Joint Letter: Civil society coalition calls on Metsola to address rise in discriminatory rhetoric in the European Parliament
25 June 2026, Brussels Roberta MetsolaPresident of the European Parliament Dear President Metsola, We, the undersigned organisations, are writing to express our concern regarding the events that took place during the plenary session of 17 June 2026. Following the vote on the Common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union […]
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 […]
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 […]
We call on the future European Parliament and Commission to adopt an EU-wide Civil Society Strategy and an Agreement on Civil Dialogue
2024 European elections are a key opportunity to turn the tide of shrinking civil society space and limited civil dialogue all over Europe, and call on the new European Parliament and Commission to commit to concrete steps for a better recognition, protection and engagement of civil society. PI joins a broad number of civil society […]
EU Foreign Interference Law: Is Civil Society at Risk?
Protection International is joining Civil Society Europe and other 230 civil society organisations (CSO) from across Europe to express concern and opposition to a proposed EU Foreign Interference Law which would create a register of Foreign Funded organisations. This legislation could have unintended negative consequences, hindering CSOs’ ability to fulfill their role as defenders of […]
AHRI Conference: Human Rights Defenders under Siege
In commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, and in the framework of the Association of Human Rights Institutes (AHRI), the Pedro Arrupe Institute of Human Rights of the University of Deusto is organizing the next Annual AHRI Network Conference, that will take place between 7 and 9 September 2023, […]
Position Paper: Racialisation and shrinking space
In December 2022, ENAR (European Network Against Racism), together with Frontline Defenders and Protection International, organised a seminar on shrinking space and the threats to human rights defenders (HRDs) who work with racialised people in Europe. The seminar was organised in reaction to an increase in threats and violations experienced by racialised HRDs and the […]