Latest news with #CouncilofEurope
Euronews
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Council of Europe alarmed by free speech curbs in Germany
The Human Rights Commissioner of the Council of Europe, Michael O'Flaherty, has expressed serious concerns regarding the conduct of German authorities in response to pro-Gaza demonstrations. In a letter addressed to the German Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt, O'Flaherty highlighted what he perceives as infringements on freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly. 'Since February 2025, Berlin authorities have imposed restrictions on the use of the Arabic language and cultural symbols during protests. In certain instances, such as the demonstration held on 15 May 2025, marches were limited to static gatherings. Additionally, protestors have reportedly been subjected to intrusive surveillance—both online and in person—and arbitrary police checks,' O'Flaherty stated. The Commissioner also raised alarm over reports of disproportionate police violence during these events. 'I am deeply concerned by allegations of excessive force used by police against demonstrators, including minors, which in some cases led to injuries. The use of force by law enforcement must adhere to the principles of non-discrimination, legality, necessity, proportionality, and precaution,' he said. O'Flaherty has urged the German authorities to thoroughly investigate incidents of excessive force and to hold officers accountable where misconduct is found. He noted that police efforts to suppress Nakba Day commemorations—a remembrance of the 1948 displacement of Palestinians—were especially troubling. The Irish human rights advocate further pointed out that freedom of speech appears to be restricted within some German universities and cultural institutions. He cited reports of foreign nationals facing deportation following their involvement in pro-Gaza activities. 'I am concerned by indications that the working definition of antisemitism adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) is being interpreted by some German authorities in a manner that equates any criticism of Israel with antisemitism,' O'Flaherty wrote. Tensions have run high in Germany since the beginning of the Gaza conflict, with frequent clashes at pro-Palestinian rallies. During the Nakba protest in mid-May, demonstrators were heard chanting slogans such as 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free'—phrasing considered antisemitic under German law. The event saw several injuries as confrontations escalated. In April, five students were arrested during a protest at Humboldt University for chanting anti-Israeli slogans. German police have also taken action against demonstrators displaying banned symbols, including altered Hamas slogans. Bill Gates will visit Brussels next week to participate in a Gavi vaccine alliance summit together with EU leaders to pledge provision of vaccine purchases for developing countries in an event co-hosted by The Gates Foundation and the European Union. The goal of the event is to collect €9 billion between 2026 and 2030. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, will likely represent the EU at the event. Gavi is a global vaccine alliance bringing together public and private actors that help vaccinate more than half the world's children against some of the deadliest diseases. The Gates Foundation, alongside the European Union, is its biggest sponsor. Gavi intends to immunise at least 500 million children in the next five years. This, according to their press release, would save 8-9 million lives. It is not immediately clear how much the EU will contribute to this plan financially. The EU has provided €3.2 billion in financing to Gavi since 2003. There was enhanced cooperation between the two during the coronavirus pandemic in the COVAX programme. EU institutions together with individual member states have also contributed €2.55 billion to Gavi's programmes, amounting to one third of the budget of the campaign. 'When the Gates Foundation made its first investment in Gavi 25 years ago, I couldn't have predicted the extraordinary impact it would have on combatting infectious diseases, lifting up economies and saving lives,' said Bill Gates in a press release announcing the summit in Brussels. "Together with Gavi, we have the goal to vaccinate 500 million children by 2030. That is why the European Union is proud to co-host Gavi's High-Level Pledging Summit in Brussels. Our support will remain steadfast,' von der Leyen is cited in the release as saying. Besides the Gavi's pledging summit, Bill Gates will also have other agenda items in Brussels, participating on Tuesday in a debate with MEPs on the European Parliament's Development Committee. The discussion will focus on assistance and innovation as drivers for improving health and living standards in the Global South. The press release of the Parliament adds that several international donors, like the United States and several EU countries, are cutting their aid budgets.
