natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
In the autumn the new e-Petitions data base and management system became available to all members and substitute members of the Committee as well as to group staff.
In the autumn the new e-Petitions data base and management system became available to all members and substitute members of the Committee as well as to group staff.
This provides immediate on-line access (through the intranet) to all documents pertaining to each petition received as well as other linked information useful for members and their assistants as they prepare their work.
This provides immediate on-line access (through the intranet) to all documents pertaining to each petition received as well as other linked information useful for members and their assistants as they prepare their work.
Further developments are planned as well as an extension of the internet, but the lack of budgetary resources allocated has slowed down this essential development of service to citizens.
Further developments are planned as well as an extension of the internet, but the lack of budgetary resources allocated has slowed down this essential development of service to citizens.
The number of petitioners who submit their petitions electronically through the Parliament web-site has continued to increase in 2007.
The number of petitioners who submit their petitions electronically through the Parliament web-site has continued to increase in 2007.
42% of petitions received were communicated in this way.
42% of petitions received were communicated in this way.
However, a larger proportion of these were inadmissible and too many were very short and imprecise and this undermines the Committees ability to provide any real remedy or assistance to the person's concerned.
However, a larger proportion of these were inadmissible and too many were very short and imprecise and this undermines the Committees ability to provide any real remedy or assistance to the person's concerned.
Of the 1506 petitions received in 2007, - fifty per cent more than in 2006 - 34.9% were inadmissible and the petitioners informed accordingly; often with a letter advising them of possible national channels for their concerns.
Of the 1506 petitions received in 2007, - fifty per cent more than in 2006 - 34.9% were inadmissible and the petitioners informed accordingly; often with a letter advising them of possible national channels for their concerns.
The largest cause of inadmissibility relates to the question of competence and its corollary, subsidiarity.
The largest cause of inadmissibility relates to the question of competence and its corollary, subsidiarity.
The fact remains that about two-thirds of petitions received in 2007 were deemed admissible by the Committee under Rule 191 of Parliament's Rules of Procedure, according to which "Any citizen of the European Union...(or resident).shall have the right to petition the Parliament on a matter which comes within the European Union's fields of activity and which concerns him or her or it (- an association -) directly".
The fact remains that about two-thirds of petitions received in 2007 were deemed admissible by the Committee under Rule 191 of Parliament's Rules of Procedure, according to which "Any citizen of the European Union...(or resident).shall have the right to petition the Parliament on a matter which comes within the European Union's fields of activity and which concerns him or her or it (- an association -) directly".
This rule is taken from 194 of the EU Treaty.
This rule is taken from 194 of the EU Treaty.
The table shows the number of petitions concerning the following countries: (countries not mentioned score less than 10)
The table shows the number of petitions concerning the following countries: (countries not mentioned score less than 10)
Petitions received
Petitions received
United Kingdom + Gib.
United Kingdom + Gib.
Petitions concerning the European Union as a whole numbered 216.
Petitions concerning the European Union as a whole numbered 216.
The above table is helpful and yet also to a certain extent misleading regarding the Committees investigations for which the main themes of activity should also be considered.
The above table is helpful and yet also to a certain extent misleading regarding the Committees investigations for which the main themes of activity should also be considered.
The top-ten general themes covered by the petitions received in 2007 are as follows:
The top-ten general themes covered by the petitions received in 2007 are as follows:
Environmental issues, water, etc
Environmental issues, water, etc
288 (of which 104 from Spain)
288 (of which 104 from Spain)
Social Affairs & Discrimination
Social Affairs & Discrimination
Internal Market & Consumers
Internal Market & Consumers
Transport issues & Infrastructure
Transport issues & Infrastructure
Education & cultural issues
Education & cultural issues
Many of these themes are related as, for example certain transport issues will also be concerned with environmental questions.
Many of these themes are related as, for example certain transport issues will also be concerned with environmental questions.
They are intended in the context of this report as an indicative guide to the very wide range of issues dealt with by the Committee, very often in cooperation with other competent committees in the Parliament.
They are intended in the context of this report as an indicative guide to the very wide range of issues dealt with by the Committee, very often in cooperation with other competent committees in the Parliament.
What does emerge from the work of the Committee in 2007, bearing in mind the statistics outlined above, is that European citizens are predominantly concerned with their environment and their natural surroundings and that they are increasingly turning to the European Parliament as a means of fighting abuses which they see threatening their lives and their property.
