We are staunch defenders of human rights. The subcommittee's responsibilities include matters relating to human rights, the protection of minorities, and the promotion of democratic values outside the EU.
Our MEPs are tireless campaigners for human rights issues across the globe. We work relentlessly to improve the situation for children, women and LGTBI+ people around the world, to reinforce the fight against inequalities and discrimination, and to strengthen democratic and electoral processes.
We believe there will never be a stronger EU in the world without a strong human rights policy.
The EU's new human rights sanctions regime is a major step forward and a long-standing goal for the S&D Group. Following its adoption by the Council in 2020, the EU is now equipped to target individuals and organisations responsible for serious human rights violations and abuses worldwide. As a next step, the S&D Group is now calling for sanctions targeting the economic and financial enablers of human rights abuses, and EU anti-corruption sanctions.
We have a strong track record of pushing for tough action against those who breach human rights. For example, we led the European Parliament debates that demanded an arms embargo against Saudi Arabia for its flagrant breach of international humanitarian law in Yemen. We also have consistently supported the International Criminal Court and the international criminal justice system.
We have always held the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize in high regard as it is an important way of honouring and paying tribute to the courage shown and sacrifices made by defenders of human rights around the world.
We are extremely proud that we were successful in our support for Nadia Murad and Denis Mukwege, both of whom received the Sakharov Prize, and were also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. And in 2020, it was following our initiative that the Sakharov Prize went to the democratic opposition in Belarus, including the brave women who have tirelessly opposed Lukashenka’s dictatorship. Although in 2021 our proposal to back the Afghan women fighting for freedom and equality did not win the Sakharov Prize, we remain fully committed to keeping the spotlight on their dramatic fate under Taliban rule and we will continue to stand up for their rights.
One key S&D demand is for mandatory ‘due diligence’ – strict controls to ensure businesses and organisations take responsibility for their actions right across their supply chains to ensure human rights and environmental standards are respected.
At the EU level, we have worked hard to make progress on this with several European Parliament resolutions. The human rights committee has been working together with the legal affairs committee to fight for legislation with binding rules for companies to prevent human rights abuses and get justice for victims, with the S&D Group leading the way.
