04/04/2014 – The European Roma Policy Coalition (ERPC) welcomes the European Commission’s Communication on the implementation of the EU Framework for National Roma Integration as the first report examining the impact of European Union (EU) Member States’ policy measures to foster the inclusion of Roma into their societies.

The important question is not whether torture “worked”; torture is illegal and always prohibited, regardless of its efficacy. The question is whether President Obama will do enough to ensure that the CIA never uses torture again

Our investigation shows that the Golden Dawn debacle is only the tip of the iceberg. Entrenched racism, excessive use of force and deep-rooted impunity are a blight on the Greek police. Successive Greek governments have so far failed to acknowledge, let alone tackle, these human rights violations by police and on-going impunity.

03/04/2014 – The US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) has voted for a degree of transparency on the now long-festering injustices associated with the secret detention program operated by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) after the attacks of 11 September 2001.

The Central African Republic is gripped by a human rights and humanitarian crisis of historic proportions. By failing to respond more robustly and urgently, the international community has shown a callous disregard for the country’s embattled civilians, abandoning them in their moment of need

Bulgarian authorities have started fixing the reception facilities and increasing the capacity to process asylum applications. But there are still systemic deficiencies including the detention of asylum seekers, overcrowding, poor sanitation and inadequate provision of food

01/04/2014 – The document raises Amnesty International’s concerns on Belgium’s disregard for the European Court of Human Rights’ interim measure in the case of Nizar Trabelsi. Amnesty International raises concerns that Belgium’s extradition to the United States of Nizar Trabeli on 3 October 2013 was a deliberate decision by the Belgian government to disregard the interim measure issued by the European Court of Human Right. This was done in blatant disrespect for the Court’s jurisprudence and the European Convention on Human Rights. Amnesty International thus urges the Rapporteur to consider proposing an amendment to the draft resolution with a view to adding Belgium to the list of countries that have breached the Court’s interim measures and to include Nizar Trabelsi’s case in his report.

01/04/2014 – At today’s European Union (EU)-Africa Summit in Brussels, Belgium, Amnesty International calls on African and EU decision-makers to ensure that human rights underpin all discussions and decisions on all the issues on the agenda aimed at “Investing in People, Prosperity and Peace.”

01/04/2014 – Amnesty International’s submission on France on the occasion of ECRI’s fifth country monitoring cycle mainly focuses on the discrimination, violence and harassment experienced by Roma migrants. Our research has shown that Roma in France continue to experience widespread discrimination. They are not only forcibly evicted, denied equal access to housing, segregated in schools and given a substandard education, but are also targets of harassment and violence. The document also provides information on the existence and implementation by France of legal provisions relevant to ECRI’s mandate and contains Amnesty International’s concerns about discrimination against Muslims on the ground of religion or belief and against transgender individuals in France.

Next week, for the fourth EU-Africa Summit, leaders from Europe and Africa will meet to discuss a variety of key inter-continental subjects.  To highlight this crucial event, and the human rights issues that must be addressed, we will be producing a series of posts focusing on the partnership between the EU and Africa. To whet your appetite, here’s a little taster of what’s to come: