Human Rights

CoE Committee Criticizes Austrian Minority Policies

July 21, 2017

The Council of Europe’s (CoE) Advisory Committee to the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities has criticized Austria for its "inconsistent," non-centralized approach to the legal protection of a wide range of listed national ethnic minorities, including the lack of a central mandate on bilingualism.
CoE Body Weighs in on Pretrial Detention

July 20, 2017

The Council of Europe's (CoE) Committee for the Prevention of Torture has called for countries to hold people charged with crimes in detention while they await trial only when "absolutely necessary" and to use alternative measures in all other cases to prevent prison overcrowding.
UK Brexit Bill Rejects EU Rights Charter

July 19, 2017

The Guardian reports that the British Government's EU (withdrawal) bill specifically rejects the application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights in the UK after Brexit, reflecting concerns of some observers that continued application of the Charter would permit the Court of Justice of the EU to maintain jurisdiction in Britain.
UK Conservatives Drop ECtHR Pledge

July 19, 2017

The International Business Times reports that, prior to the country's general election in June, the ruling UK Conservative Party dropped its pledge to loosen or cut ties with the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in the near future to make room for the time required for Brexit negotiations.
Opinion: States Should Always Follow ECtHR Judgments

July 19, 2017

Emphasizing the binding nature of all decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on countries within its jurisdiction, former German Justice Minister Herta Däubler-Gmelin criticizes Russia and other "increasingly authoritarian" countries for "selectively ignoring" ECtHR judgments.
EU Companies Make Pledge Against Coal Plants

July 18, 2017

As businesses face pressure to help fulfill their country's ambitious commitments to limit global warming under the Paris climate pact agreed in 2015, national energy companies from across the EU have signed an agreement not to build any new coal power plants after the year 2020.
EU Introduces Broad-reaching "Pillar of Social Rights"

July 17, 2017

The European Commission recently launched its EU Pillar of Social Rights on labor rights and social protection, along with a mechanism to monitor the progress of EU member states on the Pillar, as a "compass for a renewed process of upward convergence towards better working and living conditions in Europe."
CoE Official Demands Independence for Public Broadcasting

July 14, 2017

A report from the Council of Europe's (CoE) Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muižnieks warns of threats to public broadcasting across Europe and calls on countries to ensure that public broadcasters maintain independence from governments, avoid "politicization," and receive a "sustainable funding" stream.
Body Investigates PACE Corruption Claims

July 14, 2017

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) recently established an "independent external investigation body" to determine the veracity of corruption allegations against members and former members of the organization.
NGOs Urge EU Action Against Poland in Asylum Rejections

July 14, 2017

Three prominent human rights groups have argued that the EU should "hold Poland accountable" for the decision of Polish border guards to turn away asylum seekers in apparent violation of a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights.