THE CHARTER OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

Transcription

1 Flash Eurobarometer THE CHARTER OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION REPORT Fieldwork: January 2012 Publication: April 2012 This survey has been requested by Directorate-General Justice and co-ordinated by Directorate- General for Communication (DG COMM Research and Speechwriting Unit). This document does not represent the point of view of the European Commission. The interpretations and opinions contained in it are solely those of the authors. Flash Eurobarometer - TNS Political & Social

2 Flash Eurobarometer The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union Conducted by TNS Political & Social at the request of Directorate-General Justice Survey co-ordinated by Directorate-General for Communication 2

3 FLASH EUROBAROMETER TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION... 4 MAIN FINDINGS FAMILIARITY WITH THE CHARTER OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE APPLICATION OF THE CHARTER OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION Awareness of the legal status of the Charter Knowledge of the application of the Charter INSTITUTIONS/BODIES TO WHICH CITIZENS WOULD TURN IN CASE THEIR RIGHTS ARE BEING VIOLATED INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHARTER OF THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION ANNEXES TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS QUESTIONNAIRE TABLES 3

4 FLASH EUROBAROMETER INTRODUCTION The European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights 1 was first formally proclaimed in December Amended in December 2007, the Charter became legally binding in December 2009 when the Lisbon Treaty came into force. The Charter was not intended to establish new rights. Rather the Charter combines in one place rights that had previously been found in a range of both national and EU laws and conventions. As a result these rights are now more visible to citizens of the EU, making them more accessible and more readily understood. The Charter has seven chapters dealing with dignity, freedoms, equality, solidarity, citizens' rights, justice, and general provisions. These chapters identify the rights that apply to each EU citizen in the political, civil, economic and social spheres. In 2010 the European Commission adopted a Strategy 2 on the effective implementation of the Charter. The objective is that the Union sets an example in particular when it legislates. The Commission further committed to prepare annual reports to better inform citizens on the application of the Charter and to measure progress in its implementation. These Annual Reports inform the public on the situations in which they can rely on the Charter and on the role of the European Union in the field of fundamental rights. According to the findings of the 2010 Annual Report 3 citizens often misunderstand when the Charter does and does not apply. The Flash Eurobarometer on Citizenship, in 2007, also identified low general awareness and knowledge of the Charter. The questions in this Flash Eurobarometer 4 expand on this theme to provide greater insight, and to establish whether awareness has improved over time. Specifically the survey has been designed to: Identify the level of awareness of the Charter itself, and when it does and does not apply. Find out where people would turn to if they feel their rights enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights are violated. Determine what aspects of the Charter need greater public explanation and information COM(2010) 573 final, available at: (pages 25-27) 4

5 FLASH EUROBAROMETER The findings of this survey have been analysed firstly at EU level and secondly by country. Where appropriate, a variety of socio-demographic variables - such as respondents gender, age, education, and occupation - have been used to provide greater insight. In the course of this survey, 26,335 European citizens aged 15 and above were interviewed by telephone (fixed-line and mobile phone) by the TNS Political & Social network between 4 and 9 January 2012 in all 27 European Union Member States 5, as requested by the European Commission s Directorate-General for Justice. The methodology used is that of surveys as carried out by the Directorate General for Communication ( Research and Speechwriting Unit) 6. A technical note on the methodology for interviews conducted by the institutes within the TNS Political & Social network is annexed to this report. This note indicates the interview methods and the confidence intervals 7. ************** The Eurobarometer web site can be consulted at the following address: We would like to take the opportunity to thank all the respondents across the continent who have given of their time to take part in this survey. Without their active participation, this study would simply not have been possible. 5 Further information on the methodology used can be found in the technical note which specifies the interview methods as well as the confidence intervals The results tables are included in the annex. It should be noted that the total of the percentages in the tables of this report may exceed 100% when the respondent can give several answers to the same question. 5

6 FLASH EUROBAROMETER Note ABREVIATIONS EU27 EU15 NMS12 European Union - 27 Member States The fifteen Member States that were EU Members prior to the accession of ten candidate countries on 1 May 2004 The twelve Member States that joined the European Union in the recent years (2004 and 2007) BE BG CZ DK DE EE IE EL ES FR IT CY LV LT LU HU MT NL AT PL PT RO SI SK FI SE UK Belgium Bulgaria Czech Republic Denmark Germany Estonia Ireland Greece Spain France Italy Republic of Cyprus Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Hungary Malta The Netherlands Austria Poland Portugal Romania Slovenia Slovakia Finland Sweden United Kingdom 6

7 FLASH EUROBAROMETER MAIN FINDINGS General awareness of the Charter improved since % have heard of the Charter, this is an increase of 16 percentage points as compared to However, knowledge of the Charter is generally low across countries - with Spain having the highest knowledge levels at 20%, and France the lowest at 3%. In contrast, most respondents think the Charter is legally binding (71%) - one quarter thinks it is definitely legally binding, and almost half think it probably is. But precise knowledge of when the Charter does and does not apply is low. The greatest confusion rests around whether the Charter applies to all actions of Member States, including matters of national competence. Precise knowledge of when the Charter does and does not apply is low. When given specific scenarios only 14% of respondents are able to correctly identify in all 3 cases which are true and which are false. The greatest confusion rests around whether the Charter applies to all actions of Member States, including matters of national competence. The Charter does not apply in all of these matters, but more than half - 55% - think that it does. In addition, almost one quarter (24%) say that it is false that the Charter applies to Member States only when they implement EU law, further highlighting this confusion. EU institutions are perceived as having the same redress function as a national court or independent bodies/ Ombudsmen when rights are violated Respondents were asked to imagine that their Charter rights had been violated, and they wanted to make a complaint. They were then asked to identify the body they would turn to first for help, and then any others they would turn to. When asked where they would first turn to if their Charter rights are violated, 21% responded local courts, closely followed by Ombudsmen/independent bodies (20%) and EU institutions (19%). Respondents who are aware of the Charter (47%) or state that they know what it is (49%) are more likely to go to an EU institution when their rights are violated compared to those who are not aware of the Charter (43%). This illustrates the frequent misunderstanding on the role of EU institutions when fundamental rights are violated. 7

