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EU's Human Rights Record Criticized by European Parliament
Human rights record of the European Union (EU) came under fire Thursday by the European Parliament, which accused EU member states of tolerating police and prison brutality and discrimination based on gender, age and race.
The document, adopted by EU lawmakers in a ballot of 246:141 with 50 abstentions, named and shamed most of the bloc's 15 member states for failing to honor commitments enshrined in the 15-nation bloc's charter on fundamental rights.
"Too many cases of ill treatment by police are still being recorded today, mainly at the expense of foreigners, but also including brutality against minors and pregnant women," the assembly's first report on the issue said.
The EU has often criticized other countries, including the United States, for their human rights record and has taken a high- profile stand against the use of the death penalty and torture around the world.
The bloc also links some of its international trade and aid agreements with respect for human rights. One such example is the Cotonou agreement with 77 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, which stipulates the EU can cut off aid if a signatory fails to meet EU rights standards.
The new report of the EU assembly, based on information from rights watchdogs like Amnesty International, said there were "far too many cases" of staff violence against prisoners in EU jails, citing cases of "unnecessary brutality" and "sexual abuse."
The parliament report included more than 130 recommendations, and called upon member states to sign or ratify international rights agreements such as the United Nations Convention Against Torture, which Ireland has not ratified yet.
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