The impact of Brexit in relation to the right to petition and on the competences, responsibilities and activities of the Committee on Petitions

Upon request by the PETI Committee of the European Parliament, this study considered issues raised in petitions to the European Parliament by citizens concerned about the way Brexit would impact on their rights. In particular, it first looked at the changes that Brexit would determine in relation to voting rights, the right to petition, the right to apply to the European Ombudsman and the European Citizens’ Initiative.

It then focused at length on the way Brexit would affect UK citizens in the EU-27, and EU citizens living in the UK. In this respect, it consideredvchallenges and risks for both citizens who have resided in the EU-27 or the UK for less than 5 years, and for those who have already acquired the right to permanent residence at the time of Brexit.

Note that in April 2018 the EPRS published an update report called Update of the study on The impact of Brexit in relation to the right to petition and on the competences, responsibilities and activities of the Committee on Petitions. In particular, this analysis considered the citizens’ part of the Draft Withdrawal Agreement (DWA) which was agreed between the UK and the EU on 19 March 2018 and endorsed by the European Council on 23 March 2018. It highlights those situations that might remain unprotected by the Draft Withdrawal Agreement. The update was limited to examining the right to reside of EU-27 and UK citizens post Brexit.

• Primary Source

European Parliament: Directorate-General for Internal Policies of the Union: Publications available via the EU Bookshop http://bookshop.europa.eu/en/directorate-general-for-internal-policies-of-the-union-cbf.cKABstF7wAAAEjwYYY4e5K/

ESO: Background information: The impact and consequences of Brexit on acquired rights of EU citizens living in the UK and British citizens living in the EU-27 (EPRS: Study April 2017) http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-impact-and-consequences-of-brexit-on-acquired-rights-of-eu-citizens-living-in-the-uk-and-british-citizens-living-in-the-eu-27/

European Parliament: European Parliamentary Research Service: Study, June 2017: The impact of Brexit in relation to the right to petition and on the competences, responsibilities and activities of the Committee on Petitions http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2017/583154/IPOL_STU(2017)583154_EN.pdf

ESO: Background information: Brexit: what impact on those currently exercising free movement rights? http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-what-impact-on-those-currently-exercising-free-movement-rights/

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

European Parliament: European Parliamentary Research Service: In-Depth Analysis, April 2018: Update of the study on The impact of Brexit in relation to the right to petition and on the competences, responsibilities and activities of the Committee on Petitions http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/IDAN/2018/604959/IPOL_IDA(2018)604959_EN.pdf

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