EU Seasonal Migrant Workers’ Directive: Ensure effective Equal Treatment - Joint press release 8th May 2013
In view of the on-going trialogue on the proposed EU directive on seasonal workers, the European Network Against Racism (ENAR), Caritas Europe, le Ciré (coordination and initiatives for refugees), the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME), The European Federation of National Organizations Working with the Homeless (Feantsa), the Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants (PICUM) and the European Association for the Defense of Human Rights (AEDH), recall the need to guarantee a uniform and extensive sets of labour rights for third-country workers across the EU.
Police harassement of migrants in Calais noted by the Human Rights Defender – Joint press release 12 April 2013
Together with its member LDH and other organisations, the AEDH reacts to the response of the Ministry of the Interior to the decision of the Human Rights Defender on police harassment and human rights abuses suffered by migrants in Calais for many years.
Census of forced evictions from settlements of migrant Roma in France, 2013 first quarter - Joint Press release 9 April 2013
In the report "Census of forced evictions from settlements of migrant Roma in France" Philippe Goossens, AEDH Board member in charge of discrimination and minority rights (including rights of Roma), compiled the figures of Roma forced evictions in France during the first quarter of 2013. Across all regions, more than 4,000 people have been evicted from their settlements without any alternative housing. The European Association for the Defence of Human Rights (AEDH) and the French League for Human Rights (LDH) condemn this situation and call on the French government to change its policy towards Roma.
AEDH reaffirms that personal data protection is a fundamental right that must be strengthened - Press Release 4 March 2013
The European Parliament’s presentation of its 16 January 2013 draft report regarding the processing and free movement of personal data (General Data Protection Regulation ) does take positive steps forward but there is still progress to be made. The upcoming adoption of the final amendments to this regulation provides an opportunity to do so.
AEDH comments on the Data Protection Day - Press release 28th January 2013
The Data Protection Day is an opportunity for AEDH to underline the need not to derogate from the rule of the protection of private life and individual liberties constituted by the use of personal data for a specific purpose and for a limited storage period. The abuse of personal data is regrettably too often found either for commercial use or for law enforcement or justice purposes.
EU-Tunisia Mobility Partnership: Reduced mobility without rights? - Joint press release 5 December 2012
As the European Union and Tunisia prepare to begin discussions on a “mobility agreement” on 6 December 2012 in Tunis, the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights network (EMHRN), the International federation for Human Rights (FIDH), the Tunisian forum for economic and social Rights (FTDES), the European association for the defense of Human Rights (AEDH), the organization Migreurop and the Centre of Tunis for migration and asylum (CeTuMA) call upon the EU and the government of Tunisia to ensure that any agreement concluded in the context of the partnership on migrations is based on the unconditional guarantee of the rights of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.
AEDH publishes its report "Roma people in Europe in the 21st century: violence, exclusion, insecurity" - Press release 15 November 2012
Over the past year, AEDH has been examining the situation of Roma people in Europe. In October 2012, AEDH published the report “Roma people in Europe in the 21st century: violence, exclusion, insecurity” denouncing the physical violence towards Roma populations from the European states and the European citizens.
Nothing can justify chipping away at fundamental rights! AEDH supports the November 14th 2012 day of action - Press release 13 November 2012
The European Association for the Defense of Human Rights wishes to publicly express its support for the calls issued by the European Trade Union Confederation for mobilization on November 14th in many European Union countries.
Personal data protection must remain a fundamental right - Press release 17 October 2012
Following the presentation by Commissioner Reding of the objectives of the new legislative framework for personal data protection, AEDH calls on MEPs to ensure full protection of citizens’ fundamental rights.
Roma evictions: the European Union is not respecting its commitments to human rights! - Press release 11 September 2012
During summer 2012, various governments of the European Union evicted Roma from their houses. Some states also evicted this population from their land.
AEDH welcomes the European Parliament’s dismissal of the ACTA treaty – a major step forward - Press release 5 July 2012
AEDH welcomes the European Parliament’s decision to finally reject the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement by an overwhelming majority (478 against, 39 in favour, 165 abstentions).
Eurosur: When border control takes precedence over migrants’ lives - Press release 20 June 2012
Eurosur, the proposal for regulation concerning a border monitoring system, was presented by the European Commission on December 12th 2011, and puts cross-border crime on the same level as illegal immigration. It overlooks search and rescue at sea, despite it featuring in the 2008 Communication.
