On 12 July 2026, the European Parliament adopted three resolutions condemning human rights violations in Sudan, Nigeria, and Pakistan, with MEPs calling for urgent EU action including sanctions, humanitarian aid, and support for victims. The resolutions were passed during a plenary session, with the Sudan resolution receiving 476 votes in favour, 28 against, and 96 abstentions; the Nigeria resolution 510 in favour, 1 against, and 86 abstentions; and the Pakistan resolution adopted by show of hands.
In the resolution on Sudan, MEPs condemned in the strongest possible terms war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the ongoing siege of El-Obeid by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). They urged the EU to urgently step up humanitarian aid, provide direct funding to local organisations including medical groups, and establish humanitarian corridors for civilian evacuation and aid delivery. MEPs called for sanctions on those responsible for attacks on civilians and external facilitators such as the Global Security Services Group for violating the UN arms embargo, and demanded the EU add the RSF to its list of terrorist organisations. They also called for an independent investigation into alleged war crimes and for the International Criminal Court to extend its jurisdiction to all of Sudan.
The resolution on Nigeria strongly condemned the attack in Kawel village and expressed support for the Christian community in Plateau State. MEPs called on Nigerian authorities to take counter-terrorism measures against Boko Haram, ensure independent investigations, and strengthen civilian protection through early warnings, regional mediation, sustainable land management, and food security. They urged the EU Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief to pay particular attention to the deteriorating situation of Christians and other persecuted religious communities in Nigeria.
Regarding Pakistan, the resolution highlighted the case of 13-year-old Christian girl Maria Shahbaz, who was abducted, forcibly converted to Islam, and married to her abductor in March 2026. MEPs called for her access to legal representation, family, and psychological support, and condemned similar abuses against underage girls from religious minorities. They urged Pakistan's authorities to fully implement the national framework to end child marriage, create a mechanism for handling complaints from families of abducted or forcibly converted girls, and ensure transparent investigations and prosecution of perpetrators.
The resolutions have no direct financial impact on EU budgets but may influence future EU foreign policy decisions, including sanctions and aid allocations. Stakeholders affected include Sudanese civilians facing conflict and famine, who could benefit from increased humanitarian aid and sanctions on perpetrators; Nigerian religious minorities, who may see greater EU diplomatic pressure on their government; Pakistani minority communities, who could gain from EU advocacy for legal reforms; and EU taxpayers, who fund the humanitarian aid and diplomatic efforts called for in the resolutions. The Parliament's votes signal strong cross-party support for human rights, though implementation depends on Council and Commission action.