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News from the EU

4 March 2010 - EDPS warns about the potential incompatibility of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement with EU data protection regime

The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) adopted the opinion in which he is “concerned as regards a potential incompatibility between envisaged measures and data protection requirements” concerning the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), secretly negotiated between different States, which includes the United States and the European Union.

4 February 2010 - The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights has presented an issue paper on "the criminalisation of migration in Europe"

“Criminalising the irregular entry and presence of migrants in Europe corrodes established international law principles and causes many human tragedies without achieving its purpose of genuine control” said Thomas Hammarberg, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights.

3 February 2010 - The "SWIFT affair"

On 30 November 2009, the Council of the European Union has signed a temporary agreement between the EU and the USA on the processing of Financial Messaging Data from the European Union to the United States for purposes of the Terrorist Finance Tracking Program. The agreement was signed on the eve of the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty. It temporarily avoids the co-decision procedure; however its implementation, on 1 February 2010 for a 9-month duration, requires the vote of an assent by the European Parliament. The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs will be asked to give its opinion on 4 February. In case of a positive vote, the assent will be asked during the plenary session of the European Parliament, probably on 9 February.

1 January 2010 - The Programme for the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union (1 January-30 June 2010)

Spain takes on the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on January 1st, 2010.

27 November 2009 - Council of the EU : 18 month programme of the Council, prepared by the future Spanish, Belgian and Hungarian Presidencies.

This document sets out the combined programme of the Spanish, Belgian and Hungarian Presidencies covering the period January 2010 to June 2011. It is presented in two parts. The first part contains the strategic framework for the programme, setting it in a wider context, and specifically within the perspective of more long-term objectives running into the subsequent three Presidencies. The second part constitutes the operational programme setting out the issues which are expected to be covered during the 18 month period.

24 November 2009 - Commission Working Document, Consultation on the future "EU 2020" strategy

13 November 2009 - Draft report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and the Council amending the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement and Regulation as regards movement of persons with a long-stay visa

10 November 2009 - New FRA report launched on Roma migration and freedom of movement

The Fundamental Rights Agency of the European Union (FRA) releases a new report on “the situation of Roma EU citizens moving and settling in other EU Member States”.

30 October 2009 - Presidency conclusions of the European Council (October, 29th-30th 2009)

On October, 29th and 30th, the European Council brought together the heads of State or government of the European Union. They defined the general political guidelines for the European Union.

20 October 2009 - FRA presents a new report on the housing conditions of Roma and Travellers in the European Union

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) publishes a new report, which gives evidence that Roma and Travellers are strongly disadvantaged in private and social housing throughout the European Union. They face discrimination in access to housing, poor housing conditions, segregation, and forced evictions. Many Roma are unaware that laws exist to prohibit their discrimination. The FRA report highlights shortcomings, but also good practices across the EU.

1 July 2009 - Council of Europe: Recommendation on the implementation of the right to housing

The expression ‘right to housing’ may be considered to refer to a cluster of more specific rights related to adequate housing and living conditions but, in general terms, it may be defined as ‘the right to live somewhere in security, peace and dignity’. In this document, the commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Thomas Hammarberg, addresses a number of recommendations to member states aimed at designing better housing policy and practice.

25 June 2009 - Publication of the work programme of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU

In a week, Sweden takes over the Presidency of the EU. Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt presented on 23 June the work programme for Sweden’s six months in the EU driving seat. It is firstly a question of leading the EU through the financial and economic crisis, dealing with unemployment in Europe and continuing the work to tackle climate change.

24 June 2009 - The EU Fundamental Rights Agency released its annual report

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has released its annual report 2009. The report covers information, events and developments in the EU for the year 2008. It supplies material under the heading of ‘racism, xenophobia and related intolerance’ and adds to this, an overview of developments in a range of other fundamental rights areas, consistent with the Agency’s mandate.

12 June 2009 - Publication of the Stockholm Program

The Stockholm Programme is to define the framework for EU police and customs cooperation, rescue services, criminal and civil law cooperation, asylum, migration and visa policy for the period 2010–2014. It will replace the present programme, The Hague Programme adopted in 2004, which will expire in 2009.

9 June 2009 - Council conclusions on inclusion of the Roma

The Employment, Social policy, health and Consumer Affairs Council has adopted conclusions on inclusion of the Roma.

June, 5th 2009 - The Swedish EU Council website is now open

The Swedish EU Council Presidency website is now open.Sweden is getting set to take over the Presidency of the Council of the EU which means that from July, 1st until the end of the year, Sweden will lead the work of the EU Council. Starting today, you can follow the agenda of the Swedish Presidency on the website: se2009.eu.

