Latest news from Jean Lambert, London's Green Party MEP

Green MEPs win cross-party support for EU action plan to stamp out homophobia

Jean Lambert — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 00:00:00 +0100

GREEN MEPs have won cross-party backing for a new EU 'roadmap' on eliminating all discimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

With intolerance on the rise across the EU, Greens called for an EU-wide action plan based on all Member States adopting a coherent approach - with the European Commission empowered to take concrete follow-up measures against countries that do not comply.

London's Green MEP Jean Lambert, who is a member of the European Parliament's cross-party Intergroup on LGBT Rights, said:

"MEPs have today made clear that homophobia should no longer be tolerated in Europe. Despite EU legislation to protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace, there is still massive discrimination, bullying and violence - in schools, workplaces and in everyday life situations. To address this, MEPs have today supported the call for an EU roadmap against homophobia and discrimination based on sexual identity.

"The European Commission must finally outline a coherent approach at EU level, with concrete action against this undermining of European values. The strong support from almost all political groups for this report shows that homophobic tendencies in Europe are losing ground and a large majority in Europe no longer wants to accept this intolerance. Homophobic laws are unacceptable and cannot be tolerated in Europe.

"With LGBT rights in the spotlight as Russia hosts the Winter Olympics from this Friday, and London sees a major demonstration tomorrow (Wednesday), the issue is timely - and now is the time to act."

The full report, drafted by Austrian Green MEP Ulrike Lunacek, is available here .

Details of the London demonstration can be found here.

Greens urge all to get on roll for National Voter Registration Day

Jean Lambert — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 00:00:00 +0100

LONDON'S Green MEP Jean Lambert has urged all Londoners who are entitled to vote, whether they are UK, EU or Commonwealth nationals or citizens, to register to do so ahead of 'National Voter Registration Day', which takes place on Wednesday (February 5th).

Campaign group 'Bite the Ballot' are organising this year's campaign, which is timed to mark the anniversary of the 1832 Reform Act which gave many of us (well, many men anyway!) the right to vote for the first time.

'Bite the Ballot!' hopes as many as 250,000 UK residents - especially younger people - will register to vote on Wednesday.

Ms Lambert said "Everyone should be entitled to have their say on which politicians make the decisions that affect their day-to-day lives - and the first step is to register to vote.

"About a million non-UK EU citizens live in the capital, and most of them will be entitled to vote in the European election this May. I hope many of them register to vote and have their say - whatever party they support.

"This is about ensuring the political rights of all who could vote to be able to exercise that crucial right by registering - at least they then have a choice whether to vote or not, or even stand for election!"

Elections to the European Parliament, as well as many councils including London Boroughs and a some mayoral contests, will be held on Thursday, May 22nd.

'EU climate proposals must go further' - Green MEP

Jean Lambert — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0100

LONDON'S Green MEP Jean Lambert has criticised proposals for new climate change targets published by the the European Commission has today, saying they must go further.

The European Commission has today published proposals setting out how the EU will tackle climate change between now and 2030.

Specifically, they must also include a target on improving energy efficiency, said Ms Lambert - and they should be higher.

"The EU should offer real leadership on tackling climate change," she said.

"Climate Change is a truly global problem, and we need to tackle it fairly. It is the developed world which has caused the lion's share of the emissions which are already causing devastating climate change - and poorer developing countries that are paying the heaviest price.

"The EU needs to be much more ambitious. I welcome the fact that these proposals include targets on reducing CO2 emissions - and increasing the amount of our electricity we generate from renewable sources, but at 40% and 27% respectively these targets just aren't high enough.

"Greens believe we need to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 60% by 2030 - and to do that we'll need to generate at least 45% of our electricity from renewable sources like wind, solar and tidal. Even MEPs in general have been more ambitious than the Commission.

"The strategy also calls for progress on improving energy efficiency by as much as a quarter but stops short of setting a target that would require Member State governments to actually do so - and that's deeply disappointing.