8 FLASH EUROBAROMETER there is a general interest in receiving more information that would help citizens enforce their rights. Respondents are interested in receiving more information about various aspects of the Charter. At least six out of ten would like to know more about their Charter rights, where to go to if their rights are violated, and when the Charter applies. Fewer express an interest in learning more about the historical and political context of the Charter, but still 45% would like to know more about this. 8

9 FLASH EUROBAROMETER 1. FAMILIARITY WITH THE CHARTER OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION - Although 64% have heard of the Charter, only 11% say they know what it actually is - Respondents were initially asked if they were familiar with the European Charter of Fundamental Rights, without being given any further explanations. Almost two-thirds (64%) of respondents say they are familiar with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. However, only 11% of respondents say they actually know what it is. The majority - 53% - are not sure what the Charter is, although they have heard of it. In other words, only about onesixth of the respondents who have heard of the Charter say they actually know what it is. More than one-third (36%) have never heard of the Charter. General awareness of the Charter has, however, risen significantly since 2007 when the majority (51%) had never heard of it. Now the majority are aware of the Charter (up 16 points from 48% to 64%). However, the proportion who say they know what the Charter actually is has only increased slightly - up 3 points from 8% in

10 FLASH EUROBAROMETER Individual country results show that one in five respondents in Spain say they know what the Charter is - the highest level across all EU 27 countries. Respondents in Germany (17%), Austria (17%), the Czech Republic (17%) and Luxembourg (16%) are also more likely than the EU average to say they know what the Charter is. In contrast, only 3% of respondents in France and 5% of respondents in Belgium, Ireland, Estonia and Latvia know what the Charter is. Lack of awareness of the Charter is greatest in Greece, where 63% say they have not heard of it. Lack of awareness is also considerably above the EU average in Malta (61%), Denmark (58%) and Cyprus (52%). By comparison only 19% of respondents in the Czech Republic say they have not heard of the Charter. 10

11 FLASH EUROBAROMETER Respondents living in EU15 countries are more likely to say they have never heard of the Charter than those who live in NMS12 countries (37% vs. 31%). Although there is no difference between these groups in the proportion who say they know what the Charter is (both 11%), those living in NMS12 countries are more likely to say they have heard of the Charter (58% vs. 52%). Since 2007, the numbers of those who say they know what the Charter is has increased by 3 points across the EU. At a national level, the proportion who know what the Charter is has increased most in Germany (up 10 points) and Austria and Sweden (both +9). On the other hand, in both Cyprus and Ireland the proportion who say they know what the Charter is has decreased (-4). 11

12 FLASH EUROBAROMETER There are some differences in levels of awareness along socio-demographic lines. Respondents who completed their education aged 20 or older (16%) are more likely to say they know what the Charter is than students (10%) and those with less education (16-19: 8%, 15-: 7%). Those aged 55+ (14%) are most likely to know what the Charter is - particularly when compared to the under 40s (9%). Those who finished their education prior to age 16 (47%), manual workers (46%), and those aged (44%), are the most likely to say they have not heard of the Charter. 12

13 FLASH EUROBAROMETER 2. AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE APPLICATION OF THE CHARTER OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION 2.1 Awareness of the legal status of the Charter - A quarter think that the Charter is definitely legally binding, and almost half think it probably is - Respondents were asked to say whether they thought the Charter was legally binding, such that Charter rights could be ensured by any court in the EU. Around seven out of ten respondents correctly think that the Charter is legally binding - 25% say it definitely is, and a further 46% say it probably is. 6% think that the Charter is definitely not binding, and a further 14% think it is probably not binding. About one in ten are unsure of the legal status of the Charter (9%). 13

14 FLASH EUROBAROMETER In all countries, at least half of all respondents think the Charter is legally binding. Respondents in Romania are the most likely to say this (86%), followed by those in Slovakia and the Czech Republic (both 80%). In fact, interviewees in Romania are the most certain about the Charter's legal status, 48% saying that the Charter is 'definitely' legally binding, as do 43% of respondents in Malta and 41% in Slovenia - much higher than the EU average of 25%. Respondents in Greece (59%), Estonia (61%), Denmark (62%) and France (63%) are least likely to say the Charter is legally binding. Three out of ten respondents in Estonia (29%) and 18% of respondents in Malta are unable to give an opinion on the legal status of the Charter. 14

15 FLASH EUROBAROMETER Almost eight out of ten respondents (78%) living in NMS12 countries think that the Charter is legally binding. They have better knowledge of this aspect of the Charter than respondents in EU15 countries, where 69% say it is legally binding. Those in NMS12 countries are also more sure - 30% say the Charter is 'definitely' legally binding, compared to 24% of those living in EU15 countries. Socio-demographic analysis shows that although those aged 55+ are the most likely to say the Charter is 'definitely' legally binding (28%), those aged are the most likely overall to think it is legally binding ('definitely' and 'probably') (77%). Those who completed their education prior to age 16 (62%) are much less likely to say the Charter is legally binding than students or those who completed their education at a later age (16-19: 71%, 20+: 73%). Cross-tabulating knowledge of the Charter's legal status with awareness of it shows that these two aspects are related. Those who know what the Charter is are the most likely to say it is 'definitely' legally binding (37%). Those who have heard of it but are not sure what it is are the most likely to say the Charter is 'probably' binding (49%). Respondents who are unaware of the Charter are the least likely to say that it is binding. 15

