Resolution Booklet | 33rd National Selection Conference of EYP Greece

RESOLUTION BOOKLET

33rd National Selection Conference EYP Greece

Program of the General Assembly

08:00-08:30 Arrivals 08:30-09:30 Opening of the General Assembly 09:30-10:15 Motion for a resolution by the committee on Climate Change 10:15-11:00 Motion for a resolution by the committee on Foreign Affairs 11:00-11:15 Coffee Break 11:15-12:00 Motion for a resolution by the committee on Legal Affairs 12:00-12:45 Motion for a resolution by the committee on Security and Defence 12:45-13:30 Motion for a resolution by the committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs I 13:30-14:30 Lunch 14:30-15:15 Motion for a resolution by the committee Employment and Social Affairs 15:15-16:00 Motion for a resolution by the committee on Industry, Research and Energy 16:00-16:45 Motion for a resolution by the committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs 16:45-17:00 Coffee Break 17:00-17:45 Motion for a resolution by the committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection 17:45-18:30 Motion for a resolution by the committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs II 18:30-19:00 Coffee Break 19:00-20:30 Closing Ceremony

Procedure for the General Assembly General rules The wish to speak is indicated by raising the Committee placard. The authority of the Board is absolute.

Procedure and time settings 1. Presentation of the Motion for a Resolution (the Board read out the topic and introduce any Friendly Amendments, a member of the Proposing Committee reads out the Operative Clauses); 2. Points of Information (asked for by any Committees and answered by the Proposing Committee); 3. Defence Speech (maximum 3 minutes); 4. Attack Speeches (2 in total, maximum 2 minutes each); 5. Open Debate on the whole Motion for a Resolution (maximum 30 minutes): When there have been one or more Attack Speeches, the first point of the Open Debate will be made by the Proposing Committee (maximum 1.5 minute); 6. Summation Speech (maximum 3 minutes); 7. Voting procedure – the votes are collected by the Chairpersons; 8. Announcement of the voting results by the Board.

Friendly amendments Put forward by the Proposing Committee, these are last-minute modifications aiming at improving the Resolution. Amendments are to be handed to the Board on a specific form (distributed to the Chairpersons) one Resolution in advance – or as early as possible for the first Debates of the day.

Points of Information These are requests for brief explanations of the meaning of specific words and abbreviations.

Please note that translations are not Points of Information. Points of Information can, in addition to their place in the official order of the General Assembly, also be raised during the Open Debate.

Points of Personal Privilege These are requests for a Delegate to repeat a point that was inaudible. Failure to understand the language being spoken does not make for a Point of Personal Privilege.

Points of Order These can be raised by the Chairperson if a Delegate feels the Board have not properly followed Parliamentary procedure. Ultimately, the authority of the Board is absolute. 28th July – 1st August, International Forum Constance – Germany 3 Direct Responses

Once per Debate, each Committee may use the ‘Direct Response’ sign. Should a Committee member raise the Committee Placard and the ‘Direct Response’ sign during the Open Debate, he/she will immediately be recognised by the Board and given the floor as soon as the point being made is concluded. A Direct Response can only be used to refer to and discuss the point made directly beforehand. If two or more Direct Responses are requested at once, the Board will decide which Committee to recognise. In this case, the second Direct Response shall only be held if it can be referred to the first Direct Response, so on and so forth.

Defence Speech The Defence Speech is delivered from the podium by one member of the Proposing Committee.

It is used to explain the rationale of the overall lines of the Resolution and convince the Plenary that the Resolution is worthy of being adopted. This speech can last a maximum of three (3) minutes.

Attack Speeches Attack Speeches are delivered from the podium by individual Delegates from a Committee other than that proposing the Resolution at hand. Furthermore, they reflect individual opinions and are used to point out the flaws of the approach taken by the Proposing Committee and should propose alternative solutions. Oftentimes, Attack Speeches are concluded with an appeal to the Plenary not to adopt the Resolutions in their present forms – however, they can also come to the conclusion that, overall, the Resolutions are still worthy of adoption. Time permitting, two Attack Speeches will be allowed. Each Attach Speech can last a maximum of two (2) minutes.

