European Institutions
17 May 2013
On the occasion of the 2013 International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) publishes the results of the EU’s largest LGBT hate crime and discrimination online survey ever conducted. The survey asked LGBT people whether they had experienced discrimination, violence, verbal abuse or hate speech on the grounds of their sexual orientation or gender identity. They were also asked to identify where such incidents took place, such as at… read more »
19 March 2013
European institutions keep astonishingly silent to the worsening of the political situation in Hungary. Sonja Eggerickx, President of the International Humanist and Ethical Union and Pierre Galand, President of the European Humanist Federation addressed EU Presidents (Mr Barroso, Mr Schulz and Mr Van Rompuy) in an open letter. “Dear Presidents, As humanists, we want to express our deep concerns on Hungary’s new breach on democracy and to call for a… read more »
5 February 2013
By Julie Pernet, European Humanist Federation European lobbying is also about values. The ongoing negotiations on “Horizon 2020”, the new framework programme for research in Europe for 2014-2020 are a good example. This document sets the European criteria that research projects will have to meet in order to get European Union (EU) funding. It is therefore very political and, as expected, consensus is not easily reached on ethical issues . Will the European Union maintain… read more »
31 January 2013
Judges have made awards totalling more than €4 million in three human rights complaints brought against France. The European Court of Human Rights Chamber judgements were published today. The decisions, which are not final affect the following cases: The Religious Association of the Pyramid Temple/Association Cultuelle Du Temple Pyramide v. France (application no. 50471/07) The Association of the Knights of the Golden Lotus/Association Des Chevaliers Du Lotus D’Or v. France (no. 50615/07) The Evangelical Missionary… read more »
25 January 2013
On 18 October 2011, the European Humanist Federation (EHF) submitted a complaint to the European Ombudsman arguing that the European Commission was refusing to comply with the Article 17:3 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU) which requires the EU to conduct a “regular, open and transparent dialogue with churches, religious communities as well as philosophical and non-confessional organisations.” A few month earlier, in March 2011, the EHF had proposed a dialogue… read more »
23 January 2013
The ultra-nationalists parties at the European Parliament, including the British National Party, could be barred from receiving around £330,000 worth of funding from the EU, if around 70 more MEPs support a change in the funding rules. The cash, which is due to be awarded in a fortnight, , is the subject of a campaign by British anti-fascist movement Hope Not Hate, who are trying to get MEPs to block far-right groups in The Alliance of European… read more »
15 January 2013
REUTERS The EHF welcomes the European Court of Human Rights’s judgement about supposed “Christian discrimination” and joins its member organisations BHA’s and NSS’ analysis about it : BHA applauds European Court of Human Rights in upholding equality and human rights principles against false ‘Christian Persecution’ cases The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has published its judgements in the cases of Chaplin v. the United Kingdom, Eweida v. the United Kingdom, Ladele v. the… read more »
10 January 2013
EU Commissioner Reding responsible for justice, fundamental rights and citizenship, answered Parliamentary Questions on blasphemy laws within the European Union Questions : By MEPS Sophia in ‘t Veld (ALDE) , Joanna Senyszyn (S&D) , Cornelis de Jong (GUE/NGL) , Marietje Schaake (ALDE) “The recent wave of violence in the Muslim world following the online posting of a video depicting Mohammed has led numerous EU leaders to defend freedom of expression and opinion against accusations of blasphemy. At… read more »
7 December 2012
Public Hearing Thursday 15 November, 15:00-18:00 European Parliament, Brussels 1. Welcoming words by the MEP Marc Tarabella > Read his full speech here. 2. Introduction by Pierre Galand, president of the European Humanist Federation > Read his full speech here. 3. “The ethical, political, and economic implications of the European funding for human embryonic stem cell research” by Philippe Busquin, former European Commissioner for Research, innovation and science > No written presentation. 4. “Embryonic… read more »
30 November 2012
On 27 Nov. 2012, EHF President Pierre Galand took part to the annual meeting between the three presidents of the European Union (Commission, Council and Parliament) and leading non-confessional organisations in Europe. This year’s topic was solidarity between generations. The combined effect of longer life expectancy and economic and social crisis is putting a lot of pressure on many generations in Europe. The EHF stressed that women contribute a lot more than men to all… read more »