ABOUT US

We, the human rights organizations and individual activists representing the member states of the European Union

We state that a troubling trend persists across the member states of the European Union: the use of criminal prosecution on politically motivated grounds against activists, journalists, political opponents, and civil society critics. Systemic deficiencies within the judicial and penitentiary systems create an enabling environment for abuses and violations of fundamental rights.

Addressing these challenges effectively will require the marshaling of collective efforts and joint action on the part of civil society. With this objective in mind, we have hereby formed a new alliance — the International Committee for the Protection of Political Prisoners.

The mission of the Committee is threefold: to protect the rights of political prisoners; to press for their release and facilitate their rehabilitation; and to promote the rule of law as a core European principle.

MISSION & CHARTER

Our work is anchored in international law, the European Convention on Human Rights, and the core principles of impartiality, transparency, and solidarity. Each case is evaluated solely on its legal merits, irrespective of the individual's political affiliations or beliefs.

01

RECOGNITION OF POLITICAL PRISONERS

To secure official recognition — at the level of European Union institutions, national parliaments, and within civil society — of the existence of individuals imprisoned on political grounds.

Our ultimate objective is their release and rehabilitation.

02

LEGAL MONITORING

To systematically collect, analyze, and disseminate verified information regarding cases of politically motivated persecution, applying rigorous legal criteria and a sound methodology.

03

ADVOCACY & REFORMS

To conduct advocacy campaigns aimed at establishing effective legal safeguards against politically motivated prosecution. We engage with European Union institutions, the European Court of Human Rights, and national authorities to reinforce judicial independence and the right to a fair trial.

04

PUBLIC AWARENESS

To raise awareness among European publics and media outlets regarding the issue of political imprisonment and its linkage to broader challenges confronting the rule of law. We promote alternatives to incarceration and the humanization of penitentiary systems.

Our
contacts

Procedures for Joining the Committee 

Affiliates may contribute to the Committee's mission through the following forms of support:
engagement in public information campaigns;
the dispatch of independent trial observers;
the furnishing of legal aid;
and the filing of appeals before competent international tribunals and monitoring mechanisms.
Please read the Committee Charter.
Complete and sign the application for membership.
Send a scanned copy icpp-net@pm.me
Wait for confirmation of your application

CASES / PRISONERS

This section presents cases falling within the Committee's mandate.

The Committee accepts a case only following a rigorous legal verification process conducted in accordance with its established methodology. 

How we handle requests

Identification

Information pertaining to a potential case may be submitted by any Committee member or partner organization.

Legal Analysis & Verification

The assessment of a potential case is conducted by a designated working group, which examines: the circumstances surrounding the detained person's activities; whether the charges brought are consistent with established legal standards; and whether any indicia of discrimination or persecution on the basis of belief are present.

Decision on Support

Based on the legal opinion, the Coordinating Council decides whether to include the case under the Committee's mandate and determines the forms of support.

Implementation

Forms of support may encompass the following: conducting public campaigns; dispatching observers to judicial proceedings; furnishing legal aid; and submitting appeals to competent international mechanisms, such as the European Court of Human Rights and the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture.
Our
contacts

The Committee welcomes collaboration with human rights NGOs, legal professional associations, academic research institutions, grassroots initiative groups, and private persons whose objectives and values align with our own.

 

If you seek to bring a case to our attention or to request support, kindly reach out to us through our secure email channel.

icpp-net@pm.me