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 Maltese MEP, Roberta Metsola has been elected president of the European Parliament. The scheduled vote took place less than a week after the death of the outgoing president, David Sassoli. Before her election, Parliament paid its final respects to the former president who died on 11 January.

Roberta Metsola: third woman to lead European Parliament

Alexei Navalny, a leading Russian opposition figure has been awarded the 2021 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. His daughter collected the prize in the absence of the jailed laureate. For years, Navalny has been calling for democracy and an end to corruption in his home country. The European Parliament honours his fight.

Parliament awards Alexei Navalny the 2021 Sakharov Prize

Europeans met in Florence and connected remotely for the third and final session of the panel on European democracy, rights, rule of law and security. They came up with conclusions on how to reform the EU, protect democracy, strengthen citizen participation in the EU and tackle discrimination.

Conference on the Future of Europe: citizens draw conclusions on rule of law, EU values and rights

The European Parliament and the European Film Academy have announced the three nominees for the 2022 LUX Audience Award. ‘Flee’ by Jonas Poher Rasmussen, ‘Great Freedom’ by Sebastian Meise and ‘Quo Vadis, Aida?’ by Jasmila Žbanić are in the running for the award. Watch the films and vote to help choose the winner!

Secrets and impossible decisions in the 2022 LUX Audience Award

Street demonstrations, investigations, poisoning and jail… Alexei Navalny’s fight against the corruption of the Russian regime has been met with intimidation and violence for more than a decade. The European Parliament awarded the 2021 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the jailed Russian opposition figure in the centenary year of Russian dissident Andrei Sakharov, after whom the prize is named.

Sakharov Prize 2021 – Alexei Navalny, standing up to the Russian regime

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 21-22 October 2021 on the situation at the Belarus' borders: extracts from the debate

The Conference on the Future of Europe has brought citizens from across the EU together with one goal: coming up with ideas for the EU of tomorrow. Meet Chiara, Daniel and Michalakis who are on the Citizens' Panel on democracy, EU values, rule of law and security.

Chiara, Daniel and Michalakis: discussing democracy, security and EU values

The European Parliament is celebrating its second annual Gender Equality Week! In all EU policy areas, from digital to the green transition, from trade to employment, gender equality is at the centre of Parliament's work. The EU is continuing to build a fairer, more equal society for everyone.

It’s gender equality week 2021!

Hundreds of Europeans gathered in Strasbourg this weekend for the second citizens’ panel of the Conference on the Future of Europe. They discussed the principles underpinning EU democracy, values, rights, the rule of law and security.

Conference on the Future of Europe: citizens discuss European values and rights

It’s time take stock of the past year and look to the future. Is the von der Leyen Commission doing enough? Is it prepared for the challenges ahead? Members of the European Parliament will quiz the European Commission President about her policies during the 2021 State of the European Union debate.

2021 State of the European Union Debate

As a global actor, the EU inspires countries around the world and strengthens international development in many ways.

How does the European Union influence global policies?

The European Parliament is set on combatting online child sexual abuse. This means using technology to scan and remove content. But how does this square with EU data protection rules? Learn more from the author of Parliament's report, Birgit Sippel.

Preventing online child abuse, while protecting personal data

Parliament is set to call for the rules to withhold funds from EU countries that do not respect the rule of law to be applied immediately. MEPs will also vote on a facility to improve connectivity in Europe, on EU funds for asylum and migration policies and on a stronger European Medicines Agency. All that and more, coming up in Strasbourg.

Coming up in Strasbourg: rule of law, migration and the European medicines regulator

Many systems are in place to safeguard EU laws and empower EU countries, companies and individuals to appeal if they think their rights have been violated.

What happens when EU law is broken?

The ESF+ aims to invest in people and create a more social and inclusive Europe. Parliament wants to make sure that all children have a fair start, young people get a chance at quality employment through training and apprenticeships and vulnerable populations are supported.

European Social Fund Plus: helping the most vulnerable

Every year, the European Parliament awards the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to courageous individuals or organisations that stand up for human rights and democratic values. But do you know the man behind the award? From developing the hydrogen bomb to defending political prisoners, meet Andrei Sakharov.

Andrei Sakharov: the man behind the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought

The European Parliament is inviting people to take part in the Conference on the Future of Europe. Make your voice heard and debate the things that matter to you: climate, human rights, migration, economy... nothing is off limits! MEPs will be helping to steer the Conference. Meet executive board co-chair, Guy Verhofstadt.

Guy Verhofstadt - “The Conference will make Europe stronger”

The European Parliament is inviting people to take part in the Conference on the Future of Europe. Make your voice heard and debate the things that matter to you: climate, human rights, migration, economy... nothing is off limits! MEPs will be helping to steer the Conference. Meet executive board member, Manfred Weber.

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