It is necessary for the Finnish Presidency to address the shortcomings of human rights protection at home, says Amnesty International, on the day it releases its ten-point programme with an open letter to the new Presidency and the Commission calling for a comprehensive human rights policy for the EU.

24/05/2006 – Amnesty International’s comments on the draft directive on common standards and procedures in Member States for returning illegally staying third country nationals COM (2005) 391 final.

(Brussels, 23 May) 2005 was an uncomfortable year for the European Union, says Amnesty International on the day it publishes its annual report on the state of human rights in the world.

05/05/2006 – Amnesty International submission to the first ACP Ministerial meeting on asylum and immigration (11-13 April 2006). Amnesty International believes that sustainable development can only be based on the respect, protection and fulfilment of the human rights of all people.

02/03/2006 – In light of Mr Solana’s upcoming meeting with Moroccan Prime Minister Driss Jettou on 9 March, Amnesty International wrote him to draw his attention to four key human rights issues in Morocco and Western Sahara and request him to use the opportunity provided by the meeting to raise them with the Moroccan authorities.

14/02/2006 – In view of the forthcoming discussions, at the 21-22 February 2006 JHA Council, about the possible adoption of a common EU list of safe countries of origin, Amnesty International recapitulates its concerns as to the potentially far-reaching consequences of such a list on the principle of non-refoulement.

EU pressure to “keep people out” contributing to serious abuse of migrants’ rights

(Brussels, Tuesday 11 October 2005) European Union countries are increasingly abandoning their responsibilities to protect refugees in an effort to combat “illegal immigration”, as the recent tragic events near the Spanish enclaves in North Africa show, Amnesty International said today in an Open Letter to the UK Presidency of the EU. (See “EU Member States threatening the integrity of the international refugee protection system – Amnesty International Open Letter to the UK Presidency”).

11/10/2005 – Amnesty International’open letter to the UK Presidency in view of the JHA Council on 12 October 2005, on the profound crisis in the system of refugee protection across the EU (Version française également disponible).

European Commission should put pressure on Greece

05/10/2005 – The Greek current legislative framework relating to refugee protection presents a number of gaps. As a result, the application of the law often results in violations of human rights, including the right of refugees not to be returned to a country where they face being subjected to torture or other serious human rights violations.