Philippe Dam
Human Rights Watch
Genève, GE, Switzerland
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Past articles by Philippe:
European Parliament Ups Pressure for Action on Hungary
“Hungary is no longer a democracy.” That’s the key phrase in the European Parliament’s decision today to call for greater action on Hungary’s democratic backslide. → Read More
Poland’s Compromised Court Threatens Rule of Law in Europe
In its ruling, the court decided that two core articles of the European Union’s founding treaties are incompatible with the Polish Constitution, effectively rejecting the enforceability of EU law in Poland. → Read More
Europe’s Lack of Vision on Rule of Law
In the Commission’s own words, a key goal of the report is to “raise awareness and promote an open discussion.” But when a house is burning, what is needed is action. → Read More
Doctor Demanding Justice Detained in Turkmenistan
On July 16, police in Turkmenistan arrested a doctor whose unfair dismissal was raised during a human rights panel that I moderated that was held a day earlier by the European Parliament. → Read More
EU Should Make Human Rights Core in Agenda with Turkey
European Union officials have a chance to send a clear message when they meet for an EU summit this week: the deplorable human rights situation in Turkey should have consequences for the country’s relationship with the EU. → Read More
Documentary Calls for Justice for Kyrgyzstan’s Azimjon Askarov
A new film, “Last Chance for Justice,” is a touching portrayal of the fight by Khadicha Askarova, Azimjon Askarov’s wife, for justice and his release from prison. → Read More
Poland’s Top Watchdog Removed at Government’s Behest
A government-captured court has removed Poland’s Human Rights Ombudsmen Adam Bodnar from his post, likely spelling the end of one of last independent checks on the country’s abusive government. → Read More
Time to Focus on Human Rights in EU’s Turkey Agenda
The bolder Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan gets, the quieter the European Union (EU). → Read More
45 Countries at UN Rights Body Denounce Russia Crackdown
For the second time in two years, a group of members at the Human Rights Council, the United Nations’ top human rights body, came together to denounce rights violations in Russia. Two years ago, they expressed outrage over the persecution of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people (LGBT) in Chechnya. Now, the arrest and sentencing of opposition activist Alexei Navalny and the detention of… → Read More
Last Chance for EPP to Uphold Democratic Values in Hungary Showdown
The decision yesterday by Hungary’s ruling party Fidesz to quit the main conservative group in the EU parliament may seem like a decisive step in the power struggle within the European People’s Party (EPP). → Read More
No Better Time for EU to Press for Human Rights in Russia
It’s an understatement to say that Josep Borrell’s first visit to Russia in his capacity as the European Union’s foreign affairs chief is a major event. The EU’s relations with Russia hit a new low in January following the politically motivated arrest of the opposition leader Alexei Navalny right after his return from Germany, where he had been treated for a near-fatal poisoning. → Read More
EU Favors Autocrats over Values
It smacks of irony that on Human Rights Day, the European Union caved into pressure and granted another concession to Hungary and Poland’s rights-abusing leaders in order to reach a deal on the EU budget. → Read More
EU Funds Tied to Respect for the Rule of Law
Last week the EU Council – represented by Germany as current chair of the bloc – the Parliament and the Commission, reached an landmark agreement on the details of a new mechanism that makes EU funding conditional on respect for the rule of law. → Read More
Witness: A Mother’s Hungarian Hospital Hell
It’s every parent’s nightmare: a trip to the playground turns into a serious injury for your child, and rather than enjoying a fun day out, you’re in an ambulance racing to the hospital. For my friend Anna, it was a double nightmare, because the paramedics were taking them to a public hospital in Hungary. → Read More
EU Should Be Able to Suspend Funding If Members Reject Core Obligations of Membership
On June 19, European Union leaders are set to discuss the next long term budget, including a groundbreaking proposal made two years ago by the European Commission to link access to some EU funding to compliance with the rule of law. → Read More
Hungary Kicks Patients Out of Hospitals to Prepare for Covid-19
Like other governments, the Hungarian government anticipated that Covid-19 patients would quickly outnumber available beds in hospitals, and on April 7, ordered that hospitals free up 60 percent of their beds by discharging non-Covid-19 patients as necessary. → Read More
Hungary’s Authoritarian Takeover Puts European Union at Risk
On Monday, under the pretext of addressing the COVID-19 public health emergency, Hungary's parliament gave green light to the Orban-led government to rule with unlimited power for an indefinite time. → Read More
Kyrgyzstan’s Coronavirus Response Should Let Activist Go Free
Governments in Central Asia have in recent days stepped up measures to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The crisis presents serious risks to Kyrgyzstan’s prisoners. → Read More
EU Should Press Azerbaijan to Deliver on Rights
European Union and Azerbaijan officials will meet in Brussels this week for their annual bilateral consultation on human rights. → Read More
The EU must press for an end to repression in Central Asia at its Kyrgyzstan summit ǀ View
On her potentially last foreign trip, Federica Mogherini will present the EU’s new Central Asia strategy at a summit with Central Asia leaders in Kyrgyzstan. But she should convey several things in Bishkek, most notably the abuse and repression of citizens that is ongoing in the region. → Read More