We lobby EU and CoE policy-makers to influence how they set standards on human rights-related issues, to encourage them to change policies where necessary and react to unfolding human rights crises.

Amnesty International has no political affiliation, endorses no political party, accepts no funds from governments or any political party. Amnesty International is independent of any government, political persuasion or religious creed. It does not support or oppose any government or political system, nor does it support or oppose the views of the victims whose rights it seeks to protect. It is concerned solely with the protection of the human rights involved in each case, regardless of the ideology of the government, opposition forces or the beliefs of the individual. Its independence is recognised through its observer status with the United Nations and regional inter-governmental organisations. Amnesty International does not grade countries according to their human rights record; instead of attempting comparisons it concentrates on trying to end specific violations of human rights.

We are calling on European leaders to urgently agree on a predictable and reliable search and rescue system that ensures the prompt disembarkation of survivors at the closest safe port, upholds the law of the sea and the primacy of saving lives in the Mediterranean. Coastal States must ensure their ports are open to those who have been rescued, and other European governments must share the responsibility of processing asylum claims by taking in asylum-seekers.

PRESS RELEASE

Amnesty International’s European Institutions Office (EIO) in Brussels coordinates and promotes our advocacy and campaigning directed at decision-makers in the European Union (EU) and Council of Europe (CoE). We seek to ensure that the EU integrates human rights into its internal and external policies and that the CoE and its member states take tangible action to promote and protect human rights nationally and regionally.  

Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 7 million people who take injustice personally. We are campaigning for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all.

Amnesty International’s European Institutions Office (EIO) leads and coordinates Amnesty International’s actions towards the European Union (EU) and the Council of Europe (CoE). Our mission is to ensure that these bodies, and their respective member states, take tangible action to promote and protect human rights.

The European Institutions Office (EIO) engages decision makers in the European Union and at the Council of Europe for positive human rights change.

Hungary’s attempts to prohibit the legitimate and vital work of people and civil society organizations working to protect the rights of migrants and asylum-seekers are unacceptable.