Events
This Operational Guidance on Fundamental Rights is one of the initiatives envisaged in the Strategy for the effective implementation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights by the European Union (‘the Charter Strategy’) adopted by the Commission on 19 October 2010. The objective of the Charter Strategy is to make the fundamental rights set out in the Charter as effective as possible and to ensure that the EU’s approach to legislation is exemplary.
In outlining the Charter Strategy, the Commission explained how it would reinforce the assessment of impacts which its legislative proposals may have on fundamental rights.
It announced, in particular, its intention to provide guidance to its departments on how the impacts on fundamental rights should be assessed in practice. This guidance is also part of the Commission policy to promote Smart Regulation in the European Union (see also INI/2011/2029 ). In its Smart Regulation Communication the Commission announced that to reflect the new legal status of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, the Commission would reinforce the assessment of impacts on fundamental rights, and would develop specific guidance on this.
The European Parliament adopted by 585 votes to 40, with 51 abstentions, a resolution on the situation of fundamental rights in the European Union (2009) – effective implementation after the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon.
The new post-Lisbon fundamental-rights architecture : Parliament stresses that the effective protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms constitutes the core of democracy and the rule of law in the EU and an essential condition of the consolidation of the European area of freedom, security and justice and that it requires actions at various levels (international, European, national, regional and local level). It stresses, moreover, the role that regional and local authorities can play in the concrete implementation and in the promotion of such rights and calls on all EU institutions, Member States’ governments and parliaments to build on the new institutional and legal framework created by the Treaty of Lisbon to devise a comprehensive internal human rights policy for the Union.
Parliament recalls that the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon created a new situation in the EU in the field of human rights by making the Charter of Fundamental Rights (‘the Charter’) legally binding, thus transforming basic values into concrete rights . In this context, it indicates that a genuine culture of fundamental rights must be developed, promoted and reinforced in both the EU institutions and the Member States, which is why there is a need for a new fundamental rights architecture.
Reaffirming that the Charter has the same legal value as the Treaties, offering a good balance between rights and solidarity and encompassing civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights as well as ‘third generation’ rights (i.e. the rights to good administration, freedom of information, a healthy environment and consumer protection), Members consider that the EU should develop a regulatory framework to protect against fundamental rights abuses, in particular by businesses, and define the scope of the new architecture for fundamental rights as follows:
with the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, the reiteration of the EU as a community of shared values and principles and reaffirmation of the legally binding value of the Charter; in this context, the incorporation of the Charter into primary EU law, the creation of new responsibilities for the institutions and the Member States as regards the enforcement of EU legislation at national level with the Charter’s provisions thus becoming directly enforceable by European and national courts; the setting of a common denominator for EU-third country relations based on respect for the fundamental values of the EU and the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms (in this context, ensuring that there is a human-rights-based approach to the European External Action Service’s structure, resources and activities); reaffirmation of the pioneering role played by the Union in the promotion of human rights in the world and, in this context, the reaffirmation of the fundamental value of the Charter with regard to the application and enforcement of relevant measures on the respect for human rights clauses in international agreements (human rights clauses), as a guarantee of coherence between internal and external human rights policy in the EU; EU accession to the Convention on Human Rights as a minimum level of protection for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Europe providing citizens with the possibility of lodging a complaint with the ECtHR and a clear political commitment to complete the accession process within a reasonable time limit; the need, in line with the new obligations introduced by the Lisbon Treaty to combat social exclusion and discrimination, promote justice and social protection, equality between men and women, respect for privacy and family life, solidarity between the generations and rights of the child, as well as the common asylum and immigration policies, combat against human trafficking, as new fundamental values of the Union; the need for the full and consistent implementation of the Stockholm Programme and its main strategic elements in the area of freedom, security and justice.
The most pressing challenges of the new era : Parliament underlines that the new architecture will be measured on how effectively the most pressing issues and the most recurrent infringements are handled by the institutions responsible, both in the Member States and at EU. In this context, it recalls the main problems which require urgent concrete steps, that have been the subject of Parliament’s resolutions and debates on fundamental rights question, such as:
protecting the four fundamental freedoms as the basic EU achievements, with specific attention to the freedom of movement of EU citizens, securing the rights of all persons present in the EU territory, irrespective of citizenship, ensuring legal certainty and the existence of appropriate checks and balances of a sound democratic system, guaranteeing the protection of personal data and privacy, including the collection, processing, transfer and storage of financial and personal data, in accordance with the principles of purpose, necessity and proportionality and the rights of rectification and appeal, combating trafficking of human beings – especially women and children, protecting the rights of refugees and migrants, ensuring that EU management of migration flows and negotiations on readmission agreements with third countries do not put such individuals at risk of human rights violations, protecting the rights of victims of violence, crime, war and human rights violations, without redirecting attention and resources that go into prevention, combating criminals and terrorists and into addressing root causes, developing EU strategy on the rights of the child through practical measures to combat child abuse, sexual exploitation and child pornography, to promote safer use of the internet and to eliminate child labour and child poverty, developing an EU strategy on the rights of disabled people, prohibiting and eliminating all forms of discrimination, based on Article 21 of the Charter, in all areas of life, including ethnic profiling, protecting language diversity, as a cultural heritage of Europe, including minority languages, prohibiting the sanctioning of the use of a language different from the official language of a Member State, combating poverty and social exclusion, drawing up an action-oriented EU-level strategy to foster the inclusion of Roma, setting up an EU-wide framework on procedural rights for suspects in criminal proceedings, guaranteeing and promoting freedom of the press in the European Union, evaluating the existing EU readmission agreements and assessing their fundamental rights impact, promoting the social inclusion of the more vulnerable people through education and positive action, the right to education for all, protecting migrants, particularly asylum-seekers; combating all forms of racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism, promoting greater interfaith and intercultural understanding, protecting freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
Institutions implementing the new fundamental-rights architecture: Parliament calls for improved interinstitutional cooperation with a view to better monitoring the human rights situation in the EU. Noting the creation of a new ‘Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship’ portfolio within the Commission, Members consider that such a division between justice and security should not reinforce the misconceived dichotomy between the need to protect the human rights of all people and the need to guarantee their security. The new Commissioner should pay particular attention to EU policies on fighting irregular migration and terrorism.
The resolution calls on the Commission to make 2013 the European Year of Citizenship in order to give momentum to the debate on European citizenship. Parliament awaits concrete actions by the new Commissioner responsible, such as the introduction of a fundamental-rights impact assessment of all new legislative proposals or the application of a ‘zero tolerance’ policy on violations of the Charter. The latter would also involve the conduct of in-depth investigations and initiating infringement procedures when Member States are in breach of their human rights obligations.
Members call on the Commission :
for follow-up to the 2003 Communication on Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union to define a transparent and coherent way to address possible violations of human rights and make relevant use of Article 7 TEU on the basis of the new fundamental-rights architecture; draws attention to the recent revival of nationalism, xenophobia and discrimination in some Member States; to enforce the values and principles enshrined in the Treaty and Charter and the strategy set out in the Stockholm Programme call for the ‘Lisbonisation’ of the current acquis in the field of police and judicial cooperation and for a strengthening of democratic accountability in the AFSJ; establish a working relationship between the Commissioners responsible for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship and Home Affairs and the Committee of Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, by regularly inviting the Commissioners to exchange views on current issues and developments related to fundamental rights.
The Council is called upon to adapt to the changes required by the Treaty and to comply with the Charter when legislating. Members welcome the establishment of the Council’s standing Working Party on Fundamental Rights. This new body shall have a broad mandate to include issues in relation to fundamental rights with EU and Member States relevance and provide a forum for a Council exchange of views on internal human rights matters, and for the work of this new body to be transparent and efficient, also in relation to the European Parliament.
As for the Parliament , Members call for: (i) respect of its right to democratic scrutiny based on the treaties; (ii) the necessity of enhancing transparency and access to documents between EU institutions; (iii) a better follow up its resolutions related to fundamental rights in the EU; (iv) its right to be immediately and fully informed at all stages of the procedure for concluding international agreements between the Union and third countries or international organisations.
Members call on all European institutions and agencies to uphold their commitment to the protection of fundamental rights and to integrate a fundamental-rights approach into all their activities.
The resolution underlines the fact that the EU and the Member States share obligations in the field of the implementation and/or enforcement of human and fundamental rights, in their respective spheres of responsibility, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, and that this shared responsibility and competence represents both an opportunity and an obligation on the part of the Member States and of EU institutions. It highlights the enhanced role of the national parliaments provided by the Treaty of Lisbon and supports the establishment of a formal ongoing dialogue between the European Parliament and national parliaments.
Parliament believes that EU action should not only address violations of fundamental rights after they have happened, but should also seek to prevent them. It consequently calls for a reflection on mechanisms for early detection of potential violations of fundamental rights in the EU and in its Member States , temporary freezing of the measures which constitute such violations, accelerated legal procedures for determining if a measure is contrary to EU fundamental rights and for sanctions in the event that these measures are nonetheless implemented contrary to EU law. The EU institutions and the Member States are asked to redouble their efforts aimed at properly informing and raising the awareness of the public, as fundamental rights can be protected more effectively if individuals themselves are aware of their rights and the mechanisms available to protect them.
Cooperation with international organisations in the new fundamental-rights architecture : Parliament suggests that ways be found for EU institutions and agencies to cooperate better with international organisations committed to the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms. It calls on the EU institutions to exploit the full potential of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Council of Europe and the EU, in the interests of greater synergy and consistency at European level, thus avoiding duplication of work. The resolution also calls on the EU Member States to sign up to, and ratify, the core Council of Europe and United Nations human-rights conventions and the additional optional protocols.
