The candidates for the 2024 Sakharov Prize, the highest tribute paid by the EU to human rights work, are: – María Corina Machado as the leader of the democratic forces in Venezuela and President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia, representing all Venezuelans inside and outside the country fighting for the re-institution of freedom and democracy, Venezuela, nominated … Read more
A committee bureau (Chair and up to four Vice-chairs) is elected for a two- and- a- half- year mandate. Committees deal with legislative proposals, appoint negotiating teams to conduct talks with EU ministers, adopt reports, organise hearings and scrutinise other EU bodies and institutions. This text will be continuously updated throughout the day. More information … Read more
Azerbaijan, notably the repression of civil society and the cases of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu and Ilhamiz Guliyev MEPs urge Azerbaijan to immediately and unconditionally release Ilhamiz Guliyev, a human rights defender arrested in December 2023, and all other political prisoners, including EU and other nationals. They call on the authorities to lift the travel ban … Read more
The repressive environment in Afghanistan, including public executions and violence against women MEPs are gravely concerned by the humanitarian and human rights crisis in Afghanistan. The Taliban have, they say, dismantled the judicial system, ordered judges to fully implement Sharia law and have virtually eliminated women and girls from public life. This amounts to gender … Read more
Alexei Navalny, one of Russiaâs most well-known anti-corruption activists, an opposition politician and an ardent critic of President Vladimir Putin, died under mysterious circumstances in a remote penal colony in the Russian Arctic on Friday 16 February, while serving a long prison sentence on trumped-up charges. WHEN: Thursday 22 February 2024, 10.30 â 11.30 CET. … Read more
New wave of mass arrests in Belarus of opposition activists and their family members MEPs strongly condemn the recent wave of mass arrests in Belarus and urge the illegitimate Lukashenka regime to cease its repression, reminding the regime of its international obligations. Parliament calls for the immediate, unconditional release and compensation of more than 1,400 … Read more
The ongoing persecution of Falun Gong in China, notably the case of Mr Ding Yuande MEPs demand the immediate and unconditional release of Mr Ding Yuande and all Falun Gong practitioners in China. They strongly condemn the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, and other minorities, including Uyghurs and Tibetans by the People’s Republic of China … Read more
The laureates were represented by Saleh Nikbakht, academic and lawyer representing Jina Mahsa Amini’s family; and Afsoon Najafi and Mersedeh Shahinkar, Iranian women’s rights defenders who left Iran in 2023. Opening the award ceremony, President Metsola declared: “This years’ Sakharov prize for Freedom of Thought, awarded to Jina Masha Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom … Read more
Torture and criminal prosecution of Ukrainian minors Tihran Ohannisian and Mykyta Khanhanov by the Russian Federation Parliament demands that the proceedings against Tihran Ohannisian and Mykyta Khanhanov should end and the charges against them be dismissed. The two Ukrainian were teenagers detained last year and accused by Russian authorities of allegedly planning to damage railway … Read more
The political disqualifications in Venezuela Parliament strongly condemns the Venezuelan regime’s arbitrary and unconstitutional decision to prevent prominent political opposition figures like María Corina Machado, Leopoldo López, Henrique Capriles and Freddy Superlano from running in the 2024 elections, a ballot which could have constituted a turning point towards a return to democracy in the country. … Read more
