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 (2019- 2020)

The 34th Session of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly took place from 18 to 20 December 2017 in Port-au-Prince (Haiti). 

The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly was created out of a common desire to bring together the elected representatives of the European Community - the Members of the European Parliament - and the elected representatives of the African, Caribbean and Pacific states ("ACP countries") that have signed the Cotonou Agreement: it is the only institution of its kind in the world.

It is the only international assembly in which the representatives of various countries sit together regularly with the aim of promoting the interdependence of North and South.

Since the entry into force of the Treaty on EU and EU enlargement it has acquired a more prominent role. A substantial part of the work of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly is directed towards promoting human rights and democracy and the common values of humanity, and this has produced joint commitments undertaken within the framework of the UN conferences.

34th ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary assembly

European Youth Event (EYE) 2021&nbsp;took&nbsp;place on 8 and 9 October 2021&nbsp;in the European Parliament's seat in Strasbourg. EYE&nbsp;is a unique opportunity for young Europeans to make their voices heard. Between&nbsp;3 000 to 4 000 young people gathered&nbsp;in Strasbourg and online to exchange ideas and contribute to discussions on Europe’s future.&nbsp;

Under the motto “The future is ours”, the European Youth Event (EYE) 2021 featured&nbsp;dozens of activities, debates, and workshops, as well as sports events, artistic performances and concerts. The environment and the fight against climate change, ahead of the COP26 meeting in November 2021, were&nbsp;a central topic for discussion.

EYE is a unique opportunity for 16 to 30 year olds to interact in-person and online, inspire each other and exchange their views with experts, activists, influencers and decision-makers, right in the heart of European democracy.

EYE 2021 is&nbsp;the culmination of the European Parliament’s youth consultation process for the Conference on the Future of Europe.

EYE2021

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 2022, the Nobel Peace Prize committee awarded&nbsp;the russian human rights organisation Memorial, European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 2009. 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

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

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According to latest resolution of the EP, Taiwan represents&nbsp;a key EU partner and democratic ally in the Indo-Pacific, one that contributes to maintaining a rules-based order in the midst of an intensifying rivalry between the major geopolitical actors in the region.

To step up cooperation, a first EU-Taiwan relations report adopted by MEPs in October 2021 stresses the urgent need to launch an “impact assessment, public consultation and scoping exercise” for an EU-Taiwan Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA). Members highlight the importance of trade and economic relations between the EU and Taiwan, including on matters relating to multilateralism and the World Trade Organization, technology such as 5G, public health, and essential cooperation on critical supplies like semiconductors.

The European Parliament has called for closer relations with Taiwan guided by the EU’s One China Policy, while issuing warnings over the continued tensions across the Taiwan Strait. MEPs wish to address these tensions, to protect Taiwan’s democracy, and the island’s status as an important EU partner..

Relations with Taiwan

The Sakharov Prize, the European Parliament and human rights worldwide

2021 marks the 100th anniversary Andrej Sakharov. On this occasion, the Archives unit and the Directorate for the Library and Knowledge services jointly recall the history of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.

For many years the European Parliament has championed human rights and democracy, with Members of the European Parliament holding expressing their concerns on human rights abuses in the world regardless of borders or regime. And it isn’t just sentiment: inspired by Andrei Sakharov’s constant campaigning for freedom of thought the European Parliament put this commitment into practice, founding the annual Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 1988. Presented to the Sakharov Prize laureate if possible by the President of the European Parliament at a plenary session in Strasbourg, the Prize endeavours to embody Sakharov’s extraordinary work and carry his message forward to future generations.&nbsp;&nbsp;Event date: 21/05/2021

Exhibition on The Sakharov Prize, the European Parliament and human rights

At home in Europe - Europe Day from Berlin

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)

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

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

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law

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

Announcement of voting results: see Minutes

Strengthening Europe in the fight against cancer(debate)

The surveillance of politicians, prosecutors, lawyers and journalists, and other persons and entities in EU Member States using cyber surveillance software(debate)

Resumption of the sitting

Formal sitting - Address by Iván Duque Márquez, President of Colombia

First voting session

EU-Africa relations (debate)

