The secretary general of the 47-nation Council of Europe, Marika Pejčinović Burić, has highlighted a “clear and worrying degree of democratic backsliding” in her report on the state of democracy, human rights and the rule of law across the continent. “In many cases, the problems we are seeing predate the coronavirus pandemic but there is no doubt…
Writing in the Dong-A Ilbo today Ji-Sun Choi aurinko reports that the South Korean government has declined to co-sponsor a United Nations resolution condemning North Korea’s human rights violations, which will be adopted at the 46th session of the Human Rights Council. Human Rights experts familiar with the situation in the country describe the decision…
Urging the US and EU to stop Kyrgyzstan govt from rushing through constitution amendments that undermine human rights and freedom The legal community and civil society have also made a public request to Parliament to publish the text of the draft constitution Human rights organisations, legal community, and civil society groups in Kyrgyzstan are urging…
Former Tory party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith has called for “much tougher action” to combat human rights abuses in China, writes Philippe Lejeune. His plea comes after the EU, earlier this year, passed new laws which allows it to impose sanctions on those guilty of serious human rights abuses, including against China. The so…
The City of Brussels has issued a press release announcing the plans for this year’s New Year’s eve celebrations. This winter has been unlike any other, but the City of Brussels is keen to see in the New Year in style, still following health and safety guidelines. The people of Brussels are being asked to…
Human Rights Day 2020: religious persecution continues to blight the lives of hundreds of millions, writes Gary Cartwright. Human Rights Day is internationally observed each year on December 10th — the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which proclaims the inalienable rights which everyone is entitled…
The Conference of Peripheral Maritime (CPMR) says it welcomes the political agreement reached by the European Parliament and the EU Council on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027. The deal marks a decisive step towards providing the regions with adequate and timely means to deliver the recovery in this uncertain moment. The agreement foresees to reinforce…
Following the disqualification of four pro-democracy lawmakers in Hong Kong, the UK Government has declared China in breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: “Beijing’s imposition of new rules to disqualify elected legislators in Hong Kong constitutes a clear breach of the legally binding Sino-British Joint Declaration.” “China has once…
EU competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager has decided to appeal the July EU General Court ruling annulling her 2016 decision ordering Ireland to recover €13 billion in state aid paid to Apple. Pedro Marques, S&D spokesperson on tax matters, commented: “We applaud Vestager for her willingness to push for more fairness in corporate taxation. We hope she…
Environment Committee MEPs have voted to make climate neutrality obligatory by 2050 in both EU and member states and call for a more ambitious 2030 emissions reduction target. On Friday, the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety adopted their report on the EU climate law with 46 votes for, 18 against and 17…
