The European Parliament is marking 70 years of democracy in action - from its first assembly in 1952 to being stronger than ever during challenging times today.

70th Anniversary of the European Parliament: 70 years of European democracy

Il-Parlament Ewropew qed ifakkar is-70 sena ta' demokrazija fl-azzjoni, mill-ewwel assemblea tiegħu fl-1952 saż-żminijiet diffiċli tal-lum fejn aktar minn qatt qabel qed juri kemm huwa b'saħħtu.

Is-70 Anniversarju tal-Parlament Ewropew: 70 sena ta' demokrazija Ewropea

Het Europees Parlement kijkt terug op zeventig jaar democratie in actie, vanaf de eerste vergadering in 1952 tot het Parlement van vandaag, dat ondanks zeer moeilijke tijden sterker staat dan ooit.

Het zeventigjarige bestaan van het Europees Parlement: Zeventig jaar Europese democratie

El Parlamento Europeo celebra sus setenta años de democracia en acción: desde su primera asamblea en 1952 hasta hoy, más fuerte que nunca en estos tiempos difíciles.

70.º aniversario del Parlamento Europeo: setenta años de democracia europea

Euroopan parlamentti juhlii 70-vuotista taivaltaan demokratiatoiminnassa: ensimmäisestä edustajakokouksesta vuonna 1952 haastaviin nykypäiviin saakka, jolloin se on vahvempi kuin koskaan.

Euroopan parlamentin 70-vuotisjuhla: 70 vuotta eurooppalaista demokratiaa

Hetvenéves fennállását ünnepli az Európai Parlament, amely a kezdeti konzultatív fórumból mára az európai demokrácia erős bástyájává vált. Erre szükség is van ezekben az embert próbáló időkben.

70 éves az Európai Parlament, az európai demokrácia letéteményese

Europaparlamentet firar 70 år av demokratiskt arbete – Från sitt första möte 1952 till våra dagars utmaningar har det växt sig starkare än någonsin.

Europaparlamentets 70-årsjubileum: 70 år av europeisk demokrati

Parlamentul European aniversează 70 de ani de democrație în acțiune: de la prima sa adunare, în 1952, până la instituția puternică de astăzi, care răzbate vremuri dificile.

Cea de-a 70-a aniversare a Parlamentului European: 70 de ani de democrație europeană

Il Parlamento europeo festeggia 70 anni di democrazia attiva, dalla sua prima assemblea, nel 1952, fino alla sua attuale presenza, più forte che mai, in questi tempi difficili.

70° anniversario del Parlamento europeo: 70 anni di democrazia europea

Eiropas Parlaments atzīmē demokrātijas 70 gadus — no pirmās asamblejas 1952. gadā līdz mūsdienu pārbaudījumiem, kas demokrātiju padarījuši spēcīgāku nekā jebkad.

Eiropas Parlamenta 70. gadadiena: Eiropas demokrātijas 70 gadi

O Parlamento Europeu assinala 70 anos de democracia em ação – desde a sua primeira assembleia, em 1952, até se tornar mais forte do que nunca nos tempos difíceis que correm.

Cerimónia do 70.º aniversário do Parlamento Europeu: 70 anos de democracia europeia

Το Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο γιορτάζει 70 χρόνια δημοκρατίας στην πράξη - από την πρώτη του συνεδρίαση το 1952 ως το ισχυρό θεσμικό όργανο που μπορεί να αντιμετωπίσει τις προκλήσεις του σήμερα.

70ή επέτειος του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου: 70 χρόνια ευρωπαϊκής δημοκρατίας

Evropski parlament praznuje 70 let demokracije. Prva skupščina je bila sestavljena leta 1952, v današnjih časih, polnih izzivov, pa je Parlament močnejši kot kdaj koli prej.

70 let Evropskega parlamenta: 70 let evropske demokracije

Europos Parlamentas švenčia veikiančios demokratijos 70 metų sukaktį – tiek laiko praėjo nuo 1952 m. įvykusios jo pirmosios asamblėjos. Per visus tuos metus jis nepaliovė stiprėti, kad įveiktų šiandienos iššūkius.

