Russia continues to commit numerous human rights abuses in Ukraine, including the ill-treatment, torture and killings of POWs, civilian casualties, and efforts to restrict fundamental rights (UN OHCHR). Russia is also responsible for unlawful detentions and forced disappearances of civilians. Through the abduction of Ukrainian children, the imposition of Russian laws and russification in occupied territories of Ukraine, Russia is attacking the future of Ukrainians to live independently in their home nation.

Recently, the US Defense Secretary has voiced that a return to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders would be unrealistic. This statement raises great concerns for AEGEE-Europe as it constitutes an attack on Ukraine’s territorial integrity and right to self-determination according to Art. 1.2 and Art. 2.4 UN Charter. It is to be stressed that Russia’s acts in Ukraine have no justification and must not be recognized as a new status quo. Statements by Ukraine’s closest allies that go against these principles are highly irritating and counterproductive. AEGEE-Europe calls on Ukraine’s allies to respect public international law and to uphold and increase their support for Ukraine. This also applies to the winners of the elections to the German Bundestag yesterday, who should be reminded that Russia will never stop its imperial aspirations if Ukraine’s allies give in to its illegal demands. In light of the US’ recent policy changes, a strong and united Europe as an answer to Russia’s aggression is more crucial than ever.

It must be clear that all so-called negotiations or solutions to the war in Ukraine can only happen when Ukraine, including Ukrainian civil society, women, and youth representatives, are included in them. Any plans about Ukraine’s future without Ukrainians must not be accepted, and at no point should Ukraine be pressured into them. 

We remain in full solidarity and support with Ukraine and its youth, and continue to condemn Russia’s illegal actions in Ukraine. We call on Russia to immediately seize its attack on Ukraine, and to respect its sovereignty and territorial integrity. We encourage everybody to step up their support for Ukraine, via showing signs of solidarity by going to demonstrations, voting for parties that support Ukraine, informing yourself about Ukraine by using verified sources, or donating. More information about how you can support Ukraine can be obtained in our Help Ukraine Booklet.

For the aforementioned AEGEE-Europe: 

• Condemns all attacks on civilians committed by Russia;
• Condemns in the strongest terms suffering brought on children and youth, who have been deprived of their education and a chance to live a peaceful life;
• Applauds the continued effort and commitment towards helping Ukraine, highlighting especially the role of youth and youth organisations;
• Calls for the international community, especially the EU, to strengthen its commitment towards helping Ukraine and providing necessary equipment for the defence and restoration of its sovereign territory;
• Calls upon the European Union to give strong security guarantees to Ukraine in the event of a settlement, to prevent further Russian aggression
• Demands continued humanitarian aid for those affected by the conflict;
• Demands strengthening the sanctions against Russia, to impede its war machine as much as possible
• Demands that Ukraine must be included in all negotiations regarding its sovereignty

#StandWithUkraine

For our previous statements please refer to:

Statement | One month since the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam – AEGEE-Europe
Statement | One Year Since Russia’s 2022 Invasion of Ukraine – AEGEE-Europe
Statement | Two Years Since Russia’s 2022 Invasion of Ukraine – AEGEE-Europe 

Source: 

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/02/12/us-defense-chief-suggests-ukraine-should-abandon-hope-of-winning-all-territory-back-from-russia_6738092_4.html?lmd_medium=al&lmd_campaign=envoye-par-appli&lmd_creation=ios&lmd_source=default 

https://kyivindependent.com/a-very-bloody-war-what-is-the-death-toll-of-russias-war-in-ukraine/#:~:text=According%20to%20President%20Volodymyr%20Zelensky%20on%20Feb.%2016.%2C,start%20of%20Russia%27s%20full-scale%20invasion%20in%20February%202022. 

In recent years, Europe has been witnessing the rise of conservative actors, from politicians to civil society representatives, publicly opposing the so-called “gender ideology”. As a result, they managed to mobilise people against issues related to women’s rights, gender studies, marriage equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights, especially sexuality education and the right to abortion. What started as isolated incidents in some countries has quickly become a transnational movement.

You can read the full paper here.

Disclaimer: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

As this journey concludes, we’re proud to share also on our website the results and policy recommendations shaped by the voices of hundreds of young Europeans, all aimed at tackling the challenges of our digital era. These insights highlight the importance of education, awareness, and empowerment in navigating the complexities of artificial intelligence and media literacy.

