Resolution Booklet - Turku Regional Session 2020

RESOLUTION BOOKLET Turku 2020 Regional Session of EYP Finland

23.–25.10.2020

Turku 2020 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland General Assembly, 25 October 2020

Table of contents

Programme of the General Assembly

2

Procedure of the General Assembly

3

General Assembly Placards

5

Motıon for a Resolutıon by the Commıttee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM)

6

Motıon for a Resolutıon by the Commıttee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety I (ENVI I)

9

Motıon for a Resolutıon by the Commıttee on Industry, Research and Energy I (ITRE I)

11

Motıon for a Resolutıon by the Commıttee on Regional Development (REGI)

13

Motıon for a Resolutıon by the Commıttee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety II (ENVI II) 16 Motıon for a Resolutıon by the Commıttee on Industry, Research and Energy II (ITRE II)

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Motıon for a Resolutıon by the Commıttee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) 21

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Turku 2020 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland General Assembly, 25 October 2020

P​ROGRAMME​ ​OF​ ​THE​ G​ENERAL​ A​SSEMBLY

09:30

Opening of the General Assembly

09:45

Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality

10:30

Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food

Safety I 11:15

Coffee break

11:45

Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy I

12:30

Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Regional Development

13:15

Lunch break

14:15

Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food

Safety II 15:00

Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy II

15:45

Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

16:30

Coffee break

17:00

Closing Ceremony

All times in the programme follow Eastern European Time (EET).

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P​ROCEDURE​ ​OF​ ​THE​ G​ENERAL​ A​SSEMBLY General rules The wish to speak is indicated by raising the Committee placard. Each committee may use only one Committee placard.

The authority of the Board is absolute.

Procedure and time settings 1. Board reads the topic sentence 2. Silent reading of the operative clauses (1 min) 3. Resolution Debate (30 min) a. Proposition Speech (3 min) b. Position Speech(es) (2x 2 min) c.

Response to the Position Speech(es) (90 sec)

d. Open Debate 4. Amendment Time (3 min) 5. Amendment Speech and Summation Speech (3 min) 6. Voting on proposed resolution Silent reading of the operative clauses All members of the General Assembly (GA) read the operative clauses for themselves, there will not be a reading from the podium. Everyone should have read the operative clauses beforehand.

Proposition Speech During this time one member of the proposing committee will go to the podium and deliver a speech on the resolution. The proposing committee presents the rationale and context of the resolution and their solutions rather than defending it to the GA.

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Position Speech The Position Speech is a speech held by any other committee but the proposing. The speech can either agree with the proposed resolution or the speech can thoroughly disagree with the proposed resolution. In either way the rationale behind the position should be elaborated on. The Position Speech should not pick at individual clauses or details but rather is used when a delegate ​fundamentally agrees or disagrees with the content of the resolution.​ Like a Proposition Speech, the Position Speech is held from the podium.

Response to Position Speech(es) A delegate from the proposing committee has the chance to respond to the Position Speech(es). The response will be delivered from the floor.

Open debate Any committee with a point or a question on the resolution can raise their committee placard and, when recognised by the Board, pose it to the proposing committee. The Board will take 4-5 points from the floor before allowing the proposing committee to respond to all of them. During each debate, committees must raise the placard with their committee name to show that they want to speak and wait for the Board to recognise them. There will be 2 rounds of open debate and each round will be answered from the floor by the proposing committee.

Amendment Time a. Proposing committee deliberates on received amendment points (1 min) b. Other committees read over the next resolution c.

Submission of the amendment to the Board

Amendment Speech and Summation Speech a. During a short amendment speech, a delegate from the proposing committee will explain to the Assembly why they chose to change or add an amendment or why they chose not to accept any amendments. b. During the Summation Speech, a delegate from the proposing committee has the final chance to use all rhetorical energy and skill to convince people to vote for their resolution.

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G​ENERAL​ A​SSEMBLY​ P​LACARDS Point of Personal Privilege This placard may be raised by a Chairperson if a member of the Assembly requests to repeat a point that was inaudible.

Direct Response (1x per debate) Each committee has, once per debate, the chance to directly reply to the point that was last made.

Therefore, if a Chairperson raises the “Direct Response” placard, the committee will immediately be recognised by the Board. If two or more committees request a Direct Response, the Board will decide which committee to recognise.