16 FLASH EUROBAROMETER 2.2 Knowledge of the application of the Charter - When presented three cases, only 14% of respondents are able to correctly identify all the cases when the Charter applies- Respondents were asked to say whether the Charter applied to each of the following cases: All actions of EU institutions and bodies (e.g. when EU institutions adopt new legislation) [true] All actions of EU Member States, including matters of national competence [false] EU Member States only when they implement EU law [true] This question was designed to test how well respondents understand the scope of the Charter and when it applies. To all actions of EU institutions and bodies Just over two thirds (67%) of respondents correctly say it is true that the Charter does apply to all actions of EU institutions and bodies. One in five incorrectly say that it is false, and 13% do not know. 16

17 FLASH EUROBAROMETER In all EU countries at least half of all respondents correctly answer that the Charter applies to all the actions of EU institutions and bodies. Respondents in Ireland and Romania are most likely to indicate this (both 77%), followed by those in Spain (74%), Poland (73%), Slovenia and Bulgaria (both 72%). Respondents in Greece (50%) and Estonia (52%) are least likely to select the right answer. The highest levels of incorrect answers for this statement are found among respondents in Greece (34%) and Finland (29%). Uncertainty is much higher than the EU average in Estonia (35% don't know ) and Italy (24%). Five points separate respondents in EU15 and NMS12 countries - 66% of respondents in EU15 correctly say this statement is true, compared to 71% of respondents in NMS12 countries. 17

18 FLASH EUROBAROMETER The socio-demographic analysis shows those aged are more likely to know that the Charter applies to all actions of EU institutions and bodies (72%). Students (75%) and the respondents with the highest level of education (72%) are more likely to know this than those with less education. The greater the awareness of the Charter, the more likely a respondent is to correctly identify this statement as true. Three-quarters of respondents who claim knowledge of the Charter correctly say this statement is true, compared to 70% of those who have heard of it, and 60% of those who have never heard of the Charter. 18

19 FLASH EUROBAROMETER To all actions of EU Member States, including on matters of national competence One third (32%) of respondents correctly say it is false that that the Charter applies to all actions of EU Member States, including matters of national competence. The majority, 55%, incorrectly say that this is true. Once again, 13% say they do not know. Fewer than half of respondents in each country correctly say that it is false that the Charter applies to all actions of EU Member States. Awareness is highest among respondents in Denmark (47%), Finland (41%), the Czech Republic, Germany and the Netherlands (all 40%). Respondents in the UK, Malta and Slovenia (all 22%) are least likely to correctly identify this statement as false. 19

20 FLASH EUROBAROMETER Respondents in Romania and Slovenia are most likely to incorrectly say that the Charter applies to all actions of EU Member States (68% and 67% respectively). Uncertainty is greatest in Estonia (35%) and Malta (24%) where a sizeable proportion say they do not know. Respondents living in EU15 countries are more likely to correctly identify this statement as false than those who live in NMS12 countries (33% vs. 27%). There is little difference across age groups amongst those who know that this statement is false. Those who completed their studies aged 20 or older are most likely to correctly say the statement is false (35%). The younger the respondent, the more likely they are to say this statement is true (55+: 50%, 15-24: 63%). Those aged 55+ are most likely to say they do not know (18%). Fewer than four out of ten (37%) respondents who declare knowledge of the Charter correctly indicate that it does not apply to all actions of Member States. There is little difference between those who have heard of the Charter (32%), and those who have not (31%) in the proportion who know that this statement is false. 20

21 FLASH EUROBAROMETER To EU Member States only when they implement EU law 63% of respondents correctly say it is true that that the Charter applies to EU Member States only when they implement EU law. One quarter (24%) incorrectly say that this statement is false, and 13% say they do not know. The results presented so far have already shown that knowledge about the Charter is not widespread, although many have heard of it. On the surface, the results in this section initially seem to contradict those of previous statements, particularly when 55% incorrectly say that the Charter applies to all actions of Member states, and yet here the majority are able to correctly say that the Charter only applies when implementing EU law. However, the mixed responses to these statements actually highlight the lack of knowledge and understanding about the Charter. Questions about the scope and application are difficult to answer correctly without a clear understanding of the Charter and when it applies. These results therefore further illustrate the need for more information and education. 21

22 FLASH EUROBAROMETER At least half of the respondents in each country correctly indicate that the Charter applies to EU Member States only when implementing EU law. This knowledge is most widespread in Bulgaria (75%), Romania (75%), Lithuania (74%) and Poland (71%). In contrast, only 50% of respondents in Italy and 51% in Estonia correctly say this statement is true. Respondents in Sweden (32%), Slovenia, the Czech Republic and The Netherlands (all 31%) are most likely to incorrectly say the Charter does not only apply in this situation. One third (35%) of respondents in Estonia do not know if the Charter only applies to Member States only when implementing EU law. Respondents living in NMS12 countries are more likely to correctly say that this statement is true than those living in EU15 countries (69% vs. 62%). 22

23 FLASH EUROBAROMETER Socio-demographic analysis illustrates that respondents who finished their education before age 16 are least likely to know this statement is true (56%). Interestingly, in this case awareness of the Charter is not predictive. There is little difference in the proportion who know this statement to be true between those who declare they know what the Charter is (64%), those who have heard of it (65%) and those who have not heard of it (61%). 23

