Human Rights

Observer Calls for EU Human Rights Education

July 29, 2016

Asserting that external pressure on member states, including through the European Commission's Rule of Law Framework, is not sufficient to counter "illiberal" national tendencies, advocacy consultant Dr. Israel Butler writes that the EU must deploy funding for civic education on global human rights and legal standards to protect the rule of law in EU countries.
Journalist: ECtHR Must Hold UK in Check

July 27, 2016

In a piece on government surveillance of UK citizens, journalist Jason Parkinson indicates that the only way for individuals to hold the UK Government to account for human rights violations is to retain the UK Human Rights Act and permit review of government actions by judges on the European Court of Human Rights.
EU, CoE Launch Intercultural Education Project

July 27, 2016

The European Commission and Council of Europe have launched the joint "Intercultural Learning Exchange through Global Education, Networking and Dialogue" project, which will promote global human rights and development education in school curricula in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
CoE Official Pushes Expansive Sexual Rights Protection

July 27, 2016

The Council of Europe's Commissioner Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Muižnieks, has called for CoE countries to bolster women's "full and equal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights," including by reducing restrictions on abortion and expanding children's access to sexuality education.
Turkey Plans Suspension of ECHR

July 25, 2016

Politico reports that Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus has announced the country's plans to suspend the European Convention on Human Rights in accordance with its crackdown leading to the arrest of over 60,000 civil service employees following an attempted coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Court: Greek Investor "Haircut" Did Not Violate ECHR

July 22, 2016

The European Court of Human Rights has found that Greek legislation forcing holders of the country's bonds to exchange these bonds for instruments of lesser value in order to stave off government bankruptcy during a serious economic crisis did not violate the European Convention on Human Rights' protection of private property.
ECtHR: Bulgarian Prisoner Voting Ban Violates Rights

July 22, 2016

The European Court of Human Rights has held that a blanket ban on voting by incarcerated prisoners in Bulgaria, without regard for "their individual circumstances, their conduct and the gravity of the offences committed," violates prisoners' right to vote under European human rights law.
AI Calls for EU Pressure on Hungary over Refugees

July 19, 2016

Amnesty International has called on the European Commission to "use all necessary means" to force Hungary to comply with EU and international law on the treatment of migrants and refugees, including by advancing infringement proceedings under EU treaties and by using the EU "rule of law framework" to place pressure on Hungary.
EU Parliament Seeks "Social Rights" Proposals

July 19, 2016

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution calling on the European Commission to advance proposals on a "European 'pillar' of social rights" that guarantees good working conditions and provides for a "work-life balance."
ECtHR: Latvian Declaration Failed to Satisfy Right to Investigation

July 14, 2016

The European Court of Human Rights has held that, despite its acceptance by the Court, a unilateral declaration of human rights violations and compensation from Latvia to a complainant who accused the country's authorities of ill treatment failed to satisfy the complainant's right to investigation of the harms inflicted against him.