Strengthening human rights and democracy in the world: EU launches a €1.5 billion plan to promote universal values – World

On the eve of Human Rights Day and at the same time as the Summit for Democracy, the European Union is launching the Global Europe Human Rights and Democracy program. This € 1.5 billion program increases EU support to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law, and the work of civil society organizations and human rights defenders worldwide in the period 2021-2027. The program will promote and protect the universality of human rights, strengthen the rule of law and accountability for human rights violations and abuse, and defend the full and effective exercise of fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, and support independent journalism and media while seizing related opportunities and risks counter with digital and new technologies.

The High Representative / Vice-President Josep Borrell said: “Courageous people of all origins fight daily for their civil liberties, for independent media and the protection of democratic institutions, often at great personal risk. The European Union stands by their side. The Global Europe Human Rights and Democracy program will enable us to strengthen our support and protection of universal human rights and democratic principles worldwide: for everyone, anytime, anywhere. Together with civil society organizations, human rights defenders, the UN Human Rights Office and the International Criminal Court, we will leave no one behind. “

International Partnerships Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen said: “Human rights and democracy are a cornerstone of sustainable and inclusive development and are essential to addressing global challenges and ensuring that citizens reach their full potential and achieve their aspirations. However you measure it – in terms of stability, equality, economic growth, health or longevity – democracies always outperform other forms of government in the long term. I am proud to think of the myriad human rights defenders, young people, women, girls and civil society organizations that the € 1.5 billion Global Europe Human Rights and Democracy program enables to build a better future for us all . “

Global Europe human rights and democracy

The Global Europe Human Rights and Democracy program for 2021-2027, which will complement further support at bilateral and regional levels, is the EU’s flagship program for action to promote human rights and democracy, including addressing the effects of global challenges such as climate change and environmental degradation, digital and new technologies or the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program can support activities in any country outside the EU and at global level. It therefore complements other EU programs at local, country and regional level.

It has five overarching priorities:

Protecting and Empowering Individuals – € 704 million

Uphold all human rights, including through advocacy for the universal abolition of the death penalty, the abolition of torture and cruel and inhuman treatment, the satisfaction of basic needs, decent working conditions, the abolition of child labor and a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment. The program will promote equality, inclusion and respect for diversity, support human rights defenders and address shrinking space for civil society, strengthen the rule of law, ensure fair and effective justice and fill the accountability gap.

Building resilient, inclusive and democratic societies – EUR 463 million

The program will support functioning pluralistic, participatory and representative democracies and protect the integrity of electoral processes. For example, it will involve civil society observers in election observation and support pro-democratic organizations, networks and alliances.

Promotion of a global system for human rights and democracy – 144 million euros

Develop strategic partnerships with key actors such as the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the International Criminal Court (ICC), regional human rights systems, national human rights institutions, the private sector and the Global Campus of Human Rights.

Protection of fundamental freedoms, including seizing the opportunities and addressing the challenges of digital and new technologies – EUR 195 million

Create and maintain an environment conducive to the full exercise of all fundamental freedoms, both offline and online. For example, it will help strengthen the ability of independent, pluralistic and high quality media outlets, including investigative journalists, bloggers and fact-checkers, to deliver reliable information to the public through responsible and professional reporting. It will help civil society promote online media literacy and digital literacy and promote an open, global, free and safe Internet that is equally accessible to all.

Deliver together – € 6.6 million

The earmarked funds can help civil society to contact national authorities or to finance training, studies or the exchange of good practice in the human rights dialogues that the EU has with partner countries. It underpins all activities.

In the first year of implementation, the EU will focus on promoting a global system for human rights and democracy. For example, the EU is supporting the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights with 16 million euros, the Global Campus of Human Rights with 10 million euros and the International Criminal Court with 3 million euros. The EU will also support the launch of a Team Europe Democracy initiative in 2022 to increase the impact of global EU and Member State support for democracy. The 2021 Action Plan complements a number of urgent individual measures under the previously adopted program.

background

The Global Europe Human Rights and Democracy program is flexible in its procedures and supports civil society actions independently of the approval of the governments of the partner countries and other authorities. A significant part of the program is implemented at the state level. Subsequent calls for proposals on the various activities open to civil society organizations around the world will be launched in the coming months.

The Global Europe Human Rights and Democracy program, funded under the thematic pillar of the new Instrument for Neighborhood, Development and International Cooperation (NDICI) – Global Europe, is the successor to the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), which is part of. was founded in 2006 to support civil society-led actions in the field of human rights and democracy in countries outside the EU. In the previous 2014–2020 financial period, EUR 1.33 billion was allocated to the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights.

https://reliefweb.int/report/world/strengthening-human-rights-and-democracy-world-eu-launches-15-billion-plan-promote