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DRAFT REPORT (2026/2059(INI))

On human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter – annual report 2026

AFET-PR-796193

Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Isabel WiselerLima

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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.

This draft report is Parliament's annual resolution on human rights and democracy in the world and the EU's policy on the matter for 2026. It finds a sustained authoritarian resurgence, pressure on the UN human rights system and international justice, and a sharp fall in international funding for human rights work. It condemns discrimination and violence against women, children, minorities, human rights defenders, journalists and religious groups, and attacks on civic space. It calls on the EU to defend multilateralism and the International Criminal Court, use its sanctions and other tools, and ratify the Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence. It asks for protected funding, wider use of the EU global human rights sanctions regime, more resources for the EU Special Envoy on freedom of religion or belief, and a coordinated 'Team Europe' approach. It also calls for diplomatic efforts towards abolition of the death penalty and a moratorium on executions.

Committee position. The rapporteur's draft reaffirms EU commitment to human rights and democracy, highlights authoritarian resurgence, funding cuts and new technology risks, and proposes recommendations on sanctions, multilateralism, international justice and EU funding and staffing.

Key points

  1. Reaffirms that human rights are universal and that respect for human dignity, democracy and the rule of law must remain at the heart of all EU external action.
  2. States that protecting human rights is a strategic interest of the EU and that a values-based foreign policy underpins its credibility, security and geopolitical standing.
  3. Condemns discrimination and violence against women and girls and against people targeted for their sexual orientation or gender identity, including conflict-related sexual violence.
  4. Notes that millions of children remain exposed to violence, exploitation, abuse and trafficking, especially in conflict zones, and are deprived of care, education and healthcare.
  5. Condemns pressure on civic space, repressive legislation against civil society, human rights defenders and their lawyers, and threats, detentions and killings of defenders and journalists.
  6. Expresses concern at arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances, often paired with torture, and reaffirms that the prohibition of torture is absolute under international law.
  7. Condemns attacks and impunity against journalists, and concern that digital capabilities are used for unlawful surveillance and online harassment.
  8. Raises concern over violations of freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief and over discrimination against national, ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities.
  9. Calls on the EEAS and the Commission to intensify diplomatic efforts towards abolition of the death penalty and a moratorium on all executions.
  10. Calls for the EU to counter authoritarianism with diplomatic initiatives and all available tools including sanctions, and for member states to ratify the Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence.
  11. Calls for review of the EU Blocking Statute and use of the Anti-Coercion Instrument to shield the ICC from extraterritorial measures, and for full use and funding of UN human rights machinery.
  12. Calls for protected funding in the multiannual financial framework, wider use of the EU global human rights sanctions regime, more resources for the EU Special Envoy on freedom of religion or belief, and a 'Team Europe' approach.

Who is affected

  • Human rights defenders, journalists, religious communities and opposition leaders face threats, detention and repressive legislation; the report condemns this and calls for their protection.
  • Women, girls, children and people belonging to minorities face discrimination and violence; the report condemns this and calls for it to be addressed.
  • The International Criminal Court faces political pressure and coercive measures; the report calls for EU instruments to shield it and those cooperating with it.
  • EU member states are asked to ratify the Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and to cooperate fully with the ICC.
  • The Commission and the European External Action Service are asked to step up diplomacy on the death penalty and to increase resources for the EU Special Envoy on freedom of religion or belief.

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.