The European Union (EU)
The purpose= to have stability and cooperation between European
countries. According to the TEU (Treaty on European Union), the EU also
wants to protect the rights and freedoms of citizens and to promote
economic, social, and territorial progress.
- The TFEU (Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union) states
that the EU needs to ensure that the internal market functions
properly and that there is cooperation in areas such as employment,
education and trade.
The institutions of the Union art 30 TEU
Article 7 TEU: the entire procedure for violations of EU values
- §1: Determination of a clear risk of a serious violation.
- §2: Determination of a serious and persistent violation (unanimity
required).
- §3: Possibility of suspending a Member State's rights (voting rights)
- §4: Possibility of adjusting or lifting measures imposed at a later
date.
- §5: Reference to the voting procedures in Article 354 TFEU.
-
The EU has its own legislature, executive and central bank. The Union’s
powers evolved over the years through the Treaties, as have its decision-
making procedures, which Parliament and the Council now follow when
legislating on most EU policies. The Union also has its own budget with
which to achieve its objectives. The Lisbon Treaty gave Parliament an
equal say with the Council to decide on the entire EU budget and the
multiannual financial framework.
The Bodies of the EU
- The European parlement: Represents EU citizens co-legislates
with the Council; supervises the Commission; approves budget.
- The European Counsil: Sets general political direction and
priorities; composed of heads of state/government; defines overall
EU strategy. ‘sets political plans and goals’
- The Counsil of the European Union: Co- legislates with
Parliament; coordinates policies; approves international agreements;
adopts budget with Parliament.
- The European Commission: Proposes legislation; implements EU
policies; enforces EU law; manages day-to-day operations;
represents the EU internationally.
, - The Court of Justice of the European Union: Ensures uniform
interpretation of EU law; settles disputes between Member States,
institutions, and individuals.
Court of Justice: one judge from each EU member state & 11
advocates general
General court: 1 or more judges handling cases including
individuals, companies and member states
- The European Central Bank (ECB): Manages monetary policy for
the eurozone; maintains price stability.
- The Court of Auditors: Checks that EU funds are used correctly;
accounting
Court of justice of the Union (CJEU) & court of Human
Rights (ECHR)
The ECHR is called a “living instrument” because it can change over
time. The Court can interpret it in a way that fits today’s society and
problems.
Example: freedom of expression. Now it includes also opinions on social
media, not like in 1950 where there wasn’t social media.
Articles Human Rights: Right to life (Article 2) Prohibition of torture
(Article 3) Article 4, article 7, article 5, article 6, Fundamental freedoms:
articles 9 & 10
Plichten:
- Negative obligation: States should not interfere with freedom. (Art
5, 10, all freedoms)
- Positive obligation: States must take action to protect rights. They
should ensure that everyone has a right to live.
Article 14 does not require identical treatment of everyone. Different
treatment is allowed if there is an objective and reasonable
justification. Treating disabled persons differently without justification or
failing to provide reasonable accommodations is discrimination.
Procesvorm
Eerst doorloop je alle nationale rechtsinstanties (Rechtbank → Hof
→ Hoge Raad). Pas daarna kun je naar het EHRM. Voor het Hof van
Justitie (CJEU) werkt het anders: Je stelt je vraag niet als individu
rechtstreeks aan het CJEU, maar de nationale rechter (Rechtbank, Hof
of Hoge Raad) kan op elk moment in de procedure een prejudiciële vraag
stellen. Het is dus niet nodig om eerst alle nationale instanties te
doorlopen. De rechter die met je zaak bezig is, kan meteen een vraag
doorsturen naar het CJEU, dat daar dan direct antwoord op geeft.
The purpose= to have stability and cooperation between European
countries. According to the TEU (Treaty on European Union), the EU also
wants to protect the rights and freedoms of citizens and to promote
economic, social, and territorial progress.
- The TFEU (Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union) states
that the EU needs to ensure that the internal market functions
properly and that there is cooperation in areas such as employment,
education and trade.
The institutions of the Union art 30 TEU
Article 7 TEU: the entire procedure for violations of EU values
- §1: Determination of a clear risk of a serious violation.
- §2: Determination of a serious and persistent violation (unanimity
required).
- §3: Possibility of suspending a Member State's rights (voting rights)
- §4: Possibility of adjusting or lifting measures imposed at a later
date.
- §5: Reference to the voting procedures in Article 354 TFEU.
-
The EU has its own legislature, executive and central bank. The Union’s
powers evolved over the years through the Treaties, as have its decision-
making procedures, which Parliament and the Council now follow when
legislating on most EU policies. The Union also has its own budget with
which to achieve its objectives. The Lisbon Treaty gave Parliament an
equal say with the Council to decide on the entire EU budget and the
multiannual financial framework.
The Bodies of the EU
- The European parlement: Represents EU citizens co-legislates
with the Council; supervises the Commission; approves budget.
- The European Counsil: Sets general political direction and
priorities; composed of heads of state/government; defines overall
EU strategy. ‘sets political plans and goals’
- The Counsil of the European Union: Co- legislates with
Parliament; coordinates policies; approves international agreements;
adopts budget with Parliament.
- The European Commission: Proposes legislation; implements EU
policies; enforces EU law; manages day-to-day operations;
represents the EU internationally.
, - The Court of Justice of the European Union: Ensures uniform
interpretation of EU law; settles disputes between Member States,
institutions, and individuals.
Court of Justice: one judge from each EU member state & 11
advocates general
General court: 1 or more judges handling cases including
individuals, companies and member states
- The European Central Bank (ECB): Manages monetary policy for
the eurozone; maintains price stability.
- The Court of Auditors: Checks that EU funds are used correctly;
accounting
Court of justice of the Union (CJEU) & court of Human
Rights (ECHR)
The ECHR is called a “living instrument” because it can change over
time. The Court can interpret it in a way that fits today’s society and
problems.
Example: freedom of expression. Now it includes also opinions on social
media, not like in 1950 where there wasn’t social media.
Articles Human Rights: Right to life (Article 2) Prohibition of torture
(Article 3) Article 4, article 7, article 5, article 6, Fundamental freedoms:
articles 9 & 10
Plichten:
- Negative obligation: States should not interfere with freedom. (Art
5, 10, all freedoms)
- Positive obligation: States must take action to protect rights. They
should ensure that everyone has a right to live.
Article 14 does not require identical treatment of everyone. Different
treatment is allowed if there is an objective and reasonable
justification. Treating disabled persons differently without justification or
failing to provide reasonable accommodations is discrimination.
Procesvorm
Eerst doorloop je alle nationale rechtsinstanties (Rechtbank → Hof
→ Hoge Raad). Pas daarna kun je naar het EHRM. Voor het Hof van
Justitie (CJEU) werkt het anders: Je stelt je vraag niet als individu
rechtstreeks aan het CJEU, maar de nationale rechter (Rechtbank, Hof
of Hoge Raad) kan op elk moment in de procedure een prejudiciële vraag
stellen. Het is dus niet nodig om eerst alle nationale instanties te
doorlopen. De rechter die met je zaak bezig is, kan meteen een vraag
doorsturen naar het CJEU, dat daar dan direct antwoord op geeft.