European Commission

The candidates for the top posts in the European Commission are being interviewed by MEPs this week ahead of their confirmation as EU Commissioners for the next five years.

The EAPN has put-out a list of 10 arguments calling for of a European Active Inclusion Strategy. The arguments, published in leaflet format, are supporting measures meant to “reduce poverty, exclusion and inequalities and to enable everyone to live a decent life and participate in society”.

The European Commission has published its analysis of the European Union’s (EU) implementation of the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD).

An inquiry into the European Commission’s role in assuring respect for fundamental human rights in the earmarking and use of European Union (EU) funding has been launched by European Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly.

The European Commission (EC) has launched a public appeal for consultation on the Europe 2020 Strategy earlier this month. The call for contributions on the implementation and current applicability of the strategy will be open until the 31 October of the same year.

The European Commission questions Italy over the enforcement of rights of passengers with disabilities. According to the official communication from the European Commission, Italy failed to uphold the rights of passengers with disabilities in three areas: coach and bus transport, maritime and inland waterway transport and the compensation fund. The government of Italy has two months to reply to the Commission how they plan to overcome these challenges.

The European Commission released a report about practices and rules which have been applied in the member states to tackle the discrimination and inequality. The document evaluates the efforts of the countries to apply two European anti-discrimination Directives: the Employment Equality Directive and the Race Equality Directive.

In December 2013, the European Commission initiated a public consultation on patient safety and quality of care. Civil society organisations can contribute to the survey with their opinion on the quality of health services provided in the member states. The consultation also inquires whether the services improved after the adoption of the 2009 Council Recommendation on patient safety.

On 17 December 2013, the European Parliament adopted the 'Justice Programme' and the 'Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme' to be the major source of financial support in the field of justice, equality and fundamental rights.

On 7 January, the European Commission adopted the European Code of Conduct on the Partnership Principle. The document strengthens the involvement of civil society and other relevant stakeholders in planning and spending of EU structural and investments funds.