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

The Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) will hold an exchange of views on press freedom worldwide on 6 May 2026, in light of World Press Freedom Day, observed on 3 May 2026.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 2025 was the deadliest year on record for journalists and media workers. Press freedom globally has also reached its lowest level in 25 years, as highlighted in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders.

The exchange will feature panellists from Reporters Without Borders, Cartoonists Rights, and the EEAS, who will examine ongoing violations and discuss ways to uphold the protection of press freedom worldwide.

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

Source : © Union européenne, 2026 - PE

Escalating trafficking and exploitation by criminal groups in Haiti
New Chinese law on ‘ethnic unity and progress’ and the intensified suppression of ethnic identities
Shortcomings and deficiencies of the ‘Amnesty Law’ in Venezuela
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © Union européenne, 2026 - PE

The Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) will host an interparliamentary committee meeting on 6 May 2026 in Brussels (16:00–18:30) on the Member States and EU’s role in supporting global accountability mechanisms, the International Criminal Court, universal jurisdiction and special tribunals.

Organised in cooperation with the Committees on Legal Affairs and Civil Liberties, the meeting will gather MEPs and national parliamentarians to address pressing challenges and coercive measure to the international justice architecture.

A key highlight is the participation of Nicolas Guillou, judge of the International Criminal Court as well as civil society and the EEAS. Discussions will cover threats to the ICC, including sanctions targeting officials and NGOs, as well as potential EU responses such as the Blocking Statute.

Participants will also exchange views on the Special Tribunal for aggression against Ukraine and universal jurisdiction.

Agenda
Live streaming
ICM on Directorate's for Relations with National Parliaments website
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) will host an interparliamentary committee meeting on 6 May 2026 in Brussels (16:00–18:30) on the Member States and EU’s role in supporting global accountability mechanisms, the International Criminal Court, universal jurisdiction and special tribunals.

Organised in cooperation with the Committees on Legal Affairs and Civil Liberties, the meeting will gather MEPs and national parliamentarians to address pressing challenges and coercive measure to the international justice architecture.

A key highlight is the participation of Nicolas Guillou, judge of the International Criminal Court as well as civil society and the EEAS. Discussions will cover threats to the ICC, including sanctions targeting officials and NGOs, as well as potential EU responses such as the Blocking Statute.

Participants will also exchange views on the Special Tribunal for aggression against Ukraine and universal jurisdiction.

More information - DROI ICM page
Live streaming
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © Union européenne, 2026 - PE

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) will host an interparliamentary committee meeting on 6 May 2026 in Brussels (16:00–18:30) on the Member States and EU’s role in supporting global accountability mechanisms, the International Criminal Court, universal jurisdiction and special tribunals.

Organised in cooperation with the Committees on Legal Affairs and Civil Liberties, the meeting will gather MEPs and national parliamentarians to address pressing challenges and coercive measure to the international justice architecture.

A key highlight is the participation of Nicolas Guillou, judge of the International Criminal Court as well as civil society and the EEAS. Discussions will cover threats to the ICC, including sanctions targeting officials and NGOs, as well as potential EU responses such as the Blocking Statute.

Participants will also exchange views on the Special Tribunal for aggression against Ukraine and universal jurisdiction.

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The next ordinary meeting of the Subcommittee on Human Rights is scheduled to take place on 6-7 May 2026 in Brussels. (Room: Spinelli 5E-2).

Inter-parliamentary committee meeting (ICM) will be held on 6 May (Room: Antall 4Q1).

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

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 : 225'

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 Tuesday 14 April, the Subcommittee on Human Rights will hold a public hearing on 'Caste discrimination in South Asia'. The panel, comprised of representatives of the European External Action Service, the United Nations, as well as civil society actors and individuals with lived experience, will provide a holistic overview of caste discrimination and its implications for human rights in South Asia.
Drawing on recent findings, including those of the UN Special Rapporteur on racism, it aims to explore the role of the caste system as a core driver of oppression, particularly in South Asia.

The hearing will underline the need for an intersectional approach that recognises how caste-based discrimination intersects with gender, poverty and other factors, creating distinct and severe forms of marginalisation. The exchange will also examine existing international and EU-level responses and explore avenues for more effective action to combat caste-based discrimination.
Location : SPINELLI 1E2 (Brussels)
Draft programme
Webstreaming
Photos
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © Union européenne, 2026 - PE

Source : © Union européenne, 2026 - PE

On Tuesday 14 April (9:00-10:30), the Subcommittee on Human Rights will hold a public hearing on 'Caste discrimination in South Asia'. The panel, comprised of representatives of the European External Action Service, the United Nations, as well as civil society actors and individuals with lived experience, will provide a holistic overview of caste discrimination and its implications for human rights in South Asia.
Drawing on recent findings, including those of the UN Special Rapporteur on racism, it aims to explore the role of the caste system as a core driver of oppression, particularly in South Asia.

The hearing will underline the need for an intersectional approach that recognises how caste-based discrimination intersects with gender, poverty and other factors, creating distinct and severe forms of marginalisation. The exchange will also examine existing international and EU-level responses and explore avenues for more effective action to combat caste-based discrimination.
Public hearing page
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

On 14 April 2026 at 10:30, the Subcommittee on Human Rights will hold an exchange of views on the EU response to human rights violations in the West Bank, with invited speakers from civil society, the European External Action Service, and the United Nations.
Against the backdrop of ongoing developments on the ground, the discussion will provide an opportunity to assess current EU policies and identify possible avenues for a coherent response anchored in Parliament's longstanding positions, such as the fight against death penalty, the need to uphold international law, the obligation of all parties to respect international humanitarian law and support to accountability for international human rights law violations.
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP