About: civil rights
Northern Ireland court rules gay marriage ban doesn’t violate rights
Northern Ireland's refusal to recognise same-sex marriage does not violate the rights of couples affected, the Belfast High Court ruled on Thursday (17 August), in a blow to campaigners in the only part of the United Kingdom that bans gay marriage.
Spanish MEP Iratxe García Pérez speaks out against misogyny
Wednesday, 8 March, marks International Women’s Day, which celebrates the cultural, economic, social and political achievement of women. Yet, Spanish MEP Iratxe García Pérez explains that a gender-biased mentality persists.
Serbian weekly fined for defaming interior minister
Serbian media defended the NIN newspaper after a court ordered the weekly to pay an estimated €2500 in damages to Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic on Wednesday (4 January), for an article about Belgrade's Savamala district. EURACTIV Serbia reports.
Commission: Serbia should acknowledge the remit of independent bodies
Serbia should improve its understanding of independent bodies, including the Ombudsman, while its parliament should be more active in overseeing the government, the European Commission said in its annual Progress Report for Serbia. EURACTIV Serbia reports.
Poland rejects EU demands on court crisis
Poland's foreign minister on Friday (28 October) said his right-wing government rejects the EU executive's recommendations regarding how to solve a constitutional crisis that has raised concerns at home and abroad.
Abortion protests rock Polish government, prompt backtrack
Poland's ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party has looked firmly in control since sweeping to power a year ago but it may have pressed its conservative agenda too far by initially backing a virtual ban on abortion.
Council of Europe: Turkey must separate coup plotters from Gülen employees
Turkey must produce clear evidence in pursuing participants in a failed coup and avoid targeting teachers and journalists simply because they worked for firms run by the Muslim cleric Ankara portrays as its mastermind, the head of the European rights watchdog said Thursday (8 September).
Poll: British public heavily in favour of burqa ban
Twice as many British people support a ban on women wearing a burqa than oppose one, with a majority also in favour of outlawing the burkini, according to a poll published Thursday (31 August).
Give us EU visa freedom in October or abandon migrant deal, Turkey says
Turkey could walk away from its promise to stem the flow of illegal migrants to Europe if the EU fails to grant Turks visa-free travel to the bloc in October, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told a German newspaper.
Turkish ‘unity’ rally condemns coup amid torture claims
Many thousands of Turks massed Sunday (24 July) for the first cross-party rally to condemn the coup attempt against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, amid a purge of suspected state enemies.
Turkey to ‘follow France’ and suspend European rights convention
Turkey will follow France's example in suspending temporarily the European Convention on Human Rights following its declaration of a state of emergency, Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said on Thursday (21 July), according to broadcaster NTV.
Turkey’s Erdogan declares state of emergency after coup bid
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared a state of emergency on Wednesday (20 July) as he widened a crackdown against thousands of members of the security forces, judiciary, civil service and academia after a failed military coup.
Turkish court frees 2 press freedom campaigners, third still in jail
Turkey released two prominent press-freedom activists from prison on Thursday (30 June) following international condemnation of their detention, but their prosecution on terrorism-related charges will proceed, a lawyer said.
Cambodia lashes out at ‘hypocritical’ EU
The Cambodian government has defended itself against accusations from Europe that it is harassing the opposition and unpopular NGOs. Phnom Penh labelled the accusations "hypocritical". EURACTIV Germany reports.
Grybauskaite: Politics will stop being a men’s club if women dare to dream
It is a long path to the EU leaders' table, but if women dare to pursue their convictions in political life, politics will stop being a men's club, said Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė, one of only three women leaders in the European Council.
Turkey closes media outlets seized from Gulen-linked owner
Turkish authorities have shut down media businesses seized last year from Koza Ipek Holding, a conglomerate linked to a US-based preacher accused of plotting against President Tayyip Erdoğan, according to an exchange filing.
Thai junta must end enforced disappearances says rights group
The Thai military junta has been told to end its tolerance for ‘enforced disappearances’ by Human Rights Watch(HRW), the New York-based NGO.
Companies can monitor workers’ private online chats, ECHR rules
Employees in Europe should think carefully about using the Internet to send private messages at work. Europe’s top rights court ruled Tuesday (12 January) that companies could monitor workers’ online communications.
Why freeing Badawi matters for EU-Saudi relations
Free Raif Badawi and all prisoners of conscience, because such a precedent would create more opportunities for human rights reforms in Saudi Arabia, writes Alyn Smith.
Tehran’s egregious human rights record should not be overlooked for nuclear talks
The European Union cannot turn a blind eye to the horrors faced by the people of Iran, writes Soraya Post.
New opposition leader brings excitement to Turkish politics
The election of Kemal K?l?çdaro?lu as leader of the main Turkish opposition CHP party was heralded by the press as a potential earthquake in the country’s politics. EURACTIV Turkey contributed to this article.