Human rights

'Deeply rooted' in EU development policy

‘Humanity will not enjoy security without development, it will not enjoy development without security, and it will not enjoy either without respect for human rights.’ In Larger Freedom, United Nations, 2005

The European Commission is refocusing its efforts to increase aid impact, concentrate on fewer sectors and focus on countries most in need. In October 2011, EU Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs, presented the ‘Agenda for Change’ of EU development policy and a new policy for EU budget support.

More attention will be given to a country’s record on democratic governance, particularly regarding human rights and gender – moving the EU from ‘aid effectiveness’ to ‘development effectiveness’.

'Smart conditionality'

Human rights must be ‘deeply rooted’ in the EU’s approach to development, according to Commissioner Piebalgs. ‘[This] is not a romantic vision of development or human rights. It is a pragmatic vision. It is about developing smart conditionality. It is about concretely responding to the new standards that are emerging.’

The Commissioner, addressing the European Parliament’s inter-parliamentary committee meeting with national parliaments in October 2011, pointed to the lessons learned from recent events in Northern Africa. ‘Human rights, democracy and good governance will be given greater weight in determining the ways and means of providing assistance,’ he said.

Already, the EU’s five-year-old European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), has made a significant difference and important progress in consolidating democracy by supporting pro-democracy activists and defenders around the world, often operating where cooperation with government authorities is suspended and without the host country’s consent.

A multidimensional approach

Commissioner Piebalgs called for a multidimensional approach to addressing human rights violations: political dialogue, sanctions, and financial and technical cooperation to promote the human rights agenda. A crosscutting issue is the coherence of EU development actions.

EDD11 was held in Warsaw, Poland, 15-16 December 2011. The theme was ‘Development and Democracy’. www.eudevdays.eu

High-Level Panels at EDD 11

Panels which focused on Human Rights and Development

December 15

Agenda for Change – Human Rights

December 16

The human rights-based approach to development - Experience from
the right to adequate housing

Preventing another Famine in the Horn of Africa

Migration, Development and Human Rights – Changing Paradigm in EU Development Policy

Related links:

Read EU Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs’ speech to the European Parliament

Learn more about the EU’s European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights

Watch EU Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs’ video messages

Read the European Commission’s Communication on EU Development Policy: An Agenda for Change

Read the Agenda for Change press release

Read the UN Report, In Larger Freedom – Towards Security, Development and Human Rights for All

Quotes

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Simas Magalhães Carlos Alberto says:

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Makokha Eric says:

‘Putting people themselves in the decision based process. People choose to live in slums because they have to be close to their work so they can walk as they don’t have money to pay for transport.’

Makokha Eric says:

'[We] need to involve the local people when deciding on housing so that locals who have a living in the area are not marginalised.’

Delmoitiez Jacques says:

'Political governance is important. There are two diseases in Africa, malaria and corruption. We have a solution for one but not for the other.'

Karman Tawakkul says:

‘You have to be strong; you have to trust yourself that you can bring down the dictatorship regime and build a new country. You have to be part of building your country. We know that anything that you dream can happen....

Stanowski Krzysztof says:

'The most recent events from Belarus to Africa and the Middle East and even Burma, mark a process of change. All this proves that we do require a change of policy regarding development.'

Piebalgs Andris says:

'Today the Arab Spring continues to remind us that others still yearn for freedom and a better future. And as we look to the future, governance, democracy and human rights will form a central part of our vision for...

Piebalgs Andris says:

'Development policy can lead to better governance; and better governance can be a crucial factor in poverty reduction. So development and democracy should go hand in hand.'

Piebalgs Andris says:

'We will focus more on budget support as a contractual partnership and a vector for change in promoting, inter alia, human rights and good governance and the fight against corruption and fraud. Human rights will...

Piebalgs Andris says:

'Millions of Europeans, including me, grew up not knowing how it felt to live in an open society, with freedoms and opportunities… So our readiness to help partner countries along the path towards better...

Otunbaeva Roza Isakovna says:

'The second revolution in 2010 was, some people say, the precursor to the Arab Spring. We paid a very high price. But one year after, we have a government. And we are not against dissidents and we are not closing...

Grynspan Rebeca says:

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Ebadi Prof. Shirin says:

'I urge the EU, please do not have trade relations or conduct shameful trade deals with non-democratic countries, as this does nothing but help these evil regimes to further suppress their people.'

Muna Akere says:

'Although it is not too late to prevent the waters from rising, we will ultimately fail if we do nothing to stop the tide of corruption. Accountable aid is effective aid.'

Walesa Lech says:

'Democracy shall not be sustainable without responsibility.'

Walesa Lech says:

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Saakashvili Mikheil says: