July 9, 2021
The European Parliament is demanding that the European Commission and EU member states take ‘urgent legal action’ against Hungary for what it's calling the gradual dismantling of fundamental rights in the country.
In a vote this week, MEPs overwhelmingly condemned Hungary’s new law that bans LGBTI content from being featured in educational materials in schools or tv shows for under 18 year olds.
MEPs say the law breaches human rights and that it’s part of a broader political agenda to break down democracy and the rule of law in Hungary including media freedom.
Here’s Ciarán Cuffe, Green MEP for Dublin,
Out words: beyond that
Dur: 00:23
July 9, 2021
The Prime Minister of Slovenia came in for blistering criticism during a debate in the European Parliament this week (Tuesday 6 July) on the Slovenian presidency of the Council of the EU which has just begun.
MEPs in the European Parliament in Strasbourg slammed Janez Janša for his attacks on the media in Slovenia and other rule of law issues including the erosion of judicial independence and respect for minority rights.
Slovenia took over the six month rotating presidency last week. But it’s already been overshadowed by concerns that Mr Janša is trying to undermine the media and judiciary and cultural organisations in his own country.
In this podcast, EuroParlRadio editor Karen Coleman, rounds-up that debate in the European Parliament.
Out words: EuroParlRadio
Dur: 04:50
July 8, 2021
A number of populist and far-right European political parties are trying to undermine the European Union with the ultimate aim of dismantling it.
That’s the warning from Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher who was speaking from the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
Mr Kelleher says there’s a growing alliance of radical parties including that of Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and France’s far-right leader Marine le Pen.
MEPs this week strongly condemned Hungary’s recent anti-LGBTI laws. They accused the Hungarian government of dismantling democracy and the rule of law.
Here’s Billy Kelleher.
Out words: nationalistic way
Dur: 00:21
July 8, 2021
The European Parliament has backed a resolution tabled by Grace O’Sullivan calling for vast protected areas around Antarctica. Two zones would together make up around three million km2 of marine protection. The idea comes from the Commission on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. The rich and unique biodiversity is threatened by climate change and encroaching human exploitation. Green MEP, Grace O'Sullivan, has been to Antarctica. She says the vote by the European Parliament this lunchtime gives the EU a strong mandate to push towards a global agreement.
Out words: To come on board
Dur: 0’28”
July 8, 2021
Sustainable farming will be an essential component of how farms are run in Ireland in the future.
So says Sean Kelly, Fine Gael MEP for Ireland South. He was commenting on the new Common Agricultural Policy deal which was provisionally agreed between the European Parliament and EU ministers last month.
MEPs still have to ratify the deal in a plenary vote that’s expected to take place in the Autumn. The new CAP will include higher environmental, climate and animal welfare ambitions that will have to be implemented from January 2023.
Here’s Sean Kelly.
Out words: environmental aspect
Dur: 00:37
July 8, 2021
The European Parliament will today debate ways to accelerate the transition to a research system that’s not based on the use of animals.
Animal testing for finished cosmetic products has been prohibited in the EU since 2004 and for cosmetic ingredients since 2009. However it’s still allowed for other research.
Dublin MEP Ciarán Cuffe believes the EU needs to move faster to end animal testing for scientific and medical purposes.
Out words: protect humanity
Dur: 00:28
July 8, 2021
Testing on animals for scientific purposes should be stopped and alternative testing methods should be used instead. That’s the view of Green MEP Ciarán Cuffe who was speaking from the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
MEPs are today debating ways to accelerate the transition to a research system that’s not based on the use of animals. Ciarán Cuffe argues there’s no need to involve animals in scientific testing.
Out words: European Commission
Dur: 00:27
July 7, 2021
MEPs in the European Parliament are demanding that EU member countries and the European Commission take action against the continuous deterioration of EU fundamental values in Hungary and Poland.
In a debate in the Parliament on Wednesday, MEPs voiced strong opinions on Hungary’s recently-adopted law that prevents the depiction of LGBTI content in material intended for minors. Many MEPs called for EU action to stop any further risks to democracy in Hungary that are being sanctioned by its leader Viktor Orbán.
Some stressed that the Hungarian and Polish governments are using their attacks on EU values to cover up corruption and policy failures. Other MEPs accused the EU of double standards and said that LGBTI people and organisations face no obstacles in Hungary and Poland.
Karen Coleman has this round-up of that debate in this podcast.
July 7, 2021
Hungary came in for blistering attacks from MEPs in the European Parliament today over its erosion of democratic rights and targeting of LGBTI people and other minorities.
MEPs demanded the European Commission take stronger action against Hungary for its recently-adopted law that bans the depiction of gay people in educational material.
They also raised concerns about the erosion of media freedom and the independence of the judiciary and targeting of certain universities in Hungary all of which are being sanctioned by the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Sean Kelly Ireland South MEP, says the EU should take action now that Orbán’s Fidesz party has left the European People’s Party, the EPP, which is the biggest political group in the EU.
Out words: of months
Dur: 00:26
July 7, 2021
MEPs in the European Parliament are demanding stronger action be taken against Hungary for its increasing erosion of democratic and human rights in the country.
During debates in the Parliament in Strasbourg this morning, MEPs voiced strong opinions on Hungary’s recently-adopted law which prevents the depiction of LGBTI content in material intended for minors. Many MEPs called on member states and the European Commission to take action to stop any further risks to democracy in Hungary that are being sanctioned by its leader Viktor Orbán.
Some MEPs say EU funds should not be distributed to Hungary until it repeals its regressive laws and stops discriminating against minorities, the media and other organisations.
Fine Gael’s Sean Kelly MEP for Ireland South, says Hungary's discriminatory laws are contrary to EU fundamental values.
Out words: European Union
Dur: 00:35
