The question of violence against Christians also debated
It was a session characterized by the presence in Strasbourg of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, by the debate on the free circulation of people within EU frontiers, and by an analysis of the Commission’s document on the challenge of globalization. Meeting from 12 to 15 November, the European Parliament approved various reports and resolutions and expressed its views on the repeated episodes of violence to which the Christian communities in the Middle East, China, Vietnam and Africa are being subjected. The session was also marked by the dissolution of the far-right anti-European group ITS (Identity, Tradition, Sovereignty), only established a few months ago at the EU level.OVER A THOUSAND PETITIONS IN ONE YEAR . Also on the order of the day was the Report of Spanish deputy CARLOS JOSÉ ITURGAIZ ANGULO on the deliberations of the Commission for Petitions. The document, approved in the chamber, affirms that “submitting petitions is a fundamental right that permits citizens to contribute to the control of the implementation of European law by national and local authorities”. It’s also a right that contributes to the efforts of the EU to “re-establish contact with its citizens”, while at the same time providing “a watchdog on the expectations of public opinion”. The report shows that the EP last year received 1,021 petitions, roughly 3 per day, from citizens denouncing “contravention of EU legislation in their country”. Germany (274 petitions), Britain (177), Spain (127), France (69) and Greece (68) “were the most active” countries.ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY . Most of the petitions concerned difficulties “in the application of EU legislation in the field of the environment, social security, the recognition of educational qualifications and other aspects linked to the functioning of the internal market”. “However – explained the rapporteur – almost two thirds of these were declared inadmissible since they were not directly linked to the field of the Union’s activities”. The report therefore underlines the need “to ensure that European citizens be suitably informed on the powers of the EU and of its institutions” and calls for a re-examination of the “citizens’ portal” on the website of the European Parliament, “with the aim of increasing the visibility of the right of petition”. The report also asks the Barroso Commission to “pursue more systematically the member states that fail to respect EU law”.RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA . “Russia remains an important partner” for the EU; that’s why “a new agreement of partnership and cooperation” between the 27 and Moscow needs to be reached as soon as possible. The EP approved in the course of its plenary, with a wide majority, a document in which this partnership is judged “advantageous for everyone”. At the same time MEPs insist that “democracy and human rights be at the centre of any future accord”. The document maintains that the current situation in Russia “gives rise to serious concerns about respect for human rights, democracy, freedom of expression and the right of civil society and individual citizens to contest the authorities and to call them to account for their actions”. Similar concern is expressed about the rights of minorities. The debate in Strasbourg was rather heated; it also gave rise to an appeal to the governments of Russia and the USA to “intensify their discussions on the questions of defence and security that involve” the EU and its member states; the Russian and American governments are also asked to “abstain from taking any actions or decisions that could be considered a threat for the peace and stability of the European continent”.HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHECHNYA . The document approved by the European Parliament asserts that the situation in Chechnya “continues to be an obstacle” in relations between EU and Russia and repeats its condemnation of the “numerous violations of human rights perpetrated there”. The government of Moscow is called to take urgent and concrete measures “to eliminate torture, maltreatment and arbitrary detention” in that Republic. After having drawn attention to the “difficult working conditions of journalists” in Russia, the EP expresses its particular “concern” about the curbing of democratic liberties in view of the elections to the Duma in December and those of the President in March 2008. The document takes into consideration the commercial relations between EU and Russia, the possibilities of reciprocal private investments, and cooperation in space exploration. Lastly it evaluates positively the stepping up of dialogue on energy questions: the EP recognizes the importance of Russian energy sources for the Union. In this sense commercial and economic cooperation “must be based on the principles of interdependence and transparency, as well as on parity of access to markets, infrastructures and investments”.
