I live at the crossroads of East and West My childhood and teenage years were spent under communism, and my youth and adult years under democracy. What will the future bring us? On our My House of European History platform, we invite people from all over Europe to share their personal stories. Magdalena’s story is one of great changes in Europe, the peaceful end of communism and the transition from captivity to freedom. It is a call for freedom and democracy; a rallying cry for strong women in European society. [This podcast contains an excerpt from the speech of Wojciech Jaruzelski of 13 December 1981. © Copyright "Telewizja Polska S.A. – TVP. All rights reserved."]

EN ‘Living at the crossroads of East and West’ – a story of the desire for freedom under communist oppression

I live at the crossroads of East and West My childhood and teenage years were spent under communism, and my youth and adult years under democracy. What will the future bring us? On our My House of European History platform, we invite people from all over Europe to share their personal stories. Magdalena’s story is one of great changes in Europe, the peaceful end of communism and the transition from captivity to freedom. It is a call for freedom and democracy; a rallying cry for strong women in European society. [Acest podcast conține un fragment din discursul lui Wojciech Jaruzelski din data de 13 decembrie 1981. © Drepturi de autor Telewizja Polska S.A. – TVP. Toate drepturile rezervate.]

RO „La răscruce între est și vest” – o poveste despre setea de libertate în regimul opresiv comunist

Everyone living in a democracy should have the opportunity to take part in political life. If you want to, you should be able to vote, join a political party or run for elected office. Yet it is often difficult for people with disabilities to exercise their political rights. Here are three things the EU does for them.

This is what Europe does for voters with disabilities

Are you worried that you, your friends or family might be fooled by junk news and viral conspiracy theories? You are one of a growing number of people who see fake news as a challenge to democracy. Here is what the EU recommends

This is what Europe does for amateur fact-checkers

Do you believe that democracy is key to global security and universal respect for human rights? Do you want to get involved in democratisation around the world? Here is how it works

This is what Europe does for election observers

Do you avoid the news, perhaps because you feel you cannot rely on the news to be true? A March 2018 Eurobarometer poll suggested there is great concern among internet users in Europe about fake news: 85 % of respondents see fake news as a problem in their country and 83 % perceive it as a problem for democracy.

This is what Europe does people who worry about fake news

As the hearts and brains of a free and pluralist media, journalists are vital to democracy in Europe. Although freedom of expression and freedom of information are guaranteed by the EU Charter for Fundamental Rights, journalists – even in the EU – are facing increasing pressure.

EU in my life - Journalist

Journalists are vital to the functioning of democracy in Europe. By offering a wide range of information and different points of view, journalists hold power to account and ensure that citizens are free to form their own opinions on the important issues of the day.

This is what the EU does for journalists

Dubravka Suica, born on 20 May 1957 in Dubrovnik, is a Croatian politician who has been a member of the European Parliament since 2013.

 

After the hearing by the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) of the European Parliament, the committee prepares an evaluation letter on the candidate. Parliament is expected to vote on the new Commission as a whole on 23 October.

Hearing of Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President-designate, Democracy and Demograp

Parliament holds urgent debates on the following human rights, democracy and rule of law topics on Thursday morning, followed by votes later the same day.

<ul>
	<li>The situation of journalists and human rights defenders in Mexico</li>
	<li>Myanmar, one year after the coup</li>
	<li>Destruction of cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh</li>
</ul>During each plenary session in the European Parliament, debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law may also give rise to motions for resolutions. These texts are generally tabled by a committee, apolitical group or at least 40 Members.

Human rights are fundamental values of the entire international community. More than 70 years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the first comprehensive international human rights document to set common standards to which all UN members should aspire, human rights have become a cornerstone of the international system and have reached almost universal recognition. However, much remains to be done in practice so that every human being can enjoy their fundamental rights.

Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law

This package contains the events between 1st July 2019 and 31 December 2020. For latest events, see related links.

At each plenary session in the European Parliament, debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law may also give rise to motions for resolutions. These texts are generally tabled by a committee, apolitical group or at least 40 Members.

