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

Source : © Union européenne, 2020 - PE

Statement by MEPs Maria Arena and Hannah Neumann on the release of prominent Bahraini human rights defender Nabeel Rajab from prison. “Nabeel Rajab’s release from prison is very good news for him, his family and his supporters all around the world.
Full statement
Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

Les députés de la sous-commission des droits de l’homme ont débattu vendredi avec des experts de la situation des droits de l’homme aux États-Unis après la mort de George Floyd.
Sous-commission "droits de l'homme"

Source : © Union européenne, 2020 - PE

Source : © Union européenne, 2020 - PE

Source : © Union européenne, 2020 - PE

This paper provides insight into the current situation and recent trends in the abolition or reform of discriminatory laws undermining women's rights in countries outside the European Union (EU). The paper aims to provide a nuanced understanding of processes through which legal reforms take place. Among the factors that have proven to facilitate legal reform are the ratification of international human rights treaties, feminist activism, legal and public advocacy by women’s rights and other human rights non-governmental organisations (NGOs), political dialogue, and increased women's representation in decision-making processes. Incremental steps supported by the EU towards the abolition of discriminatory laws across all legal categories, EU engagement with a broad range of stakeholders at both national and local levels, programmes supporting the gathering of gender-disaggregated data across all sectors and the publicising of data to draw attention to gender inequality in law and practice, among others, can all contribute towards successful reform of discriminatory laws. Striking the right balance between funding programmes that mainstream gender and funding dedicated to gender-targeted programmes, together with the increased use of country gender profiles, are essential in order to achieve quality legal reforms.
Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

Source : © Union européenne, 2020 - PE

Source : © Union européenne, 2020 - PE

Source : © Union européenne, 2020 - PE

MEPs call on the US administration to respect international law and US federal law on protecting asylum seekers, who must not, by any means, be criminalised.

The delegation visited El Paso (Texas, USA), Ciudad Juarez (Chihuahua, Mexico) and Washington D.C. from 24 to 28 February to assess the human rights situation of migrants and refugees at the US-Mexico border. This was a follow up to the European Parliament's urgency resolution adopted on 18 July 2019.
Press release
Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

Déclaration conjointe de Maria Arena, présidente de la sous-commission des droits de l'homme, et d'Andrea Cozzolino, président de la délégation pour les relations avec les pays du Maghreb.

"La condamnation de Karim Tabbou en appel hier, et en l'absence de ses avocats, va à l'encontre de son droit à un procès équitable dont il bénéficie en vertu du droit algérien ainsi que des conventions internationales ratifiées par l'Algérie."
Communique
Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

Following the death of prominent Saudi human rights defender Abdullah al-Hamid in prison, Subcommittee on Human Rights Chair Maria Arena (S&D, BE) stated:

"I am shocked to hear that one of Saudi Arabia's leading human rights voices has passed away in prison at the age of 69, while serving an 11-year prison sentence. Professor al-Hamid was a pioneer in advocating for Saudi Arabia to recognise the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and for reforms leading towards the establishment of the rule of law, including accountable institutions. He dedicated his whole life to fighting against harmful practices and to protecting all those defending basic rights and freedoms in his country.

Press statement in full
Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

The European Parliament (EP) has repeatedly underlined the need for stronger European requirements for companies to prevent human rights abuses and environmental harm and to provide access to remedies for victims. The debate — both in the EU institutions and in several Member States — has intensified surrounding due diligence obligations for companies throughout the supply chain. In this context, the EP Human Rights Subcommittee (DROI) requested two briefings on specific human rights related issues it should consider while preparing its position. The first briefing in this compilation addresses substantive elements, such as the type and scope of human rights violations to be covered, as well as the type of companies that could be subject to a future EU regulation. The second briefing discusses options for monitoring and enforcement of due diligence obligations, as well as different ways to ensure access to justice for victims of human rights abuses. The briefings offer a concise overview and concrete recommendations, contributing to the ongoing debate and taking into account the research undertaken on behalf of the European Commission.
Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

This briefing provides an overview of the existing legislative approaches to mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence and proposals by non-state actors, concerning the scope of potential European Union (EU) legislation on binding human rights due diligence (HRDD) obligations for companies. The briefing discusses key substantive elements of potential EU HRDD legislation including options for human rights covered by the due diligence requirement; types of violations; specific references regarding women and persons in vulnerable situations and the duties of companies to respect and protect human rights. It is recommended that a potential EU HRDD legislation should comprise all human rights and cover all types of violations. The legislation should refer to additional duties, which can be based on existing human rights treaties and instruments such as CEDAW, CRC, CRPD and UNDRIP. The legislation should cover all companies independently of their size and take a non-sector specific approach. Furthermore, the legislation should not apply solely to the company’s own activities, but also to its business relations including the value chain. Finally, the legislation should adopt a substantive due diligence model and require companies to engage actively in analysing, mitigating and remedying any adverse impacts on human rights based on their own activities and connected to them in their business relations.
Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

