Stéphane Bonifassi writing in an article published by Swiss-based French language Gotham News has reported on the possibility of Kazakh “opposition leader” Mukhtar Ablyazov, who has been in exile in France since 2013, losing the status of a political refugee granted to him in 2020. The State Council, it is reported, has just overturned this decision on the…
EU action has had little impact in advancing fundamental rule of law reforms in the Western Balkans, according to a special report published by the European Court of Auditors (ECA). Some technical and operational reforms have taken place in the region. But in a context of insufficient political will and a lack of engagement, EU…
New EU rules on digital content and on the sale of goods have entered into application. From now on, it will be easier for consumers and businesses to buy and sell digital content, digital services and goods and ‘smart goods’ across the EU. Didier Reynders, Commissioner for Justice, said: “2022 is starting off on a very positive note for…
The European Commission has tabled proposal to combat the use of shell companies for tax purposes. Comment on the issue came from Markus Ferber MEP, the EPP Group’s Spokesman in the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee. “Often the main purpose of shell companies is to facilitate aggressive tax planning or disguise beneficial ownership structures. In theory, Member…
In response to months of political interference in both the media and the judiciary, the S&D Group has urged Slovenia to change course and “lead by example when it comes to upholding the rule of law.” In a report on the rule of law in Slovenia, for the first time in Parliament’s history, MEPs have…
One of the most significant rulings in 2021, for those who keep a close eye on human rights, was the decision by the High Court of Justice inLondon that Romanian businessman Gabriel Popoviciu must not be extradited to Romania, highlighting concerns about Romania’s legal system. Popoviciu’s case drew attention to the fact that the Romania…
President Biden is approaching the first anniversary of his Presidency. Coronavirus and Afghanistan have combined to make this term an annus horribilis for the Biden administration. At home President Biden continues to be under pressure to unite the USA fraught by a divisive election in 2020 that split the country. Abroad, foreign policy risks have…
The Socialists and Democrats have called on the European Commission to keep its word and finally present a strong directive to prevent and combat all forms of violence against women and girls. The S&Ds demand that the European Union recognise violence against women and girls as a serious crime in the treaty’s catalogue of crimes with…
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged much of the globe. In mid-May 2021, the Republic of China (Taiwan) saw a sudden rise in case numbers, writes Huang Chia-lu. When Taiwan needed help the most, partners such as the United States, Japan, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland, as well as the COVAX Facility, global…
The United States had been speeding up the long and complicated process of rolling back sanctions on Sudan – including its label as a U.S.-designated state sponsor of terrorism – after Bashir was ousted in 2019. However, the seizure of power by the chairman of the Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has changed everything. His…