The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs adopted the report by Kinga GÁL (EPP, HU) on the situation of fundamental rights in the European Union (2009) – effective implementation after the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon.
Members recall that the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon created a new situation in the EU in the field of human rights by making the Charter of Fundamental Rights (‘the Charter’) legally binding, thus transforming basic values into concrete rights . In this context, they indicate that a genuine culture of fundamental rights must be developed, promoted and reinforced in both the EU institutions and the Member States, which is why there is a need for a new fundamental rights architecture.
Reaffirming that the Charter has the same legal value as the Treaties, offering a good balance between rights and solidarity and encompassing civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights as well as ‘third generation’ rights (i.e. the rights to good administration, freedom of information, a healthy environment and consumer protection), they consider that the EU should develop a regulatory framework to protect against fundamental rights abuses, in particular by businesses, and define the scope of the new architecture for fundamental rights as follows:
with the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, the reiteration of the EU as a community of shared values and principles and reaffirmation of the legally binding value of the Charter; in this context, the incorporation of the Charter into primary EU law, the creation of new responsibilities for the institutions and the Member States as regards the enforcement of EU legislation at national level with the Charter’s provisions thus becoming directly enforceable by European and national courts; the setting of a common denominator for EU-third country relations based on respect for the fundamental values of the EU and the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms (in this context, ensuring that there is a human-rights-based approach to the European External Action Service’s structure, resources and activities); reaffirmation of the pioneering role played by the Union in the promotion of human rights in the world and, in this context, the reaffirmation of the fundamental value of the Charter with regard to the application and enforcement of relevant measures on the respect for human rights clauses in international agreements (human rights clauses), as a guarantee of coherence between internal and external human rights policy in the EU; EU accession to the Convention on Human Rights as a minimum level of protection for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Europe providing citizens with the possibility of lodging a complaint with the ECtHR and a clear political commitment to complete the accession process within a reasonable time limit; the need, in line with the new obligations introduced by the Lisbon Treaty to combat social exclusion and discrimination, promote justice and social protection, equality between men and women, respect for privacy and family life, solidarity between the generations and rights of the child, as well as the common asylum and immigration policies, combat against human trafficking, as new fundamental values of the Union; the need for the full and consistent implementation of the Stockholm Programme and its main strategic elements in the area of freedom, security and justice.
The most pressing challenges of the new era : Members underline that the new architecture will be measured on how effectively the most pressing issues and the most recurrent infringements are handled by the institutions responsible, both in the Member States and at EU. In this context, they recall the main problems which require urgent concrete steps, that have been the subject of Parliament’s resolutions and debates on fundamental rights question, such as:
protecting the four fundamental freedoms as the basic EU achievements, with specific attention to the freedom of movement of EU citizens, securing the rights of all persons present in the EU territory, irrespective of citizenship, ensuring legal certainty and the existence of appropriate checks and balances of a sound democratic system, guaranteeing the protection of personal data and privacy, including the collection, processing, transfer and storage of financial and personal data, in accordance with the principles of purpose, necessity and proportionality and the rights of rectification and appeal, combating trafficking of human beings – especially women and children, protecting the rights of refugees and migrants, ensuring that EU management of migration flows and negotiations on readmission agreements with third countries do not put such individuals at risk of human rights violations, protecting the rights of victims of violence, crime, war and human rights violations, without redirecting attention and resources that go into prevention, combating criminals and terrorists and into addressing root causes, developing EU strategy on the rights of the child through practical measures to combat child abuse, sexual exploitation and child pornography, to promote safer use of the internet and to eliminate child labour and child poverty, developing an EU strategy on the rights of disabled people, prohibiting and eliminating all forms of discrimination, based on Article 21 of the Charter, in all areas of life, including ethnic profiling, protecting language diversity, as a cultural heritage of Europe, including minority languages, prohibiting the sanctioning of the use of a language different from the official language of a Member State, combating poverty and social exclusion, drawing up an action-oriented EU-level strategy to foster the inclusion of Roma, setting up an EU-wide framework on procedural rights for suspects in criminal proceedings, guaranteeing and promoting freedom of the press in the European Union, evaluating the existing EU readmission agreements and assessing their fundamental rights impact, promoting the social inclusion of the more vulnerable people through education and positive action, the right to education for all, protecting migrants, particularly asylum-seekers; combating all forms of racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism, promoting greater interfaith and intercultural understanding, protecting freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
Institutions implementing the new fundamental-rights architecture: Members call for improved interinstitutional cooperation with a view to better monitoring the human rights situation in the EU. Noting the creation of a new ‘Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship’ portfolio within the Commission, Members consider that such a division between justice and security should not reinforce the misconceived dichotomy between the need to protect the human rights of all people and the need to guarantee their security. The new Commissioner should pay particular attention to EU policies on fighting irregular migration and terrorism.
They call on the Commission to make 2013 the European Year of Citizenship in order to give momentum to the debate on European citizenship. They await concrete actions by the new Commissioner responsible, such as the introduction of a fundamental-rights impact assessment of all new legislative proposals or the application of a ‘zero tolerance’ policy on violations of the Charter. The latter would also involve the conduct of in-depth investigations and initiating infringement procedures when Member States are in breach of their human rights obligations.
Members call on the Commission :
to complete investigations and infringement proceeding in the event of non-respect of fundamental rights, and whenever a Member State violates the rights enshrined in the Charter; for follow-up to the 2003 Communication on Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union to define a transparent and coherent way to address possible violations of human rights and make relevant use of Article 7 TEU on the basis of the new fundamental-rights architecture; draws attention to the recent revival of nationalism, xenophobia and discrimination in some Member States; to enforce the values and principles enshrined in the Treaty and Charter and the strategy set out in the Stockholm Programme call for the ‘Lisbonisation’ of the current acquis in the field of police and judicial cooperation and for a strengthening of democratic accountability in the AFSJ; establish a working relationship between the Commissioners responsible for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship and Home Affairs and the Committee of Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, by regularly inviting the Commissioners to exchange views on current issues and developments related to fundamental rights.
The Council is called upon to adapt to the changes required by the Treaty and to comply with the Charter when legislating. Members welcome the establishment of the Council’s standing Working Party on Fundamental Rights. This new body shall have a broad mandate to include issues in relation to fundamental rights with EU and Member States relevance and provide a forum for a Council exchange of views on internal human rights matters, and for the work of this new body to be transparent and efficient, also in relation to the European Parliament.
As for the Parliament , Members call for: (i) respect of its right to democratic scrutiny based on the treaties; (ii) the necessity of enhancing transparency and access to documents between EU institutions; (iii) a better follow up its resolutions related to fundamental rights in the EU; (iv) its right to be immediately and fully informed at all stages of the procedure for concluding international agreements between the Union and third countries or international organisations.
Members call on all European institutions and agencies to uphold their commitment to the protection of fundamental rights and to integrate a fundamental-rights approach into all their activities.
The report underlines the fact that the EU and the Member States share obligations in the field of the implementation and/or enforcement of human and fundamental rights, in their respective spheres of responsibility, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, and that this shared responsibility and competence represents both an opportunity and an obligation on the part of the Member States and of EU institutions. It highlights the enhanced role of the national parliaments provided by the Treaty of Lisbon and supports the establishment of a formal ongoing dialogue between the European Parliament and national parliaments.
Members believe that EU action should not only address violations of fundamental rights after they have happened, but should also seek to prevent them. They consequently call for a reflection on mechanisms for early detection of potential violations of fundamental rights in the EU and in its Member States , temporary freezing of the measures which constitute such violations, accelerated legal procedures for determining if a measure is contrary to EU fundamental rights and for sanctions in the event that these measures are nonetheless implemented contrary to EU law. The EU institutions and the Member States are asked to redouble their efforts aimed at properly informing and raising the awareness of the public, as fundamental rights can be protected more effectively if individuals themselves are aware of their rights and the mechanisms available to protect them.
Cooperation with international organisations in the new fundamental-rights architecture : Members suggest that ways be found for EU institutions and agencies to cooperate better with international organisations committed to the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms. They call on the EU institutions to exploit the full potential of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Council of Europe and the EU, in the interests of greater synergy and consistency at European level, thus avoiding duplication of work. The report also calls on the EU Member States to sign up to, and ratify, the core Council of Europe and United Nations human-rights conventions and the additional optional protocols.
It should also be noted that in a minority opinion , certain Members highlight the dangers arising from accession by the EU to the European Convention on Human Rights, which has the consequence that the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg can give judgment on any legal act by the EU. They state that it is unacceptable that the EU should be judged by a ‘court of human rights’ whose members include a judge from Turkey, a country which is occupying part of the EU militarily and does not adequately respect human rights. Lastly, they call for ratification of the Minorities Convention constitutes unacceptable interference with the national sovereignty of the Member States.
PURPOSE: the adoption of a strategy for the effective implementation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights by the European Union in the new legal context following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty.
BACKGROUND: with the Lisbon Treaty, decisive steps were taken towards a Europe of fundamental rights:
the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union has become legally binding and the Union is going to accede to the European Convention on Human Rights;
the European Parliament and the European Council have made promotion of fundamental rights in the Union one of their priorities for the future of the area of justice, freedom and security; there is now a member of the Commission with specific responsibility for the promotion of justice, fundamental rights and citizenship, and the members of the European Commission promised, in a solemn undertaking before the Court of Justice, to uphold the Charter; lastly, the Lisbon Treaty is a major step forward in that it has extended the co-decision procedure, removed the pillar structure set up under the earlier Treaty, given the Court of Justice general responsibility in the field of freedom, security and justice, and confirmed the place of human rights at the heart of the Union's external action.
