Deliberations of the Committee on Petitions in 2023

Amendments tabled for the plenary sitting on this text, in their own numbering series. This is a different set from the committee amendments tracked elsewhere on AmendEU, and is not counted in any of the site’s amendment totals.

1. Amendment 1ECRMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 20
   Current text

   20. Draws attention to the significant number of petitions submitted and discussed in relation to citizens’ concerns over the reintroduction of border checks between some Member States raising the problematic aspect of limitation of the free movement of persons within the EU and other aspects such as the strengths and the weaknesses of the extension of the Schengen area, as well as the costs of not belonging to the Schengen area; appreciates the significant role played by the Committee on Petitions, in particular the host of activities carried out, the adoption in committee of a short motion for a resolution on the accession to the Schengen area on 27 June 2023 and the related Parliament res…

   Amendment

   20. Draws attention to the significant number of petitions submitted and discussed in relation to citizens’ concerns over the reintroduction of border checks between some Member States raising the problematic aspect of limitation of the free movement of persons within the EU and other aspects such as the strengths and the weaknesses of the extension of the Schengen area, as well as the costs of not belonging to the Schengen area; appreciates the significant role played by the Committee on Petitions, in particular the host of activities carried out, the adoption in committee of a short motion for a resolution on the accession to the Schengen area on 27 June 2023 and the related Parliament res…

   Excerpt — full text in the official PDF.
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2. Amendment 2ECRMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 25
   Current text

   25. Stresses the importance of delivering on EU citizens’ expectations regarding the protection of the environment and urges the Commission, together with the Member States, to ensure the correct implementation of EU legislation in the environmental field, in particular in the field of illegal logging; points to the petitions on environmental issues, which reflect a growing public concern about the implications of climate change, requiring consistent enforcement of the existing EU environmental legislation by both the Commission and the Member States;

   Amendment

   25. Stresses the importance of delivering on EU citizens’ expectations regarding the protection of the environment and urges the Commission, together with the Member States, to ensure the correct implementation of EU legislation in the environmental field, in particular in the field of illegal logging; points to the petitions on environmental issues, which reflect a growing public concern about the implications of climate change, requiring consistent enforcement of the existing EU environmental legislation by both the Commission and the Member States; stresses that addressing EU citizens’ expectations regarding the protection of the environment should be considered as important as taking int…

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3. Amendment 3ECRMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 26
   Current text

   26. Acknowledges the positive effects of the fact-finding visit to Romania from 15 to 18 May 2023 on the management and protection of the brown bear population; notes with regret, however, that there are still too many fatal accidents caused by brown bears in connection with humans and livestock, making further monitoring and cooperation with the national authorities necessary;

   Amendment

   26. Acknowledges the positive effects of the fact-finding visit to Romania from 15 to 18 May 2023 on the management and protection of the brown bear population; notes with regret, however, that there are still too many fatal accidents caused by brown bears in connection with humans and livestock, making further monitoring and cooperation with the national authorities necessary; underlines that the protection of human lives and security should always be the priority;

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4. Amendment 4S&DMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 1
   Current text

   1. Emphasises Committee on Petition’s fundamental role in protecting and promoting the rights of EU citizens and residents by ensuring that petitioners’ concerns and complaints are examined in a timely, effective and appropriate manner and that petitioners are informed about the actions taken and progress made on their petitions; recalls that all petitions are treated through an open, democratic and transparent petition process;

   Amendment

   1. Emphasises Committee on Petition’s fundamental role in protecting and promoting the rights of EU citizens and residents by ensuring that petitioners’ concerns and complaints are examined in a timely, effective and appropriate manner and that petitioners are informed about the actions taken and progress made on their petitions; further stresses that the Committee on Petitions must prioritise petitions relating to social, economic and environmental justice, and ensure that the right to petition is an effective tool for empowering working people, rural communities and marginalised groups; recalls that all petitions are treated through an open, democratic and transparent petition process; emp…

