Symbolic empty chair for Saudi blogger in the European Parliament

Press release from EFA MEP Alyn Smith (SNP)

An empty seat was left in the European Parliament today (Wednesday) for Raif Badawi, Saudi blogger and activist, winner of this year's prestigious Sakharov prize for freedom of expression. Alyn Smith, SNP Member of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee once again called on the Saudi ...

Making the positive case for EU membership

Plenary speech by Jill Evans

Electoral success in Corsica

EFA MEPs have paid tribute to the victory in Corsica on Sunday 13 December of the progressive nationalist coalition Pe A Corsica (For Corsica) which finished first in elections for the Corsican Assembly. The alliance of autonomist and independentist parties received around 35% of the vote and w...

Geoblocking and minority languages

EFA MEP Jill Evans (Plaid Cymru) wants the European Commission to ensure that legislation on access to web based programming while abroad facilitates the use of Welsh and other minority languages. Jill Evans says that 'geoblocking' – or blocking access to online content based on location – can ...

Occupation in the 21st Century: Barriers to peace in Israel & Palestine

Film Screening hosted by EFA MEPs

New initiative to publish details of lobbying

Press release from EFA MEP Jill Evans (Plaid Cymru)

Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans is using a new online tool which will publish details of any meetings she has with lobbyists as and when they happen. MEP Jill Evans The tool called LobbyCal has been developed by her parliamentary group to help elected members share details online of lobbyist meetings (ht...

Money lost to tax evasion is worth whole EU budget

Press release from EFA MEP Ernest Maragall (Catalonia)

MEP Ernest Maragall has welcomed a series of recommendations approved by the European Parliament to tackle corporate tax evasion, following a special committee of enquiry of which he is a substitute member. MEP Ernest Maragall The vote comes on the same day that the European Parliament gave its...

Elimination of violence against women in the EU

Plenary speech by Jordi Sebastià

Tax rulings

Plenary speech by Ernest Maragall

Press Freedom - Keeping Journalists Safe

Panel discussion hosted by EFA MEP Jordi Sebastià

The European Free Alliance (EFA) & Jordi Sebastià MEP are hosting a panel discussion on Press Freedom-Keeping Journalists Safe. The SEEMO Safety Net Manual for Journalists, a publication that assists journalists to prepare and respond to extraordinary situations, will also be presented du...

Scotland’s place in the UK’s EU Renegotiations

As the UK Government seeks to renegotiate the UK's EU membership, SNP President Ian Hudghton MEP hosted a press briefing at the European Parliament in Brussels on Scotland's place in the UK's EU Renegotiations. He was joined by SNP Europe Spokesperson Stephen Gethins MP. Mr Hudghton emphasised that...

Welcome for EU guidelines on Israel settlements in Palestine

Press release from EFA MEP Alyn Smith (SNP)

Alyn Smith MEP, Scottish member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, welcomed today (Wednesday) the release of the EU guidelines on the import of produce from illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, but said they should be improved and extended to...