The S&D Group today voted in favour of establishing an EU mechanism on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights.

Speaking after the vote on the fundamental rights report in the European Parliament's civil liberties committee, Péter Niedermüller the S&D Group shadow rapporteur said:

"A big problem we face in the EU is that after countries have become members, we have no viable means to enforce their continued commitments to the European values enshrined in the Treaties, like the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights. This is particularly damaging because these values ensure the mutual trust between members states that is required to move the European Union forward. What we are proposing is a new mechanism that is designed to monitor and remedy the breaches to avoid systematic threats in the member states. The EPP Group voted against this idea, perhaps they are worried that some of their national governments would not withstand such scrutiny..."

"This report also has other important implications for fundamental rights. In particular we have called for the revision of the Dublin Regulation, which has proved to be wholly ineffective when faced with the refugee crisis in the Mediterranean. Lastly the report makes clear that the denial of abortion when a mother's life is threatened is in breach of a woman's fundamental rights and should not be allowed in 21st century Europe."

The report passed in the committee stage and will now be voted on in the September Plenary Session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.