DW
16 hours ago
- Politics
- DW
Europe rights chief flags Germany's Gaza protest response – DW – 06/19/2025
Skip next section Council of Europe raises concerns over Germany's handling of Gaza protests 06/19/2025 June 19, 2025 Council of Europe raises concerns over Germany's handling of Gaza protests The Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O'Flaherty expressed concern to German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt about freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly in Germany over protests related to the war in Gaza. In a letter dated June 6 but made public Thursday , he cited reports of police using excessive force against demonstrators, including minors. "The use of force by law enforcement officials including during protests must comply with the principles of non-discrimination, legality, necessity and proportionality, and precaution," he wrote. O'Flaherty also noted that restrictions on events, symbols, or other forms of expression in this context. He said governments have very limited grounds to restrict political speech or public debate, unless it incites violence, and must assess each case individually. The human rights commissioner also pointed to reports that Germany justified some restrictions on rights as part of an effort to prevention of antisemitism. "I note with concern reports indicating that the working definition of antisemitism of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) has been interpreted by some German authorities in ways which lead to the blanket classification of criticism of Israel as antisemitic," he said. "In that regard, I urge you to be vigilant that the IHRA working definition is not distorted, instrumentalised or misapplied to stifle freedom of expression and legitimate criticism, including of the state of Israel." DW has requested comment from Dobrindt and will update this story if a response is received. The Council of Europe is a Strasbourg-based international human rights organization that protects human rights, democracy and the rule of law. It is not a part of the European Union. Silent protest: Dancing for Iran To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Rhyl Journal
a day ago
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
ECHR must be reformed to restore ‘fraying' public confidence
Shabana Mahmood told the Council of Europe in a speech in Strasbourg the ECHR 'must evolve' to respond to new realities. It comes as the Government also seeks to tighten the interpretation of the human rights laws in the UK. On Wednesday, the Lord Chancellor said: 'Across Europe, public confidence in the rule of law is fraying 'There is a growing perception – sometimes mistaken, sometimes grounded in reality – that human rights are no longer a shield for the vulnerable, but a tool for criminals to avoid responsibility. 'That the law too often protects those who break the rules, rather than those who follow them.' 'This tension is not new. But in today's world, the threats to justice and liberty are more complex. They can come from technology, transnational crime, uncontrolled migration, or legal systems that drift away from public consent.' Ms Mahmood told European ambassadors the UK was committed to the ECHR, but that was 'not the same as complacency'. She added that when the application of rights 'begins to feel out of step with common sense', that is where trust begins to erode. Her call for change comes as the Government plans to tighten the use of Article 8 of the ECHR, the right to private and family life, in immigration cases in the UK. This includes cases involving foreign criminals. Under the plans unveiled in the immigration White Paper last month, the Home Office will bring forward legislation to try to reduce the number of people claiming 'exceptional circumstances' under Article 8 to stay in the UK. Ms Mahmood said: 'The right to family life is fundamental. But it has too often been used in ways that frustrate deportation, even where there are serious concerns about credibility, fairness, and risk to the public. 'We're bringing clarity back to the distinction between what the law protects and what policy permits.' She also said judges cannot be asked to solve political problems and so reform must be a 'shared political endeavour' among member states. The Lord Chancellor added: 'The European Convention on Human Rights is one of the great achievements of post-war politics. It has endured because it has evolved. Now, it must do so again.' Following Ms Mahmood's speech, a No 10 spokesman said it should be for Parliament and the Government to decide who has the right to remain in the country. 'We want to ensure the right balance is made in migration cases in relation to the national interest,' the spokesman said. The Lord Chancellor was making a broader point that 'now is the time for countries to work together to ensure the ECHR can evolve to meet the challenges facing modern democracies'. But, he added: 'The Government has been clear that Britain will remain a member of the ECHR, it underpins key international agreements on trade, security, on migration, on the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.' A Tory spokesman said Kemi Badenoch had been clear that 'we would do whatever is necessary to ensure the supremacy of UK laws, and set a number of clear tests, including the deportation test, and made clear that if necessary, we would leave the ECHR'. But responding to the speech Sacha Deshmukh, chief executive of Amnesty International UK, said that any reform of the ECHR must 'shore up universal protections, not chip away at them'. He said: 'If the UK starts picking and choosing who merits protection from torture, family separation or arbitrary removal, it will undermine not just its moral authority but the rule of law itself, weakening its hand when speaking out against rights abuses abroad.'
