A delegation of subcommittee on human rights members visited Turkey (Ankara and Istanbul) on 17-19 September.

In meetings with various parliament and government representatives, members of the European Parliament listened to renewed ambitions to strengthen Turkey's ties with the EU.

Following the decision by the Guatemala's authorities not to renew the mandate of the international UN-led International Commission against Impunity (CICIG), DROI chair Panzeri stated:

"I am deeply disappointed by this decision, which also prevents CICIG Head Ivan Velazquez to enter the country and is a blow in the strengthening process of the Guatemala justice system and the rule of law. In addition, there is serious concerns over the ongoing waves of police intimidations against human rights defenders and dissidents' voices. This worrying trend could trigger a serious human rights crisis in Guatemala in a time of acute difficulties across the region..." Full text below

EP Human Rights Subcommittee Chair Pier Antonio Panzeri congratulates Michelle Bachelet on her appointment as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

During 16-18 July 2018 a delegation from the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) of the European Parliament, visited Thailand to discuss a broad range of human rights issues.

La vice-présidente Heidi Hautala, et Pier Antonio Panzeri, président de la sous-commission des droits de l'homme, ont déclaré:

"Nous avons appris avec consternation les menaces inacceptables proférées par un membre du gouvernement de la République démocratique du Congo à l'encontre du Dr Denis Mukwege.

Nous appelons les acteurs de la vie politique congolaise à faire preuve de la plus grande responsabilité et de s'abstenir de tout propos pouvant être assimilé à une incitation à la violence et la haine."

Le Dr Mukwege, lauréat du Prix Sakharov 2014, pourra toujours compter sur le soutien indéfectible du Parlement européen. L'Union européenne et son Parlement continueront à suivre de près l'évolution de sa situation personnelle.

On 17 July 2018, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Rome Statute establishing the International Criminal Court (ICC), Mr Pier Antonio Panzeri, Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI), called on the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to appoint an EU Special Representative on International Humanitarian Law and International Justice.

Human rights MEPs visit Thailand from 16 to 18 July, to assess the human rights situation in the country, including the possibilities for a democratic transition and free elections.

The aim of the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) delegation is to gather more information on a range of issues, including the situation on civil, political and labour rights in Thailand and to see what is being done to organise free and democratic elections in the country. Several general election dates have been postponed since the military took power in a coup in 2014.

MEPs will exchange views with representatives of government ministries and political parties, including Democrat Party leader and former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, as well as members of parliamentary committees and civil society organisations.

During a joint public hearing on Wednesday 11 July, the Committee on Development (DEVE) and the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) discussed ways to combat child labour and the devastation of rainforests caused by cocoa and coffee agriculture.

Both issues are common in production countries throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America, where large industrial companies buy and produce cocoa and coffee beans for the European market. MEPs underlined the EU's responsibility and that of cocoa and coffee producing sectors to address the plight of child labourers and the problem of deforestation.