Published Saturday, July 5, 2008 at 19:18
by
joelld 
in New Social Europe (820 views and 0 comments)
Rainbow Rose
LGBT, an observer member of the Party of European Socialists,
has been present throughout the consultation of PES activists
since the very beginning in 2007. Our network produced a
contribution to emphasize the need for the European Union to
ensure that one of its core values – equality of rights for all –
is going to make new progresses that will benefit all citizens.
During the past months, we collected support for our proposals among activists, being constantly present in PES events. At the same time, we made efforts to introduce our contribution to PES leaders and to members of the European Parliament. To this day, more than 40 MEPs publicly support Rainbow Rose’s contribution.
Among our concerns, along with the promotion and the monitoring of Human LGBT Rights all over the Union and in the world, come some very concrete actions that are fundamental to the Union’s policies and principles. To mention a very relevant point, Rainbow Rose asks the PES to ensure the full achievement of the freedom of movement for all, without discrimination.
This means applying the principle of mutual...
read morePublished Friday, July 4, 2008 at 10:12
by
negrescuvictor
in European democracy & diversity (764 views and 2 comments)
An important
part of PES activists Romania proposal
for the Manifesto2009 is given to the Roma community issues. This
theme is considered an important social issue by the Romanian
social democrats and this is why our MEPs are supporting several
solutions included in our manifesto proposal like:
- the creation of the European Agency for Roma
- education projects for the Roma community
- promotion of the Roma culture as an European culture (the Roma community is not only a Eastern European issue but an European issue)
-...
read morePublished Thursday, July 3, 2008 at 10:50
by
chourka
in European democracy & diversity (669 views and 0 comments)
Très rares sont les contributions qui pointent du doigt les discriminations dont souffre la communauté Rom. Une seule exception à cet oubli : la contribution de nos camarades du PSD. Faut-il y voir une spécificité locale ? Une chose est certaine : les Roms représentent une population estimée à 8 millions d'individus sur notre continent soit autant si ce n'est plus que bien des pays composant l'Union européenne.
A ce titre, on peut considérer que c'est la première minorité -si on peut encore parler de minorité avec une telle population- en Europe. Or, en raison de leur inorganisation, de leur dispersion, les Roms ne sont bien souvent pas reconnus. Ni dans leur histoire qui pourtant est faite de pas mal de souffrances (cf. la Seconde guerre mondiale), ni dans leur nature même.
Il y a là pour notre famille politique une question majeure à traiter. Pour être un peu provocateur, on peut d'ailleurs considérer que les premiers Européens sont les Roms, en cela, qu'ils ne sont pas attachés à un Etat-membre en particulier et qu'ils font preuve d'une mobilité peu commune à l'exception des cadres supérieurs.
La manière dont certains gouvernements sont tentés de faire des entorses aux Accords Schengen voire de remettre en cause la Liberté de circulation des personnes (une des...
read morePublished Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 14:34
by
franciscopolo
in European democracy & diversity (721 views and 0 comments)
At the same time
I start
writing this article the ratification process for the Lisbon
Treaty is starting at the Spanish Parliament. I can hear the
Foreign Affairs Ministry starting his discourse...
Probably (no to say “for sure”), tomorrow the Spanish newspapers will show on their front pages the results of the Spain vs. Russia soccer game at the Eurocup. The matter of the Treaty will also be shown in those newspapers but it will not be given so much importance.
As you probably know, the Lisbon Treaty is important due to many things: The Fundamental Rights Chart becomes binding, the Treaty creates a common space of liberty, security and justice (it was formerly intergovernmental), the EU gains in its capability to create an international interlocution by creating both the positions of the permanent President of the European Counsel and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security, among other things. But there is something much more important.
