In a resolution put to the vote last Thursday, MEPs denounced the disproportionate use of force by Iranian security forces against non-violent protesters. At least 304 people have been killed, with many more wounded and thousands arrested after “tens of thousands of people from all over Iran and representing all segments of society have exercised…
Kazakhstan is known not only for its lead in the issue of multi-lateral nuclear disarmament, but also for its significant contribution to ensuring dialogue between religions existing on the Earth, having founded in 2003 the permanent international interfaith institute “Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions”. In June 2021, in the capital of Kazakhstan,…
Rights organisations have made a fresh and damning condemnation of China’s human rights record. This comes after what is said to be a big upswing in persecution of religious minorities in the country. Speaking in the European Parliament in Brussels, Anna Hill, of Open Doors International, said that China had risen to number 27 on…
A major EU vote and a direct call to action from investors with assets worth $1.7 trillion signals the start of a transformation of the financial sector – which could help in delivering on the Paris climate agreement, and prevent human rights abuses. Last week saw historic moves from across both politics and industry, which…
Key products and services, such as smartphones, ATMs, ticketing machines and banking services, will be made more accessible to people with disabilities. The European Accessibility Act (EAA), approved by Parliament with 613 votes to 23, with 36 abstentions on Wednesday, aims to improve the daily lives of disabled and elderly people, also opening the door…
Statistics about the change of jurisdiction by parishes of the Metropolitan Onufry-led Ukrainian Orthodox Church in communion with the Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church (UOC) to the newly created Orthodox Church of Ukraine, led by the Metropolitan Epifaniy in communion with Constantinople (OCU) are clashing but do not show a haemorrhage. According to various…
Zimbabwe must release political prisoners and return to the path of democratic change, Conservative Security and Defence spokesman Geoffrey Van Orden told the European Parliament this week. Van Orden contrasted the current crisis with the feelings of optimism and change when Robert Mugabe was ousted in November 2017. However, the clampdown and suppression of free…
British Conservative Member of the European Parliament, Sajjad Karim, has held a debate on the case of Asia Bibi postponed to a later date, writes Martin Banks. Karim made a request to the Parliament’s President, Antonio Tajani, to delay the discussion – that was due to take place later this week – in order to avoid…
The campaign group “New Europeans” has won the CiDAN Citizenship and Human Rights Prize for its Green Card proposal to secure onward mobility (free movement) rights post Brexit for Britons in Europe and to protect EU27 citizens in the UK from discrimination, writes Martin Banks. The prize is awarded by a European jury consisting of parliamentarians and military staff representatives…
