The European Parliament has adopted three emergency resolutions addressing human rights concerns in Cyprus, Rwanda, and Togo.
In the first resolution, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) condemned Türkiye’s ongoing occupation of northern Cyprus, which has lasted for 51 years. The resolution describes this as a violation of international law and an obstacle to peace and stability between the European Union and Türkiye. MEPs highlighted the detention since July 2025 of five Greek Cypriot citizens—Antonis Louka, Andreas Kyprianou, Annie Kyprianou, Niki Gregoriou, and Gregoris Gregoriou—after they visited their properties in Galatia village. “The detention since July 2025 of five Greek Cypriot citizens – Antonis Louka, Andreas Kyprianou, Annie Kyprianou, Niki Gregoriou and Gregoris Gregoriou – after visiting their properties in the village of Galatia is ‘illegal and politically motivated’, say MEPs. Even if three of them were released under conditions on 10 September, they remain in the occupied territory and cannot go back to their homes, MEPs added.” The resolution states that abduction and hostage-taking are being used by the Turkish military occupation regime to intimidate those attempting to visit ancestral properties or appeal to local property commissions.
MEPs emphasized that the EU holds both a moral and legal responsibility to support Cyprus and its citizens. They called on the European Commission and the European External Action Service to consider all necessary measures in response. “Finally, MEPs point out that the EU has a moral and legal obligation to support the Republic of Cyprus and its citizens, who are also EU citizens, and call on the Commission and the European External Action Service to take all necessary measures, including considering punitive measures.” The resolution passed with 597 votes in favor; no votes against; five abstentions.
The second resolution focuses on Rwanda. It addresses what MEPs describe as an unfair trial against Victoire Ingabire—a political opposition leader—and calls for her immediate release. “Denouncing an ongoing trial marred by serious irregularities, MEPs call for the immediate and unconditional release of Victoire Ingabire, leader of Rwanda’s political opposition and President of the Dalfa-Umurinzi party.” The text also raises concerns about abuses against opposition parties, journalists, civil society actors, dissidents; denounces harassment; arbitrary arrests; demands that politically motivated charges be dropped.
Parliament urges Rwandan authorities to guarantee press freedom as well as democratic participation through free elections. They request investigations into unresolved deaths or disappearances among opposition figures. Additionally: “Parliament calls on the European Commission to review assistance, including financial aid, to Rwandan public institutions involved in arbitrary detentions, torture or unfair trials. The EU and the Member States must address the issue of human rights and the repression of the political opposition during political dialogues with the Rwandan government,” according to MEPs. This resolution was adopted with 549 votes in favor; two against; forty-one abstentions.
The third resolution deals with Abdul Aziz Goma’s case in Togo. Irish-Togolese citizen Goma is described by MEPs as being arbitrarily detained without communication or due process while facing torture allegations. “Irish-Togolese citizen Abdul Aziz Goma must be released immediately and unconditionally,” state MEPs. They urge Togolese authorities both for his medical evacuation needs as well as annulment of his conviction.
MEPs further call for prison system reforms referencing findings from UN bodies regarding arbitrary detention practices within Togo: “In the text, MEPs call on the Togolese authorities to reform the country’s prison system…They also urge Togo to ensure that freedom of assembly and expression are protected in the country.” Arbitrary imprisonment undermines rule-of-law principles according to parliamentarians.
All three resolutions can be accessed via full versions published by Parliament.
