COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
Brussels, 9 December 2011
Declaration by the High Representative, Catherine Ashton, on behalf of the European Union on the occasion of Human Rights Day, 10 December 2011
On Human Rights Day, the European Union pays tribute to human rights defenders who dedicate their lives to promoting and protecting people’s fundamental rights around the world. This year, Human Rights Day focuses on the work of human rights defenders, and on how social media can be used to promote and underpin change.
The Arab spring vividly reminds us that human rights are universal and that people everywhere aspire to live in dignity and freedom. In 2011, thousands of people decided that the time had come to claim their rights. Social media carried their message, and allowed activists and individuals to break free from their isolation, to disseminate ideas and to denounce oppression.
Use of social media to promote human rights should not be restricted by governments. The EU has repeatedly and publicly condemned restrictions on freedom of expression and on access to the internet, as well as the arrest of bloggers, witnessed in many countries around the world.
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Joint declaration by Catherine Ashton, European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, on the European and World Day against the Death Penalty, 10 October 2011
The European Union and the Council of Europe reaffirm their united opposition to the death penalty, and their commitment to its worldwide abolition.
We consider capital punishment to be inhumane, and a violation of human dignity. Experience in Europe has taught us that the death penalty does not prevent an increase in violent crime, and nor does it bring justice to the victims of such crimes. Any capital punishment resulting from a miscarriage of justice, from which no legal system can be immune, represents irreversible loss of human life.
Since 1997 no execution has taken place on the territory of our Member States .
We continue to condemn the use of the death penalty in Belarus, the only country in Europe still applying capital punishment. We urge Belarus to introduce a moratorium on the use of the death penalty, with a view to its complete abolition.
We welcome the UN’s recent resolutions on the global moratorium on the use of the death penalty, with a view to its complete abolition, supported by a wide coalition of States from all regions of the world. The growing support granted to UN resolutions on this matter in 2007, 2008 and 2010 confirms an increasing international trend against the death penalty. At the same time, in acknowledging the growing number of countries which have done away with the death penalty (the figure grew from 55 to 97, between 1993 and 2009), we cannot ignore the fact that 58 countries in the world still retain the death penalty.
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EUROPEAN UNION
Declaration by the High Representative, Catherine Ashton, on behalf of the EU on the occasion of the International Day against Homophobia, 17 May 2011.
“Today we celebrate the International Day against Homophobia. I want to reaffirm the strong commitment of the European Union – and myself - to the entitlement of all persons to enjoy the full range of human rights without discrimination.
Around the world, gender identity and sexual orientation continue to be used wrongly as the pretext for serious human rights violations. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) persons continue to be subjected to persecution, discrimination and gross ill-treatment, often involving extreme forms of violence. Tr ansgender and intersex persons are a particularly vulnerable group among LGBTI people. Around 80 States still criminalise same-sex relations between consenting adults, and seven even foresee the death penalty. This is incompatible with international human rights law.
The EU calls on all States to end acts of violence, criminal sanctions and human rights violations against individuals because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. On this day, we also pay tribute to the David Kato and John Edison Ramirez, prominent LGBTI activists, who were murdered last year, and would like to commend the selection of the Ugandan LGBT-activist Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera as Laur eate for the renowned Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders.
As part of its commitment to promoting and protecting human rights, in June 2010 the EU adopted a “Toolkit to Promote and Protect the Enjoyment of all Human Rights by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) People”. Also, through the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights, the EU supports several organisations defending the rights of LGBTI persons or protecting LGBTI human rights defenders.
