Press room 

MEPs have shortlisted WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange, the Ukrainian people and their representatives and the Colombian Truth Commission for the 2022 Sakharov Prize.

MEPs express their deep concern over the death threats made against the Congolese human rights defender Dr. Denis Mukwege and calls for all measures to be taken to ensure his security.

As the security situation in Afghanistan changes rapidly, Maria Arena, Chairwoman of the Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights, issued the following statement.

MEPs in the Subcommittee on Human Rights express their strong solidarity with the people of Belarus and call for broader sanctions against regime officials involved in human rights abuses.

MEPs in the Subcommittee on Human Rights will debate the human rights situation in Belarus following the disputed presidential elections of 9 August and subsequent demonstrations, on Monday.

Statement by leading MEPs following the decision by Chinese authorities to sanction the Subcommittee on Human Rights and other European entities and officials.

Against the backdrop of continuing human rights violations in China, MEPs renew their call for tough EU action, including an import ban for goods made with forced labour.

On Monday, MEPs dealing with human rights and women’s rights will debate the treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s takeover.

MEPs and political groups presented their candidates for the Sakharov Prize 2023 on Wednesday. The vote on the three finalists will take place in October.

The award ceremony for this year’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, conferred to Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement in Iran, will be held on 12 December at 11.30.

MEPs have shortlisted Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life and Freedom Movement in Iran, Nicaraguan human rights activists and women fighting for a free, safe and legal abortion.

Seven nominees for the European Parliament’s 2014 Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought, chosen by political groups and groups of MEPs, will be presented at a meeting of the Foreign Affairs and Development committees and the Human Rights Subcommittee on 23 September, at 16:15.

On Wednesday afternoon, MEPs and prominent guest speakers will debate the alarming human rights situation in Egypt ahead of the COP27 UN climate summit in Sharm El-Sheikh.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Parliament will organise a series of events to shine a light on the dire situation faced by women in Afghanistan.

On Monday afternoon, the Subcommittee on Human Rights will assess conditions for foreign workers in Qatar ahead of the FIFA World Cup.

The democratic opposition in Belarus, Guapinol activists and Berta Cáceres, and the Archbishop of Mosul were shortlisted for the 2020 Sakharov Prize on Monday.

Joint statement by FEMM and DROI Chairs:

In a report adopted on Wednesday, the Foreign Affairs Committee criticises the EU and some EU countries for overusing informal agreements on the return and readmission of irregular migrants.

On Thursday, MEPs will welcome UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk for a debate on the global state of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

MEPs will be presented with the nominees for this year’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in a joint committee meeting on Monday afternoon.