A new report by a committee of the European Parliament claimed that EU democracy is under attack by the increasing use of mercenary spyware that violates privacy rights.

Spyware used illegitimately in four EU states, claims report

Abir Al-Sahlani, who is a Swedish member of the European Parliament, cut her hair during a speech in the European Union assembly to stand in solidarity with anti-government protests in Iran.&nbsp;

Violent demonstrations have been taking place in Iran over the custodial death of Mahsa Amini. The morality police in the nation had imprisoned the 22-year-old for allegedly wearing a headscarf in an "improper" way.&nbsp;

In the parliament in Strasbourg, France, the Iraqi-born Abir Al-Sahlani said on Tuesday evening: "Until Iran is free, our fury will be bigger than the oppressors. Until the women of Iran are free we are going to stand with you."&nbsp;

In the video, Abir is seen snipping off her ponytail with a pair of scissors. While cutting it, she said "Jin, Jiyan, Azadi" (Kurdish for "Woman, Life, Freedom")&nbsp;

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Watch the video here:&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Traditionen att klippa av sig håret i protest är tusenårig. 
Den visar att ilskan är starkare än förtryckarens makt. 
Irans kvinnor har fått nog. 
EU borde visa samma mod och ge dem fullt stöd. <a href="https://t.co/0FdMB9XoXu">pic.twitter.com/0FdMB9XoXu</a>
— AbirAlsahlani (@AbirAlsahlani) <a href="https://twitter.com/AbirAlsahlani/status/1577368391437926422?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2022</a></blockquote>
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This is not the first incident, leading French actresses including Juliette Binoche and Isabelle Huppert have also cut locks of hair. Residents in Iran, including young school girls, are protesting against the Islamist regime.&nbsp;

After Amini's death, Iran's clerical rulers faced the biggest nationwide unrest in years. Protests have spread abroad including London, Paris, Rome and Madrid.&nbsp;

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Notably, Amnesty International said on Thursday that at least 82 people have been killed by Iranian security forces in the city of Zahedan in the southeastern Sistan-Baluchistan province since protests erupted there on September 30.&nbsp;

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Abir Al-Sahlani, who is a Swedish member of the European Parliament, cut her hair during a speech in the European Union assembly to stand in solidarity with anti-government protests in Iran.

Abir Al-Sahlani, who is a Swedish member of the European Parliament, cut her hair during a speech in the European Union assembly to stand in solidarity with anti-government protests in Iran. Violent demonstrations have been taking place in Iran over the custodial death of Mahsa Amini. The morality police in the nation had imprisoned the 22-year-old for allegedly wearing a headscarf in an "improper" way. In the parliament in Strasbourg, France, the Iraqi-born Abir Al-Sahlani said on Tuesday evening: "Until Iran is free, our fury will be bigger than the oppressors. Until the women of Iran are free we are going to stand with you." In the video, Abir is seen snipping off her ponytail with a pair of scissors. While cutting it, she said "Jin, Jiyan, Azadi" (Kurdish for "Woman, Life, Freedom") ALSO READ | Asia Pacific may lose title as world's largest travel region post-pandemic Watch the video here: Traditionen att klippa av sig håret i protest är tusenårig. Den visar att ilskan är starkare än förtryckarens makt. Irans kvinnor har fått nog. EU borde visa samma mod och ge dem fullt stöd. pic.twitter.com/0FdMB9XoXu — AbirAlsahlani (@AbirAlsahlani) October 4, 2022 × This is not the first incident, leading French actresses including Juliette Binoche and Isabelle Huppert have also cut locks of hair. Residents in Iran, including young school girls, are protesting against the Islamist regime. After Amini's death, Iran's clerical rulers faced the biggest nationwide unrest in years. Protests have spread abroad including London, Paris, Rome and Madrid. ALSO READ | Twenty-year-old Indian-origin university student killed in the US, cops suspect roommate Notably, Amnesty International said on Thursday that at least 82 people have been killed by Iranian security forces in the city of Zahedan in the southeastern Sistan-Baluchistan province since protests erupted there on September 30. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

WATCH: Swedish politician cuts hair during speech in solidarity with Iranian women

The European Parliament on Tuesday (July 5) ratified landmark laws aimed at regulating Big Tech. The Digital Markets Act (DMA) has been devised to curb the market dominance of US tech giants. With the introduction of these laws, the European Union seeks to curb illegal content online.&nbsp;

The final versions of the Digital Markets Act were approved by MEPs. It is focused on ending the monopolistic practices of tech giants. Meanwhile, the Digital Services Act (DSA) aims at toughening scrutiny and the consequences for platforms when they host banned content.&nbsp;

German MEP Andreas Schwab, a key backer of the laws, said: "With the legislative package, the European Parliament has ushered in a new era of tech regulation."&nbsp;

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The main aim of the Digital Markets Act is to protect consumers. The law will also give several opportunities to rivals so that they get a chance to survive against powerful tech firms. Overall, it contains about 20 rules.&nbsp;

It is learned that the DMA will have major consequences for Google, Meta and Apple.&nbsp;

In the&nbsp;European Parliament, that text passed with 588 votes in favour and only 11 against. There were 31 abstentions.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-claims-ukraine-arms-supplied-by-the-west-spreading-to-middle-east-and-black-market-494699">Russia claims Ukraine arms, supplied by the West, spreading to Middle East and black market&nbsp;</a>

On the other hand, the DSA aims to ensure real consequences for companies that fall short of controlling hate speech, disinformation and child sexual abuse images.&nbsp;

DSA will target a wider range of internet actors.&nbsp;It was passed with 539 votes in favour and 54 against it. There were 30 abstentions.&nbsp;

Danish MEP Christel Schaldemose said that the digital&nbsp;world "has developed a bit like a western movie, there were no real rules of the game, but now there is a new sheriff in town."&nbsp;

What looks like a mere formality, both laws now require the final approval of the EU's 27 member states.&nbsp;

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The European Parliament on Tuesday (July 5) ratified landmark laws aimed at regulating Big Tech. The Digital Markets Act (DMA) has been devised to curb the market dominance of US tech giants.