Summation Speech The Summation Speech is delivered from the podium by one or two members of the proposing Committee – in case of the latter, the microphone can only be passed once. It is used to summarise the Debate, respond to main, selected criticism and to once more explain why the chosen approach is the most sensible. It typically concludes with an appeal to vote in favour of the Resolution. This speech can last a maximum of three (3) minutes.

M OTION FOR A R ESOLUTION BY T HE C OMMITTEE ON C LIMATE C HANGE (CLIM) In the aftermath of the 2015 Paris Climate Change Conference (COP21), what role should the E.U play in the fight against Climate Change?

Submitted by:

Batsakoutsa Alkistis, Chatzigianni Relianna, Mattheou Ioannis, Oikonomidis Alexios, Palamouti Eirini, Poulaki Ioanna, Porfyri Konstantina, Raftopoulou Vasiliki, Spyrakis Ioannis, Theochari Vasiliki, Veggou Niki, Zarkadoula Simone.

The European Youth Parliament, A. Alarmed by the environmental imbalance caused by the 50% increase in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) and CO2 emissions since 1990, B. Alarmed by the inefficiency of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS)1 and its subsequent inability to provide investment incentives to green industries, C. Bearing in mind that certain Member States of the EU lack in the implementation of green technologies, due to the high installation and maintenance costs, D. Deeply alarmed by the health issues indirectly caused by climate change, such as respiratory diseases, E. Noting with concern the public’s indifference and unawareness towards climate change, despite the wide accessibility of information;

1. Urges the European Commission to raise carbon taxes and reduce the cap in the EU ETS; 2. Suggests that EU’s Member States further invest in green technologies, to ensure their successful deployment in every Member State; 3. Invites NGOs to raise awareness among all citizens concerning the dangers of climate change upon human health through the use of media; 4. Emphasises the need to minimise animal products’ consumption, in order to reduce methane emissions from animal waste; 5. Welcomes the adoption of an eco-friendlier lifestyle by using public means of transport.

1

EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS): The first international system for trading greenhouse gas emission allowances by putting an annually reducing limit to overall emissions from high-emitting industry sectors within which companies can buy and sell emissions allowances as needed (Cap and Trade Principle).

M OTION FOR A R ESOLUTION BY T HE C OMMITTEE ON F OREIGN A FFAIRS (AFET) After a decade of accession negotiations, what should the political framework of EU-Turkey relations look like?

Submitted by:

Andrianaki Stella, Asimotou Christina-Maria, Gkotsi Elisavet-Ioanna, Kaisari Polyxeni, Kallergis Vasilis, Kastora Athanasia Dionisia, Mpouras Dimitrios-Stamatios, Nikitakis Ioannis, Tiganourias Giorgos, Hatira Katerina, Chronas Georgios.

The European Youth Parliament, A. Concerned by the chronic impasse between Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus, an EU Member State, due to the ongoing Turkish occupation of the northern sector of the Republic's territory, B. Deploring Turkey’s use of force against Kurdish insurgent groups, C. Deeply alarmed by the severe violations of human rights and press freedom committed by the current Turkish government, D. Taking into account the significant cultural and religious differences between the EU and Turkey, E. Pointing out the risk of massive economic migration from Turkey towards the EU due to the inequality of wealth;

1. Invites Turkey to promptly start the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus; 2. Declares the formal recognition of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkey, as well as its compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights, as a condition for Turkey’s accession to the EU; 3. Urges the Turkish government and the Kurdish authorities to open a diplomatic channel in order to reach a peaceful solution to the Kurdish-Turkish conflict, with the release of Abdullah Öcalan1 as a sign of good will from the side of Turkey; 4. Requests that Turkey guarantees the right of representation of ethnic minorities in its political institutions; 5. Supports the creation of an extensive investment package in Turkey by EU-based firms; 6. Instructs a sensible increment of the minimum wage in Turkey and the enhancement of public provision in its most degraded areas.

