About: human rights

What kind of state is Russia?
Russian political ideology explains the external aggression: the Empire has no fixed borders and cannot have them, given that it stands for Christianity against various traitors to the true faith, locked inside national borders, writes Evgenii Dainov.
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.Promoted content

Is Europe still committed to children’s rights?
Marking the 32nd anniversary of the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, we look at how far we have come to realise the rights of all children in Europe and whether the commitment still stands the test of time.
The perturbing silence surrounding the case of Julian Assange
The case for the extradition of Julian Assange raises questions about the freedom of the press, about the extraterritorial creep of US law and about Europe’s readiness - or lack off - to protect media freedom, writes Dick Roche.Promoted content

Only if we fight poverty Due Diligence legislation will become effective
To be effective, the upcoming mandatory Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) legislation must improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and workers and take their interests into account. Partnerships with producing countries are essential, and the Duty to Collaborate must become the 4th pillar of the UN Guiding Principles.
Hungary, Poland, Serbia: China’s backdoors to Europe
China benefits from divisions that prevent the EU from forming a unified front against it. That is why relations with EU members Hungary and Poland, as well as with the Western Balkans and Serbia in particular, are getting stronger, writes Antonia Colibasanu.
Police reform in Kazakhstan: Effective law-enforcement close to the population
The reform of the law enforcement system has started in Kazakhstan recently as part of the overall modernisation of the country and the first evaluation of the results achieved look very optimistic, writes Yerlan Turgumbayev.
Looking at China: Dazed and confused
China is using its economic and technological force to attack the vital interests of the United States and its main strategic partner, the European Union, writes Vladimir Krulj.
Three ways to reclaim human rights from authoritarians
Human rights activists spend too much time focusing on problems without explaining them, while research also shows that trying to debunk myths actually reinforces them. Therefore, activists need to drop abstract language, make human rights popular, and envelop misinformation in a 'truth sandwich', writes Israel Butler.Promoted content

We must protect our civic space so that we can keep our human rights
From health to employment to education, Covid-19 has brought additional challenges regarding access to and enjoyment of human rights. As December 10, International Human Rights Day, draws closer, it’s time to reflect on the state of civic space in Europe,...
Make or break for the ‘pro-Belarusian revolution’
In these difficult times for liberal democracy, the EU has to ensure its credibility more decisively than ever, writes Darya Mustafayeva.
Free the ‘prisoners’ of Moria now!
Europeans frightened by migration must be shown concretely that their security will not be at risk if reasonable programmes are implemented with the direct help of organised civil society, writes Marco Impagliazzo.
The EU must stop importing human rights violations
The EU needs to adopt a mandatory due diligence approach to supply chain management to ensure that it stops importing human rights violations, argue Anna Cavazzini and Heidi Hautala.
Five empty chairs remind of Cuba’s regime true nature
The EU needs to change strategy if it wishes to stand for democracy in Cuba, by opening up to independent civil society, write Anders L. Petersson and Erik Jennische.
Kazakhstan-EU relations entering a new stage
This New Year marks the start of a fresh chapter in the relationship between the European Union and Kazakhstan and on 20 January, the EU-Kazakhstan Cooperation Council will discuss the state of play, writes Mukhtar Tileuberdi.
The EU must fully support civil society at home
Human rights defenders are essential to democracy. Yet, the intimidation of human rights defenders in the European Union has become a serious problem and the implications for democracy are profound. Decision-makers at all levels have a responsibility to protect civic space in the European Union, writes Birgit Van Hout.
The EU needs to drive for democracy in Cuba openly
Agreements with governments that do not intend to respect the principles laid down in the texts are just cynical tools that undermine an international order built on trust, and the current Cuban government is a case in point, write Manuel Cuesta Morúa and Erik Jennische.
25 years fighting racism and intolerance across Europe
As the Council of Europe’s European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) marks its 25th anniversary. Maria Pejčinović Burić takes stock of its successes and future priorities.
Human rights must not be forgotten from EU-African dialogue
The new African Union-European Union ministerial meetings are a valuable new innovation. They should not ignore human rights work, writes Carlo Perrotta.
MEPs must shun calls to weaken curbs on environmental and human rights abuses
MEPs face a crucial decision. Will they take heed of the global outcry from the climate strikes, or will they water down key financial regulation to tackle environmental and human rights abuses, ask Rachel Owens and Lis Cunha.
Gearing up for fair globalisation and accountable business
Every day goods produced by European companies abroad enter the internal market, tainted by serious human rights violations. Things will not change unless Europe moves to change them, argue Heidi Hautala and Jude Kirton-Darling.
Time for truth, recognition and reconciliation for Roma in Europe
EU leaders must show that they take Roma rights and anti-Roma discrimination seriously. That means recognising their cultural identity and contribution to Europe, truth and reconciliation, argue a group of political leaders and campaigners.
Six years after Rouhani’s election, moderation is as far away as ever for Iran
EU Governments and Institutions should severe their ties with Iranian businesses and diplomats, pending serious reforms in order to implement human rights and freedoms, writes Julio Terzi.