Refugees and migrants massed onto an inflatable boat reach Mytilene, northern island of Lesbos, after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey on February 17, 2016. © ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images
24/06/2016 – At the upcoming European Council, European Union (EU) leaders will discuss the European Commission’s Communication on a new Partnership Framework with third countries. The Communication proposes an approach which aims to leverage existing EU and Member States’ external cooperation instruments and tools in order to stem migration to Europe. The undersigned organisations express their grave concern about the direction the EU is taking by making deterrence and return the main objective of the Union’s relationship with third countries.
20/06/2016 – Twenty-nine European and Mexican civil society organisations have issued a joint statement to the 4th EU-Mexico Civil Society (CSO) Seminar taking place on Monday 20 June, prior to the 6th high level Human Rights Dialogue between the European Union and Mexico.
Miner using mercury to sift gold from mud, Mwenga territory, South Kivu, April 2009. Mercury – a poisonous chemical – is being used to separate grains of gold from the surrounding mud by this artisanal miner. © AI/IPIS
An Amnesty International researcher visited a mine in the Carnot region in May 2015. Children as young as 11 were engaged in mining work instead of attending school. © Amnesty International
Slovakia must change course and show leadership at EU level by insisting on more safe and legal routes for those desperately in need. This should be coupled with leadership by example, through increasing its own efforts to relocate people from Greece.
Libyan coast guards escort a boat carrying illegal migrants, who had hoped to set off to Europe with the help of people smugglers from the coastal town of Garabulli, towards the Libyan navy to Tripoli. © MAHMUD TURKIA/AFP/Getty Images
13/06/2016 – An open letter from 130 civil society organisations including Amnesty International calling on European Union member states to adopt a strong law on conflict minerals, and which requires European companies to act with due care when buying minerals or products that may be linked to conflict or human rights abuses.
13/06/2016 – 130 civil society organisations have called on the European Union not to squander a unique opportunity to play its part in tackling the conflict minerals trade.
Fire fighters extinguish a fire in an empty building
An Afghan migrant in Istanbul, Turkey. At least 20,000 Afghans are lured in Turkish cities by a promise of good wages that are never paid, and smugglers who tell them it is an easy launching point for a better life in Europe. © Amnesty International
30/05/2016 – Amnesty International is hereby submitting extended written answers to the public consultation questionnaire on a proposal for a mandatory EU Transparency Register.