Edith Steinschreiber Bruck was born in 1931 in Tiszabercel, a small town in Hungary close to the border with Slovakia and Ukraine. She is a writer, poet, screenwriter, director, playwright, translator, and Holocaust survivor. Let’s listen to her story. Hundreds of stories, documents, photos and videos published by people from all over Europe. This is ‘My History’, a collaborative project of the European Parliament, where history and the lives of European citizens coincide.

“Lights in total darkness” by Edith Bruck - a survivor’s story

The Russian aggression against Ukraine has disrupted many people’s lives. Millions of Ukrainians have fled to neighbouring countries, in particular to Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania, from where they are progressively moving to other European Member States. In the face of this growing humanitarian crisis, it is essential for them to have access to affordable connectivity, in order to stay in touch with their family and friends. And the European Union is working to help them.

Helping refugees to stay connected

Equality and non-discrimination are core EU values and fundamental rights, enshrined in the Treaties and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights. However, research by the EU's Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) shows that discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people persists across the EU.

The Commission presented the 'LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025' on 12 November 2020. This was&nbsp;the first ever full EU strategy in this area and is intended to build on the lessons learned from the European Commission's previous actions to advance LGBTI equality from 2015-2019.

In recent years, social acceptance of LGBTIQ people has declined in some Member States. Gaps remain in the EU's legislative framework for combating discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics. Combating discrimination has become part of EU internal and external policies, and is the subject of numerous resolutions of the European Parliament. In response to the backsliding of LGBTIQ rights in some EU countries, notably Poland and Hungary, MEPs&nbsp;declared the EU an “LGBTIQ Freedom Zone”.

In 2021 Parliament “condemned&nbsp;in the strongest possible terms” the anti-LGBTIQ legislation and denounced&nbsp;the dismantling of democracy and the rule of law in Hungary.&nbsp;In a resolution&nbsp;MEPs described the Hungarian law as being in clear breach of fundamental rights enshrined in the EU Charter of fundamental rights, the Treaties and EU internal market legislation.

LGBTIQ freedom in the EU

On May 1, 2004, ten&nbsp;new member states joined the European Union, marking the&nbsp;largest enlargement in terms of people and number of countries in the EU's history. Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia joined the Union, growing from 15 to 25 members.

The European Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of these ten nations joining the European Union&nbsp;and engaging in the EP's democratic process to defend the interests of European citizens.

20th anniversary of the 2004 enlargement of the European Union

Slovenia is a Member of the EU since May 2004, of the Eurozone since 1 January 2007 and of the Schengen area since 21 December 2007.

In March 2021, a debate in plenary was organised in the wake of concerns raised after Klubradio in Hungary was taken off the air, the proposed new levy on media advertising revenue in Poland, and emerging reports of political interference in Slovenian media. In November 2020, Parliament adopted the Resolution on Strengthening Media Freedom: the Protection of Journalists in Europe, Hate Speech, Disinformation and the Role of Platforms.

EU - Slovenia

Hungary officially joined the EU on 1 March 2004 and the Schengen Area in December 2007.

The Hungarian EU accession negotiations started on 31 March 1998. Hungary had successfully concluded negotiations on its accession at the Copenhagen European Council in December 2002. Hungary has 22 MEPs, 12 votes in the Council and has chaired the Council of the European Union from January to June 2011.

EU - Hungary

The United Nations defines violence against women as "any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life."

The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women, also known as the Istanbul Convention, is the first legally binding international instrument on this issue. It establishes a comprehensive framework of measures for preventing such violence, supporting victims and punishing perpetrators.&nbsp;

MEPs have voted during May 2023 plenary to approve the European Union’s accession to the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women, concluding Parliament’s role in the process. Six years after the EU signed the Istanbul Convention - it has still not been ratified because of the refusal of a few member states, despite&nbsp;Parliament’s multiple calls to this end.

However, the EU&nbsp;Court of Justice’s opinion of 6 October 2021&nbsp;confirmed that the European Union can ratify the Istanbul Convention without having the agreement of all member states. The Court found that the appropriate scope for the EU’s accession is asylum, judicial cooperation in criminal matters, and obligations of the EU institutions and public administration.