The European Parliament on Tuesday (July 5) ratified landmark laws aimed at regulating Big Tech. The Digital Markets Act (DMA) has been devised to curb the market dominance of US tech giants. With the introduction of these laws, the European Union seeks to curb illegal content online. The final versions of the Digital Markets Act were approved by MEPs. It is focused on ending the monopolistic practices of tech giants. Meanwhile, the Digital Services Act (DSA) aims at toughening scrutiny and the consequences for platforms when they host banned content. German MEP Andreas Schwab, a key backer of the laws, said: "With the legislative package, the European Parliament has ushered in a new era of tech regulation." ALSO READ | Euro hits 20-year low against dollar after US hikes interest rate The main aim of the Digital Markets Act is to protect consumers. The law will also give several opportunities to rivals so that they get a chance to survive against powerful tech firms. Overall, it contains about 20 rules. It is learned that the DMA will have major consequences for Google, Meta and Apple. In the European Parliament, that text passed with 588 votes in favour and only 11 against. There were 31 abstentions. ALSO READ | Russia claims Ukraine arms, supplied by the West, spreading to Middle East and black market On the other hand, the DSA aims to ensure real consequences for companies that fall short of controlling hate speech, disinformation and child sexual abuse images. DSA will target a wider range of internet actors. It was passed with 539 votes in favour and 54 against it. There were 30 abstentions. Danish MEP Christel Schaldemose said that the digital world "has developed a bit like a western movie, there were no real rules of the game, but now there is a new sheriff in town." What looks like a mere formality, both laws now require the final approval of the EU's 27 member states. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Digital Markets Act: European Parliament ratifies landmark tech laws

Taiwan's democracy is "a treasure" to be protected, the head of a visiting European Parliament delegation said, promising to stand with the island as tensions between Beijing and Taipei spiral to their highest level in years.

Western allies counter China's pressure

Ideological differences are threatening the grand European experiment. Poland is challenging the supremacy of new laws. Watch our report to know more.

Ideological differences threaten grand European experiment

Poland's top court decided that its national laws are superior to European laws. Many have interpreted this as the start of 'Polexit' - Poland's exit from the EU. Are ideological differences unraveling the European experiment? WION's Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: Will Poland leave the European Union?

After almost 9 countries agrees to Europe's new COVID-19 certificate plan rolled out to unblock travel within the bloc. The European Parliament is all set to vote for its clearance.

European Parliament to vote on COVID-19 travel certificate

The European Parliament on Wednesday overwhelmingly ratified the EU's post-Brexit&nbsp;trade&nbsp;deal&nbsp;with Britain, but promised to keep a close eye on London with cross-channel hostility still high.

A big majority of MEPs approved the bare bones trade&nbsp;deal&nbsp;with the bloc's third-biggest trading partner that was sealed on Christmas Eve after nine months of tough negotiations.

The agreement provides the framework for London's new relationship with the 27-member union, five years after British voters shocked the world by voting to end its 47-year membership.

In the final tally, 660 MEPs voted in favour of the trade&nbsp;deal, five against with 32 abstentions, results released Wednesday showed.

"The European Parliament voted on the most far-reaching agreement the EU has ever reached with a third country," said the president of the assembly, David Sassoli.&nbsp;

"This can form the foundation on which we build a new forward-looking EU-UK relationship," he said, warning that MEPs would monitor the implementation of the&nbsp;deal&nbsp;and "not accept any backsliding from the UK government."&nbsp;

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed the "final step in a long journey" that brought "stability to our new relationship with the EU as vital trading partners, close allies and sovereign equals."&nbsp;

"Now is the time to look forward to the future and to building a more Global Britain," he added.

'Real teeth'

The vote comes amid multiple feuds over the UK's implementation of&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;agreements and angry finger-pointing about the supply of the Covid-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca.

Deepening tensions further, France has&nbsp;threatened to block UK financial firms doing business in the EU if the London does not respect its commitments on fishing, a key part of the&nbsp;deal.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen "warmly welcomed" the approval, but in a final debate in parliament on Tuesday, assured MEPs that the agreement had "real teeth" and the legal means to keep the UK in check.

"Let me be very clear: We do not want to have to use these tools, but we will not hesitate to use them if necessary."

Britain's&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;minister David Frost said he "hugely" welcomed the vote to approve the&nbsp;deal&nbsp;he helped negotiate during months of fraught talks with EU counterpart Michel Barnier. &nbsp;

"Hope we can now begin a new chapter together as Europeans, characterised by friendly cooperation between sovereign&nbsp;equals," Frost wrote on Twitter.&nbsp;

In a tweet, Barnier thanked MEPs for the "big greenlight" and said both sides now had a "joint responsibility" to respect commitments.

Zero tariffs&nbsp;

The vote ends five years of a&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;saga in which Britain and Europe also sealed a divorce&nbsp;deal&nbsp;that bitterly divided the UK and saw the future of peace on the island of Ireland thrust into doubt.

A recent wave of rioting in the British province of Northern Ireland has been blamed on the fallout of&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;arrangements with talks underway in Brussels and London to find a long-term solutions.

Britain left the EU on January 30 2020, but its new life with Europe only really began after a transition period ended on December 31, when London was no longer bound by the bloc's laws and rules.

Officially called a trade and cooperation agreement (TCA), the&nbsp;deal&nbsp;has been provisionally applied since January 1 and provides for zero tariffs and zero quotas on goods traded between the EU and UK.

But it is less ambitious than many Europeans had hoped for, with nothing on foreign policy and defence nor any commitment to close alignment on environment, health and other regulations.

Britain pointedly refused deeper harmonisation with the EU, saying that UK must defend and embrace its newly found sovereignty.

Cross-Channel trade volumes have plummeted this year, with EU imports from the UK down by half in the first two months of the&nbsp;deal's application.

&nbsp;

The European Parliament on Wednesday overwhelmingly ratified the EU's post-Brexit trade deal with Britain, but promised to keep a close eye on London with cross-channel hostility still high.

