# CE2010212EN.01014001.xml

| 5.8.2010 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 212/140 |
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5.8.2010

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 212/140

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Wednesday 6 May 2009The petitions process (amendment of Title VIII of the Rules of Procedure)

P6_TA(2009)0353

European Parliament decision of 6 May 2009 on revision of the Rules of Procedure with regard to the petitions process (2006/2209(REG))

2010/C 212 E/25

The European Parliament,

The European Parliament

having regard to the letter from its President of 20 July 2006,

having regard to Rules 201 and 202 of its Rules of Procedure,

having regard to the report of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs and the opinion of the Committee on Petitions (A6-0027/2009),

| 1. | Decides to amend its Rules of Procedure as shown below; |
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1.

Decides to amend its Rules of Procedure as shown below;

| 2. | Points out that the amendments will enter into force on the first day of the next part-session, with the exception of the amendment concerning Rule 193a (new), which will enter into force on the first day after the entry into force of the relevant Treaty provision; |
| --- | --- |

2.

Points out that the amendments will enter into force on the first day of the next part-session, with the exception of the amendment concerning Rule 193a (new), which will enter into force on the first day after the entry into force of the relevant Treaty provision;

| 3. | Instructs its President to forward this decision to the Council and the Commission, for information. |
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3.

Instructs its President to forward this decision to the Council and the Commission, for information.

| PRESENT TEXT | AMENDMENT |
| --- | --- |
| Amendment 1 |
| Parliament’s Rules of Procedure


  Rule 191 – paragraph 2 a (new) |
| | 2a. | Where a petition is signed by several natural or legal persons, the signatories shall designate a representative and deputy representatives who shall be regarded as the petitioners for the purposes of this Title.



  If no such representatives have been designated the first signatory or another appropriate person shall be regarded as the petitioner. |

PRESENT TEXT

AMENDMENT

Amendment 1

Amendment 1

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Rule 191 – paragraph 2 a (new)

Rule 191 – paragraph 2 a (new)

2a.

2a.

Where a petition is signed by several natural or legal persons, the signatories shall designate a representative and deputy representatives who shall be regarded as the petitioners for the purposes of this Title.

If no such representatives have been designated the first signatory or another appropriate person shall be regarded as the petitioner.

If no such representatives have been designated the first signatory or another appropriate person shall be regarded as the petitioner.

Amendment 2

Amendment 2

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Rule 191 – paragraph 2 b (new)

Rule 191 – paragraph 2 b (new)

| 2b. | Each petitioner may at any time withdraw support for the petition.



  After withdrawal of support by all the petitioners the petition shall become null and void. |
| --- | --- |

2b.

2b.

Each petitioner may at any time withdraw support for the petition.

After withdrawal of support by all the petitioners the petition shall become null and void.

After withdrawal of support by all the petitioners the petition shall become null and void.

Amendment 3

Amendment 3

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Rule 191 – paragraph 3

Rule 191 – paragraph 3

| 3. | Petitions must be written in
  one of the
  official
  languages
  of the European Union. |
| --- | --- |

3.

Petitions must be written in
  one of the
  official
  languages
  of the European Union.

one of the

languages

| 3. | Petitions must be written in
  an
  official
  language
  of the European Union. |
| --- | --- |

3.

Petitions must be written in
  an
  official
  language
  of the European Union.

an

language

Petitions written in any other language will be considered only where the petitioner has attached a translation
  or summary drawn up
  in an official language
  of the European Union
  .
  The translation or summary shall form the basis of Parliament’s work.
  Parliament’s correspondence with the petitioner shall employ the official language in which the translation
  or summary
  is drawn up.

where

or summary drawn up

of the European Union

The translation or summary shall form the basis of Parliament’s work.

or summary

Petitions written in any other language will be considered only if the petitioner has attached a translation in an official language. Parliament’s correspondence with the petitioner shall employ the official language in which the translation is drawn up.

if

The Bureau may decide that petitions and correspondence with petitioners may be drafted in other languages used in a Member State.

The Bureau may decide that petitions and correspondence with petitioners may be drafted in other languages used in a Member State.

Amendment 4

Amendment 4

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Rule 191 – paragraph 5

Rule 191 – paragraph 5

| 5. | Petitions entered in the register shall be forwarded by the President to the committee responsible, which shall first
  ascertain whether the petitions registered fall within the sphere of activities of the European Union
  . |
| --- | --- |

5.

