European Union

Foreign-looking bystanders were assaulted in the German city of Chemnitz on Sunday during a protest march staged by right-wing groups. The protests began after arrest warrants were issued against a Syrian man and an Iraqi man in connection with the killing of a German citizen. The problem of right-wing extremism has been played down for too long in the state of Saxony, commentators write, demanding that politicians address the issue.

Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò has accused Pope Francis in a letter of having covered up allegations of abuse against the former archbishop of Washington Theodore McCarrick to protect the "gay lobby" in the Vatican. Previously, the Pope had harshly condemned the cases of abuse within the Catholic Church. In the view of commentators the allegations have the potential to harm Francis's legacy.

The Romanian Minister of Justice Tudorel Toader announced an investigation into the activities of Prosecutor General Agustin Lazăr on the weekend. The press sees parallels with the removal from office of anti-corruption authority director Laura Codruța Kövesi and criticises the move as another assault on the judiciary.

The departure of France’s favorite minister is a scathing criticism of the French government's environmental policy.

France and Germany have reiterated calls for Europe to reduce military and financial dependence on the US after Trump "turned his back" on the EU.

French prime minister Edouard Philippe instructed his ministers on Monday to prepare measures in case of a no-deal Brexit, including measures to facilitate the stay of British citizens in France and ensuring smooth border controls. The government will ask parliament in the coming weeks to allow it to adopt the contingency plans by decree, a statement said. The UK is due to leave the European Union in March 2019.

Far-right activists clashed with police and leftist protestors for a second day in the eastern German city of Chemnitz, demanding foreigners to leave Germany. Monday's events were a continuation of Sunday's protests, which were triggered by a stabbing of a 35-year old German. A Syrian and an Iraqi remained under arrest on suspicion of the lethal attack. German chancellor Angela Merkel warned that "vigilante justice" would not be tolerated.

A probe against Italian interior minister Matteo Salvini for allegedly kidnapping 177 Eritrean migrants aboard the Diciotti coast guard ship will be a "boomerang", Salvini said Monday, Ansa reports. "I only did my job as minister and I'm ready to do it again," he said. The migrants were rescued on 16 August and held for five days at sea and five days at Catania harbour before being let off.

If Europe wants to be a global leader, our political leadership has to change dramatically. Power needs a new face in Europe, and it needs to get legitimacy from the people, argues liberal MEP Sophie in 't Veld.

With European elections coming up in May 2019, you probably want to know how the European Union impacts your daily life, before you think about voting. In the latest in a series of posts on what Europe does for you, your family, your business and your wellbeing, we look at what Europe does for children participating in decision making about their lives.

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You might remember how important it was when you were a child that your voice was heard in the world of grown-ups. Did you know that it is more than just a child’s desire and that according to the international law, children have the right to be heard? Children’s views and opinions should be taken into account in family life, schools and in court proceedings in all the matters that concern them.

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Protection of children’s rights, including their right to be heard is the responsibility of individual EU countries. On the level of the EU, that right is recognized in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. It established EU agenda for the rights of the child in 2011, stressing that children must be given a chance to voice their opinions and participate in the making of decisions that affect them. EU has also put in place a range of laws and policies that focus on children’s right to be heard. According to one law, for example, court must ensure that a child is given the opportunity to be heard during proceedings following parental child abduction. The child must also be heard in proceedings concerning visiting rights. Another law gives a child victim the right to be heard during criminal proceedings. It enables individual children to participate in proceedings, by promoting a child sensitive approach.

European Commission is keeping a keen eye on developments regarding children’s right to be heard throughout Europe. It evaluates the legislation, policy and practice in the EU, recognizes the gaps in national legislation and policies and makes recommendations.

Further information

• European Commission’s publication Evaluation of legislation, policy and practice on child participation in the European Union, https://publications.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/3f3c50b2-6a24-465e-b8d1-74dcac7f8c42
• European Commission’s website The right to be heard – child participation, https://ec.europa.eu/info/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/rights-child/right-be-heard-child-participation_en