The European Parliament on Wednesday overwhelmingly ratified the EU's post-Brexit trade deal with Britain, but promised to keep a close eye on London with cross-channel hostility still high. A big majority of MEPs approved the bare bones trade deal with the bloc's third-biggest trading partner that was sealed on Christmas Eve after nine months of tough negotiations. The agreement provides the framework for London's new relationship with the 27-member union, five years after British voters shocked the world by voting to end its 47-year membership. In the final tally, 660 MEPs voted in favour of the trade deal, five against with 32 abstentions, results released Wednesday showed. "The European Parliament voted on the most far-reaching agreement the EU has ever reached with a third country," said the president of the assembly, David Sassoli. "This can form the foundation on which we build a new forward-looking EU-UK relationship," he said, warning that MEPs would monitor the implementation of the deal and "not accept any backsliding from the UK government." British Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed the "final step in a long journey" that brought "stability to our new relationship with the EU as vital trading partners, close allies and sovereign equals." "Now is the time to look forward to the future and to building a more Global Britain," he added. 'Real teeth' The vote comes amid multiple feuds over the UK's implementation of Brexit agreements and angry finger-pointing about the supply of the Covid-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca. Deepening tensions further, France has threatened to block UK financial firms doing business in the EU if the London does not respect its commitments on fishing, a key part of the deal. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen "warmly welcomed" the approval, but in a final debate in parliament on Tuesday, assured MEPs that the agreement had "real teeth" and the legal means to keep the UK in check. "Let me be very clear: We do not want to have to use these tools, but we will not hesitate to use them if necessary." Britain's Brexit minister David Frost said he "hugely" welcomed the vote to approve the deal he helped negotiate during months of fraught talks with EU counterpart Michel Barnier. "Hope we can now begin a new chapter together as Europeans, characterised by friendly cooperation between sovereign equals," Frost wrote on Twitter. In a tweet, Barnier thanked MEPs for the "big greenlight" and said both sides now had a "joint responsibility" to respect commitments. Zero tariffs The vote ends five years of a Brexit saga in which Britain and Europe also sealed a divorce deal that bitterly divided the UK and saw the future of peace on the island of Ireland thrust into doubt. A recent wave of rioting in the British province of Northern Ireland has been blamed on the fallout of Brexit arrangements with talks underway in Brussels and London to find a long-term solutions. Britain left the EU on January 30 2020, but its new life with Europe only really began after a transition period ended on December 31, when London was no longer bound by the bloc's laws and rules. Officially called a trade and cooperation agreement (TCA), the deal has been provisionally applied since January 1 and provides for zero tariffs and zero quotas on goods traded between the EU and UK. But it is less ambitious than many Europeans had hoped for, with nothing on foreign policy and defence nor any commitment to close alignment on environment, health and other regulations. Britain pointedly refused deeper harmonisation with the EU, saying that UK must defend and embrace its newly found sovereignty. Cross-Channel trade volumes have plummeted this year, with EU imports from the UK down by half in the first two months of the deal's application.

European Parliament closes Brexit saga with trade deal vote

After Russia rebuffed his attempts to renew a dialogue, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Tuesday, he will propose the bloc's 27 member states to impose sanctions on Moscow. &nbsp; &nbsp;

"It will be for the member states to decide the next step, but yes, this could include sanctions and I will put forward concrete proposals," Borrell told lawmakers at the European Parliament. &nbsp;&nbsp;

A number of eastern European countries have called for punitive measures to be slapped on Russia over the jailing of top Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and a crackdown on protesters. &nbsp;&nbsp;

EU foreign ministers are set to discuss the issue at their next meeting on February 22. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Borrell addressed legislators after a chastening visit to Russia last week, during which the Kremlin expelled three European diplomats. &nbsp;

Despite opposition from some capitals, the former Spanish minister insisted on making the trip to confront the Kremlin over Navalny and sound it out over cooperation on other issues. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"I had no illusion before the visit, I am even more worried after," Borrell told lawmakers. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"One thing became clear, there is no intention on the Russian side to engage in a constructive discussion if we address human rights and political freedom." &nbsp;&nbsp;

Borrell has drawn flak for his performance during the visit -- the first by a top EU envoy to Moscow since 2017 -- as he failed to counter a slew of criticism from counterpart Sergei Lavrov at a press conference. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Dozens of lawmakers signed a letter calling for his resignation over the 'humiliating' trip. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The EU's relations with Moscow have been in the doldrums since the Kremlin annexed Crimea in 2014 and began fuelling the war in Ukraine. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The bloc hit six senior Russian officials with asset freezes and visa bans in October over the poisoning of Navalny with a nerve agent. &nbsp;

Navalny has accused the President Vladimir Putin of ordering the attack -- something the Kremlin has repeatedly denied. &nbsp;

Putin's most prominent domestic opponent was sentenced to almost three years in jail after returning to Russia last month following treatment in Germany.

After Russia rebuffed his attempts to renew a dialogue, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Tuesday, he will propose the bloc's 27 member states to impose sanctions on Moscow.

After Russia rebuffed his attempts to renew a dialogue, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Tuesday, he will propose the bloc's 27 member states to impose sanctions on Moscow. "It will be for the member states to decide the next step, but yes, this could include sanctions and I will put forward concrete proposals," Borrell told lawmakers at the European Parliament. A number of eastern European countries have called for punitive measures to be slapped on Russia over the jailing of top Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and a crackdown on protesters. EU foreign ministers are set to discuss the issue at their next meeting on February 22. Borrell addressed legislators after a chastening visit to Russia last week, during which the Kremlin expelled three European diplomats. Despite opposition from some capitals, the former Spanish minister insisted on making the trip to confront the Kremlin over Navalny and sound it out over cooperation on other issues. "I had no illusion before the visit, I am even more worried after," Borrell told lawmakers. "One thing became clear, there is no intention on the Russian side to engage in a constructive discussion if we address human rights and political freedom." Borrell has drawn flak for his performance during the visit -- the first by a top EU envoy to Moscow since 2017 -- as he failed to counter a slew of criticism from counterpart Sergei Lavrov at a press conference. Dozens of lawmakers signed a letter calling for his resignation over the 'humiliating' trip. The EU's relations with Moscow have been in the doldrums since the Kremlin annexed Crimea in 2014 and began fuelling the war in Ukraine. The bloc hit six senior Russian officials with asset freezes and visa bans in October over the poisoning of Navalny with a nerve agent. Navalny has accused the President Vladimir Putin of ordering the attack -- something the Kremlin has repeatedly denied. Putin's most prominent domestic opponent was sentenced to almost three years in jail after returning to Russia last month following treatment in Germany.

Borrell to propose EU leaders to impose sanctions on Russia

The EU has lost credibility on human rights by sealing an investment deal with China, a resolution in the European Parliament warned on Thursday. &nbsp;

MEPs meeting by videolink in Brussels overwhelmingly passed the resolution which broadly condemned the crackdown on Hong Kong activists by the central government in China.

The resolution also called for "targeted sanctions" against Chinese and Hong Kong officials held responsible for the police action.

The opinion of EU lawmakers is important as they will need to approve the German-backed investment deal that was agreed in principle last month after years of talks.

Given the Hong Kong crackdown, doubts about the accord have quickly emerged, with ratification by MEPs very much uncertain, though the vote is not expected until the end of the year at the earliest.

The resolution said that MEPs "regret" that the EU-China investment talks were not seized&nbsp;"as a leverage tool aimed at preserving Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy, as well as its basic rights and freedoms".

"By rushing to reach this agreement while not taking concrete action against ongoing, grave human right violations, for example in Hong Kong, Xinjiang province and Tibet, the EU risks undermining its credibility as a global human rights actor," it said.

China is accused of grave human rights abuses against the Uighur minority in Xinjiang.

The resolution said parliament will "carefully scrutinise" the deal and will take the human rights situation in China into account when it votes on the deal.

