Saslušanja

The Committee on Petitions each year receives a considerable number of petitions referring to difficulties encountered by people with disabilities in the EU in various fields, such as access to employment, education systems or public transport facilities.

On 22 March, PETI and ENVI held a joint public hearing on the impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on public health and the environment, due to the high number of petitions received on the topic. Members listened to experts from EU and national regulatory agencies, academia, and civil society. The hearing consisted of two panels, focusing on the specificities of the EU regulatory approval process for EDCs, and whether it could be conceived differently in the future.

On 22 November 2017 from 14.30 to 18.30 in room ASP A3G-3, the Committee held a public hearing on the topic of the protection of the rights of workers in temporary or precarious employment. During the current legislature, the Committee on Petitions has received a significant number of petitions signalling concerns of citizens employed on a temporary basis or under precarious conditions, across the EU.

The Committee held a public hearing on the subject of restoring citizens’ trust in the European Project. Members heard from the European Ombudsman, Ms. Emily O'Reilly, and a range of experts, including representatives from the European Commission, NGOs (ECAS, ECI Campaign, Transparency International), academia (Universidad Complutense de Madrid), youth organisations (European Youth Forum), public policy think tanks (CEPS), and the media (European Broadcasting Union).

The hearing “Fighting against discrimination of EU citizens in the EU Member States and the protection of minorities” concerns petitioners alleging violation of some fundamental rights or denouncing the non-respect of the principles stated in the EU Charter, with particular reference to some grounds of discrimination mentioned sub Article 21.

The Committee on Petitions has lately received a considerable number of petitions alleging breaches of citizens' freedom to move and work in the Union. Participants to the hearing addressed the issues raised in the petitions notably on the basis of the analysis of some selected provisions of the Free Movement Directive in 9 Member States.

A public hearing on transparency and free access to information and documents was held by the Committee on Petitions. These issues were discussed with particular focus on environmental matters. The hearing was held on 21.06.16 with the participation of academics, representatives from civil society and from the European institutions.

Since the entry into force of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights in December 2009 the Committee on Petitions has been receiving an ever increasing number of petitions, in which the petitioners alleging a violation of their fundamental rights are invoking the Charter as a legal basis.

The Committee on Petitions each year receives a considerable number of petitions referring to difficulties encountered by people with disabilities in the EU in various fields, such as access to employment, insurance, financing, education systems or public transport facilities. The hearing will present the possibility to exchange views with the experts on the role the Committee on Petitions plays in the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The Hearing on the Right to Petition will provide a platform for discussion for Members, the general public and experts in the field on the petition process, cooperation with national and European authorities and future actions.