Gender Based Violence: Parliament Takes a Stand

In this week’s plenary, MEPs are to vote on a crucial decision on gender-based violence (GBV).  The Greens/EFA’s Diana Riba and The Left’s Malin Björk are co-rapporteurs on an ambitious report that aims to add gender-based violence as a new area of EU crimes listed in Article 83(1) TFEU.  The Greens says that by doing so, the EU would have…

Achieving Gender Equality

Gender Equality

The European House – Ambrosetti has ccarried out a research study on women’s empowerment, shared with the Minister for Equal Opportunities and the Family Elena Bonetti. This was presented on 30 August during the first G20 Conference on women’s empowerment that took place in Santa Margherita Ligure. The results of the work and the Manifesto…

UK blocks Popoviciu’s extradition exposing “denial of fair trial rights”

Popoviciu extradition denied by British Courts

The High Court decision in London that Romanian businessman Gabriel Popoviciu must not be extradited to Romania highlighted concerns about that country’s legal system. Popoviciu’s  case exposed that the Romania legal system does not meet the standards expected of a country with membership of the European Union. The robust judgment from the appeal court went…

Bütikofer Appeals for Co-ordinated Humanitarian Action in Afghanistan

Afghanistan

German Green MEP Reinhard Bütikofer has voiced concern at the unfolding crisis in Afghanistan. The MEP, foreign policy coordinator of the Greens/EFA group, was speaking in the context of frantic international efforts to airlift as many endangered individuals as possible out of Afghanistan before August 31. Said Bütikofer “President Biden is not only encountering severe domestic criticism over his…

Oppression of the Sahrawi People by the Polisario Front: Time for Justice

Polisario child soldiers recruited from the Sahrawis

Writing in Presse Portal Nancy Huff of “Teach the Children International” tells the story of one of the greatest human rights violations of our time, the Western Sahara conflict and the role of Polisario.  The conflict seems very far away, but it is actually taking place on the doorstep of Europe and it is flaring…

How to Protect those fleeing the Taliban?

Afghan women and children fleeing the Taliban

The head of a leading NGO has voiced concern at the unfolding situation in Afghanistan. Alva Finn, Director of Social Platform told this website, “As the world watches helplessly as the horrifying situation in Afghanistan unfolds, the EU must do whatever it can to protect those fleeing the Taliban – especially women and children.” This includes:…

Giegold Calls for Protection of Afghan Employees of EU Missions

Sven Giegold MEP

German Greens MEP Sven Giegold has called on the EU to offer protection for locally employed civilians in Afghanistan. He said, “The Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan has also put the local personnel of EU missions in the country at imminent risk. At least 600 local staff and their close family members of the EU Police…

9th August: The Day a Dictator Tried to Kill Democracy, Freedom and Dignity

Democratic Revolution in Belarus

“The first anniversary of the presidential election in Belarus of 9 August 2020 will be a sad day. It will be a sad day for the people of Belarus and for the European Union. Following an unprecedented mobilisation, the people of Belarus were determined to elect a democratic president and they did, electing Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. Unfortunately, because of widespread…

European Parliament moves to withdraw Pakistan’s GSP+ status over abuse of Blasphemy Laws.

Pakistan Blasphemy Law

The European Parliament has criticised Pakistan’s controversial Blasphemy Laws and called for a review of the status quo, writes Philippe Jeune. Pakistan is a major beneficiary of the trading opportunities offered by the EU Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP).  From January 1st 2014 Pakistan has benefited from generous tariff preferences (mostly zero duties on two…

Roma Women Win Compensation in Czechia

Roma Women in Czechia

The Czech Senate has voted on a bill that recognises and foresees financial compensation for the forced sterilisation of Roma women in Czechia which took place for decades.     The European Green Party and Zelení, the Czech Green Party, said they welcome this important step in fighting discrimination against Roma communities in Czechia.  …