Welcome on the European Association for the Defence of Human Rights (AEDH) website
Press release: Solidarity with refugees should not be a crime!
Press release: AEDH and Euromed Rights are concerned by the restrictive law adopted by the Hungarian Parliament
Internship offers (September 2017- February 2018)
Want to fight for human rights with AEDH? We are hiring ! Click below to apply for our latest internship opening.
Job offer : Coordinator, fixed-term contract
1 June 2017 - AEDH is currently seeking a full-time coordinator for its office in Brussels, starting on 1st July 2017.
Newsletter May 2017 - Manchester attack : despite the pain, we must not grant terrorists any victory
AEDH calls for respect for democracy and human rights throughout Europe
Conference : Rethinking the European Union, rethinking civic engagement
26 May 2017 - It is with a great pleasure that AEDH invites you to a special conference for rethinking the European Union and civic engagement. The conference will bring together experts on EU and human rights as well as representatives of civil society to explore the role of civic engagement in shaping the future of the European Union.
The European Social Pillar is not (yet) the one Europe needs.
22 May 2017 - After a year of public consultation, the European Commission submitted its project of European Social Pillar. Despite many positive aspects, the pillar remains insufficient to address many issues.
Joint open letter calling on the General Affairs Council to trigger Article 7 TEU ahead of the 16 May 2017 debate on the situation of the Rule of Law in Poland
15 May 2017 - On Tuesday 16 May 2017, the situation of the rule of law and human rights in Poland has been examined in the General Affairs Council. The debate followed a formal request made by the European Commission to the Council to debate the situation. It was an important moment, as it was the very first time that EU governments had the rule of law and human rights record of one of their fellow member states placed on their agenda.
2015-16 ENAR Shadow Report on racism and migration in Europe
Newsletter April 2017 - Disregarding rule of law : After Hungary, who will dare ?
29 April 2017 - What did happen at AEDH in April ? Discover here our statements including the joint letter addressed to the European Parliament to adopt a resolution on the situation in Hungary. Read our thematic analysis on the state of youth unemployment policies and our special report on the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Youth unemployment policies: the time for evaluation has come!
25 April 2017 - On 4 April 2017, the European Court of Auditors submitted its evaluation report on EU policies against youth unemployment to the European Commission. In line with the Court of Auditors’ conclusions, AEDH judges the European Commission and Member states’ efforts as insufficient to solve youth unemployment and its appalling social consequences.
Joint letter to the European Parliament to adopt resolution on the situation in Hungary
What progress for the EU data protection reform?
11 April 2017 - Reforming data protection since 2012, the European Union adopts news tools to protect the right to privacy of European citizens. Initiated by the General Data Protection Regulation, work is continuing with the proposal for a Regulation on ePrivacy and electronic communication.
Read more about the work of the European Commission on the implementation of the GDPR
The Art. 29 Working Party and Guidelines on GDPR
Proposal for a Regulation on ePrivacy
Newsletter March 2017 – How much do you want of Europe ?
31 March 2017 - What did happen at AEDH in March ?
Discover here!
In Hungary, the refugee-hunting season is open!
28 March 2017 - In its February newsletter, AEDH had echoed the concerns of Hungarian civil society with respect to the government’s proposal to detail all asylum seekers. On 7 March, Hunarian members of parliament overwhelmingly approved this project (with 138 votes for, 6 against and 22 abstentions).
London, March 2017 and fight against terrorism: the end, whichever it is, does not justify the means
27 March 2017 - Yet again, the acts of death willed by terrorists has struck. The European Association for the Defence of Human Rights (AEDH) expresses all its compassion and solidarity to the victims and their families.
A quicker and more efficient system: UNHCR’s "concrete" prosposals for reforming the European asylum system
27 March 2017 - On 5 December 2016, the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) published a report entitled "Better protecting refugees in the EU and globally". In this 21-pages document, the UNHCR mainly focuses on making concrete proposals on how to build a European asylum system which is more efficient and more responsive to the challenges of the "World refugee crisis", while repeating at the same time some of the observations made to the EU over the past 2 years.
A slight decline in asylum applications in 2016
18 March 2017 - On 16 March 2017, Eurostat published the census of asylum applications submitted in the European Union (EU) in 2016.
UE-Turkey agreement: anniversary of a disaster foretold
10 March 2017 - On 20 March 2016, the "contract" concluded between the EU and Turkey to stem the flow of migrants arriving on European territory entered into force.
Yes, women’s rights are definitely as important today as ever!
8 March 2017 - This year’s International Women’s Day has been dedicated by the UN to the topic “Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030”. On this occasion, the governments of member states are invited to make specific commitments to put an end to gender inequality through a series of new measures ranging from legislation and policy, to appropriate action plans and investments on a national basis.
