EUROPA

Summaries of EU legislation

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Human rights in non-EU countries

Beyond its own territory, the European Union (EU) promotes respect for democracy, the rule of law and human rights as a fundamental element of its bilateral and multilateral external relations. Its foreign policy instruments (agreements, dialogues, etc.) and financial assistance help strengthen democracy and human rights in the world. Respect for human rights is also one of the preconditions for any candidate country's accession to the EU.
The EU's external action in human rights matters has its legal basis in the Treaties and particularly in the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

• FINANCIAL PROGRAMMES
  • A financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights in the world (2007 – 2013)
  • European initiative for democracy and human rights (EIDHR) (2000-2006)Archives
• GUIDELINES ON HUMAN RIGHTS
  • EU guidelines on the promotion of compliance with international humanitarian law
  • EU guidelines on human rights dialogues with non-EU countries
  • EU guidelines on human rights defenders
  • EU guidelines on violence against women and girls
  • EU guidelines on the death penalty
  • EU guidelines on children and armed conflict
  • EU guidelines on torture and other cruel treatment
  • EU guidelines on the rights of the child
• PROMOTING HUMAN RIGHTS IN NON-EU COUNTRIES
  • Ban on trade in instruments of torture
  • Network of contact points in respect of persons responsible for genocide and crimes against humanity
  • International Criminal Court
  • Human rights and relations in the Mediterranean
  • Cooperation with indigenous peoples
  • Contribution to the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance
  • Promoting human rights and democratisation in third countries
  • EU global election assistance and observation strategy
• CHILDREN'S RIGHTS
  • Agenda for the Rights of the Child
  • Action plan on unaccompanied minors (2010-14)
  • Children in EU external action
  • Towards a Strategy on the Rights of the ChildArchives
• ANNUAL REPORTS ON HUMAN RIGHTS
  • The EU’s 2009 Annual Report on Human Rights
  • Annual Report on Human Rights 2008Archives
  • Annual Report on Human Rights 2007Archives
  • Annual Report on Human Rights 2006Archives
  • Annual report on human rights 2005Archives
  • EU report on human rights in 2003Archives
  • European Union Annual Report on Human Rights - 2002Archives
  • European Union Annual Report on Human Rights 2001Archives