News from Europe

Prosecuting Foreign aid Workers Diverts Egypt From its Path to Democracy

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Published on Tuesday, 14 February 2012 11:14
Written by Member Organisations

EDS calls for immediate suspension of freedom of movement limitations affecting International Republican Institute, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and other NGO officials


Observing latest events in Egypt, European Democrat Students (EDS) express deepest concern over the decision of Egyptian authorities to initiate legal proceedings and investigation of more than 40 foreign aid workers, including officials of EDS partner non-governmental organizations, namely International Republican Institute and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, for receiving foreign funding.

Particular official acts, including limitations on freedom of movement for number of non-governmental personnel, fundamentally endanger Egypt’s commitment to democratic transition and explicitly deny international aid on the path to democracy. Egyptian Law on Associations from 2002, significantly restricting civil society and non-governmental organizations cannot be an element of future democratic system nor is it what hundreds of thousands demanded on Tahrir Square in 2011.
Reiterating our commitment to democratic and peaceful transition of Egypt, EDS, an official member association and official student organisation of the European People's Party, representing over million and a half students in Europe and beyond, urge Egypt authorities to recognize the vital role of civil society organizations on the path to modern and democratic society. The reputation and commitment to the democracy of non-governmental organizations like International Republican Institute, Konrad Adenauer Foundation, International Center for Journalists and Freedom House is undisputable and represent an important support to Egyptian nation towards bright future. 
In a fear of politically motivated legal procedures and investigations, EDS call on Egyptian authorities to ensure independent and fair procedures in accordance with the highest judicial standards and to immediately suspend the restrictions on freedom of movement of all aid workers, which represent an important share of international support to Egypt and transition of power from military authority to the people of Egypt.


EDS Statement to the Situation at the Western Bohemian University’s Law Faculty in Pilsen, Czech Republic

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Published on Tuesday, 07 February 2012 17:40
Written by Juraj Antal

To our fellow Czech students,


It has come with great despair to us that the Western Bohemian University's Law faculty is in danger. We, the European Democrat Students, the official student organisation of the European People's Party, gathering 43 member organisations from 36 countries of Europe, Israel and Turkey, representing 1.6 million students, are protesting against the Czech Accreditation Commission's behaviour towards the faculty.


Punishing the University for the past mistakes now is in our view not correct, as there were changes made and safeguards are in place, making sure that history will not be repeated. Also, we protest against keeping almost 2000 students in insecurity about their future studies. Many of them are from Pilsen and do not have the financial means to transfer to other law faculties in the Czech Republic.


We support the students and other supporters of the protest in their struggle. We also think that the Accreditation Commission of the Czech Republic has offended the procedure, since according to the Czech law the results of the Commission's work has to be delivered to the University first. The early publication in the media without delivering the findings officially to the University is breaking the procedural rules. In addition, we disagree with the findings as a whole.

EDS Mourns Václav Havel

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Published on Sunday, 18 December 2011 22:46
Written by Juraj Antal

With great sadness and despair has European Democrat Students learned that today, on this 18th day of December 2011, the great leader of the Velvet Revolution, first President of post communist Czechoslovakia and a play write, Václav Havel, died. 

A legend for the peaceful and intelligent dissent all of his life, Havel, inspired people inside and outside Europe and supported them in their strife for liberty and a democratic society. He watched the velvet dissolution of the common state of the Czechs and Slovaks, but never stopped caring for the oppressed and the less fortunate.

 

President Havel founded the Forum 2000, which brings the world intelligentsia together for few days to discuss global issues. This year was the largest by far in all measurement, and was opened by a video greeting from his old friend, Aung San Suu Kyi.

His latest theater play was filmed and showed in film theaters this March. The curtain dropped one last time, he went quietly, in sleep, this morning.

 

Václave, may your soul rest in peace!

 

The remembering

European Democrat Students

EDS congratulates the Nobel Peace Prize winners

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Published on Thursday, 13 October 2011 12:55
Written by Member Organisations

The European Democrat Students congratulate Liberias President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the Liberian peace activist Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkol Karman from Jemen on winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

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EDS visits EU Youth Conference in Warsaw

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Published on Thursday, 06 October 2011 19:59
Written by Nenad Vajzović

Polish-Presidency-logo

From 5 to 7 September EU-youth conference on Polish Presidency took place in Warsaw, Poland.This initiative has gathered over 200 participants from all over Europe.  With help from Androulla Vassiliou - Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, Katarzyna Hall - minister of education in Poland and Peter Matjasic - president of European Youth Forum, EU Youth Conference addressed the topic “Youth and the World”. EDS was represented by Chairman Juraj Antal. Conference gave suggestions in seven concrete policy fields to the Commission and Commissioner Vassiliou.

juraj youth

Read the whole joint recommendations in PDF.

Video from the conference.

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