19/12/2013
Contribution to the consultation on the future of EU justice policies? in the light of the Union’s achievements (EN)
Category Archives: Justice & Fundamental Rights
Respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and human rights are the values on which the European Union is founded.
The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU is the fundamental text of reference for Union policies and initiatives.
COMECE closely follows policies related to justice and fundamental rights in areas such as equality and non-discrimination, data protection, family matters, rights of the child, child protection and EU citizenship.
COMECE is of the view that fundamental rights must have a clear and objective concept of human dignity as their basis, that the focus must be on the ethical implications of EU policies and legislation, and that considerations must be given to the way these latter may impact on the activities of the Church.
COMECE is assisted in this mission by a Legal Affairs Commission.
News
European Citizenship: we need a sense of belonging to a community
EU citizenship is an issue central to our European identity and promises to feature prominently in the debates preceding the 2014 European Parliamentary elections. In the context of the European Year of Citizens 2013, the EU Commission has sought the views of the Churches on this theme in the frame of the Dialogue Seminar on 20 June. From the perspective of the EU Commission, Ms … Continue reading
News
Towards active involvement: the spiritual dimension of European citizenship
This year’s annual EU high-level meeting of religious leaders took place on 30 May at the Commission’s headquarters in Brussels, under the motto ‘Putting citizens at the heart of Europe in times of change’. The meeting was hosted by José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, and co-chaired by Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, and László Surján, Vice-President of the European … Continue reading
23/05/2012
The role of Church actors in the European Cohesion Policy (EN)
27/10/2011
A European Community of solidarity and responsability (EN)
15/06/2011
Contribution to the consultation on Future funding activities in the area of Justice, Fundamental Rights and Equality for the period after 2013 (EN)
News
COMECE welcomes the new Transparency Register as a positive signal which deserves full support
Today, the European Parliament endorsed the setting-up of a common Commission/Parliament ‘Transparency Register’, creating the conditions for its official launch next June. This decision affects thousands of organisations, which liaise with the EU Institutions. COMECE welcomes this common Register as an instrument that will make the legislative and policy-making process more transparent at the EU level. Transparency is valued by the Catholic Church as an … Continue reading
29/03/2011
Contribution to the consultation on Less bureaucracy for citizens. Promoting free movement of public documents and recognition of the effects of civil status records (EN)
News
Shift of ECHR finally acknowledges the diversity of approaches in Europe regarding religious symbols in the public square
COMECE welcomes the sound judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg in the case Lautsi vs Italy. The Grand Chamber of the ECHR stated on 18 March 2011 that the presence of crucifixes in Italian State-school classrooms is not contrary to the right to education. This decision clearly refutes the previous 2009 judgment of the ECHR Chamber. COMECE sees in this decision … Continue reading
14/02/2011
Contribution to the consultation on Commissions comprehensive approach on personal data protection in the European Union (EN)