The European Parliament adopted a resolution urging the European Commission to improve respect for fundamental rights in the EU.
The new monitoring mechanism put forward in the resolution should also provide indicators, include binding recommendations and impose penalties for member states that are in violation. In accordance with the proposal MEPs also call for the revision of EU Treaty Article 7 to distinguish more clearly the “risk” and “violation” stages as well as for the creation of a “Copenhagen Commission” of independent high-level experts on fundamental rights and other measures.
The resolution, approved by 312 votes to 244, with 27 abstentions on February 26, 2014, puts together recommendations for the EU and its member states in the specific areas of fundamental rights. The resolution addresses the issues of respect for freedom of assembly, access to information, good administration and transparency in decision-making processes and improved access to documents by citizens within the EU.