Brussels, 26/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 25 September, EU Special Representative for Human Rights Stavros Lambrinidis again underlined the importance of better coherence in European human rights policy. In his opinion, there are three challenges - internal/external coherence, but also coherence inside, within the EU, and outside, towards third countries. Speaking at the European Parliament, Lambrinidis stressed that if the EU demands respect for human rights, it must also guarantee them within the EU. “When one takes a walk through the world and asks for the respect of human rights, one must expect these states to say 'What are you doing about the Roma situation, and the xenophobic and racist attacks within the EU?'”, Lambrinidis said. And while no one is perfect, “you need to be credible in order to state what you think”, he added. In terms of external coherence, Lambrinidis stressed that it is “pretty evident that we do not always react in the same way when there is a violation in some part of the world” and this can undermine the EU's credibility. Attention should therefore be paid to coherence. “To back up our words with deeds, human rights require a partnership between the European institutions, and also between the EU and its member states”, he said, adding that the same human rights objectives need to be promoted, and the same message given - “otherwise there is incoherence on the inside”. He wants the member states to be as strict as the EU.
Call for action from the foreign affairs ministers. Lotte Leicht, from Human Rights Watch, called on the European foreign affairs ministers to adopt “firm” conclusions before the end of the year, with a human rights defence strategy with two big strategic partners - Russia and China. “We need foreign affairs conclusions that are presented in the same way by everyone”, she added. “If everyone plays the same role, then the small countries can echo them without the partner countries launching thunder against them. We need to be like pack animals”, Leicht continued. She also wanted an annual debate on human rights to be organised in the Foreign Affairs Council - an open debate rather than one behind closed doors.
The representative from Front Line Defenders, Vincent Forest, called for European Parliament resolutions that focus on protecting human rights activists, and he called for activists to be followed so that if one of them is targeted a quick response can be made. Lambrinidis also backs support like this for human rights defenders, stating that psychological support is often more important than financial support. (CG/transl.fl)