Human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter – annual report 2023
TA-9-2024-0106 · P9_TA(2024)0106 · PE751.673
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 resolution on human rights and democracy in the world and the EU's policy on the matter – annual report 2023 sets out Parliament's position on global human rights trends and the EU's response.¶¶¶ It condemns violations worldwide, including in Ukraine and Gaza, and calls for accountability, humanitarian access and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.¶¶¶ It demands stronger EU tools: a revised action plan, a full-time EU Special Representative for Human Rights, more use of the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, and better protection for human rights defenders.¶¶¶ It calls for EU action on the death penalty, freedom of expression, religion, equality, women's and LGBTIQ+ rights, children, migrants, indigenous peoples, business and trade, digital technologies and the environment.¶¶¶
Key points
- 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.¶
- Deplores authoritarian regimes' abuse of multilateral institutions and calls for reform of the UN Human Rights Council to resist their influence.¶
- Condemns human rights violations and democratic backsliding worldwide, including in the EU, and calls on the EU to lead by example.¶¶
- Strongly condemns war crimes and violations of international humanitarian law in Russia's war against Ukraine and calls for accountability.¶
- Calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, rejects the suspension of funding to UNRWA, and demands continued EU support for its humanitarian work.¶¶
- Reiterates opposition to the death penalty and calls for its universal abolition or an immediate moratorium.¶¶
- Condemns attacks on freedom of expression, media freedom and academic freedom, including SLAPPs and spyware, and calls for journalist protection programmes.¶¶¶
- Condemns violations of freedom of religion or belief and calls for the EU Special Envoy's mandate to be assessed and integrated into the EEAS.¶¶
- Condemns all forms of discrimination and calls for EU action on caste-based discrimination and an intersectional approach.¶¶
- Calls for the protection of women's rights, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, and condemns gender-based violence and surrogacy.¶¶¶
- Calls for the protection of migrants and refugees, an end to pushbacks, and human rights-compliant migration cooperation with third countries.¶¶
- Calls for binding EU rules on corporate sustainability due diligence and a ban on products made with forced labour.¶
Who is affected
- EU institutions and member states, which are called on to act coherently and lead by example.¶¶
- Human rights defenders and civil society organisations, who should receive EU support and protection.¶¶
- Migrants, refugees and forcibly displaced persons, whose rights the EU should uphold.¶
- Women and girls, whose rights and access to sexual and reproductive health services the EU should promote.¶¶
- EU-based companies, which should apply due diligence and avoid human rights abuses.¶¶
Figures and deadlines
- 70 % of the world's population now living under authoritarian rule according to the University of Gothenburg.¶
- 2,2 million civilians in Gaza facing a threat to their lives and basic rights.¶
- Between 500 and 700 Palestinian children as young as 12 years old detained and prosecuted in the Israeli military court system.¶
- The number of forcibly displaced people has doubled in the past 10 years.¶
- SMEs provide more than two thirds of jobs worldwide.¶
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).¶¶