Resumption of activity after the elections

The last session of the 2004-2009 legislature involved the Euro-Parliament from May 4-7 on a series of topics, ranging from anti-crisis measures to maternity leave, from asylum procedures to air transportation, from human rights in the world to the implications of the Lisbon Treaty, without failing to reiterate the ban on seal products that caused environmentalists’ mobilization in the premises of Strasbourg’s EP seat.Defending rights and freedoms around the world. MEPs discussed human rights around the world and in the framework of Union policies. The document drawn up by Spanish MEP Raimon Obiols i Germà, acknowledges “positive developments of EU institutions activities in the area of human rights” over the last period, although “consistent policies for the affirmation and promotion of human rights in the world must be stepped up”. Another question was the perdurance of death penalty and torture in many world nations, violence against children, the suppression of upholders of human rights. Emphasis was placed on the protection of ethnic, religious, and political minorities in the five continents. China, Iran and Russia are the Countries where rights and freedoms are most frequently denied. A long chapter is devoted to the “firm condemnation of the violations of children’s rights”, and their recruitment in armed conflicts in Chad, Iraq, Sri Lanka, Burma, Philippines, Somalia, Congo and Burundi.“Recognising the dignity of the human person”. The report reiterates the invitation “to develop a framework strategy for Roma people at European level, given the specific social situation of this community” in EU27, in candidate Countries and in the countries involved in stabilization policies (the Balkans). The document presents a number of important statements like the fact that the defence of rights and the commitment for justice, freedom and democracy depend “on the recognition of the dignity of the human person”. Various paragraphs highlight – with some inconsistency – the respect for freedom of worship and of religious minorities. MEPs expressed negative views on a number of amendments like the one “firmly” condemning “Pope Benedict XVI’s recent statements banning the use of condoms”; the amendment stated that the Pope’s words hinder the fight against Hiv-AIDS. Support to the Lisbon Treaty. A number of blueprints addressed the effects of the Lisbon Treaty on EU legal framework, following its enforcement. “The Treaty – said Belgian MEP Jean-Luc Dehaene, author of one of the reports – strengthens the Union’s institutional balance since it steps up the key functions of each political institution”. According to Daheane’s Report, adopted with large majority-vote, the crucial elements of the “community method” and the joint EP-Council decisional process would thereby be “protected and boosted”. Indeed, MEPs welcomed the decision to increase the Assembly’s powers, especially at legislative level, ensuing from the Lisbon Treaty. During EP debate, almost all political groups reiterated their hope that the appointment of the President of the next Commission and of the other EU posts would take place after June’s elections, considering the outcome of the polls. In the Report presented by German MEP Jo Leinen, the Assembly said the Treaty “will provide remarkable support to the democratic legitimacy of the EU, by extending the Parliament’s co-decisional powers”. Election and Commission commitments. A document presented by another German MEP, Elmar Brok, points our that the Lisbon Treaty will contribute to greater cooperation between the Euro-Chamber and the national parliaments, “encouraging them to take part in the process for the definition of European policies”. José Manuel Barroso, EU Commission President, declared: “The European Council must act to enforce” the Lisbon Treaty “as soon as possible”, “si