On June 17-19, 2025, the First Deputy Public Defender of Georgia, Tamar Gvaramadze, paid an official visit to New York (USA), where she participated in the Annual Meeting of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) and the TriPartite Partnership to Support National Human Rights Institutions.

The event was organized by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in cooperation with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI).

During both meetings, the First Deputy Public Defender participated, on the one hand, as a member of the Board of the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions and a temporary substitute for the Chairperson, as well as a representative of the National Human Rights Institution, a beneficiary of the Trilateral Cooperation Programme.

During the meetings, Tamar Gvaramadze presented several reports, namely; as the substitute for the Chairperson of the ENNHRI Board, she spoke about the human rights situation across Europe, challenges, and the activities of ENNHRI member institutions, and as a representative of the Public Defender of Georgia, she introduced the attendees to the activities of the Public Defender's Office, the special report prepared by the Public Defender on the supervision of the realization of the right to live in a healthy environment and access to water, and the future plans of the Office in this direction. In one of her reports, Tamar Gvaramadze also spoke about the impact of digital technologies on human rights and highlighted the special report and activities prepared by the Public Defender's Office in this regard.

On Thursday, the Committee on Petitions will host an interinstitutional event to launch a call for applications for the 2026 European Capitals of Small Retail Award.

When: Thursday, 3 July 2025, 15:00 - 16:00 CET

Where: European Parliament, Brussels – Antall 4Q1

Register via this link for in-person participation.

Follow the webstreaming of the event (live interpretation available).

 
The event, organised by the Committee on Petitions, marks the opening of the application period for cities across Europe to compete in the first edition of the European Capitals of Small Retail (ECoSR) Award.

It will be chaired by Bogdan Rzońca (ECR, PL), Chair of the Committee on Petitions, and moderated by Vice-Chair Dolors Montserrat (EPP, ES). Speakers will include representatives from the European Commission, the Committee of the Regions, and the European Economic and Social Committee.

From 2026, the ECoSR Award will annually recognise three European cities - one small (5,000-50,000 inhabitants), one medium (50,000-250,000), and one large (over 250,000) - for the support they give to small retailers and their efforts to sustain vibrant city centres.

 
Next steps

The application deadline is 9 October 2025 at 14:00 CET. A panel of experts will evaluate the candidates, and publish a shortlist of selected cities by the end of November. The official award ceremony will take place in Brussels in January 2026.

 
Background

In 2023, following a petition submitted to the European Parliament, MEPs adopted a resolution calling for the creation of the ECoSR. The initiative was subsequently included in the 2024 EU Budget.

The ECoSR initiative aims to promote the value of small retailers across Europe. These businesses are not only central to local economies and employment, but also play a vital role in maintaining the social fabric of urban and rural communities.

The winning cities will benefit from non-financial rewards such as increased recognition at EU level, year-round promotional support, access to networking events, and participation in exchange programmes for small businesses. They will also receive assistance in organising workshops and webinars, professional video production, and enhanced city branding to boost tourism visibility.

Contacts:

• Alessio INCORVAIA

  Press Officer

  • (+32) 2 28 32864 (BXL) 
  • (+32) 470 68 84 61 
  • alessio.incorvaia@europarl.europa.eu 
  • peti-press@europarl.europa.eu 
  • @EP_Petitions 

Ref.: 20250630IPR29283

The Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Mr. Dmytro Lubinets has published a Special Report on the situation in the territories of Ukraine temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation.

The report is available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Arabic.

Queja número 25/4939

Recibimos un escrito en el que la interesada nos exponía que la definición de unidad económica de convivencia regulada por el Ayuntamiento de su localidad en la provincia de Málaga no permite incluir en su familia al menor que tiene en acogimiento familiar permanente y por ello su hijo discapacitado no puede acceder a la convocatoria de ayudas para personas con diversidad funcional convocadas por el ayuntamiento.

Tras admitir la queja a trámite expusimos el caso al Ayuntamiento y solicitamos que nos fuera remitido un informe al respecto. En respuesta a nuestro requerimiento el Ayuntamiento viene a reconocer los indeseados efectos que dicha regulación viene causando a su familia y hace patente la voluntad del gobierno municipal de modificar dicha normativa para equiparar, a efectos de cómputo de miembros de la unidad familiar, a los hijos con otros menores en acogimiento familiar.

Valoramos que el problema planteado en la queja se encuentra en vías de solución por lo que damos por concluidas nuestras actuaciones.

Support for human rights systems and defenders Civil society

When 01 July 2025

Where Online, Austria

FRA event

FRA will present and discuss the key findings of its annual Fundamental Rights Report 2025 during an online event on 1 July that addresses the organisations participating in its Fundamental Rights Platform as well as the Ombuds institutions, Equality Bodies and National Human Rights Institutions.

The presentation will be followed by an exchange of views with participants. 

The report provides a snapshot of the state of play of fundamental rights in the EU and highlights selected critical developments and trends in 2024. It also includes dedicated chapters on inclusive elections, gender-based violence, and the implementation of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. 

The report is complemented with FRA Opinions on how the EU and Member States should follow up in these fundamental rights issues.