey election: Rulling AKP regains majority”; BBC; (2015)

•• After AKP’s rise to power anti-democratic sentiments increased •• in Turkish policy, such as through the arrest of journalist and judges who are believed to be against Erdoğan’s regime. •• Turkey is actively using kin-state policy within West Balkans ••

Russia has long ignored Turkish pressure to ban PKK, with the group not being in the terror blacklist of China, Brazil, Switzerland, India, and Egypt.

•• Turkey supports Sunni opposition groups in the Syrian Civil War •• The Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) has won 13.12% (80 out 550 seats) in June 2015 Turkish General Elections7, and while Bashar al-Assad is supported by Shia Iran’s government. 10.75% (59 out 550 seats) in November 2015 Elections8, being •• PKK is considered to be a terrorist group by the North Atlantic the majority of its electors in Southeast Turkey. Treaty Organization (NATO), and the EU officially lists PKK as having “been involved in terrorist acts”.4

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SEDE II - Security and Defence II

DROI - Human Rights

•• In 2006, NATO member states signed the agreement to •• Islamophobia is a specific form of racism that refers to acts of contribute 2% of their GDP to defense spending. violence and discrimination, as well as racist speech, fuelled by historical abuses and negative stereotyping and leading •• Only 5 out of 28 states have satisfied that agreement, including to exclusion and dehumanisation of Muslims, and all those the United States. perceived as such. •• The over-reliance on the US by the European states within NATO has been noted, considering that 70% of the NATO •• Prejudice plays a key role in the existence and proliferation of Islamophobia and make impossible the coexistence of different defense budget has been contributed by the USA. cultures throughout Europe. •• President Trump has called on the European member states in NATO to contribute more, which was followed by the alleged •• On average one in three Muslim respondents faced discrimination and prejudice in the past 12 months, and 11% experienced a threat of leaving the aliance. racist crime. •• Both EU and NATO have recognised the potential of their future alliance, considering they share the majority of the territory •• Though the EU work for a long time on legislative framework in the field of prohibiting of discrimination, there is still space and the member states. for improvement as mostly these decisions are voluntary for •• Joint Declaration was signed by the EU and NATO officials to implementation. ensure future cooperation.

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ISTANBUL 2017 ACADEMIC PREPARATION KIT

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