Latest stories - Justice and citizens rights

European Commission calls on Member States to implement national plans for Roma integration    

23/05/2012  -  Employment and social rights / Justice and citizens rights

The European Commission has called on EU Member States, in a report adopted today, to implement their national strategies to improve the economic and social integration of Europe's 10 to 12 million Roma.  |VIDEO|

• DOCUMENT. National Roma Integration Strategies: a first step in the implementation of the EU Framework
• DOCUMENT. European Commission Staff working document on National Roma Integration Strategies
• National Strategies on Roma integration
• More information on EU and Roma

Europe Day sees launch of first European Citizens' Initiative

08/05/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights

The European Commission will mark Europe Day (9 May) by registering the very first European Citizens' Initiative. Other proposed initiatives will also be added to the online register in the coming days.

• Frequently asked questions on the European Citizens' Initiative
• Website of the European Citizen’s Initiative
• On Europe day the Commission also calls on EU citizens to help set the policy agenda for the next years in a consultation on citizens' rights
• Parliament debated the achievements and the challenges facing the EU in the midst of the current crisis
• Europe day, 9 May

Fair trial rights: European Commission proposal giving citizens the right to information in criminal proceedings to become law    

27/04/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights

EU Justice Ministers adopted a new law that the European Commission had proposed to ensure defendants' right to information during criminal proceedings. Under the 'Directive on the right to information in criminal proceedings', suspects of a criminal offence will be informed of their rights in a language they understand.

• Council approves EU-wide minimum standards as regards the right to information in criminal proceedings
• More on the rights of suspects and the accused

Parliament gives green light to air passenger data deal with the US

19/04/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights

A new agreement on the transfer of EU air passengers' personal data to the US authorities was approved by the European Parliament. The deal sets legal conditions and covers issues such as storage periods, use, data protection safeguards and administrative and judicial redress.  |VIDEO|

• Statement by Commissioner Malmström
• Frequently Asked Questions

New partnership between EU and UN Women to enhance gender equality worldwide

16/04/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights

The new Memorandum of Understanding signed on the margin of the EU Sustainable Energy for All Summit in Brussels, reaffirms the partnership between the two organisations to support gender equality and women’s empowerment around the world and ensures closer collaboration; sharing information, expertise and analysis in order to effectively advance women’s rights.   |VIDEO|PHOTOS|

• Factsheet on the EU’s work with women
• Development policy - Gender equality
• Progress in gender equality leads to economic growth, says European Commission report

European Commission makes fundamental rights a reality for citizens    

16/04/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights

The European Commission's second annual report on the Charter finds that fundamental rights concerns are increasingly embedded in EU policy-making.

• Speech by Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission
• DOCUMENT. Second annual report on the Charter
• More background information
• EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

Update on ACTA's referral to the European Court of Justice

04/04/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights

The European Commission has taken the next step in the important process of referring the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) to the European Court of Justice (ECJ). By agreeing on the legal submission to be put before the ECJ, the Commission aims to respond to the wide-ranging concerns voiced by people across Europe on what ACTA is about and whether it harms fundamental rights in any way.

• DOCUMENT. Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement
• More information on ACTA

Commission fires starting gun on European Citizens' Initiatives    

30/03/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights

1 April 2012 marks the launch of European Citizens' Initiatives. From that day, a million citizens from across Europe can come together on an issue that is important to them, and ask the Commission to do something about it.  |VIDEO|

• Frequently asked questions
• Citizens' initiative - You can set the agenda!
• European citizens' initiative - official register
• DOCUMENT. Regulation on the European citizens' initiative

European Commission seeks public input on a modern system of European insolvency law    

30/03/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights

The European Commission launched a public consultation on modernising EU rules governing insolvencies. The results of the consultation will help determine whether and how the existing Regulation needs to be revised in order to bolster businesses and strengthen the EU's Single Market.

• Consultation on the future of European Insolvency Law
• More information on insolvency proceedings

An EU Cybercrime Centre to fight online criminals and protect e-consumers    

28/03/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights / Science and technology

It is estimated that, worldwide, more than one million people become victims of cybercrime every day.The European Commission proposed to establish a European Cybercrime Centre to help protect European citizens and businesses against these mounting cyber-threats.  |VIDEO|PHOTOS|

• Frequently asked questions
• DOCUMENT. Tackling Crime in our Digital Age: Establishing a European Cybercrime Centre
• Boosting Europe's defences against cyber attacks

More safeguards for online privacy rights

25/01/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights

Proposals would introduce a single set of rules giving individuals more control over how their personal data is managed and used.