The EU commission, which began negotiating the deal in 2014, said it helps rectify the long-standing imbalance in the way Brussels and Beijing treat investors and the access they allow them.

It also says that China agreed through the deal -- known as the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) -- to work harder towards approving International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions on forced labour.

The EU has lost credibility on human rights by sealing an investment deal with China, a resolution in the European Parliament warned on Thursday. MEPs meeting by videolink in Brussels overwhelmingly passed the resolution which broadly condemned the crackdown on Hong Kong activists by the central government in China.

The EU has lost credibility on human rights by sealing an investment deal with China, a resolution in the European Parliament warned on Thursday. MEPs meeting by videolink in Brussels overwhelmingly passed the resolution which broadly condemned the crackdown on Hong Kong activists by the central government in China. The resolution also called for "targeted sanctions" against Chinese and Hong Kong officials held responsible for the police action. The opinion of EU lawmakers is important as they will need to approve the German-backed investment deal that was agreed in principle last month after years of talks. Given the Hong Kong crackdown, doubts about the accord have quickly emerged, with ratification by MEPs very much uncertain, though the vote is not expected until the end of the year at the earliest. The resolution said that MEPs "regret" that the EU-China investment talks were not seized "as a leverage tool aimed at preserving Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy, as well as its basic rights and freedoms". "By rushing to reach this agreement while not taking concrete action against ongoing, grave human right violations, for example in Hong Kong, Xinjiang province and Tibet, the EU risks undermining its credibility as a global human rights actor," it said. China is accused of grave human rights abuses against the Uighur minority in Xinjiang. The resolution said parliament will "carefully scrutinise" the deal and will take the human rights situation in China into account when it votes on the deal. The EU commission, which began negotiating the deal in 2014, said it helps rectify the long-standing imbalance in the way Brussels and Beijing treat investors and the access they allow them. It also says that China agreed through the deal -- known as the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) -- to work harder towards approving International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions on forced labour.

EU Parliament condemns China deal over Hong Kong crackdown

As the rift between France and Muslim countries has widened, French Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Jordan Bardella has called for strict sanctions against Turkey and Pakistan in order to make "European solidarity tangible".

Concerned over terrorism emanating from these countries Bardella demanded "real financial or trade sanctions" against Ankara, Islamabad, Kuwait city and Doha.

France in last one month has witnessed several terror attacks after Charlie Hebdo announced the republishing of a controversial caricature of Prophet Muhammed and French President Emmanuel Macron refused to criticise it in early October.

Protests erupted in Muslims countries over the incident. Social media users in many Muslim countries joined calls to boycott French goods.

On October 16, a terrorist beheaded a secondary school teacher Samuel Paty who used controversial cartoons published by Charlie Hebdo in his classes. On the morning of October 30, another terrorist attack occurred when a man stabbed three people to death and wounded several others in a church in Nice.

On November 2, an Islamist terrorist went on a deadly rampage in Vienna shooting dead four people and injuring more than 20 others in the city centre before he was killed by police.

"Ongoing tragedy and terrorism continues on European soil and Europe struggles to find a common solution to the constant killings of innocent victims at the hand of the terrorists and extremists," the European Chronicle reported.

In light of this, on 28 October 2020, French Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Jordan Bardella posed a parliamentary question to the European Commission. Following his own statement "over and beyond feeble statements concerning the Turkish President's 'unacceptable' comments," MEP Bardella requested to know if the Commission is "planning to adopt any real financial or trade sanctions against countries such as Turkey, Pakistan, Kuwait and Qatar, in order to reassert our common values and make European solidarity tangible?"Over recent months and weeks, European parliamentarians have raised increasing concerns regarding terrorism and extremism emanating from countries like Turkey and Pakistan.

The European Commission is expected to answer the questions of MEP Bardella in the coming weeks.

French Member of European Parliament (MEP) Nicolas Bay has also asked the European Union (EU) to stop "showering" Ankara and Islamabad with subsidies and customs facilities and instead put sanctions against them.

"During the European Parliamentary plenary of November 11, French MEP Nicolas Bay from the Identity and Democracy Group had strong words against European aid to Pakistan and Turkey in light of threats coming from both countries. MEP Bay's comments were made in the context of a debate on the 'fight against terrorism, freedom of expression and education'," a press statement read.

Speaking to the European Commissioner Ylva Johansson responsible for Home Affairs, Nicolas Bay was critical of the support being given by the European Commission to the countries of concern.

"You are showering countries like Pakistan and Turkey with subsidies and customs facilities. We want to sanction them!"Linking terrorism threats to migration, MEP Bay gave the stark warning that the latest terrorist attacks in Paris had all been committed by migrants arriving in Europe.

(With inputs from agencies)

As the rift between France and Muslim countries has widened, French Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Jordan Bardella has called for strict sanctions against Turkey and Pakistan in order to make "European solidarity tangible".

As the rift between France and Muslim countries has widened, French Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Jordan Bardella has called for strict sanctions against Turkey and Pakistan in order to make "European solidarity tangible". Concerned over terrorism emanating from these countries Bardella demanded "real financial or trade sanctions" against Ankara, Islamabad, Kuwait city and Doha. France in last one month has witnessed several terror attacks after Charlie Hebdo announced the republishing of a controversial caricature of Prophet Muhammed and French President Emmanuel Macron refused to criticise it in early October. Protests erupted in Muslims countries over the incident. Social media users in many Muslim countries joined calls to boycott French goods. On October 16, a terrorist beheaded a secondary school teacher Samuel Paty who used controversial cartoons published by Charlie Hebdo in his classes. On the morning of October 30, another terrorist attack occurred when a man stabbed three people to death and wounded several others in a church in Nice. On November 2, an Islamist terrorist went on a deadly rampage in Vienna shooting dead four people and injuring more than 20 others in the city centre before he was killed by police. "Ongoing tragedy and terrorism continues on European soil and Europe struggles to find a common solution to the constant killings of innocent victims at the hand of the terrorists and extremists," the European Chronicle reported. In light of this, on 28 October 2020, French Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Jordan Bardella posed a parliamentary question to the European Commission. Following his own statement "over and beyond feeble statements concerning the Turkish President's 'unacceptable' comments," MEP Bardella requested to know if the Commission is "planning to adopt any real financial or trade sanctions against countries such as Turkey, Pakistan, Kuwait and Qatar, in order to reassert our common values and make European solidarity tangible?"Over recent months and weeks, European parliamentarians have raised increasing concerns regarding terrorism and extremism emanating from countries like Turkey and Pakistan. The European Commission is expected to answer the questions of MEP Bardella in the coming weeks. French Member of European Parliament (MEP) Nicolas Bay has also asked the European Union (EU) to stop "showering" Ankara and Islamabad with subsidies and customs facilities and instead put sanctions against them. "During the European Parliamentary plenary of November 11, French MEP Nicolas Bay from the Identity and Democracy Group had strong words against European aid to Pakistan and Turkey in light of threats coming from both countries. MEP Bay's comments were made in the context of a debate on the 'fight against terrorism, freedom of expression and education'," a press statement read. Speaking to the European Commissioner Ylva Johansson responsible for Home Affairs, Nicolas Bay was critical of the support being given by the European Commission to the countries of concern. "You are showering countries like Pakistan and Turkey with subsidies and customs facilities. We want to sanction them!"Linking terrorism threats to migration, MEP Bay gave the stark warning that the latest terrorist attacks in Paris had all been committed by migrants arriving in Europe. (With inputs from agencies)

