EU tightens visa-free travel rules over human rights

The European Parliament has passed new legislation making it easier to suspend visa-free travel for nationals of third countries found to violate human rights or ignore international court rulings.

The reform aims to strengthen the current visa suspension mechanism, which covers 61 countries whose citizens can enter the Schengen Area visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Under the revised rules, the European Commission will have broader powers to reintroduce visa requirements for countries that pose security risks or fail to comply with key international obligations.

For the first time, breaches of the UN Charter, international human rights or humanitarian law, and non-compliance with international court rulings can trigger the reinstatement of visa requirements. The updated mechanism also addresses hybrid threats, including the misuse of migrants and so-called “golden passport” investor schemes, which may raise security concerns.

The law further allows the EU to impose targeted visa restrictions on government officials deemed responsible for serious violations, including human rights abuses.

Currently, according to Annex II of the EU Visa Regulation, Israel is among the countries whose citizens enjoy visa-free travel.

However, the situation in Gaza has escalated dramatically. Since October 2023, Israeli military operations have killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children. The bombardment has left the enclave virtually uninhabitable, with widespread starvation and disease.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice.

Copied