Sixtieth anniversary of Rome Treaty EU must recommit to human rights

As they celebrate the past and plot the way for the future, a strong joint stance on the importance of human rights is imperative.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

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24 March 2017

Sixtieth anniversary of Rome Treaty: EU must recommit to human rights

Ahead of the sixtieth anniversary of the Rome Treaty, Iverna McGowan, Director of Amnesty International’s European Institutions Office has called for Europe to uphold its founding principles of the protection and promotion of human rights:

“At this key juncture in its history, it is vital that leaders recall and recommit to the EU’s founding spirit of protecting human dignity even in dark times. As they celebrate the past and plot the way for the future, a strong joint stance on the importance of human rights is imperative.

“The EU’s response to the challenges of the global refugee crisis, countering terrorism and to the global crackdown on human rights defenders have left many questioning its commitment to human rights in practice. At this cross roads, EU leaders must recall its founding principles and commit to upholding them. Reeling in those member states that are flagrantly violating their EU Treaty obligations on human rights would be an obvious and good place to start”.

For more information or to arrange an interview contact Amnesty International press office in Brussels on [email protected] +32 2 548 27 73 or +32 483 680 812

Background

Amnesty International letter to the Presidents of the European Commission, Parliament and Council

Amnesty International Italy will participate in #NOTMYEUROPE – a civil society mobilization on the waters of the “Tiber Sea” in Rome. Against the policies of walls. For a more human Europe

The action will take place on Saturday, March 25 at 15.30 on the banks of the “Tiber Sea”, below Castel Sant’Angelo.

It can  also  be  followed through the Facebook Event Not My Europe and on Twitter with the hashtag #NotMyEurope

The mobilization is a joint initiative by many civil society organizations working on the front lines of Europe’s so-called migration crisis including

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Amnesty International – Italy, Amref, Arci, Baobab Experience, CIR – Italian Refugee Council, Comitato 3 Ottobre, Intersos, Legambiente Onlus, MEDU – Medici per i Diritti Umani (Doctors for Human Rights – Italy), R@inbow for Africa – R4A, Save the Children, Sea-Watch, Terre des Hommes

NOTES FOR THE PRESS

PRESS AREA:  From 15.00 on the embankment under the stairs of Castel Sant’Angelo

PHOTO-OPPORTUNITY from above: Lungotevere or Ponte Sant’Angelo

PHOTOS AND VIDEOS on migration:

https://mega.nz/#F!Ms13mTYQ!21dJx1lawPMLhjKAOeJ7vQ

PHOTOS AND VIDEO OF THE EVENT will be uploaded at the same link during the event.

PRESS OFFICE

Doctors without borders: [email protected], +39 346 6196480, +39 349 813211

Amnesty International Italy: [email protected], +39 348  6974361,  +39 064490224