EU Commission hosts Conference of the Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling
The international conference brings together more than 80 delegations, many at ministerial level, from EU Member States and international partners,…
EU Commission registers European Citizens’ Initiative on human rights standards
The initiative invites the EU Commission "to propose a regulation that establishes a standardised oversight of human rights across its…
MEPs demand measures counter decline in democracy and human rights worldwide
The EU Committee on Foreign Affairs voted on the 2025 annual report on human rights and democracy in the world,…
Trade preferences for developing countries: EU lawmakers agree on revision
The new framework adds improvements to the current system, such as stronger links to respect for human rights and the environment, and a…
European Citizens’ Initiative demands suspension of EU-Israel Association Agreement
The European Commission has registered a European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) entitled ‘Demand the full suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement in…
Šefčovič outlines updated EU export controls and new economic security doctrine
At the European Export Control Forum, EU Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič announced an updated EU control list covering critical technologies and…
International Day for Democracy: Joint statement by EEAS and the EU Commission
Marking the International Day for Democracy, EU High Representative Kallas, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen and Commissioner McGrath stressed that democracy remains…
41 OSCE states invoke Moscow Mechanism probing Russia’s treatment of prisoners of war
On 24 July, France joined 40 other OSCE participating States in invoking the Organization’s Moscow Mechanism to investigate the Russian…
Armenia: Outcome of the 14th Human Rights Dialogue in Brussels
Armenia and the EU highlighted the importance of free and fair elections and the outstanding efforts to increase public’s trust in…
U.S Executive Order of initial rescissions of previous executive orders and actions
The revocations within this Executive Order will be the first of many steps the United States Federal Government will take…
Myanmar: Joint Statement on Human Rights and Humanitarian Situation
The EU High Representative and the Governments of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, Timor-Leste, and the…
MEPs criticize human rights breaches in Hong Kong, Iran, and Cambodia
On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted three resolutions on human rights issues in Hong Kong, Iran and Cambodia.
Bangladesh: EU and Bangladesh discuss cooperation to uphold human rights
The EU and Bangladesh reinforced their commitment to strengthen cooperation in the field of human rights, good governance and on-going…
Azerbaijan: MEPs denounce violations of human rights and international law
In their resolution, MEPs strongly condemn Azerbaijan regime’s longstanding domestic and extraterritorial repression of activists, journalists, opposition leaders, and others,…
EU High Representative Borrell honours Iranian “Women, Life, Freedom” movement
"On the anniversary of the death of Jina Mahsa Amini, we honour her memory and the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement…
EU signs Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence
Today, EU Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparceny, Věra Jourová signed the Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and human rights, democracy…
Ethical and legal aspects of microchip implants in brains – EU Commission
Implantable medical devices fall into the scope of Regulation (EU) 2017/745 on medical devices[1] (MDR) and must comply with its general…
EESC: Fit for ensuring human rights due diligence in cross-border operating companies
Meeting of the Category “Workers’ Voice for more democratic participation” 13/05/2024 This page is also...