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5. Amendment 5S&DMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 2
   Current text

   2. Welcomes the successful contribution the Committee on Petitions made to dealing with the case of the repatriation of children, together with their mothers, who were detained for years in dire conditions in Syrian refugee camps and suffering from serious illness, malnutrition, severe psychological pressure and whose health conditions were worsening day by day; appreciates that the main legal arguments supported unanimously in PETI were substantially backed by the Danish Supreme Court in its order to offer repatriation and support by the Danish foreign ministry to both the children concerned and their mothers;

   Amendment

   2. Welcomes the successful contribution the Committee on Petitions made to dealing with the case of the repatriation of children, together with their mothers, who were detained for years in dire conditions in Syrian refugee camps and suffering from serious illness, malnutrition, severe psychological pressure and whose health conditions were worsening day by day; appreciates that the main legal arguments supported unanimously in PETI were substantially backed by the Danish Supreme Court in its order to offer repatriation and support by the Danish foreign ministry to both the children concerned and their mothers; regrets that such humanitarian crises were not addressed earlier; urges the estab…

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6. Amendment 6S&DMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 3
   Current text

   3. Reiterates the importance of a continuous public debate on the EU’s fields of activity in order to ensure that citizens are properly informed about the scope of the Union’s competences and the different levels of decision-making; calls for an EU-wide enhanced structured information and communication campaign in all EU official languages in collaboration with national and regional ombudsmen, NGOs, and educational institutions to increase awareness of petition rights among citizens from all Member States, particularly addressing rural and disadvantaged communities and marginalised groups, as well as, remote islands and regions; proposes an expansion of outreach efforts through social media…

   Amendment

   3. Reiterates the importance of a continuous public debate on the EU’s fields of activity in order to ensure that citizens are properly informed; calls for an EU-wide enhanced structured information and communication campaign in all EU official languages in collaboration with national and regional ombudsmen, NGOs, and educational institutions to increase awareness of petition rights among citizens from all Member States, particularly addressing rural and disadvantaged communities and marginalised groups, as well as, remote islands and regions; proposes an expansion of outreach efforts through social media and local community events, emphasises the need for broader awareness-raising campaigns…

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7. Amendment 7S&DMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 4
   Current text

   4. Recalls the European dimension of the Committee on Petitions, which can be addressed by citizens from all 27 Member States on issues that fall within the scope of the EU Treaties and EU law; believes that the Committee has a special responsibility to uphold this European dimension and to demonstrate the added value of European unity and integration to citizens;

   Amendment

   4. Recalls the European dimension of the Committee on Petitions, which can be addressed by citizens from all 27 Member States on issues that fall within the scope of the EU Treaties and EU law; believes that the Committee has a special responsibility to uphold this European dimension and to demonstrate the added value of European unity and integration to citizens; underlines that the European dimension must be based on solidarity, the promotion of social and economic rights, the protection of minority languages and cultures, and the active fight against climate change;

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8. Amendment 8S&DMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 5
   Current text

   5. Points out that petitions constitute a unique opportunity for Parliament and the other EU institutions to directly connect with EU citizens and maintain a regular dialogue with them, particularly in cases where they are affected by the misapplication or breach of EU law; stresses the need for enhanced cooperation between the EU institutions and national, regional and local authorities on inquiries regarding the implementation of, and compliance with, EU law; believes that such cooperation is crucial to address and resolve citizens’ concerns over the application of EU law and that it contributes to strengthening the democratic legitimacy and accountability of the Union; calls, therefore, f…

   Amendment

   5. Points out that petitions constitute a unique opportunity for Parliament and the other EU institutions to directly connect with EU citizens and maintain a regular dialogue with them, particularly in cases where they are affected by the misapplication or breach of EU law; stresses the need for enhanced cooperation between the EU institutions and national, regional and local authorities on inquiries regarding the implementation of, and compliance with, EU law; believes that such cooperation is crucial to address and resolve citizens’ concerns over the application of EU law and that it contributes to strengthening the democratic legitimacy and accountability of the Union; calls, therefore, f…

