• Solidarity vigil TONIGHT Wednesday 20 Feb 18.00 Schuman Roundabout• Short speech from Maside Ocak Kışlakçı, longstanding member of ‘Saturday Mothers’

Reacting to the European Parliament’s condemnation of the ongoing repression and torture of a group of women’s rights defenders detained in Saudi Arabia since May 2018, the Director of Amnesty International’s European Institutions Office Covadonga de la Campa said:

• Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights to hear case over UK Government bulk surveillance• Groups seek ruling from Grand Chamber that would put an end to bulk surveillance powers

• Amnesty International Hungary Director available for interviews at the debate

• Spokesperson available on the ground

Following news of the disembarkation of 49 men, women and children stranded at sea for 19 days while their requests for safe harbour were refused, Elisa De Pieri, Amnesty International’s Researcher on Southern Europe, said:

• Spokespeople available in Budapest• Amnesty International will be monitoring the protests

On 11 December, the General Affairs Council will discuss the Article 7.1 TEU procedure on Hungary for the third time since the historic vote in the European Parliament on 12 September.

Ahead of the upcoming General Affairs Council (GAC) on 11 December when Article 7.1 TEU proceedings regarding both Poland and Hungary are expected on the agenda this letter shares Amnesty International’s concerns on the situation in both countries. Including a briefing on the situation of the judiciary in Poland.

• Spokespeople available ahead of EU General Affairs Council• New briefing shows Poland is failing to fully comply with EU Court ruling on judges• Hungarian authorities’ clampdown on dissenting voices has continued unabated

In follow-up to the June 2018 European Council, the European Commission released on 12 September 2018 new legislative proposals in the field of asylum and migration: a proposal for a recast of the Return Directive; a proposal for a Regulation on the European Border and Coast Guard; amendments to the proposed Regulation on the European Asylum Agency. The European Commission also issued a Communication on enhancing legal pathways to Europe.

Letter to Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, urging the EU to lead efforts to step up action to protect Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) in Mexico, and to promote their important work.