Today, the European Commission has registered a European Citizens Initiative (ECI), entitled ‘No more double standards on human rights.
The initiative invites the Commission “to propose a regulation that establishes a standardised oversight of human rights across its areas of competence in its external action with third countries. According to the organisers, the regulation should ensure that the Commission monitors, evaluates, and responds to human rights violations in a manner that is transparent, consistent, effective, proportionate and timely.”
As this initiative fulfils the formal conditions established in the relevant legislation, the Commission considers it legally admissible under the European Citizens Initiative Regulation. The Commission has not analysed the substance of the proposals at this stage. The registration does not influence the Commissions final decision on its merits, or any potential action it may take. The Commission will make a decision on the initiative only if it collects at least 1 million signatures from EU citizens.
Next steps
Following todays registration, the organisers have six months to open the 12-month period of signature collection. If an ECI receives at least one million statements of support during that time, with minimum numbers reached in at least seven Member States, the Commission is required to react, and decide what, if any, action it will take in response to the initiative, justifying its decision.
Background
The ECI was introduced with the Lisbon Treaty as an agenda-setting tool for the citizens. It was officially launched in April 2012. Once formally registered, a European Citizens Initiative allows one million citizens from at least seven EU Member States to invite the European Commission to propose legal acts in areas where it has the power to act. The conditions for admissibility are: (1) the proposed action does not manifestly fall outside the framework of the Commissions powers to submit a legal proposal, (2) it is not manifestly abusive, frivolous or vexatious and (3) it is not manifestly contrary to the values of the Union.
Since the beginning of the European Citizens Initiative, the Commission has registered 124 initiatives.
The content of the initiatives only expresses the views of the organisers and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the Commission.
For more information
Europeans Citizens Initiative: ‘No more double standards on human rights
ECIs currently collecting signatures
