EU consumption represents around 10% of global deforestation MEPs want the rules to also cover pigmeat, sheep and goats, poultry, maize, rubber, charcoal and printed paper products Human rights and the rights of indigenous people also to be respected An area larger than the EU was lost to deforestation between 1990 and 2020 To fight […]
Human rights breaches in Hong Kong, Brazil and Tajikistan
On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted three resolutions on the respect for human rights in Hong Kong, Brazil and Tajikistan. The arrest of Cardinal Zen and the trustees of the 612 relief fund in Hong Kong Parliament condemns the arrests of Cardinal Joseph Zen, one of the strongest advocates of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, and […]
X EU-Mexico High Level Dialogue on Human Rights
On 4 July, the European Union (EU) and Mexico held the 10th session of the High Level Dialogue on Human Rights in Brussels. The Dialogue between the EU and Mexico offers an important platform for both sides to update one another on the situation in the field, exchange information on their latest legislative initiatives and policies in the […]
Urgent Debate at the Human Rights Council on the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan
Upon the request of the European Union, the Human Rights Council holds today an Urgent Debate on the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan, which has seen a staggering deterioration since August 2021. “Afghan women must be given the opportunity to speak out and participate in shaping the country’s future. We are therefore particularly […]
EU supports ICC investigation Russian war crimes in Ukraine
The European Commission has launched a new project, under its Foreign Policy Instrument, to support the investigation capacities of the International Criminal Court (ICC) with €7.25 million. This project, which was first announced by HRVP in Kyiv, is part of the EU’s efforts to fight impunity for international crimes globally. In particular, it will […]
EU – U.S. Consultations Underscore Shared Commitment to Human Rights
On 28 March, the European Union and United States held the EU-US Human Rights Consultations at the level of senior officials. The meetings, which took place in Washington D.C., were led by EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Eamon Gilmore and acting Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Lisa Peterson, and reaffirmed their […]
Pandemic exacerbates challenges civil society faces
Civil society organisations across the EU provide services, engage in communities, raise awareness, advocate on behalf of others and hold authorities to account. But they face threats, attacks, funding cuts and disproportionate restrictions. These are just some of the challenges human rights civil society organisations face in some parts of the EU, and the Coronavirus […]
Human rights breaches in Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia and Iran
On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted three resolutions on the human rights situation in Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia and Iran. Hong Kong, notably the case of Apple Daily Parliament condemns in the strongest terms the recent forced closure of the Apple Daily newspaper in Hong Kong, the continued freezing of its assets and the arrests […]
Fighting trafficking in human beings
The Commission is presenting today a new Strategy on Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings (2021-2025), focusing on preventing the crime, bringing traffickers to justice and protecting and empowering victims. Between 2017 and 2018, there were more than 14,000 registered victims within the European Union. Globally, traffickers make estimated profits of €29.4 billion in a single year. With […]