Sous-commission Droits de l'homme (DROI) - Parlement européen

MEPs and Members of Parliament from across the European Union, Norway and Ukraine, discussed "The role of the EU and its Member States in supporting global accountability mechanisms, including universal jurisdiction, international courts and special tribunals" during an Interparliamentary Committee meeting held on 6 May 2026 in the European Parliament.

Following this meeting, MEPs of the DROI Subcommittee and MPs from national parliaments signed a statement on Protecting the International Criminal Court and defending the rule of law, calling for the activation of the EU Blocking Statute.

Joint statement
Video with excerpts from the meeting (06-05-2026)
Interparliamentary Committee meeting page (06-05-2026)
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) hosted an interparliamentary committee meeting on 6 May 2026 in Brussels on the Member States and EU’s role in supporting global accountability mechanisms, the International Criminal Court, universal jurisdiction and special tribunals.

Organised in cooperation with the Committees on Legal Affairs and Civil Liberties, the meeting gathered MEPs and national parliamentarians to address pressing challenges and coercive measure to the international justice architecture.

A key highlight was the participation of Nicolas Guillou, judge of the International Criminal Court as well as civil society and the EEAS. Discussions covered threats to the ICC, including sanctions targeting officials and NGOs, as well as potential EU responses such as the Blocking Statute.

Participants also exchanged views on the Special Tribunal for aggression against Ukraine and universal jurisdiction.

Agenda
Live streaming
ICM on Directorate's for Relations with National Parliaments website
Nicolas Guillou, Judge of the ICC, on the role of the EU and its Member States in supporting global accountability mechanisms, including universal jurisdiction, international courts and special tribunals.
Photos (1)
Photos (2)
Joint statement (17-07-2026)
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

A delegation of five MEPs, led by the Chair of the Subcommittee Human Rights Mounir Satouri, will travel to Cairo from 19 to 22 July. On the programme: meetings with representatives of the Egyptian authorities, international organisations, and civil society.
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Durée de la vidéo : 210'

Clause de non-responsabilité : L'interprétation des débats facilite la communication mais ne constitue en aucun cas un enregistrement authentifié des débats. Seuls le discours original ou la traduction écrite révisée du discours original peuvent être considérés authentiques.
Source : © Union européenne, 2026 - PE

The DROI Subcommittee held a workshop on Human control and AI-enabled military systems: human rights risks, accountability and policy options for the European Union. The discussion examined the human rights implications of the growing use of artificial intelligence in military systems, focusing on meaningful human control, accountability, transparency and possible policy responses at EU level.

Artificial intelligence is increasingly being integrated into military systems, including intelligence, surveillance, command and control, decision-support and targeting functions. These developments raise important questions about human oversight, accountability and the protection of fundamental rights, particularly where AI-enabled systems influence decisions with potentially significant human rights consequences.

The workshop presented the findings of a study commissioned by the DROI Subcommittee and discussed the challenges posed by AI-enabled military systems, including algorithmic opacity, automation bias and the allocation of responsibility across public authorities and private actors. It also explored possible policy options for the European Union and the role of the European Parliament in promoting meaningful human control, democratic oversight and respect for fundamental rights in this rapidly evolving field.

Draft programme
Live streaming
Poster
Photos
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Durée de la vidéo : 150'

Clause de non-responsabilité : L'interprétation des débats facilite la communication mais ne constitue en aucun cas un enregistrement authentifié des débats. Seuls le discours original ou la traduction écrite révisée du discours original peuvent être considérés authentiques.
Source : © Union européenne, 2026 - PE

Durée de la vidéo : 90'

Clause de non-responsabilité : L'interprétation des débats facilite la communication mais ne constitue en aucun cas un enregistrement authentifié des débats. Seuls le discours original ou la traduction écrite révisée du discours original peuvent être considérés authentiques.
Source : © Union européenne, 2026 - PE

Source : © Union européenne, 2026 - PE

On 15 July, the Subcommittee on Human Rights, in association with the Delegation to the OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, will examine the human rights situation and the reduction of civic and democratic space in Guinea-Bissau since the November 2025 coup.
This discussion, engaging with figures committed to the protection of human rights in Guinea-Bissau, will be the opportunity to gain insight into the recent developments following the military coup and the arbitrary detention of political figures, which was the object of a resolution by the European Parliament in December 2025.
European Parliament resolution of 18 December 2025 on the grave political situation in Guinea-Bissau after the coup of 26 November (2025/3027(RSP))
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © Union européenne, 2026 - PE

The next ordinary meeting of the Subcommittee on Human Rights is scheduled to take place on 15 July 9:00-13:00 and 15:00-18:30, in Brussels.

Meeting room: SPINELLI (1G-2).

DROI meetings - 2026
DROI meetings - 2025
DROI Coordinators
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

On 15 July 2026 the Subcommittee on Human Rights will discuss the impact of the ongoing conflict in Lebanon from the perspective of the human rights and of the protection of civilians in the framework of international Humanitarian Law.

The situation in Lebanon remains a matter of significant international concern. Recent developments have heightened tensions and underscored the fragility of the situation, with the conflict continuing to affect the country and the wider region. Against this background, it is essential to address the human rights implications of the conflict, including the protection of civilians and the application of international humanitarian law.

The event will provide an opportunity for an informed exchange on the legal and human rights dimensions of the current situation featuring a panel including representatives from the UN, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the EEAS.

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

On 15 July, the DROI Subcommittee will hold a workshop on Human control and AI-enabled military systems: human rights risks, accountability and policy options for the European Union. The discussion will examine the human rights implications of the growing use of artificial intelligence in military systems, focusing on meaningful human control, accountability, transparency and possible policy responses at EU level.

Artificial intelligence is increasingly being integrated into military systems, including intelligence, surveillance, command and control, decision-support and targeting functions. These developments raise important questions about human oversight, accountability and the protection of fundamental rights, particularly where AI-enabled systems influence decisions with potentially significant human rights consequences.

The workshop will present the findings of a study commissioned by the DROI Subcommittee and discuss the challenges posed by AI-enabled military systems, including algorithmic opacity, automation bias and the allocation of responsibility across public authorities and private actors. It will also explore possible policy options for the European Union and the role of the European Parliament in promoting meaningful human control, democratic oversight and respect for fundamental rights in this rapidly evolving field.

Workshop page
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Jeudi, le Parlement a adopté trois résolutions d’urgence sur le Soudan, le Nigeria et le Pakistan.
Sous-commission "Droits de l'homme"

Source : © Union européenne, 2026 - PE

As the European Union prepares to redefine its external financing framework for the next Multiannual Financial Framework, the proposed Global Europe Instrument raises key questions about the future place of human rights, democracy and the rule of law in EU external action. While intended to enhance coherence, flexibility and geopolitical responsiveness, the new framework must also ensure that values-based commitments remain visible, adequately funded and operationally effective. The workshop held on 23 February 2026, organised on behalf of the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI), examined how the proposed instrument may affect the EU’s capacity to support democratic governance, accountability, civil society, human-rights defenders and fundamental rights worldwide. Against a background of democratic backsliding, shrinking civic space and growing geopolitical competition, participants discussed the risks and opportunities of moving from dedicated funding structures towards a more integrated external financing instrument. The discussion also addressed the balance between strategic interests and values-based external action, and the role of the European Parliament in ensuring democratic oversight, policy coherence and sustained support for human rights and democracy. This publication brings together the workshop proceedings, including exchanges with Members, academics, civil society experts and EU representatives, with a briefing on the same topic.
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The next ordinary meeting of the Subcommittee on Human Rights is scheduled to take place on 15 July in Brussels.

DROI meetings - 2026
DROI meetings - 2025
DROI Coordinators
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

On Thursday 25 June, the AFET Committee, jointly with its Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI), held an exchange of views with Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, to discuss global human rights challenges and efforts to ensure their promotion and protection worldwide.
Live streaming
Photos
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP