Text tabled : A7-0174/2012

  Giovanni La Via (PPE), in writing. – (IT) I fully support the creation of a European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for Human Rights. Implementing stronger protection for human rights, in particular, the freedom of expression and freedom of worship, will undoubtedly help to foster ever greater integration between EU and non-EU countries. The introduction of this unifying role at European level will strengthen the operational work on this agenda and cooperation with the UN, the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating across Europe. This cooperation also extends to the European High Representative for Foreign Policy, who will help make the EUSR’s work more effective. The considerable progress achieved in safeguarding human rights continues, however, to be undermined by fundamentalist and extremist fringes that, regrettably, gain support through violent means. Therefore, bolstering European efforts to combat such violations sends a clear signal that we are looking to a future where human rights are increasingly protected.