Politics
Addressing Anti-Christian Hatred: COMECE’s Call for an EU Coordinator Gains Momentum
On December 4, 2024, the European Parliament hosted the 27th edition of the European Prayer Breakfast, where the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) made a compelling case for the appointment of an EU Coordinator dedicated to combating anti-Christian hatred. The conference, themed “Safeguarding Religious Freedom in Europe – Current Challenges and Future Prospects,” underscored the urgency of addressing rising anti-Christian sentiments across Europe.
Alessandro Calcagno, COMECE’s adviser on fundamental rights and Article 17 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), articulated the pressing need for equal protection of religious freedoms, emphasizing that all dimensions of this fundamental right should be safeguarded. “Freedom of religion is too often seen as a ‘problematic’ right,” Calcagno remarked. He stressed that the collective dimension of religious freedom must be prioritized alongside individual rights, warning against the dangers of reducing tolerance to a mere substitute for genuine protection.
Calcagno highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by religious communities, particularly regarding the visibility of religious symbols and expressions. He asserted that as long as these expressions are viewed as potentially offensive or coercive, true freedom of religion remains unattainable. The conference emphasized the importance of mainstreaming religious freedom protections in EU policies, including the safeguarding of places of worship and data protection measures.
A pivotal moment came when Calcagno called for the establishment of an EU Coordinator specifically to combat anti-Christian hatred, reinforcing that this is not about creating a hierarchy of victimhood but ensuring equitable access to protective measures. “The time is mature for this step,” he stated, acknowledging the existing coordinators for Jewish and Muslim communities while advocating for similar support for Christians.
The discussion also touched on the vital role of religious literacy in fostering understanding and respect among different faiths. Calcagno urged public authorities and institutions to engage with religious education to develop informed policies that effectively address discrimination based on religion.
The conference concluded with a call to action, urging policymakers to leverage Article 17.3 of the TFEU to translate discussions into concrete policy initiatives rather than remaining at the level of abstract principles. The event was moderated by MEP Paulius Saudargas from Lithuania and featured prominent speakers, including Dr. Katharina von Schnurbein, the EU Coordinator on combating antisemitism, and Anja Hoffmann, Executive Director of The Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe.
As the European Prayer Breakfast drew to a close, H.E. Mgr. Mariano Crociata, President of COMECE, offered a prayer, invoking blessings for the participants and the vital work ahead in safeguarding religious freedom across Europe. The call for an EU Coordinator to combat anti-Christian hatred signals a significant step towards ensuring that all religious communities in Europe receive the protection and respect they deserve.
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New product liability rules have entered into force, reflecting the increasing digital features of products and the growing circular economy.
The EU’s product liability regime was established in 1985 to compensate those who have suffered physical injury or property damage due to a defective product. Since then, technological developments, new circular economy business models and ever-more global supply chains have made updating the rules essential.
The new rules explicitly cover products like software, AI systems or product-related digital services. These changes benefit both consumers and manufacturers. Consumers will find it easier to claim damages in court, while manufacturers will benefit from clear rules for digital products and circular economy business models. Additionally, harmonised liability rules across the EU will help to reduce business costs and give businesses the certainty they need to invest in innovative products.
These new rules also take into account the increasing number of products on the EU market that are manufactured outside the EU, by ensuring that there is always an economic operator within the Union from whom a victim can claim compensation. Finally, this provision also applies to products sold through online platforms.
Product safety in the EU
Product safety remains a top EU priority, to protect consumers, foster innovation, and ensure a fair and competitive single market. Product safety laws make sure that all goods sold within the EU single market meet stringent safety, health, and environmental standards.
The General Product Safety Directive applies to non-food products and all sales channels. It establishes specific obligations for businesses to ensure that all consumer products in the EU are safe. Many products require CE marking that confirms they are EU compliant before they can be sold. If a product is deemed unsafe, alerts are issued through Safety Gate, a rapid alert system allowing EU countries to share information on dangerous non-food products, enabling swift corrective actions.
When it comes to food products, the EU has some of the highest standards of food safety in the world. These are regulated by the General Food Law, and supported by the Farm to Fork Strategy which ensures food systems are fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly.