Amid rising terror attacks, Member of European Parliament demands sanctions on Pakistan, Turkey

European Parliamentarians have raised concerns over the European Union's financial support to Pakistan despite the country's lack of efforts towards tackling terrorist groups in the country.

EU Parliamentarians raise concerns over financial support to Pak despite inaction on terror

&nbsp;Europe is a test case for a very special reason. The European continent has always considered itself the Avant Garde of secularism. In 2013, the European Union published guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief.

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In 2016, Jan Figel was appointed special envoy for this, for the promotion of freedom of religion outside the EU. In 2018 and 2019, Europe sanctioned countries for they way they treated Muslims, mostly for a good reason but also because Europe felt the moral authority and responsibility to tell the world how to treat minorities as recently as 2020, the European parliament wanted to discuss India's citizenship amendment act and the removal of special status of Kashmir. It had no business doing so but the EU, the self-appointed gatekeeper of secularism wanted to lecture India on the treatment of minorities.

In November 2020, Europe itself is rushing to legislate on religion and come December, France will table a bill that will help the state regulate Islam. It will help the state monitor the funding of French mosques.

It will create a certificate program for French imams and it will ban homeschooling for young children to prevent the creation of Islamic schools or Madrassas.

If a non-European, non-Western country had planned such a bill, Europe would have cried Islamophobia. It would have sat down to draw a list of sanctions against the country, slapped its leaders with a travel ban probably frozen their assets but now terror has struck home.

France is legislating to create its own brand of Islam and in doing so, France doesn't care if it's being called Islamophobe. Europe is finally learning to crack down on terror and unfortunately, it is learning the hard way.

Just like the United States did post the attacks of 9/11 before the two planes crashed into the twin towers, America took pride preaching secularism. In 1998, the Clinton administration created the office of international religious freedom (IRF) within the US state department.

Three years later, Washington found itself looking at every Muslim with suspicion, at least 1,200 people were detained by the end of November 2001. In her book "detained without a cause" Irum Sheikh writes that the US immigration officials began categorising Muslims "special interest" cases.

Europe's lectures on CAA and Kashmir were an overreach, India's tour of European MP's to seek validation on Kashmir even worse, if Europe must compare its own brand of secularism to India's - it should see which has worked. Going forward, Europe cannot confuse appeasement with secularism. It is time to work on the faultlines. Counter-terror with all sincerity without making any exceptions.

Europe is a test case for a very special reason. The European continent has always considered itself the Avant Garde of secularism. In 2013, the European Union published guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief.

Europe is a test case for a very special reason. The European continent has always considered itself the Avant Garde of secularism. In 2013, the European Union published guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief. In 2016, Jan Figel was appointed special envoy for this, for the promotion of freedom of religion outside the EU. In 2018 and 2019, Europe sanctioned countries for they way they treated Muslims, mostly for a good reason but also because Europe felt the moral authority and responsibility to tell the world how to treat minorities as recently as 2020, the European parliament wanted to discuss India's citizenship amendment act and the removal of special status of Kashmir. It had no business doing so but the EU, the self-appointed gatekeeper of secularism wanted to lecture India on the treatment of minorities. In November 2020, Europe itself is rushing to legislate on religion and come December, France will table a bill that will help the state regulate Islam. It will help the state monitor the funding of French mosques. It will create a certificate program for French imams and it will ban homeschooling for young children to prevent the creation of Islamic schools or Madrassas. If a non-European, non-Western country had planned such a bill, Europe would have cried Islamophobia. It would have sat down to draw a list of sanctions against the country, slapped its leaders with a travel ban probably frozen their assets but now terror has struck home. France is legislating to create its own brand of Islam and in doing so, France doesn't care if it's being called Islamophobe. Europe is finally learning to crack down on terror and unfortunately, it is learning the hard way. Just like the United States did post the attacks of 9/11 before the two planes crashed into the twin towers, America took pride preaching secularism. In 1998, the Clinton administration created the office of international religious freedom (IRF) within the US state department. Three years later, Washington found itself looking at every Muslim with suspicion, at least 1,200 people were detained by the end of November 2001. In her book "detained without a cause" Irum Sheikh writes that the US immigration officials began categorising Muslims "special interest" cases. Europe's lectures on CAA and Kashmir were an overreach, India's tour of European MP's to seek validation on Kashmir even worse, if Europe must compare its own brand of secularism to India's - it should see which has worked. Going forward, Europe cannot confuse appeasement with secularism. It is time to work on the faultlines. Counter-terror with all sincerity without making any exceptions.

Europe cannot confuse appeasement with secularism

Four members of the&nbsp;Members of the European Parliament (MEP) have criticised the South Asian country Pakistan for its involvement in the Pulwama terror attacks in India in 2019.

"We call on the European Commission and the European External Action Services to immediately condemn the leadership and government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for its participation in the Pulwama attacks and request the European Union to consider sanctions against those responsible," the members said in a letter.&nbsp;

The statement came after a Pakistani minister in the National Assembly openly admitted that Pakistan's Prime minister Imran Khan was involved in the terror attack. The MEP condemned the&nbsp;"blatant and brazen" disclosure.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pulwama-was-great-achievement-under-imran-khans-leadership-admits-pak-minister-fawad-choudhry-338807">Also read | Pulwama was great achievement under Imran Khan's leadership, admits Pak minister Fawad Choudhry</a>

The four MEPs —&nbsp;Thierry Mariani, Julie Lechanteux, Virginie Joron, and France Jamet — sent a letter to the&nbsp;President of European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and urged the commission to open an investigation into the matter and also investigate Pakistan's involvement in any other similar attack in Europe.

Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) had claimed responsibility of the 2019 attack in the Pulwama region of India in which a convoy of the Central Reserve Police Force was targetted and the attack had claimed lives of 40 Indian soldiers.