Europos Parlamento 70 metų sukaktis: 70 Europos demokratijos metų

Europa-Parlamentet markerer 70 års demokrati i praksis – fra den første forsamling i 1952 til et parlament, der i dag er stærkere end nogensinde, trods store udfordringer.

Europa-Parlamentets 70-års jubilæum: 70 år med europæisk demokrati

Европейският парламент отбелязва 70 години демокрация в действие — от първата си асамблея през 1952 година до днес, по-целеустремен от всякога в тези трудни времена.

70-ти рожден ден на Европейския парламент: 70 години демокрация в Европа

Evropský parlament se ohlíží za 70 lety demokracie v akci – od svého prvního shromáždění v roce 1952 po dnešní náročnou dobu, v níž musí být silnější než kdy jindy.

70. výročí vzniku Evropského parlamentu: 70 let evropské demokracie

Europski parlament obilježava 70 godina demokracije na djelu. Od prve Zajedničke skupštine osnovane 1952. do izazova današnjice, Parlament je snažniji nego ikad.

70. obljetnica Europskog parlamenta: 70 godina europske demokracije

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 debates on human rights, democracy and rule of law topics.

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.

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)

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

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

Article 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) 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

On the 16th October 2017, the Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was killed in a car bomb explosion. Ms Caruana Galizia gave to the Committee of Inquiry into Money Laundering, Tax Avoidance and Tax Evasion (PANA) evidence about her work on the Panama Papers at a meeting in February 2017 in Malta.

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 Malta (2019-2020)

Since the Law and Justice party (PiS) won both the presidential and parliamentary elections in Poland in autumn 2015, the government has undertaken a series of reforms that critics say restrict democracy.

Under the rule of law, governmental powers are limited by law and may be exercised only on the basis of law. An independent judiciary is indispensable to guaranteeing this state of affairs, and appropriate procedures, including legal remedies, must be in place to guarantee that individuals can protect their rights and trigger judicial review of governmental action.

Should an EU Member State be suspected of breaching the rule of law, a number of procedures are available to verify this and, if needed, remedy the situation.

Rule of law in Poland (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

Disinformation campaigns are a threat to the proper functioning of democracies. The Parliament is committed to ensuring people are able to access reliable information.

Elements of disinformation and propaganda are that such information (i) is designed to be wholly or partly false, manipulated or misleading, or uses unethical persuasion techniques; (ii) regards an issue of public interest; (iii) has the intention to generate insecurity, hostility or polarisation, or attempts to disrupt democratic processes; (iv) and is disseminated and/or amplified through automated and aggressive techniques, such as social bots, artificial intelligence (AI), micro-targeting or paid human 'trolls’, often used to boost public visibility.

Fight against disinformation (2019-2020)

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

Since the Law and Justice party (PiS) won both the presidential and parliamentary elections in Poland in autumn 2015, the new government has undertaken a series of reforms that critics say restrict democracy.

Freedom and pluralism: President Schulz of Parliament, and Commission vice-president Timmermans have voiced concern for the freedom and pluralism of Poland’s public-service television and radio and for the status of the Constitutional Court. On 13 January the Commission decided to start the first stage of the "Framework for addressing systemic threats to the Rule of Law" in Poland.

Women’s rights in Poland: the current sexual and reproductive health law in Poland is among the most restrictive in the EU but it does reflect a political consensus reached by all the parties years ago. This consensus has recently been put at risk by the pro-life movements calling for a total ban on abortion. Their “Pro- Right to Life” proposal (“citizen initiative”) and the restrictive act on IVF have been passed on for further work in the Polish parliament while a “Save the Women” proposal (a rival bid to liberalise access to legal abortion and introduce a large package of sexual and reproductive health services”) has been rejected despite earlier assurances that citizens’ initiatives will not be rejected without consideration in committees.

