Freedom of thought
Borissov lashes out at EU’s ‘unfair pressure’ over journalist murder
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said on Wednesday (10 October) the murder of journalist Viktoria Marinova was of purely criminal nature and lashed out against what he called “European pressure”, warning that he would raise the issue at the European People's Party (EPP).
We lack alternatives to Article 7 – German analyst
Poland and Hungary have been on collision course with Brussels. The EU wants to up the pressure to restore the rule of law in the member states. But what are the instruments at hand? EURACTIV Germany spoke to Nicole Koenig.
Kazakh researcher: EU is like a dog with an Elizabethan collar
Kazakhstan has succeeded where the EU has failed - creating a society based on multiculturalism, Saginaty Berdaulova told EURACTIV in an interview.
Cambodia’s Hun Sen defiant despite EU trade threat
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen has taken a defiant stance following a European Union announcement last week that it would ramp up trade pressure on Cambodia over human rights concerns.
Romanians boycott the ‘referendum of hate’
A referendum to change Romania’s constitution to prevent same sex couples from securing the right to marry failed to draw enough voters to validate the result on Sunday (7 October), after a campaign that led to a rise in hate speech against the gay community.
Television journalist’s murder shocks Bulgaria
A television journalist has been raped and murdered in Bulgaria's northern town of Ruse, prosecutors and a minister said Sunday (7 October), in a case that has shocked fellow journalists and sparked international condemnation.
Congolese doctor, Yazidi activist win Nobel Peace Prize for combating sexual violence
Denis Mukwege, a doctor who helps victims of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nadia Murad, a Yazidi rights activist and survivor of sexual slavery by Islamic State, won the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday (5 October).
How long can you ignore three million people? Romanians to vote on marriage, finally
Not too long ago, Romania was a country where voting was a mere impossibility. Romanian citizens did not enjoy this privilege. They could not make their voices heard and had no say on important aspects of their society. But things have changed in Romania, writes Adina Portaru.
Kazakh families torn apart in China’s Xinjiang crackdown
When he looks back on his youth in China's far-west Xinjiang region, Akikat Kaliolla, an ethnic Kazakh, recalls the place's natural beauty and the big, colourful weddings typical of his majority-Muslim community.
Sakharov Prize nominees include NGOs in the Mediterranean
The nominees for the 2018 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought have been announced on Thursday (27 September), including Oleg Sentsov, the Ukrainian film director imprisoned in Russia and NGOs saving lives of migrants in the Mediterranean. Since 1988, THE...
Romania’s constitutional court backs rights for gay couples
Romania's constitutional court ruled Thursday (27 September) that gay couples should have the same family rights as heterosexuals, a judgment that runs counter to a referendum next month seeking to interdict gay marriage.
Kurz reacts after far-right-controlled ministry suggests muzzling press
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz had to intervene Tuesday (25 September) in the wake of a reported suggestion from an interior ministry official that police should limit contact with three critical media to a minimum.
Angry EU Socialists grill Romanian PM over same-sex marriage referendum
The Social Democrats in the European Parliament have lashed out against Romania’s Prime Minister Viorica Dăncilă over the upcoming referendum in the country that seeks to ban same-sex marriage, saying such ideas do not belong to the socialist family, EURACTIV.com has learnt.
Pope pays tribute to victims of Nazis, Soviets in Lithuania
Pope Francis paid tribute on Sunday to Jews killed by the Nazis and victims of murder and deportation by the Soviet KGB, in twin visits to memorials marking the darkest periods of Lithuania's history.
Hungary media sale fuels new press freedom fears
The latest shake-up in Hungarian media since Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's election win in April sparked fresh fears Tuesday (18 September) about increasing government control over the sector.
Belgrade Gay Pride participants call for law on same-sex marriage
Belgrade held its eighth Pride Parade, under the slogan Say Yes, on Sunday (16 September). It passed without incident and, according to media estimates, with fewer police officers guarding the event than in previous years. EURACTIV Serbia reports.
Orban’s manifesto for a new illiberal Europe
Helmut Kohl was a major historic figure, the Chancellor who united Germany and set the foundations of the European Union as we know it: with the Schengen Area, freedom of movement and joint currency, the euro. However, Kohl had one flaw: he did not choose well his protégés. EURACTIV Croatia reports.
Italy’s Di Maio threatens to punish unfriendly newspapers
Luigi Di Maio, a key figure in Italy's populist government, has taken aim at the country's newspapers, accusing them of "polluting the debate" and threatening to pull advertising by state-owned companies.
Amnesty calls upon Romania to stop the ‘traditional family’ referendum
Amnesty International said on Thursday (13 September) that it will try to prevent Romania's planned referendum aimed at changing the definition of "family" for this will "breach international human rights standards" and make it impossible to legalise same-sex unions.
Greece’s New Democracy leader says Article 7 on Hungary should be activated
Greece’s centre-right New Democracy party said yesterday (12 September) that it would vote in favour of the Sargentini report on activating Article 7 against Hungary.
The Sargentini Report: A Christian dilemma
More than ever, Europe’s democratic values are under threat and the political developments in Hungary perfectly illustrate that. Hence the importance of this week's vote on Hungary in the European Parliament, writes Giulio Ercolessi.
Hungarian NGOs say Article 7 vote is also about alerting other EU members
The European Parliament will vote next week on a proposal to trigger Article 7 against Hungary. Hungarian civil society leaders threw their weight behind the proposal on Wednesday (5 September), saying it was the last chance to defend democracy in Hungary.
Geert Wilders wins, Muslims lose in latest Prophet Mohammed cartoon furore
Geert Wilders is back in the headlines, thanks to a controversial Prophet Mohammed cartoon competition, which has caused a furore in Pakistan. But the race for Europe's toughest anti-Muslim politician has several other contestants, writes Shada Islam.