‘Disturbing tendency’ on human rights

Date: 19/02/04

THE "disturbing tendency" by some European governments to restrict the rights and freedoms of individuals - as part of measures in the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 terror attacks in the US - is cause for "real concern", says Alvaro Gil-Robles, human rights commissioner for the Council of Europe.

The Spaniard voiced strong criticism to the security "excesses" by some EU member states as part of their fight against terrorism.

Gil-Robles was speaking in Strasbourg after presenting an evaluation of the human rights situation in the EU's ten incoming states, plus Bulgaria and Romania, which hope to join the EU in 2007, and Turkey.

He also warned the Union must not allow observance of human rights in accession states to slip when the bloc expands on 1 May, telling new members: "Be warned: Becoming a member of the EU does not mean you can be any less attentive to human rights issues."

While acknowledging that "mammoth" improvements had been made to consolidate democracy and the rule of law in the ten over the past decade, he warned that enlargement could exacerbate problems which still exist.

Alvaro Gil-Robles, Human Rights Commissioner for the Council of Europe, is concerned about the tendency of some Member States to restrict the rights and freedoms of individuals.

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