Brussels, 16/01/2002 (Agence Europe) - As the Spanish Prime Minister prepares his speech to the European Parliament, on Wednesday in Strasbourg, Amnesty International has criticised the Spanish Presidency of the Council for not having included human rights amongst the priorities of its mandate, which according to Amnesty reveals its total lack of vision on the human rights front. In a document entitled, "The Human Rights Agenda for the European Union in 2002", Amnesty points out that the events of 11 September gave the debate on the future of Europe a strong focus on the fundamental values of human rights and democracy on which the Union is founded. Amnesty is also shocked that human rights appear to have moved backstage altogether as security dominates the agenda. Dick Oosting, director of Amnesty International's EU Office stated that, "More than ever, there is need for a comprehensive vision of the way the EU's values should guide both its internal policies and its role as a key player in the world. The Laeken Declaration reflects such an aspiration, but it is yet to be translated into the programmes and priorities of the Presidency".
Amnesty International considers that the absence of a human rights perspective is a serious error and has called on the President of the European Parliament to take a lead on EU human rights policy and request the Spanish Presidency to account for its lack of vision on this issue.
Among the recommendations contained in the memorandum are that the Spanish Presidency: 1) infuses its programme with a clear and unambiguous human rights perspective; 2) that it sees to it that the EU and Member States ensure that any measures adopted to guarantee security are in full compliance with international human rights law and standards, including the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights; 3) that a meaningful content is given to the human rights clause, as well as to systematic human rights monitoring and evaluation for third countries, as well as for Member States, present and new; 4) that in the development of a common asylum system, full compliance with international human rights and refugee law is ensured.