Latest documents

Summary : This study, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs, at the request of the PETI Committee, inquires about the connection between the “Protection of European linguistic and cultural diversity” and the “Protection and promotion of European minority and minoritised languages” in Europe. The situation of the European minority and minoritised languages can be seen as a barometer of the current state of European linguistic and cultural diversity. The available data show that more than two thirds of linguistic minorities within the European Union have significantly decreased in number in recent decades (1991-2011). At the pan-European level, too, two thirds of minorities have declined over the same period. The same must be assumed as to the use of the languages spoken by these minorities.

Authors : Paul VIDESOTT

Summary : This Briefing, written by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the Committee on Petitions (PETI), provides background information for the PETI Fact-finding visit to Romania scheduled from 15 to 18 May 2023. It investigates two main issues that were subject to specific petitions, namely the increasing illegal logging (petitions 1248/2019, 0408/2020, 0722/2020 and 1056/2021) and the management of the brown bear populations (petitions 1188/2019, 1214/2019, 0685/2020, 0534/2020 and 0410/2022, in support or against the protection of the brown bear).

Authors : AMANDA VICTORIA WIKSTRÖM AVARIA

Summary : This study, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the Committee on Petitions (PETI), has as its aim to analyse the Commission’s proposal for a Regulation on the recognition of parenthood in the EU. The study examines the problem of non-recognition of parenthood between Member States and its causes, the current legal framework and the (partial) solutions it offers to this problem, the background of the Commission proposal, and the text of the proposal. It also provides a critical assessment of the proposal and issues policy recommendations for its improvement.

Authors : TRYFONIDOU Alina

Summary : Over the past years, the European Parliament’s Committee on Petitions (PETI) has received several petitions by citizens concerning the effects of climate change. PETI has therefore requested the Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs to organise a Workshop on: “The impact of climate change on social security and the most vulnerable groups”. In particular for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, persons with disabilities and low-income groups, new directions in social security and health policies need to be explored to protect them from the impacts of climate change. One very important field of research for objectively assessing the effects of climate change is “attribution science”. It seeks to test whether — and by how much — climate change may be responsible for certain extreme weather events, such as droughts, extreme flooding, hurricanes, excessive heat or odd storm trajectories. The briefing, presented at the Workshop, explains what attribution science is and provides (policy) recommendations on how the impacts of climate change on social security and vulnerable groups can be mitigated, i.a. with the knowledge obtained in the field of attribution science.

Authors : PHILIP Sjoukje

Summary : This study, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the Committee on Petitions (PETI), examines the progress made on mutual recognition of disability status, and the challenges this presents. There are different definitions and practices of disability assessment, among the Member States and in different policy fields. Citizens’ petitions raise concerns about this, and about the need for mutual recognition. Harmonising assessment is difficult but common entry points are possible. The EU Disability Card provides an administrative model for mutual recognition.

Authors : PRIESTLEY Mark

Summary : This study commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the Committee on Petitions (PETI) analyses the legal limits on the discretion of the Commission when deciding to launch, or not to launch, an infringement action, especially in response to a petition. In addition, it assesses how the Commission uses this discretion in practice, and formulates recommendations on improved political collaboration between the European Parliament and the Commission, in the interest of EU citizens.

Authors : CUYVERS Armin, PIQANI Darinka, BEHRE Frederik, REIJGWART Corlijn

Summary : Recent developments within the framework of the European Green Deal have aimed at criminalization and an overhaul of regulatory frameworks to address environmental crime and its effects on the financial interests of the EU. This document was prepared by the Policy Department for Citizen’s Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the Committee of Petitions. The study suggests that despite commendable efforts, the transnational nature of environmental crime and its convergence with organized crime, money laundering and corruption, have not been adequately integrated into current reforms. A proper categorization of environmental crime as a ‘serious crime’ is needed as an essential basis for policy reforms.

Authors : Michael G. Faure, Kévine Kindji

Summary : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Summary : This in depth analysis updates a previous report commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs and describes the most relevant developments in the period 2018-2022 in chronological order and then draws conclusions which include a systemic view of the current institutional dynamics, a provisional legal analysis on the basis of existing rules and policy suggestions.

Authors : Carlo Garbarino.

Summary : This document is a compilation of briefings that track the commitments made by the Vice-Presidents and Commissioners to the European Parliament – in their written answers to Parliament’s questions, at their hearings, and, in some cases, in subsequent appearances before Parliament’s committees. The document provides an overview of the state-of-play at the mid-term of the von der Leyen Commission. Since many of these commitments were made, major international crises have shifted some political priorities. The Vice-Presidents’ and Commissioners’ progress on their commitments should be considered in this context.

