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

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

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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

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 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

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

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.

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