Union européenne

Source : © Union européenne, 2025 - PE

The third Disability Rights Week in the European Parliament takes place from 1 to 5 December 2025. On the initiative of the EMPL Committee, all Committees, Policy Departments, Vice-Presidents, Questors and Directorates General are invited to organise hearings and other types of activities focusing on the rights of persons with disabilities in their respective policy and administrative areas.

The rights of persons with disabilities have been high on the agenda in the past mandate and the EU and its institutions have been very active in that respect. Many flagship initiatives stemming from the Commission's Disability Strategy 2021 to 2030 have been put in place but we are still awaiting an update on its second half. The UN CRPD Committee put forward a report on the EU in Spring this year, containing recommendations how the EU and its institutions can better comply with the UN CRPD and thus gave us homework. The forthcoming Disability Rights Week is an excellent opportunity to discuss these issues with, and to learn from persons with disabilities and their representative organisations.

Disclaimer: Committee events and workshops, publically webstreamed, are listed below. For further information, please check the DRW 2025 programme.

Location : Brussels
President Metsola’s video for the Disability Rights Week 2025
Disability Rights Job Interview from Chair
Programme
EP research publications in the area of disability rights
Research for EMPL Committee - Independent living of persons with disabilities in the European Union
Events taking place during the 3rd Disability Rights Week
1 December, 15:00-16:00 - AGRI Exchange of Views: "Promoting the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the agricultural sector : The example of La Canopée in Belgium"
     Webstreaming
     AGRI highlight (with programme)
1 December, 16:00-17:30 - HOUS/EMPL Joint Public Hearing: “Inclusive Housing for All: Accessibility, Disability Rights, Vulnerable Groups and social inclusion in EU Housing Policy”
     Hearing event
     Webstreaming
1 December, 16:00-18:30 - SANT Exchange of Views on several topics: "Disabilities following cancer", "Harmonizing newborn screenings for early detection and disability support", Study Presentation on Rare Diseases
     Event highlight
2 December, 9:00-16:30 - Quaestors Ms Lexmann and Mr Angel & DG ITEC: "Digital Accessibility Day event"
     Programme
2 December, 10:30-11:10, TRAN Exchange of Views: "From ‘Mobility-Restricted’ to "Mobility Redefined"
     TRAN highlight
2 December, 11:00-12:30 - MEP Jagna Marczulajtis-Walczak's Conference: "Why is independent living so important for persons with disabilities?"
     MEP Profile for Jagna Marczulajtis-Walczak
2 December, 14:30-15:15 - CULT Exchange of Views: “Using sport as a tool for empowerment”
     Webstreaming
     CULT highlight
2 December, 14.30-16.00 - Policy Department/DG IUST (for PETI): Annual Workshop on 'The UN CRPD Concluding Observations on the EU report, from the perspective of petitions received"
     Webstreaming
     PETI highlight
2 December, 16:00-17:00 - FEMM Exchange of Views with EUROFOUND: "Integration of Women with Disabilities in the Labour Market"
     Webstreaming
2 December, 16:15-17:00 - DEVE Exchange of Views: 'Global Partnerships for inclusive employment and ending segregation of persons with disabilities'
     Webstreaming
3 December, 9:00 - 10:00, DROI exchange of views: 'Towards a Disability Action Plan in EU External Action: a state of play'
     Webstreaming
3 December, 9:30-10:00 - IMCO Exchange of Views: Accessibility – state-of-play and way forward in light of UN CRPD recommendations
     Webstreaming
3 December, 14:30-15:15 - ITRE Exchange of views with the European Commission's DG JUST: European accessibility Act, assistive technologies and interoperability
     Webstreaming
3 December, 14:30-16:00 - EMPL Public Hearing: “Quality support for persons with disabilities and carers of persons with disabilities at the workplace and in the community”
     Webstreaming
3 December, 16:15-17:45 - Policy Department/EMPL/DG CASP - EMPL Workshop: Independent living of persons with disabilities in the European Union - Implementation of Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
     Webstreaming
3 December, 18:30 (Open to public on registration) - DG COMM/Civil Outreach Unit - Movie “Deaf /Sorda”, nominated for the 2026 LUX audience award
     Registration
4 December, 10:30-11:30 - JURI Public Hearing: “Legal capacity and supported decision-making mechanisms of adults”: Discussion around the 2023 proposal for a regulation on the protection of adults"
     Hearing event
4 December, 10:30 - 16:00, Quaestor M. Lexmann & DG COMM/ Dir for visitors - Workshop : “Disability and Accessibility to Art – A workshop on how to engage with persons with disabilities through art” with Belgian partner organsiation Zonnelied
     Registration
4 December, 11:45-12:45 - LIBE Exchange of Views: “The rights, freedoms and remaining gaps in the protection of persons with disabilities in the EU”
     LIBE highlight
4-5 December (Charlemagne) - European Commission with European Disability Forum: European Disability Day (Registration required)
     More information
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The policy dialogue on “Transnational Repression (TNR): Mapping Trends and Improving Responses” is jointly organised by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights), the European Parliament Sub-committee on Human Rights (DROI) and the European External Action Service (EEAS), in collaboration with the Tackling TNR Europe Civil Society Working Group.
TNR constitutes an increasing danger both by posing systemic threats to human rights, civic space, democratic institutions and the rule of law and by frequently undermining national security, sovereignty and legal order of host states.