Summary : This study, commissioned by the Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs for the Committee on Petitions (PETI) of the European Parliament, provides an overview of the legal and environmental context in which nitrogen emissions to water are measured in the EU, and how the European Commission makes sure that monitoring systems and their results are comparable throughout the EU. The study explores the development of nitrate concentrations in the EU in view of the European Green Deal and provides (policy) recommendations for EU institutions and Member States, taking into account their respective remits.

Authors : WUIJTS Susanne(lead author) FRATERS Dico, BOEKHOLD Sandra, VAN DUIJNEN Richard

Summary : This Briefing, written by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the PETI Committee, provides background information for the PETI Fact-finding visit to Poland scheduled from 19 to 21 September 2022. It investigates two main issues that were subject to specific petitions, namely the case of the Białowieża primeval forest (Petitions 0805/2017, 0812/2017 and 0623/2018) and the education of young persons and children with special educational needs in Poland (Petitions 0956/2018 and 1186/2018).

Authors : JOHANNES HEEZEN, MARTINA MAZZINI

Summary : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Summary : The PETI Committee decided to organise a fact-finding visit to Hauts-de-France (France) from 23 to 25 May 2022 concerning petition 549/2021 by Romanian Asociatia civica Voluntari in Europa on the poor safety conditions in car parks for trucks and commercial vehicles on the European road network. This briefing, written by Policy Department C, describes the general and legal background.

Authors : JOHANNES HEEZEN

Summary : Linking national spending on the environment with the effects it has on the environmental performance of EU Member States allows for a better assessment of the effective quality of budgetary interventions. In this analysis, based on the detailed research paper in the Annex, we discuss under what circumstances some public environmental expenditure could be spent more efficiently at EU rather than at national level. We estimate that this transfer towards a more efficient level of governance would allow Member States to save between €20 billion and €26 billion of budgetary spending per year. In the present exacerbated economic, social and environmental crisis, we conclude that reducing budgetary waste and improving the way public money is spent should be fully integrated to achieve more sustainable development.

Authors : ALEKSANDRA HEFLICH, JEROME LEON SAULNIER

Summary : The PETI Committee decided to organise a fact-finding visit to Palma de Mallorca, Baleares (Spain) from 11 to 13 April 2022 concerning several petitions on alleged mistreatment of minors under foster care in Mallorca. This briefing describes the legislation in place, the system of guardianship of minors in Spain, the Majorcan Institute of Social affairs, the Natzaret Foundation, the timeline of events and the Report of the Commission of Experts on cases of sexual abuse and exploitation and Sexual Exploitation of Children of minors with a legal measure of protection of Mallorca.

Authors : JOHANNES HEEZEN, LAURA FERNANDEZ LOPEZ

Summary : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Summary : This study, commissioned by the Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs for the Committee on Petitions, provides a brief overview of the main social and environmental impacts of mining activities in the EU. It also gives an overview of the most important relevant EU legislation and a short assessment of implementation and compliance by Member States. It discusses and assesses a number of petitions on mining, as well as possible measures to reduce unwanted impacts of mining, and the future of mining. Finally, the study provides conclusions, policy recommendations and suggestions to help improve the existing EU mining policy and legislation.

Authors : MONONEN Tuija (lead author) Sonja KIVINEN, Juha M. KOTILAINEN, Johanna LEINO

Summary : The PETI Committee decided to organise a fact-finding visit to the Mar Menor in the Murcia Region in Spain. Over the years, the PETI Committee has received a significant number of petitions on the pollution and deterioration of the environmental conditions of the Mar Menor. The aim of the mission is to visit the affected areas, hear the petitioners, and investigate and discuss the subject matter of the petitions with the regional and local authorities, as well as with the Spanish competent authorities, scientists, representatives of social, business and trade union organisations.

Authors : JOHANNES HEEZEN, LAURA FERNANDEZ LOPEZ

Summary : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Summary : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Summary : This study, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the Committee on Petitions, examines the level of implementation of the 2015 Concluding Observations of the CRPD Committee by the EU, in the view of the next monitoring and reporting cycle. It reveals that while some recommendations have been followed up by the EU through its Disability strategies and legislative and policy action, important gaps remain, notably in those areas where the EU has limited competences, or political support is lacking.

Authors : SMITS J.C.

