EU Human Rights and Democratisation

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

Germany, Sweden push for Balkan visas — 25 October 2012, 17:56 CET

Key EU states led by Germany and Sweden are pressing for the reintroduction of visas for people coming from Balkan EU candidate states so as to curb soaring unfounded asylum requests.

Amnesty warns EU countries against beating protesters — 25 October 2012, 12:24 CET

Anti-austerity demonstrators in Europe have suffered excessive police violence, Amnesty International said Thursday in a report urging European Union governments to protect the right to peaceful protest.

European prisoners in Morocco 'on hunger strike' — 22 October 2012, 23:32 CET

Dozens of European prisoners in Morocco, many of whom also have Moroccan nationality, announced the start of a hunger strike on Monday to draw attention to the poor conditions in which they are being held.

EU urges Gambia to honour freeze on executions — 22 October 2012, 10:38 CET

The European Union on Sunday urged Gambia to honour a freeze on the death penalty after the tiny west African nation's supreme court upheld death sentences against seven officials for treason.

Rights court rules against Russia in Transdniestria education row — 19 October 2012, 20:46 CET

The European Court of Human Rights ruled Friday that Russia was liable for violating children's right to education after Moldovan authorities forcibly closed schools in Moldova's Russian-speaking separatist region of Transdniestria.

Neo-Nazi anti-immigrant jibe condemned in Greek parliament: report — 18 October 2012, 21:37 CET

Proceedings in the Greek parliament were disrupted Thursday after a far-right deputy and member of a Council of Europe anti-discrimination committee described immigrants as subhumans, the Greek news agency Ana reported.

EU states want visas reintroduced for Balkan countries — 15 October 2012, 19:26 CET

Germany and five other EU states want the European Commission to allow the reintroduction of visas for people coming from the Balkans so as to curb soaring asylum requests, the European Commission said Monday.

Veteran Russian activist criticises EU Nobel prize — 12 October 2012, 13:27 CET

Russia's veteran rights defender Lyudmila Alexeyeva on Friday voiced disappointment that the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the European Union, rather than rights activists who need support.

Ashton appeals to Iran to stay activist's execution — 09 October 2012, 18:45 CET

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Tuesday urged Iran to stay the execution of activist Gholamreza Khosravi Savadjani, sentenced for allegedly supporting the People's Mujahedeen of Iran.

Pussy Riot, Panahi, Beliatsky on final Sakharov short list — 09 October 2012, 18:06 CET

Jailed members of the Russian punk band Pussy Riot, Iran's film-maker Jafar Panahi and rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, and Belarus dissident Ales Beliatsky were put on a final shortlist Tuesday for the European Parliament's Sakharov rights prize.

Serbia gays vow not to give up on pride parade — 08 October 2012, 15:34 CET

Serbia's gay activists vowed on Saturday to keep up with preparations for a parade next year despite the ban of this weekend's march that has forced them to organise the gathering indoors.

EU 'regrets' candidate Serbia's Gay Pride ban — 04 October 2012, 13:12 CET

The European Commission on Thursday told EU candidate country Serbia that its decision to ban a Gay Pride parade went against fundamental rights upheld by the European Union.

Serbia again bans gay pride over security concerns — 03 October 2012, 22:05 CET

Serbia's prime minister on Wednesday banned a gay pride parade for the second year running, once again citing security concerns over ultra-nationalist threats and after the influential Serbian Orthodox Church condemned the event as a "parade of shame".

Russia slams EU parliament over Pussy Riot prize nomination — 25 September 2012, 19:19 CET

Russia slammed Tuesday a group of European Parliament lawmakers for nominating jailed members of the punk band Pussy Riot for a rights prize, saying the move interfered with the Russian government's work.

Russia's Pussy Riot, Iran's Panahi short-listed for Sakharov — 25 September 2012, 17:46 CET

Jailed members of the Russian punk band Pussy Riot and Iranian film-maker Jafar Panahi are on a shortlist of five nominees for the European Parliament's prestigious Sakharov rights prize.

Ashton calls for release of Vietnam bloggers — 24 September 2012, 19:18 CET

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Monday called for the immediate release of three Vietnamese bloggers sentenced to stiff jail terms for "anti-state propaganda".

Commissioner urges more transparency in Bulgarian media — 20 September 2012, 21:42 CET

The EU's commissioner for new technologies called Thursday for more transparency in the ownership and financing of Bulgarian media outlets, after journalists complained of interference.

EU Parliament bids to alleviate asylum pressures — 19 September 2012, 19:27 CET

Euro-MPs on Wednesday insisted that new legislation dealing with immigrants' rights of asylum include special provisions to ease pressure on countries overwhelmed by an influx of migrants, such as Greece.

EU urges Romania's Ponta to clear 'doubts' on rule of law — 17 September 2012, 22:50 CET

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on Monday called on Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta to "remove all doubts" on his government's commitment to judicial independence.

EU insists on respect for law in Romania — 14 September 2012, 16:43 CET

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso expressed EU concerns Friday over political developments in Romania, insisting there can be no compromise on respect for the rule of law.

Sharp drop in boat migrants to Italy — 12 September 2012, 18:51 CET

Italy has seen a drastic reduction in the number of immigrants washing up on its shores, in part thanks to a deal with North African countries to prevent boat departures, the government said Wednesday.

European Parliament leader 'deeply worried' over Belarus — 10 September 2012, 19:27 CET

European Parliament president Martin Schulz voiced concern over continuing rights abuses in Belarus ahead of general elections there, as he opened a plenary session of the assembly Monday.

EU chief urges Bosnia to abolish political discrimination — 10 September 2012, 11:28 CET

EU president Herman Van Rompuy urged Bosnian leaders on Sunday to undertake reforms needed for the country's approach to the bloc, notably those abolishing political discrimination of Romas and Jews.

Tymoshenko asks for EU help against Ukraine's 'dictator' — 03 September 2012, 15:42 CET

Ukraine's jailed ex-premier Yulia Tymoshenko urged European powers to help free her country from its "dictator" President Viktor Yanukovych, speaking in an interview published Monday.

EU 'deeply disappointed' at Ukraine Tymoshenko appeal KO — 29 August 2012, 17:18 CET

The European Union expressed its "deep disappointment" on Wednesday after Ukraine's high court rejected jailed ex-premier Yulia Tymoshenko's appeal against her abuse of power conviction.