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

COMECE Legal Affairs Commission: focus on new EU dossiers

The COMECE Legal Affairs Commission gathered experts from EU Bishops’ Conferences on Thursday 5 March 2020 in order to address current EU legal matter of particular relevance for the Church. Legal advisors updated each other and reflected on the continued impact of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on the Catholic Church in the Member states. This topic will be the focus of the upcoming … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

COMECE establishes a dialogue with the Court of Justice of the EU

On Friday 31 January 2020, a COMECE delegation met with several judges of the Court of Justice of the EU to discuss the increasing impact of the Court’s jurisprudence in the Member States’ legal systems. Mgr. Hoogenboom: “this fruitful dialogue enriched the COMECE Legal Affairs Commission and brought to the attention of the judges legal specificities and some key points of the Catholic Church in … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

News

Liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau: 75th anniversary. Bishops across Europe: “No to antisemitism and political manipulation of the truth”

On the occasion of the 75th anniversary since the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, COMECE and CCEE, on behalf of the bishops of the EU and Europe, express their commitment to fight “all acts that trample on human dignity”, including racism, xenophobia and antisemitism. In the spirit of the message addressed by Pope Francis to the “Simon Wiesenthal Center” on Monday 20 January 2020, … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Press

NEWS

The COMECE Legal Affairs Commission addresses GDPR and media challenges

The COMECE Legal Affairs Commission convened for its second meeting of the year on Tuesday, 29 October 2019, mainly focusing on the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which remains a key priority for COMECE. In dialogue with the European Data Protection Board, experts delegated by EU Bishops’ Conferences extensively exchanged on challenges and solutions concerning the GDPR, with particular attention to its … Continue reading »

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 »