About: human rights
More secrets of China’s Xinjiang camps leaked to foreign media
Classified Chinese government documents made public by an international group of journalists describe the repressive inner workings of detention camps in Xinjiang, in a second rare leak in days of secret files concerning the troubled western region.
Belarus leader defends rights record during Austria visit
Belarus's leader Alexander Lukashenko defended his isolated country's human rights during a visit to Austria Tuesday (12 November), as he seeks closer ties with the European Union amid tensions with Russia.
Russia shuts down second rights group, drawing EU concern
A Moscow court has ruled to dissolve an indigenous peoples' rights group, the second decision of its kind in less than a week that was criticized by European authorities on Thursday (7 November).
Macron to raise ‘taboo’ topics in China
French President Emmanuel Macron arrives in China on Monday (4 November) to drum up new business deals, but under warning from his hosts to keep off thorny issues such as the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.
Jailed Uighur Tohti wins European Parliament Sakharov Prize
The European Parliament on Thursday (24 October) awarded the Sakharov Prize for human rights to Uighur intellectual Ilham Tohti, who has been sentenced to life imprisonment in China for "separatism".
Bulgaria PM will ask EU leaders to stop criticising Erdogan
European Council President Donald Tusk strongly opposed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Friday (11 October), warning him to stop blackmailing Europe. That has prompted Bulgaria’s prime minister to reveal he will ask EU chiefs to tone down their stance against Erdoğan.
US blacklists Chinese AI firms in reprisal against repression of Muslim minorities
The US government expanded its trade blacklist to include some of China’s top artificial intelligence startups, punishing Beijing for its treatment of Muslim minorities and ratcheting up tensions ahead of high-level trade talks in Washington this week.
Thousands rally in Moscow to demand release of jailed protesters
More than 20,000 Russians took to the streets of Moscow on Sunday (29 September) to demand the release of protesters jailed over the summer in what opponents of the Kremlin say is a campaign to stifle dissent.
EU takes Hungary to court over ‘Stop Soros’ migrant law
The European Union on Thursday (25 July) took Hungary to the EU's highest court over controversial legislation against assisting migrants, known as the "Stop Soros" laws.
UN expert describes Hungarian migrant camps as places of detention and deterrence
A United Nations human rights expert has expressed concerns about the detention conditions of migrants in Hungarian transit zones, urging authorities to move families and children to other centres with better health and sanitary facilities.
Tusk hopes for ‘higher level’ of EU-Azerbaijan ties
On a visit to Baku on Tuesday (9 July), Council President Donald Tusk said the EU and Azerbaijan were “coming closer to each other every year”, and expressed the Union’s readiness to further deepen our cooperation with Azerbaijan, including in fields such as human rights.
EU warns Turkey over ‘illegal’ drilling off Cyprus
The European Union on Tuesday (18 June) hit out at Turkey for its "illegal drilling activities" off Cyprus and warned of possible retaliation over the controversial gas exploration bid.
Council of Europe turns 70 amid Russia crisis
The Council of Europe, a pan-continental rights watchdog, on Sunday (5 May) marked its 70th anniversary at a time of mounting populism and a standoff with Russia as well as doubts over its own role in the modern world.
Brunei accused of ‘abusive lobbying’ before critical EU vote
EU officials on Wednesday (17 April) accused Brunei of "rude" and "abusive" lobbying against a resolution condemning the Muslim-majority sultanate for imposing the death penalty for gay sex and adultery.
Setback for Macron as court vetoes key plank of anti-protest law
French President Emmanuel Macron's crackdown on anti-government protests with tougher police tactics hit a fresh snag on Thursday (4 April) as France's Constitutional Court canned one of the central elements of the new rules.
Table human rights due diligence law, MEPs tell Commission
MEPs have launched ambitious plans for an EU law requiring companies to carry out human rights due diligence in their supply chains.
Lukashenko seeks better ties with West despite Russian ‘hysteric’ reactions
Belarus will seek better ties with the West even though this provokes “hysterics” from its traditional ally Russia, long-serving President Alexander Lukashenko said on Tuesday (5 March), a day after lifting a cap of five US diplomats in his country....
France’s ‘Rana Plaza’ law delivers few results
France wants to be at the forefront of efforts to regulate multinationals’ responsibility towards workers in developing countries, but is having difficulty enforcing its own law on duty of care, according to a report published on 21 February. EURACTIV France reports.
Trans-Europe Express – Songs about land and ice
Northern Europe's indigenous Arctic people battle to maintain traditions as their culture and age-old way of life is increasingly threatened by climate change and globalisation.
MEPs scold Nicaragua over ‘democratic crisis’
A European Parliament delegation on Saturday (26 January) urged Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega to release political prisoners, permit the return of banned human rights groups and to restart dialogue with the opposition to end a months-long political crisis.
Austria’s far-right puts into question international rights conventions
Austria’s far-right Interior Minister Herbert Kickl was accused by the opposition of threatening the rule of law Wednesday (23 January) after he appeared to call into question Austria’s commitment to international rights conventions. In comments on Austrian public television on Tuesday evening Kickl,...
Azerbaijan drops assault charges against jailed blogger
Azerbaijan has dropped fresh charges against a jailed anti-corruption blogger who has denounced his prosecution as politically motivated, prosecutors said Tuesday (22 January).
Russian MPs prolong payments freeze to Council of Europe
Russia's parliament voted Thursday (17 January) against sending delegates or paying contributions to the Council of Europe, increasing the risk of ultimate exclusion from the rights body and the European Court of Human Rights.