Based on the contributions of participants and organisers, here we present the collected recommendations:

1. Bridging the Gap in AI Education
Participants consistently emphasized a lack of education on AI tools and AI-generated content, especially among high school and university students.

• Recommendation: Implement digital literacy programs in educational institutions, focusing on AI, misinformation and critical thinking skills.

2. Supporting Digital Activists
Young people face challenges in accessing resources for meaningful digital activism.

• Recommendation: Provide funding, training and accessible platforms for youth-led initiatives, enabling their voices to create tangible change.

For those eager to dive deeper into the outcomes and recommendations, the complete booklet is available online.

To access the booklet, click here.

“Young people don’t vote, they’re not interested in politics”.

We often hear these words. On the other hand, many young people express that they feel underrepresented by political institutions and believe their voices are rarely reflected in decision-making processes. In 2019, the statistics changed after years of constant decline in the turnout in the European Elections. The voter turnout experienced the largest increase in decades, largely driven by the younger generation of voters across the EU, who defied expectations and participated in greater numbers than in previous elections. This showed their motivation to get involved in the democratic process and contribute to meaningful change. The active participation of young voters not only highlights their commitment to shaping the future of Europe but also signals a renewed interest in electoral engagement among younger demographics, which was expected to be reflected in the 2024 European Elections. […]

The whole paper can be found here.

Artificial Intelligence is transforming the world at an unprecedented pace, reshaping industries, enhancing daily life, and introducing new ways of interacting with technology. However, with its rapid advancement, AI also carries significant implications for human rights. From privacy concerns to potential biases in decision-making processes, AI’s impact on people’s lives can be profound, influencing everything from job opportunities to personal freedoms. As AI becomes more integrated into critical areas like healthcare, law enforcement, and social services, ensuring that these technologies respect and protect human rights is essential. (…)

The whole paper can be found here.

In addition to Germany – Austria, Slovenia, Italy, Norway, Sweden and France have all implemented such measures over the past six months [1], citing concerns over security, migration control and public safety as reasons for these actions [1]. All these facts combined signal a growing trend that indicates a significant shift in European mobility and border control. AEGEE is deeply concerned by this pattern, as these so-called extraordinary measures are increasingly being normalised without sufficient justification, threatening the future of free movement within the Schengen Area.

As outlined in the European Parliament’s document “Temporary Border Controls in the Schengen Area”, reintroducing border controls should only occur in response to a serious threat to public policy or internal security, and even then, it must be a last resort in exceptional circumstances [2]. Despite these regulations, Germany has started temporary border checks, in AEGEE’s judgement, without the presence of a significant threat.

It is important to highlight that reintroducing border controls within the Schengen Area risks undermining the fundamental values of unity and trust that the European Union seeks to promote. These controls could undermine the spirit of free movement, one of the EU’s core principles, fostering division and suspicion between member states. Increased border checks may also lead to discrimination, as certain groups could face heightened scrutiny based on nationality or ethnicity.

AEGEE is deeply alarmed about the increased border checks and undermining of the Schengen agreement, as they directly contradict one of our fundamental principles: that of a borderless Europe, where individuals can move freely without restriction.

Based on the aforementioned, AEGEE-Europe calls upon the European Commission:

• for the limited usage of temporary border control measures;
• for recognition of the importance of free movement within the Schengen Area as a foundation of European unity;
• for better coordinated European Union-wide efforts to manage migration and security threats.

References:
[1] https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen-borders-and-visa/schengen-area/temporary-reintroduction-border-control_en

[2] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/ATAG/2020/649336/EPRS_ATA(2020)649336_EN.pdf

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20230918IPR05427/free-movement-schengen-reform-to-ensure-border-controls-only-as-a-last-resort#:~:text=In%20a%20judgment%20in%20April,the%20Schengen%20area%20at%20risk

https://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2022-04/cp220064en.pdf%5B/fusion_text%5D%5B/fusion_builder_column%5D%5B/fusion_builder_row%5D%5B/fusion_builder_container%5D ]]> /policy-paper-on-advocating-for-comprehensive-sexuality-education-for-young-people-in-europe-and-the-role-of-youth-led-organisations/ Sun, 26 May 2024 19:28:18 +0000 /?p=9291