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DEFEND CIVIL SOCIETY

A thriving civil society

The crackdown against civil society has become a reality in the EU. Repressive laws and administrative hurdles restrict the freedoms of expression, assembly, and association. We want to make sure civil society is supported and protected in the EU.

EU action to protect democracy

Civil society organisations are crucial in the fight against corruption and discrimination, and to protect the environment, social care, health and much more. They intervene as democratic antibodies when rights, democracy and the rule of law are under attack. The EU must act and safeguard civil society space in its Member States.

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Stay informed about our work on defending civil society

OUR KEY DEMANDS

To strengthen and protect civil society in the EU, we demand:

  • Minimum standards for protection of civil society organisations in all member states of the EU
  • Making cross-border cooperation easier between civil society non-profit organisations and facilitating the legal mutual recognition of non-profit organisations among national authorities by harmonising common minimum-standards on civil society organisations
  • Guaranteeing easier access to funding for non-profit organisations at European and national level
  • Creating and implementing measures to support a regular, meaningful and structured dialogue with civil society
  • Creating a statute for European cross-border associations and non-profit organisations

Study launch "Beyond Borders, Beyond Boundaries"

The impact on migrants, asylum seekers and refugees is devastating. Tunisian and Libyan authorities - which are the main beneficiaries of the funding programs - carry out human rights violations within the framework of border management activities funded by the EU-supported programs, especially in the context of sea interceptions.

Exhibition “1000 Dreams”

The interviews and photographs that make up 1000 Dreams have been produced by 50 refugees who currently reside in Europe. Every refugee storyteller went through a workshop and mentorship program, teaching them photography and interviewing skills. It’s a project about refugees, by refugees. 1000 Dreams is a project created and run by Witness Change.

A legal vacuum - the systematic criminalisation of migrants for driving a boat or car to Greece

This report aims to give new and in-depth insights about the criminalisation of people on the move for "smuggling" in Greece, analysing the current legal framework as well as its practical enforcement. It shows that instead of protecting the rights of smuggled migrants and asylum seekers, these policies criminalise them and expose them to long prison sentences

Europe, stop paying for pushbacks!

Tens of thousands asylum seekers have been brutally pushed back at Europe’s borders in the past years. The Commission grants financial support to the countries that carry out these inhumane practices through the use of European migration funds.

This has to stop. No EU money should fund these extreme human rights violations at our borders.

Urge the European Commission to act now.

OUR CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES

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Press release |

MEPs vote to protect associations and civil society in Europe

"A vibrant and lively civil society is a cornerstone for our democracy. In voting for this report, a broad majority of MEPs show they share this objective with the Greens/EFA Group. For years, profit oriented interest representations can be established but only today we elevate civil society to the European level", said Sergey Lagodinsky,…
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European Union
Hemicycle European Parliament Strasbourg
News |

Plenary Flash 11 - 14 March 2024

On the agenda this week: Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, Artificial Intelligence Act, European Media Freedom Act, Vehicle Emissions Standards, Green Claims Directive, European Cross-border Associations, Animal Welfare
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Photo by Jannik on Unsplash
Photo by Jannik on Unsplash
Press release |

Deal on migration unworkable & solidifies practices that undermine human rights

A series of deals were reached between negotiators from the European Parliament and Council on the New Pact on Migration and Asylum. "These agreements entrench outdated ideas on how to deal with migration and fail to take into account the reality at the EU’s borders both on the ground and in the sea." said Greens/EFA co-President
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Picture of Budapest - Hungary © Jaap Hart
Picture of Budapest - Hungary
Event |

5 years and counting

Safeguarding the rule of law situation in Hungary has been a long-term battle for the Greens/EFA in the European Parliament. This conference aims to take stock of what has been achieved since the 2012 Tavares report on fundamental rights in Hungary, but also, ensure that both the European Commission and the Council of the EU work in a coo…
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© SeaWatch_ChristianGohdes
Libyan cost guards and migrants
Event |

Study launch "Beyond Borders, Beyond Boundaries"

The impact on migrants, asylum seekers and refugees is devastating. Tunisian and Libyan authorities - which are the main beneficiaries of the funding programs - carry out human rights violations within the framework of border management activities funded by the EU-supported programs, especially in the context of sea interceptions.
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© SeaWatch_ChristianGohdes
Libyan coast guards and migrants
Study |

Beyond borders, beyond boundaries

The Greens/EFA in the European Parliament commissioned a study carried out by Profundo, ARCI, EuroMed Rights and Action Aid, on how EU funding is linked to human rights violations in neighbouring countries, such as Tunisia and Libya.
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Tunisia Flag / CC0 planet volumes
Tunisia Flag / CC0 planet volumes
Opinion |

The EU needs to stand up for human rights in Tunisia!

François Alfonsi Jordi Solé
Opinion by François Alfonsi & Jordi Solé
Human Rights in Tunisia have gone from bad to worse in recent years. The EU must step up its support and protection, say Greens/EFA MEPs.
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Photo by Yume Photography on Unsplash
Pillars
Press release |

Breakthrough as civil society organisations finally receive legal protection in operating across EU borders

The European Commission has published its proposal giving legal protections to civil society organisations operating across borders in the EU. The publication follows Greens/EFA Rapporteur Sergey Lagodinsky’s report. The proposal picks up long standing demands by civil society organisations to gain EU-wide protection.
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©International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Refugees boat close o the Greek islands
Press release |

Urgent need for search and rescue mission in the Mediterranean

MEPs have just voted on the need for an EU search and rescue mission in the Mediterranean. The Pylos shipwreck in Greece, which occurred on 14th June, leading to the death of over six hundred men, women and children, is a recent example of countless predictable and preventable deaths at sea. The Greens/EFA Group has long called for an EU-…
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Event |

Exhibition “1000 Dreams”

The interviews and photographs that make up 1000 Dreams have been produced by 50 refugees who currently reside in Europe. Every refugee storyteller went through a workshop and mentorship program, teaching them photography and interviewing skills. It’s a project about refugees, by refugees. 1000 Dreams is a project created and run by Witne…