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Washington Post
6 days ago
- 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
6 days ago
- 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".
The Independent
06-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Europe's human rights watchdog urges Greece to end summary deportation of migrants
Greece was urged Tuesday to implement stronger legal safeguards at its borders and adopt a 'zero-tolerance approach to summary returns" as reports of illegal deportations of migrants continue despite mounting international criticism. Michael O'Flaherty, the Council of Europe's commissioner for human rights, issued the recommendations following a visit to Greece in February. 'The commissioner is concerned about the allegations received during his visit regarding persistent practices of summary returns — also referred to as 'pushbacks' or 'informal forced returns' — at both land and maritime borders,' the Council of Europe memorandum said. 'Returning people without carrying out an individual identification procedure prevents member states from establishing whether they may be sending them back to human rights abuses,' it added. It said O'Flaherty noted that the number of allegations had dropped in recent months. Athens has consistently denied the pushback allegations, maintaining that its border control measures comply with international law. In a written response to the commissioner, the Greek Police said its officers are involved only in the 'lawful prevention of illegal border crossings while migrants are still in Turkish territory and have not yet reached Greece.' The pushback allegations gained legal significance after the European Court of Human Rights ruled against Greece in January, finding that Athens had violated European human rights conventions by systematically expelling migrants without due process. The Greek government is tightening its migration policies. Migration Minister Makis Voridis has announced plans to extend the maximum detention period for rejected asylum seekers from 18 month to 24 months. 'The illegal migrant whose asylum application is rejected and who nevertheless does not leave for his country will face a much more unfavorable institutional environment than exists today — essentially to encourage voluntary departure,' Voridis told the Action 24 TV news channel. On Tuesday, the coast guard reported rescuing 158 migrants from three dinghies south of the island of Crete, with assistance from nearby commercial vessels and Frontex, the European Union's border protection agency. Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Strasbourg, France, the Council of Europe is an international organization dedicated to promoting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. It has 46 member states.
Washington Post
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Europe's human rights watchdog urges Greece to end summary deportation of migrants
ATHENS, Greece — Greece was urged Tuesday to implement stronger legal safeguards at its borders and adopt a 'zero-tolerance approach to summary returns' as reports of illegal deportations of migrants continue despite mounting international criticism. Michael O'Flaherty, the Council of Europe's commissioner for human rights, issued the recommendations following a visit to Greece in February. 'The commissioner is concerned about the allegations received during his visit regarding persistent practices of summary returns — also referred to as 'pushbacks' or 'informal forced returns' — at both land and maritime borders,' the Council of Europe memorandum said. Advertisement 'Returning people without carrying out an individual identification procedure prevents member states from establishing whether they may be sending them back to human rights abuses,' it added. Advertisement It said O'Flaherty noted that the number of allegations had dropped in recent months. 🌎 Follow World news Follow Athens has consistently denied the pushback allegations, maintaining that its border control measures comply with international law. In a written response to the commissioner, the Greek Police said its officers are involved only in the 'lawful prevention of illegal border crossings while migrants are still in Turkish territory and have not yet reached Greece.' The pushback allegations gained legal significance after the European Court of Human Rights ruled against Greece in January, finding that Athens had violated European human rights conventions by systematically expelling migrants without due process. Advertisement The Greek government is tightening its migration policies. Migration Minister Makis Voridis has announced plans to extend the maximum detention period for rejected asylum seekers from 18 month to 24 months. Advertisement 'The illegal migrant whose asylum application is rejected and who nevertheless does not leave for his country will face a much more unfavorable institutional environment than exists today — essentially to encourage voluntary departure,' Voridis told the Action 24 TV news channel. On Tuesday, the coast guard reported rescuing 158 migrants from three dinghies south of the island of Crete, with assistance from nearby commercial vessels and Frontex, the European Union's border protection agency .