All the components of an ambitious fundamental rights policy are therefore present. Respect for fundamental rights has always been an obligation subject to scrutiny by the Court of Justice and an essential component in the construction of the Union, but the Charter's new status will give a boost to the Union's work in this area . The objective of the Commission's policy following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty is to make the fundamental rights provided for in the Charter as effective as possible.
CONTENT: the strategy put forward by the Commission is based on a clear objective: the Union must be exemplary to ensure the effectiveness of the fundamental rights contained in the Charter. It covers the following aspects:
1) Guarantee the respect of fundamental rights within the European Union :
Strengthening the culture of fundamental rights in the Commission: it is necessary to promote a "fundamental rights culture" at all stages of the procedure, from the initial drafting of a proposal within the Commission to the impact analysis, and right up to the checks on the legality of the final text. The Commission routinely checks its legislative proposals and the acts it adopts to ensure that they are compatible with the Charter. The Commission has already taken some internal organisational measures - "the methodology" - in order to ensure that its departments are systematic and thorough in checking that all the fundamental rights concerned have been respected in all draft proposals.
Taking the Charter into account in the legislative process: d uring the legislative process, the Commission's proposals may be amended by one of the co-legislators raising questions about fundamental rights, without any systematic review of their impact and compatibility with fundamental rights.
Co-legislators' amendments to Commission proposals must comply with the Charter. The Commission will strongly defend its position when it comes to the standards of fundamental rights protection contained in its proposal, and will notify co-legislators of its opposition if they seek to lower those standards. In addition, the manner in which draft amendments which raise issues of compatibility with the Charter are dealt with, should be subject to a transparent inter-institutional dialogue .
Ensuring that the Member States respect the Charter when implementing Union law: the upholding of fundamental rights by Member States when they implement Union law is essential to the mutual confidence necessary for the operation of the Union. The Commission will use all the means at its disposal to ensure that the Charter is adhered to by the Member States when they implement Union law. Whenever necessary, it will start infringement procedures against Member States for non-compliance with the Charter in implementing Union law.
2) Better informing the public : the public needs to be well informed about these rights and how to enforce them in practice when they are violated. Information on means of redress is particularly important in relation to: the rights of the child: for example, the problems most often cited by young people are that they do not know how defend their rights or who to turn to.
The Commission will step up its information activities concerning the Union's role and powers in the area of fundamental rights and the possibilities for intervention, and also ensure that the language needs of citizens and professionals are catered for.
To provide better information on the existing means of redress, it will ensure that, in 2011, the e-justice portal provides the public with information about legal remedies in cases of alleged violations of fundamental rights. It will also launch a joint reflection on the information available on legal remedies in the area of fundamental rights.
3) Following progress: the Commission will present an Annual Report on application of the Charter which will have two objectives: i) to take stock of progress in a transparent, continuous and consistent manner, and ii) to offer an opportunity for an annual exchange of views with the European Parliament and the Council.
The European Parliament , particularly through its questions and petitions, is a crucial intermediary for finding out about the fundamental rights situation in Member States in areas within the Union's competence. The Commission will explore with Parliament the best way of cooperating and harnessing their efforts in the preparation of its annual report and within the mechanisms for cooperation between Parliament and national parliaments.
Documents
- Document attached to the procedure: SEC(2011)0567
- Document attached to the procedure: EUR-Lex
- Contribution: COM(2010)0573
- Decision by Parliament: T7-0483/2010
- Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
- Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading: A7-0344/2010
- Committee report tabled for plenary: A7-0344/2010
- Amendments tabled in committee: PE452.639
- Non-legislative basic document published: COM(2010)0573
- Non-legislative basic document published: EUR-Lex
- Committee draft report: PE450.895
- Committee draft report: PE450.895
- Amendments tabled in committee: PE452.639
- Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading: A7-0344/2010
- Document attached to the procedure: SEC(2011)0567 EUR-Lex
- Contribution: COM(2010)0573
Activities
- Michael CASHMAN
Plenary Speeches (2)
- Gianni PITTELLA
Plenary Speeches (2)
- Sonia ALFANO
- Simon BUSUTTIL
- Hélène FLAUTRE
- Ilda FIGUEIREDO
- Kinga GÖNCZ
- Salvatore IACOLINO
- Monica MACOVEI
- Alajos MÉSZÁROS
- Alexander MIRSKY
- Krisztina MORVAI
- Kristiina OJULAND
- Franz OBERMAYR
- Joanna SENYSZYN
- Csaba SÓGOR
- Daniël van der STOEP
- Konrad SZYMAŃSKI
- Csaba Sándor TABAJDI
- Marie-Christine VERGIAT
- Renate WEBER
- Anna ZÁBORSKÁ
Amendments | Dossier |
256 |
2009/2161(INI)
2010/11/11
LIBE
256 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution Citation -1 a (new) – having regard to NGO reports on human rights,
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 9 – having regard to the Stockholm Programme
Amendment 100 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14. Expects concrete actions by the new Commissioner responsible, in line with already declared intentions: to introduce a fundamental-rights impact assessment of all new legislative proposals; to oversee the legislative process to ensure that emerging final texts comply with the Charter; and to apply a ‘zero tolerance’ policy on violations of the Charter, initiating infringement proceedings when there are good grounds for doing so; specifically welcomes the commitment to apply infringement procedures for non- compliance with the Charter but regrets that this was not explicitly envisaged in the recent case of expulsions of Roma by France in summer 2010; calls upon the Commissioner as well as all EU institutions to make dissuasive use of Article 7 TEU;
Amendment 101 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14. Expects concrete actions by the new Commissioner responsible, in line with already declared intentions: to introduce a fundamental-rights impact assessment of
Amendment 102 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14. Expects concrete actions by the new Commissioner responsible, in line with already declared intentions: particularly and most importantly, to introduce a fundamental-rights impact assessment of all new legislative proposals; to oversee the legislative process to ensure that emerging final texts comply with the Charter;
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14. Expects concrete actions by the new Commissioner responsible, in line with already declared intentions: to introduce a fundamental-rights impact assessment of all new legislative proposals; to oversee the legislative process to ensure that emerging final texts comply with the Charter; and to apply a ‘zero tolerance’ policy on violations of
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14. Expects concrete actions by the new Commissioner responsible, in line with already declared intentions: to introduce a fundamental-rights impact assessment of all new legislative proposals; to oversee the legislative process to ensure that emerging final texts comply with the Charter; and to apply a ‘zero tolerance’ policy on violations of the Charter, conducting in- depth investigations and initiating infringement proceedings when there are good grounds for doing so;
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 15. Reminds the Commission to monitor all new legislative proposals for compliance with the Charter, and to check existing instruments in this respect; suggests that the impact assessments accompanying Commission proposals should clearly indicate whether such proposals comply with the Charter, so that this consideration becomes an integral part of the bringing forward of legislative proposals; recalls the Commission of its explicit task to involve parties concerned by broad consultations in order to ensure coherence and transparency in the Union's actions (Article 11(3) TEU); underlines in this regard the importance of the FRA Platform as a significant resource for fulfilling this task;
Amendment 106 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Reminds the Commission to undertake objective investigations and start infringement proceeding if there are good grounds for doing so, thus avoiding double standards, whenever a Member State, in implementing EU legislation, violates the rights enshrined in the Charter; further reminds t
Amendment 107 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Reminds the Commission to undertake objective investigations and start infringement proceeding if there are good grounds for doing so, thus avoiding double standards, whenever a Member State, in implementing EU legislation, violates the rights enshrined in the Charter; further reminds the Commission to request that Member States provide reliable data and facts and to cross-check the information with non-governmental sources, as well as to request the FRA and other human rights bodies for inputs;
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Reminds the Commission to undertake
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Reminds the Commission to undertake objective investigations and start infringement proceeding
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 12 a (new) – having regard to the reports and works by NGOs in the field of human rights,
Amendment 110 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Reminds the Commission to undertake objective investigations and start
Amendment 111 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 a (new) 16a. Reminds the Member States of their duty to provide the Commission, as guardian of the treaties, with reliable data and facts, when requested;
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 b (new) 16b. Suggests to complement the infringement and the fundamental rights proceedings with a procedure by which contested national policies and practices, falling within the remits of EU law and fundamental rights (and applying exceptions and/or derogations to European rights and freedoms) will immediately be frozen until the Commission decides upon the formal launching of the infringement and/or fundamental rights proceedings and reaches a formal decision on their lawfulness and compatibility with European law and fundamental rights;
Amendment 113 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 a (new) 16a. Draws attention to the recent revival of nationalism, xenophobia and discrimination in some Member States and stresses the central role that the European Commission should take in order to prevent and combat these possible violations of fundamental rights;
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Emphasises the importance of the Commission's annual monitoring of compliance with the Charter, and notes that its monitoring reports should contain an assessment of the implementation of the
Amendment 115 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Emphasises the importance of the Commission's annual monitoring of compliance with the Charter, and notes that its monitoring reports should contain an assessment of the implementation of the various rights
Amendment 116 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Emphasises the importance of the Commission's annual monitoring of compliance with the Charter, and notes that
Amendment 117 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Emphasises the importance of the Commission's annual monitoring of compliance with the Charter, on a state-by- state basis, and notes that its monitoring reports should contain an assessment of the implementation of the various rights and an evaluation of the most contentious issues and of the situation of the most vulnerable groups in the Union; recommends the dissemination of good practice to the Member States;
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Emphasises the importance of the Commission's annual monitoring of compliance with the Charter, and notes that its monitoring reports should contain an assessment of the implementation of the various rights and an evaluation of the
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Emphasises the importance of the Commission's annual monitoring of compliance with the Charter, and notes that its monitoring reports should contain an assessment of the implementation of the various rights and an evaluation of the most contentious issues and of the situation of the most vulnerable groups in the Union; recommends the dissemination of good practice to the Member States; the reports should also indicate Member States that ignore the principles of the Charter;
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A A. whereas
Amendment 120 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 a (new) 17a. Welcomes the Commission Communication on the Strategy for the effective implementation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights by the European Union1 referring among others to its preventing approach in the effective implementation, the importance of internal training on fundamental rights, the systematic check of the fundamental rights aspect of the Commission's impact assessments by the Impact Assessment Board, as well as the targeted communication measures tailored to various situations needed in this respect; furthermore welcomes the emphasis of the above-mentioned Commission Communication regarding the importance of the political criteria for accession laid down by the 1993 Copenhagen European Council requiring candidate countries to have stable institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities; the preservation of this criterion is supporting the protection of fundamental rights in the future Member States; 1 COM(2010)0573.
