Introduction
On Holocaust Remembrance Day, the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) devoted its discussions to pressing and contemporary cases of democratic backsliding and human rights violations. Against the backdrop of historical remembrance, Members and invited speakers emphasised the responsibility to act at early stages of political and legal deterioration to prevent future humanitarian and human rights crises. Exchanges focused on Guinea-Bissau, Kyrgyzstan, and Rwanda, illustrating how unresolved abuses and institutional erosion continue to pose serious risks across different regions.
Guinea-Bissau: Coup, Repression, and the Erosion of Democratic Legitimacy
DROI held a follow-up exchange of views to the European Parliament’s urgency resolution of 18 December 2025 concerning the grave political situation in Guinea-Bissau following the coup of 26 November. Testimony from human rights defender Isabel Almeida described a rapid deterioration of democratic and human rights safeguards in the aftermath of hijacked elections.
Reports highlighted kidnappings, looting, unlawful detentions, and the dismantling of the Electoral College. Detention facilities for political prisoners were described as failing to meet basic standards of dignity. The installed authorities reportedly prohibit press conferences and have violently suppressed public demonstrations, including through the use of expired tear gas and live ammunition. Allegations of abuse by the military, public executions, and intimidation of political opponents were raised, alongside concerns about attempts to pass legislation expanding presidential powers despite a lack of popular legitimacy or legal mandate.
Speakers warned that legislative measures adopted under the current authorities could directly affect the electoral process planned by the transitional government for December 2026. Increasing hate speech and misinformation were also identified as destabilising factors. Calls were made for unanimous international condemnation of the coup, the restoration of democratic governance, the immediate release of detained individuals, and strengthened partnerships to support Guinean civil society. Members underlined a historical responsibility to support human rights defenders and democratic actors in the country.
Kyrgyzstan: Restrictive Laws, Media Suppression, and Authoritarian Drift
A second exchange followed the European Parliament’s urgency resolution of 19 December 2024 on the human rights situation in Kyrgyzstan, with particular attention to the case of Temirlan Sultanbekov, and reflected on the DROI mission to the country in February 2025.
Civil society representatives and international organisations raised concerns about shrinking civic space, politicisation of the media, and the framing of free expression as extremism. Demands were reiterated for the immediate release of political prisoners, independent journalists, and activists. Despite previous assurances from the authorities, speakers noted no meaningful improvement in the human rights situation. Recent judicial developments, including decisions linked to capital punishment, were described as particularly alarming.
Concerns were raised about parliamentary elections marked by unlawful detentions of opposition figures shortly before voting, illustrating the use of criminal charges to eliminate political competition. The adoption of a foreign agents law, alongside media registration reforms and legislation on disinformation and extremism, was described as creating a cumulative framework enabling sustained pressure on independent media and civil society. Safeguards against torture were also reported to be weakening.
EU representatives stressed that human rights remain an integral component of the EU’s engagement with Central Asia, including through Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreements and trade instruments such as GSP+. While dialogue and engagement were emphasised as necessary, several Members warned that the current downward trend requires clearer demands and credible conditionality. Others cautioned against approaches that could prove counterproductive given the geopolitical context. The discussion reflected differing views on strategy, but broad agreement that international scrutiny continues to matter and that Kyrgyzstan’s voluntary commitments under EU frameworks justify continued monitoring.
Rwanda: Unlawful Detentions and the Absence of Judicial Independence
The final exchange followed the European Parliament’s urgency resolution of 11 September 2025 on the human rights situation in Rwanda, focusing in particular on the case of Victoire Ingabire. Members were informed that the situation remains unchanged since the adoption of the resolution, with Ms Ingabire still detained and her health reportedly deteriorating.
Personal testimony from one of Ms Ingabire’s sons illustrated the impact of repression on families and human rights defenders, including restrictions on freedom of movement, repeated arrests, and prolonged uncertainty. Speakers described a lack of judicial independence and the use of criminal charges based on political speech and association. Concerns were raised about the role of national human rights institutions in legitimising repression rather than providing oversight.
International organisations warned that structural weaknesses in Rwanda’s justice system have implications beyond individual cases, affecting regional stability and international cooperation. The European Union’s obligations to ensure that its engagement does not reinforce flawed assumptions about judicial independence were underlined. References were made to Rwanda’s commitments under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the importance of monitoring compliance through existing EU mechanisms.
Conclusion
Across all three country discussions, Members and speakers stressed that silence and delayed responses enable the normalisation of repression. On Holocaust Remembrance Day, the DROI exchanges served as a reminder that large-scale human rights tragedies are often preceded by incremental legal, political, and institutional failures. The discussions underscored the need for timely, principled, and coherent action to ensure that current geopolitical tensions and democratic backsliding do not evolve into future humanitarian and human rights crises.
