By Martin Banks - 8th January 2008
Amnesty International has called for an radical review of the EU’s human
rights policy.
Timed to coincide with the start of the Slovenian presidency of the EU, the charity says the policy needs a “stronger focus on accountability and coherence”.
The demand is contained in a ten-point programme addressed to the presidency
and delivered to Slovenian prime minister Janez Janša.
Dick Oosting, director of Amnesty International’s EU Office, said, “The EU human rights policy has effectively run out of steam.
“It is discredited by inadequate responses to human rights violations within its borders.”
He said the EU’s efforts to uphold human rights standards in crucial areas like counter-terrorism and irregular immigration are “clearly insufficient.”
“This affects the EU’s credibility and its potential - and ambition – to play a strong leadership role in the world.
“Slovenia, the first of the new generation of member states to hold the presidency, is well placed to lead a refocusing of the EU on the principles of democracy, human rights and rule of law,” Oosting said.
“Proper accountability for its internal rights policy would also help to create that elusive resonance with Europe’s citizens.”
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