Freedom of thought
Hungary approves ‘STOP Soros’ law, prohibits ‘resettlement of alien population’
Hungary’s parliament yesterday (20 June) approved a package of bills that criminalises some help given to illegal immigrants, defying the European Union and human rights groups. Parliament, where Fidesz has a two-thirds majority, also passed a constitutional amendment stating that...
Europe and refugees causes rift among the French right
The theme of Europe and refugees is the main cause for division in the French conservative party Les Républicains. The leader of the party has dismissed its vice-president Virginie Calmels, who accused him of “defending his own ideas”. EURACTIV.fr reports.OpinionPromoted content
Freedom of Belief is the Key to Freedom
The creation of the EU guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief (2013) marked a turning point in the Union’s attitude toward this crucial fundamental right.
Trans-Europe Express – Mass Orbanisation on the horizon
Viktor Orbán was once seen in the Brussels bubble as a bad boy, a political hooligan who is foolishly attempting to challenge an unbreakable political correctness.
Romanian absurd: A ruling party that calls a protest meeting
The political party that toppled its own government in Romania last year has made another head-scratching move: It is staging a massive protest in front of the building that houses the government it appointed only a few months ago.
Poland, Germany still friends despite PiS’ anti-German campaign
Despite an anti-German campaign run by the Law and Justice party (PiS) government and the media that support it for almost two years, Polish people's attitude towards Germans and the German view of Poles have not worsened in the slightest. EURACTIV’s media partner Gazeta Wyborcza reports.
Top EU court rules same-sex partners have residence rights
Same-sex partners of EU citizens have the right to live in any member state whatever their nationality, even in countries that do not recognise gay marriage, the bloc's top court ruled Tuesday (5 June).
Campaigners lock horns with EU justice chief on ‘hate speech’
EU Justice Commissioner Věra Jourová stood by the EU's principles that freedom of speech was not absolute at a panel discussion held in Brussels, saying that attempts to regulate hate speech were justified but her comments prompted a fierce debate.
Denmark bans full-face veil
Denmark on Thursday (31 May) became the latest European country to ban the Islamic full-face veil in public spaces in a move slammed by human rights campaigners as "a violation of women's rights".
Poland continues purging history books to the beat of PiS drum
Poland, and the ruling PiS party in particular, attaches great importance to history. It is therefore no wonder that it continues to change its history and the names of those who made it, with the help of the state-controlled media. EURACTIV's media partner Gazeta Wyborcza reports.
US takes aim at Turkey over religious freedom
The United States took aim at Turkey on Wednesday (30 May), demanding that it release a US pastor facing trial, as the State Department published its annual report on religious freedom saying it was "under assault" across the world.
No penalty for MEP Korwin-Mikke, ECJ rules
The European Court of Justice annulled on Thursday (31 May) a decision of the European Parliament which had imposed sanctions on former Polish right-wing MEP Janusz Korwin-Mikke over the comments he made against migrants and women in 2016 and 2017. VideoPromoted content
Disinformation: social media platforms’ responsibility
Transparency, collaboration & finally taking responsibility. EU & US experts at the 2018 Brussels DisinfoLab share their views on the role of social media platforms in countering fake news and disinformation.
Ireland’s Yes vote ushers in a new era for women’s rights in Europe
EU institutions should be emboldened to take concrete actions to defend reproductive freedom across the whole of Europe after Irish citizens voted massively in favour of repealing the country’s abortion ban, writes Caroline Hickson.
Hungary moves to jail NGOs for helping migrants
Individuals or groups who help migrants not entitled to protection to submit requests for asylum or who help illegal migrants gain status to stay in Hungary will be liable to jail under legislation submitted to parliament on Tuesday (29 May).
Muslim animal slaughter must occur in approved abattoirs: EU court
The EU's top court ruled Tuesday (29 May) that animal slaughter without stunning can only occur in approved abattoirs, saying a ban on temporary slaughter houses does not violate Muslim religious freedom.
Ireland overturns abortion ban in landslide vote
Ireland voted by a landslide to ditch its strict abortion laws in a landmark referendum that Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said had finally lifted decades of stigma and shame.
Ireland votes in ‘once-in-a-generation’ abortion referendum
Ireland votes today (25 May) in an abortion referendum that could be a milestone on a path of change in a country that, only a few decades ago, was one of Europe’s most socially conservative.
Mothers of disabled children defy Polish government, camp inside parliament
Can you imagine a wall manned by dozens of armed policemen outside the European Parliament? Or denying access to journalists, experts and advisers and cancelling trips at the last minute? It's a reality in Poland. EURACTIV's partner Gazeta Wyborcza reports.
Freedom of expression in Europe: Who draws the line?
Hate speech laws are spreading in Europe as EU governments and international organisations try to find measures to defuse conflicts.
Polish government continues efforts to stifle free media
Press freedom is still under threat in Poland, the case of TVN24 journalist ,Wojciech Bojanowski ,who revealed a police torture case last year is one of the most striking examples of the Polish state’s control of the media. EURACTIV’s partner Gazeta Wyborcza reports.
Orbán sworn in as PM for third time, eyes 20 more years in power
Fresh from a landslide election win in April, Hungary's combative premier Viktor Orbán was formally sworn in as prime minister Thursday (10 May), and hinted at designs on power until at least 2030.
Montenegro investigative reporter shot and injured
An attacker shot an investigative reporter in Montenegro Tuesday (8 May), police said, prompting calls from the European Union and the United States to protect journalists in the Balkan country.