1

Abdullah Öcalan is the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

M OTION FOR A R ESOLUTION BY T HE C OMMITTEE ON L EGAL A FFAIRS (JURI) What Europe needs to do after Snowden vs. what Europe needs to do after Paris; in light of the new E.U.-U.S. “Privacy Shield” agreement, on what legal basis can the E.U. guarantee the fundamental rights to privacy and data protection of its citizens?

Submitted by:

Alimantiris Dimitrios, Chasouri Anastasia-Sofia, Kakoukini Martha, Karlovits Ioanna, Manou Aimilia, Mitrakou Panagiota, Nikolopoulou Tatianna, Samara Eleni, Sdrali Kalipso-Sofia, Strousopoulos Stavros, Tsilikis Dimitrios, Vakalopoulou Calliope-Anna.

The European Youth Parliament, F. Recognising that an adequate protection of the EU’s citizens right to privacy requires the political will from the EU side to enforce and implement protection standards, G. Affirming the different perspectives of EU and United States’ (US) legislation with regards to the right to privacy, H. Noting with regret the mass surveillance practices of the US National Security Agency (NSA), I.

Taking note of the influence of US enterprises in the negotiations of the Privacy Shield Agreement,

A. Noting with regret the current crisis of liberal values in the EU, especially concerning the individual’s right to privacy, B. Alarmed by the short timeframe during which the Privacy Shield Agreement was drafted, C. Conscious of the rising level of mistrust of the European Commission regarding the Privacy Shield Agreement negotiations, D. Concerned by the lack of public awareness of the implications of counter- terrorism to the limitations of the right to privacy, E. Alarmed by the lack of transparency, efficacy, independence, and implementation of the mechanisms proposed in the Privacy Shield Agreement;

1. Strongly affirms the EU should protect its citizens against mass surveillance practices in any case; 2. Suggests the EU shall negotiate for the establishment of penalties on US companies and entities which are transferring data outside the EU and do not comply with EU data protection laws, in the form of fines; 3. Encourages public interest representation in the negotiation process of the Privacy Shield Agreement; 4. Instructs that all data relating to EU citizens are hosted on EU-based servers; 5. Directs that access to the aforementioned data will be granted to the US NSA solely in cases of emergency, such as terrorist attacks or threats, provided that it also provides any relevant information to the EU; 6. Welcomes educational programmes, such as the European Youth Parliament, which promote active citizenship, critical thinking and respect to the rule of law through nonformal learning.

M OTION FOR A R ESOLUTION BY T HE C OMMITTEE ON S ECURITY AND D EFENCE (SEDE) Revisiting the Common Security and Defence Policy; how should Europe act to ensure peace, stability, and security in the Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA) region?

Submitted by:

Bannerton Aikaterini, Christoforos Ilias, Drakos Iason, Georgiadis Ilias,Gontze Paraskevi, Karaiskos Ilias, Masiou Evanthia, Stefanopoulou Stefania, Vasilaki Ioanna, Vazelakis Dimitrios, Venniou Antonia.

The European Youth Parliament, A. Observing that the EU’s Member States’ different approaches to foreign policy render the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) inefficient when responding to crisis in the MENA region, B. Deeply concerned by the recent radical degradation of human rights and security in the MENA region caused by the actions of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), C. Recognising that the situation in the region causes large numbers of refugees to flee to Europe, D. Further concerned by the escalation of security threats posed by ISIS, such as the possible use of weapons of mass destruction in future terrorist attacks, E. Believing that limited opportunities for education in the MENA region are contributing to the current situation of destabilisation;

