EU Parliament Condemns Rights Violations

In a decisive move, the European Parliament has adopted three emergency resolutions condemning human rights violations in Cyprus, Rwanda, and Togo. The resolutions, passed on Thursday, highlight concerns over illegal occupations, arbitrary detentions, and political repression in these nations.

The European lawmakers condemned Türkiye’s illegal occupation of northern Cyprus, describing it as a violation of international law. The detention of five Greek Cypriot citizens since July 2025, who were unlawfully held after visiting their properties in Galatia, was also criticized. Although three detainees have since been released, they remain trapped in the occupied territory. The Parliament urged the European Commission to consider punitive measures to support Cyprus.

In Rwanda, the focus was on the immediate release of Victoire Ingabire, a prominent opposition leader. The Parliament expressed concern over the suppression of political opposition, arbitrary arrests, and unfair trials. MEPs called for a review of EU assistance to Rwandan institutions implicated in these abuses and urged for political dialogues to address human rights issues.

The situation in Togo was similarly highlighted, with a call for the release of Irish-Togolese citizen Abdul Aziz Goma, who has been detained without trial. The resolution urged Togolese authorities to reform their prison system and uphold freedoms of assembly and expression, condemning acts that undermine democratic governance.

The resolutions witnessed overwhelming support from the European Parliament, signaling a strong stance on international human rights advocacy.