Summary: April 24, 2002: Statement by Ambassador Carlo TROJAN, Head of Delegation, on behalf of the European Community, at the 58th Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights - Item 19: "Advisory Services and technical co-operation in the field of human rights" (Geneva)
Introduction
Further to the intervention by Spain on behalf of the European Union under item 19, I should like to provide a brief insight into how the European Union supports the promotion and protection of human rights through European Commission programmes.
Mainstreaming Human Rights
The European Commission is seeking to mainstream human rights' considerations throughout its funding programmes and policy activities. To this end, we are establishing Country Strategy Papers which include human rights as a key element. We are also looking hard at the issue of training: officials on the ground must be instilled with a thorough knowledge of human rights in order to ensure that programmes and policies are properly implemented.
The European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights
Since its inception in 1994, the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights has been the core funding mechanism for human rights' projects and it now channels over €100 million each year to NGOs and international organisations across the globe. Such assistance complements the larger-scale funding which is delivered through our country programmes.
The European Initiative has tackled many human rights' issues. As an example, the prevention of torture and the rehabilitation of torture victims has been one key goal. Rehabilitation centres deliver much-needed medical, legal and social assistance to victims of torture and the EU remains the largest supporter of such centres in the World with €12 million devoted last year to projects both inside and outside the EU. We have also funded a wide range of preventive activities such as the training
of police and prison officials and the tracking of technology used in the perpetration of torture.
For the period 2002-2004, we have moved to focus European Initiative funds on four key priorities: support to strengthen democratisation, good governance and the rule of law; the abolition of the death penalty; support for the fight against torture and impunity and for international tribunals and funds to combat racism, xenophobia and discrimination against minorities and indigenous peoples. Part of the funding will be allocated to 29 "focus" countries. The choice of countries took into account
many factors, including the capacity of NGOs on the ground..
Civil society will be the main beneficiary of assistance under the European Initiative and projects will be selected under several Calls for Proposals which will be launched this month. NGOs are key interlocutors, not only as recipients of aid but also as essential contributors to the formulation of EU policy. This takes place through regular contacts, including the EU annual human rights forum, drawing together NGO's, academics, EU and Member State officials to tackle specific human rights'
questions. Last year the forum looked at the role of human rights and democracy in conflict prevention and resolution.
We also address specific issues of concern through targeted projects with international organisations such as the UN and the OSCE. For example, we have recently funded an extensive programme with UNICEF to reintegrate child soldiers in Sierra Leone and we are currently supporting 16 ongoing projects with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for a total of almost 9 million euros.
The European Initiative in the Future
The new strategy for EU funding does not mean that our selection criteria have been set in stone. There is plenty of room for innovation and priorities will be reviewed annually. One developing area which we are looking at is Corporate Social Responsibility. The issue extends into many domains, including labour standards to the protection of health and the environment. The European Commission has sought to stimulate debate with the publication of a Green Paper last year examining the concept.
That debate - including the question of how to support and encourage enterprises to observe core standards and human rights' values - will undoubtedly develop further.
Conclusion
At a time when human rights principles are under a great deal of strain, it is important that the international community targets its assistance as effectively as possible. That is the goal towards which the European Commission will aim with determination.
| Top |
European Union Member States
Alerts by email
Email this page
Print this page