First Vice President-designate Mr Timmermans: Strong political will for human rights but no strategy plan

Ahead of the European Parliaments hearing of Mr Timmermans, First Vice-President-designate of the new Commission responsible for Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, Rule of Law and Charter of Fundamental Rights, we proposed to MEPs to ask the following question:

Are you committed to propose an EU internal strategy that brings together all existing instruments with a view to enhancing the EU’s capacity and action to preserve, enforce and promote respect for human rights in its member states?

The question of his 'position as to a EU internal strategy on fundamental rights' was asked already in written ahead of the hearing. He replied that he, among others was the one encouraging the development of a systematic approach and welcomed the Rule of Law Framework proposed by the Commission, that he intend on working closely with Council of Europe to ensure complementarity and that he will not hesitate to launch infringements against member states if needed. His reply did not answer the actual question whether he would commit to a strategy or not.

While Mr Timmermans showed sincere political will and engagement to promote fundamental rights in Europe, he did not propose any new measures. He insisted on improving and making use of existing instruments that already are in place.

His aim is to work for a Commission that serves Europeans; and highlighted the need to reconnect with our constituency and work together with the people we represent otherwise they will end up turning their backs to the EU project.

He will give priority to the accession to the European Convention on Human Rights and he will organise an annual colloquium with all relevant institutions on the state of play of human rights in Europe.

He insisted on that it is EUs role to combat scapegoating of different groups in society (such as gays, Roma, Muslims and Jews), that takes place across Europe, especially during economic crisis,  

On a question whether Mr Timmermans will work for both member states and the EU to sign up to the European Social Charter he answered that he did not know enough about it give a complete answer. He did though promise, that he will look into as soon as possible, whether the European Commission can sign up to the Social Charter. This is an area where Social Platform will be following-up and where members can provide insight and knowledge useful for Mr Timmerman, if elected.

 

More information:

About the Commissioner-designates on the Commission’s website