For the attention of:
- Ms Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
- Mr António Costa, President of the Council of the European Union
- Mr Michael McGrath, European Commissioner for the Rule of Law
Subject: Protecting the European Court of Human Rights against any attempt to interfere and weaken it
Madam President, Mr President, Mr Commissioner,
We are writing to express our deep concern with the letter recently signed by several European leaders concerning the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).
This position calls into question the independence and legitimacy of an institution that is fundamental to the protection of rights and freedoms in Europe. The ECtHR, created over seventy years ago, is the last legal bulwark against violations of fundamental rights, and guarantees every European citizen access to independent and impartial justice.
As Members of the European Parliament committed to the rule of law, we are fully aware of the crucial importance of the ECtHR for our Union and its member states. The Court not only embodies respect for individual rights, but is also a fundamental element of European democratic cohesion, reminding each state of its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights. As politicians, we have a duty to guarantee this.
Any attempt of political pressure or interference aimed at weakening the ECtHR is a direct threat to public confidence in the justice system and European institutions. It weakens the very foundations of our democracy, opening the door to authoritarian excesses and arbitrary attacks on civil liberties.
We believe it is essential for the European Union to unambiguously affirm its support for the ECtHR, in order to guarantee its independence and authority.
Protecting the ECtHR means protecting the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights, the values on which the European Union is founded.
We ask you to:
- To publicly and unambiguously affirm the support of the European Commission and the Council of the European Union for the independence and authority of the European Court of Human Rights;
- To formally reject any attempt at political interference in the independent and impartial functioning of the Court;
- To initiate an enhanced dialogue with member states to ensure strict and unconditional compliance with the Court’s rulings, which is essential to maintaining public confidence in the rule of law;
- And it seems to us more essential than ever: to intensify the process of the European Union's accession to the European Convention on Human Rights, in order to fulfil the legal obligation laid down in the Treaty on European Union.
We thank you for your constant commitment to these essential principles, and urge you to take firm action to ensure that the European Court of Human Rights is not weakened or influenced in any way.
Yours sincerely,
Saskia Bricmont (Greens/EFA)
Tineke Strik (Greens/EFA)
Merja Kyllönen (The Left)
Leoluca Orlando (Greens/EFA)
Tilly Metz (Greens/EFA)
Cecilia Strada (S&D)
Estrella Galan (The Left)
Mounir Satouri (Greens/EFA)
Leila Chaibi (The Left)
Kim van Sparrentak
(Greens/EFA)
Rudi Kennes (The Left)
Cristina Guarda (Greens/EFA)
Erik Marquardt (Greens/EFA)
Damien Carême (The Left)
Rima Hassan (The Left)
Lucia Yar (Renew)
Matjaz Nemec (S&D)
Krzysztof Śmiszek (S&D)
Jana Toom (Renew)
Sirpa Pietikäinen (EPP)
Marco Tarquinio (S&D)
Raquel Garcia Hermida (Renew)
Thomas Waitz (Greens/EFA)
Majdouline Sbaï (Greens/EFA)
Katrin Langensiepen (Greens/EFA)
Vicent Marzà Ibáñez (Greens/EFA)
Marie Toussaint (Greens/EFA)
Irena Joveva (Renew)
Li Andersson (The Left)
Per Clausen (The Left)
David Cormand (Greens/EFA)
Jan-Christoph Oetjen (Renew)
Benedetta Scuderi (Greens/EFA)
Nikola Minchev (Renew)
Lena Schilling (Greens/EFA)
Brando Benifei (S&D)
Murielle Laurent (S&D)
Sara Matthieu (Greens/EFA)
Alice Kuhnke (Greens/EFA)
Pär Holmgren (Greens/EFA)
Isabella Lövin (Greens/EFA)
Catarina Vieira (Greens/EFA)
Barry Andrews (Renew)