Policy makers and experts from EU institutions, the UN, Member States, civil society and academia will come together to exchange views about their findings and experiences, and explore ways to improve responses to TNR, including through policy initiatives, synergies and collaborations. This is a concrete follow-up action by DROI on the recently adopted by the Parliament report on Addressing TNR of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs).
Location : European Parliament (ASP 1G2)
Programme
Live streaming
Key takeaways of the Expert Workshop on Transnational Repression
Photos
Poster
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

La Présidente Metsola a remis le Prix Sakharov 2025 aux représentantes des deux journalistes emprisonnés au Bélarus et en Géorgie, lors d’une cérémonie qui s’est tenue mardi à Strasbourg.
Commission des affaires étrangères
Commission du développement
Sous-commission "Droits de l'homme"

Source : © Union européenne, 2025 - 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, 2025 - PE

Source : © Union européenne, 2025 - PE

The Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) will hold a workshop on the Human rights dimension of EU-Latin America relations in the context of the EU-CELAC Summit on Wednesday, 3 December 2025, from 15:00 to17:30. Organised with the Delegation to the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly, in the aftermath of the recent summit where EU-27 and CELAC-33 leaders committed to further enhance cooperation, the meeting aims to turn the focus to human rights.

The workshop will open with a testimonial from Sakharov Prize Laureate 1992 Asociación Madres de la Plaza de Mayo. Prof.

Par Engstrom, from University College London will set the scene for each panel - providing first an overview of the situation of human rights in Latin America and then turning to human rights accountability mechanisms, seeking the best ways for the EU to engage - and Prof. Maria Garcia, from Bath university, will speak in the forward-looking panel.

Discussions will further bring together representatives from the International Federation for Human Rights and Human Rights Watch, as well as the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, the European External Action Service and the European Commission.

Location : European Parliament (ASP 1G2)
Live streaming
Photos
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) will hold a workshop on Mechanisms of international justice to fight impunity on Thursday, 4 December 2025, from 9:00 to 10:45. Against the backdrop of challenges and attacks on multilateral institutions, the discussion will explore how international tribunals, universal jurisdiction and transitional justice processes can contribute to accountability, justice and reparation for victims at international level.
Two prominent academics will present their study on the matter, Prof. Veronika Bílková and Dr Federica Cristani from the Institute of International Relations in Prague, with findings and recommendations.

The workshop will then turn to a forward-looking discussion on a possible EU strategy to protect the international system of justice, bringing together representatives from FIDH - The Global Initiative Against Impunity for International Crimes and Serious Human Rights Violations, the Open Society Foundation, and the European External Action Service.
Location : European Parliament (ASP 1G2)
Live streaming
Photos
Source : © European Union, 2025 - 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, 2025 - PE

The European Parliament Sub-committee on Human Rights (DROI) is jointly organising with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights) and the European External Action Service (EEAS), and in collaboration with the Tackling TNR Europe Civil Society Working Group, a policy dialogue on “Transnational Repression (TNR): Mapping Trends and Improving Responses”, which will take place on 4 December (11.00-12.30) in the European Parliament (ASP 1G2).

TNR constitutes an increasing danger both by posing systemic threats to human rights, civic space, democratic institutions and the rule of law and by frequently undermining national security, sovereignty and legal order of host states.