Rule of law in Poland - 8th parliamentary term

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

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

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

Article 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)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.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/rule-of-law-8th-parliamentary-term_10601_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Rule of law (2020)

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)

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

Sixth EUVP Alumni Webinar 'Building Partnerships in Defending Parliamentary Democracy'

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

Article 17 seminar on Liberal Democracy

10 years of supporting parliamentary democracy beyond the EU - Conclusions and way forward

10 years of supporting parliamentary democracy beyond the EU - Partnerships for democracy support

10 years of supporting parliamentary democracy beyond the EU - Creating parliamentary democratic culture through dialogue and consensus building

10 years of supporting parliamentary democracy beyond the EU - Comprehensive approach to the institutional reform and capacity development

10 years of supporting parliamentary democracy beyond the EU - What have we achieved and what have we learned?

Youth Democracy Event - Level Up! - Closing

Youth Democracy Event - Level Up! - Youth Talks

Youth Democracy Event - Level Up! - Opening

Press conference by Dubravka ŠUICA, EC Vice-President for Democracy and Demography and Jutta URPILAINEN, Commissioner for International Partnerships on the Youth Action Plan in EU external action for

Opening event of the ICONIC exhibition - How does an iconic photo help defend democracy?

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

During three days, the delegation looked into ongoing issues with the protection of the EU budget and the rule of law conditionality mechanism in Hungary. Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), Head of the delegation, Petri SARVAMAA, (EPP, FI), Lara WOLTERS (S&amp;D, NL), and Daniel FREUND (Greens/EFA, DE) conclude the fact-finding mission by a Press conference. The transcription is the results of an automated process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), Head of the delegation, Petri SARVAMAA, (EPP, FI), Lara WOLTERS (S&amp;D, NL) and Daniel FREUND (Greens/EFA, DE) on the conclusions of the fact-finding mission

Parliament holds urgent debates on human rights issues such as democracy, media freedom and rule of law. Myanmar, notably the dissolution of democratic political parties. Closing statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice.

The situation in Myanmar, notably the dissolution of democratic political parties

Parliament holds urgent debates on human rights issues such as democracy, media freedom and rule of law. Belarus: the inhumane treatment and hospitalisation of prominent opposition leader Viktar Babaryka. Closing statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice.

The situation in Belarus: the inhumane treatment and hospitalisation of prominent opposition leader Viktar Babaryka

&amp;lt;p>Parliament holds urgent debates on human rights issues such as democracy, media freedom and rule of law. Media freedom and freedom of expression in Algeria, the case of journalist Ihsane El-Kadi. Closing statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice.&amp;lt;/p>

Media freedom and freedom of expression in Algeria, the case of journalist Ihsane El-Kadi

Objavte príbeh európskej vlajky a hodnoty, ktoré zastupuje: demokraciu, dôstojnosť, slobodu, rovnosť, právny štát a ľudské práva. Európska vlajka inšpiruje po celom svete. Ľudia, ktorí oslavujú alebo bojujú za ciele, ktoré reprezentuje, ju často prijímajú ako symbol v rámci EÚ aj za jej hranicami.

Európska vlajka: symbol základných hodnôt

MEPs from the DROI (SUB Committee on Human Rights) and AFET (Foreign Affairs) Committees discuss how to support human rights, freedom and democracy in Iran with several guests: Mansoureh Shojayi, women's rights activist and writer, Mahdieh Golroo, journalist and women's rights activist, Fatameh Karimi, Researcher in Sociology of Gender, women's rights activist and President of Kurdistan human rights network France, Sattar Rahmani, a former teacher and political prisoner in Iran, expert on teachers' rights movement and Ardeshir Amir Arjomand, senior advisor to presidential candidate Mr. Mir-Hossein Mousavi. Extracts from the exchange of views. The transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please, check against delivery.

How to support Human Rights, Freedom and Democracy in Iran: extracts from the exchange of views

MEPs debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. In particular, on the risk of death penalty and execution of singer Yahaya Sharif Aminu for blasphemy in Nigeria. Closing statement by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety.

The risk of death penalty and execution of singer Yahaya Sharif Aminu for blasphemy in Nigeria

MEPs debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. In particular, on Repression in Russia in the cases of Vladimir Kara-Murza and Aleksey Navalny. Closing statement by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety.

Repression in Russia, in particular the cases of Vladimir Kara-Murza and Aleksey Navalny

MEPs debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. In particular, on the crackdown on the right to education and education rights activists in Afghanistan, including the case of Matiullah Wesa. Closing statement by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety.

