Brussels, 17/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 17 January, the European Parliament approved the definition of the Multi-annual Framework (MAF) (2007-2012) for the EU's Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA), thus allowing the FRA to develop its activities currently limited to combating racism and xenophobia. After adopting the report by British Labour member Michael Cashman by a vast majority (462 votes to 60 and 51 abstentions), on the 2007 Council proposal for a decision (Parliament consultation), MEPs hope to extend the FRA's remit to other areas, such as the notions of extreme poverty and social exclusion, as well as protection of the rights of ethnic or national minorities. During the debate the day before, Commissioner Franco Frattini had said he would support the first theme, but showed himself to be more sceptical about the second (EUROPE 9580).
MEPs took the view that the FRA should be able to act outside the thematic areas fixed within the multi-annual framework at the request of one of the three institutions, financial and human resources permitting. Also, the FRA should report regularly to the European Parliament on its work. MEPs also said it was necessary to allow the updating or revision of this framework over the five year period, given the new human rights challenges that arise. In their view, the European Ombudsman should, moreover, be included in the list of the other Union bodies for which the agency's missions are complementary. Among the tasks incumbent upon the FRA, MEPs wanted to include that of heightening public awareness of fundamental rights and that of being more actively involved in providing information on the work of the agency. They considered it “indispensable” to ensure that the EU institutions and member states comply with all international conventions on human rights, signed up to by member states. They also took the view that the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament should be able to call on the FRA to inquire into specific actions or subjects of concern. The FRA should be able to formulate and publish conclusions and opinions on thematic matters not covered by the proposal for a decision under “exceptional and pressing” circumstances. MEPs felt that the FRA should be able to cooperate actively with the candidate countries regarding fundamental rights in order to help them come into line with Community law.
MEPs agreed that the agency should be able to assess access to effective and independent justice, mainly concerning the rights of detainees and suspects. On the other hand, they refused to back Liberal MEP Sophie In't Veld (NL) when she suggested that the thematic remits of the agency should include respect of privacy and the protection of personal data, homophobia and homophobic violence, as well as racism against the Roma. The next discussions by the Council's working group on this text are due to continue at the end of January or beginning of February. Many EP amendments are to be carefully examined by member states, who will be the only ones to decide on the final casting of the text. (B.C.)