Crackdown on Human Rights Violations

In a significant move by the European Parliament, resolutions were adopted on December 18, 2025, addressing severe human rights violations in Azerbaijan, Nigeria, and Guinea Bissau. These resolutions were passed during a plenary session, reflecting the EU’s firm stance on upholding human rights standards globally.

The parliamentarians focused on Azerbaijan, where they criticized the arbitrary arrests and sentencing of academics under the guise of national security, which they viewed as judicial harassment. The resolution highlighted the cases of Bahruz Samadov and Igbal Abilov, demanding their immediate release along with other political prisoners. This resolution passed with a notable majority, emphasizing the EU’s conditional approach towards any future partnership agreements with Azerbaijan, which would now require tangible advances in human rights.

In Nigeria, the Parliament responded to the distressing rise in school kidnappings, the most notable being the abduction of over 300 students from St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State. The resolution called for the Nigerian authorities to strengthen school protection and establish early warning systems urgently. Expressing solidarity with the victims and their families, the EU urged the Nigerian government to enhance security measures and ensure the continuity of education for affected students.

The situation in Guinea Bissau also drew severe criticism from the EU following a military coup that disrupted the recent general elections. The European Parliament condemned the takeover, demanding the restoration of constitutional order and the immediate release of detained political leaders. Calls were made for an independent investigation into the human rights abuses linked to the coup, and the EU is considering imposing restrictive measures against those responsible for the destabilization.

These resolutions underscore the European Parliament’s commitment to global human rights and set a clear expectation for international cooperation based on respect for democratic values and the rule of law. Further details and the full texts of the resolutions are available on the European Parliament’s website.