Citizens

Concerns over situation in Catalonia

Statement from EFA MEPs J-M Terricabras & Jordi Solé (Catalonia)

The European Parliament has this week heard concerns about the situation in Catalonia following the independence referendum held on 1 October. The Spanish authorities are preparing to suspend the democratically elected Catalan government and impose direct rule from Madrid. Two civil society leade...

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Office of the Prime Minister of Malta — Frank Vincentz (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Malta’s government must step down

Murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia

Following the horrible murder of the Maltese journalist and blogger, Daphne Caruana Galizia, Green MEPs Eva Joly and Sven Giegold call for the resignation of the Maltese government over its failure to properly investigate allegations of money laundering.

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European Parliament calls for urgent action to protect those who reveal public interest information

Whistleblowers

There is an urgent need for effective protection for whistleblowers at EU level. That is the key demand of a report from the European Parliament’s Legal Affairs committee, which won the backing of the majority of the MEPs today.

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European Parliament votes for improvements of the Dublin System

Common European Asylum Policy

We need an asylum policy that better reflects the needs of applicants. Family ties, social and cultural connections and language can all have a big impact on people’s ability to integrate into their new community.

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EU Parliament wants strong data protection for WhatsApp & Co

ePrivacy Regulation

"With few exceptions, internet companies and communication providers should only be able to use the data of users with their consent. Users must be able to trust that their surfing and communication behaviour will not be evaluated or passed on," says Greens/EFA MEP Jan Philipp Albrecht.

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Refugee Camp Lebanon — Worldbank (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Dublin System reforms will ensure greater solidarity

Asylum

The European Parliament’s Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee has voted on the reforms to the Dublin System, which sets out the criteria for which Member State should examine an asylum claim.

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EU should strengthen air passenger rights

Ryanair cancellations

A plenary debate is taking place on the cancellations of flights by Ryanair and the enforcement of the regulation on air passenger rights. Greens/EFA MEP and Chair of the Committee on Transport and Tourism, Karima Delli, comments ahead of the debate.

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Automatic filters are not the solution

Digital Summit

“The European Commission's idea that complex questions of internet policy can be solved with automated filtering tools is misguided and dangerous," says Julia Reda, Greens/EFA spokesperson for digital policy. Her comments come ahead of the first Digital Summit of Heads of State and Government on Friday 29 September, in Tallinn.

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End to program must not mean end of relocation

Relocation of refugees

The EU’s refugee relocation program is about to expire. The relocation of refugees in Europe must continue. We Greens have long demanded a permanent distribution system. The ongoing reform of the Dublin system offers a historic opportunity. We must use it to ensure there is solidarity in European asylum and refugee policy on a long-term basis.

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MEPs call for dialogue in Catalan situation

Press release from EFA MEPs J-M Terricabras & Jordi Solé

Nearly 50 MEPs from across the political spectrum have today signed a letter to Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy 'to express our deep concern regarding the situation in Catalonia, which has reached a critical point.' The MEPs are critical of the 'repressive actions' of the Spa...

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Catalonia is under siege

Press release from EFA MEPs J-M Terricabras & Jordi Solé (Catalonia)

Catalan MEPs have written to all members of the European Commission and MEPs following today's attack on Catalan democracy by Spanish armed police. Spain's Guardia Civil raided several Catalan ministries, arresting members of the government, ahead of Catalonia's independence referendu...

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Spain must comply with EU fundamental rights charter

Press release from EFA MEPs J-M Terricabras & Jordi Solé

Catalan Greens/EFA MEPs Josep-Maria Terricabras and Jordi Solé have written to the Chair of the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs to protest the political and judicial persecution by Spanish authorities against politicians, media, civil servants ...

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