European citizens have more rights and more ways to claim them than they imagine. From 1 April a new collective right of initiative is added:

Over 1 million European citizens from a minimum of 7 EU member states can request the European Commission to present legislation within its competence. Even with social media, this is a huge task. The citizens committee can use the Commission website, numerous guides and a contact point. There is though a clear need for a citizens’ infrastructure and independent help desk.

The European Parliament has today adopted new EU legislation aimed at assisting EU member states in improving their ability and capacity to receive refugees. The legislation, which was steered through Parliament by Green MEP and draftsperson Rui Tavares, includes changes to the European Refugee Fund to take account of a new joint resettlement fund. Commenting on the adoption of the legislation, Rui Tavares stated: 

To coincide with the European Parliament's plenary session debate and vote on progress in Turkey's accession negotiations, the Alliance for Liberals and Democrats invited Turkish journalist, Ahmed Sik to discuss press freedom in Turkey.  Ahmed Sik was one of several journalists imprisoned over a year ago in a move which was widely condemned as being politically motivated.

Alexander Graf Lambsdorff  (FDP, Germany) ALDE Spokesman on Turkey said:

"The Commission says it is going to fight for the food aid programme and will produce a legislative proposal on how to implement it - we need to assume our joint responsibility to ensure that this is achieved," said GUE/NGL Chair Gabi Zimmer responding to Commissioner Rehn's statement on the food for the needy programme in the European Parliament this morning.

ELDR Party president Sir Graham Watson MEP has welcomed the news that the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has backed the need for immediate medical treatment to be given to imprisoned former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and that the Court will treat Tymoshenko’s appeal against here conviction as a priority case.

Tymoshenko is currently set to face seven years in prison as a result of charges of allegedly taking decisions against Ukraine’s national interest in relation to gas supply contracts with Russia.