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Britain, under pressure on immigration, urges reform of European human rights framework
FILE PHOTO: A general view of Union Jack flags and the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, April 12, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso/ File Photo LONDON (Reuters) -Britain called on Wednesday for reform of the European Convention on Human Rights, amid growing domestic criticism that it allows a foreign-based court to meddle in sensitive areas of policy such as immigration and deportation rulings. The convention, which dates back more than 70 years and aims to protect human rights and political freedoms in Europe, must "evolve" to reflect changing political realities, justice minister Shabana Mahmood said. Britain's Labour government has criticised the way the convention is interpreted in immigration cases, where its provisions have been used to try to prevent the deportation of migrants - some of whom have been convicted of serious crimes. "It damages the public perception of human rights altogether," Mahmood told a meeting of the Committee of Ministers, the decision-making arm of the Council of Europe, which oversees implementation of the convention. The convention applies to the 46 member states of the Council of Europe and can be enforced by binding rulings from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), based in the French city of Strasbourg. While Britain has left the European Union, it remains a member of the Council of Europe and of the ECHR. Labour has already promised to clarify how the convention should be interpreted by domestic judges, but Mahmood used her speech to urge wider reform of the human rights framework. "The European Convention on Human Rights is one of the great achievements of post-war politics. It has endured because it has evolved. Now, it must do so again," she said. The Council of Europe did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Mahmood's remarks. OTHERS ALSO SEEKING REFORM Britain is not alone in seeking reform. Nine European countries, spearheaded by Italy and Denmark, urged the Council last month to ease the process of expelling foreign criminals. Secretary General Alain Berset, the head of the Council, criticised that initiative, saying on May 24: "The court must not be weaponised — neither against governments, nor by them." Britain's nearly one-year-old Labour government has seen its popularity slide partly due to public concerns over immigration and needs to show it can deport foreign criminals and migrants who have arrived illegally. Labour is committed to remaining in the convention but Nigel Farage's Reform UK, a right-wing party now topping national opinion polls, has said it would immediately withdraw if it won power. The Conservative Party, the biggest opposition party in parliament, has said it is reviewing its policy on Britain's continued membership. (Reporting by Sam TabahritiEditing by William James and Gareth Jones)
Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Britain, under pressure on immigration, urges reform of European human rights framework
FILE PHOTO: A general view of Union Jack flags and the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, April 12, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso/ File Photo LONDON - Britain called on Wednesday for reform of the European Convention on Human Rights, amid growing domestic criticism that it allows a foreign-based court to meddle in sensitive areas of policy such as immigration and deportation rulings. The convention, which dates back more than 70 years and aims to protect human rights and political freedoms in Europe, must "evolve" to reflect changing political realities, justice minister Shabana Mahmood said. Britain's Labour government has criticised the way the convention is interpreted in immigration cases, where its provisions have been used to try to prevent the deportation of migrants - some of whom have been convicted of serious crimes. "It damages the public perception of human rights altogether," Mahmood told a meeting of the Committee of Ministers, the decision-making arm of the Council of Europe, which oversees implementation of the convention. The convention applies to the 46 member states of the Council of Europe and can be enforced by binding rulings from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), based in the French city of Strasbourg. While Britain has left the European Union, it remains a member of the Council of Europe and of the ECHR. Labour has already promised to clarify how the convention should be interpreted by domestic judges, but Mahmood used her speech to urge wider reform of the human rights framework. "The European Convention on Human Rights is one of the great achievements of post-war politics. It has endured because it has evolved. Now, it must do so again," she said. The Council of Europe did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Mahmood's remarks. OTHERS ALSO SEEKING REFORM Britain is not alone in seeking reform. Nine European countries, spearheaded by Italy and Denmark, urged the Council last month to ease the process of expelling foreign criminals. Secretary General Alain Berset, the head of the Council, criticised that initiative, saying on May 24: "The court must not be weaponised — neither against governments, nor by them." Britain's nearly one-year-old Labour government has seen its popularity slide partly due to public concerns over immigration and needs to show it can deport foreign criminals and migrants who have arrived illegally. Labour is committed to remaining in the convention but Nigel Farage's Reform UK, a right-wing party now topping national opinion polls, has said it would immediately withdraw if it won power. The Conservative Party, the biggest opposition party in parliament, has said it is reviewing its policy on Britain's continued membership. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
