Human Rights

EU Countries Agree on Mandatory Gas Cut Regulation

July 27, 2022

EU energy ministers agreed on a bloc-wide winter alert system to trigger mandatory cuts in natural gas consumption at the recent extraordinary energy council in Brussels including requiring that cuts of 15 percent can only be activated by a vote of the council.
Vaughn in Ruetir: Will the UK leave the European Court of Human Rights?

July 20, 2022

Despite Great Britain’s decision to leave the European Union, it has remained a member of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), a position which has come into question in recent days after resignation of Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the upcoming vote for a new leader.
ECtHR: Turkey Failed to Comply with Ruling to Release Jailed Philanthropist

July 12, 2022

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), Europe's top rights court has said that Turkey had not complied with a ruling that called for the release of philanthropist Osman Kavala, who has received a life sentence without parole following a conviction of attempting to overthrow the government, which could launch a process that may lead to Ankara's suspension from the Council of Europe (CoE).
Finland Digital ID Part of a Wider “Digital Compass” Project for Digital Transformation by 2030.

June 29, 2022

Finland’s government has made a legislative proposal that it plans to put before the parliament in the fall introducing an application that will be used for digital identification with the goal of using it in everyday life, from shopping to dealing with authorities.
ECtHR Rules that Russia's Foreign Agents Law Violates Human Rights

June 22, 2022

Following Russia’s inplementation of a controversial foreign agents law the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that the law violates the rights of the groups and individuals designated as foreign agents and has ordered Russia to issue compensation.
EU Extends Digital COVID Certificate One Year

June 15, 2022

The European Parliament has agreed to keep the EU Digital COVID Certificate framework in place for another year, until June 2023, with a planned review after six months to determine wether the pass is necessary or not.
Euractiv: European Parliament rejects consolidated text of the Digital Services Act

June 15, 2022

A majority of MEPs has pushed back against the version of the Digital Services Act (DSA) that was ‘fine-tuned’ after the informal agreement that was reached in April as representatives of the European People’s Party, Renew Europe, the Greens/EFA and the Left groups have all opposed the text that was sent from the French Presidency of the EU Council escalating an interinstitutional conflict between the EU co-legislators.
Climate Proposals Fail to Pass European Parliament

June 08, 2022

A series of pieces of the EU's climate legislation failed to pass the European Parliament following the refusal of lawmakers to adopt positions on the reform of the EU's carbon market, the introduction of a carbon border tax and the establishment of a Social Climate Fund by 340 votes against, 265 votes in favor and 34 abstentions, causing uproar in plenary.
The Guardian: EU Faces Legal Challenge from NGO's over New Gas Projects

June 08, 2022

An EU plan to fast-track funding and permits for 30 gas projects is facing a legal challenge from NGOs including ClientEarth and Friends of the Earth Europe who have requested verification that the projects do not violate environmental law.
Politico: Macron Appoints ‘woke’ Education Minister, Ignites Culture War

May 31, 2022

French President Macron, who in the past has rebuked wokism, has taken a u-turn, appointing historian Pap Ndiaye, an expert on U.S. history and minority issues who seeks to turn from France’s traditional « universalist » colorblind view.