Parliament

Rights Groups Urge Lebanon’s Parliament to Prioritize Free Speech in New Media Law Draft Amid Troubling Amendments

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Beirut, Lebanon — As Lebanon’s lawmakers prepare to finalize a critical media law, a coalition of 14 rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, urged legislators to prioritize the protection of freedom of expression. The evolving legislation, initially seen as a chance to bolster media rights, has raised alarms over proposed amendments that could undermine these freedoms. The recommended changes to the draft law have come under scrutiny for potentially reintroducing penalties that stifle journalistic integrity. Advocates call for the elimination of criminal fines associated with defamation, blasphemy, and public criticism as well as the prevention … Read more

Shining Stars of Parliament: Sansad Ratna Awards 2025 Honor Exceptional MPs for Service and Excellence

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New Delhi, India — Seventeen Members of Parliament have been honored with the prestigious Sansad Ratna Awards for 2025, recognizing their outstanding contributions in the Lok Sabha. This year’s recipients include notable figures such as Supriya Sule from the Nationalist Congress Party, Ravi Kishan and Nishikant Dubey from the Bharatiya Janata Party, and Arvind Sawant from the Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction. Among the accolades, four Special Jury Awards were presented to individuals for their remarkable consistency in enhancing parliamentary democracy over three consecutive terms. Bhartruhari Mahtab of the BJP from Odisha, N K Premachandran … Read more

EU Tobacco Legislation Faces Uncertain Future Amid Political Shifts in the European Parliament

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Brussels, Belgium — There has been growing concern among some European Union lawmakers over the potential reform of the bloc’s tobacco legislation, amid fears that an increasingly right-leaning European Parliament could lead to relaxed regulations favoring the tobacco industry. This apprehension stalls the hopes of those advocating for stricter tobacco control measures as the political landscape shifts rightward. The European Commission has faced calls to revise the EU’s Tobacco Products Directive and the Tobacco Taxation Directive. However, given the complex political dynamics within the European Parliament and the lobbying efforts from various member states, a … Read more

European Parliament Joins Legal Battle Against Hungary’s Controversial Sovereignty Law

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Strasbourg, France — The European Parliament’s legal committee has recently voted to partake in a lawsuit against Hungary, objecting to a contentious law enacted in late 2023 that aims to reinforce national sovereignty. The suit, under review by the European Court of Justice, scrutinizes the legislation’s conformity with democratic principles and EU statutes. The decision by the committee marks an escalation in legal responses stemming from multiple EU member countries and institutions concerned about the law’s broader implications. The measure was approved decisively, drawing notable support with 19 votes in favor, one abstention, and one … Read more