What does emerge from the work of the Committee in 2007, bearing in mind the statistics outlined above, is that European citizens are predominantly concerned with their environment and their natural surroundings and that they are increasingly turning to the European Parliament as a means of fighting abuses which they see threatening their lives and their property.
It has to be said that frequently the EU laws which have been put in place are very often not powerful enough to protect the environment; they fail to correspond to their objectives.
It has to be said that frequently the EU laws which have been put in place are very often not powerful enough to protect the environment; they fail to correspond to their objectives.
The Directive on Environmental Impact Assessment is but one example where an essentially procedural directive may ultimately have no effect on preventing massive infrastructure projects; contrary to what many petitioners and European citizens expect.
The Directive on Environmental Impact Assessment is but one example where an essentially procedural directive may ultimately have no effect on preventing massive infrastructure projects; contrary to what many petitioners and European citizens expect.
The Habitats Directive, which is responsible for the designation of Natura 2000 sites to protect bio-diversity in member states, is frequently violated for reasons of supposedly overriding economic interests.
The Habitats Directive, which is responsible for the designation of Natura 2000 sites to protect bio-diversity in member states, is frequently violated for reasons of supposedly overriding economic interests.
The Landfill Directives are so watered down that European citizens are discovering that they afford totally inadequate protection when a local authority decides to build a new landfill 40 metres away from schools and houses.
The Landfill Directives are so watered down that European citizens are discovering that they afford totally inadequate protection when a local authority decides to build a new landfill 40 metres away from schools and houses.
The end result of this is of course a lot of very frustrated European citizens and a degraded environment.
The end result of this is of course a lot of very frustrated European citizens and a degraded environment.
The European Parliament as co-legislator on such issues must realise that there is a lot of legislative revision which needs to be done before EU Environment law meets the expectations of the EU electorate, and in some cases, even meets the objectives contained in existing laws.
The European Parliament as co-legislator on such issues must realise that there is a lot of legislative revision which needs to be done before EU Environment law meets the expectations of the EU electorate, and in some cases, even meets the objectives contained in existing laws.
It is true that the European Court of Justice has ruled that the contents of EU laws must be commensurate with their objectives; however the road to the Court of Justice remains too long and too winding for most European citizens and the petitions process, though effective up to a point, does not have the real power of a court when it comes to the crunch.
It is true that the European Court of Justice has ruled that the contents of EU laws must be commensurate with their objectives; however the road to the Court of Justice remains too long and too winding for most European citizens and the petitions process, though effective up to a point, does not have the real power of a court when it comes to the crunch.
This is all to the member states' advantage.
This is all to the member states' advantage.
The Fundamental Rights of citizens are also naturally to the forefront of the Committee's work.
The Fundamental Rights of citizens are also naturally to the forefront of the Committee's work.
However, once again in contrast to what citizens are given to believe, the power of the EU to intervene to defend people's rights to their property for example (which is recognised under the European Convention on Human Rights and therefore by the EU Treaty Article 6, as well as the Charter of Fundamental Rights dating from the Nice Treaty) is contested by the European Commission which persistently refuses to acknowledge that "the rules in Member States governing the system of property ownership" ( Article 295 TEC - which was founded to make the distinction between collective ownership and private ownership of property,) cannot apply to deny the right of an EU citizen to his legitimately acquired private property, which is also recognised under the right of establishment contained under Article 44e.
However, once again in contrast to what citizens are given to believe, the power of the EU to intervene to defend people's rights to their property for example (which is recognised under the European Convention on Human Rights and therefore by the EU Treaty Article 6, as well as the Charter of Fundamental Rights dating from the Nice Treaty) is contested by the European Commission which persistently refuses to acknowledge that "the rules in Member States governing the system of property ownership" ( Article 295 TEC - which was founded to make the distinction between collective ownership and private ownership of property,) cannot apply to deny the right of an EU citizen to his legitimately acquired private property, which is also recognised under the right of establishment contained under Article 44e.
The Committee, and the Parliament in its resolution of June 21st 2007, on the other hand believes that it must defend such rights when they are threatened by property developers or anyone else.
