International Advocacy for Ukraine Continues - Foreign Minister Baerbock at the European Union's Foreign Affairs Meeting in Brussels
EU Foreign Ministers to Discuss Ammunition Procurement for Ukraine, Tunisia Concerns, and Human Rights Sanctions
The European Union (EU) will convene a joint meeting of foreign and defense ministers in the afternoon, with the main topic being a special initiative on ammunition procurement for Ukraine. This comes as the war between Russia and Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022, continues to ravage the country.
The discussions at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels will also focus on rebuilding destroyed water and energy infrastructure, providing military aid, and supplying ammunition for Ukraine. The EU has been providing military, financial, and humanitarian support to Ukraine since the start of the war.
In addition to the Ukraine crisis, the EU will address concerns over democratic backsliding in Tunisia, following President Saied's constitutional changes. The EU aims to support Tunisian civil society and promote economic and social reforms. The recent wave of arrests of opposition figures, journalists, and activists in Tunisia has exacerbated the situation.
The EU will also adopt another package of listings under the human rights sanctions regime for Iran, marking the sixth since protests began in September 2022. This sanctions package, initiated by German, French, and Dutch efforts, is aimed at combating sexual and gender-based violence in Russia, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Syria.
On International Women's Day, March 8, two de facto "Taliban ministers" were sanctioned for their roles in banning women's access to higher education and gender segregation in public spaces in Afghanistan. Freedom of movement has been severely restricted in Afghanistan, particularly for women and girls.
As a result of German efforts, the foreign ministers will adopt Council conclusions on Afghanistan, taking a clear stance against bans from universities and schools, parking restrictions, and dress codes that make a self-determined life for women in Afghanistan virtually impossible.
The legal prosecution of Russian war crimes remains a key topic for EU foreign ministers. On January 16, 2023, Foreign Minister Baerbock called for Russia to be held accountable for war crimes in The Hague. The UN Human Rights Council recently revealed the extent of atrocities committed during the war, and the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova for the illegal deportation of thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia against their will and that of their caregivers. Switzerland has extended sanctions against Russia in connection with these actions.
The EU foreign ministers will also discuss cooperation with Tunisia, where many people face challenging economic and social conditions. The recent sanctions package is not the first time the EU has taken action against Tunisia, with specific individuals being sanctioned on a German and Dutch initiative in the 10th sanctions package.
The meeting will conclude with discussions on the EU's engagement to ensure that Ukrainian children deported to Russia against their will can return home and those responsible are held accountable. The EU aims to strengthen its engagement in this matter.
