Human Rights and Democracy - Official Documents

for violations of human rights after a full investigation, as in the case of Sri Lanka in
August.
EU member states have agreed eight sets of common human rights policies which
provide the framework or principles for lobbying and other activity by the External
Action Service and member states. These policies cover the death penalty; torture;
human rights defenders; human rights dialogues with third countries; children’s
rights; violence against women; children in armed conflict; and international
humanitarian law. Although these are not legally binding they express the EU’s
political commitment to carry out systemic and sustained action in these specific
areas. They also serve as a framework for protecting and promoting human rights in
third countries. Under this framework, the EU has frequently spoken out on
particular cases or areas of concern and has also lobbied many governments on
their human rights records and on individual cases. Under the guidelines, the EU
convened talks with a wide range of third countries in 2010, including Tajikistan,
Georgia, Colombia, Russia and the US.
The EU has an agreed common position on Burma, enshrined in the set of targeted
restrictive measures against the military regime, which were renewed again in a
Council Decision in April. The EU issued a strong statement after the November
elections and tabled the tough and widely supported UN resolutions on Burma in
both the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly. As local EU presidency
in Rangoon, the UK also played a key role in lobbying heavily on behalf of the EU for
the release of Aung San Suu Kyi.
The EU has been active in highlighting Iran’s human rights record in 2010. It has
focused particularly on death penalty including the threatened execution of Sakineh
Mohammadi Ashtiani, who was originally sentenced to death by stoning for adultery.
In July, the High Representative publicly condemned executions in Iran, including the
sentence of Ms Ashtiani. At the end of 2010 Ms Ashtiani still faced the possibility of
execution on charges of murder. The EU will continue to monitor closely and lobby
on her case. The EU also co-sponsored the Iran human rights resolution at the UN
General Assembly which passed with the biggest margin for eight years, with a wide
range of countries in support.
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