24 FLASH EUROBAROMETER Correct knowledge of all three statements Most respondents have at least some knowledge of when the Charter of Fundamental Rights applies - 44% answered two questions correctly, and 14% answered all three correctly. Just under one-third were able to answer one question correctly, and 11% were unable to give a correct answer for any of the statements. Awareness of when the Charter applies is most widespread in Denmark (21%) and Germany (20%), where one in five respondents are able to answer all three cases correctly. By comparison, only 7% of respondents in Slovenia and 8% in the UK were able to do the same. General lack of awareness of when the Charter applies (no correct answers) is highest amongst respondents in Estonia (30%), Italy (20%) and Malta (18%). Across the EU, 58% of respondents answered at least two of the three cases correctly. However this result is much higher in Romania, where seven out of ten answered at least two of the three cases correctly. Respondents in Bulgaria (67%) and Poland (65%) were also more likely than the EU average to give the correct answer in at least two out of three cases. Conversely, respondents in Estonia (45%), Italy (47%) and Malta (48%) are least likely to respond correctly to at least two of the three scenarios. 24

25 FLASH EUROBAROMETER There is little difference between the proportions of EU15 and NMS12 respondents who correctly answered none (11% vs. 9%) or three (15% vs. 12%) of the questions. NMS12 respondents are more likely to get two out of three correct (51% vs. 43% for EU15), while EU15 respondents are slightly more likely to get one out of three correct (31% vs. 28% for NMS12). Overall, 63% of NMS12 respondents got at least two out of three correct, compared to 58% of EU15 who did the same. 25

26 FLASH EUROBAROMETER Knowledge of the Charter and when it applies is strongest amongst students and white-collar workers; in each case 18% give three correct answers. Conversely, one in five respondents who finished school prior to age 16 are unable to give any correct answers. Respondents who are not aware of the Charter are more likely to give incorrect answers in all three cases (16%), while those who are aware of the Charter to some degree are more likely to get at least two out of three correct (heard of it: 61%, know what it is: 63%). 26

27 FLASH EUROBAROMETER 3. INSTITUTIONS/BODIES TO WHICH CITIZENS WOULD TURN IF THEIR RIGHTS WERE VIOLATED - Local courts are the most likely first choice for those who feel their Charter rights are being violated - Respondents were asked to imagine that their Charter rights had been violated, and they wanted to make a complaint. They were then asked to identify the body they would turn to first for help, and then any others they would turn to. National courts are the first place respondents would turn to if their Charter rights were violated (21%). However a local ombudsman/independent body (20%), an EU institution (19%) and the local police (19%) are mentioned almost as frequently. There is a little more variation in the results when all the bodies respondents mentioned are taken into account. Overall, 46% would turn to a national court, and four out of ten would go to a local ombudsman/independent body or and EU institution. NGOs (13%) and the national government (25%) are the least mentioned bodies, either as a first choice, or as any choice. 27

28 FLASH EUROBAROMETER National-level analysis illustrates the range of responses across countries. In 12 out of 27 countries respondents are most likely to turn to the national courts if they feel their Charter rights are being violated. Respondents in Portugal (64%) and Lithuania (63%) are the most likely to mention this option, and respondents in Ireland (28%) are the least likely. An EU institution is the most common choice for respondents in Cyprus, Malta, Bulgaria, France, Hungary and Denmark. Across the EU, respondents in Cyprus are also the most likely to mention EU institutions (58%) - compared to only 23% of respondents in Finland. Respondents in nine of the 27 countries would turn first to a local ombudsman or independent body if their Charter rights were violated. Respondents in Poland are the most likely to do this (69%), followed by the UK (63%) and the Czech Republic (61%). Overall, respondents in Poland (69%) are the most likely to mention an ombudsman or independent body, and those in Romania are the least likely (4%). Respondents in the UK are most likely to turn to the police (53%), the government (54%) or an NGO (33%). The proportions mentioning the police and the national government are much higher than the EU average, and significantly higher than the next closest country. Respondents in Hungary are least likely to turn to the police (17%), those in Slovenia are least likely to turn to their government (6%), and those in Estonia are least likely to choose an NGO (3%). 28

29 FLASH EUROBAROMETER In terms of their first choice, there are few notable differences between EU15 and NMS12 respondents. Respondents living in EU15 countries are more likely to mention the national government as a first choice (10% vs. 4% in NMS12). Those living in NMS12 countries are, however, more likely to cite an ombudsman or independent body than respondents in EU15 countries (26% vs. 19%). The overall responses - first and all other choices - once again suggest that EU15 respondents are more likely to mention the national government than those living in NMS12 countries (28% vs. 13%). Respondents in EU15 countries are also more likely than their NMS12 counterparts to cite the police (36% vs. 31%). 29