While Pakistan repeatedly denied any involvement in the attack, the recent declaration by Fawad Chaudhry brought back the question of whether or not Pakistan government was involved in the disastrous attack.&nbsp;"On 29 October 2020 Pakistan's Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Fawad Chaudhry, stood up in the Pakistan National Assembly and hailed the Pulwama terror attack as a 'success 'under Imran Khan's government. Chaudhry credited Pakistan's Prime Minister, Imran Khan and the Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party for its great achievement," the letter read.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bajwas-legs-were-shaking-imran-khan-govt-considers-registering-treason-case-against-ayaz-sadiq-339506" hreflang="en">'Bajwa's legs were shaking': Imran Khan govt considers registering treason case against Ayaz Sadiq</a>

The MEPs believe the state-sponsored terrorism might be a bigger threat than expected if it is not put to an end now.&nbsp;This latest admission from inside the Pakistan parliament, by a serving Minister, comes less than six month after Imran Khan himself gave a eulogy to Osama bin Laden inside the National Assembly calling him a 'martyr'," the MEPs said.

"In the face of such threats and horrific violent aggression on innocent people, it is essential that the European Union does not remain silent. Any admission of acts of terrorism, wherever they occur in the world, must face immediate denunciation and action by European leaders," the letter continued.

Four members of the Members of the European Parliament (MEP) have criticised the South Asian country Pakistan for its involvement in the Pulwama terror attacks in India in 2019.

Four members of the Members of the European Parliament (MEP) have criticised the South Asian country Pakistan for its involvement in the Pulwama terror attacks in India in 2019. "We call on the European Commission and the European External Action Services to immediately condemn the leadership and government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for its participation in the Pulwama attacks and request the European Union to consider sanctions against those responsible," the members said in a letter. The statement came after a Pakistani minister in the National Assembly openly admitted that Pakistan's Prime minister Imran Khan was involved in the terror attack. The MEP condemned the "blatant and brazen" disclosure. Also read | Pulwama was great achievement under Imran Khan's leadership, admits Pak minister Fawad Choudhry The four MEPs — Thierry Mariani, Julie Lechanteux, Virginie Joron, and France Jamet — sent a letter to the President of European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and urged the commission to open an investigation into the matter and also investigate Pakistan's involvement in any other similar attack in Europe. Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) had claimed responsibility of the 2019 attack in the Pulwama region of India in which a convoy of the Central Reserve Police Force was targetted and the attack had claimed lives of 40 Indian soldiers. While Pakistan repeatedly denied any involvement in the attack, the recent declaration by Fawad Chaudhry brought back the question of whether or not Pakistan government was involved in the disastrous attack. "On 29 October 2020 Pakistan's Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Fawad Chaudhry, stood up in the Pakistan National Assembly and hailed the Pulwama terror attack as a 'success 'under Imran Khan's government. Chaudhry credited Pakistan's Prime Minister, Imran Khan and the Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party for its great achievement," the letter read. Also read| 'Bajwa's legs were shaking': Imran Khan govt considers registering treason case against Ayaz Sadiq The MEPs believe the state-sponsored terrorism might be a bigger threat than expected if it is not put to an end now. This latest admission from inside the Pakistan parliament, by a serving Minister, comes less than six month after Imran Khan himself gave a eulogy to Osama bin Laden inside the National Assembly calling him a 'martyr'," the MEPs said. "In the face of such threats and horrific violent aggression on innocent people, it is essential that the European Union does not remain silent. Any admission of acts of terrorism, wherever they occur in the world, must face immediate denunciation and action by European leaders," the letter continued.

EU lawmakers condemn Pakistan's involvement in Pulwama terror attack

The European Parliament has removed Myanmar's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi from the "Sakharov Prize community"

Your Story: EP removes Aung San Suu Kyi from Sakharov Prize community

Results from 96.16% of voting districts showed on Sunday that OLANO, a politically amorphous, pro-European Union and a pro-NATO movement focused on fighting corruption, took 24.95% of the vote, far ahead of the ruling Smer with 18.5%.

Support for OLANO surged in recent weeks, from less than 6% late last year, concentrating a protest vote fed by the murder of an investigative journalist and his fiancée two years ago.

Seats won by other liberal and conservative parties gave OLANO a strong position to lead negotiations to form a new centre-right government.

OLANO leader Igor Matovic has pledged to clean up politics, and ambition encapsulated in his party's slogan: "Let's Beat the Mafia Together".

"We take the result as a request from people who want us to clean up Slovakia. To make Slovakia a just country, where the law applies to everybody regardless if he is rich or poor," Matovic said after most of the votes were counted.

Matovic said he would reach out to leaders of three other parties - the liberal Freedom and Solidarity, the conservative For the People of former president Andrej Kiska, and the socially conservative, eurosceptic We Are Family - to form an alliance that would have the constitutional majority of over 90 seats in the 150-seat parliament.

Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini from Smer acknowledged defeat and said the party's run in the office, for 12 out of the past 14 years, maybe over.

"A probable departure of our party into opposition is not such a surprise," Pellegrini told reporters.

Smer scored its worst result since 2002. Its nationalist and Hungarian minority allies did not win any seats, the first time in decades that Hungarians will not be represented.

The political shift in the eurozone member state, which has avoided fights with Brussels unlike its central European Visegrad Group neighbours Hungary and Poland, started with the 2018 murder of journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée.

An investigation unearthed communications between a businessman now on trial for ordering the hit and politicians and judicial officials. The defendant has denied the charges.

The killing led to the biggest street protests in the post-communist era, forcing Smer leader Robert Fico to resign, though his party held on to power.

Matovic, 46, told Reuters last week he wanted to be a conciliatory voice toward the EU within Visegrad.

The former owner of regional newspapers and a lawmaker since 2010, Matovic calls himself a social conservative and economic liberal but refuses to pin down OLANO on the left-right or liberal-conservative scale.

In the European Parliament, OLANO is aligned with the centre-right European People's Party.

"I would like to send a positive signal," Matovic said, adding that he did not want European partners to feel Slovakia was a corrupt place "where journalists and their fiancees are murdered just because someone unearthed corruption".

He said he would strive for better education for the underprivileged Roma minority, and wanted the Roma, Hungarian and Ruthenian minorities to feel equal. 
&nbsp;

Results from 96.16% of voting districts showed on Sunday that OLANO, a politically amorphous, pro-European Union and a pro-NATO movement focused on fighting corruption, took 24.

