The human rights situation in Sudan and Syria remains urgent and deeply concerning. Years of conflict and repression have left thousands of victims without justice, while the conditions for documenting violations continue to deteriorate. The UN Human Rights Office warns that impunity will only end through political commitment, proper resources, and justice processes that reflect the needs of survivors and communities. This video explores the challenges, the demands for accountability, and what must change to protect human dignity.
Joint statement delivered by Tanja Fajon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia, with Representatives of over 45 member states, on Human Rights Day.
A life-long humanitarian, Matthias Schmale has borne witness to a number of seismic moments in world history. Currently United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, he is overseeing efforts to help Ukrainians prepare for a fourth winter at war.
“The longer this lasts, the more the resilience will go down, the more the psychological damage will take hold […] There are nights where I lie in bed thinking, why can’t this nightmare for civilians end?”
Ukrainians have endured four years of hellish conflict that continues to devastate civilian lives and infrastructure, leaving 36 percent of the population in need of aid. In this episode, Matthias Schmale looks back on a long career of humanitarian service, reflects on the deep scars of war and explains why daily life in Kyiv can be both heaven and hell.
As UN Secretary-General highlights, when disaster strikes, speed saves lives. From Ukraine to Bangladesh, Gaza to Sudan, CERF’s rapid funding helps deliver life-saving support within minutes or hours — often before any other aid can arrive. This year, CERF has reached some of the world’s most underfunded emergencies and helped communities prepare for climate-driven storms and floods. Fast. Flexible. Fair.
This is CERF in action.
Convened by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, the second International Conference of the Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling will take place on 10 December 2025, in Brussels.
Building on the international momentum gained since the launch of the Global Alliance in November 2023, this Conference will bring together representatives from Member States, key partners, EU Agencies as well as international organisations to boost the fight against migrant smuggling. Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Maria Luís Albuquerque, Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union and Jozef Síkela, Commissioner for International Partnerships will also be attending.
President von der Leyen and Commissioner Brunner will present a Joint Declaration for endorsement by partners. This political statement reaffirms joint determination to strengthen international cooperation in tackling migrant smuggling collectively and globally, in a ‘whole of route’ approach and in the spirit of shared responsibility.
“We in Europe must be the ones to decide who comes to us and in what circumstances, not the people-smugglers and traffickers. They are making millions upon millions with their cynical, false and fatal promises. That is why we must break their business model. […] Too many people are still trying to cross the border illegally and are dying on the way.” (President von der Leyen)
Read more:
Disclaimer: Comments considered in breach of our social media moderation policy may be removed. You can take a look at it here: https://europa.eu/!q4KMP8
Follow us on:
-X: https://twitter.com/EU_Commission
-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/europeancommission/
-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EuropeanCommission
-LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/european-commission/
-Medium: https://medium.com/@EuropeanCommission
Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
Watch PMQs with British Sign Language (BSL) – https://youtube.com/live/v-pOzECn55w?feature=share
Prime Minister’s Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, or a nominated minister.
In most cases, the session starts with a routine ‘open question’ from an MP about the Prime Minister’s engagements. MPs can then ask supplementary questions on any subject, often one of current political significance.
The Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch MP, asks six questions and the leader of the second largest opposition party asks two. If another minister takes the place of the Prime Minister, opposition parties will usually nominate a shadow minister to ask the questions.
Want to find out more about what’s happening in the House of Commons this week? Follow the House of Commons on:
