Eleonora MELETI

Policy topics Eleonora MELETI is active on

What Eleonora MELETI has said (29)

• 2026-06-17 “Madam president, commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, get ready with me to go to school. That's how 10 and 12 year olds start their day. They present to thousands of, strangers, what beauty routines they have, their clothes, the retinol they use, and the makeup they think is appropriate to wear when they go to school. And this, we tolerate. For god's sake, we let children lose their innocence. They lose themselves on the Internet. It's all about likes, followers, hits, and their value is linked to that. We are teaching them to sacrifice, their uniqueness, and children act older than they are. And this doesn't just take its toll on their mental health or other dangers lurking. And it's also because we're talking about the most insidious form of child exploitation of our era. We fight hard to protect children who work in factories on the streets, but yet we, wink at those children, that lead others profiting. We have proud mothers and fathers clapping when children are influencers. If their parents don't realize how harmful this is and if they're on scrupulous platforms, Europe has to stop standing by awkwardly. We have to act. Greece was daring. We have bans, social media bans for children 15 so that they don't end up in the mouth of the shark. We have a comprehensive strategy. So please follow our lead. Those who are discussing that have to take act. What is at stake is the right of children to have a proper childhood.”
  Age restrictions on children's access to social media
• 2026-02-18 “E-000697/2026 Answer given by Ms Lahbib on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is fully committed to gender equality, including maternity protection and work-life balance, in line with the Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030 1 . EU legislation protects against discrimination on grounds of sex in employment and selfemployment 2 . This applies across sectors. Directive 2006/54 establishes the right of women to return to their jobs or equivalent posts after maternity leave on terms and conditions which are no less favourable than before their absence 3 . In addition, Directive 92/85, protects employees who are pregnant, have given birth or are breastfeeding. The Directive provides for a right to maternity leave for a period of at least 14 weeks before and/or after the birth or adoption 4 . In line with Article 17a of Directive 89/391/EEC 5 , the Commission is reviewing the practical implementation in the Member States of, among other directives, Directive 92/85 during the period 2018-2022. The results of this review are expected to be published later in 2026. Directive (EU) 2019/1158 6 also provides for non-transferable paid parental leave, family related leaves, and prohibits dismissal and discrimination for having taken those leaves. The Commission is analysing the transposition and implementation of Directive (EU) 2019/1158 and will report on its implementation by 2028. This report will be accompanied by two studies on the rights to family leave for self-employed persons, and on interactions between the leaves provided for in the Directive and other types of family-related leaves such as adoption leave 7 . 1 COM(2026) 113 final, Gender equality strategy https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-andpolicy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/gender-equality/gender-equality-strategy_en. 2 Article 14 of Directive 2006/54/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2006 on the implementation of the principle of equal opportunities and equal treatment of men and women in matters of employment and occupation (recast), OJ L 204, 26.7.2006, p. 23-36. https://eurlex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2006/54/oj/eng. 3 Article 15 of Directive 2006/54/EC. 4 Council Directive 92/85/EEC of 19 October 1992 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health at work of pregnant workers and workers who have recently given birth or are breastfeeding (tenth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16 (1) of Directive 89/391/EEC). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A31992L0085. 5 Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work (OJ L 183 29.6.1989, p. 1), https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A01989L0391-20081211&qid=1774418559221. 6 Directive (EU) 2019/1158 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on work-life balance for parents and carers and repealing Council Directive 2010/18/EU, OJ L 188, 12.7.2019, p. 79-93. https://eurlex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2019/1158/oj/eng. 7 Article 18 of Directive (EU) 2019/1158.”
  EU regulation of cross-border and posted workers · Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• 2026-01-28 “E-000357/2026 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Virkkunen on behalf of the European Commission Beyond the obligation for Member States to ensure that audiovisual media services provided under their jurisdiction respect and protect human dignity pursuant to Article 6 of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) 1 , Article 6a(1) of that Directive requires Member States to take appropriate measures to ensure that audiovisual media services which may impair the physical, mental or moral development of minors are only made available in such a way as to ensure that minors will not normally hear or see them, including selecting the time of the broadcast, age verification tools or other technical measures. Similarly, pursuant to Article 28b of the AVMSD, Member States also need to ensure that video-sharing platform providers adopt measures to protect minors against harmful content. Under the Digital Services Act (DSA) 2 , providers of designated very large online platforms must, at least annually, conduct risk assessment to effectively identify, assess and mitigate systemic risks stemming from their services. This can include the risk of the dissemination of illegal content and risks to the mental health and wellbeing of their users as well as their human dignity. Moreover, the DSA makes it easier for users to report illegal content. In order to ensure that minors do not have access to harmful content, the Commission is carefully assessing whether more needs to be done in the area of protection of minors in the context of the ongoing evaluation and review of the AVMSD 3 . 1 Directive 2010/13/EU on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the provision of audiovisual media services in view of changing market realities. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32022R2065. 3 https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/15752-Audiovisual-media-servicesevaluation-and-update-of-EU-rules/public-consultation_en.”
