European Parliament

This author's articles

• Border management: striking the balance between freedom and security

  8 July 2008
  Border management, including the need for a balance between freedom and security, was the subject of a discussion at the EP on Monday between MEPs, national MPs and visiting experts. In the near future Parliament is due to scrutinise several proposals designed to consolidate the system created by the opening up of Europe’s borders and the introduction of the Schengen regime. MEPs will be keen to ensure that fundamental rights and privacy are respected.

• Parliament adopts directive on return of illegal immigrants

  24 June 2008
  The compromise reached between Parliament negotiators and the Council on the directive on the return of illegal immigrants was approved at first reading by the full Parliament on Wednesday. This legislation, which is a step towards a European immigration policy, will encourage the voluntary return of illegal immigrants but otherwise lay down minimum standards for their treatment.

• European Parliament resolution of 20 May 2008 on progress made in equal opportunities and non-discrimination in the EU

  27 May 2008
  The European Parliament adopted a report calling on the Commission to adhere to its commitment to propose a «comprehensive directive» to combat any discrimination in access to goods and services on grounds of sex, race, religion, disability, age or sexual orientation. The own-initiative report adopted with 362 votes in favour, 262 against and 56 abstentions, also demands effective sanctions and support for victims.

• The factors favouring support for terrorism and the recruitment of terrorists

  21 April 2008
  The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs adopted the own initiative report by Mr. Gérard DEPREZ (EPP-ED, BE), approving a proposal for a European Parliament recommendation to the Council on the factors favouring support for terrorism and the recruitment of terrorists.

• Roundtable with National parliaments on the revision of Framework decision 2002/475/JHA «Combatting terrorism»

  8 April 2008
  The European Parliament has decided to work on this dossier in close cooperation with its national counterparts. Associating National Parliaments (NP) is indeed both coherent with the current evolution of the latter’s powers in the EU treaties and logical in view of the particular interest they show in matters concerning the area of freedom, security and justice. The Lisbon Treaty strengthens the role of National Parliaments in many ways. Following the letter and the spirit of the treaty, they have been recognised a new role of association to the European legislative process, especially by the instauration of a deepened «system of early warning».

• European Parliament Resolution of 20 February 2008 on the Treaty of Lisbon

  25 March 2008
  The Lisbon Treaty would enhance the European Union’s democratic accountability, better protect citizens’ rights and improve the functioning of EU institutions. Member States should ratify it by the end of this year, to pave the way for the June 2009 European elections, said the European Parliament in an own-initiative report adopted with 525 votes in favour, 115 against and 29 abstentions. MEPs also say that they are aware of concerns, notably about exceptions made for some countries.

• European Parliament resolution of 12 December 2007 on the fight against terrorism

  14 January 2008
  Fighting terrorism can never be an excuse to violate human rights, say MEPs. Governments and EU institutions have often responded to terrorist attacks by adopting laws that have not been sufficiently discussed and some times in violation of basic human rights such as right to privacy or to a fair trial, say MEPs in a resolution which analyses EU counter-terrorism policy, adopted by 359 in favour to 293 against and 38 abstentions. Members call for further scrutiny of intelligence operations and for more proportionate and evidence-based legislation in the future.

• The European Parliament of Equal Opportunities for All

  23 October 2007
  The European Parliament and European Commission in the framework of the «2007 European Year of Equal Opportunities for All» organized «The European Parliament of Equal Opportunities for All» conference on 11-12 October 2007 in Brussels. Participants from EU institutions, national and regional authorities, civil society and universities discussed at the conference the European Union’s strategy to combat discrimination. The conference focused on the impact and the effectiveness of European anti-discrimination legislation.

• Parliament adopts priorities on legal and illegal immigration policies

  8 October 2007
  MEPs debated and voted today on two own-initiative reports relating to a policy plan for legal migration and the priorities in the fight against illegal immigration. The Chamber opened the door to the possibility of establishing an EU work permit for highly skilled workers (the so-called blue card) and defended that illegal immigration cannot be countered unless means and channels of legal immigration are established at the same time.

• MEPs debate the fight against terrorism - a new EU anti-terrorism co-ordinator?

  11 September 2007
  MEPs debated the fight against terrorism with statements from the Commission and the Council. The debate focussed on whether current EU legislation and data-sharing between the Member States should be fully assessed as to its effectiveness. MEPs also questioned whether the Council should appoint a new EU anti-terrorism co-ordinator following Mr de Vries decision to step down in February 2007. The House will vote on a resolution on the issue during its plenary session in October.

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