European Economic
and Social Committee
Financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide
Download — Financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide
- The EESC supports the proposed Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council establishing a financing instrument for the promotion of democratic and human rights worldwide;
- The EESC appreciates the wide scope of rights covered by the existing amendments presented by the European Parliament to the Regulation, having particular attention to gender issues, highlighting the rights of migrants and putting in the forefront the need for inclusion of disabled people and minority rights;
- With reference to the holistic approach of the Union in dealing with human rights and fundamental freedoms including their indivisibility, the EESC calls for greater relevance to be given to economic, social and cultural rights, in particular to the protection of labour standards enshrined in the ILO Conventions which it considers a key pillar to democracy development;
- Forming and joining trade unions linked to the promotion of core labour standards and corporate social responsibility should be encouraged; explicit reference to the UN Guiding principles on Business and Human rights should be made in relation to corporate social responsibility. Further, the right to free enterprise is to be promoted.
- Additionally, it is recommended that freedom of association and collective bargaining are explicitly mentioned and that social partners and social dialogue are linked to promotion and implementation of international labour standards.
- The Committee appreciates the importance given to the emergence of independent civil society and its contribution to democratisation, good governance and domestic accountability. To this end, it calls for prioritization of CSOs support at national, regional and international level within the regulation stressing the need for CSOs' involvement in policy dialogues during the programming process.
- Strengthening of the EU delegations' capacities in human rights and democracy support and civil society development is seen as fundamental.
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The EESC highlights the need to move towards a coherent framework within CSOs support programmes among the different instruments of EU external actions and calls for reinforced internal coordination mechanisms among EEAS, DEVCO and Member States themselves. Greater flexibility should also be achieved in accessible procedures for beneficiaries and a reduction of the administrative burden, in particular in emergency situations.
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Finally, the EESC reiterates the need to be also involved in the annual and multi-annual strategic programming and for mid-term reviews and assessments as well as it suggests, under the EIDHR Monitoring Committee, the development of a more structured EESC sub-committee with the aim of collaborating with a coherent CSO support framework.