Return policy: Commission is urging Member States to speed up proedures and increase use of detention
8 March 2017 - On 2 March, following the Malta Summit of 3 February 2017, the European Commission presented a new "Action Plan" aimed at improving the effectiveness of return decisions and the expulsion of irreguler migrants, as it has done previously with the adoption of the Regulation on the European laissez-passer.
WikiLeaks and "Vault 7" : a serious cause for concern
7 March 2017 - The revelations of WikiLeaks of 7 March 2017 are a serious cause for concern. The NGO published a new batch of documents, "Vault 7", about CIA surveillance techniques. AEDH considers that it is a serious and concerning violation of the right to privacy and protection of personal data of American citizens, but also of European citizens. More than 8.000 documents from 2013 to 2016 describe the commonly used spying methods of the CIA.
US-EU PNR Agreement : a report raises concerns
6 March 2017 - The agreement between the United States and the European Union on the processing and transfer of passenger name records provides for regular reports. The last one has just been published : it highlights certain evolutions of the implementation of the agreement.
AEDH position on EES
Letter addressed to the members of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home affairs
27 February 2017 - Members of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home affairs were about to vote on the Proposal for a Regulation of Procedure of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an Entry/Exit System (EES) to register entry and exit data and refusal of entry data of third country nationals crossing the external borders of the Member States of the European Union and determining the conditions for access to the EES for law enforcement purposes and amending Regulation (EC) No 767/2008 and Regulation (EU) No 1077/201. AEDH asks them not to choose solutions that come with unjustified restrictions to the fundamental right of privacy and data protection on the pretext that these measures seem easy and at a low price.
Open Letter to the College of Commissioners regarding the situation in Poland
16 February 2017 - Initiated by Amnesty International, FIDH, Human Rights Watch, Open Society European Policy Institute and Reporters Without Borders, more than 70 organisations have decided to support the initiative and co-sign the letter.
Joint statement : Libya - Focus on anti-smuggling policies and cooperation with Libyan authorities will expose people to ill-treatment and arbitrary detention
22 February 2017 - Over 70 organisations send letter to EU heads of state and EU policymakers expressing concern about proposed EU cooperation with Libya.
Joint statement: Asylum down the drain
Intolerable pressure on Tunisia
21 February 2017 - Lately, Tunisian authorities have been the target of intolerable pressure by Germany and Italy. Within a week, they have been forced to clarify their opposition to the German as well as to the Italian authorities which were allegedly planning to send migrants and refugees back to Tunisia. Domestic security issues appear as a cornerstone in the cooperation framework imposed to Tunisia albeit being attached to a domain which is clearly distinct from it : the right of asylum.
Social Europe, a (very) long-term need !
20 February 2017 - On 5th January 2017, the European Commission presented an evaluation report regarding the positive impact on employment of the European Social Fund (ESF) covering the period 2007 to 2013.
Malta at the head of the Council of the European Union : a breath of fresh air for the rights of LGBTI persons
15 February 2017 - Since the beginning of January 2017, the archipelago of Malta is chairing the Council of the European Union (EU) presidency for the next six months. Its priorities include the objective to go further on gender equality issues.
LGBTI asylum seekers: a badly recognised vulnerability!
17 February 2017 - What protection does Europe ensure to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) asylum seekers, persecuted, discriminated and harassed in their country of origin? The 1951 Geneva Convention and the European Qualification Directive represent the legal frame of reference for the granting of international protection to these people in member States.
Internship position - Communication
The secretariat of AEDH in Brussels is currently offering an internship in communication for a 5 month period from March to July 2017.
Deadline: 26 February 2017
The European travel document : Yet another step to deport by all means
7 February 2017 - Mid-way in the Valletta processes, and as African and European high officials are meeting in Malta on 8/9 February 2017, the European Union is crossing a step further in its attempts to limit mobility of migrants and imposes its rule on countries where most of migrants originate from through the use of the “European travel document”, a document adopted last October 2016 and almost unnoticed.The undersigned European and African networks of civil society organisations hereby call on the EU Member States to immediately suspend the use of the EUTD, and call on the EU authorities to provide publicly and with no delay complementary and indispensable information on its use.
Newsletter January 2017 - To Chelsea, Edward and the others
What did happen at AEDH in January? Discover it in our latest newsletter. What are Malta’s priorities in the framework of the migration policy? What contains the second part of the "Labour mobility" package? On the occasion of Data Protection Day (28th January 2017), AEDH organised a conference-debate to discuss how to protect your private life on the net. Furthermore, we keep you updated on AEDH Members latest news.
Social benefits fraud and “social tourism”: the construction of a fantasy
31 January 2017 - On the 13th of December 2016, the European Commission revealed the second part of its “Labour mobility” package. This is a proposal regulation which aims to coordinate social security systems. This proposal is a continuation of the same package of the 1996 directive review on the posting of workers.
