Justice Prevailed

12 March 2025 marked the end of a long and painful four-year legal journey.

The Court of the European Union ruled in my favour, acknowledging that my fundamental right of defence was violated, and that the sanctions imposed for alleged moral harassment must be annulled.

Throughout this process, I was denied access to key evidence, not allowed to be accompanied by a lawyer, and I was silenced, while the accusations continued to be relayed in the press. The Parliament’s administration formally warned me — by email and official letter — that I was not allowed to speak publicly about the matter. I had nothing to hide — all I asked for was transparency.

I stood up because I believe in justice — and justice prevailed.

Read the full press release here.

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PRESS RELEASE

Luxembourg, 12 March 2025

The European Union acknowledges the blatant violation of my rights of

defence. The sanctions against me have been annulled.

To the press,

The General Court of the European Union, in its judgment today (CURIA - Documents),

annulled the sanctions imposed on me by the European Parliament, on the grounds that my

rights of defence were seriously violated by this institution — an institution that is,

nonetheless, meant to uphold fundamental rights within the European Union.

Today marks the end of a four-year legal journey, marked by suffering in the face of unjust

accusations and relentless targeting by the Advisory Committee responsible for examining

harassment complaints concerning Members of the European Parliament. The actions of this

committee have rightly been strongly condemned by the Court.

I initiated this procedure because of my deep belief in justice and in the rights enshrined in

the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union — rights that must apply to

everyone, including elected representatives, and must also be upheld within the very

institutions tasked with defending them.

At the heart of my case lies Article 48 of the Charter, which guarantees the right of defence:

“Respect for the rights of the defence of anyone who has been charged shall be guaranteed.”

I took this legal step because I believe that the European Parliament denied me this right —

the right to defend myself fully, fairly, and with the necessary legal support.

During the procedure, the Parliament denied me the right to be accompanied by a lawyer. It

denied me full access to the evidence used against me. The Advisory Committee ignored my

comments. At the same time, unverified rumours were treated as facts, and I was never allowed to be

heard in the presence of my lawyer.

More seriously still: I was silenced, while the accusations continued to be relayed in the press.

The Parliament’s administration formally warned me — by email and official letter — that I

was not allowed to speak publicly about the matter. I had nothing to hide — all I asked for was

transparency.

I am relieved and proud that the Court has recognised what I have always stood for:

fundamental rights must be respected within the European institutions themselves — not only

declared externally.

To the Parliament, to President Metsola, I now reach out. I offer my support to reform these

procedures — with training for new MEPs, clearer responsibilities, and safeguards to ensure

that everyone, whether staff or elected officials, is treated with fairness and dignity.

My goal was never to fight the institution, but to fight for it — to shed light on procedures that

are in urgent need of reform.

I have great respect for President Roberta Metsola and her commitment to the values of the

European Union. I sincerely invite her to a personal exchange. I would be honoured to

contribute to improving internal procedures — including by supporting new MEPs, clarifying

roles, and strengthening safeguards.

On a personal level, I have paid a heavy price for the failings of the Advisory Committee and

later the Parliament’s services, which effectively gagged me. It is clear that the media

campaigns, based on leaks from this Committee combined with the breaches of my rights of

defence, have harmed my work as an MEP and prevented my re-election.

I will now consult my lawyer on the issue of seeking redress for this damage.

The European Parliament must become a better workplace — a place where everyone’s rights

are respected, trust is protected, and dignity is preserved.

My dignity and honour were irreparably tarnished, even if today’s ruling by the General Court

of the European Union restores some of that dignity.

Monica Semedo

Former Member of the European Parliament

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