European Commission taken to court for ‘stifling dissent’ over EU-US trade deal

On Monday morning (10 November) the Stop TTIP coalition, consisting of more than 300 civil society groups from across Europe, are filing a lawsuit against the European Commission at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg. The lawsuit relates to a decision that was made by the Commission to block a ‘European Citizen’s Initiative’ (ECI) on the controversial EU-USA trade deal known as TTIP and a similar deal with Canada (CETA).

In September 2014 the European Commission was accused of ‘stifling citizens’ voices’ after it rejected a proposal to hold a ‘European Citizens' Initiative’ against the trade deals. The Initiative, which had been launched by trade unions, social justice campaigns, human rights groups and consumer watchdogs, if successful would have forced the Commission to review its policy on the deals and to hold a hearing in the European parliament.

Michael Efler, a representative of the ECI’s citizens' committee said: "We are not only appealing for the sake of the Stop TTIP ECI, but also for future European Citizens’ Initiatives. When it comes to the negotiation of international treaties, the European Commission wants to exclude citizens. While they are being negotiated, people are told not to interfere and when final contracts are put on the table, it’s too late. The Commission’s legal position effectively prevents any future ECIs on international agreements.“

Despite the Commission’s rejection of the European Citizen’s Initiative, campaign groups and trade unions launched a second self-organized petition calling on the Commission to scrap the trade deal that has so far gathered more than 850,000 signatures in just over a month. They are calling on the Commission to to stop negotiations on TTIP and not to complete CETA but so far the Commission denied those voices a hearing in favour of continuing to negotiate in secret.

Around 50 people were holding a demonstration at the front of European Court of Justice against both the trade deals and the Commission’s rejection of the ECI. Blanche Weber, a member of the ECI’s citizens committee: “The gap between European politics and people is to be overcome - according to the rhetoric of politicians. However, the discrepancy between this spin and actual politics is a disgrace. Brussels’ arrogance towards Europe’s citizens is unacceptable! We will continue to defend ourselves against TTIP and CETA – also for the sake of European democracy.”

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