Furthering Human Rights and Democracy Across the Globe

               This post is a summary of the book with the incomplete title above and published in 2007 at  https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/sites/devco/files/publication-furthering-human-rights-worldwide-2007_en_0.pdf

               This book gives a general overview of E.U. tools and policies in the field of human rights and democratisation. It provides an insight into some of the major concerns which the E.U. tackles in human rights policy and promoting inclusive democracy across the globe. Central to the E.U.'s approach is the concept of human security, an idea of security which places people at the heart of our policies. A world in which people can live in freedom, security and dignity. Yet only in a world based on the rule of law and the freedom from fear and want can people develop their individual and collective potential. Respect for human rights is one of the most fundamental and universal values of our world. All of us have a responsibility to protect the rights of our fellow, be at home or elsewhere in the world. The E.U. takes this obligation seriously. We take a two-pronged approach: first, mainstreaming human rights concerns into all our policies, and second, financing projects to promote and protect human rights. The struggle to achieve the protection of the human rights of every man and woman has a long history. From their place in landmarks of European development, such as the English Magna Carta (1215) and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man (1789) to the forging of the modern U.N. system, human rights have been embraced and violated by states across the world. Liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law, are founding principles of the E.U. The E.U. promotes human rights and democratisation through various co-operation and assistance programmes with third countries and through the political dialogues that conduct with them. The specific objectives of human rights dialogues may vary from one country to another. In general, they aim at seeking information about the human rights situation in the country concerned; identifying practical steps to improve the human rights situation, and discussing questions of mutual interest and enhancing co-operation on human rights. The key challenge is for the human rights dialogues to go beyond a recitation of well-known positions and to lead to concrete improvement of the human rights. In many countries of the world, civil society organisations are working with dedication often in difficult conditions, for the effective protection of human rights and the advancement of democratisation processes in their own countries. They are strategic partners of the E.U. in the conduct of its human rights and democracy policy. Civil society play a crucial role in monitoring human rights and democratic processes in all parts of the world. On January 2007, a new regulation for the EIDHR entered into force. Now called the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR). it provides continuity with its predecessor while introducing a range of changes, including a strong focus on democracy promotion and support to human rights defenders. The programming under the new EIDHR is set out in the Commission's Strategy Paper. It builds in the EIDHR's vocation to work with and through civil society organisations, and defending fundamental freedoms, which form the basis for all democratic processes and helping civil society to become an effective force for political reform and defence of human rights. Also to complement geographical programmes, the programming for the new EIDHR goves priority to supporting the international framework for the protection of human rights, the rule of law and justice and the promotin of democracy. Because democracy and human rights are par excellence issues of global concern andand constitute "public goods", global campaigns may also be foreseen, requiring a transnational approach. The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a major advance in the creation of an international justice system where perpetrators of international crimes can be held to account for their actions if no action is taken at the national level. The conduct of credible elections is vitaç to ensure democratic development and therefore, in turn, to protect human rights. Since the early 1990s the E.U. has provided increasing support to elections around the world both through electoral assistance and the deployment of E.U. Election Observation Mission (EOM). Electoral assistance is the legal, technical and logistic support provided to electoral events. Since 2000 over 60 EOM and 10 election support mission have been deployed to countries in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and South America involving the participation of some 5000 experts and observers in these missions. The aim of election observation are to deter fraud and violence and to build confidence in the electoral process among political contestants, civil society and the wider electorate. The EOM are usually headed by a member of the European Parliament. After the electoral process has been completed, each EOM produces a detailed report on the lectoral process for the country in which the observation has taken place. The E.U. plays a very active role in the new U.N. Human Rights Council. It introduces resolutions and gives statements aiming to protect and promote human rights. Despite the risk of politicisation of debates, the U.N. Human Rights Council remains the key forum in the worldwide promotion and protection of human rights, and the E.U. contribution to its discussion is a fundamental component of the E.U.'s external action. The U.N. has decided to double the budget of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The E.U. participates and makes statements in the annual implementation meeting which monitors compliance with commitments and the suplementary meetings which tackle specific human rights issues. The E.U. also attaches great importance to the work of the Council of Europe and its normative work to promote human rights standards and to pursue common goals.  The Council of Europe has also contributed to reform of legal systems and setting up effective human rights protection mechanisms in Central and Eastern Europe.