Policy makers and experts from EU institutions, the UN, Member States, civil society and academia will come together to exchange views about their findings and experiences, and explore ways to improve responses to TNR, including through policy initiatives, synergies and collaborations. This is a concrete follow-up action by DROI on the recently adopted by the Parliament report on Addressing TNR of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs).

Event page
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Durée de la vidéo : 105'

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, 2025 - PE

Durée de la vidéo : 150'

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, 2025 - PE

Durée de la vidéo : 180'

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, 2025 - PE

Post-election killings and the deteriorating human rights situation in Tanzania, including the case of imprisoned opposition leader Tundu Lissu
Escalating repression of the Baha'is in Iran
Rule of law and human rights situation in Tunisia, particularly the case of Sonia Dahmani
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The fight against impunity remains a key challenge for the international community, as efforts to hold perpetrators of serious international crimes accountable are increasingly strained by geopolitical rivalries, fragmented enforcement and weak political will. This paper examines three accountability mechanisms – international criminal tribunals, universal jurisdiction and transitional justice – through comparative analysis and case studies. International criminal tribunals, from ad hoc tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda to the International Criminal Court, have advanced legal norms and secured landmark convictions. Yet, their legitimacy is weakened by high costs, slow trials, selective enforcement and limited cooperation from states. Universal jurisdiction allows national courts to prosecute atrocities irrespective of territorial or personal links. Its growing use in Europe, especially in cases linked to Syria and Ukraine, demonstrates potential, although inconsistent application and political frictions limit its effectiveness. Transitional justice, through truth commissions, reparations and institutional reforms, offers societies pathways to reconciliation and peace, but faces recurring challenges of political interference, resource scarcity and insufficient victim participation. Case studies from the Balkans, Ukraine, Ethiopia, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Colombia, Syria and Israel-Palestine highlight that no single mechanism is sufficient. Instead, effective accountability requires context-sensitive and context-specific combinations of tools. The paper concludes with recommendations for strengthening the European Union’s global role.
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On 21 October 2025, the European Commission under Ursula von der Leyen's second mandate adopted its work programme for 2026 (2026 CWP). In line with the Commission President's political guidelines and letter of intent and highlighting the need for full implementation of Mario Draghi's competitiveness report, the 2026 CWP places a strong emphasis on competitiveness, innovation and collective security. In parallel, the Commission commits to advancing simplification, implementation, and this year, also to strengthening enforcement. These three areas will remain key horizontal priorities for the entire Commission mandate. Just like last year's CWP, the 2026 CWP adheres to the seven headline ambitions put forward in the political guidelines. It is accompanied by a report on implementation, simplification and enforcement, the first of its kind. This new annual report is set to replace the annual burden survey. Annex I of the 2026 CWP puts forward 70 major new legislative and non-legislative initiatives, 44 % of which fall under the competitiveness headline ambition. (Up to) 48 of the new initiatives are legislative, including three sector-specific omnibus packages (on energy product legislation, taxation and citizens). Of the forthcoming legislative initiatives, 67 % are likely revisions of existing legislation, while more than half have a strong simplification dimension. Unlike previous CWPs, the 2026 CWP does not indicate whether a legislative initiative will be accompanied by an impact assessment; this lack of transparency runs counter to the spirit of the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making. Information on the Commission's 'Have your say' portal shows that, at the time of writing, two thirds of the up to 48 legislative initiatives were expected to be accompanied by an impact assessment (though the final number may be higher). The annual evaluation plan presented in Annex II of the CWP, comprising 20 evaluations, does not appear exhaustive. Finally, the communication on Better Regulation, expected in Q2 2026, may entail a revision of the Better Regulation Guidelines, the first since 2021.
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

La cérémonie de remise du Prix Sakharov 2025 pour la liberté de l’esprit aux lauréats Andrzej Poczobut et Mzia Amaglobeli se tiendra le mardi 16 décembre.
Commission des affaires étrangères
Commission du développement
Sous-commission "Droits de l'homme"

Source : © Union européenne, 2025 - PE

The Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) will hold a workshop on the Human rights dimension of EU-Latin America relations in the context of the EU-CELAC Summit on Wednesday, 3 December 2025, from 15:00 to17:30.

Organised with the Delegation to the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly, in the aftermath of the recent summit where EU-27 and CELAC-33 leaders committed to further enhance cooperation, the meeting aims to turn the focus to human rights.

