COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Documents destinés à la presse vendredi 28 juillet 2023

● Conseil de l'UE   28/07/2023 13:47 | Communiqué de presse | Déclaration du Haut représentant au nom de l’UE sur la situation au Niger   L’UE condamne avec la plus grande fermeté le coup d’État au Niger. Les événements de ces derniers jours constituent une atteinte grave à la stabilité et à la démocratie au Niger. Comme le souligne la CEDEAO dans son dernier communiqué, ce coup de force est en violation totale des principes démocratiques qui fondent la gestion du pouvoir politique dans la région. L’UE réitère son soutien à l’action de l’organisation de la sous-région et aux efforts en cours pour permettre un retour immédiat à l’ordre constitutionnel. L'Union européenne appelle à ce que la sécurité et la liberté de mouvement du Président Bazoum soient assurées sans conditions. Toute rupture de l’ordre constitutionnel aura des conséquences sur la coopération entre l'UE et le Niger, y compris la suspension immédiate de tout appui budgétaire. Nous resterons en étroite coordination avec les Chefs d'État de la CEDEAO. L’UE demeure aux côtés des populations du Niger et réaffirme son plein attachement au strict respect de l’État de droit, des droits de l’Homme et du droit international humanitaire au Niger.

Press material Friday 28 July 2023

● Council of the EU   28/07/2023 17:48 | Press release | Democratic Republic of the Congo: EU lists nine individuals responsible for human rights violations and abuses and for sustaining armed conflict, instability and insecurity   Today, the Council imposed restrictive measures against nine Congolese and Rwandan individuals responsible for acts that constitute serious human rights violations and abuses in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and for sustaining the armed conflict, instability and insecurity in the DRC. The listings include members of non-state armed groups active in the Eastern and North Eastern part of the country, namely M23, Twirwaneho, ADF, APCLS, CODECO/ALC, FDLR/FOCA as well as one member of the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) and one member of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF). Altogether, EU restrictive measures related to human rights violations and electoral obstruction in the DRC now apply to a total of 24 individuals. Those designated are subject to a travel ban and an asset freeze. Furthermore, EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them. The EU will continue closely monitoring the situation in the country. It stands ready to list any new person involved in serious human rights violations or abuses, as well as those obstructing the electoral process and responsible for sustaining the armed conflict, instability and insecurity, or for inciting violence. The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Press material Friday 28 July 2023   ● Council of the EU   28/07/2023 16:29 | Press release | Information manipulation in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: EU lists seven individuals and five entities   Today the Council decided to impose restrictive measures against seven Russian individuals and five entities responsible for conducting a digital information manipulation campaign called 'RRN' (Recent Reliable News), aimed at distorting information and disseminating propaganda in support of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. This campaign, to which government bodies or bodies affiliated to the Russian State have participated, relies on fake web pages usurping the identity of national media outlets and government websites, as well as fake accounts on social media. This coordinated and targeted information manipulation is part of a broader hybrid campaign by Russia against the EU and the member states. "We are targeting those carrying out information manipulation and interference as part of a broader hybrid campaign by Russia against the EU and the member states. With these new listings we are sending a strong signal that we know how they manipulate our information space and how they operate. We are strong in our resolve to prevent, deter and respond effectively with new instruments to these threats." Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy In particular, the Council imposed restrictive measures on Inforos and three of its founders. Inforos is an online outlet which is closely linked to the Russian military intelligence (GRU), and is responsible for setting up more than 270 media proxy online outlets that disseminate propaganda in support of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Other listings concern: ANO Dialog, a Russian non-profit organisation created by the Moscow Department of Information and Technology and closely linked to the presidential administration, the Institute of the Russian Diaspora, and Social Design Agency and Structura National Technologies, two Russian IT companies involved in the Russian-led digital disinformation campaign 'RRN' (Recent Reliable News), and prominent representatives of the above-mentioned entities. Over the past months, the EU has developed its tools and approaches to address foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI). The adopted measures are part of this policy. Altogether, EU restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine now apply to about 1 800 individuals and entities altogether. All those designated are subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them. Natural persons are additionally subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU territories. In its conclusions of 23 March 2023, the European Council reiterated the Union’s resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of the United Nations Charter. The European Council also reiterated that the EU remained committed to maintaining and increasing collective pressure on Russia, including through possible further restrictive measures. The European Council also stated that the EU would intensify its work with partners to counter false Russian narratives and disinformation about the war. The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Official Journal of the EU, 28 July 2023 (including a list of the sanctioned individuals and entities) EU response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine (background information) European Council conclusions, 23 March 2023