Labour MEPs have voted for a report outlining Bosnia’s progress towards EU accession. It says Bosnia and Herzegovina has made important steps towards fulfilling the EU’s membership application criteria, resulting in the submission of a formal application in February this year. Meaningful progress in the implementation of the reform agenda, the creation of an effective decision-making mechanism for dealing with the EU, and the adjustment of a trade agreement are necessary for the EU to consider a membership application from Bosnia. Among the reforms Labour MEPs are pushing for Bosnia to implement are prioritising the fight against corruption, guaranteeing and inclusive and non-discriminatory education system ...

  Last Thursday the European Parliament backed new EU rules on country-by-country tax reporting, which will increase transparency in order to fight aggressive tax planning by big multinationals in Europe.   The report was passed by a cross-party selection of MEPs by 567 votes to 30, with 53 abstentions.   Companies with an annual turnover over €750 million will have to communicate information about their taxes, profits and revenues to tax jurisdictions in every EU country in which they have business operations.   Labour MEPs have long pushed for this, as vital in the fight against tax avoidance and tax evasion. The proposal is a ...

It was great to attend this year’s Pakistan Parade as hundreds of people, dressed in green to commemorate the Pakistani flag, walked through Manchester’s Asian hub, the curry mile. With lively entertainment, music and singing, the Parade was a joyous way to mark Pakistan’s Independence as well as the culture and achievements of a community that has contributed significantly to Britain. Pakistani’s across the North West have made inroads into a number of fields and professions, including doctors, surgeons, lawyers, teachers, academics and more.  Integration is no easy feat for any minority group and challenges of racism and xenophobia still abound.  But efforts towards understanding, togetherness and ...

    Afzal Khan MEP keynote speaker at International Symposium on Countering Violent Extremism   I was honoured to speak at the opening panel of the International Symposium on Countering Violent Extremism, organized by the Dialogue Platform in Brussels, 15-16 March 2016.   Over 250 Islamic scholars, academics and opinion leaders with their non-Muslim counterparts from all over the World convened to discuss the causes and counter-measures of radicalisation, violent extremism and terrorism committed in the name of religion.   In my remarks, I said that in my role as S&D Special Representative to Muslim Communities I wish to confront extremism in every way – ...