The Human Rights and Democracy Network (HRDN), of which the IRCT is a member, calls on the EU heads of government to appoint a new High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy who is truly committed to the EU’s stated values of human rights, democracy, rule of law and conflict prevention.

The High Representative, who is also a Vice-President of the European Commission, is charged with formulating and implementing EU’s external policy in all of its aspects – managing the EU’s relations with third countries, coordinating foreign and development aid and building consensus between the 28 member states on EU responses to international developments.

The HRDN calls for the successful individual who will occupy this pivotal post to exercise a firm and coherent approach to human rights abuses worldwide, in line with international human rights and humanitarian law. The new High Representative should put the rights of people at the centre of EU foreign policy and ensure their inclusion in third country dialogues at all levels. The post holder should further actively support human rights defenders throughout the world and cooperate closely with civil society organisations within and outside of the EU.

About the HRDN

The Human Rights and Democracy Network (HRDN) is an informal group of 48 NGOs operating at the EU level in the broader areas of human rights, democracy and conflict prevention. Participation in the network is open to non-governmental organisations which engage at EU level in the promotion of human rights, democracy and conflict prevention inside and outside of the EU.