Following a final plenary vote, rapporteurs Maria-Manuel Leitão-Marques (S&D, PT) and Samira Rafaela (Renew, NL) discuss new rules banning products made with force labour.

Press conference on Forced labour regulation

LEX signing ceremony in presence of Roberta METSOLA, EP President and János BÓKA, Minister for European Affairs, on behalf of the Hungarian Presidency

Samira RAFAELA in the EP in Strasbourg

EP Plenary session - Commission Statement - EU’s response to the repeated killing of humanitarian aid workers, journalists and civilians by the Israel Defence Forces in the Gaza Strip

Press conference on the adoption of the Forced Labour Regulation

EP Plenary session - Prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market

EP Plenary session - EU-Chile agreements

Samira RAFAELLA in the EP in Strasbourg

Press conference on Prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market

Samira RAFAELA In the EP in Brussels

Press confrerence on the pay transparency directive

EP Plenary session - Equal pay for equal work between men and women (pay transparency and enforcement mechanisms)

FEMM Committee - vote on the approval of the Pay Transparency Directive trilogue result

Samira RAFAELA in the EP in Brussels

Meeting of Women Speakers of Parliaments of the European Union - Visit to the Ukrainian civil society hub

EP Plenary session - O.Q. - The Dutch childcare benefit scandal, institutional racism and algorithms

JURI - FEMM Committees joint trilogue on Women on Boards directive

President Roberta METSOLA and a representative of the Hungarian Presidency, János BÓKA, Minister for European Union Affairs sign seventeen COD LEX in Strasbourg.

Lex Signing: extracts from the ceremony

MEPs discuss the EU’s response to the repeated killing of humanitarian aid workers, journalists and civilians by the Israel Defence Forces in Gaza. In March, Parliament adopted a resolution warning about the desperate food insecurity and impending starvation in Gaza. Second part of MEPs debate.

EU’s response to the repeated killing of humanitarian aid workers, journalists and civilians by the Israel Defence Forces in the Gaza Strip: MEPs debate (part 2)

Maria-Manuel LEITÃO-MARQUES (S&D, PT) and Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), co-rapporteurs hold a press conference on the adoption of the Forced Labour Regulation. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press Conference by Maria-Manuel LEITÃO-MARQUES (S&D, PT) and Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), co-rapporteurs on the adoption of the Forced Labour Regulation

Parliament calls on the Council to finally act to tackle hate speech and hate crime in the EU. The draft report asks for progress on classifying hate speech and hate crime as “EU crimes” - a process stalled in Council since 2022. MEPs highlight the need to ensure all individuals and groups that can become targets of hate are protected, and to ensure that freedom of expression is not exploited to protect hate speech and hate crimes. They are also set to call for an “open-ended” approach whereby incidents would be assessed based on their contextual circumstances. MEP's debate

Extending the list of EU crimes to hate speech and hate crime: MEP's debate

While international diplomatic efforts are underway to address the Gaza conflict and prevent it from escalating into a regional crisis, the Israeli government has expressed its determination to end Hamas' rule in Gaza. Israeli officials asserted a transition to more targeted warfare, though intense fighting continues. MEPs debate the humanitarian situation, the need to reach a ceasefire, and the risks of escalation in the Middle East. Second part of the debate.

Humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need to reach a permanent ceasefire and the risks of regional escalation: MEPs debate (part 2)

After the opening statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, MEPs debate on the need to release all hostages, to achieve a humanitarian ceasefire and prospect of the two-state solution.

Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union - Need to release all hostages, to achieve a humanitarian ceasefire and prospect of the two-state solution: MEPs debate part 2

MEPs put forward draft changes to the EU’s core rules, following up on the Conference on the Future of Europe and reacting to unprecedented challenges. The text, prepared in the Committee on Constitutional Affairs by five co-rapporteurs representing a broad majority, includes a more bicameral system, as well as granting Parliament the full right to initiate legislation and the right to co-legislate on the EU’s long-term budget. It also calls for an increase in the number of decisions taken by qualified majority in the Council. Other proposals touch upon the election of the Commission President, citizens’ participation including EU-wide referendums, and more EU powers in areas such as environment and biodiversity, security and defense, civil protection, public health, energy, and cross-border-infrastructure.

Proposal of the European Parliament for the amendment of Treaties: MEPs debate

Parliament wants to take stock of the implementation of the Digital Services Act, after the first 19 platforms and search engines that have to comply with its obligations since 25 August were named. Platforms including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Tiktok and Instagram are now required to take concrete measures to assess and mitigate system risks related to the spread of disinformation or harmful content on their services. MEPs discuss with Council and Commission how to respond to the increase in violent, terrorist and false content circulating on social media. Second part of the MEPs debate.

