MEP Hilde Vautmans actively supports the recognition Sikhs in Belgium
By Newsdesk
Discover the need for Belgium and the EU to recognize Sikhism as a religion with full rights. Explore the challenges faced by Sikhs in Europe. #Sikhism #ReligiousFreedom
https://europeantimes.news/2024/01/mep-hilde-vautmans-recognition-sikhs/

Russia, TV Channel of an Orthodox Oligarch Under EU Sanctions
By Willy Fautre
On 18 December 2023, the Council of the European Union imposed restrictive measures on Tsargrad TV Channel (Царьград ТВ) belonging to and financed by the so-called “Orthodox oligarch” Konstantin Malofeev, as part of the 12th Package of Sanctions targeting an additional group of 61 individuals and 86 entities in Russia responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine. On that occasion, the SPAS TV Channel of the Russian Orthodox Church was also put under EU sanctions. Tsargrad TV Channel Tsargrad TV Channel was created in 2015. In the fall of 2017, Malofeev created the “Two-Headed Eagle,” which he defined as the
https://europeantimes.news/2024/01/russia-tv-channel-of-an-orthodox-oligarch-under-eu-sanctions/

Senegal February 2024, When a statesman steps down in Africa
By Willy Fautre
The presidential election in Senegal is already noteworthy before it even happens on 25 February 2024. This is because President Macky Sall told the world last summer that he would be stepping down and would not run in the election, thereby fully respecting the end of his constitutional term. As he put it, he has great faith in the country and its people to continue after his presidency. His stance is in striking contrast to the current trend on the continent for military coups and presidents clinging on to power long after their constitutional terms have ended. In an interview
https://europeantimes.news/2024/01/senegal-february-2024-africa/

Revealing the Invisible Plot: Social Action of Minority Religious Denominations in Spain
By Newsdesk
In a comprehensive analysis of the social action of minority religious denominations in Spain, academics Sebastián Mora Rosado, Guillermo Fernández Maillo, José Antonio López-Ruiz and Agustín Blanco Martín, publish their revealing findings in volume 3, number 2 of “Cuestiones de Pluralismo” for the second half of 2023. The article highlights that European society has undergone a profound transformation in its religious experience, despite the predictions of the sociologies of secularisation that predicted its demise. In this context, Spain faces unique challenges, marked by a persistent tendency to make religious diversity invisible. According to Díez de Velasco (2013), there is a
https://europeantimes.news/2024/01/revealing-the-invisible-plot-social-action-of-minority-religious-denominations-in-spain/

Seamless Sojourns in Europe, Unlocking the Secrets of the Schengen Area
By Newsdesk
In the web of integration, the Schengen zone shines as a symbol of liberty and solidarity dismantling borders and granting European Union (EU) citizens the precious privilege of travelling without passports. Since its inception, in 1995 this borderless territory has become one of the achievements of the European project empowering individuals to live, study, work and explore freely within its boundaries. As we embark on an exploration of the intricacies of the Schengen area let us delve into the elements that make it a cornerstone of coexistence in Europe. A Symphony of Nations; Understanding Schengen At its essence, the Schengen
https://europeantimes.news/2024/01/seamless-sojourns-in-europe-unlocking-the-secrets-of-the-schengen-area/

A Breakthrough for Inclusivity, the EU Disability Card
By Newsdesk
In a groundbreaking move towards inclusivity, the Employment and Social Affairs Committee of the European Parliament has unanimously adopted a proposal for an EU Disability Card, aiming to facilitate the free movement of persons with disabilities within the European Union. The initiative also seeks to revamp the European Parking Card for individuals with disabilities, ensuring equal rights and conditions for cardholders when traveling or visiting other EU countries. Persons with disabilities often face barriers when crossing borders within the EU due to varying recognition of their disability status. The proposed directive aims to streamline this process by introducing a standardized
https://europeantimes.news/2024/01/a-breakthrough-for-inclusivity-the-eu-disability-card/

