Pesquisar
Revision of Directive 2008/99/EC: Protection of the environment through criminal law
The European Commission proposed a revision of Directive 2008/99/EC on the protection of the environment through criminal law in December 2021. The proposal intends to clarify some of the terms contained in the directive and includes an updated list of environmental crime offences, harmonised sanction types and levels, measures to strengthen international investigation and prosecution, improvements to the collection of statistical data and measures to improve national enforcement chains. Ultimately ...
Victims of terrorism
On 11 March, Europe honours all those who have lost their lives or loved ones to terror. The European Day of Remembrance of Victims of Terrorism was inaugurated after the 2004 Madrid bombings. Protection of victims of terrorism is an essential part of the EU's efforts to address all dimensions of the terrorist threat. In response to the wave of attacks that has hit Europe in recent years, rules and sanctions related to terrorist activities have been strengthened. Ongoing action at EU level, meanwhile ...
Research for CULT Committee - The influence of social media on the development of children and young people
This study examines research on the impact of pervasive social media use on children's and young people’s development. Acknowledging the many benefits children gain from being connected through social media, this study focuses on problematic use and the potential harm that may arise from content, contact, conduct and contract risks. Solutions are considered in light of EU policy and regulatory developments with particular reference to ensuring that children are protected, safe and empowered when ...
Online age verification methods for children
Protecting children online is becoming increasingly vital. For over two decades, there has been a limited range of online age verification methods available to protect children from accessing online content unsuitable for their age. A number of countries are introducing legislation and/or codes of practice to address this situation. At EU level too, there are increasing efforts in this regard, with a code of practice in the pipeline. Challenges abound, however, in the areas of privacy, monitoring ...
Social tracking methodology for the EU budget
The EU tracks social expenditure for several reasons, ranging from ensuring financial control to assessing whether policies make the desired impact. This study: examines the current state of social tracking in the Multiannual Financial Framework and the Recovery and Resilience Facility; explores how it could be improved to enhance the scrutiny of EU social spending; puts forward a proposal for a pilot study of a theory-based monitoring approach as a potential innovation in social tracking ...
EU accession to the Istanbul Convention
On 25 January 2023, the Committees on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) and Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) jointly adopted, by a substantial majority, their interim report on EU accession to the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention). The report calls for swift European Union (EU) ratification, noting that the 2021 opinion of the European Court of Justice enables EU accession even in the ...
Revision of Directive 2011/36/EU on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims
Directive 2011/36/EU on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims is the benchmark legislation on the fight against trafficking in human beings (human trafficking) at EU level. It is part of a broader policy framework that entails a range of measures aimed at the prevention and prosecution of trafficking in human beings, as well as protection from and establishment of partnerships against this practice. Despite progress in implementing those measures, trafficking ...
Plenary round-up – January I 2023
The highlights of the January I 2023 plenary session were debates on the conclusions of the European Council meeting of 15 December 2022 and the presentation of activities planned under the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The session opened with a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the single market, followed by a debate with the Council and Commission on the matter. Debates were held on the surge of respiratory infections and the shortage of medication in Europe; on ...
Health-related quality of life in people living with HIV
The evolution of HIV from a fatal to a long-term condition poses challenges for people living with HIV and for health and social care systems across the EU. This paper aims to help Members of the European Parliament and other interested stakeholders to obtain a better picture of the current situation in relation to HIV among people living with HIV in the EU, HIV-related stigma and issues which impact on health-related quality of life for people living with HIV.
Revision of Council Directive 94/80/EC: Electoral rights of mobile Union citizens in municipal elections
On 25 November 2021, the European Commission put forward a proposal to modify Council Directive 94/80/EC on the right of mobile EU citizens to vote and stand as candidates in municipal elections. The proposal tied in with the Commission President's priority for a new push for European democracy. The proposal was presented together with three others: a proposal to modify Directive 93/109/EC on EU citizens' right to vote and stand as candidates in elections to the European Parliament; a proposal on ...