Brussels, 28/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 28 February, the European Commission announced that the “One of Us” citizens' petition meets the criteria set by the EU.
The petition calls for a ban on and end to financing of activities which presuppose the destruction of human embryos, in particular in the areas of research, development aid and public health. It has been signed by more than 1.7 million people in 18 member states.
Over the next three months, the European Commission will now have to encourage talks among the bodies behind the petition, and the European Parliament will hold a public hearing on the subject. The Commission will then decide whether to introduce legislation, act in some other way to achieve the goals of the petition or not act at all. Whatever it decides to do, it will have to justify its decision in a special report. (MB)