Hearings
A committee is permitted to organise a hearing with experts, where this is considered essential to its work on a particular subject. Hearings can also be held jointly by two or more committees. Most committees organise regular hearings, as they allow them to hear from experts and hold discussions on the key issues. On this page you will find all the available information relating to committee hearings, including programmes and contributions from speakers.
In association with the Delegation for relations with the countries of Central America On 5 September DROI Members will hold a hearing on human rights violations by mining companies in Guatemala, with guest speakers: Luis Solano, Economist and investigative journalist; Carlos Choc, Local journalist from the Fenix mine area; Marlies Stappers, Executive director Impunity watch and Miguel Angel Galvez, Judge.
The European Parliament and the Global Campus of Human Rights will organise the second Annual Conference on the Global State of Human Rights on 15-16 July 2022 in Venice, Italy. This unique event will include keynote speakers, pannelists and moderators from diverse backgrounds, including Members of the European Parliament, academics from the Global Campus network, high officials from EU and other international organisations, national human rights bodies, civil society, human rights defenders
Improving the protection and lives of dependent elderly and other dependent persons
The COVID-19 pandemic has deprived a number of older people of a dignified end of life around the world. It has also amplified the existing human rights violations suffered by dependent ones, such as abuse, neglect and discrimination. On 11 July DROI will hold a hearing to examine the current situation on the protection of the rights of dependent elderly people and other dependent persons under international and national laws.
The aim of the hearing is to engage in a debate with policy-makers and scholars on progress and challenges towards the universal abolition of the death penalty and to discuss how to strengthen strategies and international cooperation to this end. There is a clear overall trend on the declining use of the death penalty worldwide. However, large-scale executions and the resumptions of the application of the death penalty in certain countries are of great concern.
The increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) generates new challenges for human rights, with expressed concern about the unprecedented level of surveillance across the globe by state and private actors, which is incompatible with human rights. Human rights defenders and dissenters face particular risks that they will be targeted; on the other hand, AI can potentially offer at least some of them additional tools to defend human rights and democracy around the world.
Jointly with the Committee on International Trade, the Subcommittee on Human Rights will hold a public hearing on human rights and trade nexus in the context of non-self-governing and occupied territories, on Wednesday 16 March. The debate will assess the implementation of international human rights law in non-self-governing and occupied territories, including how trade policy can support the promotion of human rights considering the specific situation of these territories.
On 16 July 2021, the first Global State of Human Rights conference will take place at the Monastery of San Nicolò – Venice-Lido (Italy) and at the European Parliament (Brussels), to discuss the state of Human Rights in the world. This event, jointly organised by the Global Campus of Human Rights and the European Parliament, will gather MEPs, EU Commissioners, Nobel Peace Prize Recipients, Sakharov Prize Laureates, International organisations’ high representatives, academia and stakeholders.
Chaired by the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights, co-chaired by the European Parliament’s Delegation for relations with the Mashreq countries
Public hearing on authoritarianism and shrinking space for freedom of expression, press freedom and human rights defenders, with case studies on China, Egypt and Russia
This hearing will examine the state of international law on freedom of thought, conscience and religion and study lessons learned from past policies and actions that have contributed towards its protection. Participants will also discuss best practices of interreligious dialogue for promoting tolerance and fighting against discrimination based on religious motivations.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of UN General Assembly Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the 30th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
This hearing will address the issue of human rights education and Members will have the opportunity to hear about the lessons learned so far and the challenges ahead from different perspectives.