INTRODUCTION
Fighting for EU democracy, defending human rights
We fight for democracy and transparency in European politics. While the European Parliament has the reputation of being far removed from citizens and saturated with lobbyists, we have improved the functioning of the European Citizens' Initiative. We have supported various petitions bringing citizens and EU politics together. No other political family has a tougher and more transparent line against lobbyism than the Greens/EFA.
We regularly stand up for the most important European values: human rights. When ACTA threatened internet freedom, we initiated a broad alliance to reject the treaty. Without our resistance the Parliament would have rubber-stamped the agreement to transmit financial data to US secret services.
We think the EU must practice what it preaches. We reminded the governments of Hungary and Romania to respect the rule of law, press freedom and minority rights.
The Greens/EFA fight all forms of discrimination and intolerance.
Transfer of Financial Messaging Data to the US (SWIFT)
After the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre in September 2001, the US began to submit informal requests for and...
Asylum Package
Under previous legislation, asylum seekers coming to the EU could invoke no rights to avoid inhumane treatment in detention...
Equal pay for male and female workers for work of equal value
On average, women in the EU earn more than 16% less than men who do equivalent jobs. This gender pay gap varies from one...
The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA)
The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) was negotiated in almost complete secrecy since 2007 by a group of states...
Modification of the interinstitutional agreement on the Transparency Register
Lobbies operating in and around the EU institution, if left unchecked, can have considerable influence over European...
The NSA surveillance programme and its impact on EU citizens' fundamental rights
Since June 2013, revelations of whistleblower Edward Snowden have brought to light mass surveillance programmes by US and EU...
Personal data protection
Protection of personal data is in focus following revelations by whistle-blower Edward Snowden and the ensuing NSA...
Lobbyism and transparency in EU decision-making
Around 20,000 lobbyists work around the EU institutions in Brussels. Many of them try to influence EU legislation in favour...
The location of the seats of EU institutions
The European Parliament has two seats, one seat in Brussels, where votes are prepared, and another 435 km away in...
Food aid to Europe's poorest
Although the European Union is one of the richest regions in the world, nearly a quarter of its inhabitants, and rising,...
