Protecting minorities, fighting any form of discrimination, especially discrimination of vulnerable people, protecting the freedom of expression: these are some of the highlights of the "Report on the state of fundamental rights in the EU, 2004-2008", adopted by the Commission for Civil Freedoms, Justice and Internal Affairs of the European Parliament (29 votes for, 7 votes against, 7 abstentions). The document insists on protecting social rights, "since poverty, the lack of a job or a home are factors that contribute to the violation of fundamental rights". The author of the report, the Italian MEP Giusto Catania, states: "After five years, Parliament will be able to adopt a report on rights within the EU; actually, in the last few years, we have been quick in finding violations outside" the EU’s boundaries "and have turned a blind eye to violations committed "within the 27-EU". According to Catania, "the report suggests the principle that there are no primary or secondary rights, since civil and social rights, together, contribute to the redemption of men and women". The Report will be discussed by Parliament in its December session and voted on in January.
