Clamps on rights concern EU exec

BRUSSELS — The European Union’s top official urged member countries Tuesday to respect the bloc’s core values amid fears that restrictions imposed by some national governments to combat the novel coronavirus pandemic could erode democracy and restrict human rights across the continent.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen acknowledged the need for emergency measures as reported virus-related deaths approached 30,000 in Europe, but she reminded EU members that they need to respect values such as the rule of law and human rights.

Von der Leyen’s comments came a day after Hungary’s parliament approved a bill giving Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government extraordinary powers with no end date in response to the pandemic.

Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes’ Cabinet also has been granted authority to govern by decree without parliamentary involvement for six months. French lawmakers passed a law increasing the prime minister’s powers, a move harshly criticized by a magistrates’ union and the human-rights league.

In many other European countries, the suspension of freedoms, including the right to demonstrate, to gather and to circulate freely, has raised fears that temporary policies might be extended to last beyond exceptional lockdowns.

“It is of utmost importance that emergency measures are not at the expense of our fundamental principles and values,” von der Leyen said.

Orban has insisted that the country’s parliament will decide when the government’s extraordinary authority should end.

“I don’t have the power to extend anything,” Orban said. “When parliament decides that the state of emergency is over, then everything will be over and life will return to the normal lawmaking order.”

Von der Leyen said the European Commission would monitor “in a spirit of cooperation” the application of emergency laws adopted in EU nations.

“We all need to work together to master this crisis. On this path, we will uphold our European values and human rights. This is who we are, and this is what we stand for,” she said.