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The Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Greek parliament passes suspension of asylum claims despite international criticism
Greece's parliament approved a three-month suspension of asylum claims for migrants arriving from Libya on Friday, despite strong criticism from the United Nations refugee agency and Europe 's top human rights official. The measure suspends asylum application processing for those arriving by sea from North Africa, following a dramatic surge in Mediterranean crossings that has overwhelmed reception facilities on the island of Crete. The suspension passed by a vote of 177-74 despite fierce opposition from left-wing parties, which unsuccessfully challenged the amendment as unconstitutional. Thanos Plevris, the migration affairs minister, told lawmakers up to 1,000 migrants were arriving daily and described the situation as resembling an 'invasion.' Authorities are continuing efforts to intercept boats south of Crete and take migrants directly to mainland facilities. The emergency measures drew sharp criticism from international human rights organizations. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees expressed 'deep concern.' While acknowledging Greece's right to manage borders, UNHCR said border control 'must be in line with international and European law.' Michael O'Flaherty, the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights, also condemned Athens ' response, arguing it 'would legalize returning people to face a risk of torture and other serious violations, in breach of (Greece's international) obligations.'
Russia Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Council of Europe ‘alarmed' by reports of draft-related Ukrainian deaths and torture
In his latest update on the situation in Ukraine published this week, the Council of Europe's commissioner for human rights, Michael O'Flaherty, expressed concerns about 'systematic and widespread' abuse committed by Ukrainian draft officials. The commissioner said he'd seen 'alarming' reports that include 'allegations of torture and death during military recruitment.' The official urged Ukraine's authorities to promptly investigate all alleged instances of abuse and take measures to prevent similar violations, including independent oversight of recruitment officials' behavior, he said. O'Flaherty cited a statement by Ukraine's Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmitry Lubinets, who also noted that human rights abuse committed by draft officials was 'systematic and widespread.' The list of these violations includes 'beatings, brutal arrests, denial of access to a lawyer, incommunicado detention, mobilization of people with disabilities and other unacceptable acts,' the report stated. In an April interview with political commentator Ben Shapiro, Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky denied that abuse is 'massive,' insisting that it was limited to 'singular cases.' He asserted that the main problem was people evading mobilization through bribes, while neglecting to touch upon allegations of beatings and torture. Ukraine expanded its conscription criteria last year amid heavy battlefield losses, lowering the legal draft age from 27 to 25, while increasing the power of military recruiters. The mobilization campaign, which is overseen by Ukraine's Territorial Centers of Recruitment and Social Support (TCR), has drawn widespread public criticism. Numerous videos circulating online show enlistment officers chasing would-be recruits in the streets, commonly backed by civilian police. Reluctant draftees are sometimes threatened with military-grade weaponry and often beaten, along with any bystanders who attempt to intervene. Earlier this week, a video surfaced online showing an elderly woman trying to prevent military recruiters from detaining her son. The woman was seen clinging to the windshield of a van and screaming. A witness filming the scene claimed the vehicle belonged to military recruiters and that her son was inside. According to the woman soon felt unwell and died in an ambulance. A February report by suggested that 80% of Ukrainians had a negative view of the TCR. Meanwhile, the head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation, Andrey Kovalenko stated this week that ordinary citizens were providing the coordinates of local TCR offices to the Russian military.
Washington Post
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Europe's human rights watchdog concerned over use of force against Serbia anti-corruption protesters
BELGRADE, Serbia — Europe's human rights watchdog Friday expressed concern that Serbian authorities were using excessive force and arbitrary detentions to break up street protests against the populist government of President Aleksandar Vucic. Michael O'Flaherty, the Council of Europe's commissioner for human rights, said in a statement that 'freedom of assembly and freedom of expression are key human rights enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights and it is Serbia's duty to guarantee them.'
