Activities of Frank ENGEL related to 2015/2254(INL)
Plenary speeches (1)
EU mechanism on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights (debate)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT with recommendations to the Commission on the establishment of an EU mechanism on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights PDF (715 KB) DOC (117 KB)
Amendments (68)
Amendment 52 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 19
Citation 19
Amendment 57 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 20
Citation 20
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 23
Citation 23
Amendment 146 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the European Parliamentary Research Service study on The Cost of Non-Europe in the area of Organised crime and Corruption highlightestimates that integrating existing EU monitoring mechanisms into a broader Rule of Law monitoring framework wouldmight result in cost savings of € 70 billion annually;
Amendment 160 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas the failure of a candidate countryies need to meet the required standards results in a delay offor the accession to the Union, while the failure of a Member State or an institution of the Union to meet those same standards has little consequence in practice; Whereas for negative developments in a Member State or breaches of the rule of law in the Union, the EU has limited possibilities to act;
Amendment 181 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
L. whereas there are few existing instruments to correct legislative and executive policy decisions by the institutions of the Union should be properly applied and enforced;
Amendment 193 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital P
Recital P
P. whereas the Union has at its disposal a multitude of instruments and processes for ensuring full and proper application of Treaty principles and values but in practice they appear limited in scope, inadequate and ineffective, or they are unlikely to be used; while their uneven application is perceived by many as politically motivated, arbitrary and unfairly targeting certain countries; whereas the existing instruments should be applied and enforced in order to be adequate and effective;
Amendment 218 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital T
Recital T
T. whereas in situations where a Member State no longer guarantee respect for DRFcases of breaches of the rule of law, the Union and itsthe Member States shave a duty toll protect the rights of the residents of that Member Stateintegrity and application of the Treaties;
Amendment 234 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital U
Recital U
U. whereas recent developments have shown it is urgent to revisit is necessary to apply , enforce and integrate existing mechanisms and develop an effective mechanism to ensure Treaty principles and values are upheld throughout the Union;
Amendment 266 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Requests the Commission to submit, by the end ofSeptember 20167, on the basis of Article 295 TFEU, a proposal for the conclusion of an EU Pact for Democracy, the Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights (DRF) in the form of an interinstitutional agreement laying down arrangements facilitating the cooperation of institutions of the Union and its Member States in the framework of Article 7 TEU, integrating, aligning and complementing existing mechanisms, following the detailed recommendations set out in the Annex hereto;
Amendment 303 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 312 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Reiterates that the Member States are obliged to cooperate with each other and the institutions based on principles of mutual trust and sincere cooperation.
Amendment 319 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Commission to develop and implement an awareness raising campaign, providing information about citizens'fundamental rights, to judicial redress and litigation routes in cases relating to DRF violations by national governments or institutions of the Unionhe rule of law and the possibility to enforce those rights;
Amendment 331 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
Amendment 338 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Recommends that the DRF expert panel, as per the proposed interinstitutional agreement, also assess access to justice at the European level, applying the same benchmarks to the CJEU and ECtHR, including aspects such as independence and impartiality of courts and judges, length and cost of litigation, implementation of court rulings, scope of judicial control and redress available to citizens, and options for cross border collective redress;
Amendment 345 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Considers that the existing tools and mechanisms for enforcement of rights should be properly applied and strengthened if possible breaches appear.
Amendment 348 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – introductory part
Paragraph 9 – introductory part
9. Considers, furthermore, that any future Treaty revision should include the following changes:if in the future further Treaty changes would be considered, the attention should be drawn - to Article 2 and the fulfilment of the Member States' obligation to protect the fundamental values the EU is based upon - to the consideration of further mechanisms how the rule of law could be strengthened or, if breaches appear, how the rule of law could be re-established while respecting national competences and sovereignty; - to a possible revision of Article 7, in order to make sanctions against Member States relevant and applicable;
Amendment 383 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – indent 5 a (new)
Paragraph 9 – indent 5 a (new)
- Reviewing article7 in order to make sanctions against any Member State relevant and applicable
Amendment 426 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Citation 18
Annex – Citation 18
Amendment 429 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Citation 19
Annex – Citation 19
Amendment 450 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Recital 7
Annex – Recital 7
Amendment 459 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 2
Annex – Article 2
The core elements of the Union Pact on DRF shall consist of the DRF Scoreboard, the DRF Semester, including aa European Report with country-specific recommendations and incorporating, where possible, the reporting of the FRA, the Council of Europe, and other relevant authorities in the field. An annual inter- parliamentary debate, on the basis of that Scoreboard,European Report; and arrangements for remedying possible risks and breaches and for the activation of the preventative or corrective arms of Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), and a DRF policy cycle within the institutions of the Union;
Amendment 463 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 3
Annex – Article 3
The DRF Semester shall be expanded toUnion Pact on DRF shall incorporate the Commission's Rule of Law Framework and the Council's Rule of Law Dialogue into a single Union instrument;
Amendment 465 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Section I
Annex – Section I
DRF ScoreboardEuropean Report
Amendment 469 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 4
Annex – Article 4
An annual scoreboardEuropean Report on the state of DRF in the Member States shall be elaborated by an independent panel of experts and adopted by the Commission; and adopted with a two-thirds majority by an independent panel of experts and presented to the Commission for transmission to the European Parliament, the Council and national parliaments. The Commission may include its own assessment and recommendations in that transmission;
Amendment 473 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 5
Annex – Article 5
Amendment 477 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 6 – introductory part
Annex – Article 6 – introductory part
The DRF ScoreboardEuropean Report shall be drawn up using a variety of sources, including:
Amendment 490 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 6 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Annex – Article 6 – paragraph 1 a (new)
All the contributions from the above- mentioned sources shall be made available to the public on the websites of the panel or the Commission.