June, 2nd 2009 - Publication of the Council of the Europe Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI)’s annual report

The Council of Europe’s European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) released on June 2nd, its annual activity report for 2008. This Annual Report describes ECRI’s main activities in 2008 and also highlights the main trends with regard to the presence of racism, xenophobia, antisemitism and intolerance across Europe.

May, 28th 2009 - FRA : New report examines discrimination against Muslims

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) today released a report on discrimination against Muslims in the EU. The results for Muslim respondents indicate similarly high levels of discrimination and victimisation as for other minority groups surveyed. Many racist incidents are not reported to the police or to any other organisation. Knowledge of anti-discrimination legislation is low, and there is a lack of trust in complaints mechanisms

May, 26th 2009 - Council of Europe Commission against Racism and Intolerance: Publication of new reports on Belgium, Germany and Slovakia

The Council of Europe’s European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) released on May, 26th, three new reports examining racism, xenophobia, antisemitism and intolerance in Belgium, Germany and Slovakia. These new reports form part of a fourth monitoring cycle of the Council of Europe member states’ laws, policies and practices aimed at combating racism.

May, 25th 2009 - Council of the EU: Adoption of the "EU Blue Card"

The Council of the European Union adopted yesterday a directive aimed at facilitating conditions of entry and residence in the EU of third-country citizens for the purpose of highly qualified employment. The directive creates a fast-track procedure for issuing a special residence permit called the ”EU Blue Card”.

May, 25th 2009 - Council of the EU: Adoption of the "Sanctions directive"

The Council of the European Union adopted yesterday a directive aimed at fighting irregular immigration by prohibiting the employment of irregularly staying third-country nationals, laying down minimum common standards on sanctions to be applied in the EU member States against employers who infringe that prohibition. It follows an agreement at first reading under the Parliament-Council co-decision procedure.

May, 7th 2009 - European Parliament: Adoption of the "Asylum package"

The European Parliament has adopted during its Plenary Session in Strasbourg, on Thursday May 7th, a package of measures concerning the EU asylum system works.

April, 22nd 2009 - FRA: European Minorities and Discrimination Survey (EU-MIDIS)

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) releases results of the first ever EU-wide survey on immigrant and ethnic minority groups’ experiences of discrimination and racist crimes.

April, 2nd 2009 - European Parliament: Adoption of the consultation report by Kathalijne Buitenweg (Greens/EFA, NL) on the “anti-discrimination” directive

On April, 2nd 2009, the European Parliament has adopted the consultation report by Kathalijne Buitenweg (Greens/EFA, NL) on the “anti-discrimination” directive put forward by the European Commission, by 360 votes in favour and 227 against. The directive is intended to reduce discrimination on grounds of religion or belief, age, disability or sexual orientation, whether direct or indirect, and whether based on real or presumed criteria.

March, 12th 2009 - European Parliament: Adoption of the report concerning the social situation of the Roma and their improved access to the labour market during the plenary session in Strasbourg

The motion for a resolution of the European Parliament concerning the social situation of the Roma and their improved access to the labour market in the EU has been adopted on March, 11th 2009 during the plenary session in Strasbourg. The report has been written by the MEP Magda Kósáné Kovács.

March, 11th 2009 - European Parliament: Adoption of the report on the future of the European Common Asylum System during the plenary session in Strasbourg

The report on the future of the European Common Asylum System has been passed on the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. This report has been written by the MEP Giusto Catania.

March, 9th 2009 - European Commission: Report on equality between women and men

At the request of the European Council, the European Commission reports each year on progress towards gender equality and presents challenges and priorities for the future. This report released on February, 27th 2009 addresses the challenges and the policy responses for removing barriers to women’s and men’s full participation in the labour market. It also addresses the importance of correcting the gender imbalance in decision-making, a major issue at a moment when it is planned to change the composition of decision-making structures at EU level.

March, 2nd 2009 - ECRI: 4th reports on racism and intolerance in Europe

The Chair of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), Ms Eva Smith Asmussen, has announced the 24th of February the release of the first three reports of ECRI’s fourth round of country monitoring work, examining racism and intolerance in Europe.

February, 27th 2009 - Council of the European Union: JHA Conclusions

The Justice and Home Affairs Council of the European Union was held on the 26th and the 27th of February in Brussels. Debates focused notably on the Second generation of the Schengen Information System “SIS II”, the creation of the European Asylum Support Office, illegal immigration in the Mediterranean region and on the implementation of e-Justice.

