Freedom of thought
Rise in attacks on journalists in Serbia prompts concerns for press freedom
Over the past year, 102 cases of pressure and attacks on journalists and other media professionals have been documented in Serbia. What is particularly worrisome is the upward trend in the number of such cases in the EU candidate country.
Hungary takes aim at ‘Soros man’ Timmermans
Hungary will not take part in this week’s European Parliament debate on the rule of law in the country, a government spokesperson said on Monday (28 January) and insisted that Commission First Vice President Frans Timmermans, who deals with this issue, should be suspended in the run-up to the European elections.
Austria’s far-right puts into question international rights conventions
Austria’s far-right Interior Minister Herbert Kickl was accused by the opposition of threatening the rule of law Wednesday (23 January) after he appeared to call into question Austria’s commitment to international rights conventions. In comments on Austrian public television on Tuesday evening Kickl,...
Polish state company makes eyes to newspaper group Ruch
State-run oil firm PKN Orlen has offered liquidity to newspaper distributor Ruch ahead of a possible plan to take over the company, two sources familiar with the matter said.
Russian MPs prolong payments freeze to Council of Europe
Russia's parliament voted Thursday (17 January) against sending delegates or paying contributions to the Council of Europe, increasing the risk of ultimate exclusion from the rights body and the European Court of Human Rights.
German AfD: Decision to monitor party ‘bizarre’, lacks substance
The German intelligence service is keeping an eye on comments made by AfD politicians from now on. The party is to be examined for contemptuous behaviour. It is now up to the party whether it will be observed. EURACTIV Germany reports.
RSF slams jail sentence for Montenegro reporter on drug charges
An award-winning investigative reporter was sentenced to 1.5 years in prison in Montenegro on drug trafficking charges on Tuesday (15 January), in a ruling slammed by media watchdog RSF as a "disturbing set-back" for press freedom.
Street rallies for and against government expected in Serbia this week
Serbian citizens are set to rally on the streets almost daily in the coming week, both those unhappy with the state of affairs in the Balkan country and those who want to show support for visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Cambodian PM blackmails EU, threatens to exterminate the opposition
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday (14 January) threatened to retaliate against the opposition if the European Union withdraws duty-free trading access over human rights concerns.
No EU ambassadors attend Maduro’s second term inauguration
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Thursday (10 January) begins a new term that critics dismiss as illegitimate, with the economy in free fall and the country more isolated than ever. The 56-year-old leader will be sworn in at 1400 GMT by the...
Far-right policies see Italy’s democracy ranking plummet
The policies of Italy's anti-immigrant and anti-establishment government which came to power last June have torpedoed the country's global democracy ranking, a think tank said Wednesday (9 January).
Freedom of expression in Croatia under assault over ‘mental anguish’
Croatian media will remember 2018 for a very high number of often bizarre court convictions for libel in favour of state officials. It appears that 2019 will not be any better. EURACTIV Croatia reports.
Human rights violations in Egypt: EU must speak out!
The EU should be aware of plans to amend the Egyptian Constitution that could extend the power of the President indefinitely, showing the true intentions of an authoritarian state, writes Wahid Al-Asmar.
Hungary protests spark opposition coalition – but will it last?
Week-long protests in Budapest have forged fragmented opposition parties into a rare coalition against Viktor Orbán, drawing young Hungarians into the streets to demonstrate against what they see as his increasingly authoritarian rule.
Opposition MPs ejected from Hungary state TV after protest
Security guards ejected two independent lawmakers from Hungary's state television building on Monday (17 December) after they tried to read out a petition, a day after police used tear gas against pro-democracy protesters in Budapest.
Demand grows to beef up EU’s religious freedom envoy
The fragile status of the EU’s special envoy on religious freedom is an unlikely topic of conjecture in the months leading up to next May’s European elections.
Chaos as Hungarian MPs pass ‘slave law’ and government-controlled court
Rare scenes of chaos gripped the Hungarian parliament Wednesday (12 December) as it passed a controversial judicial reform, as well as labour legislation that critics call a "slave law".
The Brief – The show must go on
The first reports of the Strasbourg shooting attack arrived on smartphones just as EU staff were heading to dinners and pre-Christmas parties. The European Parliament immediately triggered its emergency containment procedure and turned into a bunker, grids lowered, doors locked.
Poland increasingly deporting activists from COP24
Poland has already deported 14 people from Central Europe since the beginning of COP24, including two members of the Georgian delegation. Many NGOs are questioning the legality of these bans on entering Polish territory. EURACTIV France reports.
Commission to determine EU tariffs on Myanmar, Cambodia rice
EU countries failed on Tuesday (4 December) to determine whether to impose tariffs on rice coming from Cambodia and Myanmar from the start of next year to curb a surge in imports, leaving the European Commission to take the final decision.
Will European Parliament truly stand up for all people persecuted worldwide?
On 6 December, the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee will vote an important report for people who are mistreated, discriminated or persecuted for their beliefs worldwide, writes Giulio Ercolessi. At stake here is whether the EU will step up for everyone whose human rights are violated worldwide, including non-believers.
Cambodia eases pressure on opposition, media after EU sanctions threat
Cambodia’s parliament is reviewing a five-year ban on more than 100 members of the main opposition party, which could allow them to return to politics, following threats by the European Union to deny duty-free trading access to the Southeast Asian...
Soros-funded university says it is being forced out of Hungary
Hungary's Central European University, founded by George Soros, said on Monday (3 December) it has been forced out of the country in "an arbitrary eviction" that violated academic freedom, and confirmed plans to enrol new students in neighbouring Austria next year.