About: human rights
Russia kicked off UN rights council over Ukraine abuses
The United Nations suspended Russia from the Human Rights Council on Thursday (7 April), as US President Joe Biden called the atrocities continuing to emerge in Ukraine an “outrage” to humanity. The diplomatic rebuke came as the G7, the European...
Russia threatens states with consequences over UN vote on Human Rights Council
Russia has warned countries at the United Nations that a yes vote or abstention on a US push to suspend Moscow from the Human Rights Council will be viewed as an "unfriendly gesture" with consequences for bilateral ties.
US pushes to suspend Russia from UN human rights body
The United States will ask the UN General Assembly to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council, the US ambassador to the UN said, after Ukraine accused Russian troops of killing dozens of civilians in the town of Bucha.
Germany goes on a mission to secure supplies of Qatari gas
Germany’s Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck visited Qatar over the weekend in a bid to secure alternatives to Russian gas supplies, with little chance of immediate success in a country seen with suspicion in Germany for its human rights violations.
Kosovo snubs recognition of same-sex civil unions
Kosovo lawmakers on Wednesday rejected a law that would recognise same-sex civil partnerships, failing to become the first Muslim-majority country to adopt such legislation.
Russia leaves Council of Europe, avoiding being kicked out
Russia announced it would no longer participate in the Council of Europe, days after the pan-European human rights body suspended Moscow's rights of representation following the invasion of Ukraine.
Myanmar attacks Rohingya genocide case at UN’s top court
Myanmar hit out Monday (21 February) at a genocide case brought against it by the Gambia for alleged persecution of Rohingya Muslims, urging the UN's highest court to drop the claim on legal grounds.
UN warns pushbacks of migrants in Europe becoming ‘normalised’
The UN refugee chief voiced alarm Monday (22 February) at increasing violence against refugees and migrants at European borders, warning that rights abuses and illegal pushbacks across frontiers risked becoming "normalised".
EU corporate due diligence law to learn from the French example
While the European Commission is due to present its proposal on Wednesday (23 February) to make companies accountable for their human rights and environmental compliance, all eyes are on France, which has been a trailblazer with its own due diligence law from 2017.
Beijing closes curtain on ‘closed loop’ Games
Beijing doused its Olympic flame on Sunday night (20 February), closing a Games that will be remembered for the extremes of its anti-COVID-19 measures and outrage over the doping scandal that enveloped 15-year-old Russian skating sensation Kamila Valieva.
Leaders of non-democracies gather at Beijing Olympics opening
The opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics will stage a gathering of leaders of non-democracies. From the EU, only the President of Poland Andrzej Duda will attend, while from the candidate countries the Serbian President Alexander Vučić will be present.
Europe rights body launches rare action against Turkey
The Council of Europe on Wednesday (2 February) launched for only the second time in its history disciplinary action against Turkey over its failure to free activist Osman Kavala, with Ankara denouncing the decision as interference.
The EU and its member states must impose a diplomatic boycott on the Beijing Olympics
The EU and its member states must adopt statements in advance of the Beijing Olympics and boycott the games at the political level, a group of MEPs and national MPs write in a letter sent to EURACTIV.
Athletes warned against speaking up on human rights at Beijing Games
Athletes travelling to next month's Beijing Olympics were warned on Tuesday (18 January) about speaking up on human rights issues while in China for their own safety by speakers at a seminar hosted by Human Rights Watch.
EU urges Moscow to free Navalny on anniversary of his arrest
The European Union called on Moscow on Monday (17 January) to immediately release Alexei Navalny, Russian President Vladimir Putin's most vocal critic, who was jailed a year ago in what the EU condemned as a politically motivated act.
EU, US widen Nicaragua sanctions as Ortega begins new term
Daniel Ortega was sworn in Monday (10 January) as Nicaragua’s president for a fourth straight term as the EU and US tightened sanctions over impugned elections held in November with all his challengers in jail. “Yes, I swear,” said strongman...
Beijing Olympics boycott: France vows to coordinate EU position
France, which holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, will try to reach a common EU position concerning the participation of politicians at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics on 4 February.
Leave Serbia, Montenegro to do their homework, says Belgrade’s human rights minister
The European Union should move on outstanding promises of enlarging the bloc while leaving the two frontrunners in the waiting room, Serbia and Montenegro, to ‘do their homework’, Serbia’s Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue Gordana Čomić told EURACTIV....
Western diplomatic boycott of Beijing Olympics widens
Britain, Canada and Australia on Wednesday (8 December) joined the United States in a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics in February, prompted by what the Western allies argue are widespread rights abuses by China.
Australia joins US diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Games
Australia will join the United States in a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Wednesday (8 December), as other allies weighed similar moves to protest China's human rights record.
US officials to boycott Beijing Olympics over rights ‘atrocities’
US government officials will boycott the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing because of China's human rights "atrocities", the White House said on Monday (6 December), just weeks after talks aimed at easing tense relations between the two superpowers.
EU condemns ‘politically motivated’ jailing of Myanmar’s Suu Kyi
The European Union's top diplomat condemned on Monday (6 December) a jail term handed out to Myanmar's deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi, saying it was a "politically motivated verdict".
Council of Europe to discipline Turkey over jailed activist
The Council of Europe said Friday (3 December) it will launch disciplinary action against Turkey for refusing to free prominent activist and philanthropist Osman Kavala, triggering a procedure used only once before in the organisation's history.