February, 18th 2009 - Council of Europe: Recommendation on systematic work for implementing human rights at the national level

The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, M. Thomas Hammarberg, released on the 18th of February, a “recommendation on systematic work for implementing human rights at the national level”.

January 2009 - ECHR: annual report

July, 10th 2008 - Call on the European Parliament for the voting right of Latvian non-citizens

Join the initiative lanched by the MEP Tatjana Zdanoka to call on the EP for the voting right of Latvian non citizens

May, 28th 2008 - Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE): Report on a visit to closed detention centres for asylum seekers and immigrants in Belgium

The report, written by Giusto Catania (GUE/NGL), was adoptes on 28th May 2008 by the LIBE Committee after a long debate.

May, 16th 2008 - EDPS : 2007 annual report

The EDPS is an independent supervisory authority devoted to protecting personal data and privacy and promoting good practice in the EU institutions and bodies.
This last report resumes the third year of activities since the EDPS was created.

May, 6th 2008 - The European Parliament has been granted more power on the issue of immigration

In the case law C-133/06 opposing the European Parliament and the Council, the Court of Justice decided yesterday in favour of the European Parliament.

March, 12th 2008 - EESC: Opinion on the green paper "the future common European asylum system"

COM(2007) 301 final 12 March 2008

January 2008 - EUROPOL to become a EU agency

The Council reached political agreement on a decision establishing European Police Office, Europol for short. Once that decision is formally adopted, Europol will become a Community agency. The change of status will significantly improve the operational and administrative functioning of Europol.

January 2008 - Council of the European Union: The Slovenian Presidency

The Presidency is held by each Member State in turn for a period of six months.

Liga Italiana dei Diritti dell’Uomo (LIDU): Press release on the situation of immigrants in Calabria - 21 January 2010

Liga Voor Mensenrechten & Ligue wallonne des Droits de l’Homme - Launching the website "Retain your privacy": Campaign against the Belgian transposition of the European Directive on the retention of data - October, 26th 2009

A wide platform of organisations, including the Flemish League for Human Rights and the Walloon League for Human Rights, has launched a campaign against the Belgian transposition of the European data retention directive.

Internationale Liga für Menschenrechte (ILMR) : Please take action! Refugee Savers at Italian Court - October, 5th 2009

The German Captain Stefan Schmidt, the journalist Elias Bierdel and the first mate Vladimir Daschkewitsch were navigating their ship, the Cap Anamur, towards Basra, Iraq, in 2004 with a load of humanitarian supplies when they spotted a group of 37 refugees lost at sea in an inflatable raft. After ten days at sea, the Cap Anamur landed in Italy and both, Schmidt and Bierdel were arrested. The ship was impounded and the refugees were deported. The Italian government is currently prosecuting both Schmidt and Bierdel and is asking for a four-year prison (4 years!) sentence and 400,000 EUR fine. The International League for Human Rights raises a sharp protest against the attempt of the Italian government to criminalize the humanitarian aid of Captain Schmidt and Elias Bierdel. We call for an EU-wide solidarity with the accused.

APDHA (Andalusia): A call for the respect of Human Rights in borders - September, 21st 2009

At least 14 people lost their lives in Ceuta and Melilla between September and October 2005, trying to cross the border fences. This is in their memory and in memory of all those who perish every day in trying to reach Europe and therefore achieve a life worthy to be lived, that the APHDA is pleased to invite you to the 5th Caravan at the Ceuta border on October, 11th 2009. (Only available in French)

APDHA (Andalucia): A new tragedy at the Cadix Coasts - Press release, June 29th 2009

It has been hardly a month, we regretted the death of 20 people, 4 miles away from Tangier. Today, we have to mention a new tragedy for which we do not know all datas.

Otwarta Rzeczpospolita (Poland) : Hate Speech - April, 2nd 2009

This text has been written by our Polish member league, Otwarta Rzeczpospolita to call on vigilance regarding the raise of hate speeches in Poland. This expression refers to a whole spectrum of negative discourse, stretching from hate or prejudice and inciting to hatred.