1. Urges the EU’s Member States to refrain from taking any drastic actions, such as military intervention, without communicating their intentions to the other Member States; 2. Requests the deployment of the EU Battlegroups1 in case of crisis threatening the external borders of the EU; 3. Encourages the extension of the mandate of the European Union Naval ForceMediterranean Operation Sophia2 in order to prevent the further loss of human lives in the MENA region; 4. Encourages closer cooperation between the Member States of the EU and financial institutions in both the EU and the MENA region, in order to combat the illegal financing of terrorist groups in the MENA region; 5. Supports the establishment of an EU agency mandated to closely collaborate with the EU institutions with the purpose of regulating arms trade between the EU and conflict regions; 6. Encourages the EU’s Member States to further work towards non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

1

The EU Battlegroup concept is a military instrument under the CSDP for rapid response when necessary. The Battlegroups made full operational capability on 1 January 2007, but they have never been deployed.

2 As part of the European Union's Comprehensive Approach, on 22 June 2015 the EU launched a European Union military operation in the Southern Central Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED). The aim of this military operation is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers.

7. Promotes peace and coexistence in the MENA region by: a)

initiating EU-funded conflict prevention projects,

b)

funding of already existing educational programs;

8. Emphasises the importance of regional cooperation in the MENA region for the alleviation of existing turmoil and ensuring peace in the future.

M OTION FOR A R ESOLUTION BY T HE C OMMITTEE ON C IVIL L IBERTIES , J USTICE AND H OME A FFAIRS I (LIBE I) Refugees in a fortified world; what steps should the EU take towards a common European asylum policy?

Submitted by:

Andrianaki Stella, Asimotou Christina-Maria, Eirini, Chronas Georgios, Gkotsi Elisavet-Ioanna, Hatira Katerina, Kaisari Polyxeni, Kalergis Vasilis, Kastora Athanasia-Dionisia, Mpouras Dimitrios-Stamatios, Nikitakis Ioannis, Tiganourias Giorgos, Tsagaraki Eleftheria

The European Youth Parliament, A. Deeply alarmed by the numerous deaths due to unsafe migration routes, B. Bearing in mind the current ineffectiveness of border control in the EU, C. Regretting the fact that certain ‘transit’ countries among Member States of the EU are not willing to assist in the refugee crisis, D. Worried by the ineffectiveness of the Dublin Regulation,1 E. Noting with regret the lack and inadequacy of refugee-hosting facilities, especially in frontline countries;

1. Requests the reopening of all EU countries’ borders; 2. Calls upon the European Commission to propose a more effective framework for allocating asylum seekers; 3. Strongly urges the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs and the European Council for Refugees and Exiles2 to increase funding for the creation of better facilities for refugees by; 4. Calls for the allocation of refugee-support funds reflecting the needs and economic state of the hosting countries; 5. Encourages more effective border control through Frontex3.

1

A European Union law that determines the EU Member State responsible to examine an application for asylum seekers.

2 The European Council for Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) is a pan-European network of 90 NGOs protecting and promoting the rights of refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons.

3 Frontex is an agency of the European Union established in 2004 to manage the cooperation between national border guards securing its external borders.

M OTION FOR A R ESOLUTION BY T HE C OMMITTEE ON E MPLOYMENT AND S OCIAL A FFAIRS (EMPL) A silent emergency in European metropoleis; how can the European Union work towards ensuring affordable, sustainable, and liveable housing for all its citizens?

Submitted by:

Aggeli Anna-Aristea, Andrianopoulos Dionysios, Athanasiou Despoina, Halikopoulos Konstantinos, Mpoutsikou Nefeli-Dimtra, Paganopoulou Eleni,Papaioannou Danae, Papanikolaou Charikleia, Sakarikou Eirini, Sotirakopoulos Giorgos.