The Committee, and the Parliament in its resolution of June 21st 2007, on the other hand believes that it must defend such rights when they are threatened by property developers or anyone else.
Another issue related to the question of the rights of the citizen as contained in the Charter has been raised by a very large number of people who allege that the German child protection agency - the Jugendamt , in fact takes too many arbitrary and discriminatory decisions to the detriment of the child in many cases, following the separation or divorce of their bi-national parents - one being from Germany who obtains advantage, the other being from a third country such as Poland, France, Belgium who appears to be the victim.
Another issue related to the question of the rights of the citizen as contained in the Charter has been raised by a very large number of people who allege that the German child protection agency - the Jugendamt , in fact takes too many arbitrary and discriminatory decisions to the detriment of the child in many cases, following the separation or divorce of their bi-national parents - one being from Germany who obtains advantage, the other being from a third country such as Poland, France, Belgium who appears to be the victim.
One petitioner from Poland received an apology from the German authorities last year having had his petition investigated.
One petitioner from Poland received an apology from the German authorities last year having had his petition investigated.
However, in spite of discussions in Berlin in March 2007 and subsequent communication with the German authorities the Committee is not yet in a position to formulate a general assessment.
However, in spite of discussions in Berlin in March 2007 and subsequent communication with the German authorities the Committee is not yet in a position to formulate a general assessment.
Each case is different, emotionally they are all very highly charged; some have been through the courts and others cases are pending.
Each case is different, emotionally they are all very highly charged; some have been through the courts and others cases are pending.
The admissibility of such petitions also need to be carefully assessed because under the Treaty the EU - and therefore the Committee on Petitions, should not become involved in issues which are the competence of the member states - in this case district authorities in Germany.
The admissibility of such petitions also need to be carefully assessed because under the Treaty the EU - and therefore the Committee on Petitions, should not become involved in issues which are the competence of the member states - in this case district authorities in Germany.
The individual cases which have been heard deal with the question of discrimination based upon language and/or nationality where parents have been denied the right to speak to their children during custody visits in the own language.
The individual cases which have been heard deal with the question of discrimination based upon language and/or nationality where parents have been denied the right to speak to their children during custody visits in the own language.
Also in relation to the rights of European citizens, the Committee also discussed the situation of the Russian speaking minority in Latvia which constitute more than one quarter of the population.
Also in relation to the rights of European citizens, the Committee also discussed the situation of the Russian speaking minority in Latvia which constitute more than one quarter of the population.
From the petitions received it has emerged that, even though there are procedures in place for obtaining full Latvian nationality, many citizens continue to suffer from discriminatory practices in terms of their civic rights and their freedom of movement.
From the petitions received it has emerged that, even though there are procedures in place for obtaining full Latvian nationality, many citizens continue to suffer from discriminatory practices in terms of their civic rights and their freedom of movement.
The Committee has heard from both petitioners and from the Latvian authorities during the course of its meetings.
The Committee has heard from both petitioners and from the Latvian authorities during the course of its meetings.
It has not yet taken a final position on the matter but it has encouraged the Latvian authorities to further develop the naturalisation programme and end the discrimination against many people who are often second or third generation immigrants from original Soviet parentage.
It has not yet taken a final position on the matter but it has encouraged the Latvian authorities to further develop the naturalisation programme and end the discrimination against many people who are often second or third generation immigrants from original Soviet parentage.
The fact-finding visits of the Committee, involving two or three members and staff, have proved to be of great value both for the institution (in terms of profile and because of their low cost to the taxpayer) and for the petitioners who are the beneficiaries of such visits.
The fact-finding visits of the Committee, involving two or three members and staff, have proved to be of great value both for the institution (in terms of profile and because of their low cost to the taxpayer) and for the petitioners who are the beneficiaries of such visits.
The programme and objectives of each visit are discussed and agreed upon in advance and a report is prepared immediately the delegation returns and submitted in writing to the next Committee meeting where the visit is discussed and recommendations agreed upon and approved.
The programme and objectives of each visit are discussed and agreed upon in advance and a report is prepared immediately the delegation returns and submitted in writing to the next Committee meeting where the visit is discussed and recommendations agreed upon and approved.
In this way, meetings are able to take place with petitioners and the responsible authorities and other interested parties in the region concerned, and members are able to obtain a much clearer understanding of the subject at issue.
