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International Federation for Human Rights

FIDH

FIDH is a global human rights NGO defending civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights worldwide.

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Sophie Wilmès (Member of the European Parliament)

4 Dec 2025 · Rule of law

Meeting with Chloé Ridel (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and EuroMed Rights / EuroMed Droits

4 Nov 2025 · Transnational repression

Meeting with Sibylle Bikar (Cabinet of High Representative/ Vice-President Kaja Kallas)

16 Oct 2025 · U.S. sanctions against ICC

FIDH demands binding EU strategy to protect shrinking civic space

5 Sept 2025
Topic — This consultation seeks a framework to strengthen engagement and support for civil society.
Message — The organization calls for a systematic civic space impact assessment across all legislative and regulatory proposals. They request a multi-layered EU protection system to provide legal and financial support to defenders under attack. Additionally, they propose a binding Agreement on Civil Dialogue to establish structured practices of engagement.123
Why — The group would gain sustainable funding and stronger legal safeguards against political harassment.45
Impact — Restrictive national governments would lose the ability to suppress dissent without facing EU sanctions.67
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Response to New comprehensive strategic approach towards India

8 May 2025

As the EU prepares its Joint Communication outlining a new Strategic Agenda with India, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) urges the EU to place human rights at the core of this renewed partnership. The EUs continued silence in the face of Indias worsening human rights situation stands in stark contrast to the reality on the ground in India and to the growing disregard for fundamental rights. Under current Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling BJP, India has witnessed a sharp rise in human rights violations, and a crackdown on civil society. The government has pursued policies that have substantially undermined human rights protections, eroded the independence of various institutions, including the judiciary, and targeted minority communities. Civil society has come under intense pressure, with the government using draconian lawssuch as the Foreign Contributions (Regulation) Act (FCRA) to suppress the work of NGOs and silence human rights defenders (HRDs). Thousands of civil society organizations have seen their licenses revoked or denied renewal, and peaceful dissent has been increasingly criminalized. In Jammu & Kashmir, the situation remains particularly dire. Following the 2019 abrogation of statehood, India intensified its militarized control, leading to widespread and ongoing human rights violations, including arbitrary detentions, extrajudicial killings, and severe restrictions on basic freedoms. The Indian governments narrative of normalcy fails to reflect the reality. Indias institutional framework for upholding rights, including the judiciary, have done little to stem the tide of abuses and provide remedy to victims. The judiciary and law enforcement have often facilitated, rather than curbed, abuses. HRDs and journalists are routinely subjected to unfounded criminal charges and long pretrial detentions. The National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRCI) has consistently failed to address cases of abuse, and in April 2025, the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions recommended downgrading its status due to concerns about independence and effectiveness. Religious and ethnic minorities have faced increasing violence and systemic discrimination. Muslims have been targeted through exclusionary policies such as the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens. State authorities have carried out punitive demolitions and extrajudicial actions, often in defiance of judicial orders. Indigenous HRDs advocating for land and environmental rights have also been targeted by legal action and arbitrary detention. FIDH urges the EU to ensure that its partnership with India is not pursued at the expense of fundamental rights. Human rights must be mainstreamed into all areas of cooperationincluding trade, defense and technologywithin the Strategic Agenda. To ensure meaningful accountability, the EU should include human rights benchmarks across all aspects of the Strategic Agenda. These should be informed by recent recommendations during recent UN reviews, as well as commitments made by India ahead of its election to the UN Human Rights Council in 2021. It is also essential that civil society actors in India and the EU be actively engaged in shaping and monitoring bilateral cooperation. Independent mechanismssuch as Domestic Advisory Groups and complaints systemsshould be established to oversee implementation of agreements like the proposed EU-India Free Trade Agreement. Civil society input must be treated as substantive and integral, not merely symbolic. Finally, the EU must abandon its long-standing silence on Indias human rights violations. Public expressions of concern are critical for affirming EU values and solidarity with HRDs. The EU must use its voice to reflect the human rights challenges on the ground. Read FIDHs full submission here: https://www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/fidh_input_-_joint_communication_eu-india_strategic_agenda_-_2025_-_final.pdf
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Meeting with Hilde Vautmans (Member of the European Parliament) and Amnesty International Limited and