  Safety features & content control for child protection online · Digital platforms liability for harmful and illegal content
• 2026-01-15 “E-000170/2026 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Virkkunen on behalf of the European Commission Citizens rely increasingly on online platforms and influencers to access information and form their opinions on a wide range of issues. The increased use of those services has resulted in risks and challenges for citizens, free media and the society as a whole. The EU has a robust legal framework to address these challenges. The Digital Services Act 1 (DSA) - the EU’s flagship legislation on the responsibilities of online platforms - inter alia requires very large online platforms to assess and mitigate risks stemming from their service, for example related to influencer programmes. The protection of minors Guidelines 2 recommends measures to online platforms concerning influencers. In addition, the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) 3 also covers influencers when they qualify as audiovisual media services. The Political Advertising Regulation 4 also contains obligations for influencers if political messages are published by them in exchange for monetary benefits or benefits in kind 5 . Moreover, with the EU Influencer Legal Hub the Commission provides material to facilitate compliance with EU consumer law by influencers. The role of influencers will be considered in the AVMSD review and in the Digital Fairness Act to complement existing EU rules. The Commission will support the setting up of a voluntary network of influencers to raise awareness about relevant EU rules. It will encourage ethical standards and voluntary commitments, including regarding information integrity, and support work by influencers to promote digital literacy. Additionally, the Commission will provide updated Guidelines for teachers and educators on tackling disinformation and promoting digital literacy which will cover the role of influencers. 1 Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market For Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act), OJ L 277, 27.10.2022, pp. 1–102. 2 Guidelines on measures to ensure a high level of privacy, safety and security for minors online, pursuant to Article 28(4) of Regulation (EU) 2022/2065, C/2025/5519. 3 Directive (EU) 2018/1808 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 November 2018 amending Directive 2010/13/EU on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the provision of audiovisual media services (Audiovisual Media Services Directive) in view of changing market realities, OJ L 303, 28.11.2018, pp. 69–92. 4 Regulation (EU) 2024/900 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 March 2024 on the transparency and targeting of political advertising, OJ L, 2024/900, 20.3.2024. 5 Guidelines to support the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2024/900 on the transparency and targeting of political advertising, C(2025) 6829 final.”
  Safety features & content control for child protection online · Disinformation & online freedoms
• 2026-01-13 “Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission 26.3.2026 Written question Member States are responsible for age verification and underage drinking laws, while Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps promote learning and resilience, and support youth organisations to help create safer spaces. Furthermore, in 2023, under the Internal Security Fund Protect call [1] , the Commission funded 13 projects worth EUR 30 million to strengthen security in public spaces such as shopping malls and entertainment venues. This initiative builds on previous funding, with EUR 22.7 million and EUR 17.8 million disbursed in 2020 and 2022 to projects ran by academia, public authorities and NGOs. On 1 April 2025, the Commission presented ProtectEU — the European Internal Security Strategy [2] , which sets out objectives and actions to ensure a safer and more secure Europe. The Commission will continue to explore security requirements for publicly accessible venues, supporting Member States, local authorities and private partners in their efforts. Furthermore, EU cultural and youth programmes train organisers and staff in enforcing the safety of public spaces. Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps support capacity-building initiatives, including youth worker mobility training to improve emergency response and strengthen young people’s safety and resilience. [1] https://commission.europa.eu/funding-tenders/find-funding/eu-funding-programmes/internal-security-fund_en. [2] https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/news/commission-presents-protecteu-internal-security-strategy-2025-04-01_en.”
  EU strategy for tourism development · EU and national cultural identities
• 2025-10-23 “E-004179/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission Article 167 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) stipulates that EU action is focused on encouraging cooperation between Member States and supporting and supplementing their actions, with a view to conserving and safeguarding cultural heritage of European significance. Hence, the protection and promotion of cultural heritage remains the responsibility of EU Member States. The return of the Parthenon sculptures is a bilateral issue between Greece and the United Kingdom. Directive 2014/60/EU 1 on the return of cultural objects unlawfully removed from the territory of a Member State only applies to Member States and to cultural goods unlawfully removed after 1 January 1993. The Commission presented the EU action plan against trafficking in cultural goods on 13 December 2022 2 . The action plan builds on existing EU activity and addresses ongoing challenges through improving prevention and detection of crimes by market participants and cultural heritage institutions; strengthening law enforcement and judicial capabilities; and boosting international cooperation, including with source and transit countries of cultural goods in conflicts and crises. The Culture Compass for Europe, which was adopted on 12 November 2025 3 , will reinforce the EU’s value-driven approach in its cultural relations with non-EU countries. Protecting heritage from natural and human-induced disasters, including through digitisation, is also a relevant axis of the strategy. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2014/60/oj/eng. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2014/60/oj/eng. 3 https://culture.ec.europa.eu/news/commission-adopts-new-culture-compass-for-europe.”
