Human Rights
All over the world there are people who do what we take for granted: Denounce corruption, protect their local forest, express their opinions freely, love who they want to love. And yet they are threatened, persecuted and murdered for doing so. Their fight for freedom is our fight for freedom.
Experience shows: When it comes to protecting human rights defenders, the EU can make a difference, especially if it stands united. As Vice-Chair of the Human Rights Committee (DROI), I bring the voices of human rights defenders, who are under increasing pressure worldwide, to Parliament and call for their support. We must not remain silent when people’s rights are being trampled on elsewhere.
The European Court of Justice confirmed last year that the systematic oppression of women by the Taliban constitutes persecution under asylum law. Why Member States fail to implement:
Despite brutal attacks on her family, human rights activist Nasrin Sotoudeh continues her fight for justice.
Over 130,000 people have "disappeared" under Assad’s regime. Here’s how we can support Syrians in uncovering these crimes and healing from them:
At the end of January, I had the opportunity to travel to Syria—a country at a crossroads. After more than a decade of war and repression, Syria is entering a new phase, one filled with both hope and uncertainty. The decisions made in the coming months will determine whether the country moves toward democratic governance and stability or falls into another cycle of conflict and economic collapse.
In Iran, courage is punished with death. Pakhshan Azizi and Verisheh Moradi risked their lives to help others. Now they face execution. Not as an isolated case, but as part of a targeted crackdown on women and the Kurdish community.
The case of Ahoo Daryaie shows how the Iranian regime defames women as mentally ill simply because they bravely stand up for their freedom. This is the European Parliament's position in this regard:
Screening of The Sharp Edge of Peace at the European Parliament: The film follows four Afghan women—Fatima Gailani, Fawzia Koofi, Habiba Sarabi, and Sharifa Zurmati — in their courageous peace negotiations with the Taliban, showing their relentless fight for peace and justice under challenging circumstances.
The case of Jamshid Sharmahd shows that we need a resolute Iran policy which puts human rights and democracy above economic interests. What this means:
An increasing number of authoritarian regimes are using these methods to persecute dissidents abroad. A particularly striking example is Iran.
The resolution passed by the European Parliament in response to the Taliban’s adoption of the law on the “Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice”.
Dissidents and journalists who fled their own country are often not safe: Authoritarian regimes and dictatorships continue to target them even outside national borders. The EU must finally address this issue!
The enemies of freedom and democracy are joining forces across all ideological boundaries. We should do something to counter this!
