Democracy has been increasingly under threat throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, with authoritarian regimes growing bolder in their attacks against democracy, human rights and the freedom of speech.
Emergency measures must always be time limited, proportionate, strictly related to the health crisis and subject to regular democratic scrutiny. Freedom of movement and residence for persons in the EU must remain a cornerstone of Union citizenship. Closing borders must remain the exception and not the rule, and it should not be done in a unilateral and uncoordinated way as it was the case at the beginning of the pandemic.
How can we ensure that citizen rights and the rule of law remain enshrined and protected? In what ways can citizens engage in further democratic processes and participate in politics during periods of crisis such as pandemics?
As the Greens, we were quick to demand that parliaments, civil society organizations and citizens are returned their full democratic powers through the recovery. We believe that governments should not use the pandemic as a pretext to weaken social and labour rights. Whistle-blowers exposing wrongdoings and abuses related to the crisis must also be protected.
Film: The 8th
17 November at 00:00 CEST – 18 November at 23:59 CEST
The 8th traces Ireland’s campaign to remove the Eighth Amendment – a constitutional ban on abortion. It shows a country’s transformation from a conservative state in thrall to the Catholic church to a more liberal secular society.
The 8th includes voices from both sides of the debate, but its primary focus is on the dynamic female leaders of the pro-choice campaign. The film follows the veteran campaigner Ailbhe Smyth and self-described glitter activist Andrea Horan as they chart a bold strategy of grassroots activism and engineer the near impossible. This dramatic story is underscored by a vivid exploration of the wrenching failures that led to this defining moment in Irish history.
An urgent narrative, a cautionary tale and a roadmap for progressive reforms in a modern era where authoritarianism is on the rise, The 8th shows a country forging a new progressive path at a time when reproductive rights are threatened around the world.
Director: Aideen Kane, Lucy Kennedy, Maeve O’Boyle
Country: Ireland
Duration: 94 min
Access: due to distribution rights, this screening is only accessible in Europe
Debate: Fighting for change: Why the Rule of Law is critical to uphold democracies
18 November at 19:30 CEST
Following the screening of the documentary film ‘The 8th’, we are hosting a debate on Thursday 18 November at 19:30 CEST. This month is dedicated to reflecting about the Rule of Law as the critical instrument that creates the framework through which our democracies happen. It is the result of the emancipatory fights of our recent history and is built through legislation that clearly defines the boundaries of what is possible or not possible. ‘The 8th’ illustrates the battle over shaping laws that rule the choices that women can make about their bodies. How can the Rule of Law be enhanced, and how can citizens claim their rights when it is not upheld?
Artistic spot
Karol Radziszewski is a queer artist who works with film, photography, painting, and installations to create interdisciplinary projects related to LGTBIQ+ rights and feminism.
About the Green Screen
Through a series of online film screenings, the Green Screen project invites you to engage with contemporary debates on the future of Europe, post-COVID recovery and making our societies more resilient and sustainable. Created by the European Greens, it will explore topics such as the climate crisis, environmental and social justice, and democracy.
Each month, the Green Screen is dedicated to a key theme to build a better future for Europe. On the third week of each month, a film screening will be made available for free on our platform for 48 hours, on Wednesday and Thursday. Then, you can follow a live debate on an issue inspired by the film, which will take place on Thursdays at 19:00 CEST.
👀 Learn more about our Coronavirus Recovery: Let’s build a better tomorrow! – Adopted during the 31st Council June 2020
📨 Sign up for email updates on the website of the Green Screen
Past events
We are delighted to invite you to join us in Copenhagen, Denmark on 2–4 December 2022 for the 6th European Green Party Congress.
