Fundamental rights - Newsroom
News
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29-04-2013 - Fundamental rights
Citizens' rights: two new reports reveal Commission proposals to reinforce citizenship and progress in making fundamental rights a reality
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21-02-2013 - Fundamental rights
Investing in children: breaking the cycle of disadvantage
The Commission has issued a comprehensive recommendation for tackling and preventing disadvantage to children at risk of poverty and social exclusion.
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01-10-2012 - Fundamental rights
Has anyone seen my child? - Euronews Right On Episode
An estimated one million children go missing every year in the European Union. Some cases receive a lot of media attention; others become a lonely struggle for families desperate for help.
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20-09-2012 - Fundamental rights
A shared past and a common future: Remembering the victims of totalitarian regimes
"Today we Europeans should unite, to remember all those who have fallen victim to totalitarian regimes and those who fought against such regimes." This was EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding's message on the European Day of Remembrance of the victims of all totalitarian and authoritarian regimes. The day marks the anniversary of the 23 August 1939, when a pact was signed between Nazi Germany, under Hitler and the Soviet Union, under Stalin, that changed the face of history.
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01-07-2012 - Fundamental rights
Our fundamental rights exposed - Euronews Right On Episode
Is it a virtual strip search that reveals too much or a vital new tool in aviation security? Full body security scanners at European airports have been the focus of much debate, and held up as a prime example of why our fundamental rights need to be closely watched.
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16-05-2012 - Fundamental rights
Homophobia: European leaders tell young people It Gets Better
In Europe, growing up lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender can be challenging: difference often leads to bullying, self-harm, and sometimes suicide attempts. Studies consistently point to higher physical and mental health risks for LGBT young people.
For the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia 2012, over 50 European politicians and leaders from all EU institutions join forces telling LGBT teenagers they are working to make things better, and put an end to homophobia and transphobia.
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26-04-2012 - Fundamental rights
Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission: "The binding EU Charter of Fundamental Rights: Key trends two years later" Centre for European Studies Brussels, 16 April 2012
SPEECH/12/266 Ladies and Gentleman, I am very pleased to be here in the Centre for European Policy Studies to present the 2011 Annual Report on the application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. I am convinced that we need the fresh ideas of people ...
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16-04-2012 - Fundamental rights
European Commission makes fundamental rights a reality for citizens
Brussels, 16 April 2012 – The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights – now in force and legally binding for more than two years – has guided EU law-making from the very first draft all the way through to the statute book. The Charter sets out fundamental rights – such as freedom of expression and the protection of personal data – that reflect Europe’s common values and its constitutional heritage. The European Commission's second annual report on the Charter
finds that fundamental rights concerns are increasingly embedded in EU policy-making.Download the brochure: 2011 Report on the Application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights
(2 MB) 
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17-01-2012 - Fundamental rights
European Commission launches accelerated infringement proceedings against Hungary
The European Commission has started legal action against Hungary over new legislation that came into force at the beginning of the year under Hungary's new constitution.
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13-01-2012 - Fundamental rights
Statement of the European Commission on the situation in Hungary on 11 January 2012
Following developments in 2011 related to the new Hungarian Constitution and the commitments taken by the Commission at that time to closely monitor the situation, the Commission has been working with the Hungarian authorities over recent months during the preparation of the draft cardinal laws implementing the new Constitution. The Commission has raised concerns on the compatibility of these laws with European Union law.
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04-01-2012 - Fundamental rights
The Kids' Corner
The European Union easily explained: Commission launches website dedicated to children that includes information about children's rights.
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21-11-2011 - Fundamental rights
Directive on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child pornography
The directive will harmonise around twenty relevant criminal offences, at the same time setting high level of penalties.
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19-11-2011 - Fundamental rights
Commission strengthens the justice and fundamental rights dimension of future EU budgets
European - Press release Commission Brussels, 15 November 2011 – People in Europe need to feel at ease when they live, travel, or shop in a Member State other than their own. They should be able to rely on access to justice no matter where they are in the EU.
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15-11-2011 - Fundamental rights
The Fifth annual Seminar between the European Commission and the Government of the State of Israel on the fight against racism, xenophobia and antisemitism
The Fifth annual Seminar between the European Commission and the Government of the State of Israel on the fight against racism, xenophobia and antisemitism took place on 26 and 27 October in Brussels and Mechelen.
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10-10-2011 - Fundamental rights
European and World Day against the Death Penalty
Joint declaration by Catherine Ashton, European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, on the European and World Day against the Death Penalty.
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10-10-2011 - Fundamental rights
EU committed to achieving universal abolition of the death penalty
10 October marks the World and European Day against the Death Penalty. The abolition of the death penalty worldwide is one of the main objectives of the EU’s human rights policy. The EU considers the death penalty inhumane and a violation of human dignity.
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15-06-2011 - Fundamental rights
Joint statement by High Representative/Vice-President Catherine Ashton, Vice-President Viviane Reding, Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs and Commissioner for Trade Karel De Guc...
Brussels, 12 June 2011 “Today we commemorate World Day against Child Labour. The EU welcomes a steady decline in child labour since 2006 when the International Labour Organisation (ILO) set a visionary target to eliminate the worst forms of child labour by 2016.
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20-05-2011 - Fundamental rights
Statement by Vice President Viviane Reding, EU Justice Commissioner, on Japan's move to sign the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction
Brussels, 20 May 2011 “Today’s news that Japan is taking steps to sign the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is a very positive development,” said EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding. “I have repeatedly encouraged the Japanese authorities over the past year to join the Convention.