Freedom is one of the values defended by the European Union. Can young people fully enjoy this freedom? How does the European Union safeguard this freedom for everyone? Twenty-five students talk to MEP Marc Tarabella.

Let's Talk: Freedom in the European Union

I'm Marc Tarabella,   a Member of the European Parliament.

In the European Parliament   I mainly work on three subjects:

agriculture and rural development,   internal market and consumer protection,

In this group you think that Europe   has increased the freedom of citizens,

their freedom of expression, their   freedom of movement within the Union,

and in this group you think   that Europe has reduced freedom,

in particular that of Member States   to make decisions.

Europe obviously imposes a whole series   of regulations on Member States

and so has restricted their freedom   as a country, their sovereignty.

It will be interesting to see how   your opinions compare in this debate.

We talk about freedom in Europe, but   you can't talk about it in general terms

because freedom is different   in every country.

In one country you might think it's more...   We say that freedom is limited,

but in a country with more restrictions,   they'll say that we have a lot of freedom.

So we can't talk about freedom in Europe,   because the criteria aren't the same.

It's a shame that Europe   isn't more uniform.

In Belgium and Holland you can get   euthanasia or an abortion more easily,

abortion and euthanasia aren't allowed,   they're not approved of.

I think Europe isn't uniform   when it comes to freedom.

Europe has driven forward   quite a lot of measures

which are applied more or less   uniformly in Member States.

the Member States have to change   their national laws to obey it.

But in fact there are still freedoms   where we are not all...

We all have equal rights, but we are   united in diversity. That's the EU's motto.

Uniformity is more a sign of non-freedom.

So in relation to what Sam said,   he has pretty much contradicted himself.

Uniformity is more a sign of repression,

whereas the fact that each country   takes a different ethical position

is a sign that Europe   defends political freedom.

I think that freedom in Europe   has increased

compared to the 20th century,   and also to previous centuries.

was very much prevented from creating   and developing his ideas by the Church.

I think that has completely   disappeared today

because many countries no longer   have any religious restrictions

and, on the contrary,   scientists are helped to do research,

and their research is very useful today.

I think that's a big step   towards freedom in scientific research.

You said that from the point of view of   religion Europe has more freedom now,

There are a lot of schools   that don't allow religion in school,

With regard to religion Europe doesn't   allow people to express themselves.

I think she was trying to say that religion   interfered in all areas of public life.

Today power and the state is separated   from religious constraints,

even though European tradition   is more influenced by Christianity.

About wearing the veil, it's true there's   a whole debate on the subject now,

but no one has forbidden girls   to wear the veil.

You just have to separate   the private setting from the public.

So you can respect your religion   by wearing the veil within the family.

You're just asked not to display it   in school.

You need to separate what you display   in public and what you are at home.

In Europe we're lucky with regard to   the freedom of movement and transport.

We can more or less   go where we like, when we like,

because transport is available,   because it is, after all, safe.

I think that from that point of view   we have a lot of freedom.

I agree with what you said,   but I'd like to bring up another subject.

can't be sheltered   by someone who is a legal resident.

Indeed, there are a lot of problems   with illegal immigrants in all countries.

it's because they're escaping   from a problem in their own country.

I think that they are given   a false idea about Europe

because they're told that it will all be fine,   they'll be integrated straight away.

Many illegal immigrants work for families   as home helps, for example...

They also deserve freedom of movement   within Europe but they don't have it.

The basic problem is   in the home countries of these people.

They come because they think there's   more freedom, they can have a better life.

I think Europe has really improved   the freedom of citizens.

You only have to look at   the Communist bloc, Eastern Europe,

where people, if they wanted news   from the rest of Europe,

had to turn on the tap   and listen to the radio quietly

because they were afraid   of being spied on and punished.

Now we're free to listen to   or watch what we like.

I think that's a big step forward   in everybody's freedom.

You say that we can listen to   or watch what we like,

We think that we have freedom,   but we can't broadcast what we like...

Perhaps it's the TV channels and   the radio stations, the media in general,

that are lacking in freedom now.   They can't broadcast what they like,

so perhaps it gives the illusion of more   freedom when that may not be true.

Do you agree, can the press manipulate   or misinform at times?

Indeed, yes, because with all the conflicts   going on - Palestine, Israel, Iran, etc -

I think we only hear the side   that they want us to know.

I think that the press   manipulates the news a bit

in the sense that, when you look   at an event in a newspaper,

it won't be reported in the same way   in another newspaper.

It's a very subjective point of view   from the writer of the article,

or the cameraman,   or from the journalist in general terms.

So I don't think that restricts   our freedom in Europe.