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.
Justice & Fundamental Rights, Press

NEWS

Religions strengthen their relations with the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights

On July 3, 2019, COMECE co-organised together with Don Bosco International and the Baha’i International Community a dialogue meeting on “Human Rights & Religion” with the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and the participation of Churches and religious communities (Article 17 TFEU), as well as of faith-based organisations (Article 11 TEU). Following the expert meeting of September 2017 and the integration of religions’ role … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Press

NEWS

COMECE gathers Church data protection experts

Following a demand of its Legal Affairs Commission, COMECE organised on 21 May 2019 an expert meeting to discuss the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and its impact on Church activities after one year of application. In dialogue with the European Commission, some of the main challenges in the field were identified and discussed. The protection of personal data, being a long-term … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Press

NEWS

COMECE welcomes some new EP steps towards a stronger transparency

The European Parliament recently introduced new internal rules concerning transparency in its interaction with “interest representatives”. The changes entered into force on 11 February 2019. COMECE supports transparency of EU institutions, allowing citizens to better assess processes leading to the laws governing them. This is key to accountability and exemplarity, especially in view of the May 2019 EU Elections. The new rule, which oblige Rapporteurs, … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Press

NEWS

Legal Affairs Commission: Article 17 and Fundamental Rights under the spotlight

The COMECE Legal Affairs Commission met on 7 February 2019 to discuss some current legal topics of interest for the Church, including the implementation of Article 17 TFEU and the need for the EU and its Member states to better promote and protect Fundamental Rights. Experts focused on Article 17 TFEU as a tool supporting the relationship between Churches and the EU institutions by setting … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Press

Press Release

70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Statement of the President of the COMECE Legal Affairs Commission

On the date marking the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Mgr. Theodorus C.M. Hoogenboom, President of the COMECE Legal Affairs Commission, recalls its legal and political significance for the Church. In this context, during the year 2018, COMECE organised and participated in various high-level events on the topic of Fundamental Rights, including: – Criminalisation of circumcision: putting the fundamental rights’ system … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

COMECE recalls core human rights principles in major EP Dialogue Seminar

“The hierarchisation of human rights is a grave obstacle to their promotion and protection”, reaffirmed COMECE during the Article 17 TFEU Dialogue Seminar on “Religion and Human Rights within the EU: A Shared Responsibility”, held at the European Parliament on 4 December with representatives of churches and religious communities. The event took place on the occasion of the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

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Legal Affairs Commission: data protection and non-discrimination still high on the agenda

The COMECE Legal Affairs Commission, presided b H.E. Mgr. Hoogenboom, met on 15 October 2018 and exchanged views on EU and Church priority topics. In dialogue with European Commission representatives, experts discussed the significance of the Egenberger and IR judgments for Church structures and the implications of the Coman judgment for national legal systems. Experts also reflected on the actions carried out by the Church … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

COMECE contribution to the 2018 Fundamental Rights Forum

In the Fundamental Rights Forum organised by EU Agency for Fundamental Rights on the topic of “Belonging”, COMECE emphasised the specific contribution of Churches in the human rights domain. In its contribution to the preparatory consultation and expert meeting, COMECE stressed the close link between “belonging” and the possibility for each human person to live alone and in community in accordance with one’s faith. Referring … Continue reading »