Amendment 493 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 7
Annex – Article 7
Amendment 496 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 8 – introductory part
Annex – Article 8 – introductory part
The Scoreboard shall be based on a set of indicators in three categories,Report shall be presented in a harmonised format and accompanied by country-specific reports. commendations and shall be elaborated with a specific focus on:
Amendment 497 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 8 – introductory part
Annex – Article 8 – introductory part
The Scoreboard shall be based on a set of indicators in three categories,European Report shall be presented in a harmonised format and accompanied by country-specific reports. and shall be elaborated with specific focus on:
Amendment 499 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 8 – point 1
Annex – Article 8 – point 1
Amendment 501 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 8 –point 8.1
Annex – Article 8 –point 8.1
Amendment 510 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 8 – point 8.2 – introductory part
Annex – Article 8 – point 8.2 – introductory part
Amendment 511 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 8 – point 8.2 – introductory part
Annex – Article 8 – point 8.2 – introductory part
Amendment 516 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 8 – point 8.2 – indent 7
Annex – Article 8 – point 8.2 – indent 7
– Title I -V of the Charter
Amendment 518 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 8 – point 8.3 – introductory part
Annex – Article 8 – point 8.3 – introductory part
Amendment 519 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 8 – point 8.3 – indent 1
Annex – Article 8 – point 8.3 – indent 1
Amendment 523 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 9 – introductory part
Annex – Article 9 – introductory part
The assessment of the state of DRF in the Member States, as well as the development of country-specific draft recommendations, shall be carried out by a broad and representative panel of independent experts ('DRF expert panel'), on the basis of a quantitative and qualitative review of the data and information available.
Amendment 527 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 9 – point 9.1
Annex – Article 9 – point 9.1
The DRF expert panel shall be composed of the following members: – by each Member State; – the federation of All European Academies (ALLEA); – European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI); – Venice Commission and the Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner; – CEPEJ; – United Nations (UN) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).one member designated by the parliament of each Member State. Members of the expert panel shall be individuals qualified for assuming the office of member of the constitutional Court, where applicable, or member of the respective supreme national courts. one independent expert designated ten academic experts designated by ten experts designated by the two experts each designated by the ten former judges designated by two experts each designated by the
Amendment 536 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 9 – point 9.2
Annex – Article 9 – point 9.2
Amendment 545 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 9 – point 9.3
Annex – Article 9 – point 9.3
9.3 In order to facilitate the development of the draft DRF Scoreboard and draftEuropean Report and country recommendations, the Commission shall provide a secretariat to the DRF expert panel, enabling it to function efficiently, in particular by gathering data and information sources to be reviewed and assessed, and by providing administrative support during the drafting process.
Amendment 550 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 10 – introductory part
Annex – Article 10 – introductory part
Amendment 551 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 10 – point 10.1
Annex – Article 10 – point 10.1
Amendment 553 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 11 – introductory part
Annex – Article 11 – introductory part
Amendment 558 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 11 – indent 1
Annex – Article 11 – indent 1
– The draft DRF ScoreboardEuropean Report, including draft country-specific recommendations, shall be developed annually by the DRF expert panel;
Amendment 563 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 11 – indent 2
Annex – Article 11 – indent 2
– The DRF expert panel shall assess the data and information available and allocate green, yellow and red scores to each of the DRF indicators for each of the Member States or institutions of the Union under scrutiny;
Amendment 566 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 11 – indent 3
Annex – Article 11 – indent 3
– The draft DRF ScoreboardEuropean Report and draft country-specific recommendations shall be made publically available;
Amendment 573 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 11 – indent 4
Annex – Article 11 – indent 4
– The Commission shall formally adopt the DRF ScoreboardEuropean Report and country- specific reports, including recommendations, and refer them to the Member States, the European Parliament and the Council as a basis for the DRF Semesteran interparliamentary debate.
