Everyone should be free to be themselves and love who they want to love without fear. 
Yet lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer people still face discrimination in many parts of the world, including Europe. 
The EU is strongly committed to fighting against discrimination. Listen to find out more about how the EU is trying to build a more inclusive society where everyone can feel safe.

Fighting discrimination against LGBTIQ people

In response to growing threats to media freedom and the financial viability of media outlets, Parliament adopted a common framework for media services, known as the European Media Freedom Act. It is a true milestone, as the act protects journalists and media workers, encourages transparency in media ownership and promotes international cooperation to ensure a diverse and independent media landscape.

The EU’s Media Freedom Act

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10 December 1948 in Paris. The Declaration is a milestone document in the history of human rights because, for the first time, it set out fundamental human rights to be universally protected. The document is composed of a preamble followed by thirty articles. The EU has fully embraced the Declaration's significance, using it to set standards in its legislation and international agreements, and to guide its external policy.

The Universal declaration of Human Rights - English

DROI Committee meeting

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

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 144) Latest attacks against women, women's rights defenders in Iran, and its arbitrary detention of EU nationals

EP Plenary session - The EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders

EP Plenary session - Women activism – human rights defenders related to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR)

EP Plenary session - 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 arrest of Cardinal Zen and the trustees of the 612 relief fund in Hong Kong

Conference - The Future of Human Rights

EP Plenary Session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law - Links related to this program Forced labour in the Linglong factory and environmental protests in Serbia

EP Plenary Session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law - Continuous crackdown on civil society and human rights defenders in Russia: the case of human rights organisation Memorial

EP Plenary Session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law - Human rights violations by private military and security companies, particularly the Wagner Group

EP Plenary Session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law - Situation in Somalia

EP Plenary Session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law - The human rights situation in Cameroon

FEMM Committee - Public Hearing - Afghan Women as Peace Builders and Community Leaders Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law - The state law relating to abortion in Texas, USA

The European Parliament has awarded the 2023 Sakharov Prize to Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom protest movement in Iran. Parliament stands with Iranian women who continue to fight for their rights and for equality and democracy. 

Amini was a 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman. She was arrested by Iran’s "morality police" for allegedly ignoring Iran’s strict veiling laws. She died three days later following physical violence while in custody. 

When the news of her death broke in September 2022, spontaneous demonstrations erupted across the country, under the rallying cry Woman, Life, Freedom. People around the world marched in solidarity.

Sakharov Prize 2023: Jina Mahsa Amini and Woman, Life, Freedom in Iran - VT

Connecting with the European Parliament is easy!    
 
Not only can you contact your MEPs or visit Parliament’s buildings in Strasbourg or Brussels, Parliament's offices in the EU and beyond hold events and debates, support citizens’ networks and provide information keeping you up to date on how the EU works and how you can help shape its future! 

Find out more in our short explainer.

How can you connect with the European Parliament?

The European Parliament has awarded the 2023 Sakharov Prize to Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom protest movement in Iran. Parliament stands with Iranian women who continue to fight for their rights and for equality and democracy.       
       
Amini was a 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman. She was arrested by Iran’s "morality police" for allegedly ignoring Iran’s strict veiling laws. She died three days later following physical violence while in custody.   
      
When the news of her death broke in September 2022, spontaneous demonstrations erupted across the country, under the rallying cry Woman, Life, Freedom. People around the world marched in solidarity.

Sakharov Prize 2023: Jina Mahsa Amini and Woman, Life, Freedom in Iran

In a rapidly changing world, the EU needs to be able to make strong decisions. That’s why the European Parliament wants the EU’s powers to evolve. This requires updating the Union's founding documents: the EU Treaties. They were last changed in 2007. 

MEPs are calling for treaty changes that would not only strengthen the EU, but also democracy, giving more power to Europeans and streamlining decision making. Proposals include updating the lawmaking process, promoting European cooperation and rethinking how the European Commission is elected.

Towards a stronger and more democratic EU

Parliament plays a central role in EU lawmaking, but voting in the hemicycle is only a part of the picture.  
 
Before those big votes, MEPs work to improve proposals drafted by the EU Commission. But how? 
 
Watch our short video explaining the major steps in the lawmaking process.

MEPs' role in shaping EU rules

Have you ever asked yourself: Why the EU? What’s it for? Why does it matter?   
 
In an increasingly fractious world, the EU is a powerful bloc representing 450 million Europeans, making sure your voice is heard on the world stage. 

What it means to be part of the EU can be summed up in a few words – we are stronger together!    
 
What’s the point of the EU? Find out in our short explainer!

The importance of the EU

On 1 November 1993, the Maastricht Treaty came into force! It marked a new stage in the process of European integration by creating 'an ever-closer union among the peoples of Europe'.   