30 FLASH EUROBAROMETER The socio-demographic analysis shows some interesting variations. White-collar workers (47%), the self-employed (44%) and the respondents with the highest level of education (47%) are most likely to say they would go to an EU institution if they felt their Charter rights had been violated. In addition, the greater their degree of urbanisation, the more likely respondents would be to go to an EU body (rural village: 37%, small/mid-size town: 40%, large town: 44%). Those who finished education age 15 or younger (31%) are the most likely to mention the government, and this group (43%), along with year olds (46%) and manual workers (46%), are most likely to cite the police. Respondents aged 55+ are the least likely age group to turn to the national courts (40%). Respondents who are aware of the Charter are more likely to go to an EU institution than those who are not (33%). Those who actually declare knowledge of the Charter are in turn more likely to go to an EU body (48%) than those who are just aware of the existence of the Charter (43%). Those who are aware of the Charter (47%) or know what it is (49%) are also more likely to turn to the national courts than those with no awareness (43%). Those who do not know what the Charter is are more likely to turn to the police (40%) and the national government (27%). Q4T - Imagine that you feel that your rights enshrined in the Charter are being violated, and you want to complain about it. To which institution/ body would you turn? Firstly? And then? A court in (OUR COUNTRY) An EU institution (e.g. the European Commission or the European Parliament) An ombudsman or an independent body in (OUR COUNTRY) The police in (OUR COUNTRY) (NATIONALITY) government A nongovernmental organisation (NGO) Other (DO NOT READ OUT) None/ You would not complain (DO NOT READ OUT) Don't know EU27 46% 40% 40% 35% 25% 13% 4% 2% 4% Sex Male 48% 41% 40% 34% 24% 14% 5% 2% 4% Female 44% 39% 40% 36% 26% 13% 3% 2% 5% Age % 39% 35% 46% 28% 13% 2% 1% 3% % 40% 40% 39% 24% 16% 3% 1% 4% % 42% 41% 32% 25% 15% 4% 1% 4% % 39% 41% 30% 25% 11% 6% 3% 6% Education (End of) 15-40% 27% 38% 43% 31% 12% 5% 4% 9% % 38% 40% 38% 26% 14% 4% 1% 5% % 47% 41% 28% 22% 14% 4% 1% 3% Still studying 51% 40% 35% 42% 26% 13% 2% - 3% Subjective urbanisation Rural village 44% 37% 41% 36% 24% 12% 4% 1% 5% Small/ Mid-size town 45% 40% 39% 36% 25% 13% 4% 1% 4% Large town 48% 44% 39% 32% 25% 15% 4% 2% 5% Respondent occupation scale Self-employed 48% 44% 38% 31% 24% 16% 5% 1% 3% Employee 49% 47% 41% 32% 24% 15% 3% 1% 3% Manual workers 45% 33% 42% 46% 27% 15% 4% 1% 5% Not working 43% 36% 39% 35% 25% 12% 4% 3% 6% Awareness of the Charter Yes, and you know what it is 49% 48% 42% 26% 22% 12% 6% 1% 3% Yes, you have heard about it 47% 43% 42% 33% 24% 14% 4% 1% 3% No 43% 33% 37% 40% 27% 13% 3% 2% 7% 30

31 FLASH EUROBAROMETER 4. INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHARTER OF THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION - There is an appetite for more knowledge about the Charter, although fewer are interested in its historic and political context - Respondents were asked to say how interested they were in having more information about four different aspects of the Charter. Two-thirds of respondents across Europe are interested in learning more about their rights as enshrined by the Charter (66%), and where to go if they feel that these rights have been violated (65%). Six out of ten respondents would like to learn more about when the Charter applies and when it does not. However, fewer respondents (45%) are interested in knowing more about the Charter's historical and political context. 31

32 FLASH EUROBAROMETER More than eight out of ten respondents in Cyprus, Ireland and Malta want to learn more about where to go if they feel their Charter rights have been violated. By comparison, only 55% in Estonia, 58% in the UK and 59% in Finland feel the same. Respondents living in NMS12 countries are more likely to say they are interested in learning more about where to turn if their Charter rights were violated (69% vs. 64% EU15). 32

33 FLASH EUROBAROMETER Respondents in Ireland and Cyprus (both 85%) are the most likely to want more information about their rights under the Charter, followed by respondents in Malta (82%). Although respondents in Estonia and Finland (both 56%) are the least likely to want more information on their Charter rights, these results still represent the majority of respondents in each country. Respondents in NMS12 countries are more interested in learning about the content of the Charter than those living in EU15 countries (71% vs. 65%). 33

34 FLASH EUROBAROMETER Once again it is respondents in Cyprus (83%), Ireland (82%), and Malta (79%) who are most likely to be interested in more information about when the Charter applies. By comparison, fewer than half of respondents in Finland (48%) say the same. Following the pattern of previous questions, respondents in NMS12 countries are more likely to be interested in having more information about when the Charter applies (66% vs. 59% of EU15). 34

35 FLASH EUROBAROMETER Interest in more information about the history and political context of the Charter is less widespread, with fewer than two-thirds of respondents in any country expressing an interest. Respondents in Cyprus (64%) and Ireland (61%) are the most likely to want this kind of information. In contrast, only 27% of respondents in Finland and 31% in Denmark are interested in having more information on this aspect of the Charter. Almost half (49%) of NMS12 respondents are interested in learning more about the Charter's history and political context - compared to 44% of those living in EU15 countries. 35

36 FLASH EUROBAROMETER Respondents aged 55+ are the least likely to be interested in more information about their Charter rights (63%), when they apply (62%), and where to go if they think their rights have been violated (57%). However, they are the most likely to be interested in the history and political context of the Charter (48%); interest in more information about this aspect increases with age. Students and those with the highest education levels are most interested in receiving more information about all these aspects of the Charter. The same applies to white-collar workers and the self-employed, with the exception of the history and political context. In this case respondents who are not working are more interested (46%), and only manual workers are less so (40%). Interestingly, those with some level of awareness of the Charter are more interested in learning more about each of these aspects than those who had not heard of it. The same also applies to those who were best able to say when the Charter does and does not apply - the more questions in this series they answered correctly, the more likely they are to say they would like more information about each aspect of the Charter. 36

