Freedom of thought
EU slams Turkey over re-arrest of journalist
The European Union on Wednesday (13 November) criticised Turkey over the re-arrest of the journalist and novelist Ahmet Altan, saying the move damaged the credibility of the judiciary.
Poland: Independence march of nationalism
Thousands of Poles took part in a nationalist march through the capital Warsaw on Monday (11 November), chanting "God, Honour, Fatherland", with the march leaders protesting against same-sex liberties, globalism and abortion.
Russia shuts down second rights group, drawing EU concern
A Moscow court has ruled to dissolve an indigenous peoples' rights group, the second decision of its kind in less than a week that was criticized by European authorities on Thursday (7 November).
Retreating Eurosceptics now settle for ‘reforms from within’
Just a couple of minutes after Nigel Farage triumphantly proclaimed victory in the 2016 Brexit referendum, Brussels started worrying that such a trend would spread throughout the Old Continent like wildfire.
Media-shy Czech mogul buys TV empire spanning five EU countries
The PPF investment group owned by Petr Kellner, who keeps a low profile despite being the Czech Republic's wealthiest man, said Monday (28 October) it had sealed a deal for the CME media group running 30 TV stations in five Central European states.
Jailed Uighur Tohti wins European Parliament Sakharov Prize
The European Parliament on Thursday (24 October) awarded the Sakharov Prize for human rights to Uighur intellectual Ilham Tohti, who has been sentenced to life imprisonment in China for "separatism".
Joker movie opens a Pandora’s Box in Greek politics
Greek politicians have been bickering for two days over a police raid at a cinema to remove almost 20 underage children, who were watching Joker, a blockbuster psychological thriller film.
Protecting human dignity is the EU’s top job
The 10th anniversary of the Charter of Fundamental Rights is a reminder that the EU's main priority is to ensure respect and protection of human dignity. writes Alice Neffe.OpinionPromoted content
Female political leaders inspire young girls on the International Day of the Girl 2019
On the occasion of the International Day of the Girl 2019, Women Political Leaders (WPL) is connecting accomplished female politicians with the future generation of Leaders by sharing their personal experience to shows that a woman’s place is in politics.
The EU needs to drive for democracy in Cuba openly
Agreements with governments that do not intend to respect the principles laid down in the texts are just cynical tools that undermine an international order built on trust, and the current Cuban government is a case in point, write Manuel Cuesta Morúa and Erik Jennische.
Commissioner hearings LIVE: Vera Jourova
The second week of Commissioner hearings opens in the European Parliament on Monday (7 October) with Czech Republic's Věra Jourová, proposed for the post of vice-president and Commissioner for Values and Transparency.
Michael Ignatieff: Hungary will not be a single-party state forever
The democratic transition is not over in Central and Eastern Europe and we will continue our mission of training people and creating "free minds, people who think", Michael Ignatieff, a Canadian academic and president of the Central European University, told EURACTIV Slovakia.
Unsuitable mandates, wrong candidates: A difficult start for von der Leyen
Ursula von der Leyen still has a chance to chart a path to a fairer, greener, inclusive and prosperous Europe. But what values will she really uphold, asks a group of more than 20 signatories, including ActionAid, Climate Action Network, European Network against Racism, Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace.
Kovesi will succeed only if media freedom is kept alive
Laura Codruta Kovesi, Romania's former chief anti-corruption prosecutor, is expected to be approved as the new head of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. Iveta Cherneva argues that the lack of media freedom in countries like Bulgaria will make it exceptionally difficult for Kovesi to uncover crimes involving EU funding.
30 years after Berlin Wall fell, Stasi archive move sparks controversy
Almost 30 years after the Berlin Wall fell, Germany's parliament voted Thursday to transfer the vast secret police files of the former East German communist regime into the Federal Archives -- despite concerns voiced by some historians and ex-dissidents.
CEU provost: Academic freedom is in crisis everywhere in Europe, not only in Hungary
It is the start of a new semester at the Central European University (CEU) in Budapest. But this year, many of its students are preparing to move to Vienna, where lectures will start in October. It's because CEU, a private US university founded by the Hungarian billionaire George Soros, has been kicked out of Hungary.
Poland’s foreign ministry condemns attack on Israeli students
Poland's foreign ministry on Sunday (8 September) condemned violence against a group of Israeli students beaten at a Warsaw nightclub early on Saturday, following criticism that Polish leaders are not doing enough to denounce antisemitism.
Timmermans clashes with Polish MEPs on rule of law
If we do not step up efforts to defend the rule of law, the EU will be at risk, outgoing Rule of Law Commissioner Frans Timmermans told EU lawmakers on Thursday (5 September), followed by a confrontation between the Dutchman and Polish MEPs from the country's governing Law and Justice (PiS) party.
Catholic church continues battle against LGBT in Visegrád Four
The rhetoric of the Catholic Church members against the LGBT community is becoming increasingly aggressive in four eastern EU countries, with priests comparing the LGBT movement to the plague and calling it an “ideology” with totalitarian features.
What future for the EU’s Charter of Rights after a decade?
The integration of the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights into the EU treaties was controversial. Yet relatively few Europeans are aware that the Charter even exists, ten years after it became legally binding.
The EU needs to show real commitment to religious freedom
The European Union introduced its Guidelines on Freedom of Religion or Belief six years ago. But has the EU really backed them up with concrete action, asks Adina Portaru. VideoPromoted content
The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU at 10
In 2009 the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU entered into force, making human rights a prominent part of EU law. But has the European human rights project developed robustly?
Another 100 years to wait for gender equality? We deserve better
At the current pace, it will take more than a century for women to become equal to men in Europe, despite the general progress made so far on gender equality on the European soil and the fact that throughout its history, the EU has been a global leader in advancing women's rights.