Thursday 17 September 2026

Parliament adopted resolutions on human rights and media freedom abroad, on healthcare staffing, on young people online, and on fisheries and border security, setting out its positions on a range of international and domestic issues.

• Media freedom in Hong Kong: MEPs adopted a resolution condemning the use of the National Security Law against journalism and peaceful advocacy, calling for its repeal and for sanctions on those responsible; Greens, S&D, Renew, EPP and ECR backed it, while The Left, Patriots and ESN mostly abstained.
• Political prisoners in Cuba: Parliament called on Cuba to release all people detained for peacefully exercising their rights and to cooperate with the UN human rights office; Renew, EPP, ECR, Patriots and ESN backed the text, while The Left, Greens and S&D opposed it.
• EU health workforce crisis: MEPs set out measures to address shortages of doctors, nurses and carers, including better recognition of qualifications, more training and use of EU funds; The Left, Greens, S&D, Renew, EPP, ECR and Patriots backed it, with ESN opposed.
• Post-electoral repression in Zambia: Parliament condemned police abuses after the elections and urged Zambia to end arbitrary detention and investigate the killing of Mutotwe Kafwaya; all groups listed backed the resolution.
• Social media and young people: MEPs called for a European strategy on how digital platforms affect children and young adults, covering safety by design, algorithmic transparency, age assurance and digital education; The Left, Greens, S&D, Renew and EPP backed it, ECR and ESN opposed it, and Patriots mostly abstained.