Parliament paves way for EU human rights 'czar'

EurActiv ^ | 19 April 2012

[Olog-hai]

The European Parliament voted overwhelmingly yesterday (18 April) to change the future direction of the EU's human rights policy and pave the way for a new position of "human rights czar".

The report's author, British Labour MEP Richard Howitt (Socialists & Democrats), said the EU had finally "filled the gap" with the United States and would no longer lack the authority to make its case heard whenever human rights are violated across the globe—be it in Iraq, Syria or Burma.

"Europe was negotiating improved trade terms with Gaddafi just four weeks before we started dropping bombs on him, and it is time to show the mistakes of the past will not be repeated," Howitt said.

Catherine Ashton, the EU's foreign policy chief, attended the plenary debate in Strasbourg and praised her fellow Labour colleague Howitt for achieving "a consensus across the political spectrum on his report".

"Work is in hand to pave the way for appointment of a special representative for human rights … It is important that this person be somebody with a strong track record and on in international human rights," Ashton said.

The 47-page Parliament report seeks export bans to be placed on technologies that restrict internet freedom and calls on governments to establish consultations on human rights at the same level as other foreign policy discussions. The report also calls for each of the 130 delegations of the EU across the world to appoint a contact person responsible for human rights issues.

The human rights resolution was adopted by a vote of 580-28. …

[Zeppo]

So, is the first act of the new EU ‘human rights czar’ going to be a condemnation of Israel or of George Bush?

[itsahoot]

I guess that means Gert Wilder is in trouble, and the muzzies are safe.

[Hugin]

Israel, hands down.