On September 9th 2022 the Commissioner for Human Rights Ombudsman, Marcin Wiącek met with the the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Feruza Eshmatova. The meeting was also attended by the head of the Department for the Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel or Degrading Treatment or Punishment of Uzbekistan, Khayitov Temurbek Raxmatalievich and Deputy CHR Valeri Vachev. 

They talked about possible areas of bilateral cooperation and exchanged experiences in the area of protection of citizens' rights and freedoms. During the meeting, the principles of operation of the National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture and the specificity of the functioning of the office in the Polish legal system were also discussed. Feruza Eshmatova was appointed to the office of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman) in January 2021. Previously, she was the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women and Gender Equality. In 2015-2020, she was a member of the Oliy Majlis Legislative Chamber

Each year, FRA provides an update of its overview of forced return monitoring systems across the EU. The 2021 overview is now online.

VISIT OVERVIEW

The overview looks at the developments across the EU. It covers staffing, training, reporting and the monitoring of return operations.

All EU countries monitor returns, but there are gaps.

Some countries monitor very few operations or they do not cover all steps in the process.

In addition, in some countries monitoring is temporary or depends on project funding. Monitoring stops when the funding dries up.

As in 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021 had an impact on return monitoring.

The overview does not cover the pool of forced return monitors under the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex.

FRA has published these updates since 2014.

The Week Ahead 12 – 18 September 2022

Updated: 

09-09-2022 - 22:20

Created: 09-09-2022 - 13:40 

Plenary session, Strasbourg

State of the European Union debate. At 9.00 on Wednesday, Commission President von der Leyen will deliver her State of the European Union address to Parliament, followed by a debate with MEPs. The discussion is expected to focus on EU solidarity with Ukraine, sanctions on Russia, how to ensure the EU’s energy supply and curb its dependence on Russian fossil fuels, and the current price spikes.

Energy prices/Boosting renewables/Energy savings. On Tuesday afternoon, MEPs will debate the EU’s response to the dramatic rise in energy prices with the Council and Commission. Parliament will also debate and vote on plans to speed up the deployment of renewable energy and reduce energy consumption by 2030 (votes Wednesday)

War against Ukraine. Parliament will discuss on Tuesday afternoon the latest developments in Ukraine with EU Foreign Policy Chief Joseph Borrell and will vote later in the week on a €5 billion macro-financial loan to help Ukraine.

This is Europe/Sanna Marin. On Tuesday morning, Prime Minister of Finland Sanna Marin will share her views on Europe’s current situation and future direction, followed by interventions from political groups. This will be the sixth “This is Europe” debate to take place at the European Parliament. A joint press conference by EP President Metsola and Mrs Marin is scheduled for 12.00.

Droughts and fires in Europe. In light of this summer’s devastating droughts and forest fires across Europe, MEPs will discuss on Tuesday how to increase EU efforts to fight climate change. A resolution will be put to the vote on Thursday.

Adequate minimum wages. MEPs are set to greenlight new EU rules on minimum wages to tackle in-work poverty, ensure decent living conditions, and foster collective bargaining, while recognising existing EU member states’ wage-setting traditions (debate Tuesday, vote Wednesday)

EU values/Hungary. Reviewing developments since Parliament activated Article 7 back in 2018, MEPs are set to declare that Hungary can no longer be ranked as a full democracy and that EU values there are under systemic threat. (debate Wednesday, vote Thursday)

Limiting deforestation. To fight global climate change and biodiversity loss, MEPs will debate and vote on a new law demanding companies ensure products sold in the EU do not come from deforested or degraded land. (debate Monday, vote Tuesday)

President’s Diary. On Tuesday, EP President Metsola will have a bilateral meeting with Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin before the latter’s address to Parliament. In the afternoon, she will meet with the Secretary of State for European affairs, Laurence Boone. On Thursday, President Metsola will be in Berlin for the G7 Speakers’ Conference, where she will meet with the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, and the Speaker of the UK House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle. On Friday, she will speak at the G7 Conference session on "Russia's aggression against Ukraine – consequences for a new international security architecture", meet with the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Japan, Hiroyuki Hosoda, and give the keynote speech at the "Strengthening democracy with civic education" Conference session. A press conference in Berlin is scheduled for 12.00.

Last-minute briefing. On Monday at 16.30, Parliament’s Spokesperson will hold a press briefing on the plenary session, which starts at 17:00. Political group briefings will take place on Tuesday morning.

EP Press service contacts

Further information

• The full agenda 

Ref.: 20220905WKN39703

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman joins the nation in mourning the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Michael King, Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman: 

“I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and would like to pass on my heartfelt condolences to her family at this difficult time.  

“Her Majesty’s loyal and remarkable service for so many years, to the country and the commonwealth has rightly been respected and admired across the world. 

“As a Crown-appointed public Ombudsman service, my organisation has been in operation for nearly 50 years of her long reign. Throughout this period, the Queen’s selfless dedication to public service has been an inspiration to us all. 

“She has reigned during a time of immense change, leading the country as a beacon of steadfastness, faith and courage particularly during difficult times, and I know her loss will be felt not only in the United Kingdom but across the globe.” 

Article date: 09 September 2022