The EuroPride week, a pan-European LGBT event has begun on September 12 in Belgrade. The opening passed without incident despite intense protests by religious and nationalist groups and a warning of the President Aleksandar Vucic that the event could not take place. The Interior Ministry is to hand down a final decision by September 14 on whether or not Serbian authorities would allow the event to go ahead.
Source: RadioFreeEuropeRadioLiberty
French President Emmanuel Macron announced a national debate on broadening legislation on the end-life options, notable on the possibility of allowing assisted suicide as a part of his electoral campaign. The current law allows patients to request "deep, continuous sedation altering consciousness until death" provided that their condition is likely to lead to a quick death. A lot of terminally ill patients are obliged to travel to seek other options in the European countries, which allow euthanasia under certain conditions.
Source: Le Monde
Members of the Human Rights Council under the President of the Russian Federation asked the Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation Igor Krasnov to clarify the basis on which prisoners with unserved terms are sent to Ukraine to participate in a "special military operation." Earlier, information about the recruitment of prisoners became known from numerous Russian media, including state channels. Journalists also report the existence of unconfirmed information about the forced sending of convicts to war.
Source: Meduza
Minister of Education of Lithuania talked about his intention to “revise” all Russian-language textbooks amid Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The move comes after criticism of one Russian-language textbook that glorified Moscow and portrayed Russia as an attractive democratic state, inviting Lithuanian school students to visit Crimea. Lithuanian publishers have also been instructed by the government to review the learning resources they provide.
Source: Euronews
The European Commission has proposed a new law that will forbid EU countries from interfering in editorial decision-making, searching and seizing corporate premises, and conducting surveillance operations against journalists and their relatives. Using spyware to infiltrate and track a journalist's device will also be banned except ‘on the grounds of national security’.
Source: Euronews
In a coalition agreement signed last November, the three-party government led by Olaf Scholz stated its intention to make it legal to sell cannabis to adults for recreational purposes. Since then, however, the government has become noticeably quieter on promises of a draft law in the autumn. A legal analysis by the German parliament’s research service warned that a move to legalise cannabis would contravene European regulations in more ways than one.
Source: The Guardian
The head of the U.N.-mandated investigation body concluded war crimes including rape, torture, executions and confinement of children were committed by Russia in areas it occupied in Ukraine. According to him "a large number" had been committed by Russia and only two cases by Ukraine involving the ill-treatment of Russian soldiers.
Source: Reuters
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law on tougher punishment for crimes against military service during the period of mobilisation and in armed conflict, as well as on the introduction of criminal penalties for voluntary surrender and looting. For refusal to participate in hostilities, the law provides for up to three years in prison, and if such a refusal entailed "serious consequences" - up to 10 years. The same penalty is provided for failure to comply with the order.
Source: Meduza
French health minister announced that emergency contraception will become free for women of all ages and without any prescription. Until now, emergency contraception was only free for minors without a prescription and for women up to 26 years of age with a prescription. The minister also indicated that he wanted to make STI screening free of charge until the age of 26, as young people “are part of the population most affected by the STI infections”.
Source: Euroactiv