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9. Amendment 9S&DMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 6
   Current text

   6. Recalls that petitions contribute considerably to the exercise of the Commission’s role as the guardian of the Treaties by providing citizens with an additional tool to report alleged breaches of EU law; stresses that constructive cooperation between the Committee on Petitions and the Commission through timely and detailed answers from the Commission, which are based on thorough examinations of the issues raised in petitions, is essential to ensure the successful treatment of petitions;

   Amendment

   6. Recalls that petitions contribute considerably to the exercise of the Commission’s role as the guardian of the Treaties by providing citizens with an additional tool to report alleged breaches of EU law; stresses that constructive cooperation between the Committee on Petitions and the Commission through timely and detailed answers from the Commission, which are based on thorough examinations of the issues raised in petitions, is essential to ensure the successful treatment of petitions; urges the Commission to systematically follow up on petitions that highlight social injustice, precarious employment, environmental degradation and discrimination;

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10. Amendment 10S&DMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 10
    Current text

    10. Strongly condemns the harassment and intimidation to which the official members of the Delegation of the Committee on Petitions were subjected during their fact-finding visit to Barcelona from 18 to 20 December 2023, with the aim of assessing in situ the language immersion model in Catalonia, its effects on families moving to and residing in the Autonomous Community, as well as on multilingualism and non-discrimination and the principle of the rule of law;

    Amendment

    10. Condemns all forms of intimidation and insists that peaceful civic activism, including the defence of linguistic and cultural rights, must be respected and protected under EU law; recalls that respect for minority languages and rights is an integral part of the European project;

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11. Amendment 11S&DMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 11
    Current text

    11. Condemns the attempted ‘escraches’ (public shaming through doorstep demonstrations), violence and intimidation by separatist entities and groups in Catalonia that were intended to prevent the smooth running of the mission and with which they sought to coerce MEPs so that the outcome of the mission would favour their interests;

    Amendment

    11. Condemns the attempted ‘escraches’ (public shaming through doorstep demonstrations), violence and intimidation by separatist entities and groups, while recognising that the peaceful defence of minority languages and cultures, such as Catalan, must be fully respected in accordance with the principles of pluralism, cultural diversity and human rights as enshrined in the EU Treaties;

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12. Amendment 12S&DMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 15
    Current text

    15. Recalls that cooperation with other committees in Parliament is essential for the comprehensive treatment of petitions; notes that in 2023, 34 requests for opinion (corresponding to 31 petitions) and 223 requests for information were sent to other committees; notes that of the 34 opinions requested, only 25 answers were received by the end of 2023 (in 14 cases an opinion was provided, while in 10 cases the committee decided not to draft an opinion and on four occasions no official decision has been communicated); recalls that petitioners are informed of decisions to request opinions from other committees for the treatment of their petitions; underlines that parliamentary committees shoul…

    Amendment

    15. Recalls that cooperation with other committees in Parliament is essential for the comprehensive treatment of petitions, paying particular attention to petitions on gender equality, family diversity, environmental justice and the linguistic rights of minorities; notes that in 2023, 34 requests for opinion (corresponding to 31 petitions) and 223 requests for information were sent to other committees; notes that of the 34 opinions requested, only 25 answers were received by the end of 2023 (in 14 cases an opinion was provided, while in 10 cases the committee decided not to draft an opinion and on four occasions no official decision has been communicated); recalls that petitioners are inform…

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13. Amendment 13S&DMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 21
    Current text

    21. Takes note of the sudden increase in petitions of Spanish origin in the second half of 2023 concerning the risks to the rule of law in Spain as a result of the Spanish Government’s intention to adopt an Amnesty Law contrary to constitutional and European law;

    Amendment

    21. Takes note of the sudden increase in petitions of Spanish origin in the second half of 2023; recalls that legislative initiatives such as Amnesty Law must be respected as sovereign decisions made by democratically elected institutions, in line with the EU’s principles of the rule of law, reconciliation, the protection of fundamental rights and democratic pluralism;