The EU’s accession to the Istanbul Convention does not exempt member states from ratifying it themselves, MEPs have repeatedly said, urging the remaining six countries - Bulgaria, Czechia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia - to ratify the Convention without delay, so that it can protect women to the full extent of the Convention’s intended scope

Violence against women

The Roma are Europe's largest ethnic minority. Out of an estimated total of 10-12 million in Europe, some 6 million live in the EU, and most of them are citizens of an EU country. &nbsp;The estimated share of the Roma in EU countries in 2012 ranges from 10.3% in Bulgaria, 9.1% in Slovakia, 8.3% in Romania, 7% in Hungary, 2.5% in Greece, 2% in Czechia and 1.6% in Spain, to less than 1% in most of the other countries.

Excessive force, police brutality and misconduct against Romani people continue to be reported across the EU, in line with the&nbsp;2020 findings&nbsp;of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA).

The FRA report also revealed that Romani people are subject to widespread poverty, inadequate living conditions, poor health, exclusion from the labour market and harassment.&nbsp;

Romani people in the EU

In September 2018, the Article 7(1) TEU procedure was triggered. In this case, the European Parliament voted a resolution calling the Council to determine the existence of a clear risk of a serious breach of EU values in relation to Hungary. This resolution was preceded by numerous others adopted by the Parliament between March 2011 and May 2017, and it made reference to concerns related mainly to judicial independence, freedom of expression, corruption, rights of minorities, and the situation of migrants and refugees in Hungary.

Under Article 2 TEU, the EU is founded on the shared values of democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights (DRF). Article 7 TEU establishes two mechanisms (preventive and sanctions) to enforce EU values in cases of systemic violations and to sanction Member States departing from them.

See also the previous <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/rule-of-law-in-hungary-8th-parliamentary-term_5702_pk">package</a> on the rule of law in Hungary.

Rule of law in Hungary (2019-2020)

The EU institutions deem&nbsp;the transparency and quality of the Hungarian legislative system a source of concern.&nbsp;In several&nbsp;Rule of Law reports, the European Commission highlighted the worsening situation in the country. It was noted that, among other issues,&nbsp;the risks posed to media pluralism&nbsp;and the pressure faced by those civil society organisations critical of the government.

MEPs have repeatedly expressed concerns over the state of EU values in Hungary, which have&nbsp;further deteriorated&nbsp;due to the “deliberate and systematic efforts of the government” and despite Parliament’s&nbsp;activation of the Article 7 mechanism.

Their latest concerns relate to laws being adopted without sufficient parliamentary scrutiny and public consultation, as well as the abusive invocation of the ‘state of danger’, the misuse of whistleblower protection to undermine LGBTIQ+ rights and freedom of expression, and the infringement of teachers’ social and labour rights.

Parliament underlined&nbsp;the important role the Presidency of the Council has in driving forward legislation, ensuring the continuity of the EU agenda and representing the Council in relations with the other institutions. It questions how Hungary will be able to fulfil this task credibly in 2024, given its lack of compliance with EU law and&nbsp;values, and the principle of sincere cooperation.

Rule of law in Hungary

Croatia officially joined the EU on 1 July 2013.&nbsp;Croatia became&nbsp;the 20th&nbsp;member of the eurozone on January 1, 2023&nbsp;with the adoption fo the euro.

Croatia borders Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia and has been an independent country since 1991. Croatia is a parliamentary republic in which the prime minister and the president represent the executive power and the state at home and abroad.

Croatia has 11 MEPs in the European Parliament.

EU - Croatia

Recent developments in Hungary have led to a serious deterioration in the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights which is testing the EU’s ability to defend its founding values.

Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union provides a mechanism to enforce EU values. Under Article 7(1), the Council may determine that there is a clear risk of a serious breach of EU values by a Member State and is intended to prevent an actual breach by addressing specific recommendations to the Member State in question. This can be triggered by one third of Member States, by Parliament or by the Commission. The Council has to adopt a decision by a four-fifths majority after having received Parliament's consent which also requires a two-thirds majority of the votes cast and an absolute majority of MEPs.

Rule of law in Hungary - 8th parliamentary term

Slovakia is a country in eastern central Europe and is bordered by Czechia and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south. 

Slovakia is a member of the EU since 2004, Member of the Eurozone since 1 January 2009 and a Schengen area Member since 21 December 2007. There are 13 Members of the European Parliament from Slovakia.

EU - Slovakia (2019-2020)

Slovenia is a member of the eurozone since 1 January 2007 and of the Schengen area since 21 December 2007. There are 8 members of the European Parliament from Slovenia.

Situated in southern Central Europe, Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Croatia to the south and southeast, and Hungary to the northeast. The north of the country is dominated by the Alps, while in&nbsp;the southwest, the Karst Plateau is a region filled with limestone caves and gorges. Slovenia has a coastline of 46.6 km by the Adriatic Sea&nbsp;between Italy and Croatia.

