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.
- 21. November 2023
COP 28 is taking place in the United Arab Emirates this year. We need the Gulf states on the team “climate protection” and at the same time, we must clearly address human rights violations. More in my plenary speech.
- 15. November 2023
We need a feminist foreign policy in Europe right now. But where do we stand and where are we heading? We discussed this at a conference I organised. The keynote speech was given by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.
- 3. November 2023
As head of the delegation to the Arabian Peninsula, I travelled to Saudi Arabia. Topics included the regional security situation, the war in Ukraine, the fight against climate change in the run-up to COP 28 and Saudi Arabia's economic and social development, including human rights.
- 31. October 2023
EU Visa are a powerful tool to support Human Rights Defenders at risk who are based outside the European Union. But it is still too difficult for HRDs to obtain them. I initiated a conference in Spain on the issue
- 17. October 2023
On the anniversary of Jina Mahsa Amini's death, we brought insights into the long struggle for freedom in Iran to the stage in Berlin.
- 17. October 2023
The misuse of spy software is widespread. The EU must finally take on a leading role in regulating these digital weapons.
- 17. October 2023
For the past 10 years, the al-Sisi regime has been brutally repressing Egypt’s citizens. Find out about the demands I made in my plenary speech.
- 6. October 2023
Since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan, the focus of the media has shifted again. However, we need to take action to protect those resisting their oppression on the ground.
- 21. September 2023
A year ago, the death of Jina Mahsa Amini triggered a new wave of protests in Iran, against which the regime is responding to with brutal violence. The EU's Iran policy needs a new approach.
- 21. August 2023
Meldet euch jetzt an für die Veranstaltung am 9. September in der "Stasi-Zentrale. Campus für Demokratie".
- 11. July 2023
The Iranian regime fears freedom: Tens of thousands of political prisoners are in jail because they dared to speak up. Everyone who still talks to the Iranian regime must demand their release! My plenary speech:
- 11. July 2023
A study by the EU Fundamental Rights Agency, which I initiated as Vice Chair of the Human Rights Committee, shows that it is often difficult for Human Rights Defenders to enter the EU. Once on EU territory, they often do not get the support they need. What needs to change:
