Data: 

2020-10-14

The Venice Commission of the Council of Europe issued the following statement:

“The term of office of the current Polish Human Rights Commissioner expired on 9 September 2020. While the successor has not yet been elected, on 17 September 2020 some MPs requested the Constitutional Court to declare unconstitutional the provision of the Human Rights Commissioner Law stating that the outgoing Commissioner performs his duties until the incumbent assumes the position.

The Ombudsman is an important element in a State based on democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and good administration.

The Venice Commission recalls that continuity in office is of outmost importance. A situation where the institution of the Human Rights Commissioner is prevented from functioning fully and effectively pending the election by parliament of a new Commissioner would have a significant adverse effect on the protection of the rights of the Polish citizens and of all people living in Poland.

The Principles on the protection and promotion of the Ombudsman institution (“the Venice Principles” ) state clearly that “States shall refrain from taking any action aiming at or resulting in the suppression of the Ombudsman institution or in any hurdles to its effective functioning, and shall effectively protect it from any such threats”.

The Venice Principles were endorsed by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 2 May 2019, by the Parliamentary Assembly on 2 October 2019 and by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities on 30 October 2019.”

Las instituciones del Defensor del Pueblo se configuran como instituciones idóneas para el impulso de la mediación. Esta es una de las 17 conclusiones del Simposio internacional sobre Mediacion y Tribulanes que celebró su cuarta edición el pasado mes de septiembre, del 21 al 25,  organizado por GEMME España.

Ha sido la primera vez que este congreso se desarrollaba en modo virtual, debido a las restricciones por el coronavirus. La acogida por parte de los profesionales llamados a participar: jueces y magistrados, abogados, mediadores, psicólogos, docentes y otras profesiones con interés en los métodos alternativos de resolución de conflictos, ha superado todas las expectativas, registrándose casi 700 asistentes. Su presidenta, Rosalía Fernández Ayala, cerró el acto con un mensaje que resume las conclusiones del Simposio "Otra justicia es posible. Confiamos en la madurez de la ciudadanía. Y la ciudadanía quiere diálogo y necesita paz"

Como colofón de las cinco jornadas que han integrado el simposio, se han presentado 17 conclusiones. 

To commemorate the third anniversary of the assassination of the Maltese investigative journalist, the prize will reward journalism reflecting EU principles and values.

The launch will take place online on Friday 16 October, 12.30-13.00 CET on the EP’s Facebook page. It will be led by the Vice-President of the European Parliament, Heidi Hautala (Greens, FI), and MEP David Casa (EPP, MT). They will be joined by the murdered journalist’s son, Andrew Caruana Galizia, from Malta.

Speakers will also take questions live from the audience.

Distinguishing outstanding EU journalism

The purpose of the prize is to distinguish outstanding journalism that reflects the European Union’s principles and values, as enshrined in the European Charter of Human Rights. The European Parliament considers that protecting press freedom around the world, and particularly that of investigative journalists whilst exercising their duties, is in the vital interest of democratic societies.

Even though the prize is initiated and supported by Parliament, it will be managed by an independent EU-based media partner in order to protect the independence of the prize and the work of the media.

Next steps

The European Parliament will soon begin selecting an independent organisation to establish the detailed criteria for awarding the prize and decide on who will sit on the jury. A call for tender to select such an organisation will be launched before the end of 2020.

The call for nominees for the prize will be launched around 03 May 2021 – World Press Freedom Day. The annual award ceremony will take each year around the anniversary of Daphne Caruana Galizia’s death.

Background

Daphne Caruana Galizia was a Maltese anti-corruption investigative journalist and blogger who was killed in a car bomb attack on 16 October 2017. She focused on investigative journalism, reporting on government corruption, allegations of money laundering and organised crime.

Contacts:

• Agnese KRIVADE

  Press Officer

  • (+32) 228 46 718 (BXL) 
  • (+32) 470 89 01 46 
  • agnese.krivade@europarl.europa.eu 
  • cult-press@europarl.europa.eu 
  • @EPCulture 

Event link:

https://www.facebook.com/events/880220719176774/

On the occasion of World Food Day, join our EYE online activity on Friday 16 October at 12:00 (CEST) with FAO Food hero Marzia de Bosi - Centro Agroalimentare di Roma and Andrea Oyuela from The EAT-LANCET Commission on Food, Planet, Health. 

Our speakers will discuss the following questions:  

• How can we feed the world’s population without destroying the environment, the foundation of food production? 
• How can the food system become more resilient after COVID-19 and ensure food producers are not underpaid and exploited? 
  • How can we ensure sustainable and healthy choices are available and affordable for everyone?

EYE Online

What is the EYE Online?

The European Parliament decided to postpone the European Youth Event in 2020 in view of the exceptional measures taken in relation with the COVID-19 outbreak. To compensate for the postponement of EYE2020, the European Parliament presented a special online edition of the event, with activities organised in digital formats.

The EYE Online offered young people from all over the European Union and beyond a unique opportunity to virtually meet and inspire each other, share their stories and exchange their views with experts, decision-makers, activists and influencers.

The event took place between early April and end of May with the final week offering a variety of activities focusing on trending topics, including: mental health, future of education, food of tomorrow and rural renewal, fake news, slow shopping, future of work, mass surveillance, vaccination.

The EYE Online aimed at addressing young people's concerns about the actions and role of the European Union in in the context of COVID-19 crisis, echoing a strong civic responsibility message to young Europeans as part of the #EuropeansAgainstCovid19 campaign.

More than 60 live activities were streamed on the European Youth Event Facebook page during the EYE Online. All the videos can be watched on demand via the link below.

• EYE Online videos

When:

 

15 October 2020

 

European Parliament

Website:

 

ECI Public Hearing 'Minority Safepack'

 

External event

On 15 October, the European Parliament will hold a public hearing on a European Citizens Initiative to promote minorities, and linguistic and cultural diversity. The organisers will present their initiative.

• WATCH EVENT LIVESTREAM

FRA, the Council of Europe, the Committee of the Regions and other experts will give their views. This, entitled ‘Minority Safepack – one million signatures for diversity in Europe’, gathered the support of 1,123,422 signatories in 28 Member States.