Welcome to Liberties' monthly round-up, where we catch you up on the most pressing human rights topics we've been working on. This month, we made some waves when we published an open letter criticising Google's ad repository, which allows some political ads go under the radar. We discussed how to make Berlin more politically inclusive with Wahlheymat at our Democracy Drinks event and put a new course on Knowledge Hub.
In a nutshell
Love is love: Our Head of Framing, Israel Butler, delivered a keynote address at the European IDAHOT+ forum on using persuasive messaging to grow public support for equality.
Our digital future: We’re partnering with EDRi to ask EU lawmakers to put people, democracy and the planet at the heart of our digital futures! You can sign the petition here.
2023 done and dusted: Check out Liberties Annual Report 2023 to see what we got up to last year.
In focus
Google's Ad Library Threatens European Election Integrity: Open Letter
In an open letter, we urge Google to revise its advertising policy to ensure comprehensive coverage of political advertisements. Read here.
In the news
The Guardian: Attacks on press freedom around the world are intensifying, index reveals
Politico Pro: Von der Leyen online ad campaign breaches EU’s election transparency rules
Democracy Drinks
Solving Berlin's inclusivity problem: are non-Germans on the political sidelines?
Liberties invited Ivan Gabor, co-founder of Wahlheymat. Fresh on Berlin’s NGO scene, Wahlheymat wants to make Berlin politically inclusive for non-Germans. In its vision for the future, Berlin's diversity inspires creative solutions for collective issues. Read more here.
Capacity building
New course module on KH: Using the EU Charter to Advance the Protection of Fundamental Rights in the EU
Everything you ever wanted to know about the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and how it is supposed to support strategic litigation. Sign up for module 1 of this free online course here.
Member's corner
Compensation for midwife: Following lengthy misdemeanour proceedings against a midwife, which ultimately led to the interpretation that it is not illegal for a midwife to provide first aid during home births following legal representation by LIGA, the midwife involved has been awarded compensation. Learn more here.
Migrant care for older people: The Peace Institute hosted an international symposium, Transnationalisation of Care for Older People Within and Between the European (Semi)Periphery and Core. For more information, see here.
Countering Solitary Confinement: Antigone hosted a conference and roundtable to discuss the ‘International Guiding Statement on Alternatives to Solitary Confinement’.
What we're reading
- Healthcare - Support safe abortions in the EU by signing this European citizen’s initiative. Add your signature here - My Voice My Choice
- Rule of law:
- Demography: The ticking time bomb threatening Europe’s democracy - Politico
- EU’s ‘Foreign Agent Law’ Is Misguided - Balkan Insight
- AI: Sam Altman's tech villain arc is underway - Business Insider
- Why do far-right dominate TikTok — and can that be changed? - euobserver
- It’s not just boomers, young people are voting far right too - Politico
Next month
Don’t forget to go to the ballot box: Between 6-9th June, EU citizens can cast their vote in European Parliament elections. To find out how and when to vote, check out the instructions for your country here.
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Take care,
Eleanor & the Liberties Team