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14. Amendment 14S&DMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 33
    Current text

    33. Recalls the European Parliament study on Homelessness in the EU which was commissioned by the Committee on Petitions and presented at its meeting in November 2023; notes that this study made an important contribution on this pressing social and economic challenge, which represents one of the most severe forms of societal exclusion, highlighting the need for a public policy change towards preventing homelessness in the first place, inter alia by providing secure and affordable housing;

    Amendment

    33. Recalls the European Parliament study on Homelessness in the EU which was commissioned by the Committee on Petitions and presented at its meeting in November 2023; notes that this study made an important contribution on this pressing social and economic challenge, which represents one of the most severe forms of societal exclusion, highlighting the need for a public policy change with particular attention to the needs of individuals and households disproportionately impacted by housing exclusion and insecurity, especially those facing structural or administrative barriers;

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15. Amendment 15RenewMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 9 a (new)
    Amendment

    9a. Notes with concern that the recommendations issued by the Committee on Petitions in its report of 19 March 2024, following its mission to Catalonia, have not yet been fully implemented by the relevant educational authorities, particularly those concerning the protection of linguistic rights for all students and their families; expresses deep regret over the tensions encountered by members of the Committee during their visit to Barcelona from 18 to 20 December 2023, and calls for respectful dialogue and cooperation among all stakeholders to ensure that democratic institutions can carry out their mandates in a climate of mutual respect and understanding;

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16. Amendment 16Verts/ALEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 2 a (new)
    Amendment

    2a. Highlights the vital activities carried out by the Committee on Petitions in dealing with petitions, submitted on behalf of 91 organisations that are part of the Fossil Free Politics coalition, calling for the fossil fuel industry to be held to account for its role in the energy and cost of living crises and for an end to fossil fuel influence in EU decision-making; underlines the overwhelming evidence brought to light by petitioners, on the basis of independent academic research, showing that the fossil fuel industry has long been fully aware of the dangers its products pose to the climate and that it has chosen to spread climate denialism and disinformation rather than supporting a tra…

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17. Amendment 17Verts/ALEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 2 b (new)
    Amendment

    2b. Highlights the high-quality work done by the Committee on Petitions on the impact of climate change on social security and the most vulnerable groups and on compensation for the victims of climate change disasters, which confirms the significant improvements achieved in recent years by climate change detection and attribution science, which was already successfully used by citizens and associations to pursue legal action to hold fossil fuel companies and governments accountable for their contribution to, or failure to take action on, climate change;

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18. Amendment 18Verts/ALEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 2 c (new)
    Amendment

    2c. Commends the significant contribution made by the Committee on Petitions, through its work, to the adoption of the new Environmental Crime Directive1a, which seeks to help achieve the objectives of the European Green Deal by providing a comprehensive and up-to-date list of environmental offences and by fighting, by means of criminal law, the most serious breaches of environmental obligations, which could have devastating effects on both the environment and human health; ______________ 1a Directive (EU) 2024/1203 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on the protection of the environment through criminal law and replacing Directives 2008/99/EC and 2009/123/EC OJ L,…

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19. Amendment 19Verts/ALEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 2 d (new)
    Amendment

    2d. Commends the essential work done by the Committee on Petitions on the petitions concerning the Akamas Peninsula, the most biodiverse area in Cyprus, which has for decades experienced repeated systemic violations of the Habitats Directive1a and the Birds Directive1b, in an overall context of a lack of effective and legally binding measures to protect this area and in view of recent plans brought forward by the Cypriot competent authorities, with devastating effects on the area’s very fragile natural ecosystems, in violation of EU environmental legislation; underlines that, following the Committee on Petitions’ work on this matter, on 13 March 2024 the Commission decided to bring Cyprus be…

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20. Amendment 20Verts/ALEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 2 e (new)
    Amendment

