AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL WELCOMES PLEDGE BY PAT COX TO IMPROVE THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT’S EFFECTIVENESS ON HUMAN RIGHTS
Amnesty International has welcomed the commitment by the President of the European Parliament Pat Cox to personally oversee improvements in the way the Parliament addresses human rights issues.
Speaking at the official opening of Amnesty International’s new premises in Brussels last night (7 May), Mr. Cox responded to concerns expressed by Amnesty that the European Parliament was increasingly failing to live up to its role on human rights.
Mr. Cox promised to take a “hands on” approach by bringing together, under his chairmanship, the leaders of all relevant committees in the Parliament as well as the coordinators of the political groups, to reflect on Amnesty’s critique. He said Amnesty International and other human rights groups would be invited to make submissions on how the Parliament can be a more effective watchdog over EU human rights policy.
The Director of Amnesty International’s EU Office Dick Oosting said he was heartened by Mr. Cox’s personal commitment to improve the Parliament’s effectiveness on human rights.
“We have been disappointed by the European Parliament’s failure so far to assert its accountability role and therefore are very pleased to see the President’s commitment to a more direct engagement with us as a human rights movement on the question of how to shape and sharpen the Parliament’s role on human rights.”
–To view the speech made by Dick Oosting, click on the link at end of page.
–Click below photo links to view pictures of the reception:
For further comment/background and interviews:
Amnesty International EU Office (Brussels):
Tel: 32-2-5021499 Fax: 32-2-5025686
Email: [email protected]