29/06/2022

Human Rights groups call for probe after more than 20 migrants killed at Spanish enclave

About 2,000 migrants tried to breach the perimeter fence separating Morocco from the Spanish enclave of Melilla. More than 20 migrants were killed and dozens injured as a result of violent clashes with Moroccan police and Spanish security forces.

Source: Financial Times 

29/06/2022

DFB regulates gaming law for trans and nonbinary people

German transgender footballers will be allowed to choose if they want to play against women's or men's teams as part of new regulations granted by the German Football Association. Officials will also be appointed to ensure that there is no discrimination against athletes.

Source: Spiegel

29/06/2022

EU Council grants membership status to Ukraine and Moldova

Ukraine and Moldova are now candidate countries for EU Membership. Georgia will have its status as a candidate country once the priorities mentioned in the Commission’s opinion are resolved and addressed.

Source: Schengenvisainfo

21/06/2022

Dutch government apologises to Srebrenica veterans

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has apologised to hundreds of ex-soldiers sent to defend Srebrenica during the Bosnian War. Previously, Dutch governments have insisted fault lay with the UN for failing to provide air support.

Source: Euobserver 

21/06/2022

Germany takes first step towards legalising recreational cannabis

The German government is setting in motion plans to legalise the sale of cannabis for recreational purposes, aiming to have legislation ready later this year. The pledge to legalise controlled sales of cannabis to adults in licensed shops is one of the reforms outlined in the coalition deal between the three socially liberal parties.

Source: DW 

21/06/2022

EU restarts legal action against UK in clash on Brexit Bill

The European Union announced that it will relaunch legal action against the UK over a draft law that would override parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol. The current bill will mean a unilateral violation of the Brexit agreement signed in 2020.

Source: Bloomberg

21/06/2022

The European Commission has backed Ukraine and Moldova to become candidates for EU membership

The European Commission presented its opinions on the application for EU membership submitted by Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova. The Commission recommends that Ukraine and Moldova be given the perspective to become a member. However, it recommended deferring Georgia’s candidacy.

Source: Euronews 

21/06/2022

ECHR: Russia’s ‘foreign agents’ law violates human rights convention

The ECHR ruled that the law violates freedom of assembly and association (Article 11 of the European Convention) in the case of 73 groups designated as foreign agents including Memorial and Agora. The court ordered Russia to pay the applicants a total of 1.02 million euros in damages.

Source: Meduza

16/06/2022

Stricter gun laws for Germany

The German government is planning to make background checks for potential gun owners tighter in an attempt to prevent political extremists and the psychologically disturbed from buying guns. But there are concerns that the authorities are not sufficiently equipped to carry out such controls.

Source: DW

15/06/2022

Spain has introduced a new draft law aimed to abolish prostitution

The proposed legislation will punish those who financially exploit prostitutes, pay for their services, or knowingly provide premises for the practice of prostitution. The proposal has sparked intense debate in the local women's rights movement.

Source: Reuters

15/06/2022

Finland plans to build barriers on its eastern frontier with Russia

Finland's government intends to strengthen the country's security. The construction of barriers will allow making amendments to border legislation of Finland to allow strengthen preparedness against hybrid threats amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Source: Reuters

15/06/2022

The Russian State Duma proposed to repeal Lithuania’s independence

The draft bill claiming the Baltic republic illegally left the Soviet Union was submitted by lawmaker Yevgeny Fedorov. According to him, this will allow to challenge the country's membership in NATO.

Source: Newsweek