Corrigendum (Rule 241) (action taken): see Minutes

Implementation of the common foreign and security policy – annual report 2021 - Implementation of the common security and defence policy – annual report 2021 (debate)

Human rights and democracy in the world – annual report 2021 (debate)

Human rights and democracy in the world – annual report 2021

Corruption and human rights (debate)

Second voting session

Corruption and human rights (continuation of debate)

Implementation of the Toy Safety Directive (debate)

Amendment of the agenda

Tackling non-tariff and non-tax barriers in the single market (debate)

A statute for European cross-border associations and non-profit organisations (debate)

Agenda of the next sitting

Plenary session

Opening and agenda as proposed by the Executive Board

European democracy – Presentation of the recommendations by the European and national citizens’ panels

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)

LIBE

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

Press conference by Roberta METSOLA and Tiemo WÖLKEN, co-rapporteurs, on “Strengthening democracy, media freedom and pluralism in the EU: the undue use of SLAPPs

Resumption of the session 

Opening of the sitting

Approval of the minutes of the previous sittings : see Minutes

Composition of political groups 

Composition of committees and delegations 

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

Order of business 

Strengthening democracy, media freedom and pluralism in the EU

Disclosure of income tax information by certain undertakings and branches (debate)

The European Education Area: a shared holistic approach

An intellectual property action plan to support the EU’s recovery and resilience (short presentation)

One-minute speeches (Rule 172)

Agenda of the next sitting 

Closure of the sitting 

EYE 2021 - Digital Democracies: Threat or Opportunity?

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs - Working Group DRFMG - Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group

In defence of democracy: The global state of parliamentarians’ rights - Joint conference of the Democracy Support and Elections Coordination Group and the Subcommittee on Human Rights - International Day of Parliamentarianism, 30 June 2021

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

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law - Chinese government crackdown on the peaceful protests across the People's Republic of China

EP Plenary session - Oral question - Defending democracy from foreign interference

10 Years Supporting Democracy beyond the EU - Supporting Parliamentary Democracy Worldwide : Building democratic resilience - Panel II: Engineering new forms of democratic participation

10 Years Supporting Democracy beyond the EU - Supporting Parliamentary Democracy Worldwide : Building democratic resilience - Working Session I - Comprehensive approach to the institutional reform and capacity development

10 Years Supporting Democracy beyond the EU - Supporting Parliamentary Democracy Worldwide : Building democratic resilience

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 144) - The human rights situation in Afghanistan especially the deterioration of women’s rights

Kick-off the European Elections 2024 strategy - Civil society and democracy: looking ahead of EE24 elections

Youth Democracy event – Level Up!

DROI subcommittee - Human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter - annual report 2022

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law - The situation of human rights in Haiti in particular related to gang violence

ICONIC exhibition - Opening event ' How does an iconic photo contribute to defending democracy? '

EP Plenary session- Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law - The arrest of Cardinal Zen and the trustees of the 612 relief fund in Hong Kong

Roberta METSOLA, EP President participates in the Olive Tree of Democracy event with Apostolos TZITZIKOSTAS, President of the European Committee of the Regions

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Copenhagen, Danemark: Statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President at Copenhagen Democracy Summit

EP Plenary session  - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law

Democracy and the rule of law in the light of the new WHO Treaty

EP Plenary session - Commission’s 2021 Rule of Law report

One week before the European elections the Citizens' Garden of the European Parliament organised on 30 May a slam event: Poets for Democracy. Slam poets at the European Parliament “Poets for Democracy” event will address topics that show the manifold advantages of democracies. These include praising freedom of expression, tolerance, solidarity, togetherness, a common EU future, as well as flagging disruptive forces that could endanger our democratic achievements such as the misfits of social media, Artificial Intelligence or the advent of a more polarised, more self-absorbed society. This poetry slam intends to display diverse voices of democracy and foster reflections on why it is important to speak up, to take part in participative democracy and stand up for it.

