European Institutions

ECJ Annuls Freezing of Ukrainian Officials' Funds

February 09, 2016

The Court of Justice of the EU ("ECJ") has announced that the freezing of the funds of five former Ukrainian officials under investigation by the Ukrainian Government for misappropriation of finances was invalid, as there was not sufficient evidence of criminal activity on which to base these sanctions.
CoE Pledges Steps Against Online "Hate Speech"

February 09, 2016

Following talks with German Justice Minister Heiko Maas, Council of Europe ("CoE") Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland praised cooperation between the German Government and internet companies to eliminate online "hate speech" and pledged to ramp up the CoE's work in this area.
CoE Warns Belgium on Inclusion of Disabled Persons

February 08, 2016

Council of Europe ("CoE") Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muižnieks has called on Belgium to speed along measures that would provide for the "social inclusion" of persons with disabilities, particularly mental disabilities, in the country, including by reforming the institutionalization process of such persons and integrating prisons and schools.
ECtHR Finds Rights Violation in Disability Payment Discontinuation

February 08, 2016

The European Court of Human Rights ("ECtHR") has held that the discontinuation of government disability payments for a woman in Switzerland due to the supposition that because she gave birth to twins, she would not have continued to engage in full-time employment, violated the woman's rights against discrimination and to respect for her private and family life.
FRA Discusses "Toolkit" on Unbiased Media Reporting

February 08, 2016

The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights ("FRA") recently held a meeting at which participants discussed the development of a toolkit for media professionals on how to promote fundamental rights in their reporting, in part by avoiding "biased language" that could "reinforce stereotypes."