Defend internet freedoms against ACTA

A controversial trade agreement threatens fundamental internet freedoms and provokes criticism around the globe. The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) was signed on 26 January by the European Union and nine other states with a view to creating a common framework for the protection of intellectual property rights. However, the agreement can only come into force in Europe if it is ratified by the European Parliament and the 27 national parliaments in the EU.

The Greens in the European Parliament have been opposing ACTA for two years but couldn’t stop the EU Commission and the EU Council, which are both dominated by the conservative European People’s Party, from pressing ahead with it. However, thanks to the wave of public protest, there is still a chance that the European Parliament will stop ACTA. more

Syria: EP calls for EU to do more to support Syrian opposition

The European Parliament today adopted a resolution on the situation in Syria. After the vote, Green foreign affairs spokesperson Franziska Brantner said:

“The EP has called for the EU to do more to support the opposition in Syria. This means strengthening political, humanitarian and technical support as well as communications opportunities of the Syrian opposition. In this regard the participation of EU foreign policy representative Ashton as EU representative in the Syria contact group with Turkey and the Arab League is welcomed by the EP. more

Counterproductive referendum in northern Kosovo is unnecessary provocation

Serb-dominated northern regions in Kosovo are holding a referendum on whether or not to recognise the Pristina-based government. Green foreign policy spokespersons Ulrike Lunacek and Franziska Brantner condemned the referendum. Ulrike Lunacek, who is the European Parliament rapporteur/draftsperson on Kosovo said:

“This referendum is totally counterproductive and represents a wholly unnecessary provocation that can only undermine the process of dialogue between the governments of Serbia and Kosovo. It is important that the EU makes this point. The Pristina-based Kosovan government should ignore the provocation and, instead, respond by strengthening its outreach programme. more

Parliament Hearing: Legitimacy lacking in Egypt?

In the aftermath of the elections and the violent response to protests in Port Said and across Egypt, a panel of experts presented their analysis to the European Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights.

Ahmed Samih, Director of the Andalus Institute for Tolerance and Anti Violence Studies in Cairo spoke of an obvious democratic deficit in the country. While the people at that top of the Egyptian parliament may have changed, from the National Democratic Party (NDP) to the Muslim Brotherhood, their approach to democracy does not appear to be significantly different, he said. He recommended that the EU should not support the SCAF and raised doubts over the legitimacy of the Muslim Brotherhood dominated parliament as both are quick to label any unrest as fuelled by ‘agents of the west.’ more

Expert Hearing on Egyptian Elections – Watch it Live

As the first session of the Egyptian parliament took place on the 23 January and the elections to the Shura Council are underway, MEPs will analyze the outcome of the parliamentary elections in Egypt and its implications. Participants will discuss how human rights will be translated into the constitutional process and how political parties will deliver human rights reform during the transition period. Among the pressing issues are: ending the state of emergency, combating torture, upholding freedom of expression, ensuring fair trials and investigating abuses committed under the rule of Hosni Mubarak, discrimination of minorities and last but not least women’s rights. more