Sittings · Document
Draft report (2025/2027(INI)) 2025-03-28
Deliberations of the Committee on Petitions in 2023
Committee on Petitions
Amendment 1
Gheorghe Falcă
Compromise Amendment replacing Amendment(s): 4, 7, 8
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| H. whereas Parliament is the only EU institution directly elected by EU citizens; whereas it has long been at the forefront of the development of the petitions process internationally and has the most open and transparent petitions process in Europe, allowing petitioners to participate fully in its activities; | 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 allowing them to address their elected representatives directly; whereas it 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 Institution provide an added value, cooperating with the Commission and Member States authorities, in solving their problems; |
Or. en
Amendment 2
Gheorghe Falcă
Compromise Amendment replacing Amendment(s): 9, 51
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| J. whereas the activities of the Committee on Petitions are based on the input provided by petitioners, enabling Parliament to enhance its responsiveness to complaints and concerns relating to the respect for fundamental EU rights and compliance with EU legislation in the Member States; whereas petitions are therefore a useful source of information on instances of misapplication or breaches of EU law, allowing for the assessment and application of EU law and its impact on the rights of EU citizens and residents; | J. whereas the activities of the Committee on Petitions are based on the input provided by petitioners, enabling Parliament to enhance its responsiveness to complaints and concerns relating to the respect for fundamental EU rights and compliance with EU legislation in the Member States; whereas, through petitions, EU citizens can complain about failures to implement EU law and help detect breaches of EU law; whereas petitions are therefore a useful source of information on instances of misapplication or breaches of EU law, allowing for the assessment and application of EU law and its impact on the rights of EU citizens and residents; whereas in 2023 fundamental rights were one of the three most important concerns of all petitioners; whereas, in the context of the structured dialogue with the European Commission, the Committee on Petitions called on the Commission to fight discrimination in the European Union, including through initiatives to guarantee equal rights and to strengthen measures against all forms of discrimination, including those based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, disability, age, religion or belief and sexual orientation; |
Or. en
Amendment 3
Gheorghe Falcă
Compromise Amendment replacing Amendment(s): 13, 14
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| K. whereas each petition is considered and examined carefully, efficiently and transparently; whereas all petitioners have the right to receive a reply informing them about the decision on admissibility and follow-up actions taken by the committee within a reasonable period of time, in their own language or in the language used in the petition; | K. whereas each petition must be considered and examined carefully, efficiently, impartially, fairly and transparently, in line with the standards set in Article 41 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union on the Right to good administration; whereas all petitioners have the right to receive a reply informing them about the decision on admissibility and follow-up actions taken by the committee within a reasonable period of time, in their own language or in the language used in the petition; whereas timely and effective responses by the Commission and Member States to the issues raised in the petitions, along with solutions for redress, where appropriate contribute to strengthening the trust citizens place in the Union and its policies; |
Or. en
Amendment 4
Gheorghe Falcă
Compromise Amendment replacing Amendment(s): 27, 28, 29, 31
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 2. 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; reiterates its call, in this regard, for broader awareness-raising campaigns, through the active involvement of communications services, to help increase citizens’ knowledge about their right to petition, as well as the scope of the EU’s responsibilities and the competences of the Committee on Petitions, with a view to reducing the number of inadmissible petitions; | 2. 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 collaboration with national and regional ombudsmen in all EU official languages, NGOs, and educational institutions to increase awareness of citizens from all Member States on petition rights, also 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. Emphasizes the need for broader awareness-raising campaigns, through the active involvement of communications services, to help increase citizens’ knowledge about their right to petition, as well as the scope of the EU’s responsibilities and the competences of the Committee on Petitions, with a view to reducing the number of inadmissible petitions and enhancing citizen engagement in the decision-making process; recommends improving the digital accessibility of the Petitions Portal, including through adaptations for people with disabilities and more efficient translations into all official EU languages; recommends exploring the potential of the existing IT tools in order to increase citizens’ support on the portal, including through redirecting options to relevant complaint mechanisms; |
Or. en
Amendment 5
Gheorghe Falcă
Compromise Amendment replacing Amendment(s): 36, 37, 39, 40, 80