AEDH condemns the forced eviction of Roma in Baia Mare - Press release 12 June 2012
AEDH strongly condemns the forced rehousing of 2,000 Romanian Roma to an old highly toxic chemical plant.
Cyprus: False accusation confirmed, judge drops all charges against human rights defender Doros Polycarpou - Joint press release 5 June 2012
On 5 June 2012, Doros Polycarpou, the Executive Director of Cypriot anti-racist NGO KISA, was acquitted of the charge of rioting during the 2010 Rainbow Festival in Larnaca.
The EU-US PNR Agreement adopted by the majority of MEPs is a threat to citizens’ rights - Press release 21 May 2012
In an unexpected move, on April 19th 2012 the European Parliament adopted the EU-US PNR Agreement concerning the transmission of flight passenger data to the American authorities.
Citizens’ rights must be guaranteed, the European Parliament should reject the new EU-US agreement on PNR - Press release 18 April 2012
The AEDH asks MEPs to disapprove the new EU-US agreement, concerning the transmission of data of passengers travelling to or from the US (PNR) to American authorities. It doesn’t offer enough safeguards for data protection and privacy.
No to the erosion of rights for Czech European citizens: the Charter of Fundamental Rights must be applied fully in the Czech Republic - Press release 3 April 2012
AEDH and the Czech Helsinki Committee (CHC) deplore that the European Parliament rejected the guidelines laid out in the first report submitted by Andrew Duff, Member of the European Parliament (ALDE – UK) on the implementation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union in the Czech Republic.
Gender equality: is progress finally underway for the European Union? - Press release 8 March 2012
The European Association for the Defence of Human Rights deplores the persistence of gender inequality within Europe.
Greece: a suicide of "increasing austerity" - Press release 13 February 2012
The European Association for the Defence of Human Rights (AEDH), the Hellenic League for Human Rights (HLHR) and the French League of Human Rights, (LDH), consider that austerity measures imposed on Greece lead the society to a dramatic and suicidal situation.
New EU-US PNR Agreement: with no improvement of guarantees, the agreement must be rejected by the European Parliament! - Press release 25 January 2012
AEDH would like to draw MEPs’ attention to the new EU-US agreement and the lack of guarantees concerning the protection of personal data and privacy, regarding passengers travelling to and from the United States, and the transmitting of their data to the American authorities (PNR).
It is urgent to protect democracy and rights in Hungary - Press release of January 11th 2012
As it came into force on January 1st 2012, despite numerous criticisms it was subjected to, the new Hungarian Constitution (called Fundamental Law) and its attached cardinal laws seriously infringe democracy and rule of law in Hungary and are against fundamental values of the European Union as established in article 2 of the Treaty on the European Union.
In paying homage to Václav Havel, AEDH salutes all of the women and men struggling for human freedom at the risk of sacrificing their own - 19 December 2011
AEDH hereby pays tribute to a man who, in addition to being a great writer, showed the world his determination through the path of his life. Thanks to the courage, the perseverance, and the intellectual and moral rectitude of Václav Havel, we are able today to fight together for a Europe of solidarity, a Europe based on human rights principles.
Second Trial Observation Mission in Cyprus: As Doros Polycarpou’s prosecution continues, international attention and support intensify - Inter-associations press release, 13 December 2011
On the occasion of the first hearing of the trial against Doros Polykarpou, Executive Director of KISA(Action for Equality, Support and Anti-racism), scheduled on 12 December 2011, in Larnaca, Cyprus, the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN), The Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants (PICUM), The European Network Against Racism (ENAR), Migreurop and The European Association for Human Rights (AEDH) have sent a second trial observation mission.
Violence against Roma in the European Union must stop - Press release 24 November 2011
One month before the beginning of the evaluation of the different national policies for Roma inclusion of the Member States of the Commission, AEDH denounces the passive stance of the European Commission and the Council confronted with the violent acts committed against the Roma in a certain number of European countries.
Dignity, equality and solidarity should be the basis of European migration policies - 3 November 2011
For the last few months, the AEDH has undertaken the consolidation of its relationship of reciprocal consultation with Members of the European Parliament from different political groups. The aim of this informal group of ‘Friends of the AEDH’ is to contribute to the development of a profound reflection on all the issues related to fundamental rights in the European Union.
Foreign workers in the EU: moving towards multiple standards, founded on unequal treatment? - 17 October 2011
Within the framework of regulating foreign workers in the European Union, the European Parliament will vote this autumn on two directives concerning seasonal workers and intra-corporate transferees.