Amendment 121 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Calls on the Commission to
Amendment 122 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Calls on the Commission to enforce the values and principles enshrined in the Treaty and Charter and the strategy set out in the Stockholm Programme through concrete legislative proposals while having regard to the jurisprudence of the ECtHR when carrying out these activities; furthermore, calls for the ‘Lisbonisation’ of the current acquis in the field of police and judicial
Amendment 123 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 a (new) 18a. Calls on the Commission to build on the new institutional and legal framework a new courageous and ambitious policy on fundamental rights in the EU, to update its 2003 Communication on Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union2 on the basis of the new human rights architecture, and to address the issue of possible violations of human rights that could fall outside of strict EU competence but that are anyway against EU values, for instance by defining how diplomatic means could be used in this context; 2 COM(2003)0606.
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 19. Suggests
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 19. Suggests that the Commissioners responsible for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship and Home Affairs be invited regularly to the meetings of its Committee of Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs to exchange views on current issues and developments related to fundamental rights, in the form of an ongoing dialogue;
Amendment 126 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 19. Suggests that the Commissioner responsible for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship be invited regularly to the meetings of
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 a (new) 19a. Highlights that also the European Parliament should strengthen its autonomous impact assessment on fundamental rights in relation to legislative proposals and amendments under examination in the legislative process to make it more systematic, notably by enlarging the possibilities currently foreseen by Rule 36 of the Parliament's Rules of Procedure on the respect for the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and to ask to the Legal Service opinions on legal issues in relation to fundamental rights issues in the EU; recalls the importance of delegation visits to collect on the spot information from authorities, NGOs and citizens and believes that such practice should be strengthened and enlarged notably in relation to possible human rights violations; calls for a more structured cooperation with the FRA and NGOs dealing with human rights issues, as well as with the Council of Europe and the Commissioner for Human Rights, that should be involved systematically when discussions take place on issues relating to human rights, for instance by inviting them to committee meetings;
Amendment 128 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Calls on the Council to adapt to the changes required by the Treaty and to comply with the Charter when legislating; therefore welcomes the establishment of a standing Working Party on Fundamental Rights, Citizens Rights and Free Movement of Persons and
Amendment 129 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Calls on the Council to adapt to the changes required by the Treaty and to comply with the Charter when legislating; therefore welcomes the establishment of a standing Working Party on Fundamental Rights, Citizens Rights and Free Movement of Persons; and hopes that the work of this new body will
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A A. whereas the Union is founded on values such as respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities; whereas the effective safeguarding of rights has to be an overall objective of all European policies including its external dimensions and an essential condition of the consolidation of the European AFSJ,
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Calls on the Council to adapt to the changes required by the Treaty and to comply with the Charter when legislating; therefore welcomes the establishment of a standing Working Party on Fundamental Rights, Citizens Rights and Free Movement of Persons and
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Calls on the Council to adapt to the changes required by the Treaty and to comply with the Charter when legislating; therefore welcomes the establishment of a standing Working Party on Fundamental Rights, Citizens Rights and Free Movement of Persons and hopes that this new body will work transparently and efficiently, in loyal cooperation with the European Parliament;
Amendment 132 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Calls on the Council to adapt to the
Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Calls on the Council to adapt to the changes required by the Treaty and to comply with the Charter when legislating; therefore welcomes the establishment of a standing Working Party on Fundamental Rights, Citizens Rights and Free Movement of Persons and hopes that this new body will work transparently and efficiently; calls on the Council to ensure that the Working Party has a broad mandate to include any issue in relation to fundamental rights of EU and Member States' relevance, adhesion, ratification and compliance with international conventions related to fundamental rights, etc.;
Amendment 134 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 a (new) 20a. Reaffirms the inter-institutional agreement Common Approach to Impact Assessment1 referred to in the Commission Communication on the Strategy for the effective implementation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights by the European Union, which states that the Parliament and the Council are responsible for assessing the impact of their own amendments; 1 Council document 14901/05 of 24.11.2005.
Amendment 135 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 a (new) 20a. Calls on the Council to ensure that the Council Working Party on Fundamental Rights, Citizens Rights and Free Movement of Persons (FREMP) has a broad mandate that could include, for example, discussing and responding officially to reports of the FRA (in addition to recommendations of UN treaty bodies, special procedures and mechanisms), assessing the external human rights impact of EU instruments and policies, in coordination with the Council Human Rights Working Group (COHOM), ensuring coordination with agencies without a human rights mandate but human rights impacts (e.g. EIB or FRONTEX), examining EU and Member States signature, ratification and compliance with international human rights instruments and providing a forum for Council exchanges on internal human rights matters;
Amendment 136 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 a (new) 20a. Calls on the Council to ensure that the Council Working Party on Fundamental Rights, Citizens Rights and Free Movement of Persons has a broad mandate, including but not limited to discussing and responding officially to reports of the FRA, discussing and reporting on implementation of recommendations of UN treaty bodies, special procedures and mechanisms; assessing the external human rights impact of internal EU instruments and policies together with the Council Human Rights Working Group (COHOM); ensuring coordination with agencies with a human rights impact (e.g. EIB or FRONTEX); examining EU and Member States signature, ratification and compliance with international human rights instruments; and generally providing a forum for Council exchanges on internal human rights matters;
Amendment 137 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21. Calls for enforcement of its democratic scrutiny based on the treaties; insists on the necessity of enhancing transparency in the inter-institutional dialogue and access to documents between EU institutions, in order to develop more effective interinstitutional cooperation on matters related to fundamental rights; underlines its role in evaluating the work of other EU institutions when assessing developments in the field (e.g. through annual reports), combining as it does political messages with a facts-based approach;
Amendment 138 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21. Calls for
Amendment 139 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21. Calls for enforcement of its democratic scrutiny based on the treaties; insists on the necessity of enhancing transparency and access to documents between EU institutions, in order to develop more effective interinstitutional cooperation on matters related to fundamental rights; underlines its role in evaluating the work of other EU institutions and holding them accountable for their action or inaction when assessing developments in the field (e.g. through annual reports), combining as it does political messages with a facts- based approach;
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A A. whereas the Union is founded on values such as respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities; whereas the effective safeguarding of rights has to be an overall objective of all European policies and an essential condition of the consolidation of the European AFSJ, irrespective of EU citizenship,
Amendment 140 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21. Calls for enforcement of its democratic scrutiny based on the treaties; insists on the necessity of enhancing transparency and access to documents between EU institutions, in order to develop more effective interinstitutional cooperation on matters related to fundamental rights; underlines its role in evaluating the work of other EU institutions and holding them accountable for their action or inaction when assessing developments in the field (e.g. through annual reports), combining as it does political messages with a facts- based
Amendment 141 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21. Calls for enforcement of its democratic scrutiny based on the treaties; insists on the necessity of enhancing transparency and access to documents between EU institutions, in order to develop more effective interinstitutional cooperation on matters related to fundamental rights; underlines its role in evaluating the work of other EU institutions when assessing developments in the field (e.g. through annual reports), combining as it does political messages with a facts-based approach; deeply regrets that in relation to negotiations on international agreements, it has not been immediately and fully informed in accordance with the provisions of Article 218, paragraph 10 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union;
Amendment 142 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 a (new) 21a. Calls on the EU to ensure full legal accountability of its agencies with regard to fundamental rights violations, giving particular attention to FRONTEX;
Amendment 143 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 22 22. Reaffirms the fact of the CJ's enhanced role in ensuring that all EU institutions, agencies and Member States implementing EU law apply the Charter accordingly, and notes that this will enable the CJ to strengthen and further develop its case law on fundamental rights; stresses the need for enhanced cooperation between national courts, the CJ and the ECtHR in furthering the development of a coherent system of case law in the field;
Amendment 144 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 22 22. Reaffirms the fact of the CJ's enhanced role in ensuring that all institutions and Member States implementing EU law
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 22 22. Reaffirms the fact of the CJ's enhanced role in ensuring that all institutions and Member States implementing EU law apply the Charter accordingly, and notes that this will enable the CJ to develop its case law on fundamental rights; stresses the need for e
Amendment 146 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 23.
Amendment 147 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 23. Emphasises that the FRA is charged with the con
Amendment 148 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 23. Emphasises th
Amendment 149 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 23. Emphasises that the FRA
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A A. whereas the Union is founded on values such as respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities; whereas the effective safeguarding of rights has to be an overall objective of all European policies and an essential condition of the consolidation of the European AFSJ, irrespective of EU citizenship,
Amendment 150 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 23. Emphasises that the FRA
Amendment 151 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 23. Emphasises th
Amendment 152 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 23. Emphasises th
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 23. Emphasises that the FRA constitutes a guarantee of the ongoing protection of fundamental rights within the Union and that it should therefore have adequate resources for its increased tasks following the implementation of the Charter; points out that its monitoring role should extend to the acceding countries; reiterates
Amendment 154 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 24 24. Stresses that the main task of the FRA is to provide the decision-making institutions with objective facts and data and balanced documentation on matters related to fundamental rights and that, to this end, it collects and analyses information and data, as well as raising
Amendment 155 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 24 24. Stresses that the main task of the FRA is to provide the decision-making institutions with facts and data on matters related to fundamental rights and that, to this end, it collects and analyses information and data, as well as raising awareness by carrying out scientific research and surveys based on thorough methodologies, publishing thematic and annual reports and networking and promoting dialogue with civil society; welcomes its 2009 annual report and its approach of providing a comparative overview and highlighting good practice in the 27 Member States;
Amendment 156 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 25 25.
