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.

After his meeting with Gustavo Petro, the leader of the political opposition in Colombia, on Thursday, EP Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) Chair Antonio Panzeri stated:

"The increase in incidents against human rights defenders and political opposition representatives in Colombia, who face all kinds of restrictions in their daily work, is alarming. This situation seriously endangers the peace agreement, including the implementation of the special jurisdiction for peace (JEP in Spanish).

Due to the precarious humanitarian situation for the Yazidi community, DROI Chair Antonio Panzeri issued a statement calling for full respect of their rights and freedoms.

"On 2 April 2019, I had the opportunity to meet a delegation from the Central Council of Yazidis in Germany, invited by the Committee on Development to address the situation of Yazidis from a human rights and humanitarian point of view.

Following the recent announcement by the Brunei government of a new penal code punishing LGBTI persons with death by stoning and theft by amputation, Mr Panzeri stated:

"I call on the Brunei government to withdraw the laws punishing LGBTI with whipping and stoning and to bring its penal code into full compliance with universal human rights obligations.

After the annual visit of the EP Subcommittee on Human Rights to the spring session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, the head of the delegation Barbara Lochbihler stated:

"In a challenging time for multilateralism and with the rise of populist forces worldwide, the EU and the member states have, more than ever, the responsibility to continue engaging vigorously with the UN Human Rights Council. The EU must continue to support the High Commissioner's global leadership role and to preserve the independence of the special procedure mandates". In this regard, Members reiterate that it is vital for the EU member states to speak with one voice in the UN Human Rights system.

Condemning Oyub Titiev's sentence to four years in penal colony, the Chairs of the Foreign Affairs Committee, David McAllister, and the Human Rights Subcommittee, Antonio Panzeri, stated:

"We strongly condemn the conviction of Oyub Titiev, a prominent human rights defender and Director of the Memorial Human Rights Centre in the Chechen Republic. We call on the Russian authorities to immediately ensure his release. The sentencing of Oyub Titiev signals that the authorities are cracking down on those working to protect and promote human rights instead of on those committing human rights violations in Chechnya.

Regarding Malaysia's accession to the ICC, the Chair of the EP Subcommittee on Human Rights, Antonio Panzeri, made the following statement:

"We welcome Malaysia's decision to accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. This reflects a strong engagement of the country in favour of human rights, the rule of law and justice and sends a clear signal as to the importance of the system of international criminal justice to fight impunity and prevent the most serious crimes under international law."

Regarding the increase in repression and attacks on fundamental freedoms in Cameroon, Antonio Panzeri, Chair of the EP Subcommittee on Human Rights, made the following statement:

Since the presidential election on October 7, 2018, Cameroon is experiencing a wave of demonstrations challenging the re-election of President Biya, as well as repression of all forms of peaceful protests, resulting in multiple arrests, including that of Cameroonian opposition leader and presidential candidate, Mr. Maurice Kamto.

Regarding the case of the prominent Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, EP Vice-President Heidi Hautala, and Pier Antonio Panzeri, Chair of the EP Human Rights Subcommittee, stated:

"We are concerned by the situation of Nasrin Sotoudeh, arrested last June and convicted in December 2018 to a five-year prison sentence. The trial was held in absentia and she was not represented by a lawyer during the process".