International Federation
for Human Rights

Human rights in free trade agreement between the European Union, Colombia and Peru
For two years, FIDH has urged the inclusion of human rights provisions in the free trade agreement being negotiated between the European Union, Colombia and Peru. In June 2012, the European Parliament, in response to a request from FIDH, adopted a resolution urging the Colombian and Peruvian authorities to draw up an action plan on human rights and establish a group of independent experts to monitor the implementation of the agreement and its impact on human rights. This is the first time that the European Parliament has subordinated the adoption of this type of agreement to respect for human rights.

European Committee of Social Rights finds Belgium in violation of the rights of Roma and Travellers
This finding followed a joint complaint filed against Belgium by FIDH and the Belgian Human Rights League on 30 September 2010. The complaint charged a failure to respect the rights of Roma to live in trailers in accordance with their traditions, thus violating their rights to housing. On 21 March 2012 the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) found a violation of the rights of families to social, legal and economic protection, including the right to housing and to protection against poverty, social exclusion and discrimination. The ECSR decision, published in July 2012, spells out the State’s obligations in guaranteeing Roma housing rights that respect their traditional lifestyle. It also contributes to debate on the situation of a minority group that suffers frequent discrimination, stigmatisation and social exclusion in Europe and beyond.

Injunction sought by main suspect in Chebeya/Bazana assassination against film director, Thierry Michel, dismissed in interim ruling
General John Numbi, suspected of involvement in the assassination of prominent human rights defender Floribert Chebeya, and disappearance of his co-defender Fidele Bazana, has sought to prevent the distribution of posters marketing the documentary, “L’affaire Chebeya, un crime d’Etat?” by Thierry Michel. Numbi’s picture is on the poster next to a picture of Chebeya. A lawyer hired by the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (a joint FIDH-OMCT programme) made a strong statement at the injunction hearing in support of the Belgian film director, Thierry Michel, and freedom of expression, informing judges of the circumstances in which the Congolese human rights defenders were killed. On 3 October, the Court of First Instance in Liege, Belgium dismissed Numbi’s cause in an interim ruling enabling the continued free distribution of the poster.

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European Union Trades More With Israeli Settlements Than With Palestinians, Says Report
By Eline Gordts. According to a new report, the European Union imports 15 times more from these Israeli settlements than from Palestinians, effectively undermining its own aid efforts.

Opinion: The hounding of migrants must stop
FIDH produced an op-ed, signed by 33 Members of the European Parliament and published in 10 European and Arab newspapers, notably the Libya Herald.