EU - Slovenia (2019 - 2020)

This storybook is about a little girl, Anna, who is starting school in a new country and learning the local language through immersion. The audiobook and e-book versions are available in the 24 EU official languages. While the target audience is 3-6 year olds, this storybook could also be useful for older children learning to read, whether in their first EU language or in another one.

<a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/anna-learns-new-language-all-versions_15508_pk">See the other language versions</a>

Anna learns a new language (Hungarian version)

MEPs quiz Council and Commission representatives on the premature release of frozen EU funds, the lack of progress in the Article 7 procedure, and other threats to EU values.

MEPs discuss the President’s decision (based on a recommendation of the Committee on legal Affairs) to ask the Court of Justice of the EU to clarify the Commission’s role in and margins of discretion around the unfreezing of EU cohesion funds for Hungary. They will also look into the continuing threat to EU values, institutions, and funds posed by the Hungarian government, including the lack of progress on the Article 7(1) procedure initiated by Parliament in 2018. Last January, MEPs asked the European Council to determine whether Hungary has committed “serious and persistent breaches of EU values” under the more direct Article 7(2) procedure.

MEPs are likely to raise the upcoming Hungarian Presidency of the Council of EU (in the second half of 2024), Hungary’s repeated abuse of the right of veto and blackmail in the European Council, and the Commission’s launch of an infringement procedure concerning the country’s “sovereignty law”.

Plenary debate - Hungary: threats to rule of law.

MEPs discuss the December European Council, the 1 February Special summit and assess the situation in Hungary with Presidents Michel and von der Leyen. During their meeting on 14 - 15 December, heads of state or government agreed, among other things, to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova and grant candidate status to Georgia. Leaders failed to find an agreement on the mid-term review of the EU’s long-term 2021-2027 budget (multiannual financial framework, MFF) and a €50 billion financial aid package for Ukraine. Discussions will continue during a special European Council on 1 February 2024.

Plenary session - Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 14-15 December 2023 and preparation of the Special European Council meeting of 1 February 2024

Illuminations: One month to go across the EU

EP Mini-Plenary Session - Council and Commission Statement - Ongoing hearings under Article 7(1) TEU regarding Hungary to strengthen Rule of Law and its budgetary implications

Proposals for Union acts

Iran’s unprecedented attack against Israel, the need for de-escalation and an EU response (debate)

Resumption of the sitting

Formal sitting – 20th Anniversary of the 2004 EU Enlargement

Voting time

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

The attack on climate and nature: far right and conservative attempts to destroy the Green Deal and prevent investment in our future (topical debate)

Amending Directive 2013/36/EU as regards supervisory powers, sanctions, third-country branches, and environmental, social and governance risks - Amending Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 as regards requirements for credit risk, credit valuation adjustment risk, operational risk, market risk and the output floor (joint debate - Banking Union)

The sixth Anti-Money Laundering Directive - Anti-Money Laundering Regulation - Establishing the Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (joint debate - Anti-money laundering)

The European Parliament's right of inquiry (debate)

Voting time (continuation)

La Hulpe declaration on the future of social Europe (debate)

Forging a sustainable future together: economic, social and territorial challenges for a competitive, cohesive and inclusive Europe (debate)

Recent attempts to deny dictatorships and the risk of Europe returning to totalitarianism (debate)

Azerbaijan, notably the repression of civil society and the cases of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu and Ilhamiz Guliyev

The proposed repeal of the law banning female genital mutilation in The Gambia

The new security law in Hong Kong and the cases of Andy Li and Joseph John

The anti-LGBTIQ bill passed by the Ghanaian parliament with implications for human rights, freedom of expression and democratic principles (debate)

Advance passenger information: enhancing and facilitating external border controls - Advance passenger information: prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of terrorist offences and serious crime (joint debate - Advance passenger information)

Explanations of vote

Agenda of the next sitting

20240424-0900-PLENARY

Closure of the sitting

Plenary session

Composition of Parliament

Verification of credentials

Composition of political groups

20240410-0900-PLENARY

Composition of committees and delegations

Negotiations ahead of Parliament’s first reading (Rule 71)

Delegated acts (Rule 111(6))(action taken)

Announcement by the President (deadline for tabling questions for written answer (Rule 138))

Signing of acts adopted in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (Rule 79)

Order of business

Russia's undemocratic presidential elections and their illegitimate extension to the occupied territories (debate)

New allegations of Russian interference in the European Parliament, in the upcoming EU elections and the impact on the Union (debate)

