Priority

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...

Read

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...

Read

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 ...

Read

Defending democratic rights in Catalonia

Press release from EFA MEP Jill Evans

Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans has co-signed a question to the European Commission condemning the actions of the Spanish government in trying to prevent Catalonia's forthcoming independence referendum. It follows reports that Spain's prosecutor general has threatened 712 democratically electe...

en | cy

Read

EU must defend freedom of expression in Spain

Press release from EFA MEP J-M Terricabras (Catalunya)

Catalan MEP Josep-Maria Terricabras has called upon the European Commission to defend the right to freedom of expression in Spain and to mediate with the Spanish Government in respect of Catalonia's forthcoming referendum on independence. He addressed his remarks directly to European Commissi...

Read

Passenger data agreements need to be revised

Opinion of the European Court of Justice

The European Court of Justice has today presented its opinion on the compatibility of the EU-Canada Passenger Name Record data agreement (PNR) with EU law. The judges stated that the agreement should must be concluded in its present form, singling out in particular the long-term storage of pass...

en | de

Read

MEPs sharply criticize human rights violations in Turkey

Turkey

“The clear criticism on President Erdogan is also a clear message to those Turkish people who are standing up against the authoritarian course of the Turkish president," says Greens/EFA co-president, Ska Keller.

en | de | fr

Read

More accessible books available for blind and visually impaired people

Marrakesh Treaty

The European Parliament has approved the final deal on the implementation of the Marrakesh treaty in the EU. The treaty makes exceptions to some copyright rules for books and other materials in accessible formats for people who are blind or visually impaired (such as audiobooks, large print, and braille).

en | de | fr

Read

Anti-terror measures must not put fundamental rights at risk

New parliamentary committee on terrorism

The Greens/EFA group has ensured that the new committee will carefully assess the effects of security measures on fundamental rights.

en | de | fr

Read

Political groups block lobby transparency

Lobbying Transparency Register

Citizens have a right to know which lobbyists politicians have met in the process of creating a law. Regrettably, such a binding legislative footprint was not included in today's mandate. The objectors to mandatory lobby transparency will use the protection of their free mandate as a fig leaf.

en | fr | de

Read

Defending the rights of Breton Speakers

EFA Press Release from Jill Evans MEP (Wales)

Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans and UDB (Breton Democratic Union), both members of the European Free Alliance (EFA) stand together to defend the rights of four Breton activists who had participated in the struggle against France's 'Labour Law'. Many people in Brittany have fought this law,...

Read

EU Parliament debates current situation

Turkey

Talks on Turkey's accession to the EU should remain frozen until Turkey returns to democracy and substantially improves its approach to human rights, says Greens/EFA co-president, Ska Keller.

en | de | fr

Read