37 FLASH EUROBAROMETER 37

38 ANNEXES

39 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

40 FLASH EUROBAROMETER FLASH EUROBAROMETER The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Between the 4th and the 9th of January 2012, TNS Political & Social, a consortium created between TNS political & social, TNS UK and TNS opinion, carried out the survey FLASH EUROBAROMETER 339 about "The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union". This survey has been requested by the EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Directorate-General for Justice. It is a general public survey co-ordinated by the Directorate-General for Communication ("Research and Speechwriting" Unit). The FLASH EUROBAROMETER covers the population of the respective nationalities of the European Union Member States, resident in each of the 27 Member States and aged 15 years and over. The survey covers the national population of citizens (in these countries) as well as the population of citizens of all the European Union Member States that are residents in these countries and have a sufficient command of the national languages to answer the questionnaire. All interviews were carried using the TNS e-call center (our centralized CATI system). In every country respondents were called both on fixed lines and mobile phones. The basic sample design applied in all states is multi-stage random (probability). In each household, the respondent was drawn at random following the "last birthday rule". TNS have developed their own RDD sample generation capabilities based on using contact telephone numbers from responders to random probability or random location face to face surveys, such as Eurobarometer, as seed numbers. The approach works because the seed number identifies a working block of telephone numbers and reduces the volume of numbers generated that will be ineffective. The seed numbers are stratified by NUTS2 region and urbanisation to approximate a geographically representative sample. From each seed number the required sample of numbers are generated by randomly replacing the last two digits. The sample is then screened against business databases in order to exclude as many of these numbers as possible before going into field. This approach is consistent across all countries. 1

41 FLASH EUROBAROMETER ABBR. COUNTRIES INSTITUTES N INTERVIEWS FIELDWORK DATES POPULATION 15+ BE Belgium TNS Dimarso /01/ /01/ BG Bulgaria TNS BBSS /01/ /01/ CZ Czech Rep. TNS AISA s.r.o /01/ /01/ DK Denmark TNS Gallup A/S /01/ /01/ DE Germany TNS Infratest /01/ /01/ EE Estonia TNS Emor /01/ /01/ EL Greece TNS ICAP /01/ /01/ ES Spain TNS Demoscopia S.A /01/ /01/ FR France TNS Sofres /01/ /01/ IE Ireland IMS Millward Brown /01/ /01/ IT Italy TNS Infratest /01/ /01/ CY Rep. of Cyprus CYMAR /01/ /01/ LV Latvia TNS Latvia /01/ /01/ LT Lithuania TNS Lithuania /01/ /01/ LU Luxembourg TNS Dimarso /01/ /01/ HU Hungary TNS Hoffmann Kft /01/ /01/ MT Malta MISCO International /01/ /01/2012 Ltd NL Netherlands TNS NIPO /01/ /01/ AT Austria TNS Austria /01/ /01/ PL Poland TNS OBOP /01/ /01/ PT Portugal TNS Euroteste /01/ /01/ RO Romania TNS CSOP /01/ /01/ SI Slovenia RM PLUS /01/ /01/ SK Slovakia TNS AISA Slovakia /01/ /01/ FI Finland TNS Gallup Oy /01/ /01/ SE Sweden TNS SIFO /01/ /01/ UK United Kingdom TNS UK /01/ /01/ TOTAL EU /01/ /01/ For each country a comparison between the sample and the universe was carried out. The Universe description was derived from Eurostat population data or from national statistics offices. For all countries surveyed, a national weighting procedure, using marginal and intercellular weighting, was carried out based on this Universe description. In all countries, gender, age, region and size of locality were introduced in the iteration procedure. For international weighting (i.e. EU averages), TNS Political & Social applies the official population figures as provided by EUROSTAT or national statistic offices. The total population figures for input in this post-weighting procedure are listed above. Readers are reminded that survey results are estimations, the accuracy of which, everything being equal, rests upon the sample size and upon the observed percentage. With samples of about 1,000 interviews, the real percentages vary within the following confidence limits: Observed percentages 10% or 90% 20% or 80% 30% or 70% 40% or 60% 50% Confidence limits ± 1.9 points ± 2.5 points ± 2.7 points ± 3.0 points ± 3.1 points 2

42 QUESTIONNAIRE

43 FLASH EUROBAROMETER Q1 Are you familiar with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights? Q1 Connaissez-vous la Charte des droits fondamentaux de l UE? (READ OUT ONE ANSWER ONLY) (LIRE UNE SEULE REPONSE) Yes, and you know what it is Yes, you have heard about it, but you are not sure what it is No, you have never heard about the "Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union" DK\NA FL213 Q5 TREND MODIFIED 1 Oui, et vous savez ce que c est 1 Oui, vous en avez entendu parler mais vous n êtes pas sûr de ce que c est 2 2 Non, vous n avez jamais entendu parler de la Charte des droits 3 fondamentaux de l UE 3 4 NSP/SR 4 FL213 Q5 TREND MODIFIEE 1

