2013 - Commissioner's Human Rights Comment
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Human Rights Comment

Syrian refugees: a neglected human rights crisis in Europe

20/12/2013 Strasbourg

One of the world’s biggest refugee crises of recent times is unfolding on Europe’s doorstep, but most European governments have reacted with complete indifference. Close to 4 million people are internally displaced in Syria and almost 3 million have left the country since the beginning of the...

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Human Rights Comment

Human rights at risk when secret surveillance spreads

24/10/2013 Strasbourg

The fear of terrorism, technology that is developing at the speed of light, private companies and state security agencies compiling personal information – this topical mix has become a severe threat to the right to privacy. Despite the intentions, secret surveillance to counter terrorism can...

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Human Rights Comment

Decisions concerning migrant children must always be based on their best interests

19/09/2013 Strasbourg

Migrant children are particularly vulnerable – especially if they are unaccompanied, travelling without parents or relatives. Many have been traumatised and abused before arriving in Europe. They must be met with care and with respect for their rights. Yet, there are many accounts of harsh...

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Human Rights Comment

Time for accountability in CIA torture cases

11/09/2013 Strasbourg

Twelve years ago, almost three thousand people were killed by the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. Commemorative events provide an occasion to pay respects to the innocent victims, but also to reflect on the anti-terrorist response adopted by the USA and Europe. By allowing unlawful...

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Human Rights Comment

Child labour in Europe: a persisting challenge

20/08/2013 Strasbourg

Many observers thought that child labour was a thing of the past in Europe. However, there are strong indications that child labour remains a serious problem and that it might be growing in the wake of the economic crisis. Governments need to monitor this situation and to use the UN Convention on...

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Human Rights Comment

Justice and reconciliation long overdue in the Balkans

09/07/2013 Strasbourg

More than 20 years after the first war in connection with the dissolution of Yugoslavia the legacy of the violence still lingers across the region. 12 200 persons are still missing, 423 000 refugees and displaced persons still cannot return to their homes, about 20 000 persons remain stateless or...

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Human Rights Comment

Europe must combat racist extremism and uphold human rights

13/05/2013 Strasbourg

Europe has been experiencing a worrying intensification of activities of racist extremist organisations, including political parties. According to some commentators, the upsurge has even reached the point of “an early form of far right terror”. It worries me deeply that the European community and...

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Human Rights Comment

Press freedom in the digital age: new threats, new challenges

03/05/2013 Strasbourg

As growing portions of journalistic activity take place on the Internet, Europe has not become a safer place for those expressing critical opinions. Clearly, people reporting can reach out faster and to a broader audience than before. But old and new threats await them when they decide to do so:...

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Human Rights Comment

Belarusian Human Rights Defenders Need Support

12/02/2013 Strasbourg

Belarus is not a member state of the Council of Europe and should not even be considered a candidate until it releases all human rights defenders and opposition activists imprisoned for political motives, abolishes the death penalty and carries out far-reaching democratic reforms. This means that...

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Human Rights Comment

Governments should act in the best interest of stateless children

15/01/2013 Strasbourg

Citizenship is the “right to have rights”. Without citizenship, one lacks not only political rights, but often social and economic rights as well. On a symbolic level, citizenship implies being a full member of a national community, and even further, of humanity. Hundreds of thousands of persons...

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