21/01/2016 (Agence Europe) - European Parliament calls on EU to promote universality and indivisibility of human rights. On Thursday 21 January, the European Parliament adopted a joint resolution from the EPP, ALDE, Greens/EFA, EFDD and S&D groups on the EU's priorities for the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions in 2016 (335 votes in favour, 230 against and 102 abstentions). The MEPs call on the EU “to promote the universality and indivisibility of human rights, including civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights”, and to integrate respect for human rights into trade, investment policies, public services, development cooperation, and its common security and defence policy. The Parliament also strongly emphasises the need to improve the preparation and coordination of EU positions for the UNHRC sessions. In addition, it calls on the EU to ensure a follow-up to the recommendations made in the universal periodic review (UPR) process in EU dialogues with the countries concerned in order to explore ways and means of implementing the recommendations through country and regional strategies. (CG)