High Representative Federica Mogherini today
gave strong messages of support to Non-Governmental Organisations working
in the field of Human Rights, telling the 17th EU-NGO Forum on
Human Rights that "civil society has a crucial role to play in our foreign
policy. It is not only a key player, but also a main driver for change in all
societies, in terms of democracy, good governance, resilience, cohesion,
promotion of fundamental human rights."
Mogherini told her audience that civil society
organisations have a crucial role to play in the fight against radicalisation
and terrorism. "To defeat terror we surely need law enforcement tools, and
this is something everybody is very much focusing on in these days. But this
has to go hand in hand with a deep, under-the-radar work inside societies: a
work to secure inclusion and open spaces for participation and expression to
all. Freedom of expression is one of the most powerful weapons against radicalisation
and terrorist propaganda. To better protect our citizens we need above all to
build strong democratic institutions and a healthy democratic dialogue,"
she said.
The High Representative recognised that
this has not been an easy year for human rights in Europe, given the
humanitarian crisis inside Europe’s own borders, but she underlined that the EU
needs to meet this challenge for the sake of its credibility as a champion of
human rights. "If we don't guarantee the highest human rights' standards
in Europe, our external action will also be weakened."
She also called for renewed efforts to fight
attempts to control the work of civil society in many countries around the
world.
"I personally and relentlessly raise the
issue of human rights in all my visits and meetings, with all interlocutors,
beyond any strategic considerations. But our strategy for human rights cannot
be limited to being vocal. Issuing a strongly-worded statement is not always
and necessarily the most effective tool we have. We need to work case by case,
country by country, to find the right mix between vocal statements and
engagement with local authorities. I couldn't be more serious on this: this is
about human lives, the lives of people fighting for human rights."
The EU’s second Action Plan on Human Rights and
Democracy outlines its priorities on human rights in external action and
details a strategy for the years to come. It commits to the mainstreaming of
human rights into all EU policies, and this includes development co-operation,
migration, counterterrorism, trade. It puts high on the agenda the promotion of
gender equality and women's empowerment.
"At the same time, our work does not end –
but begins with the adoption of the Action Plan. The real job begins today.
Putting it into practice will be a living process, where all actors can and
should make their contribution. I need you to be part of this process, together
with the EU institutions, EU Member States, national institutions and local
authorities. We also need to make the EU commitment to human rights more
visible. In this respect, I am envisaging for 2016 a number of public events
related to the Action Plan's key priorities," Mogherini concluded.
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