Petitions entered in the register shall be forwarded by the President to the committee responsible, which shall first
  ascertain whether the petitions registered fall within the sphere of activities of the European Union
  .

ascertain whether the petitions registered fall within the sphere of activities of the European Union

| 5. | Petitions entered in the register shall be forwarded by the President to the committee responsible, which shall first
  establish the admissibility or otherwise of the petition in accordance with Article 194 of the EC Treaty
  .


  If the committee responsible fails to reach a consensus on the admissibility of the petition, it shall be declared admissible at the request of at least one quarter of the members of the committee. |
| --- | --- |

5.

Petitions entered in the register shall be forwarded by the President to the committee responsible, which shall first
  establish the admissibility or otherwise of the petition in accordance with Article 194 of the EC Treaty
  .

establish the admissibility or otherwise of the petition in accordance with Article 194 of the EC Treaty

If the committee responsible fails to reach a consensus on the admissibility of the petition, it shall be declared admissible at the request of at least one quarter of the members of the committee.

If the committee responsible fails to reach a consensus on the admissibility of the petition, it shall be declared admissible at the request of at least one quarter of the members of the committee.

Amendment 5

Amendment 5

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Rule 191 – paragraph 6

Rule 191 – paragraph 6

| 6. | Petitions declared inadmissible by the committee shall be filed; the petitioner shall be informed of the decision and the reasons therefor. |
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6.

Petitions declared inadmissible by the committee shall be filed; the petitioner shall be informed of the decision and the reasons therefor.

therefor

| 6. | Petitions declared inadmissible by the committee shall be filed; the petitioner shall be informed of the decision and the reasons for it.
  Where possible, alternative means of redress may be recommended. |
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6.

Petitions declared inadmissible by the committee shall be filed; the petitioner shall be informed of the decision and the reasons for it.
  Where possible, alternative means of redress may be recommended.

for it

Where possible, alternative means of redress may be recommended.

Amendment 6

Amendment 6

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Rule 191 – paragraph 7

Rule 191 – paragraph 7

| 7. | In such cases the committee may suggest to the petitioner that he contact the competent authority of the Member State concerned or of the European Union. |
| --- | --- |

7.

7.

In such cases the committee may suggest to the petitioner that he contact the competent authority of the Member State concerned or of the European Union.

deleted

deleted

Amendment 7

Amendment 7

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Rule 191 – paragraph 8

Rule 191 – paragraph 8

| 8. | Unless the petitioner asks for it to be treated in confidence, it shall be entered in a public register
  . |
| --- | --- |

8.

Unless the petitioner asks for it to be treated in confidence, it shall be entered in a public register
  .

Unless the petitioner asks for it to be treated in confidence, it shall be entered in a public register

| 8. | Petitions, once registered, shall as a general rule become public documents, and the name of the petitioner and the contents of the petition may be published by Parliament for reasons of transparency
  . |
| --- | --- |

8.

Petitions, once registered, shall as a general rule become public documents, and the name of the petitioner and the contents of the petition may be published by Parliament for reasons of transparency
  .

Petitions, once registered, shall as a general rule become public documents, and the name of the petitioner and the contents of the petition may be published by Parliament for reasons of transparency

Amendment 8

Amendment 8

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Rule 191 – paragraph 8 a (new)

Rule 191 – paragraph 8 a (new)

| 8a. | Notwithstanding the provisions contained in paragraph 8, the petitioner may request that his or her name be withheld in order to protect his or her privacy, in which case Parliament must comply with the request.



  Where the petitioner’s complaint cannot be investigated for reasons of anonymity, the petitioner shall be consulted as to the further steps to be taken. |
| --- | --- |

8a.

8a.

Notwithstanding the provisions contained in paragraph 8, the petitioner may request that his or her name be withheld in order to protect his or her privacy, in which case Parliament must comply with the request.

Where the petitioner’s complaint cannot be investigated for reasons of anonymity, the petitioner shall be consulted as to the further steps to be taken.

Where the petitioner’s complaint cannot be investigated for reasons of anonymity, the petitioner shall be consulted as to the further steps to be taken.

Amendment 9

Amendment 9

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Rule 191 – paragraph 8 b (new)

Rule 191 – paragraph 8 b (new)

| 8b. | The petitioner may request that his or her petition be treated confidentially, in which case suitable precautions shall be taken by Parliament to ensure that the contents are not made public. The petitioner shall be told under which precise conditions this provision is to apply. |
| --- | --- |

8b.

8b.

The petitioner may request that his or her petition be treated confidentially, in which case suitable precautions shall be taken by Parliament to ensure that the contents are not made public. The petitioner shall be told under which precise conditions this provision is to apply.

