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PRESS RELEASE
Embargo: Immediate, 16th March 2000

PARLIAMENT VOTES OVERWHELMINGLY IN FAVOUR OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS CHARTER

The European Parliament report by Andrew Duff, Liberal Democrat MEP for Eastern England, and Johannes Voggenhuber (Austria, Greens/EFA) on the Charter of Fundamental Rights was adopted on Thursday by the European Parliament by 344 in favour and 107 against.

The Report makes three key proposals:

• The Charter must be integrated into the Treaty and be legally binding;

• The European Union should obtain legal personality and accede to the European Convention of Human Rights;

• The Charter must be justiciable in the European Court of Justice.

The Report will inform the Parliament's decision on whether or nor to accept the Charter.

Andrew Duff said:

"The challenge is to write a Charter which is so good that Member States will find it shameful to refuse to accept it within the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice.

"The European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights represents a chance to build a modern, post-national society."

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Andrew's work
in the European Parliament since 1999

Andrew is Vice-President of the European Parliament delegation to the Constitutional Convention on the Future of Europe.

Rights for EU citizens

Andrew drafted the Charter of Fundamental Rights which has strengthened the rights of all the citizens of the European Union.

Turkey

Andrew is working for improved links between the EU and Turkey, to encourage improvements in Turkey's human rights record and to enhance its democracy.

Andrew's campaigning in the East of England

Airport Expansion

Andrew has led calls for the Air Travel industry to be subjected to the same rigorous environmental criteria as other modes of transport