2. Brussels and Beyond
Rights for asylum seekers - Dublin Regulation - In September my parliamentary report on the Dublin Regulation, which provides the criteria for deciding which EU member state should assess an asylum claim, was adopted in Plenary. I am particularly pleased that the report calls for -
- a broader definition of 'family' so that more minors in particular can be reunited with family members,
- a restriction of the use of detention of Dublin claimants to a measure of last resort
- a binding mechanism to stop transfers of asylum applicants to member states that do not guarantee full and fair treatment of their claims.
The report also crucially recognises that the EU asylum system is currently fundamentally unfair.
I also travelled to Berlin earlier this year to speak at a high level conference on the second phase of the harmonisation and the development of a common European asylum system.
Social security and cross border rights
In July my report on the coordination of social security systems across Europe was adopted. This regulation facilitates free movement for EU citizens within Europe by maintaining their right to social security benefits such as health care, pension provision and unemployment benefit. The regulation covers all those moving within the EU, for example older people moving abroad for retirement, students moving abroad to study for a year, or those leaving the one member state to visit or work in another. There is more work still to be done to update this regulation which will increase and simplify rights for those moving. The implementing regulation will hopefully be completed by the end of this legislative term. For further info see here and here.
Anti-discrimination
I was delighted that after months of rumours and uncertainty surrounding the release of a European Commission proposal on anti-discrimination, a cross-cutting general directive to effectively fight against discrimination on all grounds, including age, disability, sexual orientation and religion/belief was finally brought forward. This was a positive outcome following fears that the directive may only cover anti-discrimination on the grounds of disability. We will now be working hard in the Green Group to put as much pressure on Council as possible to ensure that the directive delivers real protection to European citizens. For further info see -
http://www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk/news_detail.php?id=329.
Human rights
In June I co-hosted a hearing and photo exhibition on caste discrimination which exposed the grim reality of life for Dalits in South Asia. The event was addressed by Dalit human rights campaigners from South Asia and Europe and will hopefully contribute towards pushing for international action to help those worst affected by the system.
In September I also met with two human rights activists from Bangladesh who updated me on the situation there as regards human rights and the upcoming elections.
Animal rights
As a counter to a pro bullfighting event which was being organised in the Parliament, the Greens organised a hearing to mobilise support against this cruel sport. We also had a life size bull in the Parliament for MEPs to sign to show their support for a bullfighting free Europe.
Delegation visits
Just prior to Parliament's summer recess, as part of my role in the South Asia delegation, I took part in an official Parliamentary visit to Sri Lanka. Various talks were held with the Government of Sri Lanka and NGOs on issues such as trade, human rights, and relations with the EU, and we visited different parts of the country. One particular case which I picked up on whilst I was in Sri Lanka is that of Mr J S. Tissainayagam, a senior Sri Lankan investigative journalist who was arrested in April 2008 and subsequently held in detention without charge for 6 months until he was finally formally charged in early September. His lawyer has since been under attack. I have raised this issue with the president of the European Parliament who has called on the Sri Lankan authorities to ensure that due process is followed. The report of our delegation visit will soon be available here.
In September, as part of my role as Member of the European Parliament’s Working Group on Reproductive Health, HIV/AIDS and Development, I took part in a delegation visit to Georgia to investigate the reproductive health needs of internally displaced people in the aftermath of the conflict with Russia.
First European Green Summer University
Held in the German city of Frankfurt Oder and the Polish city of Slubice the first European Green Summer University was a great success, drawing over 800 participants from 42 different countries. I hosted workshops on asylum and integration and services of general interest as well as chairing a panel on the role of social Europe in a globalised world. Videos and round-ups on what went on at the Summer University can be seen here - http://www.green-summer-university.eu.
Health
I co-hosted a reception in the European Parliament on the occasion of the opening of the new Brussels based NHS office. The role of such an office is of increasing importance particularly in light of the new proposal on cross border health care.
Youth and Future Generations
In September I spoke at the launch of the 'Y Vote 2009' campaign in Vienna. The campaign, which is run 'by young people, for young people' is a fresh platform aiming to defeat the EU democratic deficit by encouraging young people to engage in politics and take a stand on issues that concern them. The launch was a great success. The campaign will now travel across the EU to spread its message in the run up to the European elections in June 2009, also stopping in London.
I am currently co-sponsoring a written declaration on the need to establish representation for future generations in the European Union and to include the task of taking into consideration the interests of future generations in all parts of its activity.
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