Scientology Celebrated a Decade of Awarding Those Defending Religious Freedom
By Newsdesk
Church of Scientology’s Foundation for the Improvement of Life, Culture and Society in Spain held the 10th annual Religious Freedom Awards ceremony MADRID, SPAIN, January 5, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ — On December 15th, 2023, the Church of Scientology’s Foundation for the Improvement of Life, Culture and Society (Fundación MEJORA) held the 10th annual Religious Freedom Awards ceremony. The event brought together authorities, academics, diplomats Czech Republic and Bosni-Herzegovina, and civil society representatives to honour three experts for their “outstanding contribution to the study, analysis and understanding of the legal and social aspects of religious freedom,” said Mercedes Murillo, Deputy Director General for Religious
https://europeantimes.news/2024/01/scientology-celebrated-a-decade-of-awarding-those-defending-religious-freedom/

Giorgia Meloni and Viktor Orban's Secretive Negotiations on EU Aid for Ukraine
By Newsdesk
According to an article by Bloomberg, there have been reports of secretive negotiations between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. It is said that Meloni has urged Orban to remove his opposition to the European Union’s aid for Ukraine. This political strategy follows Orban’s decision in December 2023 to veto a significant €50 billion aid package intended for Ukraine, a country currently embroiled in conflict. As a result of this blockage, EU leaders are now calling for an emergency summit on February 1st to address the issue and explore solutions that could work around Hungary’s
https://europeantimes.news/2024/01/giorgia-meloni-viktor-orbans-ukraine/

European Commission's Commitment to Youth Engagement and Policy Influence in the European Union
By Newsdesk
Following the European Year of Youth in 2022 the European Commission is actively working to ensure that young people have a say in the decision-making processes of the European Union. Today’s announcement is a step forward in prioritizing the perspectives and issues that matter to young Europeans in EU policymaking. With the 2024 European Parliament elections these efforts aim to engage and empower youth giving them influence that goes beyond casting their votes. Taking on Board the Youth Perspective One of the groundbreaking initiatives being introduced is called the “youth check.” This mechanism has been designed to consider how EU
https://europeantimes.news/2024/01/european-commissions-commitment-to-youth-engagement-and-policy-influence-in-the-european-union/

Concerns Raised by Former Polish Prime Minister about Detention of Politicians and Threats to Democracy in Poland
By Newsdesk
Former Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has raised concerns about the recent detention of politicians from the Law and Justice party, Mariusz Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik, labelling them as “victims of political revenge” and stating that “we have political prisoners in Poland since yesterday”. Morawiecki emphasized that the detention of individuals for political reasons was previously considered “impossible” since the fall of communism and compared the current situation to the communist regime. Morawiecki accused Donald Tusk, a prominent political figure in Poland, of “beginning to dismantle democracy” and highlighted issues such as the lack of freedom of expression, the monopolization
https://europeantimes.news/2024/01/concerns-raised-by-former-polish-prime-minister-about-detention-of-politicians-and-threats-to-democracy-in-poland/

Farmers displaced and farmlands seized as Iran’s government intensifies Baha’i religious persecution
By Newsdesk
GENEVA—4 January 2024— Farmlands, rice paddies and walnut orchards belonging to Baha’i families in the village of Ahmadabad, a lush and fertile agricultural community in Mazandaran province, were forcibly seized this week by Iranian officials who claimed the lands on behalf of the Iranian government. No compensation or official documents justifying the seizures were provided by the agents who conducted the raid. The raid is the latest incident in a rising pattern of persecution against the Baha’is across Iran—and the third recent example of religiously-motivated property seizures against Baha’i farmers in Mazandaran province. Baha’is are Iran’s largest non-Muslim religious minority and are systematically persecuted—including through economic
https://europeantimes.news/2024/01/farmers-displaced-and-farmlands-seized-as-irans-government-intensifies-bahai-religious-persecution/