  EU and national cultural identities
• 2025-07-21 “E-003017/2025 Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission Artificial tanning devices with a voltage rating typically of between 50 and 1 000 volts for alternating current, like sunbeds, must meet the Low Voltage Directive’s 1 (LVD) health and safety requirements. This covers cancer-related risks. The General Product Safety Directive 2 provides a general safety framework covering the safety risks which are not addressed by the specific EU legislation, such as the LVD. In Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan 3 , the Commission indicated it would ‘explore measures on exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) radiation, including from sunbeds’. The exploration has shown that more information is needed on the effectiveness of preventive and mitigation measures to understand how additional policy recommendations could lead to a better protection from health risks associated with the use of sunbeds, going beyond the LVD. Clear guidance on avoiding the use of sunbeds is already included in the European Code Against Cancer. Under the Digital Services Act 4 (DSA), providers of very large online platforms and very large online search engines must mitigate systemic risks that may impact vulnerable recipients of the service, like minors (including by taking into account how algorithms could foster harmful or misleading content and by limiting targeted ads that may affect young users’ well-being). Moreover, all platform providers have to ensure a high level of privacy, safety and security of minors, assisted by the Commission guidelines 5 of July 2025. The DSA also supports transparency for influencer content and commercial communications. Additionally, the Commission promotes media literacy and awareness campaigns 6 for young people. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2014/35/oj/eng. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/988/oj/eng. 3 https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/promoting-our-european-waylife/european-health-union/cancer-plan-europe_en. 4 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/2065/oj/eng. 5 https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/commission-publishes-guidelines-protection-minors. 6 https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/media-literacy.”
  EU measures on lifestyle-related behaviours (smoking, drinking, eating, etc.) · Smoking regulation
• 2025-05-21 “E-002038/2025 Answer given by Ms Lahbib on behalf of the European Commission While early marriage and early pregnancy are not confined to any single ethnic group, these are serious concerns for Roma children and girls, who often face discrimination and socioeconomic exclusion and are often deprived from basic rights: 83% of Roma children (017) live at risk of poverty 1 . To address this, the EU Roma Strategic Framework promotes gender equality, child protection, and equal access to education and health, among other policies. The Commission Recommendation on integrated child protection 2 also urges a zero-tolerance for any form of violence against children, including gender-based violence such as child marriage, in line with the EU Strategy on the rights of the child 3 . It is up to each Member State to legislate on the right to marry, as established in Article 9 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, including the minimum age for marriage. Furthermore, forced marriage is a crime under Union law (specifically, Directive (EU) 2024/1385 on combating violence against women and domestic violence 4 , which is to be transposed by member States by 14 June 2027) and is punishable by a maximum term of at least three years’ imprisonment. Victims shall receive protection and support regardless of nationality or residence. Concerning funding, the European Social Fund+ and the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme support projects for Roma inclusion, combating antigypsyism, strengthening civil society, Roma Holocaust awareness, and culture. National Roma Contact Points, crucial for community outreach, are also supported. 1 https://fra.europa.eu/sites/default/files/fra_uploads/fra-2022-roma-survey-2021-main-results_en.pdf. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32024H1238. 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52021DC0142. 4 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1385/oj/eng.”
  Engagement of Romani communities in Europe · Sexuality and reproduction · Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• 2025-02-05 “E-000528/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Virkkunen on behalf of the European Commission Article 50 of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act 1 establishes a number of transparency obligations for both providers and deployers of AI systems in relation to artificially generated or manipulated content, including artistic content. For instance, providers of AI systems that generate synthetic audio are required to ensure that the outputs are marked in a machine-readable format and detectable as artificially generated or manipulated. AI providers must use content authentication techniques, such as AI watermarking or metadata identification to label AI-generated music, making it distinguishable from human-generated content. Only AI systems that perform an assistive function for standard editing or do not substantially alter the input data, such as AI-powered music editing tools that make minor adjustments to existing music, are exempted from this obligation. The 2019 Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market (DSM Directive) 2 introduced a set of rules to ensure the fair remuneration of authors and performers when they license or transfer their rights for the exploitation of their works or other subject matter, including in the digital environment. The Commission will examine the application of these rules in the context of the review of the Directive, which is due no sooner than 7 June 2026. Regarding the use of copyright-protected content in the training of AI models, the Commission is also committed to supporting the effective application of Article 4 of the DSM Directive, including the possibility for right holders to reserve their rights, as well as to facilitate the development of a licensing market for the use of protected works for AI purposes. 1 Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence and amending Regulations (EC) No 300/2008, (EU) No 167/2013, (EU) No 168/2013, (EU) 2018/858, (EU) 2018/1139 and (EU) 2019/2144 and Directives 2014/90/EU, (EU) 2016/797 and (EU) 2020/1828 (Artificial Intelligence Act). 2 Directive (EU) 2019/790 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on copyright and related rights in the Digital Single Market and amending Directives 96/9/EC and 2001/29/EC, https://eurlex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2019/790/oj”
  EU and national cultural identities
