In this edition of State of the Union, three main topics are discussed: the climate ruling against Switzerland, the fairness of the European election campaign, and the new EU Migration and Asylum Pact. Switzerland, known for its stable governance and high ethical standards, faced a blow to its reputation as the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Swiss authorities had failed to implement efficient climate policies, violating the right to life of its people. Although the ruling does not include sanctions, it sets an important precedent for future lawsuits. The Swiss government responded with a commitment to continue working towards sustainability and achieving net zero emissions.
Transparency and fairness in the upcoming European elections were emphasized as almost all political groups in the Parliament signed a code of conduct to ensure the avoidance of misleading content, particularly from the use of artificial intelligence. The European Commission praised the code of conduct as a means to combat public distrust in European institutions. Additionally, the European Parliament adopted the new EU Migration and Asylum Pact after years of negotiations. While the pact aims to streamline migration policy and address the current status quo, there are concerns from various stakeholders regarding the respect of human rights of migrants and their families.
Amnesty International criticized the new EU Migration and Asylum Pact for downgrading asylum law, increasing detention measures, and limiting legal support for migrants. The organization expressed concerns that the pact would put people at heightened risk of human rights violations by denying protections and rights aligned with their physical presence on European territory. Despite defenders of the reform viewing it as a fair improvement between far-right obstructionism and far-left fantasy solutions, Amnesty International emphasizes the need for a stronger commitment to human rights in the legislation.
With over 110 million people forcibly displaced worldwide, the impact of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact coming into force in 2026 is a pressing concern. Amnesty International calls for stricter enforcement and accountability for existing standards to prevent member states from violating international refugee and human rights laws. The organization stresses the importance of moving away from short-term political interests that sideline human rights and towards a future-proof approach that protects all individuals at borders. As criticisms continue to arise from both sides, the need for a comprehensive and human rights-focused migration policy remains imperative in addressing global displacement and migration challenges.
