EU Human Rights and Democratisation

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

Amnesty deplores Libya conditions for would-be migrants — 20 June 2013, 02:07 CET

Amnesty International on Thursday called on Libya to take immediate action to bring an end to the "deplorable conditions" endured by thousands of would-be migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers, including many children.

Croatians seek referendum to ban same-sex marriage — 14 June 2013, 20:29 CET

Some 1,000 supporters of a conservative group calling for a referendum to ban same-sex marriage marched to Croatia's parliament Friday to hand over a petition signed by one-fifth of the EU-bound country's electorate.

Croatia anti-gay marriage petition sparks fears of intolerance — 13 June 2013, 12:39 CET

Less than three weeks before it joins the European Union, Croatia is facing calls for a referendum that could rule out same-sex marriages in the largely Catholic nation, where conservatism appears to be on the rise.

Croatia holds first same-sex marriage march — 27 May 2013, 22:21 CET

Some 400 people took part Monday in the first ever same-sex marriage march in staunchly Catholic and largely conservative Croatia, set to join the European Union on July 1.

Most gays in Europe still afraid to show sexuality: report — 17 May 2013, 21:25 CET

Two-thirds of Europe's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community are still afraid to show their sexuality in public and a quarter have been victims of physical or verbal attacks, an EU report said Friday, the International Day Against Homophobia.

Human Rights Watch calls for EU action on Hungary — 16 May 2013, 17:13 CET

Human Rights Watch urged the European Union Thursday to put more pressure on Hungary including a possible suspension of voting rights to bring the country into line with EU law.

Tymoshenko's daughter hails EU court ruling as 'first victory' — 30 April 2013, 13:49 CET

Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko's daughter Yevgenia hailed Tuesday the European Court of Human Rights' ruling that her mother's detention was unlawful as the "first victory" on the way to her release.

Europe court rules Tymoshenko jailing 'unlawful' — 30 April 2013, 17:49 CET

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Ukraine's detention of former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko was unlawful, in a decision the opposition leader's camp saw as a key step towards her release.

France ordered to pay damages to 'degraded' prisoner — 25 April 2013, 17:02 CET

The European Court of Human Rights on Thursday ordered France to pay 10,000 euros in damages to a prisoner it said suffered "degrading and inhumane treatment" in a jail which has since closed.

EU court raps Romania soccer club for anti-gay comments — 25 April 2013, 15:47 CET

The European Court of Justice has rapped Romanian football club Steaua Bucarest over homophobic comments made by its patron George "Gigi" Becali, a controversial politician and millionaire businessman.

Cuba opposition veteran slams EU accord plan — 23 April 2013, 23:03 CET

Veteran Cuban dissident Elizardo Sanchez urged the European Union on Tuesday not to sign a new bilateral agreement with his country's leaders, saying their recent reforms were "cosmetic" amid persistent human rights abuses.

Myanmar frees dozens of political prisoners — 23 April 2013, 22:58 CET

Myanmar on Tuesday pardoned dozens of political prisoners, activists said, a day after the European Union agreed to end almost all sanctions against the former pariah state.

Ashton says Bosnia lacks progress on reform — 18 April 2013, 21:35 CET

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said Thursday that Bosnia has done little, if anything, recently to carry out reforms needed for it to eventually join the European Union.

EU nations warned to act as human trafficking worsens — 15 April 2013, 18:54 CET

Brussels has warned EU Member States to get a move on with adopting tough new rules against human trafficking or face sanctions as a first report on the problem showed "modern-day slavery" worsening across the bloc.

EU warns Bosnian membership bid will be 'frozen' without reform — 11 April 2013, 22:16 CET

Bosnia's bid to become a member of the EU could be "frozen" if the country fails to implement constitutional changes to allow people from the Jewish and Roma communities to hold high political office, the EU enlargement commissioner said Thursday.

EU hails Ukraine pardon for Tymoshenko ally — 07 April 2013, 15:57 CET

The European Union on Sunday welcomed Ukraine's pardon of a close ally of jailed former premier Yulia Tymoshenko, former interior minister Yuriy Lutsenko, calling it "an important step".

Ukraine leader pardons Tymoshenko ally under EU pressure — 07 April 2013, 13:34 CET

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has pardoned a close ally of jailed former premier Yulia Tymoshenko, amid tensions with the opposition and pressure from the European Union.

Hungary rejects UN criticism on homelessness — 04 April 2013, 13:33 CET

Hungary has rejected accusations by UN human rights experts that a recent constitutional amendment by the European Union member outlawed being homeless.

Freedom of expression in Turkey 'under attack': Amnesty — 27 March 2013, 15:17 CET

Amnesty International criticised Wednesday European Union hopeful Turkey's dismal record on freedom of expression and called for legislative reforms to bring "abuses to an end."

Russia raids Human Rights Watch office amid EU concern — 27 March 2013, 12:10 CET

Russian authorities searched the Moscow offices of New-York based Human Rights Watch on Wednesday as they stepped up raids against pro-democracy groups despite growing EU concern.

Vaclav Havel Prize for human rights unveiled in Prague — 26 March 2013, 02:03 CET

The international Vaclav Havel Prize for human rights, honouring the late Velvet Revolution hero who steered his country peacefully to independence from Soviet rule, was unveiled Monday in Prague.

EU evictions ruling heartens debtors in Spain — 14 March 2013, 21:36 CET

Homeowners ruined by Spain's economic crisis and their defenders hailed a big step forward on Thursday after Europe's top court ruled that the country's eviction laws breached EU rules.

Iran TV officials slam EU over sanctions — 14 March 2013, 15:21 CET

Two senior officials at Iran's Press TV whom the EU has slapped with sanctions have criticised the bloc over the move, in comments published on the English-language channel's website on Thursday.

Alarm raised over anti-migrant violence in Morocco — 13 March 2013, 16:34 CET

The medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) on Wednesday raised the alarm over increased violence against illegal migrants in Morocco, pointing a finger of blame at both Rabat and Madrid.

EU sanctions Iranian judges, media officials for rights abuse — 12 March 2013, 14:12 CET

Iranian judges, media officials and a special police Internet monitoring unit linked to the death of a dissident in custody were added Tuesday to the EU's sanctions list against Tehran for grave human rights violations.