• 2024-12-06 “E-002802/2024 Answer given by Ms Lahbib on behalf of the European Commission Both Directive (EU) 2024/1385 1 and the Council of Europe Istanbul Convention 2 consider children who have witnessed domestic violence as victims of said violence themselves. Specific requirements of protection and support under both instruments include specialised, age-appropriate medical and psychosocial care, as well as child-sensitive provision of shelters. The directive requires Member States to ensure that authorities have access to relevant information when assessing the best interests of the child in civil proceedings concerning them, though decisions on parental custody lie with Member States, and to take the risk of child abuse when assessing the victims’ protection needs 3 . In case an offender has rights of access, Member States must create safe spaces where such access can take place, under the supervision of trained professionals, where appropriate. The Recommendation on integrated child protection systems 4 calls on Member States to set up special support and early intervention programmes for child victims, their family and other caregivers as soon as the competent authorities have any indication of violence. The Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) 5 programme funds activities such as the establishment of help centres and child helplines 6 , improving accessibility of services for victims of gender-based violence and domestic violence, training for professionals and exchanges of best practices at EU level. The Justice Programme 7 also supports the protection of children through child-friendly justice by strengthening capacities of specialised staff so that they are able to access child-friendly procedures 8 , and raise awareness of concerned children, before, during and after judicial proceedings. 1 Directive - EU - 2024/1385 - EN - EUR-Lex https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1385/oj/eng 2 Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence https://rm.coe.int/168008482e 3 Directive 2024/1385, Article 16(3), https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1385/oj/eng 4 Commission Recommendation (EU) 2024/1238 adopted 23 April 2024 on developing and strengthening integrated child protection systems in the best interests of the child at https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/AUTO/?uri=celex:32024H1.238 5 Regulation (EU) 2021/692 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 establishing the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) Programme and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1381/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EU) No 390/2014, OJ L 156, 5 May 2021, 121 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L:2021:156:TOC). 6 Child Helpline International (https://childhelplineinternational.org/) funded under the CERV programme, provides mental health support to children. This support can include emotional, psychological, and sometimes legal support for children who contact the helpline. 7 Regulation (EU) 2021/693 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 establishing the Justice Programme and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1382/2013 (OJ L 156, 5.5.2021)- provides funding opportunities for stakeholders working to protect children and their rights in the area of justice. 8 Under an indirect management grant under the European Commission’s justice programme to the Council of Europe, a joint European Commission and Council of Europe project will help to better protect children.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion · Support for families
• 2024-10-22 “E-002210/2024 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Virkunnen on behalf of the European Commission The Commission takes social media’s impact on young people’s well-being and mental health very seriously. Under the Digital Services Act (DSA) 1 , all online platforms must ensure a high level of privacy, safety, and security for minors. Moreover, providers of very large online platforms and of very large online search engines must also regularly assess systemic risks stemming from their services, including negative effects to users’ mental and physical wellbeing, and effectively mitigate them. The Commission is developing guidelines related to the high level of privacy, security, and safety for minors. In addition, protecting the mental health of children is addressed by the Communication on a comprehensive approach to mental health 2 , with the initiative to promote ‘healthy screens, healthy youth’. The Guidelines on well-being and mental health at school 3 offer recommendations to promote wellbeing in the digital age. This is complemented by dedicated funding under Erasmus+ 4 . In her political guidelines 5 , the President of the Commission proposed to launch an EU-wide inquiry on the broader impacts of social media on well-being and develop an action plan against cyberbullying. The Commission is also committed to strengthening children’s digital education by equipping them with the digital skills to navigate the internet safely and responsibly. Through the Better internet for children (BIK+) strategy 6 , the Commission continues to foster child safety online. The EU co-funded network of Safer Internet Centres 7 , and the EU BIK platform 8 , aim to develop awareness campaigns and to provide resources for families in all EU languages. Digital skills and competences are also further strengthened under the Digital Education Action Plan 9 . 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022R2065 2 https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/promoting-our-european-waylife/european-health-union/comprehensive-approach-mental-health_en 3 https://school-education.ec.europa.eu/en/discover/news/guidelines-wellbeing-and-mental-health-school 4 For grassroots projects under the Erasmus+ Annual Work Programme (2024). 5 https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/towards-new-commission-2024-2029_en 6 A Digital Decade for children and youth: the new European strategy for a better internet for kids (BIK+) COM(2022) 212 final. 7 https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/safer-internet-centres 8 https://better-internet-for-kids.europa.eu 9 Digital Education Action Plan (2021-2027), https://education.ec.europa.eu/focus-topics/digitaleducation/action-plan, e.g. Guidelines for teachers and educators on tackling disinformation and promoting digital literacy which aim to ensure learners are aware of both the risk and opportunities of the internet, https://education.ec.europa.eu/news/guidelines-for-teachers-and-educators-on-tackling-disinformation-andpromoting-digital-literacy-through-education-and-training”
  Safety features & content control for child protection online · EU policy on mental health
