EU adopts 2020-2024 action plan on human rights and democracy

EPA-EFE/MARTIN DIVISEK
People gather to protest against Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis at the Wenceslas Square in Prague, Czech Republic, 12 December 2019.

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As the number of violations of fundamental rights, ranging from restrictions to freedom of expression to imposition of capital punishment, is constantly rising, and emergency measures by member-states in a bid to respond to the Coronavirus crisis, is threatening fundamental freedoms, the European Commission adopted on Wednesday an Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy for 2020-2024.
“Crisis situations, as the one we are living with the Coronavirus’ pandemic, pose particular challenges to the effective exercise and protection of human rights, and put the functioning of our democracies to the test. This is an opportunity for Europe to stand up for its values and interests,” said EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, who signed the action plan.
Previous actions by the European Union contributed significantly to the protection of fundamental rights, as democratic institutions were strengthened, labour conventions were introduced, death penalty executions were reduced in more than half, and thousands of human rights defenders were protected.
The action plan adopted by EU’s Executive body was not limited to defining the content of the new strategy, but also the working methods to achieve the goals.
It foresees empowering individuals, strengthening the rule of law, fighting against impunity, building transparent institutions and participatory decision-making. It also includes the creation of a global system of human rights and democracy, through multi-level cooperation, the enhacement of corporate responsibility, the use of new technologies for monitoring rights, civil society’s engagement and the compliance of practices with international and European law.
 

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