MEPs debate tightening air passengers' rights, evaluate the work of the Parliament's Committee on Petitions and present their nominees for the 2013 Sakharov Prize.

Stopping airline abuse / Petitions Committee / Freedom of Thought

Lost luggage, delays, cancelled flights...

Catching a plane can be tiresome  for even the most weathered traveller.

Enforcing rights can be  really difficult for passengers

and a lot of the time we don’t  realise when and how to do it.

In November, Parliament will vote  to clarify rules

and has set out  terms for compensation.

A three-hour delay is  to be treated like a cancellation,

so you will get 300 euros  for short distances.

For distances over 3,500km with five-hour  delays you will get 600 euros.

It’s a simplification of the current regulation  and will be clearer for passengers.

Respecting fundamental rights,  the environment and even animals:

The Petitions Committee is a tool for  citizens to voice their concern on EU policy.

Every year an annual report evaluates  the work of the committee.

With 1,985 petitions in 2012,  how did we do?

As the European Parliament we actually  need to go out and make this more visible.

It is very important that the people  understand that they have an active role,

and it's up to us to show the people  that, yes, you can participate,

yes, you have a voice  and, yes, you are being heard.

MEPs made their arguments  in favour of their nominees:

Eskinder Nega and Reeyot Alemu,  journalists from Ethiopia.

At the end of September, the candidates for  the Sakharov Prize 2013 will be shortlisted.

One of the strongest candidates,  a 16-year-old Pakistani schoolgirl.

Malala Yousafzai is not only a nominee  for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize,

for Amnesty International’s 2013  Ambassador of Conscience Award.