EP - Report on human rights in the world in 2003 and the EU's policy on the matter

Véronique DE KEYSER (PES, B)
Report on human rights in the world in 2003 and the European Union's policy on the matter
(2003/2005(INI))
Doc.: A5-0270/2004
Procedure : Own-initiative

Debate : 21.04.2004
Vote: 22.04.2004

Vote

By 189 votes for to 111 against with 29 abstentions, Parliament adopted its annual report on human rights in the world in 2003. Drawn up by Véronique DE KEYSER (PES, B), the report aims to draw attention to the hidden costs of instability in the world, affecting more than just the direct victims of conflict. The report condemns in particular the denial of human rights often faced by disabled people. It also makes recommendations for a strengthening of EU human rights policy. Furthermore, it stresses the right for everyone to have access to public health provision, including the fight against AIDS, opposition to sexual violence and reproductive health care as a fundamental right.

MEPs begin by condemning terrorism which is, they say, "one of the most serious common challenges facing the international community." They also stress that the fight against terrorism has to take place within the framework of international law and ask the American authorities "to immediately put an end to the current legal limbo in which the detainees held in Guantánamo Bay have ... been placed." They reiterate the need to find a coordinated approach in order to mainstream human rights in the EU's external relations activities. MEPs insist that human rights questions should be discussed "more openly and regularly" at Association/Cooperation Councils and at EU summits. They are convinced that "respect of human rights will not result from solemn declarations which are not supported by effective actions for their implementation." Regarding EU policy as a whole, MEPs regret that Parliaments demands for "a serious and non-selective application of so-called 'human rights' clauses appear not to have visible effects on the human rights policies of the Council, the EU Member States and the Commission." Parliament also regrets that the Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreements lack clearly defined procedures for the implementation of the human rights clause and insists on the need for a mid-term review of Article 2 of all Association Agreements.

Parliament repeats its call for periodic review of sanctions policies in order to assess and enhance their effectiveness. MEPs welcome the EU's support for the creation of the International Criminal Court and ask the Council and Commission to uses the political influence of the EU to encourage as many countries as possible to sign the Rome statute of the ICC.

Regarding the spread of HIV/AIDS, which is a major threat to world security and causes the deaths of three million people each year despite the possibility of treatment, Parliament stresses that the fight against AIDS must include "effective public health programmes involving education, prevention, treatment, care and support."

A significant section of the report is devoted to the protection of the fundamental rights of disabled people. According to the UN, one in every twenty people in the world is disabled. The European Year of People with Disabilities, 2003, drew attention to the barriers which are still too often raised against the inclusion of disabled people, thus preventing them from fully enjoying a social, professional, family, emotional and sexual life. MEPs note with regret that in some states there are numerous obstacles, unacceptable restrictions or limits to access to training or education for disabled children, adolescents or students. MEPs believe that accessibility and use of public space and the built environment is "a fundamental right and an essential guarantee of disabled people's freedom of movement, equal opportunities, and freedom from discrimination." They stress that people with disabilities "exercising their right to mobility must not suffer any form of direct or indirect discrimination" and regret that access to public transport is still difficult for disabled people.

Regarding reproductive health, MEPs ask the European Community Humanitarian Office to make greater efforts to tackle the "dramatic situation caused by the lack of access to all aspects of reproductive health in emergency situations and in refugee camps." They ask the Commission to reinforce its funding of education programmes relating to reproductive health, with a focus, amongst others, on the fight against sexual violence and female genital cutting or mutilation.

Finally, Parliament regrets that people arrested in Egypt on grounds of their sexual orientation are all too often denied certain aspects of their fundamental human rights, including the right to a fair trial.

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