Equality and Human Rights

The EU and the six GCC countries are looking for ways to develop their relations amid a changing international context. Human rights remain an issue. A ten year moratorium on capital punishment can offer a good basis for renewed EU-GCC relations argue the commonspace.eu editorial team in this commentary.

As Russia braces itself for another day of pro Navalny street protests on Sunday, the story of a young Chechen arrested for participating in last week's protests has caused uproar on social media, and has become a source of controversy back in his home republic, Chechnya.

Hind al-Zahid, undersecretary for women’s empowerment at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, said a “Saudi woman assuming a position of judge is very soon. There are initiatives on several levels.”

The law “On Ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights aimed at Abolishing the Death Penalty”, was signed by president Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev  formally ending the use of the death penalty in the country. Kazakhstan declared a moratorium on the use of the death penalty in 2003.

The EU has now allocated €485 million to support refugees in Turkey via the two programs delivered through Turkish partners, such as the Turkish Red Crescent Society. These programmes help over 1.8 million refugees meet their basic needs and will help over 700,000 children to continue their education, and will now be funded under the EU budget. The EU is now allocating €485 million ($591.6 million) to support refugees in Turkey via the two programs.

Dr Hanan Al Ahmadi is the first Saudi woman to hold a top leadership position in the council and became one of the first women appointed to it seven years ago.