Point of Order This placard may be raised by a Chairperson if a committee feels that the Board is not following appropriate parliamentary procedure.

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M​OTION​ ​FOR​ ​A​ R​ESOLUTION​ ​BY THE​ C​OMMITTEE​ ​ON​ W​OMEN​’S ​ ​ R​IGHTS​ ​AND​ G​ENDER​ E​QUALITY​ (FEMM)

Vital response: With local and national lockdowns occurring across Europe, millions of citizens have been forced to remain home with their abusers for considerable periods of time, leading to further distress and instances of domestic violence. What measures should the EU and its Member States take in order to protect and support these victims?

Submitted by:

Alex O’Donovan (IE), Gabriella Senyoni (BE), Hilla Kauppinen (FI), Senni M​ä​ki (FI), Sarah Challoner (Chairperson IE)

The European Youth Parliament,

A. Fully alarmed by the potential that social stigma has to prevent victims from reporting instances of domestic violence, B. Stressing that legal action against domestic abuse cases can take a long period of time, C. Observing the lack of awareness regarding domestic violence across Member States.​ ​Especially, the lack of awareness in regards to the experiences of men and children who are victims of domestic violence, D. Greatly concerned that reporting abuse is not as socially acceptable as it should be and furthermore that men are less likely to report abuse than women, with only 5% of Irish men reporting, compared to 29% of women,1 E. Concerned by the disparities between the level of action taken by Member States to prevent/reduce domestic abuse cases for example in Poland where 57% of citizens have experienced domestic abuse,2

1

​The Irish National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, “Male Victims of Domestic Violence”, 2019, ​http://www.cosc.ie/en/COSC/Pages/WP09000005 2 Daniel Tills, “Over 60% of women in Poland have experienced domestic violence, finds leaked report”, Notes From Poland, 2020, https://notesfrompoland.com/2020/08/17/over-60-of-women-in-poland-have-experienced-domestic-violence-fin ds-leaked-report/

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F. Commending Spain on their actions to reduce domestic abuse, for example by providing 24/7 hotline operators for domestic abuse victims and encouraging other member states to follow their actions, G. Acknowledging that, due to the Covid 19 pandemic, there has been a 60% increase3 in calls to European domestic abuse hotlines, H. Fully alarmed that economic inequalities contribute to issues with reporting and seeking assistance;4

1. Calls upon the ​European Commission's Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations5 to raise awareness of the issue of domestic abuse and around reporting abuse through an awareness campaign over social media platforms; 2. Instructs Member States to allocate more funds to the advertising of national domestic abuse helplines; 3. Encourages the Ministries of Education in Member States introduce domestic abuse awareness education in their secondary school curricula; 4. Requests that Member States with more than 30% of its citizens experiencing domestic abuse be given additional financial support for the provision of helplines, safe housing and public physical and mental healthcare; 5. Directs the European Commission to fund new ​European Research Council (ERC) researchers to analyse domestic violence in the EU, alongside survivors, to aid in creating more informed solutions; 6. Instructs the Justice and Home Affairs Council to make domestic violence a permanent issue for discussion at their monthly conferences; 7. Advises the ERC to support research regarding the processing times of domestic abuse cases in Member States;

Elizabeth Mahase​, “​Covid-19: EU states report 60% rise in emergency calls about domestic violence”, 2020, BMJ, https://www.bmj.com/content/369/bmj.m1872 4 Disa K.V Lubker, “Socioeconomic Status and Domestic Violence”, International Journal of Global Health and Health Disparities, 2004, ​https://scholarworks.uni.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1009&context=ijghhd 5 ​Every year, the​ European Commission's Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations​ runs high impact communication campaigns to raise awareness and enhance understanding and support of humanitarian aid values among the EU citizens. The campaigns also inform citizens about the EU’s role in civil protection.

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8. Recommends that Member States implement new legal measures to ensure the shortening of wait times for the resolution of domestic abuse cases in court; 9. Asks Member States to provide sufficient legal aid for the victims of domestic violence.