• 2024-10-02 “E-001929/2024 Answer given by Mr McGrath on behalf of the European Commission The protection and promotion of the rights of the child is a core objective of the European Union 1 and the Commission has already put forward legislation, policy initiatives and funding activities 2 . On 23 April 2024, the Commission adopted a Recommendation 3 on integrated child protection systems on combating all forms of violence against and amongst young people calling on Member States to develop national plans to fight violence against children and ensure their protection. The Recommendation calls on Member States to take educational measures to prevent and protect children from bullying, including cyberbullying, through comprehensive anti-bullying plans, making use of EU programmes 4,5 and successful anti-bullying practices 6 . There are two EU key legislative instruments on child-friendly justice standards for the protection and safeguarding of children in contact with the law: the Procedural Safeguards Directive 7 , which establishes procedural safeguards for children as suspects or accused persons in criminal proceedings and the Victims’ Rights Directive 8 , which is currently being revised 9 to improve the rights of child victims in the EU, including to ensure that child victims are better supported and protected, also via improved access to integrated and 1 as enshrined in Article 24 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU and reiterated in the EU strategy on the rights of child (COM(2021) 142 final). 2 The Citizenship, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (2021-2027) continues to finance child protection projects. 3 Commission Recommendation (EU) 2024/1238 of 23 April 2024 on developing and strengthening integrated child protection systems in the best interests of the child. 4 The CERV CHILD (https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/call-proposals-rights-child-and-childrens-participationcerv-2024-child_en) and DAPHNE (https://ec.europa.eu/info/fundingtenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/cerv-2024-daphne?keywords=CERV-2024DAPHNE&programmePart=) programmes call for proposals on the protection of children from violence and to tackle bullying and violence notably in schools or in leisure activities through education and mental health programmes. 5 The Erasmus+ Programme for Education, Training, Youth and Sport (https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/) fosters tolerance, mutual understanding and inclusion among young people. The programme also supports the professional development of youth workers and teachers with the skills and competences needed to effectively address conflicts and violence. Erasmus+ specifically promotes safer and more supportive learning environments for young people through a priority on projects addressing wellbeing, mental health, and antibullying. 6 https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/476cda91-3b5f-11eb-b27b-01aa75ed71a1/language-en 7 Directive 2012/29/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime, and replacing Council Framework Decision 2001/220/JHA, OJ L 315, 14.11.2012, p. 57–73. 8 Directive (EU) 2016/800 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on procedural safeguards for children who are suspects or accused persons in criminal proceedings, OJ L 132, 21.5.2016, p. 1– 20. 9 COM/2023/424 final.”
  EU policy on criminal justice · Safety features & content control for child protection online
• 2024-09-30 “E-001875/2024 Answer given by Mr Reynders on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is committed to ensure that there is no place for hate 1 in the EU, including online. At EU level, the Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA 2 obliges Member States to criminalise racist and xenophobic hate speech and hate crimes. To extend the protection against hate speech and hate crime beyond racism and xenophobia, the Commission presented to the Council, in December 2021, an initiative to include these crimes in the list of ‘EU crimes’ under Article 83(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. This would empower the Commission to propose legislation on the definition and penalties for hate speech and hate crime. To date, the Council has not reached the needed unanimity. The Commission will continue its efforts towards the adoption of the Council decision. The Commission is also working to counter hate speech online. Under the Digital Services Act (DSA) 3 , platforms must assess and mitigate the dissemination of illegal hate speech on their service, and provide easily accessible procedures for flagging illegal content and ensure user redress 4 . A revised Code of conduct on countering illegal hate speech online commits signatories to a new set of ambitious voluntary commitments, including on the review of hate speech notifications. The Commission is currently working on the transition of the Code into a DSA Code of Conduct 5 , making it an integral part of the DSA risk management framework. Further, the 2023 Communication on a comprehensive approach to mental health 6 supports efforts to address (online) hate speech and victims of hate. EU funding, in particular the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme, also has a specific priority on combating hate speech and hate crime, including activities in support of victims. 1 Joint Communication to the European Parliament and the Council JOIN/2023/51 final on ‘No place for hate: a Europe united against hatred’ JOIN/2023/51 final. 2 Council Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA on combating certain forms and expression of racism and xenophobia by means of criminal law OJ L 328, p. 55 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/en/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A32008F0913 3 Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market For Digital Services (Digital Services Act). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/2065/oj 4 On this basis, the Commission has opened formal proceedings against X, Facebook and Instagram. See https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_6709 and https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_2373. 5 See Article 45 of the DSA. 6 Communication COM/2023/298 final on a comprehensive approach to mental health.”
  Disinformation & online freedoms · Digital platforms liability for harmful and illegal content
• “(10:24:35 – 10:26:00): Did you want to have a test? Can you hear me now? I was just saying that a year has gone by since our committee's mission to Cyprus to speak to victims of the 19 74 invasion, women who are now adults. Many of them at the time were young girls at the time of the invasion. This resolution was 1 of the promises made by members of the mission to those women so that the very least, many years later, some sort of moral reparation can be provided to those women who are victims of violence. We want to get across the message that the European Union supports those victims. Rape should not be used as a weapon of war. That is our clear message, and I hope you will support this. We had excellent cooperation between all the political groups. Together, we can support these women who are victims of violence in all conflicts.”