Amendment 10

Amendment 10

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Rule 192 – paragraph -1 (new)

Rule 192 – paragraph -1 (new)

| -1. | Admissible petitions shall be considered by the committee responsible in the course of its normal activity, either through discussion at a regular meeting or by written procedure. Petitioners may be invited to participate in meetings of the committee if their petition is to be the subject of discussion, or they may request to be present. The right to speak shall be granted to petitioners at the discretion of the Chair. |
| --- | --- |

-1.

-1.

Admissible petitions shall be considered by the committee responsible in the course of its normal activity, either through discussion at a regular meeting or by written procedure. Petitioners may be invited to participate in meetings of the committee if their petition is to be the subject of discussion, or they may request to be present. The right to speak shall be granted to petitioners at the discretion of the Chair.

Amendment 11

Amendment 11

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Rule 192 – paragraph 1

Rule 192 – paragraph 1

| 1. | The committee
  responsible
  may decide to draw up a report
  or otherwise express its opinion on petitions it has declared admissible
  . |
| --- | --- |

1.

The committee
  responsible
  may decide to draw up a report
  or otherwise express its opinion on petitions it has declared admissible
  .

responsible

or otherwise express its opinion on petitions it has declared admissible

| 1. | The committee may
  , with regard to an admissible petition,
  decide to draw up
  an own-initiative
  report
  in accordance with Rule 45(1) or to submit a short motion for a resolution to Parliament, provided that there is no objection by the Conference of Presidents. Such motions for resolutions shall be placed on the draft agenda of the part-session held no later than eight weeks after their adoption in committee. They shall be put to a single vote and shall also be without debate unless the Conference of Presidents exceptionally decides to apply Rule 131a. |
| --- | --- |

1.

The committee may
  , with regard to an admissible petition,
  decide to draw up
  an own-initiative
  report
  in accordance with Rule 45(1) or to submit a short motion for a resolution to Parliament, provided that there is no objection by the Conference of Presidents. Such motions for resolutions shall be placed on the draft agenda of the part-session held no later than eight weeks after their adoption in committee. They shall be put to a single vote and shall also be without debate unless the Conference of Presidents exceptionally decides to apply Rule 131a.

, with regard to an admissible petition,

an own-initiative

in accordance with Rule 45(1) or to submit a short motion for a resolution to Parliament, provided that there is no objection by the Conference of Presidents. Such motions for resolutions shall be placed on the draft agenda of the part-session held no later than eight weeks after their adoption in committee. They shall be put to a single vote and shall also be without debate unless the Conference of Presidents exceptionally decides to apply Rule 131a.

The committee may
  , particularly in the case of petitions which seek changes in existing law,
  request opinions from other committees pursuant to Rule 46.

, particularly in the case of petitions which seek changes in existing law,

pursuant to

The committee may request opinions from other committees
  that have specific responsibility for the issue under consideration in accordance with Rule 46
  and Annex VI
  .

that have specific responsibility for the issue under consideration

and Annex VI

Amendment 12

Amendment 12

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Rule 192 – paragraph 2

Rule 192 – paragraph 2

| 2. | An electronic register shall be set up in which citizens may lend their support to the petitioner, appending their own electronic signature to petitions which have been declared admissible and entered in the register. |
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2.

An electronic register shall be set up in which citizens may lend their support to the petitioner, appending their own electronic signature to petitions which have been declared admissible and entered in the register.

| 2. | An electronic register shall be set up in which citizens may lend
  or withdraw
  their support to the petitioner, appending their own electronic signature to petitions which have been declared admissible and entered in the register. |
| --- | --- |

2.

An electronic register shall be set up in which citizens may lend
  or withdraw
  their support to the petitioner, appending their own electronic signature to petitions which have been declared admissible and entered in the register.

or withdraw

Amendment 13

Amendment 13

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Rule 192 – paragraph 3

Rule 192 – paragraph 3

| 3. | When
  considering
  petitions
  or
  establishing facts, the committee may organise
  hearings of petitioners or general hearings or dispatch members to establish the facts of the situation in situ
  . |
| --- | --- |

3.

When
  considering
  petitions
  or
  establishing facts, the committee may organise
  hearings of petitioners or general hearings or dispatch members to establish the facts of the situation in situ
  .

considering

or

hearings of petitioners or general hearings or dispatch members to establish the facts of the situation in situ

| 3. | When
  investigating
  petitions, establishing facts
  or seeking solutions
  the committee may organise
  fact-finding visits to the Member State or region concerned by the petition
  .


