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

This study provides an overview of the European Union’s contribution to promoting and protecting human rights in Belarus since 2016. This analysis presents the main human rights trends in Belarus, examining legislation, policy commitments and violations of human rights. While the Belarusian government has made nominal concessions towards the EU, no systemic progress in terms of human rights has been made in the post-2016 period. The study also describes and assesses the EU’s human rights promotion activities in bilateral EU-Belarus relations, within the context of the Eastern Partnership multilateral dimension and in regard to financial assistance. Although the EU has expanded the range of its political dialogue with Belarus since 2016, it has had very little influence over the human rights situation in the country. The EU’s impact has been limited not just because of the very nature of the Belarusian regime. EU institutions and member states have increasingly prioritised geopolitical interests as well as the stability and resilience of Belarus over human rights concerns. The EU should increase efforts to mainstream human rights in all aspects of its relations with Belarus and find a better balance between ‘normalisation’ and ‘conditionality’ based policy approaches vis-à-vis the country.
Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

Alarmed by the sentence, the Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI), Mr Pier Antonio Panzeri, reiterates his previous call to release human rights activist Ahmed Mansoor.

"This conviction, based solely on Ahmed Mansoor's postings on social media, is a violation of his right to freedom of expression which is not only guaranteed by universal human rights instruments but also by the Arab Charter on Human Rights, to which the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a party..."

Press statement in full
Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

Alarmed by the sentence, the Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI), Mr Pier Antonio Panzeri, reiterates his previous call to release human rights activist Ahmed Mansoor. “This conviction, based solely on Ahmed Mansoor’s postings on social media, is a violation of his right to freedom of expression which is not only guaranteed by universal human rights instruments but also by the Arab Charter on Human Rights, to which the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a party..."
Further information
Press release in full
Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

Source : © Union européenne, 2018 - PE

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, a joint extraordinary meeting of the 3 committees (Foreign Affairs, Development and Human Rights) will take place on Monday 4 June from 15.30- 18.30 in meeting room JAN 6Q2.
No less than 20 former Laureates will gather for a two day event in the European Parliament. The three Committees will host them for a debate in the presence of UN Deputy High commissioner for human rights Ms Kate Gilmore, the EU Special representative Mr Stavros Lambrinidis and many other distinguished guests.
Further information
Draft Programme
List of Sakharov Laureates participating in the Conference
Watch the Conference live
Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

Source : © Union européenne, 2018 - PE

Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

With a view to the police brutality against NGO Mossawa's director and the looming expulsion of HRW representative Omar Shakir, DROI Chair Pier Antonio Panzeri made the following statement:

"On 7 May the Israeli government decided to cancel the work permit of Omar Shakir, Director for Human Rights Watch (HRW) for Israel and Palestine, who is based in Jerusalem, and told him to leave the country by 24 May. In the past Israel has denied entry to human rights defenders including Amnesty International staff members, but this was the first time that Israel has ordered a member of HRW staff out of the country.

Press release in full
Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

With a view to the police brutality against NGO Mossawa’s director and the looming expulsion of HRW representative Omar Shakir, DROI Chair Pier Antonio Panzeri made the following statement: “On 7 May the Israeli government decided to cancel the work permit of Omar Shakir, Director for Human Rights Watch (HRW) for Israel and Palestine, who is based in Jerusalem, and told him to leave the country by 24 May..."
Full text below
Further information
Full press release
Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

Concerned about harsh sentencing of Tibetan language rights activist Tashi Wangchuk, the Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, Pier Antonio Panzeri (S&D, IT), stated:

"I am gravely concerned about the verdict of a Court in the Chinese city of Yushu, sentencing Mr Tashi Wangchuk to 5 years imprisonment on charges of inciting separatism..."

Statement in full
Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

Concerned about harsh sentencing of Tibetan language rights activist Tashi Wangchuk, the Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, Pier Antonio Panzeri (S&D, IT), stated: "I am gravely concerned about the verdict of a Court in the Chinese city of Yushu, sentencing Mr Tashi Wangchuk to 5 years imprisonment on charges of inciting separatism..."
Full text below
Further information
Press release in full
Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

Welcoming the release of Anwar Ibrahim Malaysia’s opposition leader and former deputy prime minister, the Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, Pier Antonio Panzeri (S&D, IT), stated: "I am delighted about the release of Anwar Ibrahim, leader of the People’s Justice Party in Malaysia. I would like to echo the words of Mr Ibrahim in his hope that this is a new beginning and a new chapter in the history of Malaysia..."
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Further information
Press release in full
Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

On the occasion of the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT), Pier Antonio Panzeri (S&D, IT), Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights stated:

"Today is a day of pride for anyone who believes in human dignity and equality.

Unfortunately, in many places around the world, to expose one's homosexual orientation is not only risky from a social point of view. It is not a question of reputation, but a question of life. Let's never forget that today more than 72 countries worldwide still criminalize homosexuality with at least five applying the death penalty. This is unacceptable..."

Press release in full (EN)
Press release in full (IT)
Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

On the occasion of the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT), Pier Antonio Panzeri (S&D, IT), Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights stated: "Today is a day of pride for anyone who believes in human dignity and equality" "Unfortunately, in many places around the world, to expose one’s homosexual orientation is not only risky from a social point of view. It is not a question of reputation, but a question of life..."
Full text below
Further information
Press statement in EN
Press statement in IT
Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

MEPs note that some Member States still allow marriage at 16 if there is parental consent and ask for a minimum and harmonised marriage age of 18 years. Early and forced marriage violates fundamental human rights, as well as rights to equality, autonomy and bodily integrity, access to education and freedom from exploitation and discrimination, MEPs say.
Further information
Full press release
Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

Following the most recent outbreak of violence in Gaza and the latest developments, Pier Antonio Panzeri, Chair of the European Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights, stated:

"We cannot remain silent in the face of what happened on Monday: a number of Palestinians killed and injured, amongst them several children, during the mass demonstration near the Gaza fence. Nothing can ever justify the use of military force against civilians who exercise their legitimate rights to protest peacefully."

Full text in English
Full text in Italian
Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

Following the conviction to 32 years in prison for human rights defender Germain Rukuki, the Chair of the Human Rights Subcommittee, Pier Antonio Panzeri (S&D, IT) stated:

"I am gravely concerned at the harsh verdict on Germain Rukuki who faced charges of "rebellion" and "threatening the security of the State". While concrete evidence of guilt are lacking, this sentence appears as resulting from the authorities' will to criminalise the legitimate activity of Mr Rukuki, and by doing so, to deter other human rights defenders to work in Burundi. Mr Rukuki must be released immediately, his legal rights must be respected and authorities should reverse his conviction."

Full text
Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day 2018

Alarmed by ongoing harassments of journalists and social media activists, the Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, Pier Antonio Panzeri (S&D, IT) made the following statement:

"Press freedom is one of the fundamental freedoms enshrined in universal human rights instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Press and media freedom is also one of the core freedoms guaranteed by the European Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Full statement
Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP