Statement by the Chair of the European Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights, Maria Arena, on International Human Rights Day on 10 December.

"2019 was marked by waves of protests, often expressed peacefully, in Algeria, Chile, Hong Kong, Iraq, Lebanon and Sudan. These movements show how relevant the Universal Declaration of Human Rights still is decades after its adoption by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1948..."

Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs express their deep concern over the unremitting attacks on democracy and shrinking space for civil society worldwide, in a resolution adopted on Wednesday.

In their annual resolution assessing the situation for human rights in the world, Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs denounce the ongoing pushback against multilateralism and the rule-based international order that continues to pose a serious challenge to human rights.

Statement by Maria Arena, Chair of the European Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights, to mark the annual International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November.

"Violence against women and girls (VAWG) remains one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today but it is still largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it. It is therefore of the utmost importance that states collect and utilize data on violence against women, as is prescribed by law. This is a key pillar of the strategy to counter violence against women.

On the occasion of the European and World Day Against the Death Penalty, Maria Arena, Chair of the European Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI), issued this statement.

"On the European and World Day Against the Death Penalty, I would like to reiterate the EU's unified and unwavering stance against capital punishment in all cases and under all circumstances. The Parliament and its Subcommittee on Human Rights has repeatedly called for moving towards a worldwide moratorium on executions..."

Statement by the Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) Maria Arena on the incommunicado detention and possible execution of citizens in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region in China.

"I am alarmed by the reported possible imminent execution of Tashpolat Tiyip, a prominent Uyghur academic and former President of Xinjiang University. He was convicted in a secret and unfair trial, following his enforced disappearance and incommunicado detention since 2017. Following his "suspended death sentence", which includes the possibility of commutation after two years imprisonment, he now reportedly faces imminent execution.

Suite à l'arrestation de l'opposant politique algérien Karim Tabbou, la Présidente de la sous-commission des droits de l'homme du Parlement européen Maria Arena a déclaré:

« C'est avec un profond sentiment d'inquiétude que nous apprenons l'arrestation à son domicile de M. Karim Tabbou, une des figures populaires et respectées par les manifestants algériens.

Nous condamnons cet acte arbitraire qui intervient après une vague récente d'arrestations de citoyens, d'étudiants et de militants unis par leur détermination de construire une Algérie libre et démocratique.

Following the recent release of the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary and arbitrary killings' report, Antonio Panzeri, Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, stated:

"Ms Agnes Callamard's report is an important step forward in the struggle against impunity in Saudi Arabia. As the report points out, there is ample evidence that Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has been a victim of a deliberate and premeditated execution for which the State of Saudi Arabia is responsible.

I welcome UN Special Rapporteur Callamard's findings over the killing of Mr. Khashoggi and her strong call in favour of an international follow-up criminal investigation into the case.

Pier Antonio Panzeri (S&D, IT), Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, made the following statement on the provisional release of two bloggers in Mauritania.

"I warmly welcome the provisional release of the two bloggers, Abderrahmane Weddady and Cheikh Ould Jiddou, who were arrested last March for defamation against the President. I am confident that this provisional release will lead to all charges against them being dropped, allowing them to fully enjoy their freedom.

In reaction to the latest wave of executions in Saudi Arabia, EP Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) Chair Antonio Panzeri gave the following statement on Friday.

On Tuesday 23 April, Saudi Arabia carried out its largest mass execution since 2016. Under the justification of countering terrorism, 37 people, including a high number of Shia and at least three minors at the time of the arrest, were executed in six cities across the country. The executed were mostly convicted for offences related to spying or violent participation in anti-government protests.