Last Friday, March 21st, it was marked the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The European Union has been founded on the values of respect for human dignity and rights, freedom, democracy, and equality. No-one in the EU should be discriminated based on its racial or ethnic origin. In 2020 the European […]
European Union calls for end of Female Genital Mutilation
Ahead of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation on 6 February 2025, the European Commission and the High Representative/Vice-President Kallas reaffirm the EU’s strong commitment to eradicate Female Genital Mutilation in Europe and across the world: “Female Genital Mutilation is a violation of human rights and a heinous form of violence against women […]
Venezuela: Council renews restrictive measures
The Council has decided to prolong the restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela for a further year, until 10 January 2026. Additionally the Council reintroduced the travel restrictions applied to four individuals, which had been temporarily suspended in May 2024 with the objective of promoting the organisation of inclusive, credible and competitive elections […]
EU-Japan strategic partnership: framework agreement enters into force
The Strategic Partnership Agreement, the first bilateral framework agreement, between the EU and its Member States and Japan entered into force on 1 January. This milestone agreement will guide future engagement between the parties and ensure closer political and economic cooperation on an array of bilateral, regional and multilateral issues. Thanks to the SPA, the […]
EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime: listings renewed for an additional year
The Council yesterday decided to prolong and update the list of individuals, entities, and bodies subject to restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses, for a further year until 8 December 2025. With the latest updates, the restrictive measures currently apply to 116 persons and 33 entities. Those designated are subject to an asset freeze and […]
New sanctions against human rights abuses
The Council approved additional restrictive measures against four persons and two entities under the European Union’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. The listed individuals and entities are responsible for serious human rights abuses worldwide, including torture and systematic and widespread sexual and gender-based violence. This listings include the chief of staff of the Syrian army, Abdel Karim Mohammad Ibrahim, and Ali Mahmoud […]
European Parliament adopts rules for companies on human rights and the environment
Parliament on Wednesday gave the green light to new rules that will oblige companies to mitigate their negative impact on human rights and the environment. The European Parliament adopted with 374 votes in favour, 235 against and 19 abstentions the new Due Diligence Directive, agreed with the Council, which requires companies and their […]
EU sanctions extremist settlers for serious human rights abuses against Palestinians
The Council decided to list four persons and two entities under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. The listed individuals and entities are responsible for serious human rights abuses against Palestinians, including torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and for the violation of right to property and to private and family life of Palestinians […]
European Parliament calls for the release of political prisoners and an end to repression in Venezuela
On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted two resolutions on the respect for human rights in Afghanistan and Venezuela. The repressive environment in Afghanistan, including public executions and violence against women MEPs are gravely concerned by the humanitarian and human rights crisis in Afghanistan. The Taliban have, they say, dismantled the judicial system, ordered judges to […]