Amendment 575 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 11 – indent 4 a (new)
Annex – Article 11 – indent 4 a (new)
– If the country-specific report on a Member State includes the statement by the expert panel that there is a clear risk of a serious breach of the values referred to in Article 2 TEU and that there are sufficient grounds for the invocation of Article 7(1) TEU, the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament shall each discuss the matter and take a reasoned decision, which shall be made public. The Commission shall start a dialogue with that Member State, taking into account the country specific report.
Amendment 577 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 11 – indent 5 b (new)
Annex – Article 11 – indent 5 b (new)
– If the country-specific report on a Member State includes the statement by the expert panel that there is a serious and persistent breach of the values referred to in Article 2 TEU and that there are sufficient grounds for the invocation of Article 7(2) TEU. The Commission, the Council and the European Parliament shall each discuss the matter and take a reasoned decision, which shall be made public.
Amendment 579 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 12 – introductory part
Annex – Article 12 – introductory part
Amendment 584 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 12 – indent 1
Annex – Article 12 – indent 1
– the European Parliament shall holdorganise an inter-parliamentary debate on the basis of the DRF ScoreboardEuropean Report, and adopt a resolution;
Amendment 588 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 12 – indent 2
Annex – Article 12 – indent 2
– the Council shall hold an annual debate, building upon its Rule of Law Dialogue, on the basis of the DRF ScoreboardEuropean Report and adopt Council conclusions, inviting national parliaments to provide a response to the DRF ScoreboardEuropean Report, proposals or reforms;
Amendment 594 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 12 – indent 3
Annex – Article 12 – indent 3
– on the basis of the DRF ScoreboardEuropean Report, the recommendations of the European Parliament and the Council conclusions, the Commission may decide to launch a "systemic infringement" action under Article 2 TEU and Article 258 TFEU, bundling several infringement cases together;
Amendment 601 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 12 – indent 4
Annex – Article 12 – indent 4
– on the basis of the DRF ScoreboardEuropean Report, the recommendations of the European Parliament and the Council conclusions, the Commission may decide to submit a proposal for an evaluation of the implementation by Member States of Union policies in the area of freedom, security and justice under Article 70 TFEU.
Amendment 606 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 12 – point 12.1
Annex – Article 12 – point 12.1
Amendment 610 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 12 – point 12.2
Annex – Article 12 – point 12.2
Amendment 614 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 12 – Point 12.2.1
Annex – Article 12 – Point 12.2.1
Amendment 621 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 12 – point 12.3
Annex – Article 12 – point 12.3
Amendment 626 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 12 – point 12.3.1
Annex – Article 12 – point 12.3.1
Amendment 630 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 13
Annex – Article 13
Amendment 632 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 14 – introductory part
Annex – Article 14 – introductory part
A systematic fundamental rightsn impact assessment on fundamental rights shall be included as an element of the impact assessment shall be carried out for all legislative proposals by the Commission, in accordance with Article 20 of the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Regulation;
Amendment 636 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 14 – point 14.1
Annex – Article 14 – point 14.1
14.1 An independentThe expert panel, which shall be set up by the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament, shall assess DRF compliance of legislative proposals after the conclusion of interinstitutional negotiations and prior to their formal adoption in accordance with Article 12 of the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Regulation. The panel shall provide advice during the interinstitutional negotiaby the institutions.
Amendment 641 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 15
Annex – Article 15
An interinstitutional impact assessment working group ('Working Group')shall be set up with a view to improving interinstitutional cooperation on impact assessments, and creating a fundamental rights and rule of law compliance culture. The panel shall consult with national experts at an early stage so as to better foresee the implementation challenges in Member States, as well as to help overcome different interpretations and understandings by the different institutions of the Union as regards the impact of fundamental rights and rule of law on legal acts of the Union. The Working Group shall build upon the "Guidelines on methodological steps to be taken to check fundamental rights compatibility at the Council preparatory bodies", 5377/15, Tool #24 from the Better Regulation Toolbox and Rule 38 of the Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament to ensure DRF compliance and promotion.
Amendment 644 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 16 – introductory part
Annex – Article 16 – introductory part
The Report with country specific recommendations shall replace the annual reports of the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament relating to enforcement and compliance with the rule of law and fundamental rights by the institutions of the Union, shall be included in the annual DRF policy cycle of the DRF Scoreboarduch as:
Amendment 645 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 16 – introductory part
Annex – Article 16 – introductory part
The annual reports of the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament relating to enforcement and compliance with the rule of law and fundamental rights by the institutions of the Union shall be included in the annual DRF policy cycle of the DRF scoreboardEuropean Report:
Amendment 651 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex – Article 16 –indent 3 a (new)
Annex – Article 16 –indent 3 a (new)
– Annual report on the situation of Fundamental rights in the EU.