As governments scramble to protect their populations from COVID-19 many of the personal freedoms and rights we take for granted are being –temporarily- taken away… Although certain rights enshrined in the European Convention of Human Rights can be suspended in situations of emergency, an extra effort is needed to prevent abuse and protect the most vulnerable.

EPRS policy podcast - Upholding human rights in Europe during the pandemic

Parliament holds debates on human rights, democracy and rule of law topics.

Human rights are fundamental values of the entire international community. More than 70 years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the first comprehensive international human rights document to set common standards to which all UN members should aspire, human rights have become a cornerstone of the international system and have reached almost universal recognition. However, much remains to be done in practice so that every human being can enjoy their fundamental rights.

Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law

The EU and China are two of the biggest traders in the world, with China being the EU's second trading partner.&nbsp; The EU-China Human Rights Dialogue was launched in 1995.&nbsp;Parliament strongly condemns the Chinese government-led system of forced labour – in particular the exploitation of Uyghur, ethnic Kazakh and Kyrgyz, and other Muslim minority groups – in factories within and outside internment camps in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

Over the past year, EU-China bilateral relations have deteriorated, notably related to a growing number of irritants (i.e., China’s counter-measures to EU sanctions on human rights, economic coercion and trade measures against the single market, and China’s positioning on the war in Ukraine).

During his recent visit to China, Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis told his counterparts that “competition must be fair” and urged Beijing to address the lack of reciprocity in economic relations, as the EU’s trade deficit with China in 2022 reached almost 400 billion euro. Mr Dombrovskis said that the EU and China are at a significant political and economic crossroads, and warned that China’s stance on the war in Ukraine could jeopardise its relationship with the EU.

His visit came after Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced during her State of the European Union address that the Commission would launch a probe into whether China's electric vehicle industry is receiving unfair subsidies

EU - China

The Roma are Europe's largest ethnic minority. Out of an estimated total of 10-12 million in Europe, some 6 million live in the EU, and most of them are citizens of an EU country. &nbsp;The estimated share of the Roma in EU countries in 2012 ranges from 10.3% in Bulgaria, 9.1% in Slovakia, 8.3% in Romania, 7% in Hungary, 2.5% in Greece, 2% in Czechia and 1.6% in Spain, to less than 1% in most of the other countries.

Excessive force, police brutality and misconduct against Romani people continue to be reported across the EU, in line with the&nbsp;2020 findings&nbsp;of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA).

The FRA report also revealed that Romani people are subject to widespread poverty, inadequate living conditions, poor health, exclusion from the labour market and harassment.&nbsp;

Romani people in the EU

During the plenary sessions MEPs hold debates on foreign affairs and security policy to discuss European Union (EU) action beyond its borders.

The EU Treaties differentiate between common foreign and security policy (CFSP), common security and defence policy (CSDP), external action, and the external dimension of internal policies.

To address new challenges such as climate change, rising insecurity or new migration patterns, the EU has put forward concrete solutions to shape synergy between the actors, in order to use shared expertise more effectively, and to find new sources of funding. The new foreign policy framework (EU global strategy) is intended to map the tools and resources best designed to help society as a whole, in the EU and partner countries, to withstand natural and manmade shocks more effectively. In the years to come, global instability is expected to rise; the challenge for the EU will be to ensure security while upholding the core values of the Treaties – human rights, democracy and the fight against poverty – as its primary objectives on the global stage.

Debates on foreign affairs and security policy

The European Parliament is strongly opposed to the death penalty, a position it has expressed repeatedly in various resolutions, for example in its December 2018 resolution on the annual EU report on human rights and democracy in the world in 2017.

While most countries in the world have abolished capital punishment, death sentences continue to be handed down and carried out in a number of countries. The Union uses its diplomatic and political weight to encourage these countries to join the abolitionist ranks, or at the very least to respect international minimum standards. It funds campaigns to increase awareness of the need to end capital punishment, and restricts trade in substances that could be used for executions.

Death penalty

This package contains the events between 1st July 2019 and 31 December 2020. For latest events, see related links.

At each plenary session in the European Parliament, debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law may also give rise to motions for resolutions. These texts are generally tabled by a committee, apolitical group or at least 40 Members.

Human rights are fundamental values of the entire international community. More than 70 years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the first comprehensive international human rights document to set common standards to which all UN members should aspire, human rights have become a cornerstone of the international system and have reached almost universal recognition. However, much remains to be done in practice so that every human being can enjoy their fundamental rights.

