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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2020/2846(RSP))

On the European Citizens’ Initiative ‘Minority SafePack one million signatures for diversity in Europe’

B-9-2020-0405

on behalf of the ECR Group · Rapporteur: Nicola Procaccini, Dace Melbārde, Kosma Złotowski, Elżbieta Kruk

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Parliament's resolution supports the European Citizens' Initiative 'Minority SafePack – one million signatures for diversity in Europe' and the ECI instrument itself. It recalls that respect for minorities is a founding EU value and that the Union respects cultural and linguistic diversity. It asks the Commission to assess policy options for possible EU minimum standards for minority rights, in line with subsidiarity and national competences. It calls for cooperation with the Council of Europe and for minorities to be considered in EU funding programmes. It states that the initiative's nine proposals should each be assessed on their own merit.

Key points

  1. Reiterates support for the European Citizens' Initiative as an instrument and calls for its full potential to be used.
  2. Notes that the new ECI Regulation entered into force on 1 January 2020 and that relaunching the instrument should be facilitated.
  3. Recalls that respect for persons belonging to minorities is a founding EU value under Article 2 of the TEU.
  4. Recalls that Article 3(3) of the TEU requires the Union to respect cultural and linguistic diversity and safeguard cultural heritage.
  5. Calls on the Commission to present an impact assessment of policy options for a possible common EU framework of minimum standards for minority rights, respecting subsidiarity and national competences.
  6. States that linguistic rights must be respected where there is more than one official language, without discrimination.
  7. Calls for mutually reinforcing EU–Council of Europe cooperation on protecting national and linguistic minorities.
  8. Acknowledges that protecting minorities is primarily a Member State responsibility, while the EU may support Member States.
  9. States that cultural and linguistic identity preservation measures should aim for positive action, including in culture, and recognises minorities' contribution to EU cultural heritage and the role of media.
  10. Expresses concern about regional or minority languages at risk of extinction and says linguistic diversity should be protected so languages pass between generations.
  11. Calls on the EU and Member States to consider national or linguistic minorities when designing funding programmes.
  12. Calls on the Commission to assess and take measures so every EU citizen can enjoy culture and entertainment in their own language, taking account of national language laws.

Who is affected

  • National and linguistic minorities in the EU, whom the resolution seeks to support.
  • The European Commission, which is asked to assess policy options and take measures.
  • EU Member States, which retain primary responsibility for protecting minorities.
  • The Council of Europe, with which the resolution calls for cooperation.

Figures and deadlines

  • Approximately 8 % of EU citizens belong to a national minority.
  • Approximately 10 % speak a regional or minority language.
  • 1 128 385 certified signatures were collected between 3 April 2017 and 3 April 2018.
  • The minimum national threshold was reached in 11 Member States.
  • The initiative was submitted to the Commission on 15 July 2013 with 11 proposals.
  • The Commission registered the initiative on 29 March 2017 on the basis of nine of its initial 11 proposals.
  • The new ECI Regulation came into force on 1 January 2020.

Legal basis: Articles 2, 3(3) and 11(4) of the Treaty on European Union, and Articles 19, 24, 53(1), 63, 79(2), 107(3)(e), 108(4), 109, 118, 165(4), 167(5), 173(3), 177, 178 and 182(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.