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M​OTION​ ​FOR​ ​A​ R​ESOLUTION​ ​BY THE​ C​OMMITTEE​ ​ON​ E​NVIRONMENT​, P​UBLIC​ H​EALTH​ ​AND​ F​OOD​ S​AFETY​ I (ENVI I)

Feel so plastic: With COVID’s impact on waste stemming from Single Use Plastics (SUP) still unknown and national governments delaying SUP legislation as a result of the pandemic, how should Member States act to curb SUP’s prominence in Europe?

Submitted by:

Esmer Ferhadova (AZ), Mete İyikavak (TR), Niclas Jokinen (FI), Linda Kinnunen (FI), Luke Bishop (Chairperson, IE), Ida Laukkanen (Chairperson, FI)

The European Youth Parliament,

A. Alarmed that it is predicted there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by weight in 2050,6 B. Deeply disturbed by ​the unknown effects ingesting microplastic has on wildlife and humans​, C. Concerned that plastic waste is polluting our environment and harming wildlife at increasing rates,7 D. Noting with concern the vast spread of the coronavirus pandemic, and the sudden need to consume more Single Use Plastics (SUP) slows down the implementation of the Single Use Plastic Directive in the set time frame,8 E. Noting with regret that only 41.9% of plastic waste was recycled in 2017 in the EU,9 F. Commending the efforts by countries such as Bangladesh, Rwanda, and Kenya in banning disposable bags and other single use plastic products such as plastic straws and water bottles;

1. Urges the ​European Environmental Agency ​(EEA)10 ​to immediately establish a taskforce to BBC, Will there be more fish or plastic in the sea in 2050?, 2016 https://bbc.in/3e6b5LP 7 WWF, Out of the plastic trap saving the mediterraen from plastic pollution, 2018 ​https://bit.ly/34qaKQy 8 ​Seas at risk, Member States stalling on implementation of European plastic law while plastic littering surges, 2020 ​https://bit.ly/31E3Vt6 9 ​European Parliament, Packaging waste statistics explain, 2020 ​https://bit.ly/3jly1re 10 ​The European Environment Agency (EEA​): an agency of the EU, whose task is to provide sound, independent 6

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investigate and provide guidance addressing SUP usage in the EU, in the wake of COVID-19; 2. Encourages all Member States to follow countries such as Finland11 with providing consumers effective incentives to recycle plastics; 3. Invites ​the Directorate-General for Environment12 to collaborate and assist multinational corporations in setting up their own recycling schemes in the EU; 4. Urges Member States to agree to introduce a minimum EU-wide tax on multinational companies who refuse to comply with Single Use Plastic legislation; 5. Recommends Member States’ Education Ministers to incorporate environmental studies into their national curricula.

information on the environment.

11 ​Palpa, Deposit Refund System, ​https://bit.ly/2IV2oIq 12 ​The Directorate-General for Environment​: a Directorate-General of the European Commission, responsible for the EU policy in the area of the environment.

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M​OTION​ ​FOR​ ​A​ R​ESOLUTION​ ​BY THE​ C​OMMITTEE​ ​ON​ I​NDUSTRY​, R​ESEARCH​ A ​ ND​ E​NERGY​ I (ITRE I) New-clear path forward? In light of the EU’s 2030 Climate and Energy Framework, and wider commitment of a net-zero economy by 2050, how should the EU legislate for technological innovation concerning nuclear energy whilst respecting Member States’ right to develop their own national energy and climate plans?

Submitted by:

Niki Kiiskinen (FI), Anton von Nandelstadh (FI), Bogdan Roznovan (RO), Lukas Sajantila (FI), Jonas Uotila (FI), Sean Hennessy (Chairperson, IE)

The European Youth Parliament,

A. Acknowledging the importance of nuclear energy in achieving the goal of a net zero economy, generating over 26% of the EUs total energy,13 B. Noting with regret the lack of innovation in nuclear technologies across Europe, C. Further noting the lack of incentives for Member States and private sectors to invest in and develop nuclear technologies, D. Conscious of the European Commission's obligation to follow the European Climate Law, which demands a commitment to a net-zero economy by 2050, E. Bearing in mind the rights of Member States to develop their own National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs), F. Troubled by the stigma and fear surrounding nuclear energy amongst European citizens, G. Concerned by the abandonment of nuclear energy by some Member States, such as Germany,14 H. Conscious of the dangers of unsafe radioactive waste storage and disposal to public health and to the environment;

