About: human rights
MEP tells NGOs in Astana to be careful who they receive money from
Back from the Kazakhstan-EU Parliamentary Cooperation Committee held in Astana on 14 May, Latvian MEP Iveta Grigule-Pēterse debriefed of the event, with some telling messages about the work of certain NGOs.
EU, Cuba build ties in face of US pressure
The EU and Cuba signed a renewable energy deal on Tuesday (15 May), a step towards normalising relations in defiance of Washington's continuing hardline stance on Havana.
EU, rights activists express outrage over police brutality, arrests in Russia
Foreign governments and rights activists on Sunday (6 May) expressed outrage over mass arrests in Russia and the brutality with which protests were broken up on the eve of Vladimir Putin's inauguration.
Hahn: Turkey taking ‘huge strides’ away from EU
Turkey is moving rapidly away from the path of European Union membership, the top EU official in charge of negotiations said on Tuesday (17 April), as Brussels delivered its harshest criticism yet of what it sees as Ankara's shift towards authoritarianism.
New Kyrgyzstan president sails through first EU visit
The leaders of the EU institutions received the new Kyrgyzstan President Sooronbay Jeenbekov on Thursday (12 April) for talks that focused on steadily improving relations between the countries of Central Asia and the negotiation of a new Kyrgyzstan-EU agreement.
Macron defends Saudi arms sales, to hold Yemen conference
President Emmanuel Macron yesterday (10 April) defended French weapons sales to the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen, but said he was concerned by the humanitarian situation and would host a conference on the issue before the summer.
Europe and the Egyptian election: Do not congratulate
European leaders should treat the Egyptian election as the meaningless exercise it is. Instead of congratulating the President's coronation, they should instead make a renewed effort to voice their disagreement with his style of government, writes Anthony Dworkin.
Varna to become permanent venue for EU-Turkey talks
The Varna summit held on Monday (26 March) between EU institution leaders and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan failed to yield any notable outcomes. But Bulgaria's PM said the port city could become a permanent venue for future talks.
Dozens arrested as Belarus opposition marks ‘Freedom Day’
Belarusian authorities on Sunday (25 March) arrested around 30 protesters in Minsk ahead of a banned opposition march while detaining activists across the country, human rights group Viasna said.
Women’s rights and corporate abuses: Waiting for Godot?
Nearly two centuries have passed since the famous New York women’s march. Today, women and society itself, need policy-makers that live up to their obligations, make business enterprises respect human rights, and grant victims of abuses access to justice, write Claudia Saller and Adriana Espinosa.
If no one is above the law, let’s talk about corporate accountability
Our governments can no longer turn a blind eye when irresponsible companies are involved in human rights violations abroad, write Lydia de Leeuw and Anne van Schaik.
Ankara presses Prague to extradite Kurdish leader
The Turkish government wants the Czech authorities to extradite a Syrian Kurdish leader detained this weekend at Ankara's request to face terror charges in Turkey, it said on Sunday (25 February).
EU urged to do more to protect forests
Forest nations are calling on the EU to strengthen the control of supply chains for products causing deforestation such as palm oil or cocoa. EURACTIV.fr reports.
They talk of war but it’s their own citizens these ‘strong’ men fear most
In the current geopolitical context, European support for those fighting for human dignity is more important than ever, writes Shada Islam.
Are geopolitics, trade and human rights compatible enemies?
Europe cannot turn a blind eye to the Human Rights abuses occurring in third countries, unless we rewrite the mandates of the functioning of the EU institutions and the Treaty, writes MEP Tomáš Zdechovský.
Fisheries agreement with Morocco is an instrument of soft power for EU
If the EU-Morocco fisheries agreement is not renewed, tensions might affect the relations between the EU and Morocco, writes Willy Fautré.
Lawyer: 147 activists face death penalty in Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea's public prosecutor is seeking the death penalty in the trial of 147 opposition activists accused of "rebellion," their lawyer said yesterday (14 February).
Only 16% of asylum seekers in Greece to be sent to Turkey, despite EU deal
Only "16% of asylum seekers" who have arrived in Greece are likely to be sent to Turkey despite a controversial EU deal, the former head of Greece's asylum service said Sunday.
Azerbaijan-EU Council takes place after three year gap
The European Union and Azerbaijan today (9 February) held their 15th Cooperation Council, a high point in relations intended to be held annually, after a three year gap. .
EU diplomats in Beijing concerned about arrest of Swedish bookseller
China's detention of Swedish book publisher Gui Minhai while he was being accompanied by Swedish diplomats could set a dangerous precedent for other EU citizens, Germany's ambassador to China said yesterday (6 February).
Azerbaijan calls snap presidential poll for April
Azerbaijan's strongman Ilham Aliyev called on Monday (5 February) a snap presidential vote for 11 April, six months ahead of schedule, as opposition politicians slammed the surprise move.
European ambassadors urge Sudan to free protesters
European embassies in Sudan made a joint plea yesterday (31 January) for Khartoum to free dozens of people, including opposition leaders and human rights activists, detained while protesting against high food prices.
Citizens rally to host migrants, in defiance of Belgian government
Human rights activists and some political parties in Belgium are calling for the resignation of Theo Francken, the secretary of state for immigration, citing his aggressive and hostile stance towards migrants from Africa and the Middle East.