Discussion:
1. Do you think it is a country’s responsibility to try to ensure that other countries around the world are respecting the principles of human rights? Why or why not?
2. What are some ways that a country can convince other countries to follow proper guidelines on human rights?
The European Union expresses a commitment to ensure that its own member states respect the principles of human rights, but it is also expresses a commitment to ensure that all of humanity is guaranteed their basic human rights. The EU has its own program to promote human rights in non-EU countries. This program is called the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR). Through this instrument, the EU puts much emphasis on supporting human rights. Without human rights, there is no real democracy. Below is a chart with an overview of the activities of the EIDHR.
EIDHR: FAQ
| 1. When and why was the EIDHR created? | Promoting human rights around the world is an important aim of the EU, but the EU needed a legal basis, as well as financial support, to accomplish this task. In 1994, the European Parliament created the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights and gave this initiative a series of budget headings dealing with human rights promotion. In 2006 the Initiative was transformed into the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights. |
| 2. What does it actually do? | Mostly, the instrument assists in allocating financial aid towards activities related to supporting human rights. |
| 3. Which groups benefit from the EIDHR’s funding? | The instrument is aimed towards assisting NGOs (Non-governmental organizations), as well as other international human rights organizations. Other partners that are eligible for financial aid are national, regional and local authorities, community organizations, as well as public or private sector institutes and natural persons. (Examples: UNICEF, Reporters Without Borders/Reporters sans frontières) |
| 4. How is the initiative different from other European Union instruments on promoting human rights? | It is a complement to EU programs and can be carried out with a variety of partners, such as NGOs.It can be implemented without the host government’s consent.
It is a complement to the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy in the field of human rights, democracy, and conflict prevention. |
| 5. What are the priorities of the EIDHR? | Support for democratization, good governance, and the rule of law Eliminating the death penalty
Fight against torture Fight against racism, xenophobia, and discrimination against minorities and indigenous peoples. |
Follow this link to Activity 4.
Sources/Links:
EuropeAid – European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights
Overview: EIDHR | FR
ECHO – Humanitarian Aid Department of the European Commission | FR
Human Rights and Democracy in the EU Action Plan
EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy (2020-2024)
DID YOU KNOW…
That the Universal Declaration on Human Rights was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 10 December 1948?