Let’s call this what it is: racism, pure and simple.

On Thursday, Europe’s leaders can finally take concrete action. There can be no more excuses to prevent further deaths.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

22/04/2015 – Must try harder: Ethnic discrimination of Romani Children in Czech schools, documents how the the Czech authorities are violating the human rights of Romani children in schools across the country. Romani children are segregated in mainstream education in Roma-only separate classes, buildings and schools and even placed in schools for pupils with “mild mental disabilities”. Those in ethnically mixed schools experience bullying, and harassment.

21/04/2015 – Amnesty International’s new report on the situation in the Mediterranean documents testimonies of shipwreck survivors. It details the challenges and limitations of current search and rescue operations in the central Mediterranean and sets out ways in which this can be remedied. It calls for the immediate launch of a humanitarian operation to save lives at sea, with adequate ships, aircraft, and other resources, patrolling where lives are at risk.

Words must now turn into concrete action specifically in the form of a European multi-nation and robust search and rescue operation.

Amnesty International

This is a humanitarian crisis that needs an immediate and concerted European response, not more hand-wringing and denial.

20/04/2015 – Ahead of your engagement in the Strategic Dialogue in China on 5-6 May, Amnesty International calls on the European Union (EU) and its member states to ensure that human rights remain at the front and centre of this and all other exchanges with the Chinese government.

What we are witnessing in the Mediterranean is a man-made tragedy of appalling proportions. These latest deaths at sea come as a shock, but not a surprise.

16/04/2015 – I am writing to you about Amnesty International’s concerns on human rights in Uzbekistan and to ask you to schedule a Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) discussion and conclusions on Uzbekistan.