19 Mar 2025 · The situation in DRC

Meeting with Maria Noichl (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

5 Feb 2025 · Victims Rights Directive

Meeting with Raphaël Glucksmann (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and Human Rights Watch and

31 Jan 2025 · Generalised system of preferences

Meeting with Majdouline Sbai (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and Human Rights Watch and European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights

21 Jan 2025 · GSP review

Meeting with Lara Wolters (Member of the European Parliament)

10 Dec 2024 · Due Diligence

Meeting with Chloé Ridel (Member of the European Parliament)

10 Dec 2024 · Human rights defenders, women's rights, environment

Meeting with Daniel Freund (Member of the European Parliament) and Amnesty International Limited and

16 Oct 2024 · Cooperation on LIBE related matters

Meeting with Tineke Strik (Member of the European Parliament) and Amnesty International Limited and

16 Oct 2024 · LIBE Civil Society Meeting

Meeting with Isabel Wiseler-Lima (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and Save the Children Europe and

4 Sept 2024 · Human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union s policy on the matter – annual report 2024

Meeting with Hannah Neumann (Member of the European Parliament)

20 Feb 2024 · Exchange of Views

Meeting with Daniel Freund (Member of the European Parliament) and Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights

7 Feb 2024 · Rule of Law in Poland

Meeting with Daniel Freund (Member of the European Parliament) and Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights and Fundacja Wolne Sądy

24 Jan 2024 · Rule of Law in Poland

Meeting with Tineke Strik (Member of the European Parliament)

17 Oct 2023 · Preparation of study launch

Meeting with Daniel Freund (Member of the European Parliament)

13 Sept 2023 · EU funding in Poland, deterioration of the rule of law and impacts on corruption and fraud

Meeting with Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and Amnesty International Limited and

7 Sept 2023 · Situation in Hungary

Meeting with Udo Bullmann (Member of the European Parliament, Committee chair) and Amnesty International Limited and Human Rights Watch

31 Aug 2023 · European Parliament’s priorities at UN human rights forum

Meeting with Daniel Freund (Member of the European Parliament)

30 Aug 2023 · EU funding abuse in Poland, rule of law and corruption

Meeting with Katherine Power (Cabinet of Commissioner Mairead Mcguinness) and Human Rights House Foundation

20 Jul 2023 · RU sanctions circumvention

Meeting with Daniel Freund (Member of the European Parliament) and Heinrich Böll Stiftung e.V. and Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights

4 May 2023 · Rule of law situation in Poland

Meeting with Jordi Solé (Member of the European Parliament)

13 Apr 2023 · Human Rights situation in Georgia

Meeting with Marc Angel (Member of the European Parliament)

5 Apr 2023 · Human rights situation in Peru and threats to democracy

Meeting with Axel Voss (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and Amnesty International Limited and

15 Nov 2022 · Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence

Meeting with Heidi Hautala (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and Amnesty International Limited and

15 Nov 2022 · NGO roundtable on Due Diligence

Meeting with Jutta Urpilainen (Commissioner)

29 Sept 2022 · Signing ceremony of the new EU Human Rights Defenders Protection mechanism

Meeting with Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and Amnesty International Limited and

7 Sept 2022 · Situation in Hungary

Meeting with Dietmar Köster (Member of the European Parliament) and ANTI-DISCRIMINATION CENTER MEMORIAL BRUSSELS

27 Jun 2022 · Situation of human rights defenders in Russia and in exile

Meeting with Isabel Wiseler-Lima (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and Brot für die Welt and

16 Jun 2022 · Annual Report 2022 - Human Rights

Meeting with Andrea Beltramello (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis) and Eurogroup for Animals and

10 Jun 2022 · Trade and sustainable development, Free Trade Agreements

Meeting with Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and Reporters sans frontières and

24 Mar 2022 · Situation in Hungary

Meeting with Dietmar Köster (Member of the European Parliament) and European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights

23 Mar 2022 · Crimes committed against migrants and refugees in Libya

Meeting with Hannah Neumann (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and Amnesty International Limited and