The Treaty is the cornerstone of the European Union that we know today. It gave more power to the people by increasing the lawmaking powers of the European Parliament!  

Did you know that thanks to the Maastricht Treaty you, as EU citizen, can vote and stand in EU elections in any EU country? Your next chance is in June 2024!

The Maastricht Treaty: 30 years of ever-closer union

&lt;p>Once elected, Members of the European Parliament have an important job to do. They are the eyes, ears and voices of Europeans in the Parliament. You vote for them, then they vote for you! Sitting in parliamentary groups, a bit like parties in national parliaments, MEPs listen to people’s concerns, debate, consult with interested parties and vote on laws. Find out more about the role of MEPs!&lt;/p>

The role of Members of the European Parliament

MEPs have demanded targeted sanctions against Azerbaijani officials in the wake of the military seizure of Nagorno-Karabakh.    
    
More than 100,000 ethnic Armenians have fled the enclave since September’s attack. Parliament said the forced exodus amounted to ethnic cleansing.   
    
MEPs passed a resolution which also urged EU institutions and member states to increase humanitarian aid to Armenia. It called for a review of EU relations with Azerbaijan, including on gas supplies.

Nagorno-Karabakh: MEPs urge sanctions over Azerbaijan’s attack

The rule of law is a keystone of democracy and a core EU value.    
   
MEPs have consistently warned it is under threat in some member states, amid concerns corruption and compromised judicial systems could lead to the misuse of EU funds.    
   
The European Parliament has created a tool to protect the EU’s money and values.    
   
The rule of law conditionality mechanism lets the EU suspend payments that may be spent in ways that flout democratic standards and fundamental rights.   
   
Find out more in our short explainer video.

The rule of law conditionality mechanism decrypted

Every five years European voters are called to the ballot box to choose Members of the European Parliament. The vote has a direct impact on EU policy over the following parliamentary term. 

The European elections are the biggest transnational vote on the planet and they shape not only Europe but also the EU’s place in the world.

Find out more about European elections!

Voting in the European elections

The European Parliament, the only directly elected EU institution, is the beating heart of European democracy! 

It represents the interests of EU citizens.  

MEPs debate, amend and pass laws which have a direct impact on the lives of some 450 million Europeans.  

Find out more about how the European Parliament works!

How the European Parliament works

As a European Union citizen, you are free to live, work and travel across 27 EU countries. The EU supports the economy and protects your rights, ensuring fairer workplaces, safer products and a clean environment.   
   
The EU promotes values like equality, peace and democracy at home and abroad.    
   
Find out more about the benefits the EU brings.

The benefits of the European Union

What if your phone turned into a spying device: giving malevolent actors access to your location, photos, contacts, camera and microphone? This is exactly what spyware such as Pegasus and Predator have done to the phones of some journalists, opposition politicians and civil activists.  
On top of being illegal, this practice is dangerous to democracy and human rights. MEPs want to set ground rules on when and how such spyware should be used.  
Your questions on the dangers of spyware, answered by MEP Sophie in ‘t Veld.

Parliament wants to end the illegal use of spyware

Ten years after the Rana Plaza disaster in Bangladesh killed 1,134 garment workers, the European Parliament passed a resolution asking for new minimum standards to make the textile sector sustainable. 
 
MEPs also called for measures to protect workers' rights in third countries and safeguards to limit the environmental impact of industries.  

The collapse of the Rana Plaza factory killed mostly women, producing cheap clothing for well-known western brands.

Rana Plaza: MEPs push for ethical, sustainable textiles 10 years on

As Russia’s full-on invasion of Ukraine enters its second year, many refugees have picked up the pieces of their shattered lives and are rebuilding them in the European Union. Their stories are a tale of strength, resilience and solidarity. Here, four of them, living in Germany, Poland and Spain, tell their stories.        
      
The European Parliament continues to stand by Ukraine and its people. Learn more: http://epyoutube.eu/UkraineOneYearOn

Meet Ukrainian refugees who fled the war

Discover the story of the European flag and the values it stands for: democracy, dignity, freedom, equality, rule of law and human rights.
 
The European flag inspires around the globe. People celebrating or fighting for the causes the flag represents often adopt it as their symbol, inside and outside EU borders.

The European flag: a symbol of fundamental values

On 19 April 1943, Nazi soldiers and police stormed the Jewish ghetto in Warsaw with orders to round up the residents and send them to death camps. Living in appalling conditions, the Jewish civilians had nothing left to lose. Some 700 of them resisted, forcing the Nazis to retreat on the first day. Over the coming weeks, the Nazis intensified their attacks, burning the ghetto to the ground. Some 7,000 Jews were killed and another 7,000 were captured and murdered at the Treblinka death camp. 
The European Parliament marks 80 years since the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.

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