Human Rights

EU Accuses Russian Troops of Committing Atrocities in Ukrainian Town Bucha

April 04, 2022

The European Union accused Russian troops of committing atrocities in the Kyiv region after the mayor of the town of Bucha said 300 residents had been killed during a month-long occupation by Russian forces with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell calling for all cases to be pursued by the International Court of Justice.
Venice Commission statement regarding Ukraine

March 23, 2022

The Venice Commission released a statement that it fully supports the public statement by the ECtHR President on “the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine”, expressing its full solidarity with Ukraine as its fighting for « the protection of our shared European principles and values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. »
Russian Prosecutors Call for Navalny to Serve 13 Years in Prison

March 17, 2022

Russian prosecutors have added charges to jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny , including embezzlement and contempt of court, demanding he serve 13 years in prison.
The Russian Federation is excluded from the Council of Europe

March 16, 2022

After 26 years of membership, the Committee of Ministers decided in an extraordinary meeting that the Russian Federation is no longer a member of the Council of Europe, citing Article 8 to launch the procedure which states that any member of the Council of Europe which has seriously violated the rule of law, citizens’ freedoms and human rights may be suspended from its rights of representation.
EU Diplomats Increase Sanctions Against Russia

March 09, 2022

EU ambassadors agreed to more sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, targeting more oligarchs, the maritime industry and will remove three Belarusian banks from the SWIFT international payment system.
Council of Europe Suspends Russia’s Rights of Representation

March 02, 2022

As a result of their recent armed attack of Ukraine, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has suspended the Russian Federation from its rights of representation in the Committee of Ministers and in the Parliamentary Assembly.
A Long Road for Europe's Goal of Centralized Standards for AI

February 17, 2022

In an effort to create a centralized approach to setting a standard for artificial intelligence, EU lawmakers are beginning a potentially long process reaching a concensus and implementation many are not in agreement concerning the use of facial recognition, often varying between individual nations in the bloc.
EU Watchdog calls for Ban on Surveillance Tool Pegasus

February 16, 2022

The European Union's data protection watchdog called for a ban on the spyware tool Pegasus, developed by Israeli-based NSO Group citing that Pegasus may potentially lead to an "unprecedented level of intrusiveness, able to interfere with the most intimate aspects of our daily lives."
England set to U-turn on Mandatory Vaccines for Health Care Staff

February 02, 2022

Following the decision to lesson covid restrictions, the U.K. government will review its plan to make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for health and social care workers in England, potentially halting the mandate as Health Secretary Sajid Javid told the House of Commons that mandatory vaccination was no longer « proportionate ».
Austrian Parliament Approves Vaccine Mandate for Adults

January 25, 2022

In vote with 137 to 33 in favor, Austria’s parliament voted to introduce a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for adults from Feb. 1, with maximum potential fines of up to 3,600 euros ($4,000) for people who don’t comply after a series of reminders.