This briefing explores options for monitoring and enforcement of European Union (EU) human rights due diligence legislation, and how such legislation should contribute to access to justice and remedy for victims of human rights abuses linked to the operations of businesses inside or operating from Member States (MS). The briefing reviews existing due diligence and disclosure schemes and considers the feasibility of specific options for monitoring, enforcement and access to remedy within a future EU due diligence law. The briefing recommends that such legislation should require effective monitoring via company-level obligations, national and EU-level measures, including repositories of due diligence reports, lists of companies required to report, information request procedures, monitoring bodies and delegated legislation or guidance further elaborating on due diligence under the law. Regarding enforcement, the law should inter alia require MS to determine appropriate penalties for non-compliance and to establish enforcement rights for interested parties. Finally, on remedy, the law should, besides requiring companies to establish complaint mechanisms, provide for national and EU measures, including requirements that MS ensure effective means of remedy and redress for victims and establish or identify bodies to investigate abuses, initiate enforcement and support victims.
Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

This study provides an in-depth and accessible analysis on biodiversity as a human right to inform the European Parliament’s work on how the European Union’s external action can best contribute to a holistic and human rights-based approach aimed at stopping biodiversity loss and degradation. After a brief overview of empirical data regarding the impacts of biodiversity loss on human rights and the limitations of available sources, the study assesses the status and content of existing international obligations on biodiversity and human rights. The study then assesses existing initiatives’ (potential) legal and political impact at international and regional levels for the EU to address biodiversity and human rights in a mutually supportive manner, within a variety of multilateral fora. Additionally, the study assesses the EU’s (unilateral and bilateral) external action tools that have addressed or could address the human rights dimensions of biodiversity in the context of development, trade and other areas of international cooperation. It provides a series of recommendations on how the European Parliament and other EU institutions can support the development of a holistic and human rights-based approach to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in external action, including as part of the fight against climate change.
Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

Public hearing on authoritarianism and shrinking space for freedom of expression, press freedom and human rights defenders, with case studies on China, Egypt and Russia
This hearing will examine the state of international law on freedom of thought, conscience and religion and study lessons learned from past policies and actions that have contributed towards its protection. Participants will also discuss best practices of interreligious dialogue for promoting tolerance and fighting against discrimination based on religious motivations. The EU must continue its efforts to protect freedom of thought, conscience and religion, without fostering a particular belief, both inside and outside its borders.
Location : Room SPAAK P5B001
Programme
Speech by Jussi Lassila
Speech by Sara Brooks
Speech by Clement Voule
Speech and recommendations by Jianli Yang
Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

Public hearing on authoritarianism and shrinking space for freedom of expression, press freedom and human rights defenders, with case studies on China, Egypt and Russia
This hearing will examine the state of international law on freedom of thought, conscience and religion and study lessons learned from past policies and actions that have contributed towards its protection. Participants will also discuss best practices of interreligious dialogue for promoting tolerance and fighting against discrimination based on religious motivations. The EU must continue its efforts to protect freedom of thought, conscience and religion, without fostering a particular belief, both inside and outside its borders.
Location : Room SPAAK P5B001
Programme
Speech by Jussi Lassila
Speech by Sara Brooks
Speech by Clement Voule
Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

MEPs call on the US administration to respect international law and US federal law on protecting asylum seekers, who must not, by any means, be criminalised. The delegation visited El Paso (Texas, USA), Ciudad Juarez (Chihuahua, Mexico) and Washington D.C. from 24 to 28 February to assess the human rights situation of migrants and refugees at the US-Mexico border. This was a follow up to the European Parliament's urgency resolution adopted on 18 July 2019.
The cross-party delegation from the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) was led by Chair Maria Arena (S&D, BE), and composed of Isabel Wiseler-Lima (EPP, LU), Ivan Štefanec (EPP, SK), Gheorghe-Vlad Nistor (EPP, RO), Isabel Santos (S&D, PT), Dietmar Köster (S&D, DE), Susanna Ceccardi (ID, IT) and Tineke Strik (Greens/EFA, NL).
Press statement in full
Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

Source : © Union européenne, 2020 - PE