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Human Rights First builds respect for human rights and the rule of law to help ensure the dignity to which everyone is entitled and to stem intolerance, tyranny, and violence. More »
International Organizations - Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is a relatively new area of our influence. Having established a rapport with the Office of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg, we hope to continue exploring the mechanisms governing the oldest international organization working toward European integration.
Our Advocacy Activities at the Council of Europe:
HRF Participates in a European Parliament Seminar
FD Program Director Paul LeGendre delivered a statement at a Seminar at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium. The event—"Human Rights and Civil Liberties - past, present & future"—was hosted by the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, the third-largest coalition in the European Parliament. Paul spoke about the importance of supporting human rights by combating hate crime in Europe.
12/12/08
HRF Calls on European Officials to Raise Concern on Escalating Hate Crimes in Ukraine
The Fighting Discrimination Program has urged high-ranking European officials to use a September 9 summit meeting with Ukrainian officials to address substantively the precipitous rise in racially-motivated violent hate crimes in Ukraine.
In letters to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, in his capacity as president of the EU Council, and the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, as well as other senior EU officials, Human Rights First urges the European delegation to the upcoming E.U.-Ukraine Summit to discuss the recent increase in racist and related violence and put forward specific recommendations on how to strengthen the Ukrainian government's response to the problem.
Read the Letter to the EU Council
Read the Letter to the European Commission
08/21/08
Council of Europe References HRF Activities on Combating Hate Crimes
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg released a Viewpoint on July 21 decrying recent episodes of intolerant violence in Europe and proposing concrete measures to combat hate crimes. The Commissioner's statement references our 2007 Hate Crime Survey and Report Card and reflects our recommendations on combating hate crime in Europe.
Read our Letter to Thomas Hammarberg
Access the Commissioner's Viewpoint
07/23/08
European Governments Must Do More to Tackle Hate Crimes
Read 2007 Hate Crime Report Card
01/02/08