Human Rights

FRA Points to Legal Obstacles to Use of Passenger Data

March 23, 2016

In a presentation to a recent Operational Heads of Airports Conference in Málaga, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights ("FRA") pointed out "legal and operational challenges" and fundamental rights implications involved in government use of a Passenger Name Record to attempt to disrupt terror plots in the EU.
CoE Body Seeks Limits to French Constitutional Reforms

March 21, 2016

The Council of Europe's ("CoE") body of constitutional experts, the Venice Commission, has called on French authorities to place limits on proposed constitutional reforms relating to stripping terror suspects of their nationality and declaring a state of emergency in the country.
CoE Body: Russia Must Amend Law on International Decisions

March 17, 2016

The Council of Europe's ("CoE") body of constitutional experts, the Venice Commission, has called on Russia to amend recent legislation granting the country's Constitutional Court the authority to set aside decisions of international tribunals, including the European Court of Human Rights.
FRA, Border Agency Ramp up Cooperation

March 17, 2016

The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights ("FRA") and the EU border agency Frontex have announced closer cooperation between the bodies in light of the recent wave of migration into the EU, including by deploying an FRA expert to "provide assistance and support" to EU agencies in migrant registration areas.
EU Agencies Develop Asylum Rights Training Module

March 17, 2016

The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights ("FRA") has announced that, with EU member states and the EU border agency Frontex, it is supporting the European Asylum Support Office's development of a "module" that will seek to train border officials on how to respect the fundamental rights of asylum seekers.
UK Serial Killer Claims Isolated Imprisonment Violates ECHR

March 16, 2016

The Daily Mail reports that convicted serial killer Joanna Dennehy is seeking compensation from the British government because the impact of her segregated confinement in prison, due to a planned breakout attempt, violated the European Convention on Human Rights ("ECHR").
Norway Mass Killer: Solitary Confinement Violates ECHR

March 16, 2016

A convicted mass killer is suing the Norwegian government over the conditions of his imprisonment, arguing that his solitary confinement and other treatment violates the European Convention on Human Rights ("ECHR").
EU Launches Draft "Pillar of Social Rights"

March 09, 2016

The European Commission has published and asked for public consultation on a draft outline of a European Pillar of Social Rights that seeks to bolster welfare and labor rights in the EU.
CoE Report Sets out Rights in "Culturally Diverse Societies"

March 09, 2016

A report from the Council of Europe ("CoE") Committee of Ministers describes how CoE member countries must protect human rights in "culturally diverse societies," including by avoiding "multiple discrimination" against groups and furthering "reasonable accommodation" to ensure the fulfillment of human rights.
FRA Provides Rights Training for "Forced Return" Monitors

March 09, 2016

The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights ("FRA") recently gathered 20 monitors from national bodies charged with observing the "forced return" of migrants located in EU countries to countries outside the EU in order to train them in potential fundamental rights violations.