For more information
Liability for defective products
Product safety in the EU
CE marking
Safety Gate
World Food Safety Day 2024
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Bitcoin reached a historic milestone, surpassing the $100,000 mark for the first time. This surge in value is largely attributed to recent announcements from Donald Trump, the incoming U.S. president, who has appointed Paul Atkins, a staunch advocate for cryptocurrencies, as the head of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
During his campaign, Trump pledged to transform the United States into the global capital of cryptocurrencies. He has been vocal about his support for Bitcoin, famously stating at a rally five months ago, “If Bitcoin is going to the moon, I want the United States to be at the forefront.” To solidify this vision, Trump has promised to purchase one million Bitcoins for the Federal Reserve, the world’s largest central bank.
Experts believe that such a move would not only legitimize Bitcoin as a viable asset but also position it as a strategic reserve for the country. “This is tremendously important because it elevates the asset beyond institutional investment, establishing it as a national-level asset,” said one financial analyst. This potential shift could encourage other central banks to consider similar strategies.
Over the past year, Bitcoin’s value has doubled, fueled by significant developments in the investment landscape. Since January, Bitcoin-based investment funds have been publicly traded, leading to a massive influx of capital from banks and financial institutions. However, experts and regulators caution that these investments carry high risks due to Bitcoin’s notorious volatility.
“Uninformed investors, lacking financial education, may enter the market at a time that could lead to significant losses,” warned a financial advisor. “It’s crucial to be well-informed and technologically savvy before investing in cryptocurrencies.”
As the cryptocurrency market evolves, initial regulatory frameworks are beginning to emerge. Europe is set to introduce its regulations in 2025, while Trump’s administration appears to be moving in the opposite direction. His cabinet appointments, filled with business leaders with vested interests in the crypto sector, signal a potential conflict in regulatory approaches.
As Bitcoin continues to soar, the implications of Trump’s policies on the cryptocurrency market and the broader financial landscape remain to be seen. The coming months will be critical in determining how these developments will shape the future of digital currencies in the United States and beyond.
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EU Commission Intensifies Monitoring of TikTok During Romanian Elections Amidst Concerns of Foreign Interference
As the Romanian elections unfold, the European Commission has ramped up its scrutiny of TikTok, invoking the Digital Services Act (DSA) to address potential threats to electoral integrity. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to ensure that social media platforms uphold their responsibilities in safeguarding democratic processes.
The Commission has issued a retention order to TikTok, mandating the platform to freeze and preserve data related to systemic risks that its services may pose to electoral processes and civic discourse within the European Union. This order is specifically aimed at preserving critical information and evidence for any future investigations into TikTok’s compliance with the DSA.
TikTok is required to maintain internal documents concerning the design and functioning of its recommender systems. This includes measures taken to counteract intentional manipulation, such as the coordinated use of inauthentic accounts. The retention order is particularly relevant for national elections in the EU scheduled between November 24, 2024, and March 31, 2025.
The urgency of this order follows recent intelligence that suggests potential foreign interference in the Romanian elections, particularly from Russian sources. However, the Commission has clarified that it is currently monitoring compliance and has not yet taken a position on whether TikTok has violated any obligations under the DSA.
To further bolster its efforts, the Commission has convened a meeting of the European Board for Digital Services Coordinators on December 6. This meeting aims to discuss steps taken thus far and respond to emerging evidence, including reports of accounts targeting the Romanian diaspora from other EU member states.
In addition, the Commission is enhancing its collaboration with the Cyber Crisis Task Force, which includes various EU agencies and Romanian cybersecurity authorities. This task force is vital for sharing information and coordinating responses to digital threats.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “We ordered TikTok today to freeze and preserve all data and evidence linked to the Romanian elections, but also for upcoming elections in the EU. This preservation order is a key step in helping investigators establish the facts and adds to our formal requests for information which seek information following the declassification of secret documents yesterday. We are also intensifying contacts with digital and cyber regulators across Europe in light of emerging evidence of systematic inauthentic activity. I am committed to diligent and robust enforcement of the Digital Services Act.”
The Commission’s proactive approach also includes activating the Rapid Response System (RRS) under the Code of Practice on Disinformation. This system facilitates swift cooperation among civil society organizations, fact-checkers, and online platforms during electoral periods, providing a mechanism for addressing time-sensitive threats to electoral integrity.
The Romanian-Bulgarian hub of the European Digital Media Observatory is also participating in the RRS, monitoring the online landscape for disinformation tactics, including violations of electoral law and unmarked political content disseminated through influencers.
As the Commission continues to engage with TikTok and other major platforms, the focus remains on ensuring transparency and accountability in the digital sphere, particularly as the Romanian elections approach. The actions taken now could set a precedent for how digital platforms are regulated during future electoral processes across the EU.
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