The overall European imprisonment rate – the number of persons in prison per 100,000 inhabitants – fell again slightly in 2020, consolidating a trend that started in 2013, according to the Council of Europe’s Annual Penal Statistics on Prison Populations for 2020. On 31 January 2020, there were 1,528,343 inmates in 51 prison administrations (out […]
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Myanmar: EU imposes sanctions over recent military coup
The Council today imposed restrictive measures on eleven individuals responsible for the military coup staged in Myanmar/Burma on 1 February 2021, and the subsequent military and police repression against peaceful demonstrators. Ten of the eleven persons targeted belong to the highest ranks of the Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw), including the Tatmadaw’s Commander-in-Chief, Min Aung Hlaing, […]
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EU imposes further sanctions over serious violations of human rights around the world
The Council decided to impose restrictive measures on eleven individuals and four entities responsible for serious human rights violations and abuses in various countries around the world. Together with the listing of four Russian individuals earlier this month, these 15 designations are part of the first broader package of listings under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. […]
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Successful hit against drug trafficking in the EU
Seven suspects linked to an international criminal network trafficking drugs arrested in Poland The Polish Police Central Bureau of Investigation (Policja) arrested seven suspects allegedly linked to a high-risk poly-criminal organised network operating in different EU countries. Supported by Europol and Eurojust, the arrests follow a two-year-long investigation into an organised criminal group producing, smuggling and […]
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New reports show increasing discrimination and attacks on LGBTI people in Poland and Europe as a whole
A report on a fact-finding mission to Poland in November last year draws attention to increasing attacks and discrimination against LGBTI people in the country, focusing on cities, provinces and regions that are adopting family charters and resolutions against so-called “LGBT ideology”. Another, more general report on “The role and responsibilities of local and regional authorities in the protection of LGBTI persons” denounces the […]
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EU arrest warrant: raise mutual trust to ensure recognition of court decisions
Possible enlargement of the list of offenses that allow for more automatic surrender Concern over prison conditions in certain member states The EU Arrest Warrant is an effective tool against serious cross-border crimes and to bring perpetrators of serious crimes to justice, say MEPs, noting some problems that need addressing. With 45 votes to 14 […]
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New opportunites for joint military capabilities to overcome fragmented European defence landscape
The first ever overview of the European defence landscape, the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) report, identifies significant avenues for European defence cooperation with 55 new opportunities for countries to develop defence capabilities together. It recommends six next generation high impact capabilities as focus areas for joint European development efforts. The review also finds […]
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EDA Annual Conference to focus on ‘Sustaining European Defence’
‘Sustaining European Defence’ will be the topic of this year’s EDA Annual Conference which will take place on 3-4 December 2020 in online format, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Registration is already open with only a restricted number of virtual seats available. Europe is facing up to the reality of before and after COVID-19. Today, four years […]
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Frontex co-leads operation to fight trafficking in children
388 suspected traffickers were arrested and 249 potential victims identified in a Europe-wide joint action day targeting child trafficking. The action, which took place on 5-11 October, was coordinated by Frontex, Europol, the United Kingdom, Portugal and Spain, as well as nine other EU countries. A wide range of law enforcement authorities including police, immigration […]
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