Amendment 157 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 25 25. Calls on the EU decision-making institutions to use the data and facts provided by the FRA during the preparatory stage of legislative activity
Amendment 158 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 25 a (new) 25a. Calls on all other European agencies, especially Frontex, to uphold their commitment to the protection of fundamental rights and to integrate fundamental rights approach into all their activities; in this regard, welcomes the cooperation agreement signed between Frontex and the FRA in 2010;
Amendment 159 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 26 26. Underlines the fact that the EU and the Member States share
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B B. whereas the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon created a new situation in the EU in the field of
Amendment 160 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 26 26. Underlines the fact that the EU and the Member States share
Amendment 161 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 26 26. Underlines the fact that the EU and the Member States share competence in the field of human and fundamental rights, in their respective spheres of responsibility, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity
Amendment 162 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 27.
Amendment 163 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 27. Emphasises the importance of the judiciary bodies in the Member States, which play a primary role in the enforcement of human rights, and therefore
Amendment 164 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 27. Emphasises the importance of the judiciary bodies in the Member States, which play a primary role in the insurance of compliance and enforcement of
Amendment 165 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 a (new) 27a. Believes that EU action should not only address violations of fundamental rights after they have happened, but should also seek to prevent them; consequently calls for a reflection on mechanisms for early detection of potential violations of fundamental rights in the EU and in its Member States, temporary freezing of the measures which constitute such violations, accelerated legal procedures for determining if a measure is contrary to EU fundamental rights and for sanctions in the event that these measures are nonetheless implemented contrary to EU law;
Amendment 166 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 28 28. Calls on the EU institutions and the Member States to redouble their efforts to raise awareness, as fundamental rights can be protected more effectively if citizens themselves are aware of their rights; calls for active use of the experience of civic bodies
Amendment 167 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 28 28. Calls on the EU institutions and the Member States to redouble their efforts to raise awareness, as fundamental rights can be protected more effectively if citizens themselves are aware of their rights; calls for
Amendment 168 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 28 28. Calls on the EU institutions and the Member States to redouble their efforts
Amendment 169 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 28 28. Calls on the EU institutions and the Member States to redouble their efforts to
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B a (new) Ba. whereas a genuine culture of fundamental rights must be developed, promoted and reinforced in both the EU institutions and the Member States, in particular when they apply and implement Union law, whether internally and in relations with third countries,
Amendment 170 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 28 a (new) 28a. Reaffirms its right to annually issue a report on the situation of fundamental rights in the EU, hereby not refraining itself from naming and shaming EU institutions, agencies or Member States if deemed necessary;
Amendment 171 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 29. Suggests that ways be found for EU institutions and agencies to cooperate better with international organisations committed to the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, and to make better use of, and more effectively channel, the results of experience in the field;
Amendment 172 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 29. Suggests that ways be found to cooperate better with international and European organisations committed to the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, and to make better use of, and more effectively channel, the results of experience in the field;
Amendment 173 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 30 30. Calls on the EU institutions to exploit the full potential of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Council of Europe and the EU, in the interests of greater synergy and consistency at European level, and suggests that better use be made of the expertise of the human- rights monitoring mechanisms, standards and findings developed by Council of Europe, thus avoiding duplication of work; reaffirms the need for the Union to be more involved in the work of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights;
Amendment 174 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 30 30. Calls on the EU institutions to exploit the full potential of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Council of Europe and the EU, in the interests of greater synergy and consistency at European level, and suggests that better use be made of the expertise of the human- rights monitoring mechanisms, standards and findings developed by Council of Europe, thus avoiding duplication of work; reaffirms the need for the Union to be more involved in the work of the Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe;
Amendment 175 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 30 30. Calls on the EU institutions to exploit the full potential of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Council of Europe and the EU, in the interests of greater synergy and consistency at European level, and suggests that better use be made of the expertise of the human- rights monitoring mechanisms, standards and findings developed by Council of Europe, thus avoiding duplication of work; reaffirms the need for the Union to be more
Amendment 176 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 31 31. Calls on the EU Member States to sign up to, and ratify, the core Council of Europe and United Nations human-rights conventions and the additional optional protocols: among others, the European Social Charter (revised), the UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women; furthermore, suggests that, in the European legislative process, more account be taken of international documents and more reference made to them;
Amendment 177 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 31 31. Calls on the EU Member States to sign up to, and ratify, the
Amendment 178 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 31 31. Calls on the EU Member States to sign up to, and ratify, the core Council of Europe and United Nations human-rights conventions and the additional optional protocols: among others, the European Social Charter, the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities,
Amendment 179 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 31 31. Calls on the EU Member States to sign up to, and ratify without reservations, the core Council of Europe and United Nations human-rights conventions and the additional optional protocols: among others, the European Social Charter, the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women; furthermore, suggests that, in the European legislative process, more account be taken of international documents and more reference made to them;
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B b (new) Bb. whereas this culture must also be based on effective monitoring of respect for the fundamental rights guaranteed in the Charter, starting at the level of drafting of legislative proposals by the Commission; whereas other considerations may not take precedence over respecting and safeguarding the aforementioned fundamental rights, failing which there is a risk of tarnishing the role and image of the European Union as a guarantor and promoter of human rights and fundamental freedoms in its relations with third countries,
Amendment 180 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 31 31. Calls on the EU Member States to sign up to, and ratify, the core Council of Europe and United Nations human-rights conventions and the additional optional protocols: among others, the European Social Charter, the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,
Amendment 181 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 31 31. Calls on the EU Member States to sign up to, and ratify, the core Council of Europe and United Nations human-rights conventions and the additional optional protocols: among others, the European Social Charter, the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,
Amendment 182 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 31 31. Calls on the EU Member States to sign up to, and ratify, the core Council of Europe and United Nations human-rights conventions and the additional optional protocols: among others, the European Social Charter, the Framework Convention
Amendment 183 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 32 32. Stresses the need for appropriate attention to the various UN monitoring mechanisms and to the findings of the UN human-rights bodies, and suggests that their recommendations relevant to Member States be followed closely; points out the importance of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the United Nations Human Rights Council; recommends cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the office of the High Commissioner for Refugees of the United Nations; and welcomes the opening, in Brussels, of the first European Regional Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights;
Amendment 184 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 32 a (new) 32a. Calls on the Council and the Commission to authorise FRONTEX to establish structured cooperation with the agencies dealing with fundamental rights or migrants or asylum and the UNHCR, so as to facilitate operations which have implications for the protection of human rights;
Amendment 185 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 33 a (new) 33a. Calls on Member States sitting in the United Nations Security Council to ensure procedural rights guarantees in the listing and de-listing process of alleged terrorist groups or persons, as required by relevant CJ case law;
Amendment 186 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 34 34. Emphasises that the new architecture will be measured on how effectively the
Amendment 187 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 34 a (new) 34a. Takes the view that the attempts in some Member States to consign religion to the private sphere should be described as an infringement of the fundamental right to freedom of religion, which is expressly protected by the Charter with regard to both public and private spheres;
Amendment 188 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 34 b (new) 34b. Is alarmed that the concept of 'hate speech' is increasingly invoked in order to place unacceptable restrictions on legitimate manifestations of religious freedom;
Amendment 189 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – introductory part 35. Recalls, therefore, all its resolutions and debates on fundamental-rights issues
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B a (new) B a. whereas one member of the Commission is in charge to implement the fundamental rights agenda, the Fundamental Rights Agency should not serve as parallel mechanism and bypass the established procedures in this policy area,
Amendment 190 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – introductory part 35. Recalls, therefore, all its resolutions and debates, as well as findings from missions and country visits, on fundamental-rights issues
Amendment 191 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – introductory part 35. Recalls, therefore, all its resolutions and debates as well as findings from missions and country visits on fundamental-rights issues in 2009 and 2010, which have shown that there are many outstanding issues and specific cases of violation of fundamental rights, which require urgent steps, mid-
Amendment 192 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – introductory part 35. Recalls, therefore, all its resolutions and debates, as well as findings from missions and country visits on fundamental-rights issues in 2009 and 2010, which have shown that there are many outstanding issues and specific cases of violation of fundamental rights, which require urgent steps, mid-
Amendment 193 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 1 – protecting the four fundamental freedoms as the basic EU achievements, with specific attention to the freedom of movement of EU citizens,
Amendment 194 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 1 – protecting the four fundamental freedoms as the basic EU achievements, namely the freedom of movement,
Amendment 195 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 1 – protecting the four fundamental freedoms as the basic EU achievements; notes as highlighted in the Commission's EU Citizenship Report 2010 the major problems still encountered by EU citizens in securing rights and redress as consumers, tourists, workers, residents or legally-bound couples in a Member State other than their own; urges the Commission to speedily present the actions mentioned in this report with a view to improving the daily life of EU citizens,
Amendment 196 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 1 a (new) – securing the rights of all persons present in the EU territory, irrespective of citizenship,
Amendment 197 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 1 a (new) – ensuring legal certainty and the existence of appropriate checks and balances of a sound democratic system,
Amendment 198 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 2 Amendment 199 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 2 – protecting data and privacy, including transfer and storage of financial and personal data,
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 1 – having regard to the preamble of the Treaty on European Union, notably its second
