United States sanctions and the rule of law
2.9.2021
Question for oral answer O-000057/2021
to the Commission
Rule 136
Juan Fernando López Aguilar
on behalf of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
On 2 June 2021, the US administration announced that its Department of the Treasury had sanctioned three individuals and their networks in Bulgaria on grounds of engaging in corruption. The US administration believes that corruption poses a risk to the rule of law, to economic growth, democratic institutions and human rights. In particular, these sanctions stem from the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act[1]. In addition, at the same date, another three (former) public officials were designated by the US Department of State pursuant to Executive Order 13818, which entails that they cannot enter the US[2].
This raises profound questions over the consequences of such US sanctions for EU approaches in the fields of democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights. The Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group of Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs has held meetings and engaged in written exchanges with national authorities and EU institutions, often finding that there is a lack of urgency to address challenges.
In the light of these developments:
- 1.How does the Commission view the fact that a non-EU country which is considered an ally is taking action against corruption in a Member State? How does this change the Commission’s assessment of its current approach, and in particular the evaluation of its own actions so far in this matter?
- 2.What actions does the Commission envisage for a robust approach to corruption at state level? Will the Commission be more proactive in flagging and acting on corruption and threats to the rule of law across the Member States? In particular, as the Commission no longer publishes anti-corruption reports, will it reinforce the rigour of corruption monitoring and will it draw conclusions and include recommendations in its rule of law reports? How will the functioning of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office assist in this regard? Will the Commission proceed in developing a common anti-corruption strategy in the EU?
Submitted: 2.9.2021
Lapses: 3.12.2021