EUROPE: THE PARLIAMENT POSTPONES THE HUMAN RIGHTS VOTE ON THE EU AGENCY

” “She took note of the "missed agreement" within the Parliament, as well as between the European Chamber and the Council: Hungarian EU Member of Parliament Kinga Gál, proposer of a bill on the dossier for changing the European Watchdog of racism phenomena into a real Agency of fundamental rights, made sure that at present “there is no position in common with the Council" on this subject. The most important divergence would concern the assignment of competences concerning police and judiciary cooperation to the Agency. However, the "geographical competence" and the role played by the civil society within the future body were not clear, too. As for the establishment of the Agency, the final sentence should come from the summit of the 25 countries, scheduled in December (since there is no co-decision procedure, the final word is for the Council of the heads of State and government). During the debate, there were perplexities about the role which the "Fundamental Rights Platform" might play. The Platform is the advisory body made up of non-governmental organizations, unions, churches, associations, universities. "We asked for a meditation break in relation to the Agency, and we obtained it, – said Vice President of European Union Parliament, Mario Mauro, to Sir; – the Agency must not become the emblem of the politically correct". It is rather meant "to take care of the real violations of human rights in Europe".” “