Umbrella Agreement: not enough protection for European residents
31 January 2017 - In the European Union, investing and prosecuting crime is a legitimate policy objective according to the EDPS. Recently this objective has been increasingly underlined because of the fight against terrorism which implies information sharing with third countries. Yet, the EU does not have a robust common framework in this field. This situation has become more and more unacceptable, especially since Snowden’s revelations concerning mass surveillance, particularly concerning exchanges with US.
Resumption of Dublin transfers to Greece, or how to add confusion to the dramatic situation of asylum seekers
30 January 2017 – On the 8th of December 2016, the European Commission adopted its firth recommendation on urgent measures to be taken by Greece in view of the resumption of transfers under the Dublin Regulation. Indeed, these have been suspended since 2011, following two decisions, both of the European Court of Human Rights and the Court of Justice of the European Union, considering the “systemic deficiencies” of the Greek asylum system were incompatible with the respect of the rights of the asylum seeker.
The « external dimension » of the migration policy will be enhanced by the Maltese presidency!
30 January 2017 – On the 8th of December 2016, the European Commission adopted its firth recommendation on urgent measures to be taken by Greece in view of the resumption of transfers under the Dublin Regulation. Indeed, these have been suspended since 2011, following two decisions, both of the European Court of Human Rights and the Court of Justice of the European Union, considering the “systemic deficiencies” of the Greek asylum system were incompatible with the respect of the rights of the asylum seeker.
External borders control: a real risk of violation of the principle of non-refoulement !
24 January - In December 2016, the European Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) published a report entitled “Scope of the principle of non-refoulement in contemporary border management: evolving areas of law “, in order to clarify the legal obligation of Member States to respect the principle of non-refoulement in the context of operations conducted at EU external borders or in cooperation with third countries.
"Personal data protection in the European Union since the revelations of Snowden" : Conference-debate on 30th January at ULB from 5pm until 8.30pm
On the occasion of Data Privacy Day (28th January), AEDH, European Association for the defence of Human Rights, organises a conference-debate on 30th January 2017 at ULB (Université Libre de Bruxelles) from 5pm until 8.30pm. Feel free to join at anytime.
How could you protect yourself on the net? What are your data protection rights? Do you still have a private life in Europe? How far does extend surveillance?
We want to raise those questions with you and give you the means to protect your private life!
Newsletter - To get the year 2017 off to a good start
December 2016 - Take a look at AEDH 2016 latest newsletter and enjoy the new design! Human Rights received great attention. Have an overview of our donation campaign that we launched on 10th December, for Human Rights Day. You can also take a look at our latest statements and thematic reports!
Berlin, last image of a terrifying year
23 December 2016 - This Monday 19 December, the German capital has had its turn for a horror scene, of which Paris and Brussels in Western Europe, and Istanbul, Karachi, Beirut and so many others, were the previous theatres. Right until the end, in Aleppo, Ankara, Berlin, the year 2016 well deserves the qualifier of bloody.
AEDH calls for a strong social Europe
« Partnerships », « migration compacts » … the new dress up of the externalisation of the European migration policy
Decline of the rights of migrants and refugees, decline of the idea of Europe, … 2016, heading down a slippery slope !
Asylum applications : increasing trend confirmed during 2016
ACT FOR A EUROPE OF HUMAN RIGHTS, SUPPORT AEDH NOW!
From the 10th December until the 19th December, we organise a big donation campaign! We therefore call on your mobilisation and support to enable us to act and defend human rights. Visit our page decidated to our campaign, you will find different news every day!
Rights of migrants: "Always less!"
Brussels, 18 December 2016 - “On International Migrants Day, let us commit to coherent, comprehensive and human-rights based responses guided by international law and standards and a shared resolve to leave no one behind.” This was the message of the UN Secretary-General in December of last year. The same message has been repeatedly proclaimed since Migrants Day by the UN General Assembly in 2000. The day commemorates the adoption of the International Convention on the Protection of all Migrant Workers and their families. However, the reality, is that it has been ratified only by 49 states, by no EU member state of the European Union and by almost no Northern country.
Joint NGO statement: EU leaders can save lives this winter if they change migration policies
AEDH has signed a joint statement with 31 NGOs addressed to the European Council, ahead its meeting of 15 December. Strengthening the framework for legal migration, expanding safe and legal routes for refugees and protecting the rights of everyone who arrived in Europe, should be the priorities of European migration policies.
10 & 16 December: Rigths are not the problem, they are the solution!
10 December 2016 - On the eve of the commemorations of the 68th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10th December 2016 as well as of the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the International Covenants, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Convenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on 16th December 2016, the European Association for the Defence of Human Rights (AEDH) wants to point out that rights are not the problem, but the solution. While they are often put into question, they must never be turned off.