This Treaty is specially important because it makes the EU to be more democratic. It creates the civil initiative so a million of citizens will be able to suggest the creation of new rules; the European Parliament, our direct representative in the EU gains power and almost nothing can be...
read morePublished Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at 14:20
by
Editor
in European democracy & diversity (777 views and 1 comments)
Published Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 09:57
by
joelld
in European democracy & diversity (974 views and 1 comments)
Rainbow Rose, the
network of socialist, social-democratic and Labour LGBT activists
in Europe, is fully committed to support Michael CASHMAN's efforts for a new comprehensive
directive against discriminations, covering the whole field of
Article 13 of the Treaty on the European Community.
This very important social question was part of our contribution
for this consultation of the PES's activists. One can see the
text of our contribution, presently supported by nearly 30 PES
MEPs, on our website.
As Michael reminds us, the Barroso Commission has to deliver,
before the elections. José Manuel Barroso himself committed
himself to do so in 2004, and Commissioner Vladimir Spidla
(Employment and Social affairs) repeatedly said he would make
efforts to achieve such a new directive.
Rainbow Rose acknowledges the PES' support for a comprehensive
directive. We think that, in the coming month, the PES should
produce a clear statement, for example at the next leader's
conference on June 19th, calling for the Commission to match its
own promise. Europe must deliver, and the socialists must be
proactive to show that Europe can deliver even before the 2009
elections.
Tags: citizens, discrimination, equality, fundamental rights, gay, LGBT
File:
Rainbow_Rose_letter.pdf
Published Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 10:20
by
jan.kreutz
in New Social Europe (771 views and 0 comments)
Dear
comrades,Published Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 10:42
by
Editor
in European democracy & diversity (1037 views and 5 comments)
Today is the
International Day against Homophobia – a good day to
discuss discrimination and what we can do to fight it.
Michael Cashman (Labour, United Kingdom) is one of many
socialist Members of the European Parliament who are working hard
for the introduction of a new and more far-reaching
anti-discrimination directive:
"Since the Barroso Commission was elected in 2004 socialists
in the European Parliament have been calling for a new directive
on anti-discrimination, but nothing has happened yet. In its 2008
work programme the Commission mentions discrimination on grounds
of sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability,
age or sexual orientation (article 13 Treaty Amsterdam). But
since then, the Commission has indicated it will proceed only on
prohibiting discrimination on disability,” explains Michael
Cashman.
According to him the integrity of Barroso and his Commission is
at stake with the lack of a new inclusive directive:
“In 2004 the European Parliament was close to rejecting the whole
Commission, but we got a commitment from them: Barroso promised
to create a cabinet to work...
Published Monday, March 10, 2008 at 09:41
by
joelld
in New Social Europe (935 views and 0 comments)
From Tuesday, March
4th to Thursday, March 6th, the NGOs federation ILGA-Europe has
organized a conference on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
(LGBT) families in Europe. The conference took place in Ljubljana,
Slovenia, in order to deliver a message on the EU agenda during the
Slovenia’s Presidency of the EU. ILGA-Europe and its national
members pointed out the juridical and social insecurity which is
still a very concrete threat for millions of European families and
children.Published Friday, March 7, 2008 at 09:30
by
Zita_Gurmai
in New Social Europe (1624 views and 4 comments)
Why is it that women in Europe are 52% of population & 59% of
university graduates but only 33% of managers, and 23% of
national Members of Parliament and earn 15% less than men? Women
of Europe – we’re all in it together. We should have the same
rights as men. Women should also enjoy the same rights in all EU
countries. I say “the same rights, the same fights”.
International Women’s Day – it’s as important as it has ever
been. It’s a good day to reflect on how we can make progress for
women in Europe through the PES manifesto for the 2009 European
elections.
There have been a lot of posts and good debate so far on
Yourspace relevant to women – below are just a few of my
favorites
How do we shut the gender pay
gap?
European politics is still a
man’s world
EU must say no to
prostitution!
For the emanicipation of women
AND for the economy, stupid!
What can the PES do to promote
women's health?
Dads, what about staying at home
with the children?
