The EU and Georgia held the 13th round of their annual Human Rights Dialogue by video-conference on 2 July 2020. Reviewing developments since the previous dialogue in May 2019, the dialogue allowed as previously for an open, constructive exchange on the human rights situation in Georgia, on Georgia’s commitment to making sustainable progress in human…
Tag: Human Rights
EU prolongs Belarus arms embargo
Today the Council decided to prolong the restrictive measures against Belarus for one year, until 28 February 2021. These measures include an embargo on arms and on equipment that could be used for internal repression, as well as an asset freeze and travel ban against four people designated in connection with the unresolved disappearances of…
Turkey remains candidate country
“I will say a word on Turkey… which remains a candidate country, a key partner and a strategically important neighbour for the European Union, also given its proximity to a very volatile Middle East, whose stability is a key priority for both of us. The Turkish government states its commitment to European Union accession but we see…
Europarliament Human Rights week
The European Parliament is organising a week of events for the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. A High Level Conference will focus on how to integrate human rights in business, sustainable development and external action. Better social security for cross-border workers is on the table. The aim is to allow them to receive unemployment benefits and health…
“Absurd” accusations against Hungary
This morning, Hungarian Minister Gergely Gulyás (pictured) made it clear that the pro-immigration political parties in the European Parliament will stop at nothing to push their ideological agenda. In an information note on the Article 7 procedure Minister described their action as a ‘political accusation disguised as rule of law concerns’. “As a result of a…
MEPs vote cutting Turkey accession funds
This week the European Parliament decided to cancel €70 million in pre-accession funds earmarked for Turkey, as conditions to improve the rule of law were not met. Last November, during the budgetary negotiations, Parliament and Council intended to place in reserve €70 million in pre-accession funds for Turkey (€70m in commitments and €35m in payments),…
Orban blames EU witch hunt
Prime Minister Viktor Orban denounced the EU “witch hunt” in an open debate over democracy and the rule of law in his country, which took place this week at European Parliament Plenary in Strasbourg. MEPs will vote on September 12 whether the launch a reprimand against Hungary in what would be the most significant attack…
“Endemic” police torture in Azerbaijan
Torture in Azerbaijan by police and other law enforcement agencies is “systemic and endemic,” according to a report from the Council of Europe’s torture prevention body. #CoE #Anti-torture Committee (#CPT) publishes reports on #Azerbaijan which show #torture, #impunity and #corruption endemic, but CPT considers Azerbaijani authorities’ decision to publish indicates resolve to address these problems @coe…
EU-U.S. cooperation on HR continues “whenever possible”
Reacting upon the decision of the United States decision to withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council, the European External Action Service issued a statement, regretting the move, and underlining that it “risks undermining the role of the US as a champion and supporter of democracy on the world stage”. https://twitter.com/eu_eeas/status/1009195620920422406 However the EU via a spokesperson…
Tarand: EU sanctions against Russia bring results
Indrek TARAND MEP (Estonia) shares his views on the EU-Russia relations in the context of relevant debate, taking place during April Plenary session of the European Parliament. MEPs debated with the EU top diplomat Federica Mogherini the framework of relations with Russia, responding to new challenges. At present the EU has a policy of a…
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