Swedish MEP Malin Björk (The Left) presented, on Monday 4 September, her draft report on the Commission’s proposal for a regulation on the European Certificate of Parenthood to the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE).
Stressing the importance of the Commission’s proposal published in December 2022 (see EUROPE 13079/9), which aims to establish a legal framework for the recognition of parent-child relationships throughout the European Union, Malin Björk insisted on two essential points, which, in her opinion, ensure “the safety of children”: the recognition of relationships between parents - “whether it’s a marriage partnership” - and the fact that there can be more than two parents. “It would be visionary, for such an instrument of the Union, to openly recognise this type of possibility”, she declared.
Another major point of concern raised by Ms Björk was the question of the exemption for reasons of public order, provided for in the proposal. The Swedish MEP called on Parliament to take a clear stance to prevent the EU Council from “misusing this legal instrument”. “One solution being considered could be to remove the public order provision”, she said.
On this subject, which had already been the subject of much comment during the debate in the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) (see EUROPE 13215/7), Ms Björk was supported by her colleagues, co-rapporteurs from S&D, Renew Europe and the Greens/EFA.
Belgian MEP Saskia Bricmont said: “I fully share the concerns expressed by the rapporteur, and by other Members too, regarding exceptions linked to public order. We all know that there is a risk that this type of exception will be misused in some Member States, leading to discrimination against rainbow families. The main objective of this text will be completely undermined”.
Finally, the EPP’s shadow rapporteur, Tomas Tobé (Swedish), who was absent during the debate, insisted through Dutch MEP Jeroen Lenaers (EPP) on the importance of the best interests of the child and the recognition of parents, “regardless of their nationality or place of residence”. He therefore argued in favour of reducing the administrative burden for cross-border families by recognising parenthood established in one Member State in all the others. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)