Results from 96.16% of voting districts showed on Sunday that OLANO, a politically amorphous, pro-European Union and a pro-NATO movement focused on fighting corruption, took 24.95% of the vote, far ahead of the ruling Smer with 18.5%. Support for OLANO surged in recent weeks, from less than 6% late last year, concentrating a protest vote fed by the murder of an investigative journalist and his fiancée two years ago. Seats won by other liberal and conservative parties gave OLANO a strong position to lead negotiations to form a new centre-right government. OLANO leader Igor Matovic has pledged to clean up politics, and ambition encapsulated in his party's slogan: "Let's Beat the Mafia Together". "We take the result as a request from people who want us to clean up Slovakia. To make Slovakia a just country, where the law applies to everybody regardless if he is rich or poor," Matovic said after most of the votes were counted. Matovic said he would reach out to leaders of three other parties - the liberal Freedom and Solidarity, the conservative For the People of former president Andrej Kiska, and the socially conservative, eurosceptic We Are Family - to form an alliance that would have the constitutional majority of over 90 seats in the 150-seat parliament. Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini from Smer acknowledged defeat and said the party's run in the office, for 12 out of the past 14 years, maybe over. "A probable departure of our party into opposition is not such a surprise," Pellegrini told reporters. Smer scored its worst result since 2002. Its nationalist and Hungarian minority allies did not win any seats, the first time in decades that Hungarians will not be represented. The political shift in the eurozone member state, which has avoided fights with Brussels unlike its central European Visegrad Group neighbours Hungary and Poland, started with the 2018 murder of journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée. An investigation unearthed communications between a businessman now on trial for ordering the hit and politicians and judicial officials. The defendant has denied the charges. The killing led to the biggest street protests in the post-communist era, forcing Smer leader Robert Fico to resign, though his party held on to power. Matovic, 46, told Reuters last week he wanted to be a conciliatory voice toward the EU within Visegrad. The former owner of regional newspapers and a lawmaker since 2010, Matovic calls himself a social conservative and economic liberal but refuses to pin down OLANO on the left-right or liberal-conservative scale. In the European Parliament, OLANO is aligned with the centre-right European People's Party. "I would like to send a positive signal," Matovic said, adding that he did not want European partners to feel Slovakia was a corrupt place "where journalists and their fiancees are murdered just because someone unearthed corruption". He said he would strive for better education for the underprivileged Roma minority, and wanted the Roma, Hungarian and Ruthenian minorities to feel equal.

Slovak anti-corruption opposition parties score emphatic election win

It was an emotional moment in the European Parliament. As the Brexit deal was passed, lawmakers stood up to sing "Auld Lang Syne" - as a goodbye gesture to the UK. Here is how Europe bid farewell to Britain.

Gravitas: European MPs bid emotional farewell to the UK

To the relief of the Narendra Modi government, the European Parliament decided to defer the vote on the resolution against India’s controversial Citizenship Amendment Act till the second half of March. The vote to defer the joint resolution criticising the CAA was approved by 271 votes in favour and 191 against in the parliament. The debate on the joint draft resolution tabled by five major political groups in EP was to be debated on Wednesday, with a statement from the EU Vice President/High Representative for foreign affairs and security policy.

EU defers Anti-CAA Resolution vote, Relief for Modi govt

Tears and cheers in European parliament post Brexit approval

Six resolutions, which now have been combined into a single joint motion resolution, were tabled in the European Parliament on Wednesday. Six political groups of members of the European Parliament had moved the resolutions, calling the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) discriminatory and condemning the alleged use of force on protesters.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/vote-on-caa-resolution-delayed-in-european-union-parliament-new-delhi-lauds-friends-of-india-277435">European Parliament has postponed the voting </a>to March. Meanwhile, the EU has distanced itself from the developments in the EU Parliament on the 6 draft resolutions.

EU spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, Virginie Battu-Henriksson, told WION, "Opinions expressed by the European Parliament and its members do not represent the official position of the European Union."

The resolution mentions the issue of freedom of expression in India. It warns against increasing nationalism which according to them is fuelling religious intolerance.

The resolutions also raise questions over the exclusion of other minorities - Sri Lankan Tamils, Rohingya Muslims.

How does this resolution affect India?

Even if it is passed, the resolution is not binding on India. However, it does create political pressure on the European Union to take up the matter with New Delhi.

A summit is coming up in March this year and this could figure in engagements between India and the EU.

How is India countering this resolution?

The defence largely centres on the argument that the CAA is a process internal to India. And the fact that it's being debated in the public sphere and the Supreme Court.

Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla has written to the European Parliament saying it's inappropriate for one legislature to pass judgment on another.

So has vice president Venkaiah Naidu who reiterated that there is no scope for outside interference in the country's internal matters.&nbsp;

Speaking of Interference

Two days ago, a Congressional briefing was held in Washington which was titled 'The Implications of India's Citizenship Law'. A group of human rights and social activists attended this briefing. they alleged that the current dispensation had become an enemy of the people.

They raised the following issues:

1. Religious conversion 
2. Marginalisation of minorities 
3. Stricter punishments for cow slaughter 
4. Aggressive bans on institutions

Moreover, Harrison Akins &nbsp;- a policy analyst addressed the US Congress. He has requested the US government to use targeted sanctions against Indian officials responsible for religious freedom violations.

"The CAA could become a weapon to target millions of Indian Muslims, potentially leading to their disenfranchisement. this represents a significant downward turn in religious freedom that no government, including the united states government, can ignore," he said.

What next

The Modi government's strong global image has clearly come under stress. A massive diplomatic effort will be needed in the coming days to control the narrative and set the record straight.

And to obtain endorsements to India's argument that CAA is a humanitarian gesture.

 
&nbsp;

Six resolutions, which now have been combined into a single joint motion resolution, were tabled in the European Parliament on Wednesday. Six political groups of members of the European Parliament had moved the resolutions, calling the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) discriminatory and condemning the alleged use of force on protesters.

