Common rules and procedures for the implementation of the Union's instruments for external action - Instrument for stability - Financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide - Partnership instrument for cooperation with third countries - Establishing a financing instrument for development cooperation - European neighbourhood instrument - Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (debate)
Barbara Lochbihler, rapporteur. − Madam President, I welcome the satisfactory outcome which should allow the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) to remain the EU’s flagship programme in support of human rights NGOs and human rights defenders around the world.
The EIDHR funding is an integral part of the EU’s human rights policies. Government-to-government engagement alone will not sufficiently enact the change we call for in authoritarian or transition countries around the world, namely real and long-term changes brought about by innovative civil society organisations and courageous individuals at grassroots level. At a time of a shrinking NGO space and a net global regression of democratisation tendencies, the EIDHR support is as important as ever.
Finally, I regret that again economic, social and cultural rights remain largely neglected and I call for the EEAS and the Commission to be more creative and to pay more attention to these rights in the future.