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REPORT (2023/2118(INI))

On human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter – annual report 2023

A-9-2023-0424

Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Nacho Sánchez Amor

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Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament's annual resolution on human rights and democracy in the world reviews global trends and sets out what the EU should do. It condemns violations worldwide, including Russia's war in Ukraine, and calls for accountability. It demands EU action on the death penalty, media and academic freedom, freedom of religion or belief, equality, torture, public participation, cultural rights, women's rights, minorities, migrants, indigenous peoples, business and trade, LGBTIQ+ persons, children, persons with disabilities, elderly people, food, water, environment and digital technologies. It asks for a stronger EU toolbox: better implementation of the EU action plan on human rights and democracy, a full-time EU Special Representative for Human Rights, more support for civil society and human rights defenders, and a more dynamic use of the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. It calls for action against corruption and impunity, closer coordination in multilateral forums including the UN and the International Criminal Court, and a genuine 'Team Europe' approach between EU institutions and member states.

Committee position. The Committee on Foreign Affairs proposes a resolution reaffirming EU commitment to human rights and democracy worldwide, condemning violations, and calling for stronger EU tools, including sanctions, support for defenders, and coherence across policies.

Key points

  1. Reaffirms the universality and indivisibility of human rights and calls on the EU and member states to promote democracy and the rule of law worldwide in a coherent manner.
  2. Deplores authoritarian regimes' abuse of multilateral institutions and calls for reform of multilateral institutions so they resist malign influence.
  3. Condemns human rights violations worldwide, including inequality, discrimination, torture, gender-based violence, arbitrary detention, censorship and transnational repression.
  4. Strongly condemns war crimes and violations of international humanitarian law in Russia's war against Ukraine and urges accountability for perpetrators.
  5. Calls for the universal abolition of the death penalty and for the EU to use all tools, including trade agreements, to work towards a moratorium.
  6. Condemns setbacks to freedom of expression and media freedom, including 'foreign agents' laws and SLAPPs, and calls for protection programmes for journalists.
  7. Reiterates concern over violations of freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief and calls for the EU Special Envoy's position to be integrated into the EEAS.
  8. Condemns all forms of racism, intolerance and discrimination, and calls for an EU policy on caste-based discrimination and local strategies.
  9. Condemns torture and inhuman treatment, calls for the release of prisoners of conscience and for improved prison conditions.
  10. Stresses that women's rights and gender equality are indispensable human rights, condemns the backlash against them, and calls for robust action on sexual and reproductive health and rights.
  11. Calls for the EU to uphold the rights of migrants and refugees, end pushbacks, and ensure migration cooperation complies with international law.
  12. Calls for binding rules on corporate sustainability due diligence, a forced labour product ban, and support for a UN treaty on business and human rights.

Who is affected

  • EU institutions and member states, which are asked to act coherently and lead by example on human rights.
  • Human rights defenders and civil society organisations, who should receive EU support and protection.
  • Non-EU countries, which are urged to abolish the death penalty, protect minorities and comply with human rights law.
  • EU-based companies, which are called on to apply due diligence and avoid human rights abuses.
  • Migrants, refugees and forcibly displaced persons, whose rights the EU is asked to uphold.

Figures and deadlines

  • 70 % of the world's population now living under authoritarian rule, according to the University of Gothenburg.
  • The number of forcibly displaced people has doubled in the past 10 years.
  • Small and medium-sized enterprises provide more than two thirds of jobs worldwide.
  • The EU formally activated human rights clauses on two dozen occasions until 2014, and only once since then.

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