Rights and freedoms

Impact of Covid-19 measures on democracy, fundamental rights & rule of law

Quote from Sergey Lagodinsky

The Covid crisis must not be used as an excuse by governments to encroach on peoples' rights and the rule of law. The true test of a democracy is how well it fares in a crisis and this year has shown that some EU governments are all too quick to undermine the rule of law and European values.

Rule of law mechanism deal reached

Quotes from Terry Reintke MEP & Daniel Freund MEP

Negotiators from the European Parliament, Commission and Council have just agreed on a deal on an EU rule of law mechanism. "This mechanism is not as strong as the European Parliament wanted and it will be a challenge, but we can make it work. The Parliament will keep the pressure up to defend the rule of law. " said Greens/EFA opinion rapporteur Terry Reintke

Feminist Foreign and Security Policy presentation by Ernest Urtasun

Time for the EU to give women a voice and a seat in foreign and security policy! Our MEPs Hannah Neumann and Ernest Urtasun want to ensure women's equal representation and involvement in political leadership and decision making.

A Greens/EFA take on the plenary session

19-23 October

Greens/EFA priorities for the plenary week included the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), Digital Services Act, Artificial Intelligence, deforestation, gender equality in EU’s foreign and security policy, the state of the Energy Union, the Energy Charter Treaty, serious security threats through the sale of EU passports and visas and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

Poland - Constitutional Tribunal ruling on abortion

Quote from Dr Sylwia Spurek MEP

Today, the Polish Constitutional Tribunal has just announced a ruling that will see cracking down on abortion rights in Poland, effectively banning abortion in this country. Poland has one of the strictest abortion laws in Europe and the worst access to contraceptives on the continent. Polish legisl...

It is time to act for women and LGTBI rights in Poland

You are not alone

The Greens/EFA group is in solidarity with Polish women and those standing up for fundamental rights. We want to say: You're not alone!

Put rights and freedoms at the centre of the upcoming Digital Services Act

A blog by MEPs Alexandra Geese, Patrick Breyer and Marcel Kolaja.

The farming population is in freefall, with Europe having lost 50% of its farmers in 20 years. Consumers are demanding healthier food produced as close to home as possible.

Gender equality in EU's foreign and security policy

Info mail on the report by Greens/EFA MEP Urtasun

"The European Parliament will adopt the first-ever report calling on gender equality in EU’s foreign and security policy. While several countries around the world have already adopted a foreign policy with a strong focus on gender equality, the EU continues to lack one. This is why we call on the EU and its leaders to promote a gender transformative vision of foreign policy that protects and promotes women’s human rights" said the rapporteur

European Parliament votes to overhaul business model of internet platforms

Digital Services Act

The reports on the EU Digital Services Act have been adopted by a large majority. MEPs voted for the European Commission to provide a clear legal framework for online platforms, to set out guidelines for dealing with indications of illegal content and to end the arbitrary blocking and deletion of content by online platforms.

Commission launches proceedings against Malta & Cyprus

Golden passports: quote from Sven Giegold MEP

Today, the European Commission announced that it is launching infringement proceedings against Malta and Cyprus over their programmes that sell citizenship through investment or real estate purchases. This follows on from revelations by Al Jazeera that showed links between...

UN Human Rights Council vote

Quotes from Reinhard Bütikofer MEP & Hannah Neumann MEP

Today, the United Nations Human Rights Council will elect 15 new members in a secret ballot. The 15 countries will be chosen later today by the UN General Assembly to sit on the 47 nation council. The new members will serve for three years from January. China, Saudi Arabia and Russia are vying for p...

Bulgaria: Rule of law report

Quotes from Ska Keller MEP and Daniel Freund MEP

Members of the European Parliament have just voted (Thurs. 8 Oct.) on a report on the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights in Bulgaria, following widespread protests over a series of corruption scandals tied to the country's political elite.