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 6. Reiterates its call on the Commission to regularly update the Committee on Petitions on developments in infringement proceedings and to ensure that the Committee on Petitions gets access to the relevant info on infringement procedures which were launched based on petitions received, and on EU Pilot procedures; 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 initiative of the Commission to include petitions in the search system of the infringement register of the Commission; | 6. Reiterates its call on the Commission to provide legal clarifications on the key criteria underpinning its strategic approach on 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 which 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 initiative of the Commission to include petitions in the search system of the infringement register of the Commission; Stresses that it is important for the Commission to conduct timely investigations into petitions, highlighting violations of rights affecting a large number of citizens and residents within the EU and to consult, where appropriate, the relevant national ombudsman. Expresses concerns on the way the Commission is handling some infringement procedures launched against Member States, including those related to issues raised in many petitions; encourages the Commission to put in place all necessary measures to improve transparency and effectiveness of its management of infringement procedures, which can be perceived opaque by the citizens; |
Or. en
Amendment 6
Gheorghe Falcă
Compromise Amendment replacing Amendment(s): 44, 45, 46, 47
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 8. Considers that more active cooperation between Member States and the Committee on petitions would be necessary to unblock those petitions requiring prompt responses and reactions from the national authorities; | 8. Emphasizes the need for enhanced and more active cooperation between Member States and the Committee on petitions in order to unblock those petitions requiring prompt responses and reactions from the national authorities. Recalls that the delayed responses of the Member States could have an impact of the timely resolution of issues raised by citizens and negative consequences on the solution of the breaches of Union law; Notes that the Member States should guarantee responses to petitions in the three months deadline requested. Stresses that an improved coordination and dialogue would facilitate a more efficient handling of citizens'concerns, prevent unnecessary delays and strengthen the effectiveness of the petition process; |
Or. en
Amendment 7
Gheorghe Falcă
Compromise Amendment replacing Amendment(s): 55, 56, 57
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 16. 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 Non-Schengen; notes, in this regard, the adoption by the Committee on Petitions of a short motion for a resolution on the accession to the Schengen area on 27 June 2023 and the organisation of the public hearing on Schengen Borders, which were issues raised by petitioners on 18 July 2023 in association with the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs; | 16. 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 Non-Schengen; 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 27 June 2023 and the related Parliament’s resolution, to strongly support the enlargement of the Schengen area to include Romania and Bulgaria the organisation of the public hearing on Schengen Borders, on 18 July 2023 in association with the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs; welcomes the unanimous decision by the Council for the full entry of both countries into the Schengen area as of 1 January 2025 allowing the full exercise of fundamental freedoms of the EU Single Market; |
Or. en
Amendment 8
Gheorghe Falcă
Compromise Amendment replacing Amendment(s): 61, 63
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 20. 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; | 20. 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 points to the petitions on environmental issues, which reflect a growing public concern about the climate change implications, requiring a consistent enforcement of the existing EU environmental legislation by both Commission and Member States; |
Or. en
Amendment 9
Gheorghe Falcă
Compromise Amendment replacing Amendment(s): 69, 73,
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 21. 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; recalls the annual workshop of 29 November 2023 on the rights of persons with disabilities, which the Committee on Petitions held; recalls that its first part focused on how persons with disabilities dealt with the recent crises (energy costs, war, high inflation) 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 European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities on 29 November 2023; | 21. Stresses the commitment of the Committee on Petitions to protecting of the rights of persons with disabilities; recalls the annual workshop of 29 November 2023 on the rights of persons with disabilities, which the Committee on Petitions held; recalls that its first part focused on how persons with disabilities dealt with the recent crises (energy costs, war, high inflation) 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 European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities on 29 November 2023; reiterates that the Commission should address the cases where the national authorities refuse to recognise the rights for social security benefits for person with disabilities, thus leaving them without necessary means to cover their basic needs; underlines as well in this context the imperative need for a full and consistent transposition of the European Accessibility Act and calls on the Member States to avoid further delays that hinder the rights of persons with disabilities; reminds that the Accessibility Act aims at improving the life of at least 87 million persons with disabilities, facilitating their access to, inter alia, public transport, banking services, computers, TVs, e-books, online shops; |
