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, Policy Areas, Press

News

Annual Article 17 TFEU EU-Churches meeting: COMECE urges stronger action to tackle religious discrimination and protect freedom of religion in the EU

COMECE participated in the Article 17 TFEU Annual High-Level Meeting between the European Commission and religious leaders on the theme “Living together in increasingly polarised societies” on Monday, 17 November 2025. During the meeting, COMECE Vice-President, Mgr Czeslaw Kozon, called for stronger institutional action, including “the appointment of an EU Coordinator on combating anti-Christian hatred and the urgent need for improved religious literacy”. Read the … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

News

COMECE Secretary General visits Dutch Bishops’ Conference to promote dialogue and collaboration

On Tuesday 11 November, the Dutch Bishops’ Conference welcomed Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, Secretary General of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), for an in-depth exchange about COMECE’s activities, its dialogue with the EU institutions, and its recent contributions to the EU policy-making process. The visit provided a valuable opportunity to discuss some of COMECE’s most impactful initiatives and highlighted … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, EU External Affairs, Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

News

New DBK bishop delegate to COMECE visits Brussels for high-level dialogue meetings on peace, democracy, sustainability and AI

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) warmly welcomed Bishop Heiner Wilmer SCJ as the new delegate of the German Bishops’ Conference to the COMECE Assembly. On 2–3 July 2025, Bishop Wilmer visited Brussels for a dialogue mission during which COMECE facilitated a series of meetings with representatives of European institutions and Catholic organisations. Video interview with Mgr. Wilmer Appointed in … Continue reading »