EU Foreign Affairs ministers meet in Brussels on 14 November 2016 to discuss the Eastern Partnership, taking stock of the current multilateral and bilateral relations with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. Foreign ministers are having an exchange of views on the Southern Neighbourhood, including the latest developments in Syria.
On 14 November 2016, the Council adopted an amending regulation concerning goods that can be used for capital punishment, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
The agreement will enable regulation 1236/2005 to be amended in the light of developments since it entered into force in 2006. It provides for modifications to the current rules on export controls, for new controls on brokering services and technical assistance, for a ban on advertising of certain goods and for amendment of the definition of other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The aim is to prevent EU exports from contributing to human rights violations in third countries.
A ban on torture and ill-treatment is enshrined in United Nations conventions on human rights. At EU level, the Charter of Fundamental Rights prohibits capital punishment and provides that "no one shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment". The EU also promotes respect for fundamental rights around the world.
Regulation 1236/2005 bans the export and import of equipment/goods that can only be used for torture or capital punishment. Such goods are listed in annex II to the regulation.
The regulation requires specific licences for exports of equipment/goods that could have such uses but which also have legitimate applications. Such goods are subject to a case-by-case assessment and are listed in annexes III and IIIA to the regulation.
In December 2011, the regulation was amended to control the export of drugs that could be used in executions by lethal injection.
AmendmentsThe new regulation allows for exports to countries that are parties to international conventions on capital punishment to be covered by a general authorisation. The country must have abolished the death penalty for all crimes and the goods must not be re-exported to other countries.
The new regulation also imposes a ban on the brokering of equipment that is subject to an import and export ban as listed in annex II, so as to cover transfers of goods that are not located in the EU. It additionally bans the provision of brokering services by any broker who is aware that goods listed in annex III or IIIA may be used for torture or capital punishment.
The regulation bans the supply of technical assistance (concerning goods listed in annex III or IIIA) by anyone who is aware that the equipment in question may be used for torture or capital punishment.
It also adjusts the definition of other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in the light of case-law of the European Court of Human Rights.
It furthermore provides for an urgency procedure in case rapid amendment of the regulation's annexes is necessary when new goods enter the market.
Under the agreement with the European Parliament, the agreed text:
EU Ministers of Agriculture and Fisheries meet in Brussels on 14-15 November 2016 to focus on 2017-18 fishing opportunities for deep-sea stocks, the multi-annual plan for demersal stocks in the North Sea, the recommendations of the Agricultural Markets Task Force and the impact of trade on EU agriculture.
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Read moreThe Council endorsed the joint communication "Elements for an EU-wide strategic framework to support Security Sector Reform (SSR)". The Council called on all EU actors for a swift implementation of the EU SSR framework.
SSR provides foundations contributing to the establishment of effective democratic control and accountability of the security sector and is therefore relevant in all contexts - including stable ones - to improve governance and human security, and throughout the whole conflict cycle.
SSR is a key component of conflict prevention by addressing potential crisis factors, as well as of crisis management and conflict resolution, post-conflict stabilisation, peace-building and state-building by reinstating accountable security institutions and restoring effective security services to the population, thus providing the environment for sustainable development and peace.