Verhofstadt to call for plenary debate on rule of law and freedom in Bulgaria
22/01/2013
"Following the shocking scenes at the weekend of an assassination attempt in Sofia against the leader of Bulgaria's Movement for Rights and Freedoms, Dr. Ahmed Dogan, I would like to express my deepest concern on behalf of the...
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Fundamental rights in the EU are under threat
12/12/2012
A report by the European Parliament today, assessing respect for fundamental rights within the EU seeks to draw attention to abuses or dangerous tendencies in evidence amongst existing Member States which undermine the basic...
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Speech by Guy Verhofstadt - Intervention to the World Outgames 2013
04/12/2012
It is a pleasure to be here together with the Prime Minister and you all to launch the World Outgames 2013 in Antwerp. I am here today not only to launch this sportive and festive event, but also to express my support and firm...
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A European border surveillance system will enhance detection of irregular migration and help save lives
27/11/2012
Today Parliament's Civil Liberties committee approved legislation to improve surveillance at the external borders of the Schengen area. In 2011, the European Commission presented a proposal to further develop the European border...
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Home-made explosives: tougher rules to access high-risk chemicals
20/11/2012
The European parliament signed off today on a regulation limiting the scourge of home-made explosives by tightening up and further regulating the sales of certain chemicals to legal public use (private users) due to their dual...
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Migration situation in Greece: improvements made but more needs to be done
31/10/2012
From 28 to 31 October ALDE MEP Jan Mulder (VVD, the Netherlands) led an EP fact-finding delegation to Greece on the migratory situation in the Evros region at the Greek-Turkish borders and in Athens.. Members visited the...
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Human rights prize awarded to Iranians in recognition of their struggle for freedom
26/10/2012
Iranian lawyer and human rights activist Nasrin Sotoudeh and Iranian film-maker Jafar Panahi have won the Sakharov Prize 2012 which is the annual human rights prize of the European Parliament. They were nominated for the award...
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ALDE condemns Serbia's ban of gay rights march
04/10/2012
Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament (ALDE) strongly condemn Serbia's decision to ban the Belgrade Gay Pride for the second year in a row out of safety concerns over ultra-nationalist treats.
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Common consular protection: no EU citizens should be left behind
19/09/2012
The Civil Liberties Committee (LIBE) voted today on a report to strengthen consular protection for EU citizens abroad. ALDE welcomes this proposal to overcome the grave flaws exposed at the time of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai...
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Asylum seekers: no transfers to countries unable to cope with human rights
19/09/2012
After years of blockage, a compromise package between the Parliament and Council was agreed on in July to replace the Dublin II regulation, establishing the principles determining the country responsible for assessing asylum...
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