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

Bishops call upon politicians to re-elevate the citizen to the core of the European Union

During the Executive Committee of COMECE which gathered in Rome from 9-10 June, the Bishops reflected upon the current situation in the European Union and subsequently issued a statement which will be sent to Prime Minister Juncker in the run up to the European Council gathering from 16-17 June in Brussels. Following on from an initial statement issued by Mgr Treanor, COMECE Secretary General, on … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

News

Statement: response to the referendum result in France

In historical terms the work delivered by the European Convention and the subsequent Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) which produced the Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe can be described as qualitatively significant and a real achievement. What resulted was the product of a finely negotiated compromise and hard won consensus. As such, the final Treaty can be viewed as both relatively good or indeed lacking. Throughout … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Churches meet with the Luxembourg Presidency of the European Union

Church representatives today welcomed the inclusion of respect for human dignity and prospects for increased solidarity in the EU Constitutional Treaty during a meeting with the Prime Minister of Luxembourg and President-in-Office of the European Council, Jean-Claude Juncker held in Brussels. A delegation representing the Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

News

Bishops offer their observations for the renewal of the European Union’s Lisbon Strategy

The Executive Committee of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community today tendered their contribution on the renewal of the European Union’s Lisbon Strategy in anticipation of the Spring European Council, to be held from 22-23 March 2005. In this discussion paper, the Executive Committee highlights the integral nature of the European social model in the drive to increase the competitiveness of … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

News

Churches visit the EU Presidency: “Common value must be the basis of the European project”

Values such as freedom and solidarity, democracy, human rights and human dignity must form the basis of the European project. The churches have an important role in reminding societies and governments about these values as well as in promoting their implementation – such were the sentiments expressed by the Dutch Deputy Prime Minister Gerrit Zalm concluding the discussion on European values with the churches’ representatives … Continue reading »