Frontex: AEDH calls for more guarantees for human rights - 20 September 2011
The European Parliament adopted, on 12 September 2011i, a resolution modifying the regulation of the Frontex agencyii. This reform introduces several clauses aiming at guaranteeing a greater respect of fundamental rights by the agency, something which can only be seen as very positive considering that many have requested it, in particular NGOs. However AEDH notices that, beyond this progress in principle, questions remain and even scepticism regarding the efficiency of the guarantees voted by the European Parliament. There is scepticism also regarding the future of this reform which still has to be approved by the Council in order to come into force.
The Mediterranean : NATO finally comes to the aid of shipwrecked migrants, but the European Union refuses to admit them - Joint press release, 28th July 2011
The signatory organizations named below demand that the European Union provide a unified response to the tragedy in the Mediterranean. We insist that migrants and refugees who risk their lives crossing the sea must be admitted onto European soil.
Hungarian Presidency of the EU: now it’s assessment time, but let’s remain vigilant - Press release 30 June 2011
At the end of the Hungarian presidency of the European Union, AEDH denounces breaches of rule of law and fundamental rights observed in Hungary, meanwhile Hungarian government was in charge, on the European scene, to bring forward the European project and to defend its values of openness, democracy and equality in diversity.
A green paper – considerably reticent – on prisons - 21 June 2011
The European Commission has just released a green paper on the subject of prisons. The European Association for the Defense of Human Rights (AEDH) welcomes this initiative in an area where the respect of human rights is vital.
The European Framework for Roma integration: AEDH calls upon European Union to strengthen its position and to take into consideration acts of violence against Roma - Press release, 27 April 2011
AEDH welcomes the new framework for Roma Integration in the European Union released by the European Commission on April the 5th 2011i but considers that it is not enough to stop discriminations against Roma people.
The European Union must face its responsibilities in dealing with migration - Press release, 11 April 2011
How many tragic deaths in the Mediterranean Sea will it take before the European Union acknowledges its international commitments and receive migrants from the Maghreb who are now waiting at its doorstep?
Combatting child pornography is necessary but must not be used as a pretext to limit Internet access - Press release, 11 February 2011
AEDH welcomes the European Union’s commitment to combating sexual abuse, sexual exploitation of children and child pornography. However, this must not be done at the expense of the basic right to access means of communication and information, including Internet access.
The AEDH welcomes the reject by the European Parliament of the proposal for a directive establishing a “single permit” - 15 December 2010
The AEDH can only welcome the responsibility that the European Parliament took in voting against the proposal on a “single permit” by a 350 to 306 vote during the plenary session this Tuesday December 14th, 2010.
The AEDH asks the EU to ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers on the occasion of its 20th anniversary - 13 December 2010
The International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers should be ratified by the European Union and its Member States. It is unacceptable that no country has signed this Convention over the past twenty years.
Aurore Martin must not be handed over to the Spanish special courts - Press release, 19 November 2010
Six years after their initial attempt, the Spanish authorities are again trying to obtain the extradition of a French citizen due to her participation in various public political protests organised by a party, Batasuna, which is legal in France.
The AEDH and the Liga appeal to the authorities and the German government to immediately stop the expulsions of Roma to Kosovo - Press release November 17th 2010
The AEDH, together with its German member the International League for Human Rights, condemns the readmission policy of refugees from Kosovo pursued by the German government and the governments of the Länder. This policy aims to expel thousands of people, the majority children, who have been living for several years in Germany, to Kosovo. This happens at a time, when several European states have been using the Roma as scapegoats for their policies.
AEDH and Otwarta Rzeczpospolita denounce the Polish Government’s silence on the recent discriminatory comments and acts - Press release, October 20th 2010
AEDH and Otwarta Rzeczpospolita are concerned about the infringement of equality and human rights which recently occurred in Poland and the indulgent reaction of the Polish authorities on this subject.
Discrimination against cross-border workers: An unacceptable and intolerable "cure" for the crisis - Press release, September 24th 2010
The AEDH, along with the Luxembourg League for Human Rights (ALOS-LDH) and the French League for Human Rights (LDH), supports the initiatives undertaken by trade unions and associations to denounce the legislative changes introducing a de facto distinction between resident and cross-border workers in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
The European Commission and Parliament must intervene immediately; Roma cannot be used as scapegoats anymore - Press release, September 2nd 2010
Roma are considered as the main reason for insecurity in several European countries. By putting them in the news, the government makes them responsible for economic and social difficulties, for austerity measures happening in these countries and makes them hostages of political higher bids.
