About: Fundamental rights
COVID-19 crisis triggers EU racism against Asians, rights agency says
There has been a spike in recorded cases of racist abuse against people perceived to be of Chinese or Asian descent in the European Union amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis, the European Union's Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) said in a report published on Wednesday (8 April).
Empire strikes back: EU to combat eastern strongmen with funding threat
The European Union will deploy a new financial weapon next week to try to rein in what Brussels sees as illiberal nationalism rising in the east of the bloc and threatening its democratic foundations.
It’s time for an EU fund for fundamental rights!
Fundamental rights and values are currently under attack across the European Union. In order to work in these aggravated conditions, funding is often key, writes Terry Reintke.
Migrant rights increasingly flouted in Europe, report says
The European Agency for Fundamental Rights points out in its report five persistent challenges for migration to the EU, from access to territory, to asylum procedures and unaccompanied children.
EU needs to fund resilience against far-right surge
The EU should support independent media, education and civil society to halt the far-right’s erosion of the rule of law and fundamental rights, argues Israel Butler.
European Works Councils are vital to protect fundamental and democratic rights
European Works Councils protect fundamental and democratic rights, but too many employees are still not protected by them. If Europe is serious about becoming a truly social Europe, this has to change, writes Stan De Spiegelaere.
Roma women need more empowerment on maternity issues
Reproductive rights are human rights, but for many Roman women throughout the EU, they are non-existent, explains Erika Schmidt.
EU decision-makers have done far too little on safety in the workplace
The challenges facing Europe today, to tackle climate change and to create new sustainable jobs, give us an opportunity to also improve people’s working lives and health, argues Rudy De Leeuw on the International Workers’ Memorial Day (IWMD).
MEPs approve PNR, strengthen data protection
After a series of delays and setbacks, MEPs today (14 April) adopted the controversial European air passenger data directive, though even its supporters accept it is no silver bullet for the EU’s fight against terrorism.
Commission should invoke Article 7 when media freedom is trampled
It is time for the European Commission to make sure that the EU lives up to its Charter of Fundamental Rights and the Treaty on European Union (TEU), write Professor Jackie Harrison and Dr Stef Pukallus.
Commission to review stand on gender pay gap this year
The EU executive will review its actions on the gender pay gap this year and may consider legislation requiring companies to be transparent about what they pay employees, a European Commission official told EURACTIV.com.
Refugee children need our protection
With more and more unaccompanied minors arriving at our borders, Europe needs to do more to ensure their safety and to give them hope for a better future, writes Věra Jourová.
Tavares: Discussing rule of law in Poland separately from Hungary will lead ‘nowhere’
The European Commission will hold an ‘orientation debate’ today (13 January) on the rule of law in Poland, after the new government pushed through changes to the judiciary and media.
High time to unlock the potential of the Digital Single Market
The Digital Single Market is an opportunity not only to revitalise the European economy, but to tackle some of the biggest problems facing our society, including poverty, unemployment and security, argues Emilian Pavel.
Journalists ask EU to create a ‘rule of law’ mechanism
A report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) recommends that the EU establishes a Rule of Law mechanism, to keep member states responsible for upholding fundamental values and freedom of expression, and that Article 7 be used to punish countries that curtail media freedoms.
German watchdog doubts constitutionality of data retention plans
Germany’s Federal Data Protection Commissioner issued clear criticism against the government’s bill on data retention, saying it not only amounts to a disproportionate violation of Germans’ basic civil rights, but also those of Europeans. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Merkel urges Hungary’s Orbán to respect opposition
During a visit to Budapest, German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to take a more open approach towards political opposition and civil society. But the move was not enough according to observers, who accused Merkel of cronyism with a “mafia state”. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU anti-discrimination law one step closer to adoption
Blocked by some member states, EU anti-discrimination rules could be pushed forward through enhanced cooperation, suggested European Commissioner Martine Reicherts, stressing that transgender people in more than half of EU countries must choose between getting sterilised or not having their identity recognised under national law. VideoPromoted content
Viktor Orban angry at EU’s criticism of Hungary’s democratic values
In an unusual visit to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban launched a sharp attack on MEPs after they criticized the state of democracy in Hungary. Orban strongly defended his government's record as the Parliament presented a report calling Budapest to remove constitutional changes that some claim limit democracy and basic rights in Hungary. He called the report 'politically motivated' and a 'threat to Europe'.
First shots fired in fight for a more ‘social’ Single Market
Attempts to give a more social dimension to the EU's Single Market will result in legislative deadlock similar to the Maternity Rights Directive, the European Commission was warned last week.
Parliament scales down Hungary media law debate
A European Parliament debate over Hungary's controversial media law, scheduled to take place at a Strasbourg plenary, had to be rescheduled in a smaller room after the EU assembly's two biggest political groups voted against the plan.
EU’s Reding to push for criminal and civil law reform
Cross-border crimes, such as money laundering or counterfeiting, should be defined in the same way across all EU countries, according to the bloc's new Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding, who will outline her long-term ambitions at a conference in Brussels today (18 March).
Communicating Europe begins at home, says Reding
The EU's commissioner for justice, fundamental rights and citizenship, Viviane Reding, reassured her staff that the European Commission will remain in the driving seat in communicating Europe but not without citizens, sources told EURACTIV after an in-house presentation on Friday (12 February).