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B b (new) B b. whereas Article 51 of the Charter highlights the obligation to respect the principle of subsidiarity and underlines that EU and national institutions shall implement the fundamental rights agenda in accordance with their respective powers and respecting the limits of the powers of the Union as conferred on it in the Treaties; whereas the Charter does not extend the field of application of Union law beyond the powers of the Union or establish any new power or task for the Union, or modify powers and tasks as defined in the Treaties,
Amendment 200 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 2 – protecting data and privacy, including transfer and storage of financial and personal data
Amendment 201 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 2 – protecting personal data and privacy, including transfer and storage of financial and personal data, and pro
Amendment 202 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 2 – protecting data and privacy, including transfer and storage of financial and personal data, both within and outside the EU, and promoting the right
Amendment 203 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 2 - protecting data and privacy, including transfer and storage of financial and personal data, and
Amendment 204 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 2 a (new) – respecting the freedom and pluralism of the media and the free flow of information without interference by any public authority,
Amendment 205 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 2 a (new) – ensuring that the demands of collective security in the context of terrorism do not displace respect for justice and individual freedom which are fundamental in democratic societies; considers that the growing tendency to store large amounts of data on individuals in the cause of fighting crime and terrorism must be judged against the fundamental right to privacy,
Amendment 206 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 3 - combating trafficking of human beings – especially women and children –
Amendment 207 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 3 – combating trafficking of human beings – especially women and children – which constitutes an intolerable form of slavery; notes that despite EU and national legislation and policy commitments over many years, several hundred thousand people are estimated to be trafficked into the EU or within the EU area annually and highlights the need for greater urgency in tackling this crime, including through the new proposed EU Directive which includes the suggested appointment of national rapporteurs to monitor the implementation of anti-trafficking policy at the national level,
Amendment 208 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 3 a (new) – protecting the rights of refugees and migrants, ensuring that EU management of migration flows and negotiations on readmission agreements with third countries do not put such individuals at risk of human rights violations,
Amendment 209 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 4 - protecting the rights of victims of violence, crime, war and human rights violations, an area in which EU-wide legislation is required,
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B c (new) B c. whereas the fundamental rights agenda does not affect in any way the right of Member States to legislate in the sphere of public morality, family law, the definition of "family" and "marriage" as well as the protection of human dignity and respect for human physical and moral integrity,
Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 4 – protecting the rights of victims, a
Amendment 211 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 4 Amendment 212 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 4 – protecting the rights of victims, an area in which EU-wide legislation is required; highlights the EU public consultation on improving rights of victims of crime and violence launched in early 2010 and looks forward to the Commission's follow-up proposal of practical measures to support victims throughout the justice process; recalls the Member State initiative for a European protection order with a view to increasing the protection granted to victims who move between EU Member States but urges legal clarification of its provisions,
Amendment 213 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 4 – protecting the rights of victims, an area in which EU-wide legislation is required, without redirecting attention and resources that go into prevention, combating criminals and terrorists and into addressing root causes,
Amendment 214 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 5 – developing EU strategy on the rights of the child through practical measures to combat child abuse, sexual exploitation and child
Amendment 215 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 5 – developing EU strategy on the rights of the child through practical measures to combat child abuse, sexual exploitation and child pornography, to promote safer use of the internet and to eliminate child labour and child poverty, bearing in mind the estimate that 10-20% of children in Europe will be sexually assaulted during their childhood, that research shows child victims portrayed in pornography are getting younger and that current global economic circumstances threaten to push more children into the workforce and/or poverty,
Amendment 216 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 5 a (new) – promoting EU asylum and immigration policies in accordance with the values and principles set out in the treaties, the Charter and the ECHR: cancelling any agreements and negotiations with third countries, particularly in relation to the European Neighbourhood Policy, which seek to transfer the implementation and enforcement of EU migratory policy to those third countries; suspending readmission agreements and negotiations on any new readmission agreement with third countries which do not comply with or apply minimum standards in terms of human rights, democracy and rule of law, unless a genuine assessment has been carried out by the Commission, having heard both sides, of the readmission agreements concluded and implemented by the EU, in particular in terms of infringements of rights and of the consequences for people who are sent back to their countries of origin or readmission; revising the Return Directive;
Amendment 217 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 5 b (new) – halting negotiations with certain third countries, in particular with regard to the strengthening of the partnerships between the European Union and the countries in question, despite the poor or deteriorating situation of democracy, rule of law and human rights in those third countries (Libya and Tunisia in particular);
Amendment 218 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 5 a (new) – developing an EU strategy on the rights of disabled people, who still suffer from discrimination in their social, professional and cultural lives;
Amendment 219 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 6 – prohibiting and eliminating all forms of discrimination
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph -1 a (new) -1a. Stresses that effective protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms is the foundation of democracy in the European Union and an essential precondition for the consolidation of the European area of freedom, security and justice;
Amendment 220 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 6 Amendment 221 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 6 – prohibiting and eliminating all forms of discrimination
Amendment 222 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 6 – prohibiting and eliminating all forms of discrimination against a large number of minorities, protecting the language rights of national minorities,
Amendment 223 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 6 – prohibiting and eliminating all forms of discrimination
Amendment 224 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 6 – prohibiting and eliminating all forms of discrimination against a large number of minorities, while establishing the legal responsibilities and competences that are involved,
Amendment 225 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 6 – prohibiting and eliminating all forms of discrimination
Amendment 226 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 6 – prohibiting and eliminating all forms of discrimination against a large number of minorities, including ethnic profiling,
Amendment 227 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 6 – prohibiting and eliminating all forms of discrimination against
Amendment 228 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 6 – prohibiting and eliminating all forms of discrimination against a large number of
Amendment 229 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 6 a (new) – prohibiting the stigmatisation of cultural minorities and launching infringement proceedings against Member States which behave in such an unacceptable way;
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph -1 b (new) -1b. Stresses that protecting fundamental rights involves actions at several levels (international, European, national, regional and local), and emphasises the role that regional and local authorities can take in the practical implementation and promotion of these rights;
Amendment 230 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 6 a (new) – protecting language diversity, as a cultural heritage of Europe, including minority languages,
Amendment 231 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 6 b (new) – prohibiting the sanctioning of the use of a language different from the official language of a Member State,
Amendment 232 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 6 a (new) - combating poverty and social exclusion,
Amendment 233 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 7 Amendment 234 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 7 - drawing up an action-oriented strategy on
Amendment 235 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 7 – drawing up an action-oriented
Amendment 236 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 7 – drawing up an action-oriented strategy on the Roma and mainstreaming the issue in European
Amendment 237 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 7 a (new) – setting up of a EU wide framework on procedural rights for suspects in criminal proceedings,
Amendment 238 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 7 a (new) – guaranteeing and promoting conditions that enable the checks and balances to work and to contribute to the proper functioning of a democratic society and a genuine rule of law, in particular by guaranteeing the independence of the courts of law and Community bodies established under European legislation;
Amendment 239 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 7 b (new) – guaranteeing and promoting freedom of the press in the European Union, which is deteriorating year after year, the most noteworthy facts being the concentration of the media, the pressure exerted on journalists and their work and the suing of journalists for no real or serious reason;
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph -1 a (new) -1a. Calls on all European Union institutions to build on the new institutional and legal framework created by the Lisbon Treaty to devise an ambitious and comprehensive internal human rights policy for the Union that goes beyond an approach to human rights based on lines of competence between EU and Member States; this policy should ensure that accountability mechanisms are available at EU level to address persisting fundamental rights violations across Member States, such as the lack of EU accountability for torture;
Amendment 240 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 7 a (new) – protecting and promoting regional or minority languages,
Amendment 241 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 7 a (new) – evaluating the existing EU readmission agreements and assessing the fundamental rights impact of the EU policy on readmission agreements,
Amendment 242 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 7 b (new) – ensuring that stateless persons permanently resident in Member States are able to enjoy all fundamental rights, in particular, the right to vote in local elections,
Amendment 243 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 8 Amendment 244 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 8 Amendment 245 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 8 a (new) – combating inequalities, particularly social ones, which have increased and worsened over the past few years – also because of the 2008 financial and economic crisis – in accordance with the principles, rights and objectives laid down in the Treaty on European Union, the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and the charter to improve living and employment conditions for the peoples of the Member States, including social, economic and territorial cohesion and solidarity between the Member States and their peoples; notes and condemns the fact that the various austerity plans adopted by the European Union and other international institutions such as the IMF have often exacerbated the social rights situation and led to a huge increase in unemployment, job insecurity and deteriorating living standards, particularly for the most vulnerable and fragile people in the Member States concerned;
Amendment 246 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 8 b (new) – providing access to social welfare, health, education and training systems, in addition to cultural infrastructure, services of general interest and high- quality social services that are accessible to all, as a vital part of active, effective and responsible citizenship; promoting market and non-market entrepreneurship in secondary school, university and adult training programmes, including social and cooperative forms of the economy and responsible and ethical management; taking into account the specific features of the aforementioned systems and sectors of the social economy in order to pave the way for the social dimension of the internal market;
Amendment 247 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 8 c (new) – protecting migrants, particularly asylum-seekers;
Amendment 248 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 8 a (new) – Encouraging civil society to promote a transparent and regular debate on fundamental rights, to ensure that they are protected as broadly as possible;
Amendment 249 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 8 b (new) – Combating all forms of racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism;
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1.
Amendment 250 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 8 c (new) – Promoting greater interfaith and intercultural understanding, with a view to improving the European integration process;
Amendment 251 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 8 a (new) – protecting the rights of irregular migrants in the EU,
Amendment 252 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 8 b (new) – combating poverty and social exclusion,
Amendment 253 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 8 a (new) – protecting the freedom of expression, and the freedom and independence of all media and press,
Amendment 254 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 – indent 8 a (new) – on violations of the fundamental right to religious freedom in some of its Member States,
Amendment 255 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 a (new) 35a. Underlines the need to avoid unilateral interpretations of the principle of non-discrimination and rejects the attempts to grant to Article 21 of the Charter a prominent role compared with other (equally important) provisions contained in it;
Amendment 256 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 b (new) 35b. Stresses the need to respect Article 81(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union when implementing the fundamental rights agenda and when proceeding on the harmonisation of civil and family law.
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Draws attention to its resolutions
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Draws attention to its resolutions, as well as its oral questions with debates, and findings from missions and country visits in 2009 and 2010 on specific fundamental rights such as privacy, personal dignity and data protection, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom of expression and information, press freedom, non-discrimination and the use of minority languages, on Roma issues, on discrimination against same-sex marriages,
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Draws attention to its recent resolutions, as well as its oral questions with debates,
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Draws attention to its resolutions, as well as its oral questions with debates,
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 3 a (new) – having regard to Title VII of the Charter of Fundamental Rights,
Amendment 30 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Draws attention to its resolutions, as well as its oral questions with debates, in 2009 and 2010 on specific fundamental rights such as privacy, personal dignity and data protection, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom of expression and information, press freedom, non-discrimination and the use of minority languages, the prohibition of torture, violence and every form of cruel and inhuman treatment, on Roma issues, on discrimination against same-sex marriages, and on the illegal detention of prisoners;
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Draws attention to its resolutions, as well as its oral questions with debates, in 2009 and 2010 on specific fundamental rights such as privacy, personal dignity and data protection, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom of expression and information, press freedom, non-discrimination and the use of minority languages, freedom of movement of EU citizens, on Roma issues, on discrimination against same-sex marriages,
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Draws attention to its resolutions, as well as its oral questions with debates, and its findings from missions and country visits in 2009 and 2010 on specific fundamental rights such as privacy, personal dignity and data protection, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom of expression and information, press freedom, non- discrimination and the use of minority languages, on Roma issues, on discrimination against same-sex marriages, and on the illegal detention of prisoners; stresses that all these resolutions reflect the spirit of the Charter, show its clear commitment to the everyday protection of fundamental rights, and send political messages to European citizens, Member States and the EU institutions;
Amendment 33 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Draws attention to its resolutions, as well as its oral questions with debates, in 2009 and 2010 on specific fundamental rights such as privacy, personal dignity and data protection, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom of expression and information, press freedom, non-discrimination and the use of minority languages, on Roma issues, on homophobia and the discrimination
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Draws attention to its resolutions, as well as its oral questions with debates, in 2009 and 2010 on specific fundamental rights such as privacy, personal dignity and data protection, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom of expression and information, press freedom, non-discrimination and the use of minority languages, on Roma issues, on discrimination against same-sex marriages, rights of irregular migrants in the EU, and on the illegal detention of prisoners; stresses that all these resolutions reflect the spirit of the Charter, show its clear commitment to the everyday protection of fundamental rights, and send political
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Draws attention to its resolutions, as well as its oral questions with debates, in 2009 and 2010 on specific fundamental rights such as privacy, personal dignity and data protection, prohibition of torture, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom of expression and information, press freedom, non- discrimination and the use of minority languages, on Roma issues, on discrimination against same-sex marriages, and on the illegal detention of prisoners; stresses that all these resolutions reflect the spirit of the Charter, show its clear commitment to the everyday protection of fundamental rights, and send political messages to European citizens, Member States and the EU institutions;
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Draws attention to its resolutions, as well as its oral questions with debates, in 2009 and 2010 on specific fundamental
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Draws attention to its resolutions, as well as its oral questions with debates,
Amendment 38 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Draws attention to its resolutions, as well as its oral questions with debates, in 2009 and 2010 on specific fundamental rights such as privacy, personal dignity and data protection, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom of expression and information, press freedom, non-discrimination and the use of minority languages, on Roma issues,
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Points out that the EU human rights policy should ensure that accountability mechanisms are available at EU level to address human rights violations that persist across Member States so that the existing protection gaps are addressed; notes that within this grey zone serious human rights violations are detected, such as the lack of Member States accountability for torture;
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 3 b (new) – having regard to Article 81(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 b (new) 1b. Calls on the Commission to extend the scope of its Communication on the Strategy for the effective implementation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights by the European Union1 and to elaborate further on the EU’s vision and instruments to promote, protect and fulfil human rights and to promote the effective application of the Charter; this should include a follow-up to its 2003 Communication on Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union2 and the speech of former Vice-President Barrot before the European Parliament in response to the EP’s last report on fundamental rights in the EU, which called for a future Communication to define a transparent and coherent way to approach situations that go beyond strict EU competence, including the use of diplomatic means and of Article 7 TEU; 1 COM(2010)0573. 2 COM(2003)0606.
Amendment 41 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 c (new) Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Notes that extraordinary rendition, which has regrettably become a common practice in international intelligence cooperation, thoroughly undermines the EU's human rights framework; regrets that the Council and Commission have not followed up any of the recommendations contained in the European Parliament's 2007 report on the alleged use of European countries by the CIA for the transportation and illegal detention of prisoners1 nor shared with the European Parliament information on EU-US discussions on this topic; deplores the avoidance of accountability for complicity in illegal CIA rendition and secret detention in most EU Member States against whom credible allegations exist, since both complicity and lack of accountability undermines the EU's moral authority; strongly welcomes in the context the independent judge-led inquiry into complicity in torture set up by the government of the United Kingdom; 1 P6_TA(2007)0032.
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Considers it necessary to reflect on developments in relation to the protection of fundamental rights in the post-Lisbon period and, in that context, intends this resolution to clarify the role that each institution and mechanism should play in the new European architecture of fundamental rights, including the role of Parliament to follow-up on its resolutions related to human rights issues in the EU;
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Considers it necessary to reflect on developments in relation to the protection of fundamental rights in the post-Lisbon period and, in that context, intends this resolution to clarify the role that each institution and mechanism should play in the new European architecture of fundamental rights; this includes the role of Parliament to follow-up on its resolutions related to fundamental rights issues in the European Union;
Amendment 45 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 a (new) 2a. Calls on all EU institutions and Member State governments and parliaments to build within the new institutional and legal framework created by the Lisbon Treaty an ambitious and comprehensive internal human rights policy for the EU and its member States that incorporates effective accountability mechanisms at both national and EU level to address human rights violations;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 b (new) 2b. Calls on the Commission to follow up its recent communication on the Strategy for the effective implementation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights by the European Union1 by updating its 2003 communication on Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union2 and elaborating what instruments are needed and available to ensure respect for human rights; 1 COM(2010)0573. 2 COM(2003)0606.
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Reiterates that the legal achievements since the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon on 1 December 2009 have fundamentally changed the face of the EU, which is establishing itself increasingly as a political community of shared values
Amendment 48 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Reiterates that the
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Reaffirms that, notwithstanding the rights recognised by the ECHR, the Charter represents
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 5 – having regard to the Commission
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Reaffirms that the Charter represents the most modern codification of fundamental rights, offering a good balance between rights and solidarity and encompassing civil, political, economic
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Reaffirms that the Charter represents the most modern codification of fundamental rights, offering a good balance between rights and solidarity and encompassing
Amendment 52 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Reaffirms that the Charter represents the most modern codification of fundamental rights, offering a good balance between rights and solidarity and encompassing civil, political, economic (such basic rights as the right to property) and social rights as well as ‘third generation’ rights (i.e. the rights to good administration, impartial information, a healthy environment and consumer protection);
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Reaffirms that the Charter has the same legal value as the Treaties and represents the most modern codification of fundamental rights, offering a good balance between rights and solidarity and encompassing civil, political, economic and social rights as well as ‘third generation’ rights (i.e. the
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. Stresses that the Union is based on the principles of democracy and the rule of law, respecting legal certainty and adequate checks and balances;
Amendment 55 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Stresses that the incorporation of the Charter into primary EU law, while not extending the Union's competences, creates new responsibilities for the decision- making and implementing institutions, as well as for Member States when implementing EU legislation domestically, and that the Charter's provisions have thus become directly enforceable by European and national courts; calls on the EU institutions and Member States to increase coherence among their various bodies responsible for monitoring and implementation, with a view to effective application of the established comprehensive framework
Amendment 56 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Stresses that the incorporation of the Charter into primary EU law, while not extending the Union's competences, creates new responsibilities for the decision- making and implementing institutions, as well as for Member States when implementing EU legislation domestically, and that the Charter's provisions have thus become directly enforceable by European and national courts; calls on the EU institutions and Member States to increase coherence among their various bodies responsible for monitoring and implementation, with a view to effective application of the established comprehensive framework; to reinforce a cross-EU monitoring mechanism, as well as an early warning system through the Fundamental Rights Agency, civil society and UN mechanisms, such as the Universal Periodic Review;
Amendment 57 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Stresses that the incorporation of the Charter into primary EU law, while not extending the Union's competences, creates new responsibilities for the decision- making and implementing institutions, as well as for Member States when implementing EU legislation domestically, and that the Charter's provisions have thus become directly enforceable by European and national courts; calls on the EU institutions and Member States to increase coherence among their various bodies responsible for monitoring and implementation, with a view to effective application of the established comprehensive framework; and to reinforce a cross-EU monitoring mechanism, as well as an early warning system through the Fundamental Rights Agency, civil society and UN mechanisms;
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Stresses that the incorporation of the Charter into primary EU law, while not extending the Union’s competences, creates new responsibilities for the decision-making and implementing institutions, as well as for Member States when implementing EU legislation
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6.