The crackdown on the right to education and education rights activists in Afghanistan, including the case of Matiullah Wesa

MEPs vote on the following subjects: Amendments to Parliament’s Rules of Procedure concerning question time, the central rostrum, the blue-card procedure, the explanations of votes, the transparency register and the Ombudsman; Protocol Amending the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization; Deforestation regulation; Methods and procedure for making available own resources based on the Emissions Trading System, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and reallocated profits and on the measures to meet cash requirements; Combating discrimination in the EU - the long-awaited horizontal anti-discrimination directive - Motions for resolutions; Challenges facing the Republic of Moldova- Motions for resolutions; Rule of Law in Greece - Motions for resolutions; Rule of Law in Spain - Motions for resolutions; Rule of Law in Malta - Motions for resolutions

Voting session, including the vote on Deforestation regulation

During her official visit to the Netherlands, Roberta METSOLA, EP President, meets with students at Leiden University. She has an open discussion with students about the multiple challenges to peace, security, and democracy in Europe and the world, and the role the European Parliament plays in protecting the rights of European citizens and giving them the voice to shape our common European future.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to The Netherlands (The Hague): extracts from the Town Hall Discussion with Young Students

During the plenary session in Brussels, MEPs vote on several initiatives: Request for the waiver of the immunity of Anna Júlia Donáth - Sergey LAGODINSKY (Greens/EFA,DE); Joint Investigation Teams collaboration platform - Malik AZMANI (Renew, NL); European Year of Skills 2023 - Loucas FOURLAS (EPP, CY); General Product Safety Regulation - Dita CHARANZOVÁ (Renew, CZ); Equal pay for equal work between men and women (pay transparency and enforcement mechanisms) - Kira Marie PETER-HANSEN (Greens/EFA, DK) and Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL); Fluorinated gases regulation - Bas EICKHOUT (Greens/EFA, NL); Ozone depleting substances - Jessica POLFJÄRD (EPP, SE); Rule of law situation in the European Union - Motions for Resolutions.

Plenary session - Voting session, including Equal pay for equal work between men and women

MEPs debate and vote on the latest Commission report on the respect for core EU values across member states. MEPs are set to confirm that the Commission’s reporting has improved, but that rule of law is deteriorating and that specific concerns persist in several EU countries.

2022 Rule of Law report - the Rule of Law situation in the European Union: MEPs debate

Parliament hold urgent debates on the following human rights, democracy and rule of law topics. Iran: in particular the poisoning of hundreds of school girls. Closing statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality.

The situation of the poisoning of hundreds of school girls in Iran

MEPs take stock of the widespread public protests in Israel over the government’s attempts to limit the judiciary’s powers. MEPs debate (part 2)

Deterioration of democracy in Israel and consequences on the occupied territories: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs take stock of the widespread public protests in Israel over the government’s attempts to limit the judiciary’s powers. First part of the MEPs debate.

Deterioration of democracy in Israel and consequences on the occupied territories: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs take stock of the widespread public protests in Israel over the government’s attempts to limit the judiciary’s powers. Opening statement by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of a stronger Europe in the World.

Deterioration of democracy in Israel and consequences on the occupied territories: Opening statement by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in

MEPs take stock of the widespread public protests in Israel over the government’s attempts to limit the judiciary’s powers. Israel has recently seen the biggest protest movement in the country’s history erupt on its streets, with hundreds of thousands of people in several cities marching against a planned legal overhaul of the judiciary pushed by the Netanyahu-led government. Extracts from the debate.

Zobrazujú 57 sa výsledky kanálov pre "democracy"

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

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

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

Press freedom in the EU (2019- 2020)

Election Observation Missions

Rule of law - 8th parliamentary term

Press freedom in Malta (2019-2020)

Rule of law in Poland (2019-2020)

Online Multilingualism Day 2020

Fight against disinformation (2019-2020)

Press freedom in the EU - 8th Parliamentary term

Rule of law in Poland - 8th parliamentary term

International election observation

EU - Lebanon

Rule of law (2020)

Rule of law in Hungary (2019-2020)