The Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament have welcomed proposals from the Commission to end the use of abusive lawsuits against journalists, NGOs and civil society in the EU. In November 2021, the European Parliament called for new EU rules to stop abusive legal action intended to intimidate and silence critical voices. A large…
With the public showing unprecedented levels of solidarity with refugees fleeing war, the Socialists and Democrats in Rotterdam spoke to citizens about changing the rules on migration in the EU so that solidarity and fair-sharing of responsibility is always Europe’s first response. As part of a series of citizens debates on the Conference on the…
To turn solidarity with Ukraine into concrete action, the EESC joins the European Parliament initiative “civil society hub” for Ukraine, allowing the NGO Promote Ukraine to use part of its premises at rue de Trèves 74, along with logistical equipment. The official handover ceremony, was held at the EESC Jacques Delors building on 20 April…
On 21 May, after a two-year absence, Belgian Pride will once again be putting the LGBTI+ community in the spotlight and decorating the streets of Brussels in the colours of the rainbow. This year’s theme will be “OPEN”. A call for more inclusiveness, respect and equality for LGBTI+ people. Therefore, the watchword is openness to others,…
The European Parliament’s special COVI committee has elected Kathleen Van Brempt as its Chair, alongside four Vice-Chairs, and will commence its review of the EU’s response to the pandemic. Specifically tasked with looking into how the European response to the pandemic and the lessons learned can contribute to future action in a variety of EU…
Consumers will no longer have to buy a charger together with their new mobile device. Instead, they will be able to use their old one, thus saving money and better protecting the environment from plastic and electronic waste. This will be possible thanks to the adoption of the report on the common charger for all…
Plug-in car sales exceeded 2.27 million in 2021, showing that more and more are choosing to go electric. With the rise in petrol costs and ever-growing concerns of car emissions, how much would be making the switch to an electric vehicle save you in emissions and money? Interested in finding out, money.co.uk considered the cost…
A debate in Brussels discussed the annual report of the Council of Europe Platform for the safety of Journalists. The report, “Defending Press Freedom in Times of Tension and Conflict”, illustrates the dangers journalists face in their work both within the EU and beyond its borders. It covers issues including the impact of the war…
The Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Liudmyla Denisova addressed the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine and the expert committee, initiated by the OSCE-states in complying with the Moscow Mechanism, requesting to register the war crimes committed by the Russian army in Ukraine. “Sexual violence in armed conflict is qualified as a war…
Human Rights Without Frontiers, a Brussels-based NGO, has appealed to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim A. A. Khan QC, to hold personally accountable and prosecute Vladimir Mikhaïlovitch Goundiaïev, known as Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, for inspiring, inciting, justifying, aiding and abetting war crimes (Art. 8 of the Rome Statute) and crimes…