Six resolutions, which now have been combined into a single joint motion resolution, were tabled in the European Parliament on Wednesday. Six political groups of members of the European Parliament had moved the resolutions, calling the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) discriminatory and condemning the alleged use of force on protesters. The European Parliament has postponed the voting to March. Meanwhile, the EU has distanced itself from the developments in the EU Parliament on the 6 draft resolutions. EU spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, Virginie Battu-Henriksson, told WION, "Opinions expressed by the European Parliament and its members do not represent the official position of the European Union." The resolution mentions the issue of freedom of expression in India. It warns against increasing nationalism which according to them is fuelling religious intolerance. The resolutions also raise questions over the exclusion of other minorities - Sri Lankan Tamils, Rohingya Muslims. How does this resolution affect India? Even if it is passed, the resolution is not binding on India. However, it does create political pressure on the European Union to take up the matter with New Delhi. A summit is coming up in March this year and this could figure in engagements between India and the EU. How is India countering this resolution? The defence largely centres on the argument that the CAA is a process internal to India. And the fact that it's being debated in the public sphere and the Supreme Court. Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla has written to the European Parliament saying it's inappropriate for one legislature to pass judgment on another. So has vice president Venkaiah Naidu who reiterated that there is no scope for outside interference in the country's internal matters. Speaking of Interference Two days ago, a Congressional briefing was held in Washington which was titled 'The Implications of India's Citizenship Law'. A group of human rights and social activists attended this briefing. they alleged that the current dispensation had become an enemy of the people. They raised the following issues: 1. Religious conversion 2. Marginalisation of minorities 3. Stricter punishments for cow slaughter 4. Aggressive bans on institutions Moreover, Harrison Akins - a policy analyst addressed the US Congress. He has requested the US government to use targeted sanctions against Indian officials responsible for religious freedom violations. "The CAA could become a weapon to target millions of Indian Muslims, potentially leading to their disenfranchisement. this represents a significant downward turn in religious freedom that no government, including the united states government, can ignore," he said. What next The Modi government's strong global image has clearly come under stress. A massive diplomatic effort will be needed in the coming days to control the narrative and set the record straight. And to obtain endorsements to India's argument that CAA is a humanitarian gesture.

Anti-CAA resolution in European Parliament: What it means for India?

The European Parliament approved Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Brexit Deal, clearing the way for the UK to leave the European Union on January 31. The vote was 621 to 49 in favor of the Brexit deal that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson negotiated with the other 27 EU leaders in the fall of last year. Watch report:

Brexit Deal cleared in EU Parliament, Lawmakers in tears

The distancing of the EU Council and France from the European Parliament, sources said, came at a time when India has diplomatically engaged Brussels and European parliamentarians.

European Union distances itself from MEP’s Anti-CAA drafts

Six resolutions on CAA were submitted to the parliament for discussion, but the 66-member Europeans Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Group pulled out, bringing the total number of MEPs (Members of European Parliament) backing the resolution from 626 to 560.

WION Dispatch: European Parliament to vote over CAA Tomorrow

Shaffaq Mohammed is the lawmaker behind a resolution against the Citizenship Amendment Act in the European Parliament. Do these resolutions achieve anything? Is Pakistan driving these resolutions against India? WION's Palki puts these questions to Shaffaq Mohammed in this interview.

Exclusive: Shaffaq Mohammed on WION | Gravitas

Shaffaq Mohammed, Pakistan-origin Member of European Parliament, is the lead mover of the European Parliament Resolution on Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

WION Dispatch: Pak-Origin Mep Moves Anti-CAA Resolution

Even as the European Union Parliament is all set to discuss resolutions on the Citizenship Amendment Act(CAA) &amp; Kashmir, the EU foreign office has said that it doesn't represent the official position and called New Delhi a key partner.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/entirely-internal-matter-india-on-european-union-parliament-setting-resolution-against-caa-276781">Also Read:&nbsp;'Entirely internal matter'-&nbsp;India on EU Parliament setting resolution against CAA</a>

EU spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, Virginie Battu-Henriksson, told WION, "Opinions expressed by the European Parliament and its members do not represent the official position of the European Union."

The official position of EU is that Kashmir is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan while comments on CAA are known yet.

The spokesperson was aware that the CAA is being assessed by India's Supreme Court for its constitutionality, explaining, "It is important to recall that these texts are only drafts tabled by various political groups in the European Parliament".

Six resolutions from different parties will be taken by EU Parliament later this week on Kashmir and CAA for discussion and&nbsp;vote.

Backing the Brussels-New Delhi partnership the spokesperson said: "India is a key partner for the EU to address global challenges and to jointly promote the rule-based multilateral order."

The 15th India-EU summit will take place on March 13 for which PM Modi will travel to Brussels.&nbsp;

French diplomatic sources said, for "France, a founding member of the European Union, the Citizenship Amendment Act is India’s internal political matter" and "European Parliament is an institution independent of member states and the European Commission."

The EU mission in Delhi earlier in the day stated, “The European Parliament is an independent institution, sovereign in the organization of its work and in its deliberations" and "the text referred to are draft resolution by political groups in the EP.”

Even as the European Union Parliament is all set to discuss resolutions on the Citizenship Amendment Act(CAA) & Kashmir, the EU foreign office has said that it doesn't represent the official position and called New Delhi a key partner.

Even as the European Union Parliament is all set to discuss resolutions on the Citizenship Amendment Act(CAA) & Kashmir, the EU foreign office has said that it doesn't represent the official position and called New Delhi a key partner. Also Read: 'Entirely internal matter'- India on EU Parliament setting resolution against CAA EU spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, Virginie Battu-Henriksson, told WION, "Opinions expressed by the European Parliament and its members do not represent the official position of the European Union." The official position of EU is that Kashmir is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan while comments on CAA are known yet. The spokesperson was aware that the CAA is being assessed by India's Supreme Court for its constitutionality, explaining, "It is important to recall that these texts are only drafts tabled by various political groups in the European Parliament". Six resolutions from different parties will be taken by EU Parliament later this week on Kashmir and CAA for discussion and vote. Backing the Brussels-New Delhi partnership the spokesperson said: "India is a key partner for the EU to address global challenges and to jointly promote the rule-based multilateral order." The 15th India-EU summit will take place on March 13 for which PM Modi will travel to Brussels. French diplomatic sources said, for "France, a founding member of the European Union, the Citizenship Amendment Act is India’s internal political matter" and "European Parliament is an institution independent of member states and the European Commission." The EU mission in Delhi earlier in the day stated, “The European Parliament is an independent institution, sovereign in the organization of its work and in its deliberations" and "the text referred to are draft resolution by political groups in the EP.”

Ahead of CAA, Kashmir resolutions in EU parliament, EU foreign office says doesn't reflect official position

A Pakistani origin British MEP is behind the resolution against India Citizenship Act in the European Parliament. Sharaf Mohammed is a native of Mirpur in PoK, member of the European Parliament since 2019. Mohammed has moved a resolution which calls the CAA discriminatory. The proposed resolution will be tabled in the European Parliament this week and is reportedly supported by 154 of the 751 members. In a strong response, the Indian government has said that the CAA is an entirely internal matter of India and the law was adopted through democratic means.

Pak Origin MEP Behind Anti-CAA Resolution In European Parliament

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European Union distances itself from MEP’s Anti-CAA drafts

European Union distances itself from MEP’s Anti-CAA drafts

European Union distances itself from MEP’s Anti-CAA drafts

European Union distances itself from MEP’s Anti-CAA drafts

European Union distances itself from MEP’s Anti-CAA drafts