The European Parliament sounds the alarm regarding the erosion of international humanitarian law

Members of the European Parliament call for sanctions against those who block access to aid and demand a significant increase in the budget to address the global "polycrisis."

Strasbourg, January 20, 2026 – The European Parliament has strongly condemned the increasing number of violations of international humanitarian law (IHL), approving a new report that calls for a more ambitious EU response to crises. In a vote held today, lawmakers expressed their outrage at the deliberate targeting of civilians and humanitarian workers, specifically highlighting "the killing of 508 humanitarian workers in Gaza."

In brief

Members of the European Parliament adopted a report by Leire Pajín (S&D, ES) with 444 votes in favor, condemning the erosion of respect for international humanitarian law.

The text calls for EU sanctions against actors who deliberately obstruct humanitarian access, labeling such denial as a potential war crime.

The Parliament calls for a significant increase in humanitarian funding for the EU budget 2028-2034, to address the crises in Gaza, Sudan, and the DRC.

The report, drafted by Spanish MEP Leire Pajín, comes at a time of "multiple and overlapping humanitarian crises." It reaffirms that the protection of civilians must be a non-negotiable element of the EU's external action. The Parliament expressed its deep concern over the increasing frequency of attacks on medical facilities and essential infrastructure, urging the EU to consider sanctions against any actors who deliberately obstruct the delivery of vital aid.

A significant part of the resolution focuses on the situation in Gaza. MEPs condemned the killing of over a thousand Palestinians while they sought aid and the death of over 500 humanitarian workers. They stated that the denial of access to aid constitutes collective punishment and a war crime, demanding that the mandate and funding of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) be fully restored. The report also highlights "unprecedented humanitarian crises" in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, calling for increased support for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence.

Looking ahead, the Parliament insisted that the EU's humanitarian leadership be financially supported. MEPs called for a "significant increase" in funding for humanitarian aid in the next long-term budget (2028-2034). Rapporteur Leire Pajín warned that the credibility of the EU is at stake: "The urgency faced by millions of vulnerable people... is too important for Europeans to look the other way. At stake is not only the immediate delivery of aid... but also the credibility of the EU as a global humanitarian actor."

https://2eu.brussels/ro/stiri/parlamentul-trage-un-semnal-de-alarma-privind-eroziunea-dreptului-international-umanitar