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REPORT (2025/2166(INI))

On human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter – annual report 2025

A-10-2025-0262

Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Francisco Assis

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This resolution on human rights and democracy in the world and the EU's policy on the matter assesses global challenges and the EU's toolbox, and makes recommendations for action. It condemns democratic backsliding, attacks on civil society, and violations of rights, and calls for stronger EU action, including sanctions and funding. It calls for a new EU action plan on human rights and democracy, a dedicated budget in the next MFF, and reforms to multilateral institutions.

Committee position. The Committee on Foreign Affairs proposes a resolution that assesses global human rights challenges and the EU's toolbox, and makes recommendations for strengthening EU action.

Key points

  1. Condemns the global deterioration of human rights and democratic backsliding, including violations against women, minorities, and civil society.
  2. Calls for the EU to counter authoritarianism and populism, and to protect free and fair elections.
  3. Calls for criminalising rape under EU law and condemns sexual violence as a weapon of war.
  4. Calls for action against female genital mutilation, forced marriage, and trafficking of women and girls.
  5. Condemns attacks on journalists and civil society, including through foreign agents laws and SLAPPs.
  6. Calls for protection of LGBTIQ+ persons in conflicts and for support for caregivers in humanitarian aid.
  7. Condemns misuse of technology by authoritarian regimes and calls for safeguards on AI exports.
  8. Calls for the abolition of apostasy and blasphemy laws and for protection of freedom of religion or belief.
  9. Calls for the EU to defend multilateralism, support the ICC and ICJ, and enforce ICC arrest warrants.
  10. Calls for a dedicated budget for human rights and democracy in the next MFF and for enforceable human rights clauses in agreements.
  11. Calls for strengthening the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime to include corruption and transnational repression.
  12. Calls for a new Gender Action Plan post-2027 and for recognising gender apartheid as a crime against humanity.

Who is affected

  • Human rights defenders and civil society organisations, who should receive increased support and protection.
  • Journalists and media workers, who face attacks and need better protection.
  • Women and girls, who are targeted by gender-based violence and need specific measures.
  • LGBTIQ+ persons, who are vulnerable in conflicts and need safeguarding.
  • Non-EU countries receiving EU funds, which must establish independent national human rights institutions.

Figures and deadlines

  • 29 % of the world's population lives in liberal democracies, down from 52 % in 2009.
  • 51 journalists and media workers killed, 527 detained, 25 taken hostage, and 142 missing since 1 January 2025.
  • 272 million children and young people are out of school, an increase of 21 million.
  • In 2024, the Human Rights Defenders Mechanism supported 10 050 HRDs, 51 % of whom were women.
  • 35 human rights dialogues and consultations were organised in 2024.

Legal basis: Articles 2, 3, 8, 21, 23 and 36 of the Treaty on European Union and Articles 17 and 207 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.