The Taliban recently announced that they would not allow girls above the 6th grade to attend school until further notice, thereby backtracking on earlier promises to grant women above a certain age access to education. They have also imposed other bans, such as forbidding women from flying without a male guardian. MEPs assessed the latest developments in the country in a debate with EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell on Tuesday 5 April. A resolution was also voted&nbsp;during the plenary session. The take over of the country by the Taliban has resulted in women exclusion&nbsp;from government and education and their rights and freedoms are threatened. The international community, including the European Parliament, has called for&nbsp;guarantees for Afghan women and girls.&nbsp;

EU - Afghanistan

MEPs debate with EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas and take stock of the street protests rocking Georgia following the recent disputed elections.

Debate ongoing protests in Georgia

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law

EP Plenary session - Crackdown on peaceful pro-European demonstrators in Georgia

EP Plenary session - Summit of the Future: transforming global governance for building peace, promoting human rights and achieving the Sustainable development goals

EP Plenary session - The anti-LGBTIQ bill passed by the Ghanaian parliament with implications for human rights, freedom of expression and democratic principles

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 144)

EP Plenary session - Debate - Human rights and democracy in the world and the EU’s policy on the matter – annual report 2023

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 144) Latest attacks against women, women's rights defenders in Iran, and its arbitrary detention of EU nationals

EP Plenary session - Protection of journalists and human rights defenders from manifestly unfounded or abusive court proceedings

EP Plenary session - Threat to democracy and the rule of law in Poland, in particular the creation of an investigative committee

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Breaches of the Rule of Law and fundamental rights in Hungary and frozen EU funds

Press conference - Breaches of the Rule of Law and fundamental rights in Hungary and frozen EU funds

EP Plenary session - The 30th anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law -  The case of human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja in Bahrain

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law - Military Junta crackdown on peaceful demonstrations in Chad

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law - Chinese government crackdown on the peaceful protests across the People's Republic of China

- Question Time to Commission - Protection of critical infrastructure from China's interference

In a debate with Dubravka ŠUICA, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, MEPs take stock of the street protests rocking Georgia following the recent disputed elections. The current demonstrations were triggered by the Georgian government’s decision to pause the country’s EU accession process following disputed parliamentary elections in October 2024. The latest ballot saw the ruling Georgian Dream party claim victory, despite the Georgian opposition and international observers, including MEPs, warning of serious irregularities.

Crackdown on peaceful pro-European demonstrators in Georgia: Closing statement by Dubravka ŠUICA, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean

Crackdown on peaceful pro-European demonstrators in Georgia: Opening statement by Dubravka ŠUICA, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean

In a debate with European Commissioner Dubravka Šuica, MEPs take stock of the street protests rocking Georgia following the recent disputed elections.

Crackdown on peaceful pro-European demonstrators in Georgia: extracts from the debate

In a debate with European Commissioner for Mediterranean, Dubravka Suica, MEPs take stock of the street protests rocking Georgia following the recent disputed elections. The current demonstrations were triggered by the Georgian government’s decision to pause the country’s EU accession process following disputed parliamentary elections in October 2024. The latest ballot saw the ruling Georgian Dream party claim victory, despite the Georgian opposition and international observers, including MEPs, warning of serious irregularities.

Crackdown on peaceful pro-European demonstrators in Georgia: One round of political group speakers

MEPs assess the latest developments in Syria, its geopolitical implications, and the humanitarian situation in the region in debate with Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Closing statement by Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.

Toppling of the Syrian regime, its geopolitical implications and the humanitarian situation in the region: Closing statement by Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and VP of the European Commission

MEPs assess the latest developments in Syria, its geopolitical implications, and the humanitarian situation in the region in debate with Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Third part of MEPs debate.

Toppling of the Syrian regime, its geopolitical implications and the humanitarian situation in the region: MEPs Debate (part 3)

MEPs assess the latest developments in Syria, its geopolitical implications, and the humanitarian situation in the region in debate with Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Second part of MEPs debate.

Toppling of the Syrian regime, its geopolitical implications and the humanitarian situation in the region: MEPs Debate (part 2)

MEPs assess the latest developments in Syria, its geopolitical implications, and the humanitarian situation in the region in debate with Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. First part of MEPs debate.

