The Fundamental Rights Agency launched its new website by the end of January 2009. The website is available only in English.
This communication tool is available here.
The outcome of the European elections in June will affect all 500 million people in the EU. To help prepare for this poll in 27 countries the European Parliament has launched a new "elections" part of the site. It will have all the information you need to find out about the election in your country and across the EU.
On 28 January, the Commission adopted its recommendations under the Lisbon Growth and Jobs Strategy. The report includes country chapters which aim at providing guidance to Member States. The recommendations also seek to ensure that the European Economic Recovery Plan adopted last December will help respond to the economic crisis.
On 14 January 2009, the European Parliament adopted its report on the Situation of Fundamental Rights in the European Union in 2004-2007.
The report notes the unsatisfactory situation concerning implementation of anti-discrimination policies in the EU (paragraph 34), welcomes the Commission proposal for a Council Equal Treatment Directive (paragraph 36) and stresses a balanced approach to affirmative action (paragraph 42).
The Czech Republic will take over the EU Presidency from France in January 2009 until June 2009.
During a breakfast policy meeting of the European Policy Centre, Her Excellency Milena Vicenová, Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic, announced that the three "E"s – the economy, energy and external relations – will be the Presidency’s priorities.
The FIMITIC Executive Board and the Administration
are thanking you for your efforts and
looking forward to a good co-operation,
wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2009!
On the 4th of December, the European Commission adopted two proposals for regulations on the rights of bus and maritime passengers, long awaited by the European Disability Forum as passengers with disabilities of these transport modes still do not enjoy similar rights as air and rail passengers do.
Both proposals include specific rights for passengers with disabilities, which is particularly welcome by the European Disability Forum.
In 2006, the Council of Europe adopted a Disability Action Plan 2006-2015 to be implemented in the 46 member countries of the Council of Europe. The Plan consists of 15 key action lines covering all aspects of the life of disabled persons, setting out some 40 objectives and more than 160 specific actions to be carried out by member states.
December 10th marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On this historic occasion, we should reaffirm the fundamental principles that its inspired group of framers articulated. In the Universal Declaration they recalled the “disregard and contempt for human rights” that led to actions which “outraged the conscience of mankind” and they heralded the “advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want,” proclaiming this as “the highest aspiration of