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“Respect for human rights is one of the most fundamental and universal values of our world. All of us, in our official capacity and in our private lives, have a responsibility to promote and protect the rights of our fellow members of the human family, be that at home or elsewhere in the world.”

– Benita Ferrero-Waldner
EU External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy Commissioner

Human rights, democracy and the rule of law are core values of the European Union and are seen as universal and indivisible. Embedded in the EU’s founding treaty, these principles have been reinforced by the adoption of a Charter of Fundamental Rights. Respect for human rights is a prerequisite for countries seeking to join the Union and a precondition for countries wishing to forge trade and other agreements with the EU.

While the EU actively promotes and defends human rights, both within its borders and in its relations with outside countries, the Union does not seek to usurp its Member State national governments’ broad powers in this area.

The focus of the Union’s human rights policy is on civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights and the promotion of the rights of women and children, minorities and displaced persons.

The EU: Human Rights at Home

The EU has a good human rights record but recognizes that there is always more to be accomplished.

The Union is markedly concerned about:

  • the need to fight racism, anti-Semitism, xenophobia and discrimination against minorities, women and others in the EU;
  • human rights in the area of asylum and migration, including more uniform policies among Member States in this area; (Notable efforts here feature the establishment of the European Refugee Fund to provide support for accepting, integrating and repatriating refugees, and the provision of temporary protection, work permits and other social services to displaced persons during the 1990 conflict in the Balkans.) and
  • the use of cross-border programs with local police, judicial and law enforcement authorities to stop illegal trafficking and sexual exploitation— particularly of women and children.

Protecting Human Rights around the World

The EU is active in promoting and defending human rights across the globe, including in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the Balkans, the Middle East and North Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, East and Southeast Asia, Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran.

As in other policy areas, the EU pursues human rights goals multilaterally, working with the United Nations, the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and other organizations, while also coordinating directly with important partners such as the United States and supporting the work of many non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Death Penalty

The European Union campaigns towards the universal abolition of the death penalty. This stance is rooted in the belief in the inherent dignity of all human beings and the inviolability of the human person, regardless of the crime committed. Abolition of the death penalty is a requirement for countries seeking EU membership. The EU also presses, where relevant, for moratoria to be introduced as a first step towards the abolition of the death penalty. The EU maintains a high level of activity against the death penalty and has different instruments at its disposal. Initiatives at the political level include representations and declarations. In addition, the EU also provides support on a more practical level through project support under the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights.

European Union Delegation, Washington, DC, Staff

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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 20 January 2010 )