European Commission marks Human Rights Day

On Human Rights Day, 10 December 2002, the European Commission highlights the commitment of the EU to the promotion of human rights and democratisation: the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) has approved €28 million for 42 projects to promote and defend human rights and democracy. It is expected that another 30 Commission decisions will be taken before the end of the year: €53 m will finance 74 projects and an additional €7.8 million will fund micro-projects in 15 selected countries. In addition to the new funds announced today, 600 projects worth some € 350 m are currently being implemented to promote human rights and democratisation world wide.

The annual Human Rights Day commemorates the signature of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10 December 1948. The European Union respects and promotes the universal principles laid down in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and considers it its mission to promote these values not only within its own borders, but also in its relations with third countries.

To mark the Human Rights Day, the Commission, in collaboration with two international organisations, AIDOS (Associazione Italiana Donne per lo Sviluppo) and No Peace Without Justice, is also supporting a conference as part of a campaign to eradicate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in African, Arab and EU countries.

The conference is hosted by the European Parliament. Together with eight African NGO partners, it aims at identifying ways to protect women's rights. The event takes place in the framework of the project "Stop FGM: an International Campaign to eradicate Female Genital Mutilation" which has received an EIDHR grant of €925,584.

Current efforts

The EU currently supports numerous concrete activities to promote human rights and democracy in the world. The Human Rights Day is a welcome opportunity to reflect both on the progress made towards building pluralistic, democratic societies based on the rule of law, and on the work which remains to be done to prevent human rights violations and failures of democracy.

2002 has been a challenging year for human rights. The EU has however taken its human rights policy seriously in its political dialogue with partner countries and in international forums. Human rights issues are raised regularly in the political dialogue with third countries, and the EU has opened new human rights dialogues such as with China, and in the short future also with Iran.

The EU has played a leading role in supporting the establishment of the International Criminal Court, which represents a highly significant advance for international justice. The Union remains committed to combat torture and increasingly focuses its attention on prevention, such as through the UN Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture. The EU has continued to be vocal in its opposition to the death penalty. Increasingly, the EU receives requests to support democratisation efforts in third countries and responds for instance by providing experts and training for electoral observation missions. Since the process of democratic transition must be carefully nurtured, the EU supports constitutional and legislative reformand in many fields of its external relations promotes good governance

Support for indigenous peoples has been another important policy area for the EU in 2002: At an indigenous peoples' conference supported by the Commission, key commitments were made by the EU on the automatic integration of indigenous peoples' concerns into the policies and programmes which affect them. Since 2002, the promotion of gender equality and the rights of the child are issues, which must be taken into account in all activities supported by EIDHR.

Co-operation with civil society organisations

In its human rights activities, the EU draws upon the experience and commitment of civil society organisations. It has developed its relationship with NGOs through EU Human Rights Discussion Forums and through regular contact and consultation with civil society all levels. About 80% of EIDHR funds are allocated to NGOs as implementing partners. Grass roots organisations are central to achieving the protection of human rights and sustainable democracy at a local level. A particularly important instrument is the "microprojects" programme, which provides a valuable opportunity for NGOs to support Human Rights and Democracy building. The remaining funds are allocated to international and/or regional organisations such as the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, etc.

More strategic use of resources

The EU has made serious efforts in the last year to improve the focus and impact of its activities under the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR). To ensure a greater impact and a more strategic use of resources, all projects selected in 2002 target specific thematic priorities identified in the EIDHR programming document 2002-2004. These areas are:

• Support for the abolition of the death penalty;
  
  
• Prevention of torture and provision of support for the rehabilitation of torture victims;
  
  
• Support for the work of the international tribunals and the establishment and operation of an international criminal court;
  
  
• Combating racism and xenophobia and discrimination against ethnic minorities and indigenous people;
  
  
• Support for democracy, good governance, and the rule of law.

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