The European Youth Parliament, A. Noting with regret that more than 50% of the European population still lacks access to sustainable housing, B. Deeply concerned by the increase of both housing prices and household maintenance costs that followed the 2008 economic recession, C. Acknowledging the disproportion of social housing funds to the increasing number of people struggling with housing problems within most of the EU’s Member States, D. Reminding the recognition of adequate housing as a basic human right in Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, E. Deeply alarmed by decreased supply and the consequent rise in prices in the housing market due to the recent influx of refugees, F. Pointing out that more than four in ten European households are facing challenges in affording their bills and mortgages;

1. Invites the EU’s Member States to adopt legislation that protects the ‘first’ residence of loaners living in the risk of poverty; 2. Urges the EU’s Member States to reinforce social housing by: a)

reducing taxation for property lenders of houses used for social housing,

b)

providing extra funds for NGOs affiliated with social housing projects;

3. Recommends the allocation of house refurbishment funds through the European Social Fund; 4. Further recommends that the aforementioned refurbishment programmes involve people with limited access to housing to contribute to the renovation process with the exchange of rental allowances; 5. Encourages further cooperation between all Member States of the EU in order to address the refugee influx and the lack of sufficient social housing; 6. Emphasises the need for rendering both existing and future houses energy efficient through further collaboration between Member States of the EU and NGOs.

M OTION FOR A R ESOLUTION BY T HE C OMMITTEE ON I NDUSTRY , R ESEARCH AND E NERGY (ITRE) Catching up with the digitalization of the energy sector; how should Europe address the challenges rising from the integration of Renewable Energy sources (RES) to the electricity grid and ensure secure, sustainable, and affordable electricity for its citizens?

Submitted by:

Antonatou Kalliope, Fillipidou Maria, Iakovidis Fillipos, Katserelis Konstantinos, Kofinas Achilefs, Marselos Michalis, Mirodia Alexandra, Moustakis Apostolis, Papageorgakis Fotis, Stathakarou Aikaterini, Topali Christina, Tsiggos NIkolaos.

The European Youth Parliament, A. Taking into consideration that the implementation of the EU’s 2020 Climate & Energy package relies upon the accomplishment of three key objectives by 2020: i)

the reduction of greenhouse emissions by 20% to 30% under the right conditions,

ii)

20% increase of Renewable Energy Resources’ production share,

iii)

20% improvement of energy efficiency,

B. Noting with deep concern the EU’s dependence on energy imports with 53.4% of the total energy consumed being imported in 2014, C. Welcoming the launch of 459 smart grid projects between 2002 and 2014, in the areas of Research and Development (R&D) and Demonstration and Deployment (D&D), amounting to a total of EUR 3.15 billion in investments, D. Recognising with appreciation the EUR 650 million pledged to the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)1 for their effort towards financing trans-European energy infrastructure projects, E. Deeply concerned by the digital security challenges European grid operators face, such as the cyber-attack on a power utility specialising in renewable energy in Germany in November of 2015, F. Taking into account that in 2008 transport and industry made up 50%, whilst households only amounted to 25%, of the total energy consumption of the EU;

7. Strongly urges the EU’s Member States to incentivise microgeneration2 by the means of setting favourable taxation upon small-scale energy production;

1

The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) supports trans- European networks and infrastructures in the sectors of transport, telecommunications and energy.

2 Microgeneration: Small scale generation of energy through renewable means by individuals, small businesses and communities.

1. Calls upon Member States to provide financial benefits to Distribution System Operators (DSO)1 and Transmission System Operators (TSO)2 in accordance with the extent of their investment into the development of smart grids; 2. Recommends the European Parliament to further expand the workforce of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy with experts, in order to speed up the development of policies aimed at successful deployment in the area of RES and smart grid innovations; 3. Encourages local governments to inform and educate citizens on the benefits of home energy production through advertisements and seminars; 4. Urges the European Commission to directly employ ethical hackers and data protection experts in order to introduce new techniques towards the improvement of the data security of energy consumers, producers, and ‘prosumers’3 connected to smart grids.

1

Distribution system operator (DSO) is responsible for operating, ensuring the maintenance of and, if necessary, developing the electricity distribution system in a given area.