    2e. Underlines the key work performed by the Committee on Petitions on the protection of workers’ rights against discrimination and the abuse of fixed-term contracts in the public sector in Italy; appreciates that the Commission took into due account the very sound legal documents provided by the petitioners, which were carefully assessed in various meetings of the Committee on Petitions, when it decided to bring Italy before the CJEU for failing to end the abusive use of fixed-term contracts and discriminatory employment conditions, in breach of Council Directive 1999/70/EC;

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21. Amendment 21Verts/ALEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 2 f (new)
    Amendment

    2f. Regrets that the full potential of the right to petition at EU level is still undermined by severe shortcomings and deficiencies related to the Commission’s strategic approach to enforcing EU law, which is flawed by factors such as the persistent absence of legal clarity on the criteria used by the Commission when deciding to take formal action under infringement and EU pilot procedures, the very long delays in ending violations of EU law, and the lack of transparency on the Commission’s handling of EU pilot and infringement procedures, with neither members of the public nor MEPs – the elected representatives of the EU’s citizens – having access to documents or detailed information on th…

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22. Amendment 22Verts/ALEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 2 g (new)
    Amendment

    2g. Believes that the Commission’s own target of 12 months to refer an infringement case to the CJEU if a Member State’s failure to transpose a legislative directive persists should be extended to all other infringement cases with a view to improving the Commission’s overall strategic approach to the enforcement of EU law, thus ensuring an effective and rapid response to violations of EU law in order to safeguard the integrity of EU law, prevent irreversible socio-economic and environmental damage and respond to the pressing need for citizens and businesses to be able to enjoy the benefits arising from the correct and timely application of EU law throughout the Union;

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23. Amendment 23Verts/ALEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 10
    Current text

    10. Strongly condemns the harassment and intimidation to which the official members of the Delegation of the Committee on Petitions were subjected during their fact-finding visit to Barcelona from 18 to 20 December 2023, with the aim of assessing in situ the language immersion model in Catalonia, its effects on families moving to and residing in the Autonomous Community, as well as on multilingualism and non-discrimination and the principle of the rule of law;

    Amendment

    deleted

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24. Amendment 24Verts/ALEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 11
    Current text

    11. Condemns the attempted ‘escraches’ (public shaming through doorstep demonstrations), violence and intimidation by separatist entities and groups in Catalonia that were intended to prevent the smooth running of the mission and with which they sought to coerce MEPs so that the outcome of the mission would favour their interests;

    Amendment

    deleted

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25. Amendment 25Verts/ALEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 12
    Current text

    12. Regrets that the competent education authorities in the region have not implemented the recommendations issued by the Committee on Petitions in its report of 19 March 2024 following the mission, aimed at protecting the linguistic rights of students and their families;

    Amendment

    deleted

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26. Amendment 26Verts/ALEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 21
    Current text

    21. Takes note of the sudden increase in petitions of Spanish origin in the second half of 2023 concerning the risks to the rule of law in Spain as a result of the Spanish Government’s intention to adopt an Amnesty Law contrary to constitutional and European law;

    Amendment

    deleted

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27. Amendment 27Verts/ALEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 27
    Current text

    27. Following the fact-finding visit to Romania, stresses the need for a balance between wildlife protection and the citizens’ safety; underlines that each Member State should be allowed to take measures, including population control of the species, in order to prevent threats to the lives and property of its citizens;

    Amendment

    27. Following the fact-finding visit to Romania, stresses the need for full and consistent implementation of the Habitats Directive1a to improve the protection of valuable natural areas and wildlife as well as citizens’ well-being; _______________ 1a Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/1992/43/oj.

