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

The Subcommittee on Human Rights held a public hearing entitled "Third-country nationals forced to fight in Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine". The hearing was organised in association with the Delegations to the EU-Russia and to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committees.

In association with the Delegations to the EU-Russia and to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committees, the Subcommittee on Human Rights is holding a public hearing on "Third-country nationals forced to fight in Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine".

Ukrainian Human Rights expert of the Truth Hounds NGO Maria Tomak spoke of forced recruits from Bangladesh and Rosemary Tollo, Kenyan journalist, with Bibiana Waithaka, mother of a victim, reported on the Kenyan connection. Andrij Jusov, Spokesperson for the Directorate of Intelligence of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, gave a more general view from Ukraine of the phenomenon, and the European External Action Service provided some insight on EU action.

Programme
Photos
Webstreaming
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Durée de la vidéo : 75'

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

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

Human trafficking and grave human rights violations linked to the recruitment of non-Russian nationals, in particular from Africa, for Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine
The arbitrary detention of President Mohamed Bazoum by the junta in Niger
Case of Elene Khoshtaria and political prisoners under the Georgian Dream regime
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

On 18 March (15.00-16.15) DROI in association with the Delegation for Relations with South Africa (D-ZA) will discuss the impact of exporting pesticides banned in the EU on the right to health and a healthy environment in South Africa.

Although certain highly hazardous pesticides are banned in the EU because of their harmful effects on human health and the environment, they are still produced in the EU and exported to countries with less stringent regulations.

South Africa is a clear example of this practice, as some of these products are associated with serious health risks for agricultural workers, especially women, who are exposed to them on a daily basis, but also for children living in exposed areas.

Marcos A. Orellana, UN special rapporteur on toxic chemicals and human rights; Navanethem Pillay former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and judge at the ICC; Colette Solomon, Director of Women on Farms Project and the Commission will join the debate to share their respective perspective on this topic.

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © Union européenne, 2025 - PE

On 18 March (16.30-18.00) DROI, in association with the Conference of the Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group (DEG), and as a part of the Conference on "The Future of Democracy Support" will hold a session entitled "A battle of narratives".
Human rights and democracy are closely linked and mutually reinforcing. Human rights are the necessary foundation for democracy to function, while democracy is the form of governance that best guarantees the protection and fulfilment of these rights.

But today, democracy is in decline globally, while a surge in autocratic governance has become increasingly threatening to global politics.

In this context, this discussion will analyse the extent to which democracy still have the potential to tell a compelling story, able to shape public trust and support.

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High-level conference on "The Future of Democracy Support" is taking place on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 March 2026, at the European Parliament, Brussels (Room SPINELLI 3E2).
Conference on the Future of Democracy Support
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) will have an exchange of views with Afghan women MPs in exile on human rights situation in Afghanistan, on 18 March at 09.00-10.30. Former Afghan Parliamentarians Ms Fawzia Koofi, Ms Mariam Solaimankhil and Ms Shinkai Karokhail will present the increasing challenges for the Afghan people, especially for women and girls. Mr Gilles Bertrand, EU Special Envoy for Afghanistan will present the EU latest initiatives to support human rights in the country.

Following the DROI public hearing on 'The EU strategy to promote and to protect human rights of women worldwide (notably fighting gender apartheid in Afghanistan & Iran)', in September 2025, DROI discusses the current situation of human rights in the country, which has been radically deteriorated under Taliban regime.

Taliban regime has banned women and girls from education and imposed unbearable barriers to their fundamental rights of freedom of speech, assembly, movement and work. Prosecution against HRDs and activists and journalists has been intensified. The regime extensively practices torture and ill-treatment, extrajudicial killings and corporal punishments. A severe economic and humanitarian crisis hits the Afghan people, mostly vulnerable groups, refugees and social minorities.
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The next ordinary meeting of the Subcommittee on Human Rights is scheduled to take place on 18-19 March 2026 in Brussels.

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

On 24 February 2026, the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) and the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) held a joint public hearing on the immunity of United Nations (UN) and International Criminal Court (ICC) officials. The hearing examined the legal frameworks underpinning the privileges and immunities of international officials, in light of recent US sanctions on UN and ICC personnel.
Against the backdrop of increasing attacks on multilateralism and the international justice architecture, this event examined the scope and legal foundations of UN and ICC Officials' immunities under international law, and assessed the instruments the EU can deploy to pursue the protection of human rights and the multilateral system and shield its own nationals and the institutions they serve from extraterritorial coercion. The hearing featured Professor Cedric Ryngaert (Utrecht University), expert on jurisdictional immunities in international law, Judge Beti Hohler (International Criminal Court), Slovenian and EU national among the ICC officials targeted by US sanctions, and Mr Michael Stelzer (Head of the Sanctions Unit - European Commission's DG FISMA). Speakers and Members assessed possible EU responses to protect international institutions and their officials and reflect on the activation of the EU Blocking Statute.
Location : Brussels, SPINELLI 5E-2
Draft agenda
Programme
Poster
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Webstreaming
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Durée de la vidéo : 120'

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 : 75'

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

On 24 February 2026, the DROI Subcommittee held an exchange of views on the human rights dimension of the externalisation of migration and asylum policies worldwide. The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, Michael O’Flaherty, presented his report on the topic. Speakers also included Frontex Fundamental Rights Officer Jonas Grimheden, and Samira Bouslama, Senior Human Rights Officer at the United Nations Support Mission in Libya.

The exchange centered on the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights' report 'Externalised asylum and migration policies and human rights law', as Commissioner Michael O'Flaherty outlined the human rights implications of externalised asylum and return arrangements, including risks to core safeguards, accountability gaps and compliance with non-refoulement.

Against the background of intensifying cooperation with third countries, Jonas Grimheden, Frontex Fundamental Rights Officer, addressed how fundamental rights compliance is monitored in Frontex operations and partnerships, while Samira Bouslama, Senior Human Rights Officer at the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, presented findings on the human rights consequences of interceptions and returns to Libya.

Introductory remarks of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, Michael O’Flaherty, on Externalised asylum and migration policies
Webstreaming
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Durée de la vidéo : 60'

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

Durée de la vidéo : 60'

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