MEP Kountoura summaries report on implementation of Fundamental Rights in EU during COVID

Europe: Elena Kountoura- Member of the European Parliament (MEP), along with other MEPs, presented the report on the implementation of Fundamental Rights in the European Union during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Parliament. 

She took to Twitter and stated that Fundamental Rights had witnessed the worst situation during the pandemic. She mentioned, “Report on Fundamental Rights in EU: worsening due to pandemic.“

• discrimination and gender-based violence
• Media and justice: unjustified interventions
• civil rights at risk
• unequivocal condemnation of re-promotions & prosecutions against NGOs

The EP’s assessment of the state of fundamental rights in the EU in 2020-2021 shows a number of problems and calls for action by Member States.

European MEP outlined that the region experienced discrimination and gender-based violence. There was a great hype about the unjustified interventions, and the injustices situation have prevailed in civil rights. 

During the parliament session, MEPs outlined different ways and measures for the implementation of the fundamental values in the EU. They mentioned that there must be the effective execution of freedom rights, gender equality and the rule of law so that civil rights around Europe remain safe and secure. 

In the Parliament, the report received 410 votes in favour, 131 against and 42 abstentions. 

MEPs asserted that due to the measure of the COVID-19 pandemic, various freedom rights had witnessed harsh impacts. They showed their concern about the impacts on democracy, basic freedoms, and rights of those in court, in contact with the police or detained in correctional institutions. While highlighting the violation of the rule of law in some Member States of the European Union, MEPs cited that the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights are inseparable. 

In the Parliament, MEPs also outlined the ways to protect these EU values and the fair and legal distribution of EU funds. The Parliament created a Commission which will keep an eye on the EU budget’s discretionary mechanism. 

Further, MEPs also criticized Poland and Hungary for not showing a positive response to the decisions of the European Court.