Fighting disinformation and dissemination of illegal content in the context of the Digital Services Act: MEPs debate (part 2)

The proposal on Prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market covers all products made available within the EU market, meaning both products made in the EU for domestic consumption and for export, as well as imported goods. It would apply to products of any type, including their components, regardless of the sector. Press conference by Maria-Manuel LEITÃO-MARQUES (S&D, PT) and Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), co-rapporteurs. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Maria-Manuel LEITÃO-MARQUES (S&D, PT) and Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), co-rapporteurs on Prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market

Arrested by the morality police on 13 September 2022 for allegedly ignoring Iran’s strict veiling laws, Jina Mahsa Amini died in a Tehran hospital three days later following physical abuse while in custody. Her death sparked protests that spread around the country with at least 500 people killed after the Iranian authorities clamped down on the demonstrations with brutal force. MEPs discuss the situation in Iran and mark Amini’s death that sparked months of mass protests in the county.

Iran: one year after the murder of Jina Mahsa Amini: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs discuss proposals to improve Parliament’s transparency, integrity and accountability rules. The draft report by Parliament’s Special Committee on Foreign Interference, Transparency and Accountability identifies medium- to longer-term measures to be taken and calls for them to be implemented as soon as possible as it constitutes an important first step in the internal reform process. Second part of the debate.

Recommendations for reform of the European Parliament’s rules on transparency, integrity, accountability and anti-corruption: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs debate on the world’s first set of comprehensive rules to manage AI risk and promote uses of AI that align with EU values including human oversight, privacy, and non-discrimination. The rules follow a risk-based approach and establish obligations for providers and users depending on the level of risk the AI can generate. They would prohibit AI systems with unacceptable levels of risk. They are also proposing tailor-made rules for generative AI, like ChatGPT, including labelling AI-generated content and making publicly-available summaries of copyrighted data used for training. To boost AI innovation, MEPs propose exemptions for research activities and open-source AI components. First part of Second part of MEPs debate

Artificial Intelligence Act: MEPs debate (part 2)

To provide legal certainty to business and citizens, the Commission has proposed a directive laying down rules on corporate due diligence obligations. According to the new rules, companies will be required to prevent, end or mitigate the negative impact that their activities have on human rights and the environment, such as on child labour, slavery, pollution or biodiversity loss. Opening statements by Lara WOLTERS (S&D, NL), Rapporteur; Raphaël GLUCKSMANN (S&D, FR), AFET; Barry ANDREWS (Renew, IE), INTA; René REPASI (S&D, DE), ECON; Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), EMPL; Tiemo WÖLKEN (S&D, DE), ENVI; by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice and by Ilan DE BASSO (S&D, SE), DEVE and Deirdre CLUNE (EPP, IE), IMCO. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence: opening statements by Lara WOLTERS; Raphaël GLUCKSMANN; Barry ANDREWS; René REPASI; Samira RAFAELA; Tiemo WÖLKEN; by Didier REYNDERS, EC for Justice; and by Ilan DE BASSO and and Deirdre CLUNE

Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs signs various COD LEX texts. Equal Pay Directive, Proposal for a Regulation on general product safety, amending Regulation Social Climate Fund (Fit for 55 package), greenhouse gas emission trading system,EU ETS Directive (Fit for 55 package), MRV Regulation (Fit for 55 package), Regulation establishing a carbon border adjustment mechanism, CBAM (Fit for 55 package), Directive on the exchange of information between the law enforcement authorities of Member States and repealing Council Framework Decision 2006/960/JHA, Information exchange between law enforcement authorities, Directive amending Directive 2003/25/EC as regards the inclusion of improved stability requirements and the alignment of that Directive with the stability requirements defined by the International Maritime Organisation, Ro-Ro passenger ships, Decision the European Parliament and the Council on a European Year of Skills.

Lex Signing ceremony: signature of Eleven COD LEX texts by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and by Jessika ROSWALL, Minister for EU Affairs, on behalf of the Swedish Presidency of the Council.

MEPs debate the ratification of the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women, in line with a 2021 Court of Justice ruling approving its implementation even without the agreement of all Member States. First part of the debate.

Joint debate - EU accession to the Istanbul Convention on violence against women: MEPs debate (part 1)

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 discuss the legacy of the European Year of Youth together with the Commission. Questions and answers (part 2) with Mariya GABRIEL, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth.

Question Time to Commission - Legacy of the European Year of Youth: Questions and answers (part 2) with Mariya GABRIEL, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth

Parliament debates and approves an agreement with EU Ministers on new legislation requiring EU companies to disclose salary information of their employees. With the aim of closing the gender pay gap, the new law includes dissuasive penalties for employers that do not comply with equal pay rules. Extracts from the debate and from the vote.

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