In this context, the European Union has warmly welcomed the Joint Statement entitled “Ending acts of violence and related human rights violations based on sexual orientation & gender identity” on behalf of 85 countries from every continent, at the UN Human Rights Council on 22 March 2011. Fifteen EU Member States were part of the group that worked to prepare this statement, and all EU Member States gave their full support to this initiative. The Joint Statement demonstrates the increasing commitment across the
international community to the promotion and protection of the human rights of all persons, irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”
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EUROPEAN UNION
Brussels, 3 May 2011
Declaration by the High Representative, Catherine Ashton, on behalf of the EU on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, 3 May 2011
"Freedom of opinion and expression is a fundamental right of every human being and an inherent part of human dignity. It is also a cornerstone of democracy and crucial for the free flow of information to which everyone is entitled. On the occasion of World Press Freedom day, the European Union recalls these basic principles, enshrined in international law, and the vital role played by independent and free press and media. Th e EU pays particular tribute to the invaluable work of the many journalists and media professionals around the world who with dedication and courage contribute to revealing the truth about unfolding events.
As the recent events in countries neighbouring the EU illustrate, it is thanks not only to the professional commitment of journalists and other media professionals, but also to the many private bloggers, that the world learns about the situation on the ground and people's aspirations for freedom and social justice. However, many journalists, particularly in conflict zones, face constant danger in communicating first hand information, sometimes at risk to their own lives. In many cases, they are targeted by those who dislike the nature of the information they reveal, suffering arrest or kidnapping, torture or killing. The EU calls upon all governments to abide b y international norms for the protection of freedom of the press and media and to release without delay all journalists or bloggers unlawfully detained.
Censorship and harassment of journalists are unacceptable. Regrettably, there are still too many countries where access to information and journalistic freedom are restricted. The internet and social media have become an important way of promoting freedom of expression; they provide unprecedented access to information and a way of communicating with the largest possible audience. That is why the EU is firmly opposed to any unjustified restrictions on the internet and other new media.
The EU calls on all States to proactively promote freedom of opinion and expression as well as media pluralism and independence."
The Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Iceland, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and the EFTA countries Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Azerbaijan and Georgia align themselves with this declaration.
Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Montenegro continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.
Iceland continues to be a member of th e EFTA and of the European Economic Area.
P R E S S
R u e d e la L o i 17 5 B – 10 48 B R U S S E L S T e l .: + 32 ( 0 ) 2 28 1 63 19 F a x : + 32 ( 0 ) 2 2 81 8 02 6
press.office@consilium.europa.eu
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/Newsroom
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EUROPEAN UNION
DELEGATION TO VIETNAM
Statement by the EU Head of Mission on the 4 April 2011 trial of Mr Cu Huy Ha Vu.
The European Union Delegation issues the following statement in agreement with the EU Heads of Mission in Vietnam.
The EU regrets and expresses its deep concern about the trial of Mr Cu Huy Ha Vu in Hanoi on Monday 4 April.
Mr Cu Huy Ha Vu was charged under Item 1, Article 88 of the Penal Code, of spreading propaganda against the government, between 2009 and October 2010, through writings and interviews; and of defaming the administration and advocating a multi-party system.
This conviction is not consistent with the fundamental right of all persons to hold opinions and freely and peacefully express them, in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Vietnam is a party.
The sentence, including 7 years imprisonment followed by 3 years of probation, for Mr Cu Huy Ha Vu, is particularly severe and we are also deeply concerned by the apparent lack of due process in the conduct of the trial. Of major concern to the EU is also the detention of several individuals who were peacefully seeking to observe the court proceedings.
The EU is convinced that Vietnam can only develop into the kind of knowledge-based, integrated and wealthy society which its people desire if freedom of expression is assured. The esteem of the international community for Vietnam, and Vietnam’s own long-term economic progress are not sustainable if peaceful expression, particularly on key issues for the future of the people and the country, is suppressed.
The EU reiterates its readiness to continue to work with Vietnam, including dialogue and practical support, to improve its appreciation of and respect for human rights.
EU Delegation in Hanoi, 5 April 2011.
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ENSURING PROTECTION - EUROPEAN UNION GUIDELINES ON HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cmsUpload/16332-re02.en08.pdf
HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY IN THE WORLD
http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/10/st08/st08363-re01.en10.pdf