The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and in particular Article 21 thereof, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,

–   having regard to Articles 3, 6, 11 and 19 of the Treaty on European Union and Articles 177, 300 and 310 of the EC Treaty,

–   having regard to all agreements between the EU and third countries and the clauses on human rights and democracy set out in those agreements,

–   having regard to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union proclaimed in Strasbourg on 12 December 2007,

–   having regard to the UN General Assembly resolution entitled ‘UN Millennium Declaration’, 8 September 2000 (A/RES/55/2),

–   having regard to the UN General Assembly resolution on promoting and consolidating democracy, 4 December 2000, (A/RES/55/96),

–   having regard to the UN General Assembly resolution entitled ‘2005 Work Summit Outcome’, 15 September 2005, (A/RES/60/1),

–   having regard to the UN General Assembly resolution of 23 March 2005 entitled ‘Enhancing the role of regional, sub-regional and other organizations and arrangements in promoting and consolidating democracy’ (A/RES/59/201),

–   having regard to the Commission Communication on EU election assistance and observation (COM(2001)191),

–   having regard to its resolution of 15 March 2001 on the Commission Communication on EU election assistance and observation,

–   having regard to the Commission Communication on the European Union’s role in promoting human rights and democratisation in third countries (COM(2001)252),

–   having regard to its resolution of 25 April 2002 on the Commission Communication on the European Union’s role in promoting human rights and democratisation in third countries,

–   having regard to the European Security Strategy of 12 December 2003,

–   having regard to the Commission Communication on governance and development (COM(2003)615),

–   having regard to its report (A5-0219/2004) on the Commission’s Communication,

–   having regard to the 2005 European Union Consensus on Development,

–   having regard to the 2005 Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness and the 2008 Accra Agenda for Action,

–   having regard to the Commission Communication entitled ‘Governance in the European Consensus on Development: towards a harmonised approach within the European Union’ (COM(2006)421),

–   having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1889/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on establishing a financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide (EIDHR),

–   having regard to its Bureau’s decision of 18 June 2007 establishing the Office for Promotion of Parliamentary Democracy,

–   having regard to its May 2008 resolution entitled ‘EU election observation missions: objectives, practices and future challenges’,

–   having regard to the May 2009 Council conclusions entitled ‘Support to democratic governance – towards an enhanced EU framework’,

–   having regard to the question of 30 September 2009 to the Commission on democracy building in external relations (O-0093/2009 – B7‑0213/2009),

–   having regard to Rules 115(5) and 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas democracy and human rights are fundamental values of the European Union and its Member States and have been integral to the process of European integration from the outset,

B. whereas the basic treaties of the European Union underline a firm commitment to democracy and human rights and the Copenhagen political criteria of ‘stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities’ have been a key feature of the enlargement process,

C. whereas the promotion and protection of all human rights is a basic prerequisite for the existence of a democratic society as reaffirmed in UN General Assembly resolution 59/201,

D. whereas a broad understanding of democracy has successfully incorporated civil and political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights within the EU, as enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights and the two relevant international covenants, and has played a key role in bringing stability and prosperity in a manner unseen in world history,

E. whereas Article 11 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) states that one of the key objectives of the Common Foreign and Security Policy is ‘to develop and consolidate democracy and the rule of law, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms’,

F.  whereas Article 21 of the Lisbon Treaty states that ‘the Union’s action on the international scene shall be guided by the principles which have inspired its own creation, development and enlargement’ and that ‘the Union shall ensure consistency between the different areas of its external action and between these and its other policies’,

G.  whereas democratic systems may vary in form and shape, as is the case within the EU, yet democracy is a universal value whose essential principles or elements are enshrined in numerous international declarations and conventions. These elements, as defined by two UN General Assembly resolutions issued in 2000 and 2005 respectively (A/RES/55/96 and A/RES/59/201), include:

•    respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of association and peaceful assembly, freedom of expression and freedom of opinion,

•    the right to take part in the conduct of public affairs, either directly or through freely chosen representatives, to vote and be elected in genuine, regular free elections by universal and equal suffrage conducted by secret ballot and guaranteeing the free expression of the will of the people,