"Increasing energy efficiency by requiring EU governments to improve insulation in the EU's crumbling housing stock is the single measure that would do most to cut domestic energy bills while tackling climate change and creating jobs - but these proposals stop short of requiring that.

"This strategy really matters - not just because it will dictate action here in the EU but also because it will be the bedrock of the EU's negotiating position at next year's crucial UN Climate Talks in Paris, and could therefore end up shaping global climate policy too.

"The proposals will be considered by all MEPs next month - and Greens will continue to work to improve them then."

MEPs urge Bangladesh leaders to find solution to election impasse in best interests of all

Jean Lambert — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0100

MEPs have called on all Bangladeshi leaders to agree on a solution to the post-election political impasse after opposition leaders were arbitrarily arrested following a general election there earlier this month.

The election, which was held on January 5th but was boycotted by the main opposition parties and marred by violence which has seen more than 300 killed since the beginning of last year, including 18 on election day, saw a record low turnout and has resulted in victory for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League.

Since the election, opposition leader Khaleda Zia has had her movement restricted, and other prominent BNP members have been arrested or have gone into hiding fearing reprisals.

London's Green MEP Jean Lambert, who chairs the European Parliament's Delegation to South Asia and was one of the motion's proposers, said:

"This election, and the run-up to it, has seen some of worst political turmoil in Bangladesh's history.

"We deeply regret the violence on all sides, and the boycott and strikes called by the opposition so that not all political choices were available to the Bangladeshi people in the election.

"The shocking violence of election day itself, including the arson attacks on polling stations, a number of which were schools, and the attacks on minorities were worrying.

"We urge all political leaders to search for a solution in the best interests of all Bangladeshis, and to look at number of options, including holding early elections if all legitimate parties are willing to offer the electorate a full choice."

The violence of the last months has affected the livelihood of many Bangladeshis and business leaders are concerned about the effects of ongoing instability.

She added: "This is paralysing Bangladesh's fragile economy, and making daily life impossible for millions, and we strongly condemn all the violence on all sides - and send the EU's condolences to all affected."

"The Government must release all arbitrarily-arrested opposition political leaders, thoroughly investigate all political violence, committed by all sides, bringing the perpetrators to justice, ensure maximum restraint by the police and protection for minority communities.

"Equally, we must see an end to the hartals and street conflict and move to political discussion.

"I am delighted that my fellow MEPs have backed this position, which I'll be formally raising on behalf of the European Parliament's delegation to Bangladesh at the earliest opportunity."

Cuts and austerity must maintain healthcare, Green MEP warns after visit to Greece

Jean Lambert — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0100

CUTS in Government spending must preserve health and social care, London MEP Jean Lambert has said at a conference on health-care in austerity-hit Greece.

"Reducing public spending by limiting access to essential health and social care is counterproductive and cruel," said the Green MEP, "and will only lead to increased spending in the longer-term.
"A central role of any Government is to preserve the well-being of its residents, and cuts to care are undermining this responsibility.

"The Troika of the European Commission, the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank which manages the terms of EU bailouts must be looked at again in this light.

"I welcome the involvement of the WHO, which I hope the Greek Government will accept willingly, given the current state of the Greek healthcare system, where almost one third of the population does not have health full health cover and we are seeing infant mortality starting to rise.

"I think the Troika should be disbanded - and until that happens it should be supplemented with a group charged with measuring the social effects of any austerity measures imposed such as the ILO."
She made her comments at an Athens conference on healthcare co-sponsored by Greek Green MEP Nikos Chrysogelos, a medical association and the Archbishopric of Athens.
Ms Lambert added: "Cuts in government spending have led to crucial care service being curtailed across Europe, with a move away from promoting independent living for people with disabilities and increased pressure on the ‘friends and relatives army' providing much informal care for older people.

"This must be reversed - the human, and economic, costs are just too high."

This month Greece took up the rotating presidency of the EU, a role the country will hold for six-months.

