Brussels, 14/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 13 October, EU Special Representative for Human Rights Stavros Lambrinidis underlined that the world human rights situation was “dramatic”. In a speech to the European Parliament's sub-committee on human rights, Lambrinidis revealed his 7E strategy: empower, engage, enlarge, encourage, enforce, embody and elevate.
Lambrinidis stated that it was important to help people on the ground be empowered. “It's not about promoting European objectives, but civil society objectives. We bring diplomatic and political aid. We always try to get civil society to talk to the governments”, he said, stating that the EU should actively engage. As regards enlargement, he stated that it was important to enlarge the coalition of countries that defend human rights, and he underlined that the universality of human rights was not always recognised. He added that it was necessary to encourage people to act innovatively.
In Lambrinidis' view, sanctions are linked to enforcement. “It is imperative that the EU be in the front line when it comes to putting an end to capital punishment and having human rights respected. Prevention also relates to this sanctions part (…) Prevention is essential. We need to make more of it in this domain”, he said. Lambrinidis also stressed the fact that the EU should continue to embody human rights, and to stay in the front line for this. “No one is ever perfect in terms of human rights, but this does not mean that everything is on the same level in terms of imperfection”, he said. Lastly, Lambrinidis stated that the EU should better highlight the work it was doing to elevate human rights.
Lambrinidis has held dialogues on human rights with 40 countries or regional organisations and stated that a human rights contact point or liaison officer had been appointed in each of the EU's delegations. “We must ensure that in Europe we keep the political pressure up for promoting human rights worldwide”, he said. (CG)