Amnesty International European Institutions Office
Press Releases
European Court of Human Rights hears key case concerning European complicity in the US-led secret detentions and renditions programme
16/05/2012Today the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) held a public hearing in the case El-Masri v. “The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” (Macedonia).
Uzbekistan killings anniversary: EU reneging on human rights pledge?
10/05/2012Tomorrow marks seven years since the killing of several hundred mainly peaceful demonstrators, including women and children, by security forces in the Uzbekistani city of Andizhan. Amnesty International has accused the European Union of reneging on its human rights commitments by toning down its originally robust demands that Uzbekistan comply with its international obligations, despite clear evidence that the regime is openly flouting them.
Asylum-seekers aren't criminals
07/05/2012
"We shouldn't treat asylum-seekers as if they were criminals", said Nicolas Beger, Director of Amnesty International's European Institutions Office. "166 organisations throughout Europe are making the powerful point that locking vulnerable people up is simply wrong. The world is watching how EU asylum law upholds the right to liberty."
Time for EU Kosovo mission to focus on war crimes
26/04/2012As the Council of the European Union prepares to extend the mandate of its Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) in Kosovo, a new Amnesty International report demands that the mission should focus on prosecuting war crimes. The report, Kosovo: Time for EULEX to prioritise war crimes, charts progress made by the Mission and recommends urgent reforms ahead of the mandate’s extension in June.
Serbia must halt forced eviction of 1,000 people from Belvil settlement
25/04/2012More than a thousand people, over 250 Roma families, who reside in Belvil settlement in Belgrade were told yesterday that they would be evicted on Thursday morning.
EU must do more to uphold Muslims’ rights
24/04/2012The European Union and its member states must do more to combat discrimination against Muslims, especially in education and employment, a new report by Amnesty International, Choice and prejudice: Discrimination against Muslims in Europe, asserts today. The report focuses on Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Spain and Switzerland and documents examples of discrimination on grounds of religion or belief and its impact on Muslims’ lives.
EU should press Myanmar for further progress on human rights
19/04/2012On the eve of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council on Monday, Amnesty International has urged EU ministers to call for Myanmar to respect human rights and deliver further reforms.
EU parliament should crack down on CIA-led rights abuses in Europe
12/04/2012Amnesty International has urged the EU to step up pressure on the USA, to hold Washington to account for its rendition and secret detention programmes.
Stop the anti-Roma rhetoric, Croatia!
29/03/2012Amnesty International has expressed concern at yesterday’s speech by Croatia’s interior minister, which accused the Romani population in the northern county of Međimurje of being the main perpetrators of property-related crime. He also implied that social security payments to the Roma community went mainly on alcohol rather than living costs.
Deaths in Mediterranean: Time for Europe to face its responsibilities
29/03/2012Today, as the Council of Europe adopts a report by its Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) seeking to identify who was responsible for the deaths of 63 migrants in the Mediterranean, Amnesty International has expressed its disquiet that PACE has yet to receive satisfactory replies from key players, including NATO, countries involved in NATO operations, and European Union institutions.
EU Must Boost Refugee Resettlement
28/03/2012With the European Parliament expected tomorrow to approve a joint European Union resettlement programme, Amnesty International has urged EU governments to boost their commitment by resettling larger numbers of vulnerable refugees.
EU must stop stonewalling on investigating CIA renditions complicity
27/03/2012Five years after the European Parliament’s first report on CIA renditions, Amnesty International has urged European Union countries to make a renewed commitment to investigating their own involvement.
AI, ECRE and JRS Europe welcome IDC’s global campaign to end immigration detention of children
21/03/2012Today, the International Detention Coalition launched a global campaign to end the immigration detention of children by presenting a new report “Captured Childhood” at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
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Cruel punishment, political tool, state sanctioned killing - these are some other names for the death penalty.
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‘Toast To Freedom’ is dedicated to human rights activism around the world. "Amnesty should have their very own song to sing in happy times and in struggling times. To celebrate both small and monumental victories, to comfort loss and overcome pain".
Spotlight
Music album for International Roma Day
06/04/2012
To coincide with International Roma Day, Amnesty International proudly presents its Roma music album. Music is a vital ...
PEOPLE UNDER THREAT: Fatima Hussein Badi, Death Penalty, Yemen
26/03/2012
Around the world people are suffering the consequences of having their human rights violated. Amnesty International calls on the Danish presidency to ensure the EU’s active engagement in these cases.
Recommendations to the Danish EU Presidency
04/01/2012
We present specific recommendations on human rights policy for the Danish presidency to deliver during its six-month term as President of the Council of the European Union (January-July 2012).
Recent Documents
Letter to Mignon: Joint NGO statement - Brighton declaration must strengthen human rights protection in Europe
10/05/2012
While we welcome and support measures under discussion designed to improve national implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), we have serious concerns regarding proposals which could seriously undermine the Court’s integrity and authority, notably by curtailing its jurisdiction or limiting its interpretative role.
Amnesty International’s Danish presidency recommendations mid-term review: Future of European court of human rights
10/05/2012
At the presidency’s half-way point, two immediate opportunities for action arise: Reform of the Court and EU accession to European Convention on Human Rights
Letter to Ashton: EU must urge Colombia to address shortcomings of Victims and Land Restitution Law
09/05/2012
This law is a welcome step forward, but it fails to effectively ensure justice and reparations for many victims of the long-running armed conflict.