44 FLASH EUROBAROMETER READ OUT: The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights defines certain political, social, and economic rights for citizens in the EU, mainly described in six chapters on and in areas such as Dignity, Freedoms, Equality, Solidarity, Citizens rights, Justice. To simplify, we will use the term Charter in the whole questionnaire. LIRE : La Charte des droits fondamentaux de l UE définit certains droits politiques, sociaux et économiques pour les citoyens au sein de l UE, répartis en six chapitres dans les domaines de la dignité, des libertés, de l égalité, de la solidarité, des droits des citoyens et de la justice. Pour simplifier, nous utiliserons le terme de Charte dans l ensemble du questionnaire. Q2 Talking about the legal status of the Charter, do you think that it is legally binding, in other words any court in the European Union can ensure that the rights enshrined in the Charter are respected? Q2 Concernant le statut légal de la Charte, pensez-vous qu elle soit juridiquement contraignante, en d autres termes que n importe quelle cour au sein de l Union européenne puisse s assurer que les droits contenus dans la Charte soient respectés? (READ OUT ONE ANSWER ONLY) (LIRE UNE SEULE REPONSE) Yes, definitely Yes, probably No, probably not No, definitely not DK\NA NEW 1 Oui, certainement 1 2 Oui, probablement 2 3 Non, probablement pas 3 4 Non, certainement pas 4 5 NSP/SR NEW 5 2

45 FLASH EUROBAROMETER Q3 For each of the following statements regarding when the Charter applies and when the Charter does not apply, please tell me if you think that the following statement is true or false: The Charter applies Q3 Pour chacune des affirmations suivantes sur le champ d'application de la Charte, pouvezvous me dire si vous pensez que l affirmation est vraie ou fausse : la Charte s applique (READ OUT - ONE ANSWER PER LINE) ( LIRE UNE REPONSE PAR LIGNE) (ROTATE) True. False. DK\NA (ROTATION) Vrai Faux NSP/SR 1 To all actions of EU institutions and bodies (e.g when EU institutions adopt new legislation) 2 To all actions of EU Member States, including on matters of national competence 3 To EU Member States only when they implement EU law A toutes les actions des institutions et organismes de l UE (p.ex. quand les institutions de l UE adoptent une nouvelle législation) A toutes les actions des Etats membres de l UE, y compris les affaires de compétence nationale A tous les Etats membres de l UE, seulement quand ils mettent en œuvre le droit européen NEW NEW 3

46 FLASH EUROBAROMETER Q4a Imagine that you feel that your rights enshrined in the Charter are being violated, and you want to complain about it. To which institution/ body would you turn? Firstly? Q4a Imaginez que vous sentez que vos droits contenus dans la Charte sont violés et que vous voulez vous plaindre. Vers quelles institutions/ organismes vous tourneriez-vous? En premier? (READ OUT ROTATE CODE 1 TO 6 ONE ANSWER ONLY) (LIRE ROTATION CODE 1 A 6 UNE SEULE REPONSE) An EU institution (e.g. the European Commission or the European Parliament) (NATIONALITY) government The police in (OUR COUNTRY) A court in (OUR COUNTRY) An ombudsman or an independent body in (OUR COUNTRY) A non-governmental organisation (NGO) Other (DO NOT READ OUT) None/ You would not complain (DO NOT READ OUT) DK\NA NEW Une institution européenne (p.ex. la Commission européenne ou le 1 Parlement européen) 1 2 Le gouvernement (NATIONALITE) 2 3 La police en (NOTRE PAYS) 3 4 Une cour en (NOTRE PAYS) 4 5 Un médiateur ou un organisme indépendante en (NOTRE PAYS) 5 6 Une organisation non-gouvernementale (ONG) 6 7 Autres (NE PAS LIRE) 7 8 Aucunes / Vous ne vous plaindriez pas (NE PAS LIRE) 8 9 NSP/SR 9 NEW 4

47 FLASH EUROBAROMETER If code 8 or 9 in Q4a, go to Q5 Si code 8 ou 9 en Q4a, aller en Q5 Do not show answer given in Q4a if code 1 to 6 Ne pas montrer la réponse donnée en Q4a si code 1 à 6 Q4b And then? Q4b Et ensuite? (READ OUT ROTATE CODE 1 TO 6 MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE) (LIRE ROTATION CODE 1 A 6 PLUSIEURS REPONSES POSSIBLES) An EU institution (e.g. the European Commission or the European Parliament) (NATIONALITY) government The police in (OUR COUNTRY) A court in (OUR COUNTRY) An ombudsman or an independent body in (OUR COUNTRY) A non-governmental organisation (NGO) Other (DO NOT READ OUT) None/ You would not complain (DO NOT READ OUT) DK\NA NEW Une institution européenne (p.ex. la Commission européenne ou le 1, Parlement européen) 1, 2, Le gouvernement (NATIONALITE) 2, 3, La police en (NOTRE PAYS) 3, 4, Une cour en (NOTRE PAYS) 4 5, Un médiateur ou un organisme indépendant en (NOTRE PAYS) 5, 6, Une organisation non-gouvernementale (ONG) 6, 7, Autres (NE PAS LIRE) 7, 8, Aucunes / Vous ne vous plaindriez pas (NE PAS LIRE) 8, 9, NSP/SR NEW 9, 5

48 FLASH EUROBAROMETER Q5 For each of the following aspects related to the Charter, would you be interested or not to have more information about it? Q5 Pour chacun des aspects suivants liés à la Charte, seriez-vous intéressés ou non d avoir plus d informations à ce sujet? (READ OUT ONE ANSWER PER LINE) (LIRE UNE REPONSE PAR LIGNE) (ROTATE) Very interested Fairly interested Not very interested Not at all interested DK\NA (ROTATION) Très intéressé (e) Plutôt intéressé (e) Plutôt pas intéressé (e) Pas du tout intéressé (e) NSP/SR 1 Where to turn if your rights enshrined in the Charter are violated (e.g. competent court or body which can handle complaints) 2 The content of the Charter: your Fundamental Rights as an EU citizen 3 When does the Charter apply and when does it not 4 The history and political context of the Charter: when it has been adopted, by whom, etc. Vers qui se tourner si vos droits consacrés dans la Charte sont violés (p.ex. cour compétente ou organisme qui puisse gérer les plaintes) Le contenu de la Charte: vos droits fondamentaux en tant que citoyen de l UE Quand la Charte s applique ou non Le contexte historique et politique de la Charte: quand elle a été adoptée, par qui, etc NEW NEW 6