UN Human Rights Council 55: UK on human rights situation in the Central African Republic
The United Kingdom welcomes efforts by CAR authorities to extend state authority to address the continued insecurity in remote areas…
US: EEAS Spokesperson on the execution in Georgia
The European Union deeply regrets the execution of Willie James Pye in the State of Georgia on Wednesday. We deplore…
Haiti: EEAS Spokesperson on the political and security situation
The European Union welcomes the important progress achieved at Monday’s meeting in Kingston, Jamaica, between Haitian political forces and international…
USA and EU release Joint Guidance for Online Platforms on Protecting Human Rights Defenders
Human rights defenders – as per the United Nations Declaration – play a crucial role in the protection of human rights offline…
DR Congo: EU HR on the escalation of hostilities in the eastern part of the country
The EU is extremely concerned by the escalation of violence in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo…
Russia: Statement by the EU HR on the conviction of human rights defender Oleg Orlov
Orlov had committed no crime or offence, he has exercised his Constitutional right to express his views and voice his…
Finland’s Foreign Minister consults civil society for UN Human Rights Council
In accordance with established practice, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs invited civil society organisations (CSOs) to comment on Finland’s activities…
Human rights: EU appoints a new Special Representative
The new EU Special Representative will continue the work of his predecessors to contribute to the implementation of the EU’s…
Belarus: EU prolongs restrictive measures for another year
Today the Council has decided to prolong the restrictive measures linked to internal repression in Belarus and regime’s support for Russia’s war against…
Belarus: EU Council conclusions confirm EU’s unwavering support for democracy and human rights
In its conclusions, the Council expresses its continued and deep concern about the deteriorating human rights situation in Belarus. It strongly condemns…
Main results of the EU-Armenia Partnership Council, 13 February 2024
The EU-Armenia Partnership Council met for the fifth time in Brussels on 13 February 2024. It was chaired by the High Representative…
Sweden: New development cooperation strategy focuses on defenders of democracy and independent journalists
The Swedish Government has adopted a new five-year strategy for development cooperation for human rights and freedoms, democracy and the…
Human rights: EU Council adds four persons and one entity to EU sanctions list
The new listings include three persons employed in the Russian judicial system responsible for serious human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests and…
UN Human Rights Fora: EU Council approves EU priorities
The Council today approved conclusions on the priorities of the European Union in United Nations Human Rights fora in 2024.…
Bangladesh: EU HR on the parliamentary elections
The EU welcomes the agreement of the authorities to make public the upcoming report and recommendations of the EU Election…
Sweden: Government presents new direction for development assistance
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine represents a paradigm shift with extensive political, economic and humanitarian consequences and repercussions that reach…
EU Commission welcomes global supply chain rules
The European Commission welcomes the political agreement reached between the European Parliament and the Council on the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.…
Mali: EU Council renews restrictive measures for a further year
The 5 individuals currently targeted under the sanctions regime for obstructing the political transition in Mali are subject to an asset…
Honest and reliable development support: UK statement at the UN Security Council
The United Kingdom is committed to development partnerships founded on mutual respect that support national efforts to reduce poverty and…
Swiss Confederation assesses its approach to business and human rights
The FDFA and EAER are jointly coordinating the NAP 2020–2023 for the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business…
Human rights approach in Finland’s development cooperation
According to a recent evaluation, Finland's development cooperation has promoted the rights of vulnerable populations in partner countries. The commitment…
French Government on sentencing of Russian journalist Marina Ovsyannikova
France vigorously denounces the sentencing in absentia of Russian journalist Marina Ovsyannikova to eight and a half years in prison.…
Norway/UN: Interactive dialogue with the UN HC for Human Rights oral update on Sudan
Norway in Geneva partook in two statements in the interactive dialogue with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights oral…
War crimes intensifying: Myanmar human rights investigators
Delegations including the European Union, Finland, Canada and Costa Rica condemned the violence, while numerous other countries urged the military…
UN HRC54: Joint Statement on Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has made important recent commitments on land issues and devolution of political authority. We encourage Sri Lanka to…
Switzerland: President Berset receives EU Council SG
The secretary general of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, visited Switzerland on Thursday, 7 September, and met with…
Sudan: Humanitarians warn conflict violates basic human rights
After four months of war in Sudan, UN humanitarians on Tuesday called for action to be taken to end the…
UN: Rights experts denounce idea of ‘reformed’ Taliban two years after return to power
More than 30 independent UN human rights experts have called for the international community to recommit to support the people…
International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples: Statement by the EU HR
As this year the International Day is dedicated to “Indigenous Youth as Agents of Change for Self-determination”, we pay in…
Belarus: EU HR on the third anniversary of the fraudulent presidential elections
This 9 August marks the third anniversary of the fraudulent presidential elections in Belarus. On this day three years ago,…
Russia: Latest Navalny sentence raises serious concerns, UN rights chief says
The new sentence imposed on jailed Russian politician Alexei Navalny on Friday raises renewed serious concerns about judicial harassment and…
Cambodia: National elections ‘extremely disconcerting’, say human rights experts
The experts, including Vitit Muntarbhorn, Special Rapporteur on human rights in the country, warned that the shrinking democratic space and repressive…