In a stand for democratic values, ACT Alliance EU, part of the influential Human Rights Democracy Network (HRDN), has co-signed a letter addressed to the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, and the leaders of its political groups. The letter articulates deep-seated concerns over proposals to suspend all activities of the Parliament’s Human Rights Subcommittee (DROI) in the wake of “Qatargate”, a major scandal that unfolded within the European Parliament, involving allegations of corruption, money laundering, and influence peddling, purportedly linked to Qatar.
The letter highlights the vital role of DROI in promoting human rights as a core aspect of the EU’s foreign policy. It points out how DROI’s hearings have provided a platform for human rights defenders worldwide to speak out, often risking their safety, against oppressive regimes. The urgency resolutions have been instrumental in spotlighting human rights abuses, advocating for the release of political prisoners, and promoting accountability globally.
The network argues that suspending DROI’s work and questioning the integrity of civil society in EU policymaking would only benefit those violating human rights, to the detriment of their victims. The letter states that the European Parliament should be proud of its human rights accomplishments and urges a reinforcement of its commitment to addressing abuses, rather than silencing its own voice. The HRDN expresses its readiness to engage in discussions to address these concerns.
Read the joint letter.
