The directive on working hours, the proposed EU credit system for education, and the new regulations on safe toys will be the focus, this afternoon, of the plenary meeting of the European Parliament (15-18 December) in Strasbourg. Tomorrow, the much-awaited guest will be the French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who will discuss with the MEPs the results of the EU summit of last week: the European Parliament will be called to vote on the measures decided for the "climate/energy package". Wednesday will be the day of human rights. Parliament will give the Sakharov Award for free speech; then, Parliament will have to approve the tenth Report on human rights in the world, with "an overview of the work done by the EU in 2007-2008 for the third countries". On the same day, Parliament will hold a debate on a statement made by the EU Commission on the controversial initiative taken by France at the United Nations "to promote the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the world". Finally, Parliament will review the Report on fundamental rights in the Union, "which shows the restrictions that the fight against terrorism imposes on individual freedom" and asks to "take action to curb any instigation to racism".” “
