FROM Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Liz Throssell joined by Danielle Bell Head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (remotely from Kyiv) LOCATION Geneva We have this morning published our latest report on Ukraine. It covers key human rights developments from 1 June to 31 August 2024, during which civilian…
On the initiative of the EPP Group, the newly elected MEPs today reaffirm the European Parliament’s continued support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders. In a Resolution to be voted on later today, MEPs will also reconfirm the EU’s unwavering commitment to provide political, financial, economic, humanitarian,…
Between 6 and 9 June 2024 voters in all 27 EU member states will go to the polls to elect 720 members of the European Parliament. These will be the first European elections since Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic, and conflicts in Ukraine and in the Middle East that have polarized Europe. The European Parliament is the only EU institution…
Lawmakers in the European Parliament voted 374 to 235 to adopt the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), a key piece of legislation setting mandatory obligations for companies to address their negative impacts on human rights and the environment, clearing a major hurdle towards the implementation of the new law, which came into significant doubt…
The EU has taken an important step towards the protection of journalists and human rights defenders against unfounded claims or abusive court proceedings. The Spanish presidency of the Council and the European Parliament reached a political deal on a directive which would protect these individuals from strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs). The use of…
The AI Act has been a long time coming. Whilst it’s a landmark piece of legislation, unfortunately, it fails to meet the bar on human rights protections, writes Laura Lazaro Cabrera. Laura Lazaro Cabrera is the Counsel and Director of the Equity and Data Programme at the Centre for Democracy & Technology (CDT). It can’t…
At the end of 2022, the Council of the European Union adopted its common position or ‘general approach’ to the proposed Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act), paving the way for a vote on the legislation in the Committees of the European Parliament in April 2023. The Act stands to be the world’s most significant piece of…
A few days ago, the final report of an independent review into the standards of behaviour and internal culture of the Metropolitan Police Service (Met) was published. The review was conducted by Baroness Dame Louise Casey following the rape and murder of Sarah Everard by a police officer in 2021. The scope of the review was…
The full-scale Russian military invasion of Ukraine on February 24 put tremendous strain on the legal system and showed legislative gaps. Mobilization posed a unique and urgent legal challenge. For instance, among the exceptions to mobilization, one is conspicuously missing – advocates (equivalent to barristers in England and Wales). They have the exclusive right and…
The impact of the blockchains for Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law” is the title of a new report released by the Information Society Department of the Council of Europe. This report explores the risks and potential benefits of blockchain technology for democracy, human rights and the rule of law. It aims to…
