Fundamental rights in the European Union (2010 - 2011) (debate)
Renate Weber, on behalf of the ALDE Group. – Mr President, I want first of all to thank the rapporteur for her very good work and for the report she drafted in strong cooperation with us. She has taken on board the suggestions and requests of all the shadows, including the EPP, which is why the EPP decision to vote against it without any prior notice was equally unexpected and unfair. This is most unfortunate as it sends a negative message to our citizens in relation to this Parliament’s position on fundamental rights, putting at risk the adoption of this report, while the EPP alternative resolution is completely empty. I cannot but hope that the EPP, as a Group, will not fall into the trap organised by some of its Members to cover up what their national parties are doing back home.
The ALDE Group fully supports the report, as it consolidates this House’s continuing concerns in relation to the situation of fundamental rights, democracy and the rule of law in the EU and in its Member States. We all know that the European Union is experiencing not only an economic crisis but also a deeper crisis in terms of our basic principles and values. This is why we have to use to the maximum all the potential instruments that our treaties give us and reflect on strengthening these powers in the future.
The EU institutions should make full use of Articles 2 and 7 of the Treaty on European Union and address the Copenhagen dilemma by developing a clear set of indicators, monitoring and sanctioning mechanisms, including an early warning and freezing mechanism that the EPP has suggested in the past.
Among other things, this report also addresses the rights of specific groups such as Roma minorities, LGBT persons, people with disabilities, migrants and refugees, which is one more reason to hope that, in the same week when the EU received the Nobel Peace Prize and the world celebrates Human Rights Day, the European Parliament will vote in favour of a report on fundamental rights at home.