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
Development policy: engaging the world on equal footing
10 Jul Justice
Development policy: engaging the world on equal footing
Development is not something achieved through economic means alone, it’s about learning from each other’s experiences, argues Norbert Neuser.
Spate of burglaries hit European Parliament during Coronavirus lockdown
06 Jul Justice
Spate of burglaries hit European Parliament during Coronavirus lockdown
The crime spree appears to have taken place mainly while the building was effectively empty, with thieves accessing “sensitive” papers and breaking into secure cupboards in MEPs’ offices.
A history of violence
06 Jul Justice
A history of violence
Sharing her own recent experience of police harassment, Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana says there is an urgent need to address police brutality, accountability and over policing.
French Armed Forces Minister makes plea for ‘properly financed’ European Defence Fund
06 Jul Justice
French Armed Forces Minister makes plea for ‘properly financed’ European Defence Fund
Speaking to MEPs, Florence Parly said the EDF, a new EU defence initiative, could be “an important tool for economic recovery” from the pandemic.
Evin Incir: Enough is Enough
06 Jul Justice
Evin Incir: Enough is Enough
The death of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter protests have thrust racism back into the spotlight. Evin Incir tells Lorna Hutchinson that it’s time for policymakers to move from words to action and make full use of the momentum behind this crucial rights issue
The Rebel Queen
02 Jul Justice
The Rebel Queen
This year, in the wake of our global reckoning with racism, Independence Day should also be a day for reflecting on all people of African descent who fought for their right to be free from slavery and oppression, yet who have been deliberately erased from history.
Europol reports 106 percent increase in child sexual exploitation
01 Jul Justice
Europol reports 106 percent increase in child sexual exploitation
The EU’s police agency says there has been a “surge” in online distribution of child sexual abuse material during the Coronavirus pandemic.
German EU presidency urged to ‘show an interest’ in bloc at time of unprecedented challenges
26 Jun Justice
German EU presidency urged to ‘show an interest’ in bloc at time of unprecedented challenges
Germany takes over the rotating presidency from Croatia on 1 July, against a backdrop of crises, including the Coronavirus pandemic, Brexit and the still-unapproved long-term EU budget.
Conference on Future of Europe is chance to achieve ‘more democratic, legitimate and effective Union’
25 Jun Justice
Conference on Future of Europe is chance to achieve ‘more democratic, legitimate and effective Union’
Senior MEP Danuta Hübner was speaking after MEPs adopted a resolution calling for the much-delayed conference to start as soon as possible.
EU responded ‘poorly’ to Coronavirus crisis, survey shows
25 Jun Justice
EU responded ‘poorly’ to Coronavirus crisis, survey shows
The poll says that “majorities in all countries” complained that the EU “did not rise to the challenge” - this includes 63 percent in Italy and 61 percent in France, two of the worst-hit countries.
Eastern Partnership in review
25 Jun Justice
Eastern Partnership in review
The initiative has brought concrete benefits for both the EU and its eastern neighbourhood, and engagement with the six partner countries remains a key priority, writes Neighbourhood and Enlargement Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi.
Could a successful Eastern Partnership encourage Russia to reform?
25 Jun Justice
Could a successful Eastern Partnership encourage Russia to reform?
We need some courageous EU policymaking to ensure our Eastern partners can become free, united and democratic, argues Witold Jan Waszczykowski.
European Commission says GDPR has met ‘most of its objectives’
24 Jun Justice
European Commission says GDPR has met ‘most of its objectives’
The verdict comes on the second anniversary of the landmark General Data Protection Regulation, the flagship EU law designed to protect personal data.
Europol voices concern over ‘worrying’ rise in violence and propaganda by right-wing extremists
24 Jun Justice
Europol voices concern over ‘worrying’ rise in violence and propaganda by right-wing extremists
The warning comes in a report by the EU agency which was presented to members of Parliament’s Civil Liberties Committee on Tuesday.
EU leaders accused of ‘failing to act’ to combat institutional and structural racism
23 Jun Justice
EU leaders accused of ‘failing to act’ to combat institutional and structural racism
The condemnation, from a leading NGO, comes in the wake of an official complaint by black MEP Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana who said she had been a victim of alleged police violence by officers in Brussels.
Danger behind closed doors
23 Jun Justice
Danger behind closed doors
Domestic abuse call lines have been inundated during lockdown. It’s time to eradicate violence in our communities once and for all, argues Frances Fitzgerald.
Dominic Cummings “is calling the shots” in the British government, says senior MEP
22 Jun Justice
Dominic Cummings “is calling the shots” in the British government, says senior MEP
The controversial political strategist has served as chief adviser to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson since July 2019.
Chrysoula Zacharopoulou interview: Célébrer la diversité
22 Jun Justice
Chrysoula Zacharopoulou interview: Célébrer la diversité
Tout être humain a le droit de vivre dans la dignité et de s’épanouir, indépendamment de sa couleur de peau, de son genre, de son handicap, de son appartenance ethnique ou de son orientation sexuelle. Chrysoula Zacharopoulou défend auprès de Lorna Hutchinson la nécessité de porter ces valeurs européennes fondatrices.
GDPR in review
22 Jun Justice
GDPR in review
The privacy law has cemented the role of the EU as the world leader on data protection, but there are still enforcement challenges that need to be overcome, explains Jeroen Lenaers.
Boris Johnson told to follow up on his demand to ‘put a tiger in the tank' of stalled Brexit talks
19 Jun Justice
Boris Johnson told to follow up on his demand to ‘put a tiger in the tank' of stalled Brexit talks
European Parliament’s UK Coordination Group deputies warn ‘level playing field’ is an EU red line issue.
A Juneteenth like no other
19 Jun Justice
A Juneteenth like no other
This year’s US Emancipation Proclamation celebrations come against a backdrop of anger and protest following the killing of George Floyd, explains Pauline Manos & the Democrats Abroad Belgium community.
Josep Borrell singles out China for disinformation campaign against the West
18 Jun Justice
Josep Borrell singles out China for disinformation campaign against the West
Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs said that China, and to a lesser extent, Russia, had “participated in this” during the ongoing health crisis.
‘Legendary British pragmatism’ will secure trade deal with EU by year end, says senior MEP
18 Jun Justice
‘Legendary British pragmatism’ will secure trade deal with EU by year end, says senior MEP
The co-author of a parliamentary report on Brexit said this is still the likely scenario despite “four years of drama and the UK painfully coming to grips” with its EU exit.
MEPs looking for clear message from EU leaders’ summit later this week
18 Jun Justice
MEPs looking for clear message from EU leaders’ summit later this week
Senior EU parliamentarians looking for national governments to move forward on crucial issues such as Rule of law, financing, Coronavirus recovery and future of Europe.