ΕΕ: Rights, Freedoms, Racism, 1st High School of Voula
EU: Rights – Freedoms – Racism
1st Lyceum of Voula, 16.05.2019
Anna Karamanou
Warm congratulations for the initiative of the teachers and students, aimed at raising awareness within the student community on issues of democracy and human rights.
This discussion is timely, as we are just 10 days away from a crucial democratic process for the election of the members of the European Parliament, the most democratic institution of the EU. What is concerning is that these are the most critical elections in the 50-year history of the institution.
The upcoming elections will essentially determine the future of Europe. This is a difficult and complex period marked by Brexit, the rise of ethnonationalist parties, unrest in France, the refugee and migration crisis, the strengthening of nationalisms, and uncertainty. Everything points to the fact that European democracy is being called into question.
The European Parliament has earned the reputation of being the most dedicated defender of basic human rights and democracy, even beyond the EU’s borders. Members of the European Parliament defend democracy across the globe. Some travel far to observe elections, mediate in conflicts, or support new parliaments in their early stages.
In recent years, the European Parliament has gained significant decision-making powers. Initially, it only had advisory powers. Today, it is not what it was in 1989, forty years ago, when the first elections were held. Today, it participates in decisions on about 85% of all cases, “elects” the president of the European Commission, approves the Union’s budget, ratifies trade agreements, and more. At the same time, it fights against both new and old threats to freedom and rights.
Respect for human rights, including the rights of minorities, is one of the core obligations of the EU. Safeguarding these rights is also an obligation of the EU when implementing policies and programs, an obligation of the EU institutions, and an obligation of each individual member state.
The European Parliament issues resolutions and makes calls to all countries to implement the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international instruments for human rights and gender equality. It also strives to ensure that all of the EU’s international activities, including trade and aid, uphold the Union’s principles on human rights. For many years, the death penalty and torture were at the center of attention. More recently, human trafficking and digital rights have been added to the focus.
In recent years, the European Parliament has also shown significant activity on issues related to the rule of law and democracy. In 2016, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for the establishment of an EU mechanism for democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental rights.
Every year, the European Parliament awards the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to honor individuals or organizations that fight for the defense of democracy, human rights, and freedom of thought. The prize was established in 1988 and has highlighted many struggles across all five continents. The founding texts of the EU themselves require that the Union as a whole defends the principles of democracy not only within its borders but also in its external relations.
From its early steps, the European Union prioritized the protection of human rights and the fight against all forms of discrimination (European Convention on Human Rights – 1950). The very idea of European integration is based on racial, national, religious, and cultural diversity, as well as the free movement of people. The horrors of the wars in the first half of the 20th century led the peoples of Europe to realize that peace and progress can only be achieved through reconciliation, dialogue, and respect for diversity. Over the last 70 years, the peoples of Europe have enjoyed a long period of peace and prosperity.
According to the Treaty of Lisbon, the Union is based on values such as human dignity, freedom, democracy, gender equality, equality of citizens, the rule of law, respect for human rights, and the rights of minorities. These values form the foundation and the precondition for the existence of the EU, and are shared by the member states in a society of pluralism, tolerance, solidarity, justice, and the prohibition of discrimination. The fact that human rights and equality are included among the Union’s values is very important, because on one hand, it creates a strong legal foundation for their effective protection, and on the other hand, it lays the groundwork for a common European identity, which is a necessary precondition for political integration.
The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union outlines all the personal, individual, political, economic, and social rights of people in the European Union. The Charter complements national rules; it does not replace them. When fundamental rights are not respected, national courts have the final say. Citizens can also appeal to the European Court of Human Rights, which is responsible for violations of individual and political rights as outlined in the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. In certain cases, when a member state fails to comply with EU law and violates someone’s rights, the European Commission can refer the member state to the Court of Justice of the European Union.
The European Parliament is fully committed to safeguarding fundamental rights across the Union. Together with the Council of the EU, the European Parliament approves legislation to better protect fundamental rights.
A good example of such legislation is the set of laws approved by the European Parliament to prevent discrimination and ensure equal treatment of individuals in the workplace. Member states are required to implement these laws at the national level.