All articles tagged with #eu law
Hungary staged its first Budapest Pride in the post-Orbán era, signaling cautious progress for LGBTQ+ rights even though laws remain unchanged; the move follows a European Court ruling that Orbán-era bans on LGBTQ content for minors violated EU law, a development rights groups say bodes well for the community despite ongoing opposition.
EU Transport Commissioner says jet-fuel shortages do not qualify as extraordinary circumstances under EU passenger rights rules, so airlines must reimburse passengers for trips cancelled this summer; while some carriers have hedged fuel to limit disruption, others like Lufthansa and Aer Lingus have canceled flights; the UK remains under EU rules post-Brexit; amid the fuel crisis, AirAsia announced a $19 billion deal to buy 150 Airbus A220 jets, with potential expansion to 300, boosting Belfast wing production jobs.
The European Parliament approved a resolution calling for an EU-wide definition of rape based on the absence of freely given, informed consent, stating that silence or lack of resistance cannot be taken as consent and that past relationships or marriage do not imply consent. The European Commission is urged to draft legislation, which would then need approval from member states. The move aligns with the Istanbul Convention and follows a split among member states, with 17 already using consent-based definitions and others still relying on force-based criteria. The vote was 447 in favour, 160 against, and 43 abstentions, and the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights notes about 5% of EU women have experienced rape since age 15.
An EU court ruled that parts of Hungary's anti-LGBTQ+ laws breach EU law and orders Hungary to align with EU nondiscrimination protections, as Pride events highlight the ongoing rights dispute and government responses.
The Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that Hungary’s 2021 law restricting or banning the promotion of homosexuality and gender transition in media accessible to children breaches EU law and must be repealed, backing the European Commission’s infringement case and signaling potential penalties if Hungary does not comply.
The European Central Bank has refused to provide emergency liquidity for Ukraine's reparations loan using seized Russian assets, citing legal and independence concerns, complicating the European Commission's plan to support Ukraine financially through this unprecedented scheme.
Slovakia's parliament amended its constitution to recognize only two genders, restrict adoption to married heterosexual couples, and ban surrogacy, while asserting national law's precedence over EU law in cultural and ethical matters, sparking criticism from human rights organizations and raising concerns about the country's democratic and human rights trajectory.
The Slovak parliament approved a constitutional amendment under Prime Minister Robert Fico that limits the rights of same-sex couples, emphasizes traditional gender roles, and asserts national law over EU law, sparking criticism and protests.
Apple revoked the EU distribution rights for the iTorrent BitTorrent client, which was available through third-party app stores due to EU law requiring more app installation freedom. The revocation came without clear explanation from Apple, raising concerns about transparency and compliance with the EU’s Digital Markets Act.
Over 1.1 million people have signed the 'Stop Killing Games' petition, advocating for game publishers to implement end-of-life plans that allow games to remain playable after support ends, potentially influencing new EU legislation and gaining support in the UK for future debates.
Pornhub has temporarily regained access in France after the suspension of the country's new age verification law, which requires third-party verification of users' ages. The law's legality is under review by the French courts due to questions about compliance with EU regulations, specifically the country-of-origin principle. The platform and French officials are discussing alternative solutions like device-level filters to protect minors while respecting privacy concerns.
A passenger's experience with baggage size disputes on EasyJet highlights the need for clearer, standardized luggage rules across EU airlines, prompting EU proposals for uniform underseat baggage dimensions and discussions on airline charging practices, amid ongoing consumer and regulatory debates.
The EU has accused Chinese fast-fashion retailer Shein of breaching consumer protection laws through misleading discounts, deceptive labels, and pressure tactics, giving the company one month to respond or face fines, amid ongoing scrutiny of its business practices and supply chain conditions.
The Netherlands plans to implement additional land border checks starting December 9 to address irregular migration, following Germany's similar move in September. This decision by the Dutch government, led by the hard-right party PVV, aligns with EU regulations allowing temporary border controls in response to serious threats. The measure, which has no extra funding for enforcement, aims to minimize traffic disruption and reflects rising anti-immigration sentiment in Europe.
An Italian court has rejected Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's plan to detain asylum seekers in Albania, referring the initiative to the EU's top court. The ruling mandates that seven migrants brought to Albania must be taken to Italy, questioning the legality of designating certain countries as 'safe' for quick returns. This decision challenges Meloni's strategy to deter Mediterranean crossings and has implications for other European leaders considering similar approaches. Critics argue the plan is costly and politically motivated, while Meloni may use the court's rejection to rally her base.