The Council has approved the EU’s accession to the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention). The Convention provides a binding legal framework The Convention creates a legal framework to protect women against violence. It covers a broad range of measures, from data collection and awareness raising to legal […]
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Statements by Josep Borrell on behalf of the EU on the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia
As we mark the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, this year’s theme for the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) – “Together Always: United in Diversity” – is a timely reminder that all human beings, regardless of who they are, whom they love, and how they see and define themselves, […]
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European Parliament adopts three resolutions on respect for human rights in Algeria, Belarus and Myanmar
Media freedom and freedom of expression in Algeria, the case of journalist Ihsane El-Kadi Parliament urges the Algerian authorities to immediately release all those arbitrarily detained and charged for exercising their right to freedom of expression, including prominent journalist Ihsane El-Kadi, who was convicted in April to a five-year sentence and hefty fines on unfounded […]
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European Parliament gives green light to EU accession to Istanbul Convention
On Wednesday, Parliament approved the EU’s accession to the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women. Six years after the EU signed the Istanbul Convention – the first legally binding international instrument on preventing and combating violence against women and girls – it has still not been ratified because of the refusal of […]
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World Press Freedom Day: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union
“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”. Laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 75 years ago, the protection of freedom of expression remains a […]
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Commission takes action to promote work-life balance in Spain and other EU countries
To safeguard the right to work-life balance across Member States, the European Commission decided to continue infringement procedures against Belgium Czechia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Austria, and Slovenia by sending them a reasoned opinion for failing to notify national measures fully transposing EU rules establishing rights on work-life balance for parents and […]
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Parliament approves new transparency rules on the gender pay gap
New legislation will oblige EU companies to share information to make it easier for workers to compare salaries and highlight possible gender differences. Pay structures used to compare salaries must be based on gender-neutral criteria, according to new rules adopted by the European Parliament on Thursday by 427 votes in favour, 79 against and 76 […]
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European Commission: Gender Equality Strategy
Progress towards gender equality Although inequalities persist, the EU has made significant progress towards gender equality in recent decades because: Equal treatment legislation Mainstreaming a gender perspective in all policies Specific measures to promote the status of women More and more women are entering the labour market and the results of their education and training […]
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European Parliament condemns the poisoning of young girls in Iran and calls for wider sanctions
The European Parliament condemned Wednesday the poisoning of schoolgirls in Iran and called on the EU and the UN to act to combat the repression of women in the country. Referring to numerous incidents since November 2022, where thousands of girls and women across Iran have been attacked with toxic chemicalsto prevent them from attending […]
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