•    a pluralist system of political parties and organisations,

•    respect for the rule of law,

•    separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary,

•    transparency and accountability in public administration,

•    free, independent and pluralist media,

H.  whereas, as stated in the Millennium Declaration, democratic and participatory governance based on the will of the people can best assure the right of men and women to live their lives and raise their children in dignity, free from hunger and the fear of violence, oppression or injustice,

I.   whereas the ability of men and women to participate on equal terms in political life and in decision-making is a prerequisite for genuine democracy,

J.   whereas democracy, development and respect for all human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights, are interdependent and mutually reinforce one another,

K.  whereas democracy is also clearly linked to security, as recognised in the European Security Strategy, which states that ‘spreading good governance, supporting social and political reform, dealing with corruption and abuse of power, establishing the rule of law and protecting human rights are the best means of strengthening the international order’,

L.  whereas the European Union has a wide range of instruments and tools, from political dialogue and diplomatic initiatives to specific instruments for financial and technical cooperation, with which to support democracy and human rights worldwide,

M. whereas the European Union’s external financial instruments, such as the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI), the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) and the Instrument for Stability (IfS), all provide significant scope for democratic governance, institutional support and assistance with capacity-building,

N. whereas the Cotonou Agreement provides for both political dialogue and technical and financial cooperation with ACP countries through the European Development Fund (EDF), and whereas this agreement contains a clause on human rights and democracy that is regarded as one of its essential elements, along with a mechanism for consultation and the exchange of information prior to temporary suspension of the agreement,

O. whereas the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) is a key instrument for financial assistance in the context of human rights and democracy, being global in scope, able to operate without the host country’s consent and directly supporting civil society organisations, and whereas EU election observation missions, financed by the EIDHR, are an essential part of the EU’s contribution to building democratic institutions, which includes, in particular, follow-up to the recommendations of its election observation missions,

P.  whereas there is a need for a better overview and in-depth analysis of the support for democracy currently provided by the EU, including how effectively the EU’s large arsenal of tools and instruments for supporting democracy worldwide delivers in partner countries and how those different instruments and actors operate and interconnect,

Q. whereas the EP’s 2004 report on the Commission Communication on governance and development stressed ‘the importance of pursuing electoral and parliamentary reforms, beyond the establishment of multi-party electoral systems, to ensure more extensive and effective political activity among the population’(1),

1.  Shares the view that there is a crucial need for a more coherent, uniform framework to make the EU’s support for democracy building throughout the world more effective;

2.  Considers at the same time that the coherence and effectiveness of the EU’s external action lies in building up awareness and consensus throughout the EU on the importance of democracy and human rights issues as against other priorities;

3.  Welcomes the efforts by former and current EU Presidencies in relation to a cross-pillar initiative on democracy building in the EU’s external action with the aim of refining its policy, consolidating its action and better coordinating its efforts, and underlines the need for sustained action in this area as part of the Council conclusions to be adopted in November 2009; and stresses in this respect that some key principles such as transparency, access to documents, consultation and accountability must be duly taken into consideration by the Council in addressing this issue;

4.  Recommends that the Council conclusions include concrete, practical suggestions for improving the coordination of democracy support under the EU’s foreign, human rights and development policy instruments; in this spirit, calls on the current EU Presidency to propose a standard methodology for ensuring that democracy and human rights are a core cross-sectoral issue in all external political, contractual and financial instruments; and reiterates that the adoption of a Country Strategy on Human Rights and Democracy, to be regarded as a reference document establishing country-specific priorities in this field and mainstreamed into all relevant external EU policies and instruments with the third country concerned ,could substantially reinforce the consistency, coordination and effectiveness of the EU’s external action;

5.  Calls on the Commission and EU Member States, in designing the new external action service, to ensure, by institutional means, effective mainstreaming of human rights and democracy building in all policy areas and to learn from existing processes and experience with a view to translating them into progress on the ground;

6.  Reiterates that democratisation, electoral process and good governance are not only ends in themselves, but are also vital for poverty reduction, sustainable development, peace and stability. As demonstrated by the process of internal EU integration, democracy helps to deliver not only political and civil rights but also economic, cultural and social rights, including solidarity;