MEPs back cross-party proposals to hit wildlife criminals' �22bn profits

Jean Lambert — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0100

EURO-MPs have voted to set up a new EU-wide police unit to tackle wildlife crime after it emerged that it was netting gangsters some £22bn a year, making wildlife crime the fourth most profitable illegal activity after selling drugs, weapons and human trafficking.

The value of the illegal wildlife trade has risen sharply in recent years - the trade was worth a reported £15bn a year ago - and wildlife group have warned it now threatens ecosystems, political balance and safety of populations.

Although much wildlife crime occurs outside Europe - for example, almost two thirds of forest elephants in Central Africa were illegally killed between 2002 and 2012 for their ivory - the EU is often the criminals' base and ultimate destination for the 'poached' wildlife trophies.

London's Green MEP Jean Lambert, speaking after the vote, said: "Wildlife crime is big business - and it's being carried out here in the EU by an assortment of nasty gangs, with links to the drugs and arms trades.

"As well as threatening biodiversity around the world, and some of our most-loved species' very existence, wildlife crime is tearing communities apart and threatening political instability in some of the world's most volatile regions.

"I am delighted MEPs have adopted this zero-tolerance approach - and I hope the European Commission and Member State governments now follow suit."

Specifically, MEPs have backed the creation of a new EU-wide police unit, harsher penalties for wildlife criminals, mandatory destruction of illegal ivory, better training of police and prosecutors and a more unified approach by EU customs officers.

Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik told MEPs the EU will launch a public consultation on the issue next month and hold a conference on it on 10 April.

MEPs also called on the European Commission to raise the issue in talks with the EU's international partners and make it a priority when shaping EU aid policy.

The resolution was passed overwhelmingly: by 647 votes to 14, with no abstentions.

MEPs vote for plastic bag ban by 2020

Jean Lambert — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0100

EURO-MPs have voted to ban plastic bags across the EU by 2020 - and introduce mandatory plastic recycling targets.

Introducing alternatives, and recycling more plastic, would clean up our seas, reduce litter on land, and create jobs, according to London's Green MEP Jean Lambert.

She said that the economic potential of recycling plastics is still largely unexploited. Only 25% of plastic wastes are currently recycled.
"Better management of plastic waste could save €72 billion a year, boost the annual turnover of EU waste management and recycling firms by €42 billion and create over 400,000 jobs by 2020," she said.

Ms Lambert, who last year considered the implications of better use of plastics on jobs for the European Parliament's Employment and Social Affairs Committee, said:

"Parliament has today made clear the need for the EU to do more to tackle the pervasive problem of plastic waste and its impact on health and the environment.

"These bags are very low-hanging fruit when it comes to reducing unnecessary plastic waste, and its impact on the environment. As a number of member states have already shown, the use of these bags can be significantly reduced with effective policy-making.
"While member states should be free to go further, there should be ambitious and obligatory EU reduction targets and plastic bags should always come at a cost, otherwise plastic bag consumption will continue to grow.

"Single-use plastic bags are an outdated solution to the problem of how to take our shopping home, and I am delighted MEPs have this week voted to set a timetable for their withdrawal from use - and agreed to phase out the use most harmful types of plastics, and dangerous plastic additives (oxo-biodegradable plastics, certain phthalates and brominated flame retardants) completely."

MEPs also called for restrictions on land-filling or incinerating plastic waste - and a review of EU packaging legislation.

The resolution will now be considered by the European Commission, which is expected to publish legislative proposals later this year.

London Euro-MP promises to stand up for gay rights

Jean Lambert — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0100

GREEN MEP for London Jean Lambert has signed a pledge to put equality and human rights - including those of LGBTI people - at the heart of her work in the European Parliament.

Ms Lambert signed the 'Come Out' pledge, which has been organised by ILGA (the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association), at a Strasbourg ceremony yesterday.

