The European Parliament is set to fine a dozen of members who were involved in the noisy protest in the chamber in Strasbourg in December.
A warning was issued that some of the 100-plus deputies involved in the "noisy demonstration" against the EU reform treaty may have their daily 279 euro (about 403 U.S. dollars) allowance withheld for up to 10 days, a report from the parliament website said Wednesday.
Scores of MEPs from several countries unfurled banners emblazoned with the word "Referendum" during the signing of the charter of fundamental rights on Dec. 12, urging national referenda of the Lisbon Treaty.
A final decision on possible disciplinary action, which might also include a formal reprimand, will be taken by the parliament's president Hans-Gert Poettering after about a dozen deputies appear before him, probably later this month, the report said.
The warning attracted criticism by some MEPs.
French MEP Bruno Gollnisch, one of those involved in the incident, described it as "absolutely ridiculous," warning that he would refuse to comply with any sanction.
"The thing which caused all the problems and noise was the president's decision to send in ushers to remove our banners. There was no aggression from me or any of the other demonstrators, who simply wanted to protest at the failure to hold referendums on the reform treaty," Gollnisch was quoted by the website as saying.
"We were simply responding to a series of one-sided debates on the treaty. The real problem here is that minority groups within parliament are not allowed to express an opinion," he said.
"This move by parliament's president does not surprise me because he clearly does not believe in opposition of any kind," echoed British MEP Nigel Farage, joint leader of the Independence/Democracy group.
"As far as he is concerned, there is one view and his view is the right one. He will stop at nothing to silence his critics."
"This was a perfectly legitimate demonstration against the EU's dishonesty on the whole treaty issue."
Leaders of EU nations signed the Lisbon treaty, designed to improve efficiency of the enlarged bloc, on Dec. 13 and it is likely to go into force in early 2009 after national ratification.
A majority of the EU nations will not ratify the treaty through referendum.
Source: Xinhua
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