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 […]
Parliament backs deeper political and economic ties with Chile
On Thursday, MEPs approved the EU-Chile Advanced Framework Agreement and its complementing deal on trade and investment liberalisation. The agreements lay down the framework for deeper and broader political and economic cooperation between the like-minded partners on global issues, such as foreign and security matters, sustainable development, environmental protection, climate change, sustainable energy, rule of […]
European Parliament adoptes 3 resolutions on human rights issues in Belarus, Iran and Nigeria
On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted three resolutions on human rights issues in Belarus, Iran and Nigeria. New wave of mass arrests in Belarus of opposition activists and their family members MEPs strongly condemn the recent wave of mass arrests in Belarus and urge the illegitimate Lukashenka regime to cease its repression, reminding the regime […]
Human rights breaches in Belarus, Tanzania and Tibet
On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted three resolutions on the human rights situation in Tanzania, Belarus and Tibet. The Maasai communities in Tanzania MEPs urge the Tanzanian government to immediately halt ongoing forcible evictions of Maasai communities in the country’s Ngorongoro District due to, among other reasons, plans to turn large parts of traditional grazing […]