13 14

Nuclear power in the EU, World Nuclear Organisation, ​https://rb.gy/88hiqi Germany phases out nuclear power, DW, ​ https://rb.gy/ji2fmt

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Turku 2020 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland General Assembly, 25 October 2020

1. Encourages the continuation of international cooperation between Member States and other leaders in nuclear energy on projects such as ITER15 and the ​International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)16; 2. Requests that the European Innovation Council to provide research grants to the energy industry to innovate new nuclear technologies; 3. Seeking the European Commission’s affirmation on the role of nuclear energy in the European 2030 Climate and Energy Framework; 4. Highly recommends Member States reevaluate the place of nuclear energy in their NCEPs by the end of 2021; 5. Calls upon the European Nuclear Society and Euratom17 to educate the general public and community leaders about nuclear energy through conferences and workshops to combat stigma against nuclear energy; 6. Requests that the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) implement a retraining program to ease the workforce transition from carbon-based to nuclear energy; 7. Encourages Member States to install nuclear waste management facilities that are of Euratom safety standards18 such as the planned Onkalo spent nuclear repository in Finland.

​ITER, largest international nuclear fusion research project, ​https://www.iter.org/ ​ he International Atomic Energy Agency​: the world's centre for cooperation in the nuclear field, promoting the T safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technology.

17 ​Euratom​: an international organisation concerned with all aspects of nuclear energy, ​https://rb.gy/pdaxcr 18 Euratom basic safety standards directive, ​https://rb.gy/0d3swt 15 16

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M​OTION​ ​FOR​ ​A​ R​ESOLUTION​ ​BY THE​ C​OMMITTEE​ O ​ N​ R​EGIONAL​ D​EVELOPMENT​ ​(REGI)

A coal-ossal task: With ongoing negotiations over the EU’s Just Transition Fund to assist its eventual phase out of coal, how may European States ensure regional communities with historic and current ties to the coal industry are not left behind?

Submitted by:

Emily Hatzenberger (FR), Nella-Kaneli Hautala (FI), Nicolas Koivisto (FI), Nette Rimpioja (FI), John McCrohan (IE) (Chair)

The European Youth Parliament,

A. Recognising that the current form of the​ Just Transition Fund (JTF)19 does not take into account the circumstances of specific regions ​with vastly different levels of​ ​green energy potential20, B. Acknowledging that the current €18 billion earmarked for the JTF is not nearly enough and current EU budget legislation limits coordination between the JTF and national co-financing through the ​European Cohesion Fund21, C. Regrets that the JTF as standing provides no incentives to go beyond the ​Greenhouse Reduction Schedule22 and therefore regions with exceptional transition effectiveness may be neglected, D. Observing that regions with historic ties to the coal industry are not being sufficiently

recognised as cultural sites by i​nternational bodies like the ​United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization​ (​ UNESCO)23,

​The Just Transition Fund​: a monetary fund aimed at supporting EU regions most affected by the transition to a low carbon economy.

20 ​Green energy potential​: the potential a region has for a transition from a carbon based economy to a renewable alternative for energy production 21 ​The European Cohesion Fund​: an EU fund aimed at ending economic and social disparities between Member States.

22 ​The Greenhouse Reduction Schedule​: the EU’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 23 ​UNESCO​: a specialised agency of the United Nations aimed at promoting international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture.

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E. Frustrated by the fact that the​ NUTS level 224 regional analysis is too broad for use in the JTF, leading to an ineffective distribution of the funding, F. Disappointed with the lack of detail and coherence concerning the re-education of workers within transitioning regions​;

1. Calls upon Member States receiving support from the fund to provide an annual report to the European Commission, detailing progress and expenditure of the money allocated by the JTF​; 2. Encourages the Commission to secure the original €40 billion in JTF funding, in order to eliminate the need for cohesion fund contributions to the sum total​; 3. Urges the European Parliament to establish a Green Reward Mechanism for those regions surpassing their emission reduction targets; 4. Asks the European Commission to lessen the amount of a Member State’s Cohesion Fund to be allocated to JTF projects so as to increase the JTF’s efficiency; 5. Invites UNESCO and the ​European Cultural Foundation (ECF)25 to recognise the importance of coal sites in European history and culture, and to reinforce Article 3(3) of the ​Treaty of the European Union26; 6. Recommends the Commission assign the NUTS-level 3 data rather than level 2 for use in the JTF, to allow for a more effective and precise distribution of the funding; 7. Strongly urges the Member States as well as regional and local governments to determine and evaluate the labour market needs within the region, and to provide training accordingly; 8. Requests the expansion of the powers of the ​Secretariat of Technical Assistance to regions in Transition ​(START)27 ​to evaluate regions in coordination with the selection algorithms to approach the issue in a holistic view without leaving regions behind.

