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 […]
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. […]
European Parliament to review status of Andalusian seasonal workers
The situation of vulnerability that Huelva and Almería are suffering in the human rights of illegal settlements has been denounced, for which the European Commission has accepted the complaints from the Multicultural Association of Mazagón (Huelva) and Almería Acoge. The investigation will be carried out, according to the president of the Committee on Petitions, so […]