Toppling of the Syrian regime, its geopolitical implications and the humanitarian situation in the region: MEPs Debate (part 1)

MEPs assess the latest developments in Syria, its geopolitical implications, and the humanitarian situation in the region in debate with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. Opening statement by Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Toppling of the Syrian regime, its geopolitical implications and the humanitarian situation in the region: Opening statement by Kaja KALLAS, HR of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and VP of the European Commission

MEPs debate the increasing and systematic repression against women in Iran with closing statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality.

The increasing and systematic repression against women in Iran: MEPs debate

MEPs discuss during a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, on the deteriorating situation of women in Afghanistan due to the recent adoption of the law on the “Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice”. Closing statement by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety.

The deteriorating situation of women in Afghanistan due to the recent adoption of the law on the “Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice”: Closing statement by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety

MEPs discuss during a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, on the deteriorating situation of women in Afghanistan due to the recent adoption of the law on the “Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice”.

The deteriorating situation of women in Afghanistan due to the recent adoption of the law on the “Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice”: MEPs debate

Mounir SATOURI (Greens/EFA, FR), Chair of the Subcommittee on human rights (DROI) in Afghanistan holds a press conference on the situation of human rights for women in Afghanistan with with Tahmina SALIK, founder of Empowerment for Her, advocate for women's rights and empowerment, Parwana IBRAHIMKHAIL, founder of the Women's Movement for Peace and Freedom, and women's rights advocate, Farukh Leqa UNCHIZADAH, President of the Women’s Rights Organization recognized human rights activist in Afghanistan, Zakia KHUDADADI, Afghan athlete and European champion, Parasto YARI, Afghan lawyer and activist, Shukria BARAKZAI, former Afghan MP and Ambassador to Norway. Afghan women testify in the European Parliament. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Mounir SATOURI (Greens/EFA, FR), Chair of the DROI Subcommittee on human rights in Afghanistan: Afghan women testify in the European Parliament

MEPs discuss during a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, on the deteriorating situation of women in Afghanistan due to the recent adoption of the law on the “Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice”. Opening statements by Isabel WISELER-LIMA (EPP, LU), Alessandra MORETTI (S&D, IT), Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS (Renew, LT), Hannah NEUMANN (Greens/EFA, DE), Isabel SERRA SÁNCHEZ (The Left, ES), Veronika VRECIONOVÁ (ECR, CZ), authors. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

The deteriorating situation of women in Afghanistan due to the recent adoption of the law on the “Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice”: opening statements

Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, officially opens the plenary session giving a statement on the two years anniversary of the killing of Mahsa Amini in Iran in Strasbourg. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Resumption of session and order of business: Statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, on the two years anniversary of the murder of Mahsa Amini in Iran

Remarks on the closing of the 9th legislative term, MEPs vote on the following topics: Azerbaijan, notably the repression of civil society and the cases of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu and Ilhamiz Guliyev; the proposed repeal of the law banning female genital mutilation in The Gambia; the new security law in Hong Kong and the cases of Andy Li and Joseph John; Freund (AFCO 22/04); Asimakopoulou (BUDG 22/04); Mureşan (A9-0174/2024); Mureşan (BUDG 22/04); Oetjen (A9-0409/2023); Kanko (A9-0411/2023); Ehler (A9-0343/2023); Russia's undemocratic presidential elections and their illegitimate extension to the occupied territories; new allegations of Russian interference in the European Parliament, in the upcoming EU elections and the impact on the Union; attempts to reintroduce a foreign agent law in Georgia and its restrictions on civil society and Iran’s unprecedented attack against Israel, the need for de-escalation and an EU response.

Voting session

This infoclip is a part of the video series called "European Parliament’s priorities and achievements (2019-2024)", demonstrating Parliament's unwavering commitment to human rights and democracy around the globe. Since 1988, Parliament’s Sakharov Prize recognises individuals, groups and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to protecting freedom of thought in the world. The info clip shows illustrative material related to the five Sakharov Laureates of the 9th legislative term, namely Uyghur economist Ilham Tohti fighting for the rights of China’s Uyghur minority, the democratic opposition in Belarus, Russian opposition leader, lawyer, anti-corruption activist and political prisoner Alexei Navalny, the brave people of Ukraine as well as Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement in Iran.

European Parliament’s priorities and achievements (2019-2024): Support to democracy and human rights activities

MEPs hold urgent debates on human rights, democracy and rule of law topics such as the immediate risk of mass starvation in Gaza and the attacks on humanitarian aid deliveries.

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law: The immediate risk of mass starvation in Gaza and the attacks on humanitarian aid deliveries

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