7 Dec 2021 · Expert Round Table on EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders

Meeting with Thierry Breton (Commissioner) and

8 Nov 2021 · Sustainable Corporate Governance

Meeting with Agnieszka Skonieczna (Cabinet of Commissioner Thierry Breton), Filomena Chirico (Cabinet of Commissioner Thierry Breton)

22 Sept 2021 · Sustainable Corporate Governance

Meeting with Diana Montero Melis (Cabinet of Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen), Renaud Savignat (Cabinet of Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen) and

17 Sept 2021 · upcoming proposal on sustainable corporate governance

Meeting with Andrea Beltramello (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis), Caroline Boeshertz (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis) and

27 May 2021 · Due diligence

Meeting with Didier Reynders (Commissioner) and

4 Dec 2020 · Substainable corporate governance

Meeting with Axel Voss (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and OXFAM INTERNATIONAL EU ADVOCACY OFFICE and

22 Sept 2020 · Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence

Meeting with Jutta Urpilainen (Commissioner) and OXFAM INTERNATIONAL EU ADVOCACY OFFICE and

28 May 2020 · Roundtable with Civil Society (NGOs)-The EU global response to COVID-19

Meeting with Alvaro De Elera (Cabinet of First Vice-President Frans Timmermans) and Amnesty International Limited and

6 Mar 2019 · Rule of Law

Meeting with Thomas Zerdick (Cabinet of First Vice-President Frans Timmermans)

6 Nov 2018 · Rule of Law in Poland

Meeting with Igor Driesmans (Cabinet of High Representative / Vice-President Federica Mogherini) and Amnesty International Limited and Human Rights Watch

24 May 2018 · Meeting ahead of EU-China Strategic Dialogue

Meeting with Giulio Di Blasi (Cabinet of High Representative / Vice-President Federica Mogherini) and International Partnership for Human Rights

26 Apr 2018 · MFF

Meeting with Giulio Di Blasi (Cabinet of High Representative / Vice-President Federica Mogherini), Iwona Piorko Bermig (Cabinet of High Representative / Vice-President Federica Mogherini)

28 Jun 2017 · Human rights situation in Belarus

Meeting with Isabelle Magne (Cabinet of Vice-President Cecilia Malmström)

23 Mar 2017 · Human rights in Burma

Meeting with Giulio Di Blasi (Cabinet of High Representative / Vice-President Federica Mogherini)

9 Feb 2017 · meeting with the new FIDH President, Mr Dimitris Christopoulos

Meeting with Frans Timmermans (First Vice-President) and

26 Jan 2017 · Protection of fundamental rights and rule of law

Meeting with Cecile Billaux (Cabinet of Vice-President Cecilia Malmström)

5 Dec 2016 · human rights in Burma

Meeting with Giulio Di Blasi (Cabinet of High Representative / Vice-President Federica Mogherini), Peteris Ustubs (Cabinet of High Representative / Vice-President Federica Mogherini)

20 Jun 2016 · Peace process in Colombia

Meeting with Cecilia Malmström (Commissioner)

18 Jan 2016 · Myanmar Bilateral Investment Treaty

Meeting with Paolo Berizzi (Cabinet of Vice-President Neven Mimica)

20 Nov 2015 · Civil society organisations' viewpoint on the needs arising from the Colombia peace process

Meeting with Frans Timmermans (First Vice-President) and

14 Apr 2015 · Annual Colloquium on the situation of fundamental rights in the EU

Meeting with Bernd Martenczuk (Cabinet of First Vice-President Frans Timmermans)

25 Mar 2015 · Fundamental Rights

Meeting with Fabrizia Panzetti (Cabinet of High Representative / Vice-President Federica Mogherini), Iwona Piorko Bermig (Cabinet of High Representative / Vice-President Federica Mogherini)

25 Feb 2015 · Transnistria disputed territories

Meeting with Frans Timmermans (First Vice-President) and Human Rights Watch and

15 Jan 2015 · Better regulation and European affairs in general

Meeting with Věra Jourová (Commissioner) and Human Rights Watch and

9 Jan 2015 · Roundtable with NGOs on fundamental rights and non-discrimination

Meeting with Frans Timmermans (First Vice-President) and Amnesty International Limited and

9 Jan 2015 · Roundtable with NGO's on fundamental rights