European Parliament

🏆The 2026 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism is awarded to the investigation into the Italy-Albania migration deal. Published on the Dutch journalism platform De Correspondent, the winning story focuses on a deal under which Italy built a detention facility and asylum processing centre on Albanian territory. Congratulations to journalists Giacomo Zandonini and Maite Vermeulen for their vital work and dedication to public-interest journalism. The prize honours Daphne Caruana Galizia, the Maltese journalist assassinated in 2017 for exposing corruption, reaffirming the European Parliament’s steadfast commitment to defending press freedom and protecting journalists across Europe.📰 🔗Find out more: link.europa.eu/tJnxHx

The European Parliament has awarded the 2026 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to The International Criminal Court (ICC) and its officials.   Established in 1988, the Sakharov Prize honours those standing up for human rights, freedom of expression, minority rights, international law, democracy and the rule of law.   The ICC joins a long list of organisations and people whose work highlights the importance of protecting these rights around the world.   'The European Union is built on respect for multilateralism and international institutions. With the award of the Sakharov Prize to the International Criminal Court and its officials, the European Parliament recognises the Court’s important work in upholding international law and justice.' said President Roberta Metsola when announcing this year's laureate.    The award ceremony will take place in December in Strasbourg.   Learn more about the 2026 Sakharov Prize laureate: https://lnkd.in/ewmBhHbH

Recovery after severe storms and flooding – the European Solidarity Fund steps in to help. Parliament approved €489 million in EU funds to support Portugal, Spain, Italy and Malta after natural disasters that hit those countries at the beginning of the year. The Fund is an expression of EU solidarity – it aids EU and candidate countries dealing with major natural disasters or public health emergencies. So far, it has provided over €11 billion in aid in response to 150 disaster events. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/ewGeU7bv

Passengers get stronger, more consistent rights however they choose to travel as Parliament brings harmonised passenger rules across the EU, full steam ahead.   Whether travelling by air, rail, sea, inland waterway, or bus, passengers in the EU can expect:   - standardised compensation forms available in all official EU languages. - full reimbursement for cancellations, including air intermediary fees. - full transparency on intermediation, admin, and cancellation fees upfront when you book. - Passengers with disabilities to get a free companion seat if needed.   Read more: https://lnkd.in/e95Nxj7Z

On 9 October, the US government announced further sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC), bringing the total number of people targeted to 17. The measures also include freezing the Court’s assets held under US jurisdiction.   Members of the European Parliament recently condemned such measures as “an unacceptable assault on the foundations of international justice” and have called on the EU to demonstrate active solidarity with the Court and its personnel.

2026 Sakharov Prize: Meet the three finalists! The European Parliament has shortlisted three candidates for the 2026 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, recognising their efforts in defending human rights, freedom and democracy. These finalists are:  🟦 The International Criminal Court and its officials 🟦 Tundu Lissu, Tanzania 🟦 Taraneh and Romina Rahimi, Iran The Sakharov Prize honours individuals and organisations who stand up for human rights and fundamental freedoms around the world.  The laureate will be announced on 22 October 2026, with the award ceremony taking place in Strasbourg during the December plenary session. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e2MQsQnf

🇪🇺 This week, the European Parliament has a packed agenda: announcing the laureate of the 2026 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, discussing the budgetary needs for the next Erasmus+ programme, debating recent Russian strikes on EU territory, voting on updated EU rules to strengthen passengers’ rights, among other issues.   Learn more about the 19-22 October plenary session: https://lnkd.in/eyc9ztmJ

“Politics is not a transaction. Politics must be based on values.”   These are the words of Andrzej Poczobut, Belarusian journalist, human rights defender and 2025 Sakharov Prize laureate.   Known for his outspoken criticism of the Lukashenka regime and his work on history and human rights, Poczobut was imprisoned in Belarus from 2021 to 2026. In this interview, he reflects on democracy, human rights and the importance of critical thinking, seeking information and making informed choices.   For him, defending human rights must be a common interest; it is essential to stand up for others, because what affects one person’s rights can ultimately affect us all.

Did you know that 1 in 5 Europeans, including 1 in 4 children, are at risk of poverty or social exclusion? Today, on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, we highlight the need to tackle poverty across Europe. Earlier this year, the European Parliament called for stronger action, stressing that poverty is a violation of human dignity and that everyone should have access to basic necessities. In May, the European Commission adopted the first EU Anti-Poverty Strategy, setting out measures to prevent and tackle poverty across Europe. The strategy focuses on: • helping people afford a place to live, work and raise their families without worrying about their future • removing barriers to employment and tackling in-work poverty • fighting housing exclusion and expanding social and affordable housing • combating child poverty • supporting older people through adequate pensions and opportunities to remain in work • tackling discrimination and stigma linked to poverty. On Monday, Members of the European Parliament will debate the fight against poverty further during the plenary session in Strasbourg.

When you are at the supermarket, you see many logos: PDO (Protected Designation of Origin), PGI (Protected Geographical Indication), and GI (Geographical Indication for spirits). These are part of the EU geographical indications system, which protects the names of more than 3900 products coming from specific regions and having specific qualities.   But why are geographical indications important?  🌾 They support rural economies and the work of small-scale producers.  🔍 They guarantee traceability and top quality for consumers.  🛡️ They protect our heritage from imitations and counterfeiting worldwide.   On World Food Day, we celebrate one of our continent’s most precious assets: the unbreakable bond between food, drinks, and their territory of origin. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/euTmSuiH   What is the European PDO, PGI, or GI product you could never do without on your table? 🍷🧀   Check the comments for the correct answers to the quiz.