49 FLASH EUROBAROMETER D4 How old were you when you stopped full-time education? D4 A quel âge avez-vous arrêté vos études à temps complet? (INT.: IF "STILL STUDYING", CODE 00 - IF "NO EDUCATION" CODE '01' - IF "REFUSAL" CODE '98' - IF "DK" CODE '99') (ENQ. : SI "ETUDIE ENCORE", CODER 00 - SI "PAS D'ETUDE" CODER '01' - SI "REFUS" CODER '98' - SI "NSP" CODER '99') FL 339 D4 FL 339 D4 7

50 FLASH EUROBAROMETER D5 As far as your current occupation is concerned, would you say you are self-employed, an employee, a manual worker or would you say that you are without a professional activity? Does it mean that you are a(n) D5 En ce qui concerne votre occupation actuelle, diriez-vous que vous êtes indépendant, salarié, ouvrier ou diriez-vous que vous êtes sans activité professionnelle? Cela signifie-t-il que vous êtes (un) IF A RESPONSE TO THE MAIN CATEGORY IS GIVEN, READ OUT THE RESPECTIVE SUB- CATEGORIES SI UNE REPONSE A L'UNE DES CATEGORIES PRINCIPALES EST DONNEE, LIRE LES SOUS-CATEGORIES SELF-EMPLOYED Farmer, forester, fisherman Owner of shop, craftsman Professional (lawyer, medical practitioner, accountant, architect ) Manager of a company Other EMPLOYEE Professional (employed doctor, lawyer, accountant, architect ) General management, director or top management Middle management Civil servant Office clerk Other employee (salesman, nurse, etc ) Other MANUAL WORKER Supervisor \ foreman (team manager, etc ) Manual worker Unskilled manual worker Other WITHOUT A PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY Looking after the home Student (full time) Retired Seeking a job Other 1 PROFESSION LIBERALE\ INDEPENDANT Agriculteur, sylviculteur, pêcheur 1 2 Commerçant, artisan 2 3 Profession libérale (avocat, médecin, comptable, architecte,...) 3 4 Dirigeant d'une entreprise 4 5 Autre 5 6 EMPLOYE Cadre employé (médecin sous convention, avocat, comptable, architecte,...) 6 7 Direction générale, directeur ou direction supérieure 7 8 Cadre moyen 8 9 Fonctionnaire 9 10 Employé(e) de bureau Autre salarié (commercial, infirmière, etc...) Autre OUVRIER Superviseur\ agent de maîtrise (chef d'équipe, etc...) Ouvrier Ouvrier non qualifié Autre SANS ACTIVITE PROFESSIONNELLE Femme\ Homme au foyer Etudiant (temps plein) Retraité Demandeur d'emploi Autre 21 8

51 FLASH EUROBAROMETER Refusal (DO NOT READ OUT) FL 339 D5 22 Refus (NE PAS LIRE) 22 FL 339 D5 9

52 TABLES

53 FLASH EUROBAROMETER Q1 Connaissez-vous la Charte des droits fondamentaux de l UE? Q1 Are you familiar with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights? Q1 Sind Sie mit der Charta der Grundrechte der Europäischen Union vertraut? Oui, et vous savez ce que c est Oui, vous en avez entendu parler mais vous n êtes pas sûr de ce que c est Non, vous n avez jamais entendu parler de la Charte des droits fondamentaux de l UE NSP/SR Yes, and you know what it is Yes, you have heard about it, but you are not sure what it is No, you have never heard about the "Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union" DK/NA Ja, und Sie wissen, worum es sich dabei handelt Ja, Sie haben davon gehört, aber Sie sind nicht sicher, was das ist Nein, Sie haben noch nie von der Charta der Grundrechte der Europäischen Union gehört WN/KA % Diff. 213 Diff. 213 Diff. 213 Diff. 213 EU BE BG CZ DK DE EE IE EL ES FR IT CY LV LT LU HU MT NL AT PL PT RO SI SK FI SE UK

54 FLASH EUROBAROMETER Q2 Concernant le statut légal de la Charte, pensez-vous qu elle soit juridiquement contraignante, en d autres termes que n importe quelle cour au sein de l Union européenne puisse s assurer que les droits contenus dans la Charte soient respectés? Q2 Talking about the legal status of the Charter, do you think that it is legally binding, in other words any court in the European Union can ensure that the rights enshrined in the Charter are respected? Q2 Kommen wir nun zum Rechtsstatus der Charta. Sind Sie der Meinung, dass diese rechtsverbindlich ist, d.h. dass jedes Gericht in der Europäischen Union durchsetzen kann, dass die in der Charta verankerten Rechte gewahrt werden? % EU 27 BE BG CZ DK DE EE IE EL ES FR IT CY LV LT LU HU MT NL AT PL PT RO SI SK FI SE UK Oui, certainement Yes, definitely Ja, auf jeden Fall Oui, probablement Yes, probably Ja, wahrscheinlich Non, probablement pas No, probably not Nein, wahrscheinlich nicht Non, certainement pas No, definitely not Nein, auf keinen Fall NSP/SR DK/NA WN/KA Total 'Oui' Total 'Yes' Gesamt 'Ja' Total 'Non' Total 'No' Gesamt 'Nein'