In a keynote speech at the event “Europe at the crossroads” on Tuesday, Parliament President Metsola outlined her vision for a smarter, stronger and safer Europe. Source : © European Union, 2025 – EP
Press release – Metsola calls to “re-launch Europe as a global power”
In a keynote speech at the event “Europe at the crossroads” on Tuesday, Parliament President Metsola outlined her vision for a smarter, stronger and safer Europe. Source : © European Union, 2025 – EP Source link
Number of internally displaced breaks new record with no let-up in conflicts, disasters
“These figures are a clear warning: without bold and coordinated action, the number of people displaced within their own countries will continue to grow rapidly,” said Amy Pope, Director General of International Organization for Migration.
The recent rise in conflicts worldwide – particularly in Sudan, the Republic of the Congo, Lebanon, Ukraine and Palestine has pushed millions more into displacement, adding to the tens of millions who already live in protracted displacement in countries such as Afghanistan, Colombia, Syria and Yemen.
Disasters surging
The number of displaced due to disasters has risen massively, climbing from last year’s 26.8 million to 45.8 million. “The number of disaster displacements in 2024 was nearly double the annual average of the past decade,” IOM said in a new report issued by the internal displacement monitoring centre (IDMC).
Almost 30 countries and territories have reported unprecedented disaster displacement – with cyclones accounting for more than one in two people forced from their homes. The United States alone makes up about one in four of those displaced globally by disasters.
With the frequency, intensity and duration of weather hazards continuously worsening owing to climate change, there is little to suggest that the trend will not continue.
“This report is a call for preventive action, to use data and other tools to anticipate displacement before it happens and for the humanitarian and development sectors to work together with governments to develop longer-term solutions to prevent displacement,” Ms. Pope stressed.
Conflict and violence
Displacement caused by conflict and violence remains high and continues to be a major cause for displacement, too – although it did decrease slightly in 2024, compared to the previous 12 months.
Over 20 million conflict-related displacements have been recorded and almost half of these stem from Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“These latest numbers prove that internal displacement is not just a humanitarian crisis; it’s a clear development and political challenge that requires far more attention than it currently receives,” said Alexandra Bilak, director of IOM’s Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre.
“The cost of inaction is rising, and displaced people are paying the price,” she added.
Remarks by President António Costa at the joint press conference with Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina
In the context of a visit to the Western Balkans, European Council President António Costa met with the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo. During the joint press conference, he reaffirmed the EU’s full commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s accession process, while addressing concerns about the persisting challenges in the country, namely the need to accelerate progress on the necessary reforms and the recent developments in República Srpska.
Remarks by President António Costa at the joint press conference with Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina
In the context of a visit to the Western Balkans, European Council President António Costa met with the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo. During the joint press conference, he reaffirmed the EU’s full commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s accession process, while addressing concerns about the persisting challenges in the country, namely the need […]
US deportations raise serious human rights concerns
His Office, OHCHR, has received information that over 100 Venezuelan deportees are being detained at a notorious prison in El Salvador.
OHCHR said 142,000 people were deported from the US between 20 January and 29 April, according to official data.
Harsh treatment in detention
In particular, the fate and whereabouts of at least 245 Venezuelans and some 30 Salvadorans sent to El Salvador remain unclear.
Many were deported under the US Alien Enemies Act as alleged members of criminal groups and have reportedly been detained at the Centre for Terrorism Confinement (CECOT) in the Central American country.
Detainees at the maximum-security prison are treated particularly harshly, without access to legal counsel or family members and have no contact with the outside world.
Serious rights concerns
OHCHR has received information from family members and lawyers regarding more than 100 Venezuelans believed to be held in CECOT.
The reports indicate that many were not informed of the US Government’s intention to deport them to be detained in a third country.
Furthermore, many had no access to a lawyer and were unable to challenge the lawfulness of their removal before being flown out.
“This situation raises serious concerns regarding a wide array of rights that are fundamental to both US and international law,” Mr. Türk said.
They include the rights to due process, protection from arbitrary detention, equality before the law, and protection from exposure to torture or other irreparable harm in other States.
Families feel powerless
Neither the US or Salvadoran authorities have published official lists of the detainees, and their legal status in El Salvador remains unclear.
Many family members interviewed by OHCHR voiced deep distress at not knowing where, and in what circumstances, their loved ones are being held. Some only became aware when they recognized their relatives from videos on social media of them in or being taken to CECOT.
“Families we have spoken to have expressed a sense of complete powerlessness in the face of what has happened and their pain at seeing their relatives labelled and handled as violent criminals, even terrorists, without any court judgment as to validity of what is claimed against them,” said Mr. Türk.
“The manner in which some of the individuals were detained and deported – including the use of shackles on them – as well as the demeaning rhetoric used against migrants, has also been profoundly disturbing,” he added.
The High Commissioner welcomed the essential role that the US judiciary, legal community and civil society are playing to ensure the protection of human rights in this situation.
“I have called on the US Government to take the necessary measures to ensure compliance with due process, to give prompt and full effect to the determinations of its courts, to safeguard the rights of children, and to stop the removal of any individual to any country where there is a real risk of torture or other irreparable harm,” he said.
GAZA LIVE: Security Council to meet on aid crisis amid ‘critical risk of famine’ due to Israeli blockade
The Security Council is set to meet this afternoon at 3 PM in New York to discuss the deepening crisis in Gaza, where humanitarians warn of “a critical risk of famine” and aid shipments have been blocked for over 70 days. Tom Fletcher, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator is expected to brief ambassadors. Follow live for key updates from UN Headquarters and reports from the region. App users can follow coverage here.
EU sets out steps towards introducing a joint European degree
EU education ministers have laid the groundwork for establishing a joint European degree label and set out the next steps towards introducing a joint European degree. This would boost the attractiveness and competitiveness of European higher education on a global scale.
EU sets out steps towards introducing a joint European degree
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VAT rules: Council agrees position on directive simplifying tax collection for imports
The Council reached a general approach on the directive on value added tax (VAT) rules for distance sales of imported goods and import VAT.
