Comments by Amnesty International on a proposal by the European Commission for a Council Framework Decision on combating terrorism [COM(2001) 521 final]

In the lead-up to this week’s series of extraordinary EU meetings to discuss anti-terrorism measures, including tomorrow’s special Justice and Home Affairs Council, Amnesty International has outlined its concerns over the potential of these new measures to infringe basic human rights.

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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.

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 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.

As EU leaders prepare to meet the Russian President Vladimir Putin at their summit in Stockholm, Amnesty International demands that they send the Russian leader home with a clear message.

As EU Justice and Home Affairs ministers prepare to meet in Brussels, Thursday (15 March), Amnesty International warns that measures against illegal immigration to be discussed at their meeting may breach the international human rights commitments of EU Member States.