Summary : This study, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the PETI Committee, aims at gaining deeper insights into the legal aspects of illegal logging and related trade in illegally harvested timber and timber products. It analyses the legal requirements and their implications for various actors in the EU and in third countries. The study examines the disparities in enforcement and penalties regimes in Member States and analyses their role in trade diversion. The study further explores the possibility for strengthening the timber regime by broadening its scope and tackling underlying issues such as corruption and human rights violations. The study also assesses the external dimension, specifically focusing on the Voluntary Partnership Agreements with major producers’ countries. The study formulates various recommendations to improve the regime taking into account both the internal and external dimension of illegal logging.

Authors : Dr. Kévine KINDJI

Summary : This study, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the PETI Committee, evaluates the state of play of the right of petition ten years after the inclusion of the principle of participatory democracy in the EU treaties. After contextualising the right of petition within the broader EU participatory infrastructure, its ultimate objective is to provide a set of recommendations aimed at unleashing its democratic potential while overcoming its major structural limitations.

Authors : ALEMANNO Alberto

Summary : This study, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the JURI and PETI Committees, analyses the use of biometric techniques from an ethical and legal perspective. Biometric techniques raise a number of specific ethical issues, as an individual cannot easily change biometric features, and as these techniques tend to intrude into the human body and ultimately the human self. Further issues are more generally associated with large-scale surveillance, algorithmic decision making, or profiling. The study analyses different types of biometric techniques and draws conclusions for EU legislation

Authors : Christiane WENDEHORST, Yannic DULLER

Summary : This study, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the JURI and PETI Committees, analyses the use of biometric techniques from an ethical and legal perspective. Biometric techniques raise a number of specific ethical issues, as an individual cannot easily change biometric features, and as these techniques tend to intrude into the human body and ultimately the human self. Further issues are more generally associated with large-scale surveillance, algorithmic decision making, or profiling. The study analyses different types of biometric techniques and draws conclusions for EU legislation.

Authors : Christiane WENDEHORST, Yannic DULLER.

Summary : This study was requested by the European Parliament’s Committee on Petitions. It was written and published by the Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs. The paper describes the methods and procedures of cooperation between the Committee on Petitions and other parliamentary committees on petitions sent for opinion and information and examines improvements brought by the establishment of the Petitions Network. The study analyses impact of petitions on the activities of the parliamentary committees and describes follow-up actions to integrate EU citizens concerns in the parliamentary work. It raises areas for improvement and proposes recommendations to strengthen cooperation between committees.

Authors : INA SOKOLSKA

Summary : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Summary : This study was commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the PETI Committee. It presents an analysis of the EU right to petition, as a key element of participatory democracy, and its procedure with a focus on the cooperation between the Committee on Petitions and the Commission. It examines the procedures to deal with petitions and infringements of EU law, in particular EU environmental law. It provides an overview of key features of national petition systems in relation to the EU system and proposes recommendations for action by the EP and the Commission to improve the way petitions are handled.

Authors : Maxime MOULAC, Consultant for Milieu Consulting SRL. Marta BALLESTEROS, Senior Lawyer and Manager for Milieu Consulting SRL.

Summary : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Summary : This study, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the PETI Committee, examines: (i) the obstacles that rainbow families (same-sex couples, with or without children) face when they attempt to exercise their free movement rights within the EU, including examples in petitions presented to the PETI committee; (ii) how EU Member States treat same-sex married couples, registered partners, unregistered partners, and their children in cross-border situations; and (iii) action that EU institutions could take to remove these obstacles.

Authors : TRYFONIDOU Alina, WINTEMUTE Robert

Summary : This study, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the PETI Committee, presents alternatives for cage housing of farm animals and laying hens and sows in particular. Cage-free housing has a positive effect on the behavioural freedom and welfare of animals. No major problems arise with regard to other aspects of sustainability. Research shows that cage-free housing is currently possible or will be in the future. A shift towards cage-free housing systems may be achieved by financial and policy measures in the short term and legislation in the long term.

Authors : JOHANNES HEEZEN

Summary : This study, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the Committee on Petitions (PETI), focuses on the pervasive use of plastics and reviews the rising consensus on the potential eco-toxicological impacts of these materials, in particular of smaller plastic particles, dubbed microplastics. It discusses possible mitigation strategies aimed at curtailing the prevalence of (micro)plastics, as well as emerging alternatives and their environmental adequacy. Propelled by increasing awareness of the impacts of plastics and by public opinion, in recent years a multitude of norms, regulations, laws and recommendations have been proposed and/or implemented. These vary greatly across local, national, regional and international levels, and it is not clear what the beneficial impacts of these tools are. This study assesses these existing instruments, analyses whether they are based on sound scientific data, and discusses foreseeable challenges that could restrain the relevance and suitability of existing and future legislative proposals.