Supporting whistleblowers means acting for the freedom of information
9 December - The European Association for the Defense of Human Rights (AEDH) expresses its solidarity with the whistleblowers that have been charged and sentenced in the LuxLeaks trial.
Internship position - Personal Data Protection
Le bureau de l’AEDH basé à Bruxelles recherche actuellement un stagiaire dans le domaine de la Protection des données personnelles pour une période de 5 à 6 mois commençant fin février 2017.
Deadline: 18 December 2016
Internship position - Economic, social and cultural rights
Le bureau de l’AEDH basé à Bruxelles recherche actuellement un/e stagiaire dans le domaine des Droits économiques, sociaux et culturels pour une période de 5 à 6 mois commençant fin février 2017.
Deadline: 18 December 2016
Internship position - Asylum and migration
Le bureau de l’AEDH basé à Bruxelles recherche actuellement un/e stagiaire dans le domaine Asile et Migration pour une période de 5 à 6 mois commençant mi/fin février 2017.
Deadline: 18 December 2016
Newsletter n°290 - November 2016
Take a look at AEDH latest newsletter and keep up to date with European news.
Ensuring a decent work : a necessity in the European Pillar for social rights
30 November 2016 - Since the European Commission has launched its consultation on a European Pillar for social rights (EPSR) on 8 March this year, the Employment and Social Affairs Committee has developed a draft report, led by Maria João Rodrigues, Socialists and Democrats (S&D) Member of European Parliament (MEP), in order to give the European Parliament’s opinion on the issue. The world of work is at the core of this initiative, needing to be “fair and truly pan-European”. But what does a “fair” or “decent” work mean ?
European funding in the field of migration
30 November 2016 - Following the European Commission proposal for the 2017 budget, the Parliament and the Council of the European Union (EU) have reached a temporary agreement on the 2017 budget, which will be put to the vote during the plenary session in December, the two institutions having to formally approve it.
The reinforcement of Eurodac: surveillance at the service of border control and not a fair asylum system
30 November 2016 - Euroda, the system created by regulation (EC) N° 2725/2000, is the first European Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS). In more technical terms, the Eurodac database functions according to a system of exchange and comparison, each State having to register asylum seekers data of whom it keeps files in its national database and transmits them to a central unit in order to register them and compare them existing ones. The central unit transmits the result (positive or negative) of the comparison to the Member States following a "hit/not hit" system, concordance/not concordance. The data reliability has to be analysed by EU Lisa before they are inserted into the central system.
CETA, a sword in our democracy
30 November 2016 - It was on a Sunday, 30 October 2016, when the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the European Union (EU) and Canada was signed. It has to be approved by the European Parliament as well. However, there are serious concerns regarding its democratic legitimacy.
Towards a revision of the Blue Card... not very convincing
29 November 2016 - The 7th of November, the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) has dedicated a special hearing to the evaluation of the proposal for the reform of the Directive 2009/20/CE, known as the "Blue Card" Directive. The hearing was based on the conclusions of the impact assessment realised by the European Commission together with the OECD.
Statement: Violence against women has to be opposed with the means of rights
25 November 2016 - 33% of women in the European Union are victims of violence at one point in their life and in the course of the 12 preceding months, 13 million women have experienced physical violence, 3.7 million sexual violence and 9 million have experienced stalking according to a survey of the Fundamental Rights Agency of the EU published in 2014.
How could you protect yourself on the net? What are your data protection rights? Do you still have a private life in Europe? How far does extend surveillance?
We want to raise those questions with you and give you the means to protect your private life!
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Campaign "A Europe of rights, here, now, for all!"
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31 January 2017
Umbrella Agreement: not enough protection for European residents
31 January 2017 - In the European Union, investing and prosecuting crime is (...) 
31 January 2017
Social benefits fraud and “social tourism”: the construction of a fantasy
31 January 2017 - On the 13th of December 2016, the European Commission (...)
30 January 2017
Resumption of Dublin transfers to Greece, or how to add confusion to the dramatic situation of asylum seekers
30 January 2017 – On the 8th of December 2016, the European Commission (...)
20 juin 2017
Solidarity with refugees should not be a crime !
20 June 2017 – A little over two years ago, at the outset of 2015, Europeans (...)
19 juin 2017
AEDH and Euromed Rights are concerned by the restrictive law adopted by the Hungarian Parliament
16 June 2017 - This Tuesday 13 June, the Hungarian Parliament adopted a law (...)
30 mai 2017
AEDH calls for respect for democracy and human rights throughout Europe
29 May 2017 - The European Association for the Defence of Human Rights (...)
Internship at AEDH