  EU competences on human rights
• “So indeed, the lack of any sort of clear definition and a lack of definition, which involves the issue of consensus, is something which undermines the rights of victims. It doesn't allow for cross-border cooperation, international cooperation on this particular front. It's absolutely necessary, imperative to have some sort of definition which is across the board accepted. And when we have this discrepancy, discrepancy or fragmentation in definition, uh, this is something that has to be gotten rid of. We need, for this particular reason to clarify this particular point within the amendment, the need once again for across the board, um, uh, a definition which is accepted by all in for gender equality. And let's also look at the secondary victimization. In other words, the long term consequences of a social and economic nature and the psychological suffering that victims suffer because of this as well. In order to avoid this, we have to have proper training, proper education for all specialized specialists that are dealing with victims. This is something which is included in a number of our different amendments. The issue of education for all on this particular front. Thank you.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “Law and finance. Better career guidance from an early age. More. Yes. More. Stem pathways and reskilling options for women returning to work can help to break both horizontal and vertical segregation. Third, work life balance and a motherhood penalty. The unequal share of care responsibilities still pushes too many women into career breaks with long term effect on wages and pensions. We back practical solutions that strengthen families in all their diversity flexible work arrangements for parents, quality and affordable child and long term care services. These are concrete measures that help families today and support Europe's demographic sustainability tomorrow. Fourth, entrepreneurship and leadership. Women led businesses are powerful engines of innovation and independence. We call for better access to finance and venture capital, targeted mentorship and improved financial literacy. Fourth. Fifth. Fair pay and transparency. Equal pay for equal work or work of equal value is a founding principle. We support swift and robust transposition and enforcement of existing EU legislation. Our approach should be effective and proportionate, especially for SMEs. Last but not least, dignity in retirement. The gender pay gap reflects inequalities that accumulate across a lifetime. Women deserve a dignified life in old age. Recognizing that the frequently carry most domestic and caregiving responsibilities. Colleagues, I entered the negotiations in a constructive spirit. We recognize the challenges, but also see the opportunity to keep this text positive, practical, and and pro-growth. A solid, evidence based message to women and men across Europe. I look forward to working with all groups to deliver results that strengthen fairness, family life and European values. I would like to convey my sincere gratitude to the Secretariat and all advisers for their work. Thank you.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “In technology.But they wish to link technology with education. But obviously this has to be done in a very specific way, in such a way that artificial intelligence does not turn into from a useful tool into a threat for both students and teachers. So I do have a series of questions, and any of you or any member of the panel could reply to this. How can we make most of the benefits, the advantages of AI without this posing a threat for young people? And obviously, we want to make sure that critical thinking is developed, and we have to make sure that our AI is of benefit to this support to students and does not deter from critical thinking. And how can I help teachers and how can it help? Or how can teachers make sure that their students are not using AI to do their homework, as it were, and replacing the teacher by AI by having a kind of 24 hour teacher and lecturer? So whether we're talking about schools or universities. Thank you very much. So we've had a first round of questions, and I'd like to turn to the guests, the members of the panel, and ask them to reply. So perhaps if you could reply in the same order that you took the floor, reply to your questions. Professor Holmes, please.”
  Governance of academic priorities within the EU
• “Thank you. Dear colleagues of the committee, I would like to express my gratitude to the rapporteur for the good work she has done with regards to the discharges for the general budget. I was pleased with the overall perspective and your highlighting the need to prioritise policies that protect children, women and families. This is something that during times of economic difficulties is very important across the EU. There is a strong emphasis on the need to do more in the fight against violence against women. On this topic, you also have my full support. I will introduce amendments which further focus on women with disabilities, the Daphne programme, as well as calls to support the Stem sector. I would also like to underline the need to discuss budgetary allocations to support women's entrepreneurship and women's economic independence, and promote an approach to ensure and encourage access for women to loans, equity, finance, venture capitalists, business angels and investors through union programmes and funds such as the European Social Fund. For the discharge, there is perhaps a little more work needed in order to fully satisfy the EPP position. For example, your right to suggest that violence against women should be the priority topic for the agency. But perhaps we can also stress the positive impact that the IJA has had for policy making more generally. For example, the IJA showed how high energy prices make for a difficult environment for SMEs owned by women. We can therefore discuss the gender aspects of the Green Deal to ensure that women are not overburdened with red tape, hindering Leonora.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “I just wanted to share my personal experience with you. And that's just a bit easier in my mother tongue. I don't want to be speaking in my capacity as an MEP or an EP member. I just wanted to tell you about my personal experience with these undressing apps. So a friend of mine sent me a couple of photos. Where I can be seen completely naked. So people downloaded content from my Instagram profile and then tampered with it. And it's impossible to distinguish whether these are real pictures or whether this Was edited using a I. And it's shocking to see how good the quality is. It was impossible even for me to tell that I had been used. And then this obviously. Is shocking for us. We feel fear, we feel shame. And I was ashamed. I had to reach out and make my friends and family aware, because obviously they could be exposed to that. I had to talk to my father about that. I was very ashamed because they might come across these images. And then I was made aware of how many views these pictures were getting. Thing and the figures kept, the views kept increasing. More and more people were looking at these photos. Well, now even the Greek and the Cypriot listeners are telling me that the speaker is going a bit quickly. But I reached out to a lawyer. I wanted to know what exactly I could do. How I could make people aware of the fact that my fundamental rights are being violated. And the lawyer quite simply said, there's nothing you can do.”