Authors : João PINTO DA COSTA (lead author), Teresa ROCHA-SANTOS, Armando C. DUARTE, Department of Chemistry and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Portugal

Summary : This document provides links to all Briefings produced by the Policy Departments of the Directorate-General for Internal Policies and of the Directorate-General for External Policies of the European Parliament, with salient points and essential commitments made by the Vice-Presidents and Commissioners-designates at their respective hearings before the European Parliament, in September-November 2019 and in October 2020. For an exhaustive list of all commitments made and positions taken by the candidates, the full verbatim report of each public hearing is available on the dedicated hearings website of the European Parliament, as are the written questions and answers.

Summary : This study, provided by the Policy Department for Citizens' Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the Committee on Petitions, aims to provide a clear and simple overview to the non-expert reader, on the Impact of aircrafts noise pollution on residents of large cities, as well as to give recommendations addressed to the most relevant actors. Noise is one of the most important problems linked to aviation. It can lead to health issues, as well as to negative social and economic effects. Examples of health issues produced by aviation are sleep disturbance, community annoyance, cardiovascular disease, and mental health problems.

Authors : Ted ELLIFF, Michele CREMASCI, Violaine HUCK - ENVISA, Paris

Summary : This study, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the PETI Committee, addresses some major issues of obstacles to elections in general and of obstacles to participation inside the EU more specifically. This is done by focusing on Member States and examples with regard to municipal elections, and European elections, but also in general on de-facto access to the exercise of the right to vote. Various recommendations are formulated.

Authors : Aalt Willem HERINGA, Professor of Comparative Constitutional and Administrative Law, Maastricht University, NL; Hoai-Thu NGUYEN, Policy Fellow for EU Institutions and Democracy, Jacques Delors Centre, Berlin, DE."

Summary : This study, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the PETI Committee, analyses the European Disability Strategy 2010-2020 and makes recommendations regarding the new European Disability Strategy. The study reflects on the design and implementation of the current Strategy, as well as its achievements and shortcomings. The study makes recommendations in respect of the post-2020 European Disability Strategy. Those recommendations are addressed to the European Parliament, the European Commission and other EU institutions, Member States and key stakeholders, and relate to the groundwork needed to prepare the new Strategy, and the design, content and mechanisms for implementation and enforcement.

Authors : Lisa WADDINGTON, Faculty of Law, Maastricht University (NLs) Andrea BRODERICK, Faculty of Law, Maastricht University (NLs)

Summary : The PETI Committee decided to organise a fact-finding visit to Bulgaria as a result of a relatively large number of petitions it has received from Bulgarian citizens on the Bulgarian Code of Civil Procedure (CCP). Petitioners allege breaches of consumer rights, corruption, the role of bailiffs, violation of the right to a fair trial, and breaches of Directive 93/13/EEC on unfair terms in consumer contracts. The aim of the visit is to hear the petitioners and to investigate and discuss the subject matter of the petitions with the Bulgarian authorities.

Authors : JOHANNES HEEZEN

Summary : This study, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the Committee on Petitions, takes stock and assesses the existing rules and policies on conflicts of interests in EU agencies and examines whether, and/or how, scrutiny can be improved and whether there is a need to streamline and enhance the coherence of the various rules in place.

Authors : Ellen VOS, Natassa ATHANASIADOU, Laura DOHMEN

Summary : This document is a compilation of all Briefings produced by the Policy Departments of the Directorate-General for Internal Policies and of the Directorate-General for External Policies of the European Parliament, with salient points and essential commitments made by the Vice-Presidents and Commissioners-designates at their respective hearings before the European Parliament, in September-November 2019 and in October 2020. For an exhaustive list of all commitments made and positions taken by the candidates, the full verbatim report of each public hearing is available on the dedicated hearings website of the European Parliament, as are the written questions and answers.

Summary : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Summary : During the 2014-19 parliamentary term the European Union and notably the European Parliament, through its dedicated Committee on Petitions (PETI), has continued to uphold the right of citizens to petition the EP to raise issues and concerns and to call for redress and action in areas of EU competence, by mobilising institutions and Member States both on issues at the centre of the political debate, and on ‘‘orphan’’ or ‘‘dormant’’ issues. With the aim of better serving EU citizens, the Committee on Petitions has developed a Petitions Web Portal, adopted new and updated Guidelines, created a Petitions Network and a special Working Group on Child Welfare Issues. PETI continued to examine a high number of petitions raising issues in all areas of EU activity. In the 9th legislature, PETI could strengthen its achievements by exploring innovative ways to achieve effective solutions for the petitioners.

Authors : JOHANNES HEEZEN, Ottavio MARZOCCHI