TEXT PROPOSED BY THE COMMISSION AMENDMENTS BY PARLIAMENT

Amendment 1

Recital 1

(1) In order for the Agency to carry out its tasks properly the precise thematic areas of its activity are to be determined by a Multiannual Framework covering five years as stipulated in Article 5 (2) of Regulation (EC) No 168/2007. (1) In order for the Agency to carry out its tasks properly, and bearing in mind the objectives of the foundation of the Agency, the precise thematic areas of its activity are to be determined by a Multiannual Framework covering five years as stipulated in Article 5 (2) of Regulation (EC) No 168/2007.

Amendment 2

Recital 2

(2) The Framework should include the fight against racism, xenophobia and related intolerance amongst the thematic areas of the Agency's activity. (2) The Framework should include the fight against racism, xenophobia and related intolerance amongst the thematic areas of the Agency's activity and the protection of the rights of persons belonging to ethnic or national minorities .

Amendment 3

Recital 5

(5) The Framework should include provisions with a view of ensuring complementarity with the remit of other Community and Union bodies, offices and agencies, as well as with the Council of Europe and other international organisations active in the field of fundamental rights. The most relevant Community agencies and bodies in relation to this Multiannual Framework are the European Institute for Gender Equality established by Regulation (EC) No 1922/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 establishing a European Institute for Gender Equality and the European Data Protection Supervisor established by Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data, the objectives of which should consequently be taken into account. (5) The Framework should include provisions with a view of ensuring complementarity with the remit of other Community and Union bodies, offices and agencies, as well as with the Council of Europe and other international organisations active in the field of fundamental rights. The most relevant Community agencies and bodies in relation to this Multiannual Framework are the European Institute for Gender Equality established by Regulation (EC) No 1922/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 establishing a European Institute for Gender Equality , the European Data Protection Supervisor established by Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data and the European Ombudsman, the objectives and remits of which should consequently be taken into account.

Amendment 4

Recital 6a (new)

(6a) In accordance with Article 5 (3) of Regulation (EC) No 168/2007, the Agency may work outside the thematic areas determined in the Multiannual Framework at the request of the European Parliament, the Council or the Commission, provided its financial and human resources so permit.

Amendment 5

Recital 7a (new)

(7a) The Framework defines the thematic areas on which the Agency should work, whereas the Agency's tasks are determined by Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 168/2007, which mentions in particular the task of raising public awareness of fundamental rights and of actively disseminating information about the work of the Agency.

Amendment 6

Recital 7b (new)

(7b) All human beings are born equal and therefore human rights are indivisible and inviolable.

Amendment 7

Recital 7c (new)

(7c) It is necessary to monitor compliance by the EU institutions and all the Member States with all international human rights conventions to which the Member States are party.

Amendment 8

Recital 7d (new)

(7d) The Agency should report regularly to the European Parliament.

Amendment 9

Article 1, paragraph 1a (new)

1a. The Commission may, at its own initiative or at the initiative of the Council, the European Parliament or the Management Board of the Agency, not earlier than one year after adoption of the Multiannual Framework, make a proposal to review the Framework in accordance with the procedure provided for in Article 5(1) of Regulation (EC) No 168/2007.

Amendment 10

Article 1, paragraph 2a (new)

2a. The Commission, the Council and the European Parliament may request the Agency to investigate specific actions or concerns.

Amendment 11

Article 1a (new)

Article 1a

Tasks

The Agency may formulate and publish conclusions and opinions on thematic areas not covered by Article 2 where there are exceptional and compelling circumstances. Under such circumstances, notification of tasks undertaken shall be sent to the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament.

Amendment 12

Article 2, introductory part

The thematic areas shall be the following: In its work in the following thematic areas, without prejudice to Article 1(2a) and Article 1a, the Agency shall seek to identify the economic, social and cultural factors that contribute to respect for human rights in those areas or which may constitute root causes of violations of human rights:

Amendment 13

Article 2, point (b)

(b) discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation or of persons belonging to minorities; (b) discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation or of persons belonging to traditional national and linguistic minorities and any combination of these grounds (multiple discrimination) ;

Amendment 14

Article 2, point (j)

(j) access to efficient and independent justice. (j) access to efficient and independent justice , in relation to the rights of defendants and suspects.

Amendment 15

Article 2, point (ja) (new)

(ja) extreme poverty and social exclusion.

Amendment 16

Article 3, paragraph 1

1. The Agency shall ensure appropriate coordination with relevant Community bodies, offices and agencies, Member States, international organisation and civil society, in the terms established in Articles 7, 8 and 10 of Regulation (EC) No 168/2007, for the implementation of this Framework. 1. The Agency shall ensure appropriate cooperation and coordination with relevant Community bodies, offices and agencies, Member States, international organisation and civil society, in the terms established in Articles 7, 8 and 10 of Regulation (EC) No 168/2007, for the implementation of this Framework.

Amendment 17

Article 3, paragraph 2a (new)

2a. The Agency shall actively cooperate with candidate countries in the field of fundamental rights in order to facilitate their compliance with Community law.

Amendment 18

Article 3, paragraph 3