Stefania Bianchi

BRUSSELS – Government blacklists that proscribe groups and individuals as terrorists are arbitrary, secretive, and unjust, according to a new report by a network of civil rights groups. Statewatch, which monitors the civil liberties in the European Union (EU), the Campaign Against Criminalizing Communities, and the Human Rights and Social Justice Institute at the London … Continue reading “Groups Say Terror Lists Are ‘Arbitrary’”

BRUSSELS – The European Union restored ties with Sudan Tuesday and offered 50 million euros ($65 million) in aid to help boost a peace agreement after the end of one of Africa’s longest-ever civil wars. Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, and Louis Michel, EU commissioner for development signed the accord with Sudanese … Continue reading “EU Resumes Aid to Sudan”

BRUSSELS – Turkey took a step closer to the European Union Thursday after EU enlargement commissioner Guenter Verheugen said he was "satisfied" that a row over Turkey’s penal code had been resolved. Verheugen told media representatives after a meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Brussels that there were "no more obstacles" in … Continue reading “Turkey: One Step Forward, Two Back”

BRUSSELS – The European Union and some of its largest member states have reaffirmed their support for Iraq this week under the gaze of Iraq’s interim President Ghazi al-Yawar and amid rising tensions in the country. Top European Union (EU) officials have offered their support – both financial and political – for Iraq during a … Continue reading “Iraqi President Finds Friends in Europe”

BRUSSELS – Turkey’s case for joining the EU improved with the publication of a report Monday setting out the advantages this would bring to the bloc. The report was published as European Union enlargement commissioner Guenther Verheugen noted in Ankara that the human rights situation within Turkey has improved. Concerns over human rights have long … Continue reading “Turkey Takes a Step Closer to EU”