Due to the precarious humanitarian situation for the Yazidi community, DROI Chair Antonio Panzeri issued a statement calling for full respect of their rights and freedoms.
"On 2 April 2019, I had the opportunity to meet a delegation from the Central Council of Yazidis in Germany, invited by the Committee on Development to address the situation of Yazidis from a human rights and humanitarian point of view.
Following the recent announcement by the Brunei government of a new penal code punishing LGBTI persons with death by stoning and theft by amputation, Mr Panzeri stated:
"I call on the Brunei government to withdraw the laws punishing LGBTI with whipping and stoning and to bring its penal code into full compliance with universal human rights obligations.
After the annual visit of the EP Subcommittee on Human Rights to the spring session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, the head of the delegation Barbara Lochbihler stated:
"In a challenging time for multilateralism and with the rise of populist forces worldwide, the EU and the member states have, more than ever, the responsibility to continue engaging vigorously with the UN Human Rights Council. The EU must continue to support the High Commissioner's global leadership role and to preserve the independence of the special procedure mandates". In this regard, Members reiterate that it is vital for the EU member states to speak with one voice in the UN Human Rights system.
Condemning Oyub Titiev's sentence to four years in penal colony, the Chairs of the Foreign Affairs Committee, David McAllister, and the Human Rights Subcommittee, Antonio Panzeri, stated:
"We strongly condemn the conviction of Oyub Titiev, a prominent human rights defender and Director of the Memorial Human Rights Centre in the Chechen Republic. We call on the Russian authorities to immediately ensure his release. The sentencing of Oyub Titiev signals that the authorities are cracking down on those working to protect and promote human rights instead of on those committing human rights violations in Chechnya.