Strasbourg, 12/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - MEPs gave their backing in Strasbourg on Tuesday 12 June to the creation of the post of Special Representative for Human Rights. According to Cristian Dan Preda (Romania), speaking on behalf of the EPP, “the appointment of this representative shows that we want to improve EU coherence on human rights”.
Richard Howitt (S&D) said that he did not want a “political appointment” but someone with irreproachable human rights credentials, a legally qualified expert. EPP MEP Gay Mitchell, however, does not want a lawyer but someone who has a good heart, courage, sound, political sense of judgment and who seeks the truth.
High Representative Catherine Ashton stated that, unlike what was originally planned, the special representative will be appointed for two and half years, not one year. A long term of office is needed for long-term issues, she pointed out. While most MEPs want the special representative to have a wide remit (human rights issues/relations with third countries, trade agreements), Franz Obermayr (non-attached, Austria) said that, since the task will be devolved to one person, it must be ensured that he/she does not have to spread him-/herself too thinly.
MEPs stressed that the representative must entertain close relations with the Parliament. Ashton gave assurances that the representative would be in close contact with the EP, regularly reporting to it.
The report by José Ignacio Salafranca (EPP, Spain) on the European Parliament's recommendations on the Special Representative for Human Rights will be put to the vote in plenary session on Wednesday. (CG/transl.rt)