What do you think is the best thing we can put in our manifesto
to achieve more equality between women and men? Is there one
commitment we can make that would...
Published Thursday, March 6, 2008 at 10:27
by
Editor
in European democracy & diversity (1515 views and 0 comments)
The first months of debating European democracy and diversity
have really brought up a lot of priorities and proposals for the
PES to consider:
Fighting discrimination
First of all, fighting discrimination is a very important topic,
including the promotion of minority, women and LGBT rights and of
equal opportunities for all, and the fight against fascism,
racism, anti-Semitism and islamophobia. Regulations already exist at the EU
and national levels, but Rainbow Rose points out the need to enforce these
regulations. The example of the Spanish socialist party, PSOE, was
put forward as a best practice to be followed by PES member
parties on gender issues – the PES itself is already committed to
40 percent representation of each gender, and has over 42 percent
women MEPs.
More democracy, please
The EU democratic deficit is also a recurrent theme. There is an
agreement on the need to ensure more participatory democracy and
reinforce the European Parliament, in order to reconnect the EU and its citizens. For instance, the
PES could insist on the creation of a
Published Monday, February 18, 2008 at 15:20
by
maj1991
in New Social Europe (1333 views and 3 comments)
Within the borders of
EU thousands of women each day sell their bodies for sexual
pleasures. For some it’s a choice of their own or a last way, but
for 700.000 to 2 million women and children it’s not. They are
victims of trafficking. When it comes to trafficking the message
from EU is very clear: we will not tolerate this!Published Tuesday, January 22, 2008 at 09:30
by
mochinho
in European democracy & diversity (1293 views and 0 comments)
For our manifesto we have to keep in mind the subject of justice
and home affairs. If the Reform Treaty entries into force the
European Parliament will be co-legislator in justice and home
affairs. This means that the European Parliament will be more
responsible for the public order. Furthermore Europol is to
become a European agency and will be funded from the EU budget
from January 2010 on. It is also possible that the Treaty of Prüm
will be introduced into the legal framework of the EU; not to
forget the enlargement of the Schengen space in December last
year.
Concerning these subjects there are a lot of concerns related to
civil liberties and security. The manifesto should therefore pick
these up and give social-democratic/socialist solutions. We
cannot leave the topic of justice and home affairs to law and
order hardliners. Justice and home affairs is a genuine
social-democratic/socialist subject.
Published Friday, January 18, 2008 at 12:30
by
joelld
in EU in the world (1464 views and 0 comments)
Tags: equality, fundamental rights, gay, human rights, LGBT, peace, solidarity, women
File:
Yogyakarta_principles.pdf
Published Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 12:10
by
yoan.abiven
in New Social Europe (1704 views and 2 comments)
Pour une
politique européenne commune de l’immigration!
- afin que la libre circulation dans les Etats de l’Union,
garantie aux migrants légalement installés, se fasse dans le
respect des droits fondamentaux et à égalité de droits avec tous
les résidents de l’Union,
- qui réponde aux intérêts économiques et démographiques de
l’Union
- qui accroisse son rayonnement à l’étranger.
Diagnostic
Les Etats européens, aux frontières intérieures désormais
effacées, confrontés à la nécessité d’une coopération renforcée
en matière d’immigration, doivent aller au-delà et construire une
politique commune d’immigration. Il serait catastrophique que
l’UE apparaisse comme une forteresse close entourée de hauts
murs.
Objectifs
La politique commune d’immigration devrait se fonder sur les
points suivants:
Garantir les droits fondamentaux aux migrants légalement
installés sur le territoire de l’Union, en particulier le droit à
une vie familiale stable, ce qui...