The AEDH asks members of the European Parliament not to approve the readmission agreement with Pakistan - Press release, 12 July 2010
The AEDH is deeply concerned about the content and practical enforcement of the readmission agreement signed between the European Union and Pakistan and calls on MEPs to reject it. It raises significant concerns about the respect of human rights and in particular those of refugees.
The Agreement between the European Community and Pakistan on readmission raises significant questions concerning the respect of human rights - Press release, 26 April 2010
The AEDH challenges the manner in which a readmission agreement between the European Union and Pakistan would be implemented. The Agreement concerns Pakistani nationals and individuals who have transited through Pakistan, particularly Afghan nationals, who would be irregular on the territory of the European Union.
Personal data: a comic book to raise awareness among European young adults - Press release, 7 April 2010
Information and communication technologies (telephone, Internet, emails, blogs and social networks) make daily life and relationships with our relatives, friends or even strangers easier.
Questions to the European authorities concerning the agreement between the EU and the United States on the processing of financial messaging data from the EU to the USA - 15 February 2010
AEDH protests against the enforcement of the temporary agreement between the EU and the USA on the processing of Financial Messaging Data from the European Union to the United States. In the present document, the AEDH asks about the content and the implications of this agreement. Detailed answers would allow us to be really informed and to determine whether a new agreement is possible from our standpoint.
The agreement between the EU and the United-States on the processing of financial messaging data must not be implemented - Press release, 11 February 2010
AEDH protests against the enforcement of the temporary agreement between the EU and the USA on the processing of Financial Messaging Data from the European Union to the United States for the purpose of the Terrorist Finance Tracking Program. This agreement was approved by the Council on 30 November 2009, to avoid the co-decision procedure of the Lisbon Treaty (enforceable since 1 December 2009) and the observations made by the European Parliament. But it requires the latter’s assent. The parliamentary Committee on “Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs” had the courage to vote against this agreement. We ask the European Parliament to stand against it.
CALL ON MEPs: Guarantee of social rights must be a precondition for economic and financial measures taken by the Heads of State and Government - Press release, 8 February 2010
AEDH calls on MEPs to make a decisive influence on the European Commission and Heads of State and Government, so that measures to face the economic crisis and to settle the budgetary situation of many Member States will not be taken at the expense of the most fragile, the poorest and the social rights.
Kurdish refugees in Corsica: asylum or charter flights? - LDH-AEDH-FIDH-REMDH joint press release, 23 January 2010
On Friday, January 22nd, a ship dropped off 140 people on the south coast of Corsica. These people were exhausted and starved. They are women and children desperately trying to escape from what the Universal Declaration of Human Rights calls “terror and misery”. These people are Kurds from Syria, fleeing one of the worst possible existences under one of the worst possible regimes. They are seeking asylum.
Rosarno, Reggio di Calabria: Call for appeasement measures respectful of Human rights - Press release, 8 January 2010
The European association for the defense of Human rights, AEDH, joins forces with the Liga Italiana dei Diritti dell’Uomo, LIDU, to ask that Italian authorities take the vital appeasement steps necessary to re-establish a constructive dialogue between the authorities in charge of public safety, the local population and immigrants living in the town of Rosarno (Reggio de Calabre).
A motion for rejection of the European Parliament to denounce the denial of democracy in the setting up of the new European Police Office Europol - Press release, 2 December 2009
On the eve of the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, the Council of the European Union adopted on November 30, 2009, four draft decisions on the setting up of the European Police Office Europol on January 1, 2010 . This haste has led the European Parliament to vote a motion for rejection of those draft decisions in order to denounce the denial of democracy. The ordinary legislative co decision procedure established by the Lisbon Treaty should have been the obvious solution since the new Treaty was about to enter into force, but Member States disregarded it and imposed their choice against the MEPs’ opinion.
Access to information and communication networks is a fundamental right - Press release, 27 November 2009
AEDH wishes to point out that access to information and communication, and therefore the Internet, is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Consequently, any move to restrict access to the Internet should be exceptional and must only be decided upon by judicial authorities within a framework that recognises the right of defense. AEDH is therefore deeply concerned about the withdrawal of “amendment 138” from the Telecoms Package.