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28. Amendment 28ESNMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 19 a (new)
    Amendment

    19a. Recalls its criticism of the Commission for failing to disclose full details of the contracts signed with pharmaceutical companies regarding COVID-19 vaccines, thereby violating citizens’ right to information, as stated in its 2021 report on deliberations1a; notes that the Commission has claimed the messages exchanged between the President of the Commission and the CEO of Pfizer were deleted on the grounds that they were of a ‘short-lived and ephemeral nature’ and contained no ‘important information relating to policies, activities, and decisions of the Commission’; takes note of the court cases filed in 2023 against the President of the Commission for the alleged ‘destruction of public…

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29. Amendment 29ECRMotion for a resolution · Recital F a (new)
    Amendment

    Fa. whereas the Committee on Petitions (PETI) played a significant role in combating discrimination against Romanian and Bulgarian citizens during the period in which their countries had not yet joined the Schengen area; whereas PETI made a key contribution in advocating equal treatment and addressing the unjustified barriers faced by these citizens; whereas the starting point was Petition 0004/2023, submitted by Răzvan Eugen Nicolescu on behalf of the ‘Asociația pentru Energie Curată și Combaterea Schimbărilor Climatice’, as well as the subsequent plenary resolution on accession to the Schengen area, adopted under Rule 227(2) of the Rules of Procedure1a; _______________ 1a OJ C, C/2024/3999…

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30. Amendment 30ECRMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 2 a (new)
    Amendment

    2a. Commends the PETI Committee for considering Petition 1168/2023, submitted by Mihai Igna on behalf of the Association ‘Together We Bring Prosperity’, which calls for the restitution of Romania’s national treasure and historical archives currently held in Russia; emphasises the profound historical significance of this debate for all Member States that have been historically impacted by Russia’s acts of looting, particularly in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine, as it highlights the broader challenges related to cultural preservation and safeguarding national heritage during times of geopolitical conflict; stresses that the PETI Committee’s engagement with this issue demonstrates it…

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31. Amendment 31ECRMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 24 a (new)
    Amendment

    24a. Recalls the significant number of petitions submitted by EU citizens highlighting abuses committed by the Commission and Member State authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic; regrets that the PETI Committee has failed to follow up with meaningful actions, leaving citizens unheard and unprotected during these unprecedented times; underlines that this lack of response undermines citizens’ trust in and the accountability they rightfully expect from the EU institutions in addressing such serious concerns;

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32. Amendment 32PfEMotion for a resolution · Citation 6 a (new)
    Amendment

    – having regard to the concluding observations of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities of 21 March 2025 on the combined second and third periodic reports of the European Union,

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33. Amendment 33PfEMotion for a resolution · Recital H
    Current text

    H. whereas Parliament is the only EU institution directly elected by EU citizens; whereas the right to petition the European Parliament is one of the fundamental rights of EU citizens and residents and it allows them to address their elected representatives directly; whereas Parliament has long been at the forefront of the development of the petitions process internationally and has the most open, democratic and transparent petitions process in Europe, allowing petitioners to participate actively and effectively in its activities, whereas in exercising the right to petitions, citizens expect the EU institutions provide added value, cooperating with the Commission and Member State authorities…

    Amendment

    H. whereas Parliament is the only EU institution directly elected by EU citizens; whereas the right to petition the European Parliament is one of the fundamental rights of EU citizens and residents and it allows them to address their elected representatives directly; whereas many persons with disabilities lack equal access to information and communication due to the limited availability of accessible formats and due to the fact that national sign languages are not recognised as part of the EU’s multilingualism; whereas Parliament has long been at the forefront of the development of the petitions process internationally and has the most open, democratic and transparent petitions process in Eu…

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34. Amendment 34PfEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 3
    Current text

    3. Reiterates the importance of a continuous public debate on the EU’s fields of activity in order to ensure that citizens are properly informed about the scope of the Union’s competences and the different levels of decision-making; calls for an EU-wide enhanced structured information and communication campaign in all EU official languages in collaboration with national and regional ombudsmen, NGOs, and educational institutions to increase awareness of petition rights among citizens from all Member States, particularly addressing rural and disadvantaged communities and marginalised groups, as well as, remote islands and regions; proposes an expansion of outreach efforts through social media…