APDHA (Andalucia): Press release " March, 21th against racism and discrimination" - March, 20th 2009

Available in Spanish and French

APDHA (Andalucia) : Press release " The conviction for manslaughter by the Cadix provincial hearing of the civil guardsman who had killed a migrant in Tarifa in 2000" - March, 19th 2009

Available in Spanish and French

LDH (France): Press release "Migrants hunting, helping migrants citizens hunting: when humanity becomes a crime" - March, 7th 2009

On February, 25th 2009, in Norrent-Fontes (Pas-de-Calais), 13 migrants from Eritrea and a 59 year-old woman have been arrested; the woman’s house was carried out a search while she was being held up during nine hours for having helped the migrants. (in French)

APDHA (Andalucia): Press release "Faced with the requests to establish life sentences" - February, 24th 2009

Even if it takes into consideration the gravity of the act which has been commited, the profound pain aroused by the loss of a innocent human being and the huge pain for the parents, the APDHA asks to consider all elements before presenting the requests for the institutionalization of the life sentence. (in French and in Spanish)

IDHC (Catalunia) : Round table on the ratification and the implementation in Spain of the Convention on the rights of migrant workers - July, 24th 2008

Institut de Drets Humans de Catalunya (IDHC) : Taula rodona sobre la ratificació i implementació a l’estat espanyol de la Convenció dels drets dels treballadors migratoris (in Spanish only)

Appeal to MEPs for supporting the Latvian non-citizens’ voting rights - July, 10th 2008

APDHA (Andalucia) Press release regarding the return directive - June, 19th 2008

LA DIRECTIVA RETORNO: UN GRAVE RETROCESO DE LOS DERECHOS HUMANOS (in Spanish only)

APDHA: Report "Human rights on the Southern border 2007" - March 2008

Human Rights on the Southern border 2007 (Introduction in English and report in Spanish)

APDHA : Report on torture in Spain in 2007

Compilation of denunciations of torture and bad treatments reported in 2007. (in Spanish only)

25 February 2010 - AEDH invited by France 24 to debate on the issue of prisons in France and in Europe

AEDH talks about prisons on France 24.

15 February 2010 - AEDH signs the text "towards a structured framework for European civil dialogue"

Article 11 of the amended Treaty on European Union makes participatory democracy a tool to strengthen the democratic legitimacy of the European Union and therefore a principle of governance, as a complement to representative democracy. Thus civil dialogue becomes one of the major tools in policy-shaping and decision-making processes at European level. The EU institutions are required to conduct "an open, transparent and regular dialogue with representative associations and civil society"

10 February 2010 - Interview of Pierre Barge, President of AEDH, in the latest Newsletter of the European Economic and Social Committee

The latest Newsletter of the Group III (Various Interests) of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) publishes the interview of Pierre Barge, President of AEDH, on its page one.

29 January 2010 - AEDH-EDRI European Civil Society Data Protection Award 2010: the winner is Per.sonn.es (in French) / Fakefriends.me (in English)

AEDH (European Association for the Defense of Human rights) and EDRI (European Digital Rights) are pleased to announce that the winner of the first edition of the European Civil Society Data Protection Award (ECSDPA) is PER.SONN.ES (in French) / FAKEFRIENDS.ME (in English).

5 January 2010 - AEDH wishes you all the best for 2010

15 December 2009 - AEDH-EDRI European Civil Society Data Protection Award: Call for nominations opened

AEDH (European Association for the Defence of Human rights) and EDRI (European Digital Rights) launch the first edition of the European Civil Society Data Protection Award (ECSDPA). The prize aims at rewarding positive initiatives contributing to the visibility and effectiveness of right to privacy and to the protection of personal data in Europe. The ECSDPA prize will be awarded each year on 28 January, as a European Civil Society contribution to the Data Protection Day.

3 November 2009 - The AEDH has signed the civil society Declaration for "Global privacy standards for a Global World"

The AEDH has signed the civil society Declaration for “Global privacy standards for a Global world”. On November, 3rd, the AEDH will attend the conference organized by the Public Voice coalition in Madrid, on this topic.

19 June 2009 - ALOS LDH Luxembourg becomes a full member of the AEDH

Following the approval of the General Assembly on June, 19th 2009, the Luxemburg League for Human rights, ALOS-LDH, has become a full member of the AEDH.

General Assembly of the AEDH - June, 19th 2009

The General Assembly for the AEDH will take place on June, 19th 2009 at the Economic and Social Committee.

AEDH TAKES ACTION FOR THE 2009 EUROPEAN ELECTIONS

From the 4th to the 7th of June, European citizens will elect their representants for the European Union. The European Parliament, composed by 785 MEPs, is the only European institution elected through direct universal suffrage. It’s the citizen’s voice in the EU legislative process.

By voting in the European elections in June you decide what the EU will be like for the 5 upcoming years.

On this occasion, the AEDH has prepared a series of cards in the form of question-answers on various key topics related to human rights, that it puts at the disposal of its members. Therefore, the AEDH invites the citizens and residents of the European Union to call on their candidates for the European elections on these sensible questions.