​NUTS Levels​: the current regional identifying method for the JTF, which subdivide Member States into regions for analysis. NUTS level 1 relates to the largest regions while NUTS level 2 relates to the most minute regions of study.

25 ​The European Cultural Foundation​: an organisation committed to​ promoting a shared European sentiment through developing and supporting cultural initiatives.

26 ​Article 3(3) of the Treaty on European Union​ states that the Union shall 'ensure that Europe's cultural heritage is safeguarded and enhanced’.

27 ​START​: a European body which aims to leave a legacy of enhanced transition-related expertise, capabilities, and capacities in the coal regions that receive their support.

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M​OTION​ ​FOR​ ​A​ R​ESOLUTION​ ​BY THE​ C​OMMITTEE​ ​ON​ E​NVIRONMENT​, P​UBLIC​ H​EALTH​ ​AND​ F​OOD​ S​AFETY​ II (ENVI II)

Taught for the very first time: Recent analysis has demonstrated that sexual education remains disparate throughout Europe, both in access and quality. With many experts arguing deficient sexual health resources lead to a higher transmission of STIs and unintended pregnancies, what actions can European states take to ensure all young people in Europe are provided equitable sexual education?

Submitted by:

Georgia Papadopoulou (GR),

Amanda Parkkinen (FI), Pinja

Puustinen (FI), Jagienka Mądrzak (Chairperson, PL), and Monica Ratinen (Chairperson, FI)

The European Youth Parliament,

A. Aware of the cultural and religious norms negatively affecting the general public approach, and thus the distribution of evidence-based sexual education, B. Conscious that the disparate sexual education in the EU leads to unintended pregnancies as well as large numbers of reported cases of​ Sexually Transmitted Infections​ ​(STI)28 every day, C. Notes with regret that the quality of sexual education on a local level is often inadequate due to the lack of monitoring and evaluation, D. Deeply concerned by the lack of significant topics in the school curricula such as but not limited to: i.

personal boundaries and consent, as it has a strong correlation with sexual harassment incidents,

ii. LGBTQ+ community matters, including sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender roles 29

,

​Sexually Transmitted Infections,​ also referred to as Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), are infections that are commonly spread by sexual activity.

29 ​Gender roles:​ are both social and behavioural norms, which are viewed to be socially appropriate for individuals of a specific sex.

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E. Recognising the lack of reliable research regarding effective sexual education, F. Deeply disturbed by the lack of adequate training for teachers needed to provide Comprehensive Sexual Education to students, G. Fully alarmed by the spread of misinformation on online platforms regarding sexual activity leading to youth’s unrealistic view on sexual intercourse;

1. Instructs the European Commission to provide funding to Ministries of Health and Education, through the EU Health Programme30, in order to further ensure that sexuality education is both provided and monitored throughout the schools in the country; 2. Recommends Ministries of Education of Member States to include consent and personal boundaries in their sexuality education programme in order to make young people safer and reduce the number of sexual harassment incidents; 3. Urges the ​International Planned Parenthood Federation (​IPPF​)31 to establish a system spread by ​Family Planning Associations​ (​FPAs​)32 to monitor and evaluate sexuality education by: a.

ensuring curriculas’ accordance with ​Standards for Sexuality Education in Europe33,

b.

collecting feedback from students;

4. Invites Member States to include in their sexuality education programmes materials helping young people understand gender identity and sexual orientation with age-appropriate and medically accurate information; 5. Requests the ​Federal Centre for Health Education ​(​BZgA​)34 to provide Member States with an online database including scientifically accurate information regarding sexuality education; The EU Health Programme:​ outlines the strategy for ensuring good health and healthcare. It feeds into the overall Europe 2020 strategy which aims to make the EU a smart, sustainable and inclusive economy promoting growth for all.

