Defending Human Rights in Pakistan

Photo by Colin Lloyd on Unsplash

Photo by Colin Lloyd on Unsplash The EU has been urged to review its policy towards Pakistan due to an alleged rise in human rights abuses in the country. The demand was made at a conference in Brussels on Monday organised by Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF). Moderator, Willy Fautre, director of HRWF, a respected Brussels-based rights group,…

Promoting Plant Based Drinks

Photo by Brenda Godinez on Unsplash

Photo by Brenda Godinez on Unsplash The European Parliament has been accused of “missing an opportunity” to acknowledge the need to include plant-based milks in the EU scheme subsidising school meals.  In their vote ahead of the expected EU proposal, awaited for the end of the year, deputies were accused of “showing once again very low ambition to allow…

New Report on the Impact of Brexit

Photo by John Cameron on Unsplash

Photo by John Cameron on Unsplash British citizens living abroad together with EU citizens and others who have made the UK their home before Brexit are poised to tell their stories as part of a Lancaster University project. As a Finnish woman living in the UK reported to the research team: “If the festivities had taken place before…

Stop the Abuse of Spyware by Security Forces

Photo by Sigmund on Unsplash

Photo by Sigmund on Unsplash MEPs are due to vote in favour of the final report of an inquiry committee on Pegasus and similar spyware (PEGA), calling for the EU regulation that stops the abuse of spyware by member states. They say that spying on political opponents, journalists or lawyers is illegal and against fundamental EU values. When…

How to Spend the May Holidays

Photo by T S on Unsplash

Photo by T S on Unsplash May is the month with the most public holidays of the year in Belgium so what better excuse for a short break? There are no less than four bank holidays during the month and, with summer still a little way off, it’s a good chance to enjoy a short break to recharge…

UAE Making Strides on Human Rights

Photo by Ryan Miglinczy on Unsplash

Photo by Ryan Miglinczy on Unsplash A Coalition of Non-governmental organisations has praised UAE under the leadership of President Bin Zayed, on making big strides on human rights, writes Manel Msalmi.  The United Arab Emirates will present its universal periodic review to the United Nations on May 8th , 2023.During its review, the UAE will explain the developments and efforts…

Policy By Numbers

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash Former UK Prime Ministers Clement Attlee and Margaret Thatcher had different visions for the country in their very different times, and each left a lasting legacy.  Today in France President Macron knows it is important to modernise the outdated pension system and has determined to achieve reform. The French people are not…

Uzbekistan Referendum Approves New Constitution

Photo by aboodi vesakaran on Unsplash

Photo by aboodi vesakaran on Unsplash In a 84.54% turnout for a nation-wide referendum held on 30 April, the people of Uzbekistan have voted by a margin of 90.2% according to the preliminary results to approve a wide-ranging series of constitutional reforms. This commits the country to the rule of law, greater protection of human rights, ethnic and…