Zweeds Voorzitterschap vindt dat mensenrechten integraal onderdeel moeten uitmaken van het Europees buitenlandsbeleid (en)

“International Human Rights day on 10 December reminds us of each person’s right to live in freedom and democracy, with full respect for rights and freedoms. As holder of the EU Presidency, Sweden has made efforts to make the human rights work of the EU clearer, more visible and always an integrated part of foreign policy,” said Carl Bildt in a statement on Thursday.

The Swedish Presidency has pressed for the EU’s continued role as a leading global actor in respecting human rights and humanitarian law. On 8 December the Council adopted common conclusions on the human rights work of the EU in 2009. Some priority issues were the following:

Human rights must inform foreign and security policy in the EU, including at the political level. Respect for human rights has been raised in special dialogues with third countries, and as a part of talks at political level, including summit meetings with Russia and China. Our missions abroad have regularly called attention to HR issues, under the common guidelines decided within the EU.

Reacting against violations. The EU has reacted against violations of individual rights, against the application of the death penalty, torture, violations of the fundamental human rights of the child and the human rights of women, against discrimination and other violations directed at LGBT people and religious and other minorities. In November the EU Council of Ministers approved the accession of the EU to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Special action has been taken for defenders of human rights. Today, the day of the Nobel Award Ceremony, attention will be drawn to Shirin Ebadi, who has long fought for human rights in Iran. The Presidency has welcomed the decision of the European Parliament to award the Sakharov Prize to Memorial and other human rights defenders in Russia. The EU has acted in many other individual cases to support the courageous work of human rights defenders, openly and behind the scenes.

A modern HR policy. The Swedish Presidency has focused on the opportunities and problems created by new technology for freedom of expression. We have reacted against harassment and threats directed against bloggers and others who have been abused because they practised freedom of expression.

A more transparent EU. On the initiative of Sweden, the EU has decided to improve the transparency and accessibility of EU human rights policy. More information is published about the work of the EU, including dialogues with other countries. The European Council website has been modernised. It must be easy to access EU policy.

Human rights as a profile issue at the UN. In the autumn Sweden represented the EU in the UN Human Rights Council and in the human rights work of the UN General Assembly. The EU has pushed through resolutions on Burma/Myanmar, on human rights in North Korea, against religious intolerance and for the rights of the child.

Coherent action in support of democracy. In November development cooperation and foreign ministers adopted Council Conclusions with an agenda for action with a clear message of priority, consensus and increased impact.

“When we hand over the Presidency it will be with the conviction that after the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon the EU will be better equipped for coordinated and vigorous action for human rights in the world,” says Carl Bildt.