7.  Takes the view that embedding democracy and democratic processes in third countries offers the best prospects for developing effective policies related to global issues which are also of concern to EU citizens. Democratic systems can, for instance, better combat transnational crime and trafficking and protect the environment; stresses at the same time that the credibility of the Union’s external action is a must for successful support for democratic development abroad; and, in this spirit, calls on EU Member States and the Commission to ensure that internal EU policies such as those on countering terrorism or asylum and migration guarantee full respect for the principles enshrined in the relevant UN Conventions;

8.  Recommends that, in order to strengthen concerted worldwide action to promote democracy, the EU publicly endorse the UN General Assembly’s 2005 definition of democracy as the reference point for its own work on democratisation;

9.  Stresses that democracy cannot be exported or imposed from outside, and underlines the EU’s continued commitment to the principle of ownership of development strategies and programmes by partner countries. However, these processes can be supported by the various EU instruments, adapted to the specific situation of each country;

10. Proposes that the Council and the Commission proceed with a comprehensive, detailed analysis of all forms of EU support for democracy and human rights in a sample of partner countries, with a view to making practical recommendations;

11. Recommends that the Council and the Commission implement the Paris Declaration and Accra Agenda for Action on Aid Effectiveness in their work to support democracy; and suggests, in particular, that joint EU democracy assessments, joint EU programming and burden-sharing be introduced with a view to increasing the impact and visibility of the EU’s work to support democracy;

12. Suggests that the Commission systematically includes a section on the state of democracy and human rights in the Country Strategy Papers, and mainstreams support for democracy and human rights in cooperation programmes with partner countries as well as in all other political and financial instruments;

13. Underlines the need for better coordination of the activities carried out under the different external financial instruments, and for full exploration of the complementarity between geographical and thematic instruments; considers that, in order to be more effective in this field, all such efforts must also be accompanied by enhanced coordination among EU donors; and shares the view that the Commission should explore the possibility of supporting United Nations Democracy Fund projects aimed at consolidating the activities of local civil society organisations and promoting human rights;

14. Urges the Council and the Commission to carry out broad-based, comprehensive consultation with all EU and third-country stakeholders, with a special focus on NGOs and human rights defenders, including institutional and regional and local players, before launching new democracy-building initiatives;

15. Calls on the Commission systematically to involve all stakeholders, including NGOs and human rights defenders and especially partner countries’ parliaments, in the preparation, implementation and evaluation of country-specific instruments such as agreements between the EU and the country concerned and Country Strategy Papers;

16. Underlines the need for EU support for democracy to be comprehensive, addressing all the issues covered in the UNGA 2005 resolution, and for a long-term approach to its delivery;

17. Welcomes the positive contribution made by EU election observation missions in strengthening democratic processes, enhancing respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms, good governance and the rule of law, and, in particular, strengthening electoral processes around the world, but stresses the need to ensure a coherent post-electoral policy based on following up the recommendations of such missions, with civil society involvement, where support for development is consistent with democratic principles and the values of democratic governance; and takes the view, in this connection, that EU election observation missions and electoral assistance are more likely to have a lasting impact when they are based on a long-term electoral approach and are part of an overall strategy involving civil society in all phases of this process;

18. Calls on the Commission to build further on successful cooperation with the United Nations in relation to election observation missions and to step up common strategy building and project design with the UN and other regional organisations, such as the OSCE and the African Union, in relation to promoting democracy and human rights;

19. Stresses that the EU’s democracy-building efforts should systematically include a special focus on the independence of the judiciary and free, independent and pluralist media by financing priority projects in these areas;

20. Recommends the introduction of a specific strategy to support new democratically elected parliaments with a view to entrenching democracy, the rule of law and good governance on a permanent basis;

21. Confirms its own determination to help strengthen democratic processes by stepping up its involvement in election observation, follow-up to EU election observation missions and parliamentary capacity-building; calls in this connection on its Office for Promotion of Parliamentary Democracy (OPPD) to present a comprehensive action plan to the relevant parliamentary committees, which should necessarily include a clear mechanism for cooperation with interparliamentary delegations and joint parliamentary committees;

22. Encourages Commission Delegations to work in partnership with the OPPD when considering or initiating parliamentary support programmes;

23. Recommends that an action plan be included in the November Council conclusions, and that a review of progress to date be scheduled by the end of 2010;and invites the current and forthcoming EU Presidencies to present the outcome of the General Affairs and External Relations Council to the relevant parliamentary committees;

24. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Member States.

(1) A5-0219/2004.