CJEU marks setback for Minority Rights in the EU: the fight continues

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has issued its final ruling on the Minority SafePack Initiative (MSPI), dismissing the appeal and upholding the European Commission’s decision not to propose legal acts in response to the European Citizens’ Initiative. This marks a disappointing outcome for more than a million EU citizens who supported the MSPI’s call to safeguard and promote the cultural and linguistic rights of Europe’s autochthonous national minorities.

While we fully respect the Court’s decision, EFA and its partners express deep concern that the European Union has once again failed to seize the opportunity to create a fairer and more inclusive society for all its citizens. This decision is not only a legal conclusion, but a political message. It signals, regrettably, that the voices of over one million European citizens, who lawfully exercised their democratic right through the European Citizens’ Initiative, can be ignored without consequence. It calls into question the European institutions’ real commitment to democratic participation, diversity, and the protection of Europe’s cultural richness.

The European Free Alliance, together with its partners in FUEN and hundreds of civil society organisations, stands firmly behind the objectives of the MSPI. Lorena López de Lacalle, EFA President and member of the Basque party Eusko Alkartasuna (EA), remarked:

“We refuse to let this judgement silence the demands of Europe’s national minorities and language communities. Their rights are not secondary, nor are they negotiable. We will not accept an EU that turns its back on its own citizens when they demand recognition, equality, and dignity. EFA will continue to fight at all political levels, local, regional, national, and European, to ensure that the rights of minorities are fully respected and legally protected.”

EFA representatives within FUEN also reacted to the Court’s decision, underlining the political dimension of the MSPI and reaffirming their ongoing commitment to the cause.

Frank de Boer, EFA Vice-President and author of the MSPI text, member of the Frisian National Party (FNP), stated:

“For the MSPI, this was the last stage of a long battle before the courts. Politically, the MSPI will remain influential. Unfortunately, today’s judgement of the European Court of Justice set a very low threshold for the motivation duty of the European Commission in their response to successful ECIs.”

Also, Anke Spoorendonk, EFA Treasurer, member of the South Schleswig Voters’ Association (SSW), emphasised the path ahead:

“This is the moment to move to the political trajectory. Our aims have not changed. We will continue.”

Their words reflect the broader sentiment shared by all involved: that the MSPI may have reached its legal conclusion, but politically and morally, its legacy lives on. The movement for minority rights in Europe is far from over. EFA and its allies will intensify their efforts within the European Parliament, national and regional assemblies, and civil society to demand real, tangible progress in the protection and promotion of national minorities and language groups.