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

On 24 February 2022, the Kremlin launched an all-out assault on Ukraine. The unprovoked, unjustified and illegal war on its neighbour shocked the world and changed Europe’s relationship with Russia. The EU and European Parliament continue to stand in solidarity with Kyiv, condemning Russian aggression, sanctioning those responsible and providing financial and material aid to the people in Ukraine and EU.

Ukraine: One year on…

As 2023 begins, many Europeans are looking forward with the hope of a better future. After a challenging 2022, people are hoping that the coming year will be more peaceful, prosperous and positive.
 
Watch President Metsola’s New Year’s address: a message of solidarity among nations and with Ukraine, a message of hope and a message that Parliament and the EU are working to bring progress and positive change.

President Roberta Metsola’s New Year’s message

The brave People of Ukraine, represented by their president, elected leaders and civil society have been awarded the 2022 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. MEPs honoured Ukrainians for their commitment to fighting for rights and freedoms. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Parliament by video link, as MEPs repeated their call for an international tribunal to investigate Russian war crimes.

2022 Sakharov Prize awarded to the brave People of Ukraine

Parliament will award the 2023 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the brave People of Ukraine for their fight for freedom and democracy. 
 
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will address MEPs via video link and members of Ukraine’s State Emergency Services, civil society as well as elected leaders will receive the award at the ceremony in Strasbourg in the name of the People of Ukraine. 
 
MEPs will vote on proposals to speed up issuing renewable energy project permits and reducing the energy consumption of buildings. Both steps will help the green transition and boost energy independence. 
 
Parliament is also expected to call for more robust rules to support people with disabilities. All that and more, coming up in Parliament.

Sakharov Prize, green energy permits, disabilities – coming up in Parliament

The European Parliament awarded the 2022 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the brave people of Ukraine, represented by President Zelenskyy, Ukrainian elected leaders and civil society. 
  
Since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, millions of people have been displaced, tens of thousands killed or injured.
 
Yet despite the brutality of the occupying forces and the unimaginable human suffering, the people of Ukraine have refused to bow. 
  
By awarding them with the Sakharov Prize, the European Parliament reiterates its solidarity with the people of Ukraine in their fight for freedom and independence.

Sakharov Prize 2022: The brave people of Ukraine

MEPs have demanded restraint from Iranian authorities over protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini.
 
Dozens of people are reported to have been killed in the demonstrations, which have sparked expressions of solidarity around the world.
 
Amini, a 22 year-old Kurdish woman, died on 16 September after her arrest by morality police in Tehran. They claimed she had broken headscarf rules.
 
The EU has called on Iran to respect fundamental rights. It is considering further restrictive measures against Iranian authorities.

Parliament shows solidarity with Iranian protestors

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, opens the plenary session on the 3 October in Strasbourg. Statement on the repression of women's rights protesters in Iran after the killing of Mahsa AMINI.

Resumption of session and order of business: opening statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President on the repression of women's rights protesters in Iran after the killing of Mahsa AMINI

A single USB-C charging solution, support for Ukrainian refugees in the EU and moves to tackle high energy prices are on the agenda as Parliament returns to Strasbourg. 
  
MEPs are due to vote on a one-size-fits-all charging system for devices like mobile phones, laptops and digital cameras, as the EU moves to reduce e-waste and boost sustainability. Parliament is set to sign off on fast-tracked funds to help both Ukrainian refugees and the European regions that are hosting them. 
 
Members will vote on a new framework to deal with cross-border health threats in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. They are also set to call for a solidarity-based EU response to high energy prices.

Common charger, energy prices and Ukraine - coming up in Strasbourg

Has the European Commission delivered on its promises for the EU over the past year? And what is its plan for the year ahead? MEPs quizzed President Ursula von der Leyen on Russia’s war on Ukraine, soaring energy prices and respect for the rule of law. Tackling climate change, overcoming the economic crisis and protecting human rights were also on the agenda.

State of the European Union debate 2022

Parliament signed off on two pieces of landmark digital legislation for a safer and fairer online environment. MEPs urged EU action to ease exports from Ukraine and ensure global food supplies. They also reaffirmed their support for abortion rights in the wake of the US Supreme Court’s recent ruling, backed plans to improve the EU care sector and agreed Croatia should join the euro.

Plenary highlights: Digital laws, food security and abortion rights.

Parliament set its position on a series of laws designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. MEPs called for a Convention to discuss modifications to EU treaties, following the outcome of the Conference on the Future of Europe. The speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament addressed members in Strasbourg. And the Bosnian film ‘Quo Vadis, Aida?’ won the 2022 LUX Audience Award.

Plenary highlights: Climate action, EU treaty change and LUX Award

The Conference on the Future of Europe wound-up with a special event on Europe Day 2022 at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The Conference co-chairs delivered a final report to the presidents of the three main European institutions. It contains 49 proposals, with more than 300 measures on improving the European Union. A groundbreaking exercise in participatory democracy, the Conference brought together citizens of different ages, backgrounds and origins to discuss ideas at events across the EU and in the European Parliament.

Conference hands over final report at Strasbourg event

How is the war in Ukraine impacting the EU? What more can the EU do to help Ukraine defend itself and end Russian aggression? Parliament will debate these issues. Other items on the plenary agenda include harnessing the potential of artificial intelligence, proposals to change how MEPs are elected and new rules for a common charger for phones and electronic devices. All that and more coming up in Strasbourg.

Coming up in Strasbourg: Ukraine, AI and a common phone charger

Parliament called on the EU to do more to protect children and young people fleeing the war in Ukraine. MEPs voted to update rules on the EU’s critical energy infrastructure, to bring them into line with Green Deal targets. They also called for more transparency in small companies to help close the gender pay gap.

Plenary highlights: Ukraine child refugees, energy and equal pay

The European Parliament has condemned in the strongest possible terms Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In an emergency sitting, MEPs called on Russia to immediately withdraw its troops and restore the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. Members expressed their solidarity with Ukrainians and called for more support for the vulnerable. Parliament called for an even tougher EU response to the regime of Vladimir Putin.

Russian invasion of Ukraine: 'We will not look away'

European citizens voted 40 recommendations, which they will debate with the EU institutions, governments, MPs and civil society at the next Conference Plenary in Strasbourg. Participants met in Maastricht, for the third and final session of the panel on migration and the EU’s role in the world.

Migration, foreign policy: Citizens make recommendations in Maastricht

77 years after the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, the European Parliament commemorated the Holocaust in the presence of survivor Margot Friedländer. The German writer addressed MEPs, recounting her exile from Berlin to the concentration camp of Theresienstadt and the suffering of the millions of victims of Nazi atrocities.

The European Parliament commemorates Holocaust victims

Sara Bahai was hailed as a feminist hero when, against all odds, she became the first woman taxi driver in Afghanistan, defying the country’s strict gender norms. She was forced to flee the country when the Taliban returned to power in 2021 and is now safely settled in Portugal. She talked about her fight, ahead of a high-level conference at the European Parliament on this issue.

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