    Amendment

    3. Reiterates the importance of a continuous public debate on the EU’s fields of activity in order to ensure that citizens are properly informed about the scope of the Union’s competences and the different levels of decision-making; calls for an EU-wide enhanced structured information and communication campaign to be carried out without additional cost (i.e. by using the current resources of the European Parliament Liaison Offices) in all EU official languages in collaboration with national and regional ombudsmen and educational institutions to increase awareness of petition rights among citizens from all Member States, particularly addressing rural communities, as well as, remote islands an…

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35. Amendment 35PfEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 7
    Current text

    7. Reiterates its call on the Commission to provide legal clarifications on the key criteria underpinning its strategic approach to enforcing EU law and to regularly update the Committee on Petitions on developments in infringement proceedings and to ensure that the Committee on Petitions gets access to the all relevant documents on EU Pilot and infringement procedures and legislative initiatives that were launched based on petitions received; is of the opinion that increased transparency and regular feedback on the handling of ongoing infringement procedures by the Commission would be beneficial for the Committee’s follow-up of open petitions; welcomes the recent Commission initiative to in…

    Amendment

    7. Reiterates its call on the Commission to provide legal clarifications on the key criteria underpinning its strategic approach to enforcing EU law and to regularly update the Committee on Petitions on developments in infringement proceedings and to ensure that the Committee on Petitions gets access to the all relevant documents on EU Pilot and infringement procedures and legislative initiatives that were launched based on petitions received; is of the opinion that increased transparency and regular feedback on the handling of ongoing infringement procedures by the Commission would be beneficial for the Committee’s follow-up of open petitions; welcomes the recent Commission initiative to in…

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36. Amendment 36PfEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 8 a (new)
    Amendment

    8a. Recalls that freedom of expression is a fundamental pillar of European democracy; condemns any attempt to censor, marginalise or intimidate citizens or their elected representatives on the basis of their political opinions; stresses also that respect for the results of elections, at national and European level, is essential for maintaining citizens’ trust in the democratic process;

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37. Amendment 37PfEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 20
    Current text

    20. Draws attention to the significant number of petitions submitted and discussed in relation to citizens’ concerns over the reintroduction of border checks between some Member States raising the problematic aspect of limitation of the free movement of persons within the EU and other aspects such as the strengths and the weaknesses of the extension of the Schengen area, as well as the costs of not belonging to the Schengen area; appreciates the significant role played by the Committee on Petitions, in particular the host of activities carried out, the adoption in committee of a short motion for a resolution on the accession to the Schengen area on 27 June 2023 and the related Parliament res…

    Amendment

    20. Draws attention to the significant number of petitions submitted and discussed in relation to citizens’ concerns over the reintroduction of border checks between some Member States raising the problematic aspect of limitation of the free movement of persons within the EU and other aspects such as the strengths and the weaknesses of the extension of the Schengen area; recalls that Member States may reintroduce internal border controls1a in the event of a serious threat to public policy or internal security, or under exceptional circumstances threatening the overall functioning of the Schengen area; appreciates the significant role played by the Committee on Petitions, in particular the ho…

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38. Amendment 38PfEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 21
    Current text

    21. Takes note of the sudden increase in petitions of Spanish origin in the second half of 2023 concerning the risks to the rule of law in Spain as a result of the Spanish Government’s intention to adopt an Amnesty Law contrary to constitutional and European law;

    Amendment

    21. Takes note of the sudden increase in petitions of Spanish origin in the second half of 2023 concerning the risks to the rule of law in Spain as a result of the Spanish Government’s intention to adopt an Amnesty Law contrary to constitutional and European law; deplores the attacks on the rule of law and the separation of powers carried out by the Spanish Government;

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39. Amendment 39PfEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 28
    Current text