31 ​International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF): ​The largest non-governmental organization (NGO) providing recommendations, services and supplies in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights. It consists of 131 Member Associations working in over 160 countries.

32 ​Family Planning Associations (FPAs): ​Member Associations (MAs) of the IPPF European Network. They are non-profit organizations providing information and training of educators as well as education and health services for adolescents and adults in the areas of SRHR in their own countries.

33 ​Standards for Sexuality Education in Europe:​ A framework for policy makers as well as educational and health authorities created by the WHO Regional Office for Europe and Federal Centre for Health Education.

34 ​Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA):​ The BZgA has been designated as the World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Sexual and Reproductive Health. They focus on providing sexuality education for children and young people.

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6. Suggests ​Family Planning Associations (FPAs)35 adequately train educators in all aspects of sex and sexuality so that they're able to share accurate information with students providing them initial online training webinars; 7. Asks the BZgA to create an academic booklet for sexuality education teachers and organise additional training days; 8. Encourages the European Youth Forum36 to launch media campaigns regarding sexuality, sexual intercourse, gender identity, and gender roles in order to raise awareness, start public debate, and reduce stigma surrounding sexuality.

​Family Planning Associations (FPAs): ​Member Associations (MAs) of the IPPF European Network. They are non-profit organizations providing information and training of educators as well as education and health services for adolescents and adults in the areas of SRHR in their own countries.

36 ​The European Youth Forum:​ an international non-profit association serving as the platform of the national youth councils and international non-governmental youth organisations in Europe.

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M​OTION​ ​FOR​ ​A​ R​ESOLUTION​ ​BY THE​ C​OMMITTEE​ ​ON​ I​NDUSTRY​, R​ESEARCH​ ​AND​ E​NERGY​ II (ITRE II)

Still buffering: Whilst COVID-19 has demonstrated the necessity of high speed-internet access, a digital divide remains both between nations and regions.

With over 80 million Europeans reporting in 2018 they had never used the internet, what can Member States do to address the issue of provision?

Submitted by:

Darius Scutariu (RO), Rea Cenko (AL), Sofija Kostić (RS), Vincent Vainio-Fredriksson (FI), Ben Graham (Chairperson, IE), Chara Zeniou (Chairperson, CY/RS)

The European Youth Parliament,

A. Aware of the increased internet demand, due to increased remote working, has led to slower broadband speeds during the lockdown,37 B. Recognising that two of the Europe 2020 strategy’s “A Digital Agenda for Europe” initiative broadband targets will not be met,38 C. Gravely concerned by the lack of education in technical skills, especially in older generations, D. Concerned that with the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, areas without internet access suffer a far greater impact with less recourse to adjust to these measures, E. Alarmed by the lack of support for the rural areas that are struggling to catch up with the technological advancements of urban areas in relation to internet access and speed, F. Aware that ​Internet Service Providers’ (ISPs) ​profit motive often results in a lack of investment in digital infrastructure, shifting the cost to the consumer, G. Acknowledging the importance of ​Information Technology (IT)​ classes in schools in bridging the digital divide,

Empty offices, full homes: Coronavirus might strain the internet, Scott Moritz, Bloomberg, 2020, https://bit.ly/2HrSrl7 38 Broadband in the EU Member States, Special Report No. 12, European Court of Auditors, 2018​, https://bit.ly/2GrFKX9 37

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H. Noting with regret that despite the fact that the ​European Space Agency (ESA)39 recognised the importance of the contribution of space programmes in bridging the digital divide, no concrete steps have been taken towards tackling the issue;

1. Supports citizens across Member States to hold youth-led courses to assist older generations in the use of technology; 2. Encourages device manufacturers to provide accessible guides to assist older users in getting online; 3. Calls upon the European Commission to hold an annual conference to support collaboration amongst Member States in the provision of IT programmes; 4. Recommends ISPs to work with regional governments and local councils by forming rural internet access boards to further improve internet access in rural areas; 5. Advises that the European Commission works in collaboration with the ESA to extend the satellite constellations coverage in the EU in order provide better access to the internet in rural areas; 6. Instructs Member States to ensure broadband fees are subsidised for citizens in lower socioeconomic groups; 7. Requests that Member States support the installation of internet infrastructure in rural areas by providing incentives such as subsidies, provided the incoming state aid40 rules permit it.