2 Transmission system operator (TSO) is responsible for transporting electrical power on a national or regional level, using fixed infrastructure.

3 Prosumers: A person who is both involved both in the production and consumption of a given commodity.

M OTION FOR A R ESOLUTION BY T HE C OMMITTEE ON E CONOMIC AND M ONETARY A FFAIRS (ECON) What steps should the EU take towards democratic accountability, legitimacy and institutional strengthening of the Economic and Monetary Union?

Submitted by:

Chiletis Christos, Dimitriou Nikolaos, Flokas Charis, Kalantzis Nikolaos, Kornarou Marika, Lampropoulou Maria-Alexandra, Makri Antigoni, Plevridi Maria, Potozis Giorgos, Roufogali Nefeli, Telis Ioannis, Tsenes Vasilis.

The European Youth Parliament, A. Concerned by the lack of involvement of the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in the Economic and Monetary Union’s (EMU)1 decision making process, B. Alarmed by the lack of transparency of the EMU’s decision making process due to decisions being made behind closed doors, C. Gravely concerned that limited democratic accountability leads to self-assertion, due to mistrust between citizens and politicians, especially in times of crisis, D. Aware that the EMU is divided by the existence of debtors and creditors amongst its members, which results in lack of trust and solidarity between the EU’s Member States, E. Bearing in mind that the EMU’s legitimacy is affected by the decrease of public support, F. Believing that the first EMU reform plan2 lacked unity, functionality, stability, and effectiveness in bringing about progressively closer economic integration;

1. Requests further involvement of the European Parliament in the EMU’s decision making process in accordance with The Five Presidents' Report;3 2. Urges all EU institutions to transparently publish details of their decision making processes and make public records of their conferences available online; 3. Calls upon the EU’s Member States to hold referenda seeking approval or disapproval regarding significant decisions by the EMU’s main actors;4

1

The Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) is an umbrella term for the group of policies aimed at converging the economies of member states of the European Union.

2 The implementation of the Report titled “Towards a genuine Economic and Monetary Union”.

3 A report aiming to increase the transparency of the EMU, further economic integration, and build towards a fiscal union.

4 Within the EMU no single institution is responsible for economic policy. Instead, the responsibility is divided between Member States and the EU institutions. The main actors in EMU are the European Council, the Council of the EU, the 'Eurogroup', the Member States, the European Commission, the European Central Bank (ECB), and the European Parliament.

4. Asks the European Fiscal Board1 to further encourage Member States to

cooperate more closely and further harmonise economic policy, as a first step towards a fiscal union.

1

The European Fiscal Board was set up in November 2015 following The Five Presidents' Report and is to provide a public and independent assessment of budgets.

M OTION FOR A R ESOLUTION BY T HE C OMMITTEE ON I NTERNAL M ARKET AND C ONSUMER P ROTECTION (IMCO) In the Aftermath of the Volkswagen scandal, how can the E.U. reinforce the credibility, accountability, and effectiveness of its regulations?

Submitted by:

Alexandropoulou Eva, Alexopoulou Ourania, Andrikopoulos Alexios, Fotiou Pinelopi, Lolou Theodora,Makri Christina, Metaxaki Danae, Papageorgeiou Alexandros, Trompeta Elaina Tzoumas Ioannis, Vasileiou Zoi, Xoulaki Stefania.

The European Youth Parliament, A. Concerned by the lack of interest and participation of EU citizens in public discourse and EU lawmaking procedures and the subsequent lack of input on legislative mechanisms, B. Observing that the complexity in the EU’s legal framework leads to grey areas and legal loopholes that corporations active in the European Single Market1 may exploit, C. Noting with regret that regulators present in EU institutions, i.e. the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council, are often unqualified to assess problematic situations, D. Deeply concerned by the insufficient consumer protection and existing oversight of the European Single Market, E. Aware of the lack of transparency between the stakeholders of the European Single Market and consequently the high uncertainty within it;

