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

The Policy Department of the Directorate General for External Policies is holding a workshop for the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) and the Delegation for relations with Iran(D-IR) on 24 January 2017, 14.00-15.30. Chaired by Elena Valenciano, Chair of DROI and Janusz Lewandowski, Chair of D-IR, the workshop will focus on the recent trends in the human rights situation in Iran and in particular on the way the EU could promote change.
For further information please contact : Poldep-expo@europarl.europa.eu
Location : Meeting room ASP 5E2, BRUSSELS
Further information
Draft Programme
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Workshop : Human Rights in Iran after the nuclear deal - business as usual or time for change You can register for the event via the link below (deadline 16 January 2017):
The Policy Department of the Directorate General for External Policies is holding a workshop for the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) and the Delegation for relations with Iran(D-IR) on 24 January 2017, 14.00-15.30. Chaired by Elena Valenciano, Chair of DROI and Janusz Lewandowski, Chair of D-IR, the workshop will focus on the recent trends in the human rights situation in Iran and in particular on the way the EU could promote change.

For further information please contact : Poldep-expo@europarl.europa.eu

The workshop will be held in meeting room ASP 5E2

Further information
Draft Programme
Poster
Register here
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

On 25 January the Subcommittee on Human Rights, in association with the Delegation for relations with the Mashreq countries, will hold a public hearing on the human rights situation in Syria. The invited speakers will focus on human rights abuses against civilians committed by the Syrian regime and other parties of the Syrian conflict.
The hearing will take place in meeting room ASP A1G-3 from 15.30 - 17.30
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Source : © Union européenne, 2016 - PE

Source : © Union européenne, 2016 - PE

This study reviews the progress of implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) in non-EU countries, five years after their unanimous adoption by the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2011. Much progress has already been achieved, with i.a. relevant key international standards like OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises becoming aligned with the UNGPs, new tools being developed to provide guidance to governments and stakeholders and a basis being set for constructive discussion. This led to increased awareness and better understanding, building trust and engagement among various stakeholders. Yet, despite all efforts, business-related human rights abuse is still a serious problem. Further implementation of the UNGPs and related instruments is thus necessary, with special emphasis needed on access to remedy and justice for victims of business-related abuses. Less declaration and more real political will is needed, as states’ commitments to develop National Action Plans implementing the Guiding Principles have been far too slow to materialise, with only twelve NAPs being launched to date. Yet, the number of ongoing processes is promising, particularly in South America, although we have yet to see how meaningful and future action oriented their outcomes will be.
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Islamic State survivors and Iraqi Yazidi activists Nadia Murad and Lamiya Aji Bashar received today Parliament's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. The two women were honoured by Parliament for standing up for the persecuted Yazidi minority and the victims of sexual violence by Islamic State. "More than 3,500 children and women are still held hostage as slaves under Daesh. Every day they die a thousand times," Aji Bashar said in her acceptance speech.

Press statement
Press Conference with President Schulz, Nadia Murad and Lamiya Aji Bashar
Video Sakharov Prize 1988 - 2016
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

"On 10 December 2016 the world celebrates the 66th International Human Rights Day, commemorating the day when the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights." For the full statement see link below.
Press statement
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Shocked at arrest of leading Ethiopian opposition figure Prof. Merera Gudina after his recent meeting with MEPs, the Chair of the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI), Elena Valenciano (S&D, ES), made the following statement:

"On 30 November Ethiopian security forces detained the chairman of the Ethiopian opposition party 'Oromo Federalist Congress' (OFC), Professor Merera Gudina, shortly after his arrival in Addis Ababa." For full statement see link below

Press statement
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Elena Valenciano, Chair of DROI denounces the consequences of Russia's and China's veto on UN Security Council Resolution on Aleppo ceasefire

"A Security Council resolution mandating a ceasefire in Aleppo would have benefitted the citizens of both east and west Aleppo. It would have allowed for urgently needed humanitarian aid to reach people in east Aleppo and stopped rebel fire on west Aleppo. Instead, the decision of Russia and China to veto such a mandate will have tremendous humanitarian consequences for thousands of people and puts, once again, military gains before helping and protecting Aleppo's citizens, which should be the international community's obligation." For full statement see link below.
Press statement
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

"The International Criminal Court (ICC) was established to ensure that perpetrators of crimes such as war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity are brought to justice. The ICC thus offers solace to victims of such heinous crimes around the world and at the same time makes the perpetrators of those crimes know that they cannot count on impunity. These objectives, which inspired the creation of the ICC, are still valid today, maybe even more than ever before." For full press statement see below.
Press statement
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Annual Report on human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter 2015
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

The European Parliament condemns the demolition of the Larung Gar Tibetan Buddhist Academy, the imprisonment of scholar Ilham Tohti by Chinese authorities and the persecution of the Rohingya minority in Myanmar, while urging the protection of mass graves in Iraq, in three resolutions voted on Thursday 15 December 2016.
The cases of the Larung Gar Tibetan Buddhist Academy and of Ilham Tohti
The situation of the Rohingya minority in Myanmar
Mass graves in Iraq
Press release
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Situation in Syria
Situation in Belarus
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

The European Parliament strongly condemns the violence committed against the Guarani-Kaiowá people in the Mato Grosso do Sul region of Brazil, the disappearance of publisher Mr Minhai Gui in China and the detention and torture of Mr Ildar Dadin in Russia, in three resolutions voted on Thursday 24 December.
The case of Gui Minhai, jailed publisher in China
Situation of the Guarani-Kaiowá in the Brazilian State of Mato Grosso do Sul
The case of Ildar Dadin, prisoner of conscience in Russia
Press release
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

The European Parliament condemns the demolition of the Larung Gar Tibetan Buddhist Academy, the imprisonment of scholar Ilham Tohti by Chinese authorities and the persecution of the Rohingya minority in Myanmar, while urging the protection of mass graves in Iraq, in three resolutions voted on Thursday 15 December in Strasbourg.
Further information
Press statement
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

On 13 December 2016, Islamic State survivors and Iraqi Yazidi activists Nadia Murad and Lamiya Aji Bashar received the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.
The two women were honoured by Parliament for standing up for the persecuted Yazidi minority and the victims of sexual violence by Islamic State. "There remain more than 3,500 child and women held hostage as slaves under Daesh. Every day they die a thousand times", Aji Bashar said in her acceptance speech.
Further information
Full press statement available here
Press conference by EP President Martin Schulz, Nadia Murad and Lamiya Aji Bashar
Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought 1988-2016 (video)
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

The next meeting of the Subcommittee on Human Rights will take place on Wednesday 25 January 2017 from 9.00 - 12.30 and from 15.00 - 18.30 in room ASP 1G3.

Representatives of NGOs as well as other organisations are requested to accede to the EU Transparency Register and follow the procedures therein for access to the European Parliament.
Further information
Watch the meeting live
Draft agenda and meeting documents
Press Statements
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Source : © Union européenne, 2016 - PE