In this way, meetings are able to take place with petitioners and the responsible authorities and other interested parties in the region concerned, and members are able to obtain a much clearer understanding of the subject at issue.
Critical reports and recommendations have concerned France , because of the plans to build three new bridges over the Loire near Orléans even though this is a protected area; Poland because of the plans by the previous government to build part of the via Baltica motorway through pristine primeval forests in the Rospuda Valley; Spain because of the ongoing massive urbanisation programmes in the Mediterranean coastal regions and around Madrid; Ireland because of the lack of respect for EU Directives concerning water and the environment.
Critical reports and recommendations have concerned France , because of the plans to build three new bridges over the Loire near Orléans even though this is a protected area; Poland because of the plans by the previous government to build part of the via Baltica motorway through pristine primeval forests in the Rospuda Valley; Spain because of the ongoing massive urbanisation programmes in the Mediterranean coastal regions and around Madrid; Ireland because of the lack of respect for EU Directives concerning water and the environment.
(References to these reports are attached to the draft resolution)
(References to these reports are attached to the draft resolution)
The additional workload and the raised expectations of European citizens are issues which must be properly addressed by Parliament's authorities.
The additional workload and the raised expectations of European citizens are issues which must be properly addressed by Parliament's authorities.
Parliament must continue to increase the efficiency with which petitions are dealt with and reduce the delays which result from increased petition numbers and fewer staff numbers to deal with them.
Parliament must continue to increase the efficiency with which petitions are dealt with and reduce the delays which result from increased petition numbers and fewer staff numbers to deal with them.
Citizens expect more of the institution; and the institution should therefore provide the human and financial resources which are necessary to fulfil its responsibilities.
Citizens expect more of the institution; and the institution should therefore provide the human and financial resources which are necessary to fulfil its responsibilities.
Compared to the situation a few years ago there is no doubt that considerable progress has been achieved in the management of petitions by the secretariat; in the transparency of the procedures, and in the accessibility of members of the Committee to information.
Compared to the situation a few years ago there is no doubt that considerable progress has been achieved in the management of petitions by the secretariat; in the transparency of the procedures, and in the accessibility of members of the Committee to information.
However, whereas the backlog of petitions had been virtually absorbed two years ago, the subsequent increase in petitions and related correspondence, and the diminution in the number of effective staff, has led to unacceptable delays developing before petitioners are informed of the admissibility of their petition.
However, whereas the backlog of petitions had been virtually absorbed two years ago, the subsequent increase in petitions and related correspondence, and the diminution in the number of effective staff, has led to unacceptable delays developing before petitioners are informed of the admissibility of their petition.
In addition, the more time spent on administering petitions, the less time there is for investigating each case, with the risk that the Committee becomes excessively dependent on the European Commission services for information which may not always be entirely neutral or complete.
In addition, the more time spent on administering petitions, the less time there is for investigating each case, with the risk that the Committee becomes excessively dependent on the European Commission services for information which may not always be entirely neutral or complete.
Unlike many other Committees, the secretariat of the Committee on Petitions has a higher profile in the everyday work which involves regular contact with the petitioners of course.
Unlike many other Committees, the secretariat of the Committee on Petitions has a higher profile in the everyday work which involves regular contact with the petitioners of course.
They therefore require more support from members just as members continue to require the best advice and support from them.
They therefore require more support from members just as members continue to require the best advice and support from them.
The Committee on Petitions works closely with the Commission services and it values the constructive cooperation it receives from many responsible officials.
The Committee on Petitions works closely with the Commission services and it values the constructive cooperation it receives from many responsible officials.
It works also with the office of the Ombudsman, which is the subject of a separate report.
It works also with the office of the Ombudsman, which is the subject of a separate report.
It uses when possible, the opportunities afforded by the SOLVIT system to find speedy responses for simple questions raised related to the Internal Market sector.
It uses when possible, the opportunities afforded by the SOLVIT system to find speedy responses for simple questions raised related to the Internal Market sector.
It works regularly in cooperation with the Member States at different levels, including the national or regional ombudsmen.
It works regularly in cooperation with the Member States at different levels, including the national or regional ombudsmen.
Above all it works with European citizens to find solutions to their legitimate grievances and respond to their concerns.
Above all it works with European citizens to find solutions to their legitimate grievances and respond to their concerns.