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The German Federal Court of Justice ruled in a judgment published Tuesday that the wife of a mother is not automatically deemed the legal co-parent of a newborn child, finding that the paternity law of the German Civil Code only applies to male-female couples. Source: jurist.org

Vienna has refused to sign the UN migration pact that its own diplomats helped negotiate. The US, Hungary and Australia had already announced their rejection of the pact. Politicians fear that other European countries may follow suit. The accord, which is not legally binding, is to be presented for approval in December. Critics frown on Vienna's decision.
Source: eurotopics.net

The EU Parliament voted on Wednesday in favour of banning throwaway plastic products. Prior to the vote researchers announced that they have detected plastic particles in human stool for the first time and now assume that there are no more plastic-free areas on the planet. But not all commentators are convinced that the decision passed by the MEPs will solve the problem.
Source: eurotopics.net

A court in Tallinn has ruled that a woman must choose between her Estonian and Russian passport, prompting many Estonians to fear that this will set a precedent and put an end to current practice. Although dual citizenship is banned by law, authorities have turned a blind eye up to now. People who could potentially be affected air their opinions and experiences.
Source: eurotopics.net

The UN Human Rights Committee found Tuesday that French law n ° 2010-1192, which bans full-face coverings such as the niqab or burqa, violates human rights.
Source: jurist.org

State Duma lawmakers have drafted new legislation that would allow the federal government to outlaw any foreign NGOs that allegedly meddle in Russian elections.
Source: meduza.io

The Romanian government wants to remove Prosecutor General Augustin Lazăr from office. Justice Minister Tudorel Toader accused him on Wednesday of abusing his powers. Lazăr is the last independent chief prosecutor of the three public prosecutors, after the other two were forced to leave office. President Klaus Iohannis has the last say. Would his dismissal be justified?
Source:  eurotopics.net

Romania's government has issued an emergency ordinance that amends the already approved judicial reforms. This means that around 50 prosecutors will have to suspend their activities.
Source: eurotopics.net

Russian state duma passed the law on penalties for abuse of the right to protest in its third and final reading. Source: vedomosti.ru

Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on the UK Monday to amend a new counter-terrorism bill, stating that the bill “excessively restrict[s] freedom of expression, freedom of movement, and privacy.”
Source:  jurist.org

The European Court of Justice ordered Poland to immediately suspend its lowering of the mandatory retirement age for Supreme Court judges.
Source: jurist.org

In Hungary a law came into force this week that bans homeless people from living on the street. The ban will affect around 30,000 people who don't have their own home and who now face prison sentences if they are caught living on the streets after several warnings by the police.
Source: eurotopics.net