Òmnium Cultural
ÒC
1) Promotion of the Catalan language and culture, in particular, and promotion and support for all European minority languages.
ID: 974134437992-44
Lobbying Activity
Response to European Democracy Shield
26 May 2025
The Democracy Shield EU initiative should reach its potential in supporting the work of Civil Society Organizations, as democracy cannot thrive without and empowered and active civil society. Civic freedoms remain under threat, as evidenced by numerous reports from international human rights organisations. The European Democracy Shield should include concrete measures to encompass the entire democratic ecosystem to fulfil their democratic mission: journalists, media, trade unions, universities and academia, civil society organisations and social movements. Its design and implementation should be closely aligned with the forthcoming Civil Society Strategy. Particular attention should be paid to the digital sphere. In May 2023 the European Parliaments Committee of Inquiry on the use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware (PEGA) adopted its final report and recommendations, following 14 months of hearings, studies and fact-finding missions. While those conclusions are not legally binding, they must not be disregarded. A meaningful follow-up is essential to reinforce democratic safeguards particularly in cases such as the Catalangate scandal in Spain, where spyware was unlawfully deployed against political dissidents, civil society actors, journalists and lawyers. Finally, the security frameworks applied by many Member States not pose a threat to fundamental rights. The case of Spains response to the Catalonia's self-determination movement illustrates serious concerns in this regard. They have faced politically motivated pre-trial detentions, accusations of threatening national security, smear campaigns, criminal investigations under terrorism charges, communication interception, use of Pegasus spyware, and infiltration by undercover agents. These practices pose a clear risk to the democratic fabric and must be addressed through robust safeguards and accountability mechanisms. Actions needed: - A stronger and more coherent Rule of Law report mechanism that emphasises the rule of law's role in protecting fundamental rights, with a central chapter on civic space higlighting how Member States are failing to uphold these rights. -An early warning mechanism for civil society, including proactive and timely follow-up on complaints regarding attachs against civic freedoms and human rights defenders, particularly when these are perpetrated by state authorities such as the police, secret services, ministry of the interior or the judiciary. The EU must ensure that Member States authorities are held accountable. - Address the non-compliance of Member States, such as Spain, with the PEGA Committee resolution, particularly the obligation to fully investigate spyware abuse cases like the Catalangate scandal, which contradicts international law standards. - Monitor Member States to prevent the misuse of counter-terrorism legislation to persecute activists and political opposition for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. -Commit to resolving conflicts of sovereignity within Europe through democratic means. - Establish a Civil Dialogue Framework that embeds civil society participation in a structured and continuous way across the EU policy cycle. It should ensure inclusive involvement from agenda-setting to policy implementation, moving beyond one-off consultations toward genuine co-creation of EU policies. - Develop a comprehensive Civil Society Strategy that empowers and protects civil society by ensuring structured engagement, safeguarding civic freedoms, supporting capacity building, and addressing digital challenges across the EU. -Ensure meaningful participation of civil society that produce visible outcomes. The EU should establish transparent follow-up mechanisms to show how civil societys input influences policies and decisions. Providing feedback and involving participants in evaluating results is key to accountability, trust, and sustained democratic participation.
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