Associated Press
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Europe's human rights watchdog concerned over use of force against Serbia anti-corruption protesters
Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Europe's human rights watchdog Friday expressed concern that Serbian authorities were using excessive force and arbitrary detentions to break up street protests against the populist government of President Aleksandar Vucic. Michael O'Flaherty, the Council of Europe's commissioner for human rights, said in a statement that 'freedom of assembly and freedom of expression are key human rights enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights and it is Serbia's duty to guarantee them.' 'I am concerned about the current human rights situation in Serbia, where, despite the assurances I received from the authorities during my visit in April, excessive use of force is being applied to curb demonstrations,' O'Flaherty said. Serbian riot police have detained scores of demonstrators since a massive rally last weekend, including university students, their professors and others who have been blocking traffic throughout the country demanding an early parliamentary election. Tensions have soared since the rally Saturday by tens of thousands of people in Belgrade which ended with clashes between riot police and groups of protesters . Monthslong demonstrations previously had been largely calm. Police also intervened Friday to clear traffic blockades in Belgrade, briefly detaining a number of protesters. University students behind the protests have said police have injured many peaceful demonstrators in the past days. Witnesses told local media that riot police beat up protesters with batons and shields and that four students were hospitalized early Thursday, including one with a broken clavicle. Police have denied the use of excessive force, warning that traffic blockades are illegal. Vucic has described ongoing protests as 'terror' and an attempt to bring down the state. O'Flaherty's statement said 'increased levels of the use of force by the police as well as arbitrary arrests and detention have occurred during the week.' 'I am particularly concerned about the arrest of children, as well as the number of students being charged for criminal offenses or hospitalized for the treatment of injuries,' O'Flaherty said in a statement. He added that 'mischaracterization of this largely peaceful student-led movement should be avoided at all costs.' Both the EU mission in Serbia and the United Nations Human Rights Office said Thursday they were watching the situation closely and urged restraint. Persistent protests that have rattled Vucic first started in November after a renovated train station canopy collapsed in Serbia's north killing 16 people. Many in Serbia blame the tragedy on alleged corruption-fueled negligence in state infrastructure projects. Critics say Vucic has become increasingly authoritarian since coming to power over a decade ago, stifling democratic freedoms while allowing corruption and organized crime to flourish, which he has denied. Serbia is formally seeking entry to the European Union , but Vucic's government has nourished relations with Russia and China .
Reuters
03-06-2025
- General
- Reuters
Europe's rights body says Hungary's transparency bill threatens human rights
BUDAPEST, June 4 (Reuters) - The Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights has called on Hungarian lawmakers to reject or amend a bill that targets foreign-funded NGOs and media, citing concerns over human rights violations. In a letter published on Wednesday and addressed to parliament Speaker Laszlo Kover, Commissioner Michael O'Flaherty said the legislation "allows for severe interferences in the functioning of civil society organisations, to the point that the continuation of their activities may become impossible." The Council of Europe, the continent's leading human rights watchdog, was formed after World War Two to uphold rights and the rule of law. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's ruling Fidesz party submitted a bill to parliament on May 14 that would draw up a list of organisations that get foreign funding and restrict or even shut them down if deemed to threaten Hungary's sovereignty and its culture. Orban - who has repeatedly clashed with the EU over policies that critics say erode democracy in Hungary - has described such groups as a "shadowy army" funded by foreign powers to undermine the state. He pledged to crack down on foreign funding of independent media, opposition politicians and NGOs in March, stepping up his campaign ahead of elections due in 2026 where he faces a serious challenge from a new opposition party. O'Flaherty, whose office has an independent mandate to promote respect for human rights among the Council's 46 member states, urged lawmakers to refrain from adopting the legislation unless it is modified to comply with international human rights laws. The bill is expected to be approved in mid-June as Orban's party holds a parliamentary majority. The proposed law triggered protests and over 80 editors from leading European news outlets signed a petition last month calling for the scrapping of the legislation. Hungarian government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs said last month that the bill was introduced "in response to escalating concerns about foreign-funded organisations".
