Archive
EU: SECRET, CLOSED, TRILOGUES: NGO Letter to the Council, the Commission and the European Parliament
"We, the undersigned organisations, hereby express our concern regarding the pervasive use of so-called "trilogue" negotiations within the EU decision-making process. It is our view that the trilogues have, regardless of intent, become a means Read More
News Digest (1.10.15)
- End of roaming charges: Council confirms agreement with EP (Council of the European Union, link) - GUE/NGL MEP denounces TiSA at the WTO in Geneva (link): "German GUE/NGL MEP Helmut Scholz, who is attending Read More
CoE: Anti-immigrant sentiment was rising in Germany before refugee influx: Council of Europe committee on national minorities
"Before the recent flow of refugees from war-torn Syria and other parts of the Middle East and Africa entered Germany, anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim sentiments and attacks against asylum seekers had been on the rise already, Read More
EU: Council of the European Union: Council Decision regarding the Marrakesh Treaty to facilitate access to published works for persons who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise print disabled
- Presidency Compromise Proposal (LIMITE doc no: 7576-Rev-1-15, pdf) - Previous version of above (LIMITE doc no: 7576-15, pdf) - Guidance for further work (LIMITE doc no: 7321-15, pdf) - Open Issues (pdf) (LIMITE doc Read More
EU: European Parliament study: The European legal framework on hate speech, blasphemy and its interaction with freedom of expression
"this study provides an overview of the legal framework applicable to hate speech and hate crime on the one hand and to blasphemy and religious insult on the other hand. It also evaluates the effectiveness Read More
A Death in Athens: Did a Rogue NSA Operation Cause the Death of a Greek Telecom Employee?
"The day before his death, Costas’ boss at Vodafone had ordered that a newly discovered code — a powerful and sophisticated bug — be deactivated and removed from its systems. The wiretap, placed by persons Read More
HUNGARY: The right of asylum has practically vanished in Hungary – Pardavi
"The right of asylum in Hungary has practically vanished because the refugees do not receive adequate care, applications for asylum are not fairly evaluated and very few receive refugee status, Hungarian Helsinki Committee co-chair Márta Read More
‘Hotspots’ for asylum applications: some things we urgently need to know
"Through the mechanisms it is setting up for the relocation of refugees from Italy and Greece, the EU is trying to regain control of refugee movement in the EU. The tough screening process it is Read More
EU: Council of the European Union: Visa Package – Draft Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Union Code on visas (Visa Code) (recast)
"there are several outstanding issues, which are perceived as sensitive and for which political guidance from Ministers would help significantly to advance the discussions... - "The mandatory issuing of a multiple entry visa (MEV) valid Read More
EU: When solidarity fails
"hough there has been a huge drive by ordinary European citizens to welcome refugees, to take a stand for human dignity, another trend is undermining it. The truth is that we face the possibility of Read More