Human rights are fundamental values of the entire international community. More than 70 years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the first comprehensive international human rights document to set common standards to which all UN members should aspire, human rights have become a cornerstone of the international system and have reached almost universal recognition. However, much remains to be done in practice so that every human being can enjoy their fundamental rights.

Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (2019-2020)

Under Article 2 TEU, the EU is founded on the shared values of democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights.

Article&nbsp;7 TEU establishes two mechanisms (preventive and sanctioning mechanisms) to enforce European Union values in cases of systemic violations and to sanction Member States departing from them. The sanctions mechanism empowers the Council to suspend certain membership rights of a Member State, including voting rights in the Council in cases of a 'serious and persistent breach' of EU values (Article 7(2)&nbsp;TFEU)’. However, these mechanisms require a high decision-making threshold in the Council and in the European Parliament (when Parliament is called to participate) and rely heavily on Member States’ willingness to take action.

Rule of law - 8th parliamentary term

Languages are an integral part of European Democracy. With its 27 member states and 24 official languages, Parliament has to be multilingual. Not only for its members, but also for you! It ensures equality of treatment and transparency towards its citizens. Discover more about the importance of languages and multilingualism in this package!

Online Multilingualism Day 2020

Observing Election Day is one of the principal ways the European Parliament supports democracy.

Because MEPs are the EU's only directly elected representatives, their contribution is essential. With personal experience of campaigns, issues of financing and the work of representing citizens, MEPs bring political legitimacy to observation missions.

Over more than three decades, the European Parliament has observed several hundred elections. Every year, MEPs travel to as many as a dozen countries across the world.
Observing Election Day is one of the principal ways the European Parliament supports democracy.

Election Observation Missions

Every day journalists risk their lives to help keep us informed.

Freedom of Press is considered to be an essential element of democracy by the European Parliament, which strongly supports it within the EU and beyond. Article 11 of the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights clearly states that “freedom and pluralism of the media shall be respected”.

Press freedom in the EU - 8th Parliamentary term

The values of human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and the respect for human rights are fundamental to the European Union. These values are shared by the Nobel Peace Prize.

The European Parliament had the honour of welcoming and receiving several laureates of Nobel Peace Prize within its walls. Moreover four laureates of the European Parliament’s Sakharov prize for freedom of thought also won the Nobel Prize, and in 2012 the EU was awarded the Peace Prize for advancing the causes of peace, reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe.

In 2018, Nobel Peace prize was awarded to Denis Mukwege, European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 2014, and Nadia Murad, European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 2016.

Nobel Peace Prize Laureates and the EP

Every day journalists risk their lives to help keep us informed.

Freedom of Press is considered to be an essential element of democracy by the European Parliament, which strongly supports it within the EU and beyond. Article 11 of the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights clearly states that “freedom and pluralism of the media shall be respected”.

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Press freedom in the EU (2019- 2020)

The European Union and Lebanon enjoy close political relations in the framework of an Association Agreement between the two, which has been in force since April 2006.

This agreement promotes human rights, political dialogue, free movement of goods, and economic, social and cultural cooperation. The EU is committed to supporting democracy, good governance, social inclusion, education and sustainable development in Lebanon.

EU - Lebanon

Election observation is a highly visible demonstration of the European Union's commitment to supporting democracy and promoting human rights around the world.

It contributes to strengthening democratic institutions, building public confidence in electoral processes, helping to deter fraud, intimidation and violence, especially in fragile, post-conflict or developing regions. It also complements other key EU foreign policy objectives, particularly peace-building.

International election observation

Nelson Mandela led the struggle to replace the apartheid regime of South Africa by a multi-racial democracy. Sentenced to life in prison, he spent 27 years in jail before becoming the country's first black President. He played a leading role in the drive for peace.He is laureate of the 1988 Sakharov Prize and of the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize®.This video illustrates the relations between Nelson Mandela and the European institutions.

Nelson Mandela

The EU and Jordan have a strong partnership across many sectors and have been linked through an Association Agreement since 2002. Furthermore, Jordan was the first Mediterranean partner country to conclude technical negotiations leading to an "Advanced Status" with the EU in 2010.

