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

New EU guidance on protection of places of worship: a first step in the right direction

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) welcomes the adoption by the European Commission of the Quick Guide to support the protection of places of worship. COMECE: “It is a good first step. The Catholic Church is ready to further contribute to its enrichment and improvement”. The European Commission has finalised a new Quick Guide to support the protection of places … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

COMECE on the European Commission’s Digital Services Act package

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) participated in a consultation of the European Commission commenting on the recently proposed regulations on Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA) and calling on the EU to make sure that fundamental rights of all people are respected. COMECE welcomed the two proposals for regulations, the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Matić Report: COMECE calls on MEPs to be aware of the importance and complexity of the issue and to vote with responsibility

The Secretariat of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) released a position paper on the ‘Matić Report’ on Thursday 17 June 2021, ahead of its final submission to the upcoming EU Parliament Plenary session. The Catholic Church recognises the importance of protecting the health and rights of women and calls on all MEPs to take into account the sensitive and … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

News

COMECE: “national level is best placed to fight against hate crimes”

In a recent contribution to a public consultation of the European Commission on Fundamental Rights, the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) condemns the grave phenomenon of hate crimes and reiterates the Church’s commitment to tackle it with effective policies. The European Commission has consulted stakeholders on the proposal to extend the crimes on which the EU can legislate, including hate … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

News

COMECE contribution on fighting child sexual abuse online

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of European Union (COMECE) submitted on Wednesday 14 April 2021 a contribution to the EU Commission’s public consultation on Child sexual abuse online, stressing the need to reinforce EU legislation and policies to better protect children online. The European Commission is gearing up to propose legislation on tackling online child sexual abuse, also establishing a European Centre to prevent … Continue reading »