  Reports on the visits shall be drafted by their participants. They shall be forwarded to the President after approval by the committee. |
| --- | --- |

3.

When
  investigating
  petitions, establishing facts
  or seeking solutions
  the committee may organise
  fact-finding visits to the Member State or region concerned by the petition
  .

investigating

or seeking solutions

fact-finding visits to the Member State or region concerned by the petition

Reports on the visits shall be drafted by their participants. They shall be forwarded to the President after approval by the committee.

Reports on the visits shall be drafted by their participants. They shall be forwarded to the President after approval by the committee.

Amendment 14

Amendment 14

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Rule 192 – paragraph 4

Rule 192 – paragraph 4

| 4. | With a view to preparing its opinions
  , the committee may request the Commission
  to submit documents, to supply information and to grant it access to its facilities
  . |
| --- | --- |

4.

With a view to preparing its opinions
  , the committee may request the Commission
  to submit documents, to supply information and to grant it access to its facilities
  .

With a view to preparing its opinions

to submit documents, to supply information and to grant it access to its facilities

| 4. | The committee may request
  assistance from
  the Commission
  particularly in the form of information on the application of, or compliance with, Community law and information or documents relevant to the petition. Representatives of the Commission shall be invited to attend meetings of the committee
  . |
| --- | --- |

4.

The committee may request
  assistance from
  the Commission
  particularly in the form of information on the application of, or compliance with, Community law and information or documents relevant to the petition. Representatives of the Commission shall be invited to attend meetings of the committee
  .

assistance from

particularly in the form of information on the application of, or compliance with, Community law and information or documents relevant to the petition. Representatives of the Commission shall be invited to attend meetings of the committee

Amendment 15

Amendment 15

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Rule 192 – paragraph 5

Rule 192 – paragraph 5

| 5. | The committee
  shall, where necessary, submit motions for resolutions to Parliament on petitions which it has considered
  . |
| --- | --- |

5.

The committee
  shall, where necessary, submit motions for resolutions to Parliament on petitions which it has considered
  .

shall, where necessary, submit motions for resolutions to Parliament on petitions which it has considered

| 5. | The committee
  may ask the President to forward its opinion or recommendation to the Commission, the Council or the Member State authority concerned for action or response
  . |
| --- | --- |

5.

The committee
  may ask the President to forward its opinion or recommendation to the Commission, the Council or the Member State authority concerned for action or response
  .

may ask the President to forward its opinion or recommendation to the Commission, the Council or the Member State authority concerned for action or response

The committee may also request that its opinions be forwarded by the President to the Commission or the Council.

The committee may also request that its opinions be forwarded by the President to the Commission or the Council.

Amendment 16

Amendment 16

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Rule 192 – paragraph 7

Rule 192 – paragraph 7

| 7. | The
  President
  shall
  inform petitioners
  of the
  decisions
  taken and the reasons
  therefor
  . |
| --- | --- |

7.

The
  President
  shall
  inform petitioners
  of the
  decisions
  taken and the reasons
  therefor
  .

President

inform petitioners

decisions

therefor

| 7. | The
  petitioner
  shall
  be informed
  of the
  decision
  taken
  by the committee
  and the reasons for
  that decision
  .


  When consideration of an admissible petition has been concluded, it shall be declared closed and the petitioner informed. |
| --- | --- |

7.

The
  petitioner
  shall
  be informed
  of the
  decision
  taken
  by the committee
  and the reasons for
  that decision
  .

petitioner

be informed

decision

by the committee

that decision

When consideration of an admissible petition has been concluded, it shall be declared closed and the petitioner informed.

When consideration of an admissible petition has been concluded, it shall be declared closed and the petitioner informed.

Amendment 17

Amendment 17

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure

Rule 193 a (new)

Rule 193 a (new)

Rule 193 a

Rule 193 a

Citizens’ initiative

Citizens’ initiative

When Parliament is informed that the Commission has been invited to submit a proposal for a legal act under Article 11(4) of the EU Treaty, the Committee on Petitions shall ascertain whether this is likely to affect its work and, if need be, shall inform those petitioners who have addressed a petition on related subjects.

When Parliament is informed that the Commission has been invited to submit a proposal for a legal act under Article 11(4) of the EU Treaty, the Committee on Petitions shall ascertain whether this is likely to affect its work and, if need be, shall inform those petitioners who have addressed a petition on related subjects.

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