By adopting the ‘Human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter - annual report 2024’ by Isabel Wiseler-Lima (EPP, Luxembourgish) (390 votes in favour, 116 against, 126 abstentions) on Wednesday 2 April, the European Parliament called on the EU to continue to develop and strengthen the instruments and procedures at its disposal to promote and defend human rights and democracy in the world.
MEPs believe that the respect, protection and fulfilment of human rights and fundamental freedoms must be the cornerstone of the EU’s external policy.
The European Parliament calls for this global EU human rights sanctions regime and other ad hoc sanctions regimes to be used in a stronger way against those responsible for serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. It also reiterates its call for the inclusion of human rights assessments and robust human rights clauses in agreements between the EU and third countries, with a clear set of benchmarks and procedures to be respected in the event of violations. Similarly, the European Parliament recalls that it is possible to suspend European Neighbourhood Policy projects that contribute directly or indirectly to human rights violations in third countries.
MEPs also reiterate the EU’s “strong support of the EU for the International Court of Justice and the ICC as essential, independent and impartial jurisdictional institutions”.
See the report: https://aeur.eu/f/g84 (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant and Isalia Stieffatre)