EU Human Rights and Democratisation

The European Union's Human rights & Democratisation Policy - activities of the EU relating to human rights.

Bulgaria pledges to shut mental homes — 06 February 2012, 19:16 CET

Bulgaria pledged Monday to shut its dilapidated mental homes after the European Court of Human Rights condemned Sofia over an inmate held for years after being wrongly diagnosed as schizophrenic.

Hungary says did not 'give in' to EU — 26 January 2012, 21:39 CET

Hungary's top government spokesman was defiant Thursday in the face of legal action by the European Union, insisting Budapest had not given in to EU demands.

EU experts rebuke Hungary, France, Italy over media rules — 25 January 2012, 21:07 CET

A high-level panel of experts reviewing the state of press freedom in Europe voiced concerns Wednesday over Hungary's controversial media laws, but also took Italy and France to task.

Orban told not to take European leaders for 'stupid' — 24 January 2012, 13:32 CET

Hungarian premier Viktor Orban was warned Tuesday not to take Europe's leaders for 'stupid" by saying one thing in Budapest, and another in Brussels.

Under-fire Orban seeks end to damaging row with Brussels — 24 January 2012, 12:07 CET

Under-fire Hungarian premier Viktor Orban on Tuesday sought a way out of a row with Brussels over controversial new laws that have snarled Budapest's bid for much-needed credit and set off EU legal action.

Belarus refuses to free jailed rights leader — 24 January 2012, 11:12 CET

A Belarus court on Tuesday upheld the conviction and four-and-a-half year jail sentence of a top human rights leader whose arrest was based on the unwitting cooperation of two European Union states.

Cuba rejects international criticism of dissident's death — 21 January 2012, 21:22 CET

Cuba rejected international criticism of the death of an imprisoned dissident after a hunger strike, saying its critics in Spain, the European Union and the United States did not have "the least authority to judge Cuba."

Hungary expects EU deal over disputed laws next week — 20 January 2012, 12:49 CET

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said Friday he expected a deal with Brussels over disputed laws as early as next week, as he backed down from controversial merger plans for the central bank.

Hungary PM likened to Chavez over controversial laws — 19 January 2012, 22:00 CET

Hungary's premier Viktor Orban rejected charges of authoritarianism while seeking to head off EU legal action for flouting democracy in a fiery European parliament debate Wednesday.

Hungary PM ready to modify disputed laws: Barroso — 18 January 2012, 17:40 CET

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has told EU authorities he will modify controversial laws which are the subject of legal action against Budapest launched by the European Commission, the executive chief said Wednesday.

EU voices new concerns over Hungary media law — 18 January 2012, 13:07 CET

The European Commission has written to Hungary to express new concerns about press freedom and pluralism in the EU member country, warning that Brussels would remain vigilant.

Hungarian central bank chief says independence vital — 18 January 2012, 12:59 CET

Hungary's government has no choice but to ensure central bank independence, the head of the country's central bank said Wednesday, after the EU launched legal action over reforms to the lender.

Hungary PM says ready to negotiate with EU: interview — 18 January 2012, 12:58 CET

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in a German newspaper interview Wednesday he was ready to negotiate "all problems" after the EU launched legal action over disputed reforms.

Hungary ready to 'sort out' all EU problems in legal row — 17 January 2012, 18:44 CET

A Hungarian minister said Tuesday his government was ready to negotiate with the European Union executive after Brussels launched legal proceedings against a series of reforms.

EU launches legal action against Hungary — 17 January 2012, 18:35 CET

The European Commission launched legal proceedings Tuesday against Hungary, demanding it scrap disputed reforms that breach "the letter and spirit" of EU law or face court action.

EU set to take legal action over Hungary reforms — 17 January 2012, 13:57 CET

The EU executive was poised Tuesday to trigger legal action against Hungary over contested reforms of its judiciary and central bank that are hampering its bid to win financial aid.

EU to demand Hungary reverse controversial reforms — 17 January 2012, 00:28 CET

The EU executive is expected to hand Hungary an ultimatum this week to speedily back down on controversial political reforms or face damaging legal proceedings, EU sources said Monday.

Pressure builds on Hungary over economy, constitution — 12 January 2012, 22:15 CET

European Commission head Jose Manuel Barroso said Thursday he would do everything in his power to get Hungary to abide by EU laws, amid arm wrestling with Budapest over its new constitution.

Hungary: EU adds to pressures on 'Orbanistan' — 12 January 2012, 11:06 CET

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban faced heightened external pressure on Thursday after Brussels fired a warning shot over new laws in the EU member state that critics say undermine democracy.

EU urges Iran to halt all executions — 06 January 2012, 12:21 CET

The European Union voiced concern Friday over the large number of executions in Iran and urged Tehran to refrain from executing "thousands" who could face the death penalty.

China urges against meddling amid EU rights concern — 05 January 2012, 11:25 CET

China Thursday urged other countries not to use human rights to "interfere" in its domestic affairs, after EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton voiced concern over the jailing of two activists.

EU 'regrets' jailing of two Chinese rights activists — 04 January 2012, 22:31 CET

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton voiced concern about the "deterioration" of the plight of human rights campaigners in China after two more activists were jailed last week.

EU urges Egypt to allow rights groups to do their work — 30 December 2011, 18:34 CET

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton urged Egypt on Friday to allow civil society organisations to do their work after "particularly worrying" raids at the offices of rights groups.

EU envoys concerned about Israel's Arab minority — 29 December 2011, 20:49 CET

European Union ambassadors in Israel have voiced concern about the Jewish state's treatment of its Arab minority, in an unprecedented report on the issue obtained by AFP.

EU again warns Ukraine after Tymoshenko loses appeal — 24 December 2011, 17:22 CET

The European Union on Saturday said it was concerned a Ukrainian court rejected an appeal by ex-prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, once again linking Kiev's integration with the bloc to the case.