Putting Human Rights at the heart of Global Europe: HRDN Recommendations for a stronger EU external action.
Brussels, 12 December, 2025 The Human Rights and Democracy Network (HRDN) calls on the European Union (EU) to reiterate and strengthen its commitment and engagement as a credible and reliable global leader in promoting peace, human rights, democracy, the rule of law and equality. Investment in rights-based, democratic and gender-transformative actions and in civil society […]
Joint Letter – Global Europe: A blueprint for long-term prosperity
December 2025 – Analysis of the European Commission proposal Investing in the Global Europe Instrument (GEI) is a strategic imperative and an effective line of defense against global threats that could destabilize our partners societies and economies. In today’s interconnected world, these are also threats to Europe’s own stability and prosperity. To maximise the impact […]
HRDN Letter on the forthcoming EU Civil Society Strategy
Ms Ursula Von der Leyen President European Commission cc: Ms Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech and Sovereignty, Security and Democracy Mr Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection Brussels, 16 October 2025 Re: A comprehensive framework to protect, support and empower civil society in the EU Dear President […]
EU-Thailand Free Trade Agreement: 20 CSOs Sign Open Letter to the European Commission
Ms. Ursula von der Leyen President European Commission Brussels, Belgium Mr. Maroš Šefčovič Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security European Commission European Commission Brussels, Belgium 27 September 2025 Re: Trade Must Advance, not Undermine, Human Rights Dear President Ursula von der Leyen and Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, In a few days, the European Union and Thailand […]
Statement: EU and its member states should take urgent, coordinated measures to respond to Georgia’s crackdown on civil society and human rights organisations
8th of September 2025 9 international human rights organisations express profound concerns regarding the Georgian government’s all-out assault on human rights and civil society organisations in the country and call on the authorities to immediately and unconditionally end all persecution of civil society and media groups for their peaceful and legitimate work. The European Union, […]
Joint statement from 30 organizations: Commission Global Europe proposal “potentially game-changing”
16 July Today’s proposal to allocate €200 billion in the EU’s external action budget is potentially game-changing. In an era of increasing global instability and economic rivalry, the Commission’s proposal demonstrates a forward-looking vision for the EU’s role in the world, at a time where needs are rising. These investments in international partnerships are an […]
320+ SIGN OPEN LETTER ON THE HUNGARIAN BILL ENTITLED “TRANSPARENCY OF PUBLIC LIFE”
President Ursula von der Leyen President of the European Commission European Commission Commissioner Michael McGrath Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection 22 May 2025 Dear President von der Leyen, Dear Commissioner McGrath, On 13 May, 2025, a member of Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party, submitted a new bill entitled the Transparency […]
Joint Open Letter to the EU Regarding the Assault on the Right to Political Participation, the Rule of Law and Human Rights in Türkiye
Ms Ursula von der Leyen President of the European Commission European Commission Rue de la Loi / Wetstraat 200 1049 Brussels Mr António Costa President of the European Council European Council Rue de la Loi / Wetstraat 175 1048 Brussels CC: Ms Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President […]
Refinement, Not Overhaul: External action in the next MFF – Joint position paper from 30 organizations
To effectively address global challenges, the EU must significantly increase its investment in external action in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)[1], in the context of a larger EU budget. In the push for greater simplification and flexibility in the MFF, the external action heading should be a positive example to others, having already undergone […]
From Kinshasa to Berlin and Brussels: PI’s Efforts to Support HRDs in the DRC
Amid a very concerning escalation of the violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the situation of human rights defenders (HRDs) also remains alarming. The space for civil society to defend human rights is shrinking and local voices denounce that the Congolese authorities not only fail to protect defenders, but in some cases also […]