European Union Institutions Flashcards
Council of Europe
Different from European Counsel. This is not an EU institution. It is an international organization focused on protecting human rights. Formed in 1949. Based in Strasboug.
European Court of Human Rights
Enforced the European Convention on Human Rights. Adjudicates disputes arising from human rights bill and COnvention 108.
European Parliament
ONe half of EU bi-cameral legislature. It cannot propose legislation. Only democratic part of EU meaning Europeans vote for its members. Directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union. Together with the Council of the European Union (the Council) and the European Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU.
The Council of the European Union is the other legislative half.
European Commission
The executive branch of the EU. Implements policies and decisions. One commissioner per member state. Institution of the European Union, responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the EU treaties and managing the day-to-day business of the EU.
The Commission is the sole EU institution tabling laws for adoption by the Parliament and the Council; Manages EU policies & allocates EU funding; enforces EU law. Together with the Court of Justice, ensures that EU law is properly applied in all the member countries.
European Council
Powerless think tank to give kings and queens something to do. Defining the EU’s overall political direction and priorities, is the institution of the European Union (EU) that comprises the heads of state or government of the member states, along with the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission.
European Court of Justice
“ECJ” is the highest court in the European Union in matters of European Union law. As a part of the Court of Justice of the European Union it is tasked with interpreting EU law and ensuring its equal application across all EU member states
Located in Luxembourg.
European Court of Human Rights
Hears privacy disputes under the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR)
Treaty of Rome
Established the European Economic Community
Treaty of Maastricht
Expanded EEC into EU
Convention 108
Issued in 1981, it was GDPR lite. Left sanctions and remedies up to member states.
ePrivacy Directive (2002/58/EC)
Enacted by EU in 2002. Requires member states to adopt nation laws to protect confidentiality of communications by means of public networks. Does not apply to private communication networks.
eCookie Directive
A 2009 amendment to ePrivacy Directive.
Difference between directive and regulation?
Directive is EU law that tells member states to enact national laws but memeber states tent not to do so or do so in a fragmented way. Regulations (like GDPR) are binding without waiting for member states to enact anything.
The EU Data Protection Directive (95/46/EC)
Enacted in 1995. This was replaced by the GDPR. It applies to the EEA, which is EU members plus Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein.
What does GDPR not apply to?
Anonymous info (like picture of trees). Dead people.
