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

The commercial trade in human organs, including trafficking in persons for organ removal has developed into a global problem. This report describes the current situation regarding international organ trafficking, committed often by transnational criminal networks. It zooms in on the role of traffickers, international brokers, health professionals, and the recipients and suppliers. To combat and prevent organ commercialism and trafficking, a legal framework for the criminalisation of trafficking offences, and tailor-made law enforcement instruments have been developed by a number of international organisations. A number of recent trafficking cases in which European citizens were involved, have been analysed in detail to highlight the different forms of organ trafficking and to demonstrate how investigation and prosecution can result in an effective justice response to these crimes. The efforts of the EU and other European organisations, such as the Council of Europe or the OSCE, to develop binding legal instruments and formulate policy actions to step up law enforcement and legal cooperation in the combat against trafficking in organs, are described. The report concludes with observations and recommendations for the EU to prepare next steps in successfully fighting and preventing trafficking in organs and organ commercialism.
Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

The human right to water has been firmly established and its implications for policy-making have been discussed in many fields. Thus far, this has hardly been the case for conflicts over water. This study discusses what it means to integrate human rights in the context of governing water and addressing conflicts over water. A human rights perspective on conflicts over water will help formulating equitable water governance strategies. To support such developments, the EU should integrate human rights in policies and other measures to address water conflicts at all levels. The EU’s activities should be guided by the human rights principles of non-discrimination and equality; participation and access to information; accountability and access to justice; and a priority for water uses as far as they are necessary for the realisation of human rights. This relates to internal legislation and policies, development cooperation, engagement in transboundary basins, political dialogues with partner countries, international fora such as the UN Human Rights Council, and the negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda. The European Parliament, specifically, should support such initiatives with resolutions, engagement in UN and inter-parliamentary fora, and enhancement of public awareness.
Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

Durée de la vidéo : 212'
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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, 2015 - PE

Durée de la vidéo : 120'
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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, 2015 - PE

Human Rights subcommittee MEPs debated today the human rights situation in Venezuela with representatives of the political opposition, human rights activists and spokespersons of victims groups.
Subcommittee on Human Rights

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS
The seventh College-to-College meeting between the European Commission and the African Union Commission underscores the close cooperation between the European Union (EU) and Africa. Institutional and political relations have intensified in recent years, coinciding with a renewed international interest in an African continent whose economic growth in the past decade has been remarkably strong.

The United States (US) and China have also recently strengthened their links with Africa. While these three actors frame their relations with Africa in different ways, their interests converge around two broad areas: i) Africa's economic potential and the need to intensify trade and investment to generate economic growth and development; and ii) concerns about peace and security - and notably the threats posed by armed conflict and terrorist groups. 

For the full analysis see link below.
Further information
In-depth Analysis
Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

Human rights: child pregnancies in Paraguay; Palmyra; children in Nepal
Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

Source : © Union européenne, 2015 - PE

The World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) in May 2016 will be the culmination of a global consultation process. The three-year initiative responds to the need to adapt the humanitarian system in order to make humanitarian action more efficient and effective in keeping pace with the rapidly changing context of emergencies. Consultations leading up to the Summit have provided the opportunity to gain perspectives from different regions of the world. As a result, three main priorities have been highlighted: the need for humanitarians to protect and preserve the dignity of people affected by conflict and disaster; a call to find innovative and sustainable ways of meeting people's needs; and a demand from the global South to 'localise' humanitarian response by strengthening local, national and regional capacities to prevent, manage and respond to crisis. There is potential for the European Union (EU) to take a leadership role in the process and influence the WHS outcome. ECHO´s new need assessment tools and the Linking Relief Rehabilitation and Development (LRRD) as well as Resilience approaches offer a framework for responding to the challenges posed by protracted crises. This study recommends that the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid should be applied as a model for a 'Global Consensus on Humanitarian Action' or a 'Global Compact' recognising the diversity of today's humanitarian response system while taking advantage of all actors' complementary role. Furthermore, the EU and member states must commit to placing protection at the centre of humanitarian action and ensure that the EU´s humanitarian aid is not regarded as a crisis management tool, and allowed to become an instrument of its foreign policy.
Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

Source : © Union européenne, 2015 - PE

Press Conference Debate in Plenary

Human Rights Subcommittee Chair Elena Valenciano (S&D, ES), Culture Committee Chair Silvia Costa (S&D, IT), EP Vice-President Ulrike Lunacek (Greens/EFA, AT) and Dinara Yunus, the daughter of Leyla Yunus (Human Rights defender and Sakharov laureate finalist imprisoned in Azerbaijan) held a joint press conference on Tuesday, 9 June at 16.00 on this subject. You can watch the recording of the press conference via the link below.

MEPs will also debate Baku Games and Azerbaijan's political prisoners on Wednesday afternoon. The question to the Council will focus on whether large sporting events, including the Baku Games, should be used to stand up for human rights and promote universal values.

Further information
Press Conference
Press release
Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

The 7-8 June 2015 Group of Seven (G7) summit in Schloss Elmau (Germany) marked the second meeting of seven leading industrialised nations without Russia since the disbanding of the Group of Eight (G8). The group's smaller configuration – a response to Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea – appears here to stay. The summit provided an opportunity for G7 leaders to discuss a number of topics pertaining to foreign policy, economy, health, energy, climate and sustainable development. Ukraine and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) featured prominently on the meeting’s agenda, as did discussions on to the post-2015 development and climate agendas. The revival of the G7 has served to ensure its members' unity on key policy files, shape joint policy responses and influence EU policies and global governance, particularly through its nexus with the Group of 20 (G20), the United Nations and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The German presidency of G7 has been praised its inclusive approach ahead of the summit, with consultations conducted with non-governmental stakeholders.
Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

Elena Valenciano, Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, reiterates the call of the European Parliament for the release of Raif Badawi after the gravely disappointing ruling from the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia.
Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

Elena Valenciano, Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, reiterates the call of the European Parliament for the release of Raif Badawi after the gravely disappointing ruling from the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia.
For the full statement see below.
Further information
Press release by Elena Valenciano
Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

Meeting room ASP 3G3
The Subcommittee on Human Rights will go over the latest developments in the human rights situation in Venezuela.  The meeting will take place on 16 June 2015 from 15.00 to 16.30 with the participation of stakeholders and experts in the field.
Further information
Draft Programme
Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.
Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

Source : © Union européenne, 2015 - PE

Source : © Union européenne, 2015 - PE