Parliamentary questions

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1855/03

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission

(22 May 2003)

Subject: Human rights in the EU - absence of common procedures for the reporting by Member States of human rights violations

 

 

E-1855/03EN

Answer given by Mr Vitorino

on behalf of the Commission

(7 July 2003)

 

 

Respect for fundamental rights at the Union level is ensured by the following mechanisms.

 

Article 7 of the Treaty on the European Union introduces mechanisms for ensuring respect for the principles set out in article 6 paragraph 1 of the same Treaty. The Commission together with the Parliament and the Member States are the actors responsible for launching the mechanisms set out in article 7. The Commission can initiate both mechanisms, of prevention and sanction, as provided for in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article. The Commission is in the process of producing a Communication to the Parliament and to the Council on the application of Article 7.

 

In 2002, the Independent Network of Experts on Fundamental Rights was set up by the Commission at the request of the Parliament. Their first annual report, which has already been transmitted to the Parliament on 2 May 2003, gives a comprehensive overview of the actual situation of fundamental rights in each of the Member States. This report analyses the situation on fundamental rights with respect to each article of the Charter, reviewing the legislation, case law and practices of the national authorities in a national, Community and international context.

 

While the report does not constitute the Commission's official view, it does provide it with a clear snapshot of the situation, as regards the protection of fundamental rights in the Union.