1. Calls for raising awareness amongst EU citizens on the importance of public discussion and contribution to the decision-making process within the EU, through online surveys, mass media and other educational instruments; 2. Directs the European Parliament to expand the accessibility of citizens’ opportunities to actively contribute to the creation of new legal framework concerning internal market and consumer protection within its proceedings; 3. Recommends processing new and already existing EU legislation through the Better Regulation Guideline;2 4. Strongly encourages that regulators’ attend a mandatory number of EU seminars, and other trainings, in order to gain relevant experience and knowledge regarding the topics of their direct involvement; 5. Recommends broadening and improvement in the use of the so-called “Leniency programme”,3 regarding the improvement of transparency within the European Single Market;

1

The European Single Market refers to the EU as one territory without any internal borders or other regulatory obstacles to the free movement of goods and services.

2 Better Regulation Guideline regards designing EU policies and laws so that they achieve their objectives at minimum cost. It ensures that policy is prepared, implemented and reviewed in an open, transparent manner, informed by the best available evidence and backed up by involving stakeholders.

3 Leniency Programme is a general term for the total or partial reduction of fines applied to firms that co-operate with antitrust authorities in cartel investigations.

6. Requests the provision of additional funding for research on ways to detect harmful and illegal actions within the European Single Market.

M OTION FOR A R ESOLUTION BY T HE C OMMITTEE ON C IVIL L IBERTIES , J USTICE AND H OME A FFAIRS II (LIBE II) A crisis of liberal values in Europe; how should the EU’s Member States respond to the rise of Islamophobia, violent extremism, and hate speech?

Submitted by:

Arsenikos Emmanouil, Farsarotas Vasileios, Georgiou Eirini, Georgopoulou Stavroula, Georgopoulou Ekavi, Koufalioti Maria, Lampropoulou Despoina, Marinopoulou Asimina, Panagou Evgeneia, Spyrou Ellie, Vaianis Evaggelos.

The European Youth Parliament, A. Noting with deep concern the disparity in the EU’s Member States’ legal codes regarding penalisation of hate speech, hate crime, manifestations of racism and acts of discrimination, B. Deeply convinced that the primary cause for racism and discrimination is the lack of education, which leads to cultural ignorance, C. Gravely concerned by the existence of discrimination in both public and private sphere1 to date, D. Deploring the fact that populist and anti-democratic parties throughout Europe exploit precarious economic or political circumstances, E. Reiterating its conviction in the ability of a strong, open and multicultural civil society to withstand discriminatory behaviours exposing their inherent irrationality;

1. Urges the Council of Ministers to drastically decrease the discrepancies between the Member States’ legal codes concerning the criminal prosecution of hate speech and discrimination, putting further emphasis on: a)

sanctioning Member States that continuously violate the agreed upon antidiscrimination acts,

b)

fining, with particular rigour, office-bearers violating the aforementioned legal improvements;

2. Decides the reinforced cooperation with the Consortium of Institutions for Development and Research in Education in Europe (CIDREE)2 in order to harmonise the curricula of the EU’s Member States with regards to the teaching of cultural and religious issues; 3. Resolves to the funding of workshops and speeches promoting intercultural and interreligious dialogue, executed by experts in schools throughout Europe;

1

Cf. http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_263_en.pdf and for the continued existance http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_263_en.pdf 2 Consortium of Institutions for Development and Research in Education in Europe, cf. http://www.cidree.org/ and further http://www.cidree.org/fileadmin/files/pdf/publications/YB_15_Improving_Literacy_Skills_Acros s_Learning.pdf

4. Calls upon the EU’s Member States to continuously enforce and protect the Employment Equality Directive;1 5. Proclaims the creation and funding of a contest that will invite artists to submit satirical or artistic renderings concerning the self-contradictoriness of racism and discriminations, the winner works of which are to be published.

1

The Employment Equality Directive prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion and belief, age, disability and sexual orientation.