International Romani Day: Time to take off the blinkers
08 Apr Justice

International Romani Day: Time to take off the blinkers

Despite some positive steps towards the inclusion of Roma in the EU, the Coronavirus crisis has laid bare the stark reality of life for Roma people and this must be urgently addressed, writes Peter Pollák.
by Peter Pollák
Peace in Yemen is a real possibility
30 Mar Justice
Peace in Yemen is a real possibility
Hungary and Belgium face criticism in Amnesty International report
13 Apr Justice
Hungary and Belgium face criticism in Amnesty International report
The snail's pace progress of EU justice
02 Apr Justice
The snail's pace progress of EU justice
Frances Fitzgerald interview: Breaking down barriers
02 Mar Justice
Frances Fitzgerald interview: Breaking down barriers
A staunch defender of women’s rights, Frances Fitzgerald believes we are entering a new era of equality. She tells Lorna Hutchinson that despite recent setbacks, fresh momentum for change is building.
Policymakers to converge for high-level event on women’s rights
01 Mar Justice
Policymakers to converge for high-level event on women’s rights
Participants will include Parliament President David Sassoli, the president of Greece, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, her Commission counterpart Ursula von der Leyen and EU Equality Commissioner Helena Dalli.
Prioritising children’s rights in a pandemic
17 Feb Justice
Prioritising children’s rights in a pandemic
Protecting and strengthening the rights of children must become an integral part of EU policies, especially in the midst of the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, explains Ioan-Rareș Bogdan.
Putting children's rights at the top of the EU agenda
17 Feb Justice
Putting children's rights at the top of the EU agenda
There is an urgent need to strengthen children’s rights worldwide; the EU must take the lead in this by focusing on the rights of children in all policies, writes Bettina Vollath.
Mary Wilson Interview: Star-struck Parliament
09 Feb Justice
Mary Wilson Interview: Star-struck Parliament
On the sad news of the passing of Motown music legend Mary Wilson, we are re-publishing an interview we did with her in the European Parliament almost exactly one year ago, in which she described what it was like taking on The Beatles, being a star in segregated America and how she was continuing to inspire positive change.
Probe launched into Frontex over alleged rights violations
01 Feb Justice
Probe launched into Frontex over alleged rights violations
A working group led by MEPs in the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee will probe recent alleged violations of fundamental rights against the European Border and Coast Guard Agency.
MEPs up in arms as Polish near-total abortion ban takes effect despite mass protests
28 Jan Justice
MEPs up in arms as Polish near-total abortion ban takes effect despite mass protests
The ruling, which came into effect at midnight on Wednesday, will mean that the only grounds for accessing an abortion in the country will be in the case of rape, incest, or if there is a threat to the mother’s life.
Navalny arrest an early test for Biden
22 Jan Justice
Navalny arrest an early test for Biden
The Biden Presidency will reaffirm the importance of American leadership in Europe, but will this result in effective, united action against Russia?
Every day, hundreds of migrants embark on the perilous route from Africa to the Canary Islands, writes Juan Fernando López Aguilar
19 Jan Justice
Every day, hundreds of migrants embark on the perilous route from Africa to the Canary Islands, writes Juan Fernando López Aguilar
The lack of solidarity shown by some EU Member States in sharing migrant burden must change, says the Chair of Parliament’s Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee.
Helena Dalli interview: Striving for a Union of Equality
21 Dec Justice
Helena Dalli interview: Striving for a Union of Equality
After the Coronavirus pandemic exposed many of the inequalities still besetting our world in the twenty-first century, European Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli tells Lorna Hutchinson it’s time to double down on justice.
MEPs on potential collision course with European Commission and Member States over 'rule of law' clause
18 Dec Justice
MEPs on potential collision course with European Commission and Member States over 'rule of law' clause
European Parliament resolution insists controversial clause should be introduced ‘with immediate effect’.
Some EU governments undermined fundamental rights during pandemic, study finds
14 Dec Justice
Some EU governments undermined fundamental rights during pandemic, study finds
The report, commissioned by Greens MEPs Terry Reintke and Tineke Strik, says that a number of EU governments have “brazenly” used the pandemic as an excuse to curtail rights such as free speech, peaceful assembly and freedom of association.
EU strikes Compromise agreement with Hungary and Poland over next long term budget
11 Dec Justice
EU strikes Compromise agreement with Hungary and Poland over next long term budget
Business groups welcome long-awaited deal, but critics call ‘rule of law’ compromise a ‘capitulation’.
MEPs tell EU leaders that bloc's values are ‘non-negotiable’ as summit kicks off
10 Dec Justice
MEPs tell EU leaders that bloc's values are ‘non-negotiable’ as summit kicks off
A petition, signed by 27 deputies from various groups, also urges leaders not to accept blackmailing from Poland and Hungary.
Human Rights Day: Women's rights are human rights
10 Dec Justice
Human Rights Day: Women's rights are human rights
The rights of women are under threat of being rolled back in the shadow of COVID-19 and ultra-conservative governments. Lorna Hutchinson reports.
Hungarian and Polish citizens sign petition supporting rule of law conditionality
09 Dec Justice
Hungarian and Polish citizens sign petition supporting rule of law conditionality
Over 300,000 people in Hungary and Poland have given their support to the mechanism, which binds future EU funding to respect for the rule of law and fundamental rights.
Alexei Navalny joins MEPs in welcoming European Magnitsky Act
08 Dec Justice
Alexei Navalny joins MEPs in welcoming European Magnitsky Act
The new mechanism was adopted on Monday by EU foreign affairs ministers and paves the way for an easier and faster procedure for joint EU sanctions against human rights abuses.
MEP slams EU’s failure to sanction Hungary and Poland for alleged rule of law violations
07 Dec Justice
MEP slams EU’s failure to sanction Hungary and Poland for alleged rule of law violations
Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, French Greens/EFA deputy Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield partly blamed the Commission for what she says is a failure to act fully against both countries.
MEPs say József Szájer case highlights ‘hypocrisy’ of Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party
03 Dec Justice
MEPs say József Szájer case highlights ‘hypocrisy’ of Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party
They also say that the highly publicised affair should “shine a light” on current anti-LGBTI policies in Hungary.
Iratxe García Pérez Interview: Things can only get better
27 Nov Justice
Iratxe García Pérez Interview: Things can only get better
This year has forever changed Europe. Iratxe García Pérez tells Lorna Hutchinson that what the EU rebuilds, post-pandemic, will have a stronger foundation of social justice, equality and sustainability.
‘The Poland of 2020 is a hell for women’: MEPs slam Polish abortion ban
26 Nov Justice
‘The Poland of 2020 is a hell for women’: MEPs slam Polish abortion ban
Wednesday’s plenary session saw an emotionally-charged debate in which many deputies lambasted Poland’s recent decision to impose a near-total ban on abortion in the country.
Stop the ‘shadow pandemic’ of violence against women
25 Nov Justice
Stop the ‘shadow pandemic’ of violence against women
To mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, buildings and landmarks are being bathed in orange light to raise awareness of and galvanise action for 16 Days of Activism.
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women: Zero tolerance
25 Nov Justice
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women: Zero tolerance
Tackling the scourge of domestic violence requires male champions to join women in saying that gender-based violence is never acceptable, writes Frances Fitzgerald.
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women: Time for men to take a stand
25 Nov Justice
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women: Time for men to take a stand
Sylwia Spurek and her partner Dr. Marcin Anaszewicz believe men must join the campaign to eliminate gender-based violence. They tell Lorna Hutchinson that with men on board the anti-violence message can truly resonate.