Published Friday, November 23, 2007 at 08:31
by
joelld
in European democracy & diversity (1684 views and 2 comments)
The first day of the PES Council in Sofia went well, despite the climate conditions, with rich debates and conferences. Rainbow Rose LGBT was well represented by Rodrigo Martín Galán during the debate on European democracy and diversity yesterday afternoon. As many speakers remarked, article 13 of the EC treaty, and other binding European laws such as anti-discrimination directives 2000/78 and 2000/43, are already implemented in all member States, improving the conditions of LGBT persons, women or disabled persons in all areas of social life. Still, it also appears clearly that EU treaties and regulations, being no magic solutions, had not eliminated racism, sexism, homophobia or transphobia in our societies. As socialist activists and NGOs report daily, discriminations in employment and work conditions, hate crimes, intolerant speeches in day-to-day life, are a reality we must face.
Rainbow Rose met at lunch time, outside the Council, with Bulgarian LGBT activists who could explain us what kind of exactions they live with in their country – and Bulgaria is not an exception. As European socialists are talking, these days in...
read morePublished Thursday, October 18, 2007 at 09:35
by
ccarnero
in European democracy & diversity (1288 views and 1 comments)
The European Council is meeting
today in Lisbon to close the deal on the new Treaty of the
European Union. Without the Convention, there would not have been
a European Constitution and without a European Constitution, we
would not have a treaty to replace Nice and to strengthen a more
democratic and efficient Union.
I think European socialists have been and still are part and parcel of this new step forward. This new progress however is not a final step in the history of the European construction, since we still have to round it up with a political Union.
The preparation of our Manifesto will coincide with the ratification process of the new treaty. Let us use this opportunity to make the new treaty known and link our proposals for the future of Europe to this process.
We can do this by underpinning the most important matters: for instance, from the moment the new treaty is enforced, the Union’s institutions will be more transparent and the Charter of Fundamental Rights will be legally binding.
- Member of the European Parliament Carlos Carnero, Spain
read moreTags: EU, fundamental rights, political parties
File:
Carlos_Carnero_ES.pdf
Published Thursday, October 18, 2007 at 09:30
by
Editor
in European democracy & diversity (1197 views and 0 comments)
Tonight Europe‘s
leaders will, hopefully, agree on a European Reform Treaty to
improve the EU’s decision-making. The new treaty is an important
step on the way to strengthening democracy in Europe. But what
will the new treaty mean for socialists and social democrats in
Europe – and for European party politics?
With the new treaty the European Parliament will elect the President of the European Commission in the future. This means that member states will have to take into account the results of the European elections when they nominate a candidate! The citizens will have a much greater influence on the political leadership of the European Union.
The Charter of Fundamental Rights is also incorporated into the treaty framework. The charter has existed since 2000, but with the new treaty Member States will be more committed to abide to it. How can the PES use the charter to promote a more social democratic Europe?
read morePublished Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 15:25
by
Editor
in European democracy & diversity (2069 views and 0 comments)
‘Together against
discrimination’ is the European Commission’s latest
initiative on fighting discrimination. They invite children and
teenagers from all over Europe to design posters that will teach
others to say ‘no’ to discrimination.
Today racism, sexism, homophobia and other forms of discrimination are banned within the European Union. Equality before the law and non-discrimination is secured by national laws and also mentioned in article 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
Still, discrimination is not history in Europe. There is a need to inform citizens about their basic rights and to empower them when it comes to saying no to discrimination. The poster competition is such an initiative.
But campaigns and information are not enough. Do you see other ways in which the European Union can ensure fundamental rights are respected in Europe?
read morePublished Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 03:24
by rikke in European democracy & diversity ( comments)
PES activists are welcome to support Polish MEP Marek Siwiec, Vice-President of the European Parliament, in his call to the Polish Government to accept the Charter of Fundamental Rights: “We are calling Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland, for the Charter of Fundamental Rights to be accepted in Poland without any restrictions.” In our opinion, the Charter of Fundamental Rights is a common acquis of the most important values of all Europeans. We would like that Polish citizens could have the same rights as other European citizens. We want to live in Europe where dignity and equal rights for each human being are the highest good. Please sign the petition!
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