Or. en
Amendment 10
Gheorghe Falcă
Compromise Amendment replacing Amendment(s): 70, 71, 75
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 22. Underlines the specific protection role played by the Committee on Petitions within the EU in the framework of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; points to the committee’s important ongoing work in connection with petitions concerning issues on disabilities; notes a slight decrease in the number of petitions on disability in 2023 in comparison with previous years, especially 2022, but stresses nevertheless that it almost doubled compared to 2021; notes that discrimination and access to public transport and employment remain among the main challenges faced by persons with disabilities; points out that the Committee on Petitions paid special attention to the request for the European Disability Statute to recognise the rights of people with autism; welcomes the adoption of a short motion for a resolution on harmonising the rights of autistic people, emphasising the need to improve the access to diagnosis, healthcare, education, employment, accessibility and provision of reasonable accommodation, legal capacity, and lifelong support in the community, culture and sport; | 22. Furthermore, underlines, the specific protection role played by the Committee on Petitions within the EU in the framework of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities through its capacity to hear petitions and highlights the committee’s important ongoing work on petitions concerning disability-related issues; while noting a slight decrease in the number of petitions on disability in 2023 compared to 2022, stresses that the number nearly doubled compared to 2021; further points out that discrimination and access to public transport and employment, continue to be major challenges faced by persons with disabilities and emphasizes the Committee’s special attention to the request for the European Disability Statute to recognise the rights of people with autism; welcomes the adoption of a short motion for a resolution on harmonising the rights of autistic people, emphasising the need to improve the access to diagnosis, healthcare, education, employment, accessibility and provision of reasonable accommodation, legal capacity, and lifelong community support including as regards culture and sport; furthermore draws attention to the particular role of the Committee on Petitions in safeguarding the rights of children and their parents, acknowledging numerous petitions received on children's rights, which require special attention and action; recalls, in this context the provisions of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, in particular the Article 24 thereof on the rights of the child, to allow every child to maintain a personal relationship and direct contact with both of his/her parents, unless that is contrary to the child' interests; reiterates as well the risk that families with autistic children are being targeted by offers of unproven, potentially harmful and illegal therapies and interventions which may cause serious physical abuse of children; |
Or. en
Amendment 11
Gheorghe Falcă
Compromise Amendment replacing Amendment(s): 20, 76, 78
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 23 a. Underlines the key work performed by the Committee on Petitions on the protection of workers' rights. Underlines that several petitions received in this area were followed up by further actions such as the debate on the use of fixed-term contracts, as well as the one on the European Citizens’Initiative-turned petition “Good Clothes, Fair Pay” focusing on the harmful situation of workers in the global garment and footwer industry, or the Parliamentary Question for Oral Answer on the Working conditions of teachers in the European Union, also having as basis a petition received on this subject. Reiterates the importance of ensuring fair working conditions and greater protection of workers in the EU, calling on Member States and the Commission to effectively address concerns raised in petitions related to labour rights and trade unions; |
Or. en
Amendment 12
Gheorghe Falcă
Compromise Amendment replacing Amendment(s): 15, 32, 53, 86
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 26 a. 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 Union’s activities; 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 and continue addressing issues related to violations of EU law, as well as loopholes and shortcomings in the existing EU law's provisions; believes that timely avoidance of petitions with clear national competences along with comprehensive explanations and instructions about alternative courses of action, where appropriate, could contribute to a constructive approach and an enhanced citizens engagement considers, in this context, that the European Parliament should increase its efforts to promote the role and work of its Committee on Petitions and raise awareness among all EU citizens of the possibility to address a petition to the European Parliament; reminds that due to limited time allocated to committee meetings, most of the petitions are treated through written procedure; recalls, in this context, that all petitions received including those in the area of international affairs should be handled with the necessary transparency and impartiality; is the opinion that the selection of petitions for discussion in committee should reflect a geographical and political balance of submissions received; moreover believes that geographical balance should be sought also when organising the committee's fact-finding visits, yearly and during a legislative mandate; |
Or. en