The European Union (EU) stands by the Jordanian people in their ongoing efforts to achieve democracy, respect for human rights, social justice, security and socio-economic development.

EU - Jordan

Candidate countries include Montenegro, Albania, Serbia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina are considered potential candidates.

In order to apply for EU membership a country has to be European and respect the EU’s democratic values. It also needs stable institutions guaranteeing democracy and the rule of law; a functioning market economy; and the ability to take on and carry out the obligations of EU membership.

EU Enlargement - Western Balkans (2019 - 2020)

The EU's China policy is defined by the 'Elements for a new EU Strategy on China' which, together with the 'Council Conclusions EU Strategy on China', form the EU Strategy on China. 

The Strategy reflects the fundamental premises of the EU's engagement: the promotion of democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and respect for the UN Charter's principles and international law, with the search for reciprocal benefits in political and economic relations '.

EU - China - 8th Parliamentary term

Since he was elected EP President on 3 July 2019, David SASSOLI represents Parliament in its international relations, and, in this connection, undertakes official visits within and outside the EU. He also receives official representatives from governments.

The work of the European Union (EU) in the area of external relations includes the external trade relations, development policy, human rights and democracy, Union’s enlargement and neighbourhood and relations beyond the neighbourhood.

President Sassoli's official visits and bilateral meetings (2019 -2020)

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law - The situation in Tajikistan’s Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law - The situation of Indigenous and environmental defenders in Brazil, including the killing of Dom Philips and Bruno Pereira

Statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President at Copenhagen Democracy Summit

Press conference by Dragos Tudorache , Lead Member Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group, on programme Jean Monnet Dialogue with the Moldovan Parliament

Conference on the Future of Europe - workgroup on European democracy

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary - European Democracy

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary III : Panel 2, European democracy, Values and rights, rule of law and security

Conference on the Future of Europe -  Working Group on European democracy

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary 2: European Democracy - Presentation of the recommendations by the European and National Citizens' Panels followed by a debate

Conference on the Future of Europe - Working Group on European democracy

Conference on the Future of Europe - European Citizens' Panel 2 - session 3 : EU democracy, values, rights, rule of law, security

LIBE Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group (DRFMG)

Conference on the Future of Europe - European Citizens' Panels - session 2 : Ensuring rights and non-discrimination, Protecting democracy and the rule of law, Reforming the EU, Building European identity, Strengthening citizen participation

Follow Kacper, Elsa, Gisèle and Michalakis as they take part in the first EU exercise in direct democracy.

Inside the Conference on the Future of Europe

The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, would like to share a message with all the teachers and students who are part of the European Parliament Ambassador School (EPAS) programme. This initiative helps close the gap between the European Union and its citizens, while promoting parliamentary democracy and youth engagement.

Showing 703 videos results for ""democracy""

Inside the Conference on the Future of Europe

(NL) President Metsola's message to the EPAS network - Dutch subtitles

(IT) President Metsola's message to the EPAS network - Italian subtitles

(SK) President Metsola's message to the EPAS network - Slovak subtitles

(RO) President Metsola's message to the EPAS network - Romanian subtitles

(PT) President Metsola's message to the EPAS network - Portuguese subtitles

(SL) President Metsola's message to the EPAS network - Slovenian subtitles

President Metsola's message to the EPAS network

(CS) President Metsola's message to the EPAS network - Czech subtitles

(CY) President Metsola's message to the EPAS network - Cypriot Greek subtitles

(ET) President Metsola's message to the EPAS network - Estonian subtitles

(ES) President Metsola's message to the EPAS network - Spanish subtitles

(EL) President Metsola's message to the EPAS network - Greek subtitles

(BG) President Metsola's message to the EPAS network - Bulgarian subtitles

(DA) President Metsola's message to the EPAS network - Danish subtitles

(FR) President Metsola's message to the EPAS network - French subtitles

(HU) President Metsola's message to the EPAS network - Hungarian subtitles

(FI) President Metsola's message to the EPAS network - Finnish subtitles