​European Space Agency:​ an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to the exploration of space.

State aid:​ Commission invites comments on State aid rules for the deployment of broadband networks, European Commission, 2020, ​https://bit.ly/3mk7rAJ 39

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M​OTION​ ​FOR​ ​A​ R​ESOLUTION​ ​BY THE​ C​OMMITTEE​ ​ON​ C​IVIL​ L​IBERTIES​, J​USTICE​ A ​ ND​ H​OME​ A​FFAIRS​ (LIBE)

The country doth protest too much? With recent COVID-19 movement restrictions and clashes between local authorities and peaceful protesters breaking out in Europe and globally, how can the EU protect the right to peaceful protest especially in relation to the militarisation of police forces and set a global example?

Submitted by:

Mihaela Chiujdea (RO), Hüveyda Zelal İlbak (TR), Ronan Meleady (IE), Melissa Smovnik (SI), Daria Voicu (RO), Pilvi Kilpeläinen (Chairperson, FI)

The European Youth Parliament,

A. Bearing in mind that the EU was founded on the values of democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and equality,41 B. Observing that mass gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic may cause an increase in infection rates, C. Aware of the COVID-19 restrictions making it increasingly difficult for protesters to safely express their opinions by peacefully protesting, D. Acknowledging that certain European countries such as, but not limited to, Belarus42 and

Poland43 have failed to provide a safe environment for people to assemble freely without facing oppression, E. Alarmed by the current reality across the Europe that: i.

police are abusing their power and position against unarmed people,

ii. blatant violations of the freedom of expression and the right to public assembly by national governments are being executed,

​Europe: Mass protests provide hope as rights and judicial independence eroded, Amnesty International, 2020, https://bit.ly/3kulsex 42 ​Belarus: Police unleash appalling violence on peaceful protesters, Amnesty International 2020, https://bit.ly/2FVsUQQ 43 Poland 2019, Amnesty International, 2019,​ https://bit.ly/3ktbPwy 41

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F. Noting with deep regret the liberal and unnecessary use of non-lethal weapons such as, tear gas and rubber bullets, during protests often results in deaths,44 G. Regrets to inform the biased outcomes of court cases due to the transparency of the ​European

Court of Human Rights (ECHR)45;

1. Suggests Member States emphasise that protesters follow national COVID-19 safety measures

in public places, creating a safer environment; 2. Calling upon the European Commission to hold a conference for Member States to discuss and collaborate on ways to inform people of their right to assemble; 3. Proposes Member States to establish clear restrictions to the militarisation of the police by: a.

strengthening regulations of non-lethal weapons, such as tear gas and tasers more strictly in order to minimise casualties,

b.

requiring the most experienced leading officer to give the order regarding the use of non-lethal weapons and provide adequate warnings before deploying them;

4. Suggests Member States ban mass arrests at protests to preserve the rule of law;46 5. Recommends Member States to assure legislation and regulations regarding

police

intervention at protests to be better shared with the public; 6. Implores Member States to implement mandatory identification numbers of riot police in order to keep them responsible for their actions; 7. Calls upon the ​European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL)47 to: a.

implement riot police-specific ​training to prevent the use of violence by either party,48

b.

offer Member States’ police force courses to ensure they maintain their composure and protect citizens’ rights regardless of the demonstration circumstance​,

Facts About Riot Control Agents Interim document, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://bit.ly/2FWGHGZ 45 National security and secret evidence in legislation and before the courts: exploring the challenges, 2014, https://bit.ly/3dUeUmS 46 ​Belarus: Mass arrests during peaceful gatherings violated protesters’ rights and provoked violence, Amnesty International, 2020, h ​ ttps://bit.ly/31E777Y 47 ​European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training​: an agency of the EU dedicated to training law enforcement officials.

48 ​How police faced petrol bombs and flying bricks near Cambridge, Cambridgeshirelive, 2020, https://bit.ly/2TnKcte 44

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Turku 2020 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland General Assembly, 25 October 2020

c.

offer trainings for officers on using body cameras when on duty;

8. Requests the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)49 to mandate that information discussed in court cases pertaining to police brutality should be disclosed with the exemption of threatening someone else's case.

​European Court of Human Rights ​is an international court of the Council of Europe which interpretes the European Convention on Human Rights.

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