Chinese police activity in Europe (debate)

Ongoing hearings under Article 7(1) TEU regarding Hungary to strengthen Rule of Law and its budgetary implications (debate)

Discharge 2022 (debate)

One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

Negotiations ahead of Parliament's first reading (Rule 71) (action taken)

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 14-15 December 2023 and preparation of the Special European Council meeting of 1 February 2024 - Situation in Hungary and frozen EU funds (joint debate – European Council meetings)

Review of the economic governance framework (debate)

Quality jobs in a competitive future-oriented social market economy (topical debate)

Norway's recent decision to advance seabed mining in the Arctic

Improving the socio-economic situation of farmers and rural areas, ensuring fair incomes, food security as well as a just transition

Extending the list of EU crimes to hate speech and hate crime (debate)

Situation of fundamental rights in the EU in 2022 and 2023 (debate)

Rule of Law and media freedom in Greece (debate)

Situation in Serbia following elections (debate)

Geothermal energy (debate)

Gender aspects of the rising cost of living and the impact of the energy crisis (debate)

Addressing urgent skills shortages and finding the right talents to boost job creation (European Year of Skills) (debate)

The ongoing persecution of Falun Gong in China, notably the case of Mr Ding Yuande

The threat of famine following the spread of conflict in Sudan

Tajikistan: state repression against the independent media

Approval of the minutes of the sitting

Sustainable use of plant protection products (debate)

Strengthening the CO2 emission performance targets for new heavy-duty vehicles (debate)

Address by William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya

EU/New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (debate)

Packaging and packaging waste (debate)

Amendment of the agenda

Proposals of the European Parliament for the amendment of the Treaties (debate)

2024 budgetary procedure: Joint text (debate)

Question Time (Commission) - The state of implementation of the EU’s commitment to provide 1 million rounds of artillery ammunition to Ukraine until March 2024

Continuing threat to the rule of law, the independence of justice and the non-fulfilment of conditionality for EU funding in Hungary (debate)

Strategic Compass and EU space-based defence capabilities (debate)

Recent developments at the EU’s external border between Finland and Russia and the need to uphold EU law (debate)

Innovative humanitarian aid strategy: spotlight on current and forgotten crises (short presentation)

Job creation  –  the just transition and impact investments (short presentation)

Harnessing talent in Europe’s regions (short presentation)

Press conference by Daniel FREUND, Thijs REUTEN, Moritz KÖRNER and Petri SARVAMAA on Did Hungary fulfil the necessary milestones to unfreeze EU fund

Statements by the President

10 year anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh

Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (debate)

Breaches of the Rule of law and fundamental rights in Hungary and frozen EU funds (debate)

Threat to democracy and the rule of law in Poland, in particular through the creation of an investigative committee (debate)

Social and economic costs of climate change in light of the floods in Emilia Romagna, Marche and Toscana and the urgent need for European solidarity (debate)

Geographical Indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products (debate)

Sexual harassment in the EU and MeToo evaluation (debate)

Strengthening social dialogue (debate)

Press conference by Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD, rapporteur Isabel WISELER-LIMA, Thijs REUTEN, Sophie IN 'T VELD and Malin BJÖRK, shadow rapporteurs on the rule of law situation in Hungary

Press briefing by the PEGA Chair in Budapest, Hungary

Approval of the minutes of the previous sittings

Request for the defence of immunity: see Minutes

Composition of political groups: see Minutes

Delegated acts (Rule 111(6))

Assessment of Hungary's compliance with the rule of law conditions under the Conditionality Regulation and state of play of the Hungarian RRP (debate)

Prevention, management and better care of diabetes in the EU on the occasion of World Diabetes Day (debate)

Situation of human rights in the context of the FIFA world cup in Qatar

Borrowing strategy to finance NextGenerationEU

Implementation report on the European Innovation Council

One-minute speeches (Rule 172)

Closure of the sitting 

Change to the agenda

Radio Equipment Directive: common charger for electronic devices (debate)

AccessibleEU Centre in support of accessibility policies in the EU internal market (debate)

Situation of Roma people living in settlements in the EU (debate)

Key objectives for the CITES CoP19 meeting in Panama (debate)

Question Time (Commission) Tackling depopulation through cohesion policy instrument

Commission proposal for measures under the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation in the case of Hungary (debate)

The death of Mahsa Amini and the repression of women's rights protesters in Iran (debate)

Question Time (VPC/HR) Heightening tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan following the recent military escalation

The situation in Burkina Faso following the coup d'état (debate)