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 5 – having regard to the Commission
Amendment 60 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Points out that promotion of respect for the core values of the EU constitutes common ground in the Union's relations with third countries, and stresses that the
Amendment 61 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Points out that promotion of respect for the core values of the EU constitutes common ground in the Union's relations with third countries, and stresses that the Charter is applicable in this regard; underlines the fact that, within the new institutional structure of the EU, the European External Action Service (EEAS) can only offer
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Points out that promotion of respect for the core values of the EU constitutes common ground in the Union's relations with third countries, and stresses that the Charter is applicable in this regard; underlines the fact that, within the new institutional structure of the EU, the European External Action Service (EEAS) offers an opportunity to enhance coherence and effectiveness in the sphere of external policy, and therefore calls for a human- rights-based approach to the service's structure, resources and activity; emphasises that the Union plays a leading role in the promotion of human rights in the world, therefore agreements with third countries should reflect the principles of the Charter;
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Points out that promotion of respect for the core values of the EU constitutes common ground in the Union's relations with third countries, and stresses that the Charter is applicable in this regard; underlines the fact that, within the new institutional structure of the EU, the European External Action Service (EEAS) offers an opportunity to enhance coherence and effectiveness in the sphere of external policy, and therefore calls for a human- rights-based approach to the service's structure, resources and activity; in this regard calls upon the EU to maintain coherence between its internal and external human rights policy and mechanisms, in order to ensure its credibility in international fora;
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Reiterates once again its call on the Commission and the Council, and in particular the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, to give effect to the clause on human rights in the international agreements in force, and thus to establish a mechanism for the implementation in practice of this clause in the spirit of Articles 8, 9 and 96 of the Cotonou Agreement; stresses that the EU should clearly indicate the appropriate sanctions that could be applied to third countries that commit serious violations of human rights, and apply them;
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Reaffirms that EU accession to the ECHR will provide an additional mechanism for enforcing human rights, namely the possibility of lodging a complaint with the ECtHR in relation to an act, or a failure to act, by an EU institution or a Member State implementing EU law, falling within the remit of the ECHR; and that ECtHR case law will thus provide
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Reaffirms that EU accession to the ECHR will constitute the minimum level of protection for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Europe and provide an additional mechanism for enforcing human rights, namely the possibility of lodging a complaint with the ECHR in relation to an act, or a failure to act, by an EU institution or a Member State implementing EU law, falling within the remit of the ECHR; and that ECHR case law will thus provide significant input for current and future EU
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Reaffirms that EU accession to the ECHR will provide an additional mechanism for enforcing human rights, namely the possibility of lodging a complaint with the ECtHR in relation to a
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Reaffirms that EU accession to the ECHR will provide an additional
Amendment 69 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8. Calls on all the Member States of the EU and of the Council of Europe to express their clear political commitment to, and their will to support, the accession process and agreement; calls on the Commission to finalise its internal consultations, as well as the negotiations with the Council of Europe, by finding adequate solutions to
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 6 – having regard to all the related conventions, recommendations, reports and activities of the Council of Europe and the United Nations, including specialised monitoring bodies and human rights commissioners, in the area of fundamental rights,
Amendment 70 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8. Calls on all the Member States of the EU and of the Council of Europe to express their clear political commitment to, and their will to support, the accession process and agreement; calls on the Commission to finalise its internal consultations, as well as the negotiations with the Council of Europe, by finding adequate solutions to the main technical questions in order to
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 a (new) 8a. Calls on all the Member States of the EU to ensure transparency of the process of EU’s accession to the ECHR, as regards the human rights implications of this procedure, stressing that there should be a proper consultation with relevant stakeholders, including academics, NGOs and experts as well as proper democratic scrutiny of the procedure;
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 a (new) 8a. Calls on all the Member States of the EU and of the Council of Europe to ensure transparency of the accession process;
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to raise awareness of the benefits of accession to the ECHR and of the requirements to be fulfilled, by developing guidelines on the adequate application and the effects of this additional mechanism
Amendment 74 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to raise awareness of the benefits of accession to the ECHR and of
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to raise awareness of the benefits of accession to the ECHR and of the requirements to be fulfilled, by developing guidelines on the adequate application and the effects of this additional mechanism so that excessive expectations on the part of EU citizens can be avoided; also invites the Commission to implement rapidly an awareness-raising campaign on the rights conferred on citizens by the Charter of Fundamental Rights;
Amendment 76 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to raise awareness of the benefits of accession to the ECHR and of the requirements to be fulfilled, by
Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to raise awareness of the benefits of accession to the ECHR and of the requirements to be fulfilled, by developing guidelines on the adequate application and the effects of this additional mechanism
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to raise awareness of the benefits of accession to the ECHR and of the requirements to be fulfilled, by developing guidelines on the adequate application and the effects of this additional mechanism so that e
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Welcomes, furthermore, the new general obligations created by the Treaty of Lisbon to combat social exclusion and discrimination and to promote social justice and protection and a high level of employment, education, training and health protection, equality of women and men, solidarity between generations and protection of the rights of the child, as well as its explicit reference to persons belonging to minorities, which reflects another founding value of the Union;
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 6 – having regard to all the related conventions and recommendations of the Council of Europe and the United Nations, in
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Welcomes, furthermore, the new
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Welcomes, furthermore, the new general obligations created by the Treaty of Lisbon to combat social exclusion and discrimination and to promote social justice and protection, equality of women and men, solidarity between generations and protection of the rights of the child, as well as its explicit reference to persons belonging to minorities, which reflects another founding value of the Union;
Amendment 82 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Welcomes, furthermore, the new general obligations created by the Treaty of
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Welcomes, furthermore, the new general obligations created by the Treaty of Lisbon to combat social exclusion and discrimination and to promote social justice and protection, equal
Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Welcomes, furthermore, the new general obligations created by the Treaty of Lisbon to combat social exclusion and discrimination and to promote social justice and protection, equality of women and men, efficient and fair integration of immigrants, solidarity between generations and protection of the rights of the child, as well as its explicit reference to persons belonging to minorities, which reflects another founding value of the Union; also welcomes the fact that the Union has acquired legal personality allowing it to accede to international treaties, the improvement in judicial protection with the extension of the jurisdiction of the CJ to areas of obvious relevance to the protection of fundamental rights, such as police and judicial cooperation in the field of criminal
Amendment 85 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 bis (new) 10a. Further welcomes the fact that the EU has acquired legal personality, allowing it to accede to international treaties, and also welcomes the improvement in legal protection through the expansion of the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice into areas of indisputable importance in terms of protection of fundamental rights, such as police and judicial cooperation in criminal law, the strengthened role of the European Parliament and the national parliaments in EU decision-making, particularly in the form of assessing the implementation of EU policy in the area of freedom, security and justice, and the enhanced role of European citizens, who are now empowered to call for legislative measures from the EU through the Citizens’ Initiative;
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 11.
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 11. Calls for
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 11. Calls for full and consistent implementation of the Stockholm Programme in compliance with international and European human rights law, which converts the obligations and principles deriving from the Treaty into practice by setting the strategic guidelines for the AFSJ; recalls that the AFSJ covers all persons living under EU jurisdiction, independently of citizenship;
Amendment 89 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 11. Calls for full and consistent implementation in compliance with international and European human rights law of the Stockholm Programme, which converts the obligations and principles deriving from the Treaty into practice by setting the strategic guidelines for the AFSJ;
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 6 – having regard to all the related conventions and recommendations of the Council of Europe and the United Nations in the area of fundamental rights, including specialised monitoring bodies,
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12.
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Considers that the European institutions have often acted in parallel in the field of protection of fundamental rights and therefore calls for reflection on actions taken and for enhanced cooperation among these institutions; calls for the establishment of an interinstitutional structured procedure for the annual monitoring of the situation of human rights in the EU, involving the FRA, the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament, defining contents and a timetable for the respective reports, so that each institution can build upon other institutions' reports;
Amendment 92 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Considers that the European institutions have often acted in parallel in the field of protection of fundamental rights and therefore calls for reflection on actions taken and for e
Amendment 93 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Considers that the European institutions have often acted in parallel in the field of protection of fundamental rights and therefore calls for reflection on actions taken and for enhanced cooperation and accountability mechanisms among these institutions;
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Welcomes the creation of a new ‘Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship’ portfolio within the Commission as an indication of its commitment to step up its efforts in the area of fundamental rights and freedoms and as a positive response to Parliament's repeated requests in this regard; such a division between justice and security should not reinforce the misconceived dichotomy between the need to protect the human rights of all people and the need to guarantee their security; the new Commissioner should pay particular attention to EU policies to fight irregular migration and terrorism and full support from the college of commissioners is crucial to enable the new Commissioner to stand out;
Amendment 95 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Welcomes the creation of a new ‘Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship’ portfolio within the Commission as an indication of its commitment to step up its efforts in the
Amendment 96 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13.
Amendment 97 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 a (new) 13a. Calls on the Commission to make 2013 the European Year of Citizenship in order to give momentum to the debate on European citizenship and inform EU citizens of their rights, in particular the new rights resulting from the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon;
Amendment 98 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 Amendment 99 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14. Expects concrete actions by the new Commissioner responsible, in line with already declared intentions: to introduce a fundamental-rights impact assessment of all new legislative proposals; to oversee the legislative process to ensure that emerging final texts comply with the Charter; and to apply a ‘zero tolerance’ policy on violations of the Charter, initiating infringement proceedings when
source: PE-452.639
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Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 150New
Rules of Procedure EP 150 |
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LIBE/7/01334New
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Rules of Procedure EP 052
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1.10 Fundamental rights in the Union, CharterNew
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