Human Rights

German Police Launch Nationwide Raids Targeting Hate Speech on the Internet

December 07, 2022

As part of a nationwide effort to prevent what Germany has defined as hate speech online conducted annually since 2016, police searched homes and questioned suspects in 91 operations in 14 German states as part of an annual nationwide crackdown against online hate speech.
Politico: EU Leaders Grow Wary of China

October 26, 2022

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo has stated that Beijing’s ‘hostile behavior’ warrants EU reevaluation as the EU leaders agreed to discuss their relations with China at the recent European Council meeting.
EU Eighth Sanctions Plan Announces Russian Oil Price Cap

September 28, 2022

The EU’s latest sanctions package against Moscow is proposing a price cap on Russian oil following the Kremlin’s annoucement of annexation referendums in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine and threats of nuclear weapons.
Top EU Court Upholds EU Antitrust Decision Against Google

September 14, 2022

The European Commission has upheld the recent decision against Google, ruling that the tech giant broke competition rules and was fined 4.1 billion euros.
EU Commission President Proposes Mandatory Electricity Reduction in New Energy Crisis Plan

September 09, 2022

Ursula Von der Leyen has announced five proposals to curb the energy crisis in Europe including a mandatory reduction in electricity use during peak hours and a price cap on energy companies who produce electricity through low carbon methods.
Spain Orders Temperature Limits for Businesses to Conserve Energy before Winter

August 03, 2022

Aiming to reduce gas consumption by 7 percent in an effort to save energy before the winter, Spain's government ordered all businesses to limit their temperatures, air conditioning cannot be lowered below 27 degrees Celsius (80°F) in summer and heating cannot exceed 19 degrees Celsius (66°F) this winter.
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.