  Transparency and oversight of AI-generated content
• “You cannot. Remove the content. You can't challenge the veracity of the content. You can't prevent it being shared on other media. So this was published on. The clandestine servers platforms. And we're just faced with that reality. And then we have to deal with it. We just have to accept it. We as the consumers, we are. Don't seem to have any consumer rights on these platforms. This should be considered a crime. Or as evidence of a crime. And it should be prosecuted and then the content should be deleted. We never gave our consent. The content was published and it remains online and were made a mockery of. I was active as a journalist in Greece. And I had a three hour programme which was on every day with a lot of views, and that means that I'm very exposed. And it was quite hard to deal with that psychologically, and I am able to cope with what's going on. But not everyone is able to deal with this kind of thing. I just wanted to explain how shocking, how harrowing this all was. The fact that I was helpless, there was nothing I could do. So people who are elected representative in a parliament, you'd think that they would have the power to change things, to make people aware. That normal people Aren't prepared to deal with this kind of thing. And that's why it's important that we put pressure on the platforms to make sure we're taken seriously, and that we set out legislation that contains the necessary instruments.”
  Digital platforms liability for harmful and illegal content
• “Thank you. Chair. Since I am replacing Mr. Tara, I will speak on his behalf. He is really very sorry for not being able to be among us today, but he kindly asked me to read his statement on his behalf. So, dear chair, dear colleagues, let me start by thanking the rapporteur and the shadows for their hard work. Thanks to this cooperation, we now have a balanced and ambitious opinion for the 2026 budget from the EPP side. Our message is clear Erasmus+, Creative Europe and the Solidarity Corps are not just budget lines, they are Europe's flagship programmes. They bring people together, open opportunities for young people and strengthen our cultural and creative sectors. The cuts proposed by council are worrying. They go against the success of these programs and will weaken Europe's future competitiveness. That is why I strongly welcome the reinforcements in this opinion. They are realistic but also ambitious, just as our young people and creators expect us to be. The EPP Group will stand firm in defending these programmes and in sending a strong signal the European Parliament delivers for education, youth, culture and solidarity. Thank you.”
  EU volunteering programs
• “Thank you, Madam Chairman. Commissioner. Minister. Millions of women. We have seen ourselves naked on the internet without even undressing ourselves and without even being able to bring down and remove this material from the internet amongst them myself. Simple photos from the Instagram clothes. Everyday photos were stripped bare with a single click by algorithms without any permission, without consent, without shame, without consequences. This is not a side effect of technology. It's sexual exploitation. It's digital rape. And deepfakes target women, those who are exposed, those who speak up, those who are being envied. But let's stop the fairy tale the Europe. This is not the fault of digital rules. The European Union has digital rules. But do platforms apply them? No. An algorithm cannot have more rights than the human body. So either we enforce immediate removal of illegal deepfake material and impose sanctions, or demand full accountability, and admit that our digital future in women's bodies are not expendable. Thank you.”
  Digital platforms liability for harmful and illegal content
• “Thank you. Dear colleagues of the committee, I would like to express my gratitude to the rapporteur for the good work she has done with regards to the discharges for the general budget. I was pleased with the overall perspective and your highlighting the need to prioritise policies that protect children, women and families. This is something that during times of economic difficulties is very important across the EU. There is a strong emphasis on the need to do more in the fight against violence against women. On this topic, you also have my full support. I will introduce amendments which further focus on women with disabilities, the Daphne programme, as well as calls to support the Stem sector. I would also like to underline the need to discuss budgetary allocations to support women's entrepreneurship and women's economic independence, and promote an approach to ensure and encourage access for women to loans, equity, finance, venture capitalists, business angels and investors through union programmes and funds such as the European Social Fund. For the discharge, there is perhaps a little more work needed in order to fully satisfy the EPP position. For example, your right to suggest that violence against women should be the priority topic for the agency. But perhaps we can also stress the positive impact that the IJA has had for policy making more generally. For example, the IJA showed how high energy prices make for a difficult environment for SMEs owned by women. We can therefore discuss the gender aspects of the Green Deal to ensure that women are not overburdened with red tape, hindering Leonora.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “Thank you. Chair. Commissioner. Dear colleagues, just log on to the internet and read the comments about women, underage people homosexuals, people of different religion, of different ideologies, different opinions. I mean, it's the same what we are seeing in these comments, in the name of democracy or freedom of speech, we are seeing crimes being committed, people being bullied, underage persons. Just being having their characters assassinated. So what are we doing? Are there people like those comments? This is what it has come to. And we are talking About. Limiting this phenomenon. All of these things are. Then in the digital era are very nice. But what we're doing is asking for the victims to protect themselves. No, we have to penalise hate speech. Anything that is not allowed in the real world should not be allowed in the digital world as well. There's no more time for talk. And then let's see them trying to find a place to hide.”
