Brussels, 08/12/2014 (Agence Europe) - In its report - presented on Monday 8 December - on the freedom of assembly in the Euro-Mediterranean region, the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) called on the European Union to defend human rights better, particularly the freedom of assembly, in its relations with the EU's southern neighbourhood and Turkey.
“There is a real problem with the relations between the EU and the southern countries which constantly violate human rights. The EU must be stronger. This is a fundamental issue. The EU has very solid economic and political relations (with these countries) but often it does not exert pressure, or not enough”, said Abdelslam Lassal, a Moroccan human rights defender.
In its recommendation, the EMHRN calls again for the “real and effective” implementation of Article 2 of the association agreements, which underlines that “the relations between the parties (…) are founded on respect for democratic principles and basic human rights”. It also calls for the respect and promotion of rights for the freedom of assembly to be included again, and especially evaluated, in the EU action plan for human rights and democracy, and in the European neighbourhood policy action plans signed between the EU and partner countries.
“Essential role” of delegations. The EMHRN also highlights the “essential role” of the EU delegations in implementing European policies - including the promotion and protection of human rights. The network thus calls on the delegations to use “every opportunity” for dialogue with the local authorities in order to promote the development of a more democratic environment for civil society, and systematically to raise the case of human rights defenders and organisations for whom the freedom of assembly has been crushed. In the EMHRN's view, the delegations should set up a working group on human rights and regularly invite protesters to hold discussions with this group. Actors from local, independent civil society should be supported through funding, training and the holding of regular consultations with local, independent civil society organisations - both ahead of, and after, meetings between the EU and the neighbouring countries. The delegations must also implement the positions adopted by the EU's Council of Foreign Affairs and the EU's guidelines, the EMHRN adds. (CG)