The EU’s strategic relationship and partnership with the Horn of Africa (debate)

Access to water as a human right – the external dimension (debate)

Approval of the minutes of the sitting and agenda of the next sitting

Press conference by Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD, rapporteur, Isabel WISELER-LIMA, Bettina VOLLATH, Ramona STRUGARIU and Malin BJÖRK on the existence of a clear risk of a serious breach by Hungary of the values on which the Union is founded

Threats to the safety of journalists and media freedom, on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day (debate)

Artificial intelligence in a digital age (debate)

This is Europe - Debate with the Prime Minister of Italy, Mario Draghi (debate)

Ongoing hearings under Article 7(1) TEU regarding Poland and Hungary (debate)

Question Time (Commission) Europe’s Energy Autonomy: The strategic importance of renewables and energy interconnections and efficiency

The follow up of the Conference on the Future of Europe (debate) (debate)

Delegated acts (Rule 111(6)) (action taken): see Minutes

EU preparedness against cyber-attacks following Russia invasion on Ukraine

Impact of Russian illegal war of aggression against Ukraine on the EU transport and tourism sectors (debate)

Strengthening Europol’s mandate: cooperation with private parties, processing of personal data, and support for research and innovation (debate)

Expression of position of the citizen component

Closing of the Conference Plenary meeting

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary

Stronger economy, social justice and jobs

Climate change and the environment

EU in the world

Digital transformation

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary  (with Metadata)

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary - Stronger economy, social justice and jobs

Migration

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary - Migration

Opening by the Co-Chairs and agenda as proposed by the Executive Board

Health

European democracy

Values and rights, rule of law and security

Youth, Education and Sport

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary (with Metadata)

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 24-25 March 2022: including the latest developments of the war against Ukraine and the EU sanctions against Russia and their implementation (debate)

Data Governance Act

Global approach to research and innovation: Europe’s strategy for international cooperation in a changing world

Resumption of the sitting


Cooperation and similarities between the Putin regime and extreme right and separatist movements in Europe

Violations of right to seek asylum and non-refoulement in the EU Member States (debate)

The Schengen evaluation mechanism (debate)

Human rights situation in North Korea, including the persecution of religious minorities

The situation of the rule of law and human rights in the Republic of Guatemala

Increasing repression in Russia, including the case of Alexey Navalny

Hungarian together.eu multipliers meeting

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - Situation of prisoners in Hungarian jails, including the case of Ilaria Salis

BUDG CONT - Exchange of views on the implementation of the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation and the release of cohesion funds for Hungary under the Common Provisions Regulation

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Continuing threat to the rule of law, the independence of justice and the non-fulfilment of conditionality for EU funding in Hungary

Roberta METSOLA, EP President Katalin NOVAK, President of the Republic of Hungary

Press conference on Did Hungary fulfil the necessary milestones to unfreeze EU funds?

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with János BOKA, Hungarian Minister for Foreign Affairs

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Breaches of the Rule of Law and fundamental rights in Hungary and frozen EU funds

Press conference - Breaches of the Rule of Law and fundamental rights in Hungary and frozen EU funds

CONT delegation fact-finding mission to Budapest, Hungary - Press Conference .

CONT delegation  fact-finding mission to Budapest, Hungary - Meeting with Dr Tibor NAVRACSICS, Minister for Regional Development

CONT delegation  fact-finding mission to Budapest, Hungary - Opening statement by the Head of Delegation

PEGA Mission to Hungary

Interview of Radoslaw SIKORSKI by Hungarian journalists

EP Plenary session - State of play of the negotiations between the Commission and the Hungarian Government linked to the Conditionality Regulation and the RRP

EP Press conference on the Rule of Law conditionality regulation: Commission’s upcoming evaluation of the 17 remedial measures by Hungary

COMMITTEE ON CULTURE AND EDUCATION (CULT) - MISSION TO BUDAPEST [6781]

CULT Committee mission to Budapest, Hungary - Press conference....

On 8 and 9 May, landmark buildings across the EU will be illuminated to mark Europe Day and “one month to go” to the last day before voting - Views of Nicosia - Eleftheria Square (Cyprus), Copenhaguen - Confederation of Danish Industry (Denmark), Patras - Patra Rio Bridge (Greece), Zagreb - Fountains (Croatia), Budapest - House of Europe (Hungary), The Hague - Willemshof (Netherlands), Madrid - Ministerio Asuntos Exteriores (Spain), Sofia - National Gallery (Bulgary), Italy...

Europe day - European Elections 2024 - "One month to go": Illuminations across Europe

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