Latest news with #Strasbourg-based
DW
a day 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
The Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Hate speech rising in Portugal: European monitor
LISBON: Portugal's leaders must do more to fight crimes and hate speech against minorities, including immigrants, Roma, black people and LGBTQ people, the Council of Europe's anti-discrimination body said Wednesday. In a new report, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) highlighted a sharp rise in hate speech in Portugal. It comes as the far-right party Chega has risen to become the main opposition force. ECRI 'calls on Portugal to improve the way law enforcement officials deal with hate crimes and to commit to Roma inclusion,' the Strasbourg-based body said in a statement. 'ECRI expresses concern about the rise of online hate speech and the divisive and inflammatory discourse used by some politicians,' it added, singling out some members of Chega. The party became the country's main opposition force following May's legislative elections. 'Cases of hate-motivated violence have been reported, at times involving neo-Nazi groups,' the statement added. On Tuesday, police in Portugal announced the arrest of six individuals affiliated with a far-right group, suspected of 'terrorist activities, discrimination and incitement to hatred and violence'. Local media reported on Wednesday that one of those arrested was a police officer and that the group he allegedly belonged to was planning, among other things, an attack on the parliament. The ECRI report also noted the persistence of reports about cases of racist abuse, including racial profiling, by the police.
Libya Review
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Libya Review
Italy Cleared Over Libya's Deadly 2017 Migrant Boat Sinking
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has dismissed a case against Italy over its alleged responsibility in a deadly migrant boat sinking off the Libyan coast in 2017. The court ruled that Italy was not liable for the actions of the Libyan Coast Guard, rejecting claims made by 14 survivors of the incident. The Strasbourg-based court declared the case inadmissible, stating that Italy did not have 'effective control' over the maritime area off Tripoli where the vessel carrying about 150 migrants sank. The tragedy resulted in the deaths of at least 20 people. According to survivor accounts, those rescued by the Libyan Coast Guard were returned to Libya and detained at the Tajura Detention Centre, where they reportedly faced beatings and abuse. However, the ECHR judges concluded that the Libyan crew aboard the rescue vessel Ras Jadir acted independently, without direct control or instruction from Italian authorities. While Italy has supported Libya's coast guard with vessels, training, and funding to stem the flow of migrants across the Mediterranean, the court found that such support did not amount to Italy exercising governmental authority over Libya. Some of the migrants were later rescued by the humanitarian group Sea-Watch and brought to Italy. The 14 complainants were among them. A ruling in favour of the migrants could have challenged EU-backed migration control agreements with Libya, Turkey, and other nations aimed at limiting migrant arrivals to Europe. The ECHR clarified that it has no jurisdiction over Libya, which is not a member of the Council of Europe. The court's mandate is limited to the 46 member states of the Council, an entity separate from the European Union, created after World War II to uphold democracy and human rights. Tags: ECHRImmigrationItalylibyamigrants
The Sun
30-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Italy calls Council of Europe 'shameful' after warning on police racism
ROME: Italy lashed out at the Council of Europe on Thursday and defended its police after the European human rights body named Italy among countries where racist conduct among law enforcers was a problem. In presenting its 2025 annual report on Wednesday, the head of the Council's Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) urged Italy to launch an independent enquiry into evidence that its police disproportionately targeted immigrants. Bertil Cottier said so-called 'racial profiling', by which the police stop people on the basis of their skin colour or presumed nationality or religion, appeared to be an issue in Italy and called on the government to look into it. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her deputy Matteo Salvini, who both lead far-right parties that base their appeal on law-and-order and the fight against illegal immigration, bluntly dismissed the suggestion. 'ECRI's words, accusing the Italian police of racism, are simply shameful,' Brothers of Italy chief Meloni posted on social media platform X on Wednesday. League leader Salvini doubled down on Thursday, telling reporters in Rome that the anti-racism panel 'should be ashamed,' and calling it 'another useless body paid for by Italian and European citizens, that produces rubbish in return.' The head of state Sergio Mattarella summoned Italy's police chief for a meeting on Thursday, 'to re-confirm the admiration and trust of the country in its law enforcers.' The Council of Europe did not respond to a request for comment. The Strasbourg-based organisation, which has 46 member states, was founded in 1949 to promote democracy and human rights in the continent. The latest ECRI report was an overview of its activities in 2024 and did not specifically discuss the Italian situation. However, in ECRI's latest country-specific report in October, it flagged 'numerous accounts of racial profiling by law enforcement officials, targeting especially Roma and people of African descent' in Italy.
The Sun
30-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Italy calls Council of Europe 'shameful' for police racism
ROME: Italy lashed out at the Council of Europe on Thursday and defended its police after the European human rights body named Italy among countries where racist conduct among law enforcers was a problem. In presenting its 2025 annual report on Wednesday, the head of the Council's Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) urged Italy to launch an independent enquiry into evidence that its police disproportionately targeted immigrants. Bertil Cottier said so-called 'racial profiling', by which the police stop people on the basis of their skin colour or presumed nationality or religion, appeared to be an issue in Italy and called on the government to look into it. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her deputy Matteo Salvini, who both lead far-right parties that base their appeal on law-and-order and the fight against illegal immigration, bluntly dismissed the suggestion. 'ECRI's words, accusing the Italian police of racism, are simply shameful,' Brothers of Italy chief Meloni posted on social media platform X on Wednesday. League leader Salvini doubled down on Thursday, telling reporters in Rome that the anti-racism panel 'should be ashamed,' and calling it 'another useless body paid for by Italian and European citizens, that produces rubbish in return.' The head of state Sergio Mattarella summoned Italy's police chief for a meeting on Thursday, 'to re-confirm the admiration and trust of the country in its law enforcers.' The Council of Europe did not respond to a request for comment. The Strasbourg-based organisation, which has 46 member states, was founded in 1949 to promote democracy and human rights in the continent. The latest ECRI report was an overview of its activities in 2024 and did not specifically discuss the Italian situation. However, in ECRI's latest country-specific report in October, it flagged 'numerous accounts of racial profiling by law enforcement officials, targeting especially Roma and people of African descent' in Italy.