  Digital platforms liability for harmful and illegal content
• “Okay. Thank you very much indeed. President. Commissioner. Why now? That's the question we have in terms of child sexual exploitation, addressing the trauma after it's happened. We have to put an end to this targeting of victims. This directive is really important, and it's crucial that it should be supported because it establishes a framework and it puts an end to the statutes of limitations. So even decades afterwards, justice can be sought because this type of crime? Um remains forever in the mind. There's no lapsing in the mind. So it shouldn't injustice either. So we have to ensure that people have the time to prepare themselves mentally, to be able to face what they're going to face when they go to justice. We have to support people who face violence, shame, humiliation, hold people back. It takes time. It's never too late for justice. And it's never too late either for punishment.”
  EU policy on victims' compensation rights
• “Thank you so much, chair. Um, Mrs. Nicole is really very sorry for not being able to join us today, but she kindly asked me to read her statement on her behalf. So, dear chair, dear colleagues, I'm very happy to be a rapporteur on behalf of the EPP. Gender equality is a core European value, but it is also a competitiveness imperative. Closing the gaps in pay, pensions and participation is not only the right thing to do, it is essential to Europe's growth, resilience and social cohesion. Let me say a word about the structure of the The report, we have organized it into clearly defined sections to guide the reader from principles to practice. The state of play sets out the evidence and trends. Economic benefit of gender equality for competitiveness links equality to productivity growth and innovation challenges. Identifies structural barriers such as sectoral segregation and unequal care responsibilities. Finally, The Way Forward proposes concrete, time bound actions for the Commission, member states and social partners. This structure is designed to keep the debate focused on the most important issues and the most effective tools. First, the economic case. Europe cannot afford to leave talent on the sidelines while we face labour and skill shortages across sectors, especially those linked to the green and digital transitions. Improving women's labour market participation, working conditions and career progression is one of the most effective pro-growth structural reforms we can make. When work pays and careers progress, families are stronger, productivity rises and general conditions improve. Second opportunity through skills. We support a strong skills and upskilling agenda with a particular focus on women in high value, future oriented sectors. Technology. Industry. Agriculture. Defence. Medicine.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “Thank you. Chair. Mrs. Kokalari is really very sorry for not being able to be among us, but she kindly asked me to read her intervention on her behalf. But please, colleagues, wear your headphones because I will speak in Greek. First of all, I'd like to thank for the very, very detailed report. So a system which is very strong in order to deal with the protection of victims is of key importance. And of course, is the responsibility of the European Union, according to 2123 of the Charter of Fundamental Human Rights and the Istanbul Convention. The amendments that have been submitted reinforce this. First of all, I would like to underline the importance of the Istanbul Convention. On the one hand, as a very important implement in order to deal with rape and sexual harassment as crimes and binding, in that it proposes legal protection for victims of sexual harassment and sexual crimes. There's a need for definition, which is based on consensus and also which establishes some sort of key and clear definition of rape, particularly when there is issues where the victim was asleep, paralysed or inebriated. So it is absolutely clear that the definitions that have existed in the past have not been sufficient in order to deal with sexual harassment and rape under these particular conditions. And this is a clear indication that a definition which is based on consensus is something which is absolute importance. Also, other countries have definition which requires for the existence of violence to exist. This doesn't go hand in hand with what has been stated in the Istanbul Convention, and this means that there's an exclusion of numerous different victims who were unable to prove the particular situation and because of a lack of violence as such.”
  EU policy on victims' compensation rights
• “Finally, the EPP is steadfast in its support for the IAEA to obtain eight contract agents, owing to increased demands and difficult working conditions for its staff. Once again, I thank the rapporteur and look forward to starting the negotiations soon. Best regards.”
  Discharge of EU institutions and agencies
• “Thank you. 3500 children fall victims to abuse online every month. And we can see this through the thousands of videos available. But now we're hesitating in our debates and in our negotiations. We need solutions. Child abuse material must be identified immediately. Platforms need to be effectively suspended in Europe. Abusive material needs to be removed. Every minute counts because paedophiles have access to this material that victimizes children again. We also need to make the trafficking of illegal materials generated by AI sanctionable. We also need to ban the access of children under 15 to digital platforms. This is part of my report on the Protection of Minors online. You approve this report so we need to move to action. Thank you.”
  Safety features & content control for child protection online