At this crucial time, with global tensions running high, Amnesty International in Brussels today launched an appeal to EU leaders to show greater moral and political leadership to safeguard the international protection of refugees. The appeal coincides with this week’s Justice and Home Affairs Council (27-28 th September) which is due to discuss key issues regarding the EU’s asylum procedures.

As EU Justice and Homes Affairs Ministers gather in Brussels today for their extraordinary council meeting, following the attacks in the US last week, Amnesty International has expressed its support for the EU’s determination to combat impunity. However, the human rights organization has called for explicit assurances that any measure to tighten security will not undermine civil liberties and the right of refugees to protection.

As Iran’s Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi arrives in Brussels today for talks on a proposed Cooperation Agreement with the European Union, Amnesty International has called on the EU to ensure that the human rights clause in such an agreement is given real substance, given the deteriorating human rights situation in the country.

Amnesty International calls on the European Union to uphold its own human rights principles by raising China’s deteriorating human rights record at the highest level during the EU-China summit in Brussels on Wednesday 5 September.

Click on link to view AI Document EUR 01/003/2001

Amnesty International, in a comprehensive analysis of the European Union’s human rights policies, calls on the Belgian EU Presidency to make human rights an explicit priority saying the gap between policy and practice is still too wide.

Amnesty International says EU leaders must tell the US President he is on a collision course with Europe and much of the rest of the world, on key human rights issues such as the death penalty and the establishment of the International Criminal Court.

“This is the first-ever package of legally-binding EU asylum and immigration measures to be decided by EU ministers, and it is shocking that out of all these measures, the one concerning refugees represents a step backwards,” said Dick Oosting, Director of Amnesty International’s EU Office.

“Relations between the Parties, as well as all the provisions of the Agreement itself, shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which guides their internal and international policy and constitutes an essential element of this Agreement.” (Article 2. EU-Israel Association Agreement) In a letter sent to all European Union foreign ministers, Amnesty International today called for the European Union General Affairs Council meeting, due to take place on 14-15 May, to address human rights violations in relation to the EU-Israel Association Agreement which states that respect for human rights constitutes an “essential element” of the Agreement. ”Unless the European Union addresses the serious human rights violations, especially the deterioration which has accompanied the recent intifada, we believe that Article 2 will remain an empty formula”, said Dick Oosting, Director of Amnesty International’s EU Office. Long-term violations which have been allowed to thrive as a result of impunity have led to a crisis of human rights and a culture of violence and revenge in the region. “Human rights have to be put at the heart of the agenda for peace. Any prospect for an end to the violence and for lasting stability and peace will depend on an effective policy for human rights protection”, said Dick Oosting. Amnesty International is calling on the European Union to remind Israel of its human rights obligations and ensure that verifiable steps are taken to address human rights violations: the deaths of more than 400 Palestinians, most of them unlawfully killed, the wounding of more than 12,000; the failure to carry out proper investigations; the shelling of residential areas; the demolition of houses; reports of torture and other ill-treatment and the lack of freedom of movement. Amnesty International urged the European Union to lay down benchmarks for the areas enumerated above, demanding, for instance, an end to the killings, an investigation into every death, an end to closures and house demolitions. “These could be evaluated within a limited period before any decision on other measures in the framework of the Association Agreement would be taken,” says Amnesty International’s letter to EU Foreign Ministers. The letter also asks the EU to monitor and address human rights violations committed by the Palestinian Authority which include the execution of Palestinians after grossly unfair trials, the failure to investigate killings and to prevent targeting of civilians from areas under its jurisdiction, prolonged detention without charge or trial and reports of torture or other ill- treatment. Background Association Agreements are established between the European Union and other states to provide a framework for political dialogue, to foster trade, advance economic activity, improve living conditions and to promote cooperation, including regional cooperation with a view to the consolidation of economic coexistence and economic and political stability. The Association Agreement with Israel was signed on 20 November 1995 and entered into force on 1 June 2000. The Interim Association Agreement with the Palestinian Authority was signed on 24 February 1997 and entered into force on 1 July 1997. The evaluation of the first year of operation of the Association Agreement is due to take place in June 2001. For further comment and interviews, contact:Amnesty International EU Office (Brussels): Tel: 32-2-5021499 Fax: 32-2-5025686 Email: [email protected]  

(Brussels, May 8, 2001) Three leading international human rights organisations congratulate the European Commission for today’s communication on EU human rights policy, but urge the Council of Ministers to show the political will to act on it.