It will open with a testimonial from Sakharov Prize Laureate 1992 Asociación Madres de la Plaza de Mayo. Prof. Par Engstrom, from University College London will set the scene for each panel - providing first an overview of the situation of human rights in Latin America and then turning to human rights accountability mechanisms, seeking the best ways for the EU to engage - and Prof. Maria Garcia, from Bath university, will speak in the forward-looking panel.

Discussions will further bring together representatives from the International Federation for Human Rights and Human Rights Watch, as well as the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, the European External Action Service and the European Commission.

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

A Fülöp-szigeteki partraszállás hevenyészve összecsapott hadművelet volt, melynek szokatlan módon nem volt főparancsnoka. A flotta és a hadsereg nem egyeztetett, és nem hangolta össze a tevékenységét. Nimitz nagylelkűen MacArthur parancsnoksága alá rendelte az egész Hetedik Flottát, melyhez a régi csatahajók is tartoztak, míg a korszerű egységekből álló, és a flotta fő csapásmérő erejének számító Harmadik Flotta, melynek feladata a várható japán ellentámadás elhárítása volt, William Halsey parancsnoksága alatt önállóan tevékenykedett. A két flotta tevékenysége nem volt kellően összehangolva, és a köztük levő kommunikáció is akadozott, ami később sok probléma forrása lett.

A japánok szintén szétaprózták erőiket, három, egymástól gyakorlatilag függetlenül tevékenykedő hajórajra osztva őket. A tervek szerint a hadműveletet Ozawa Jisaburo tengernagy északról érkező köteléke nyitotta volna meg, melynek faladata az volt, hogy a figyelmet magukra vonva elcsalogassák az amerikai főerőket Leyte közeléből. A partraszálló erők elleni támadást ezután Kurita Takeo tengernagy nyugatról, és Shima Kiyohide altengernagy délről érkező köteléke hajtotta volna végre, harapófogóba kapva a Leyténél álló amerikai erőket. Kurita és Shima kötelékének a légifedezetét a szigeteken állomásozó, Onishi Takajiro altengernagy irányította légierő biztosította volna. Elvileg mindegyik támadó csoportot Toyoda Soemu tengernagy irányította volna a tokiói főhadiszállásról, azonban a japán rádió-összeköttetés teljesen csődöt mondott. Toyodának végig fogalma sem volt róla, mi történik a Fülöp-szigetek környékén, tehát nem volt lehetősége semmilyen központi irányításra.

[...] Bővebben!

A Puget Sound hajógyárában megtartott tíznapos próbaüzemet követően az újjáépített Tennessee 1943 május 23-án futott ki ismét a tengerre, és indult útnak San Pedro felé. A csatahajó egy teljesen új legénységgel a fedélzetén kezdte meg új életét. A Tennessee régi embereiből alig néhányan kerültek vissza a hajóra, akik az elmúlt hónapokat különböző továbbképzéseken töltötték. A tengerészek zöme teljesen zöldfülű, frissen toborzott önkéntes volt, akik elég sok fejfájást okoztak a csatahajó kapitányának, Robert Stevenson Haggart-nak. A San Pedro felé vezető tíznapos úton a csatahajó riasztócsengői úgyszólván állandóan szóltak, Haggart éjjel-nappal, folyamatosan gyakorlatoztatta újdonsült tengerészeit, akik Pearl Harbor után bevonulva nemrég kerültek csak ki a haditengerészet gyorstalpaló kiképzéséről, és ott szerzett tengerésztudásuk szakmai értéke legalábbis kétes volt. Ennek megfelelően az első gyakorlatok rendszerint bohózatba illő felfordulásba és káoszba fulladtak. Mire azonban San Pedróba értek, az intenzív tréningnek köszönhetően már javult a helyzet. A Tennessee tengerészei kezdtek megismerkedni hajójukkal, és egyelőre még inkább csak elméleti tengerésztudásukat lassan már képesek voltak átültetni a gyakorlatba is.

A csatahajó május 31-én futott be San Pedróba, azonban nem időzött ott sokáig, mivel jelenlétére már szükség volt a hadszíntéren is. Egy tankolást és a készletek kiegészítését követően a hajó a Portland cirkáló kíséretében már következő nap, június elsején kifutott első harci bevetésének színhelye, Alaszka felé.

[...] Bővebben!