As well as promising to put equality and LGBTI rights high on the EU's agenda if re-elected to the European Parliament later this year, Ms Lambert has agreed to take a number of specific actions, including working for the creation of a new EU Human Rights 'watchdog' to hold Member States accountable for any violations of LGBTI rights.

The pledge also calls for new EU Anti-Discrimination law, better protection for LGBTI asylum seekers, more investment in healthcare for LGBTI people - and to make the EU a world equality 'champion'.

Ms Lambert, who is a member of the European Parliament's cross-party group on LGBTI issues, said enhancing the rights of sexual minorities and promoting equality was a core value of the EU.

"The fight for the rights of all minorities - including LGBTI people - is an ongoing struggle in the world today, and the EU has a key role to play in ensuring equality and the protection of human rights for all.

"Unfortunately, there are still 76 nations in the world where homosexuality is a crime - and discrimination is all-too widespread, even in the EU. We must remain vigilant against new forms of repression again minorities: just this week, for example, the Greens are calling on the EU to condemn new anti-gay laws in some African countries.

"I am proud to work with ILGA Europe, and to have signed the 'Come Out' pledge, to do whatever I can to ensure that discrimination against LGBTI people in London, the EU and the wider world is seen as unacceptable and becomes a thing of the past."

Greens join EU criticism of UK Tories on immigration

Jean Lambert — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0100

GREENS in the European Parliament have criticised David Cameron for
fuelling xenophobia and seeking to undermine the rights of the million-plus
EU citizens living in London and UK nationals returning to the country.

They are working with MEPs from all major parties (with some obvious
exceptions) to reaffirm their commitment to the free movement of all EU
nationals - including Romanian and Bulgarian citizens.

London's Green MEP Jean Lambert said free movement for all was a core EU
value.

"More than a million EU citizens born outside the UK live in London
alone, and hundreds of thousands of UK citizens live in other EU
countries," she said.

"The reality is that free movement within the EU is welcomed by
millions of citizens - and can be good for us all, both culturally and
economically.

"Yet David Cameron, and some other party leaders, have been stoking up
fear and xenophobia about this month's ending of restrictions on Romanians
and Bulgarians' right to live and seek work in the UK - and this risks one
of the very freedoms which has made the EU a success.

"In this context, we are joining MEPs from across the political spectrum
to reaffirm our commitment to the EU core value of freedom of movement, to
recognise that benefit tourism is a myth, to recognise the economic
contribution made by EU migrants, and to make clear that no opt-out, or
derogation, from the EU's commitment to freedom of movement is possible."

MEPs will vote on the resolution tomorrow.

Greens call for EU action against anti-gay laws in Africa and India

Jean Lambert — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0100

GREENS in the European Parliament have condemned moves in India and three African states to criminalise homosexuality.

They are calling for the presidents of Uganda and Nigeria and the Parliament of the Democratic Republic of Congo and India to refuse to pass laws criminalising LGBTI people.

They also backed the Indian Government's attempts to overturn a recent Supreme Court ruling outlawing homosexuality on the grounds that it violates the Indian constitutional principle of equality.

London's Green MEP Jean Lambert, who is a member of the European Parliament's cross-party group on LGBTI rights, said ever more repressive laws against LGBTI people could breach human rights commitments made by the countries concerned to the EU.

"The 'Cotonou Agreement' between the EU and a number of African, Caribbean and Pacific nations requires all signatories to respect the human rights to life, privacy, freedom from discrimination, freedom from torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, as well the rights of free expression and free assembly, of all its citizens," she said.

"But recent legal moves to criminalise homosexuality in these nations could undermine that commitment.

"I hope MEPs of all parties will back the Green calls to express concern at these developments, and ask for the personal intervention of the rulers of the states concerned.

"Further, any future revisions of the Cotonou Agreement should expressly require all signatories to respect the rights of LGBTI people.

"Respecting human rights means respecting diversity - and rejecting discrimination against all minorities, including LGBTI people: and the EU just shouldn't do business with countries that flout these commitments."

MEPs will vote on the proposed motion on Thursday.