    28. Stresses the commitment of the Committee on Petitions to protect the rights of persons with disabilities; recalls the annual workshop of held by the Committee on Petitions on 29 November 2023 on the rights of persons with disabilities; recalls that its first part focused on how persons with disabilities dealt with the recent crises (energy costs, war, high inflation, etc.) and how EU measures helped to overcome these obstacles while the second part addressed the issue of how the European institutions have built inclusive communication with citizens with disabilities; also highlights, in this context, the adoption by the Committee of an opinion in the form of a letter on establishing the…

    Amendment

    28. Stresses the commitment of the Committee on Petitions to protect the rights of persons with disabilities; recalls the annual workshop of held by the Committee on Petitions on 29 November 2023 on the rights of persons with disabilities; recalls that its first part focused on how persons with disabilities dealt with the recent crises (energy costs, war, high inflation, etc.) and how EU measures helped to overcome these obstacles while the second part addressed the issue of how the European institutions have built inclusive communication with citizens with disabilities; also highlights, in this context, the adoption by the Committee of an opinion in the form of a letter on establishing the…

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40. Amendment 40PfEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 29
    Current text

    29. Stresses the important contribution made by the Committee on Petitions to the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, as revealed by its treatment of a number of petitions on this sensitive topic; acknowledges, in this context, the efforts of Parliament’s services and notes that not just the best technical but the most accessible solution for deaf citizens must be found in order to communicate with them in their own mother tongue, in national sign languages; requests the modification of the Rules of Procedures in close cooperation with the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) committee in order to eliminate the written communication with deaf citizens; also highlight…

    Amendment

    29. Stresses the important contribution made by the Committee on Petitions to the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, as revealed by its treatment of a number of petitions on this sensitive topic; acknowledges, in this context, the efforts of Parliament’s services and notes that not just the best technical but the most accessible solution for deaf citizens must be found in order to communicate with them in their own mother tongue, in national sign languages; requests the modification of the Rules of Procedures in close cooperation with the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) committee in order to eliminate the mandatory exclusively written communication with citizen…

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41. Amendment 41PfEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 31
    Current text

    31. Recalls the fact that relations with the European Ombudsman represent one of the responsibilities conferred on the Committee on Petitions by Parliament’s Rules of Procedure; welcomes Parliament’s constructive cooperation with the European Ombudsman, with whom the Committee on Petitions shares the objectives of ensuring the transparency, professionalism and integrity of the EU institutions vis-à-vis European citizens, as well as its involvement in the European Network of Ombudsmen;

    Amendment

    31. Recalls the fact that relations with the European Ombudsman represent one of the responsibilities conferred on the Committee on Petitions by Parliament’s Rules of Procedure; welcomes Parliament’s constructive cooperation with the European Ombudsman, with whom the Committee on Petitions shares the objectives of ensuring the transparency, professionalism and integrity of the EU institutions vis-à-vis European citizens, as well as its involvement in the European Network of Ombudsmen; stresses the need to step up cooperation with the European Ombudsman in order to ensure a swift, impartial and transparent response to citizens’ complaints about any administrative malfunctioning within the EU…

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    official amendment document ↗
42. Amendment 42PfEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 33
    Current text

    33. Recalls the European Parliament study on Homelessness in the EU which was commissioned by the Committee on Petitions and presented at its meeting in November 2023; notes that this study made an important contribution on this pressing social and economic challenge, which represents one of the most severe forms of societal exclusion, highlighting the need for a public policy change towards preventing homelessness in the first place, inter alia by providing secure and affordable housing;

    Amendment

    33. Recalls the European Parliament study on Homelessness in the EU which was commissioned by the Committee on Petitions and presented at its meeting in November 2023; notes that this study made an important contribution on this pressing social and economic challenge, which represents one of the most severe forms of societal exclusion, highlighting the need for a public policy change towards preventing homelessness in the first place, inter alia by providing secure and affordable housing; recalls that illegal squatting cannot be considered a solution to homelessness, as the right to property is enshrined in Article 17 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights; underlines that Member States sho…

    Excerpt — full text in the official PDF.
    official amendment document ↗