The European Parliament has adopted a resolution urging the European Union to take a firm stand against violations of international humanitarian law, including the targeting of aid workers and the politically motivated restriction of life-saving assistance. The vote was taken by a show of hands during a plenary session on Thursday.

The resolution responds to a joint communication published on 27 May 2026 by the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, titled Defending values, driving reform, delivering impact: the EU's humanitarian action in a shifting global order.

MEPs condemned what they described as the obstruction and politicisation of humanitarian aid, including the severe restriction of access to life-saving assistance in order to advance military objectives. Parliament also condemned the increase in attacks on and killings of humanitarian workers in conflict zones, reiterating that intentional attacks against personnel involved in humanitarian assistance missions constitute war crimes. The Commission and EU member states should, MEPs said, unequivocally condemn such killings and invest in the investigation and prosecution of those responsible.

The resolution further calls on the EU to strengthen its capacity to monitor and document violations of international humanitarian law, including through support for independent accountability mechanisms and cooperation with international investigative bodies.

Parliament also expressed concern over the global humanitarian and development funding crisis. MEPs pointed to decisions by key donors — among them several EU member states — to reduce their aid budgets, and warned that growing geopolitical competition and shifting donor priorities may divert resources away from the world's least developed and most fragile countries.

On displacement, MEPs called on the Commission and member states to increase support for both displaced populations and the communities hosting them, to invest in durable solutions and self-reliance, and to ensure that responses to protracted displacement bridge humanitarian, development, and peace action.

MEPs also insisted that the quality and accountability of EU humanitarian assistance are of key importance, and that humanitarian reforms must be needs-based, results-driven, and focused on effectiveness and real impact.

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