Poets for Democracy, 'I am a poet a poet am I' - Joonas Veelmaa (Estonia) - 2023 European Poetry Slam Champion

Poets for Democracy, 'War' - Dani Orviz (Spain) - 2012 European Poetry Slam Champion

Poets for Democracy - 'Free Word Rhythm Remix' - Péter Molnár (Hungary) - 2018 European Poetry Slam Champion

Poets for Democracy , 'My grandmother’s Garden' - Lisette Ma Neza - 2017 European Poetry Slam Runner-Up Champion and Audience Award - First Public Poet Brussels 2024

Poets for Democracy , McMigration Memories - Elif Duygu (Austria) - 2022 Austrian Poetry Slam Champion

4th topic of the Eurovision Debate 2024 between the lead candidates for the Commission presidency: Nicolas SCHMIT, Party European Socialists, Sandro GOZI, Renew Europe Now, Terry REINTKE, European Greens, Ursula von der LEYEN, European People's Party and Walter BAIER, European Left. Leaders debate on the state of democracy and rule of law within European Union on and international level. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Eurovision Debate 2024 (Clean feed) - Topic 4: Democracy and Leadership

In times of polarised ideas, widespread disinformation and cross border conflicts, how are we protecting the integrity of European institutions and democracy? Researchers and NGOs all over Europe are studying ways to make societies more resilient to crises and to foreign actors trying to interfere in our democratic processes.  

Two such researchers are Julia from the Clingendael Institute for International Relations in the Netherlands and Katarina from the Centre for Democracy & Resilience at the GLOBSEC Policy Institute in Slovakia. They specialise in the Western Balkan states and EU accession countries like Ukraine. 

The European Parliament backs legislation helping promote this kind of research and recognises the importance of independent bodies. Learn more about how Parliament is fighting the threats to EU democracy here: https://europa.eu/!rg6kY7.

Maintaining EU independence and democracy: meet Julia and Katarína

Maintaining EU independence and democracy: meet Julia and Katarína 9:16

In the European Union, democracy may seem obvious to us today. But this has not always been the case. Not so long ago, millions of Europeans lived through times when they could not vote or even speak up freely. When their very lives could be in danger simply for being different, for holding different beliefs or for wanting a different life. Democracy is a precious gift passed on to us from previous generations. They aspired towards it and fought for it. Now it is up to us to maintain it, to make it stronger and pass it on to the generations to come. The most effective way to do so is by voting - because the more people vote, the stronger democracy becomes. On June 6-9 2024: Use your vote or others will decide for you.

© ANDCO A/S, 2024. All rights reserved. Licensed to the European Parliament under conditions. Use or reproduction is prohibited without prior explicit permission from the respective right holders.

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Trailer 4 Dubbed 16:9 - Swedish (Finland)

In the European Union, democracy may seem obvious to us today. But this has not always been the case. Not so long ago, millions of Europeans lived through times when they could not vote or even speak up freely. When their very lives could be in danger simply for being different, for holding different beliefs or for wanting a different life. Democracy is a precious gift passed on to us from previous generations. They aspired towards it and fought for it. Now it is up to us to maintain it, to make it stronger and pass it on to the generations to come. The most effective way to do so is by voting - because the more people vote, the stronger democracy becomes. On June 6-9 2024: Use your vote or others will decide for you.

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Trailer 3 Dubbed 16:9 - Galician

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Trailer 3 Dubbed 16:9 - Swedish (Finland)

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Trailer 4 Dubbed 16:9 - Dutch (Belgium)

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Trailer 3 Dubbed 16:9 - German (Austria)

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Trailer 4 Dubbed 16:9 - Turkish

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Trailer 3 Dubbed 16:9 - English (Malta)

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Trailer 3 Dubbed 16:9 - Luxembourgish

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Trailer 1 OV 16:9 - Basque

"In the European Union, democracy may seem obvious to us today. But this has not always been the case. Not so long ago, millions of Europeans lived through times when they could not vote or even speak up freely. When their very lives could be in danger simply for being different, for holding different beliefs or for wanting a different life. Democracy is a precious gift passed on to us from previous generations. They aspired towards it and fought for it. Now it is up to us to maintain it, to make it stronger and pass it on to the generations to come. The most effective way to do so is by voting - because the more people vote, the stronger democracy becomes. On June 6-9 2024: Use your vote or others will decide for you.

© ANDCO A/S, 2024. All rights reserved. Licensed to the European Parliament under conditions. Use or reproduction is prohibited without prior explicit permission from the respective right holders."

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Trailer 1 Dubbed 9:16 - Basque

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