Verbatim report of proceedings

Wednesday, 13 June 2012 - Strasbourg

Explanations of vote

Text tabled : A7-0174/2012

  Viktor Uspaskich (ALDE), in writing. – (LT) I believe that the appointment of a Special Representative would be a positive and visible step, which would contribute to new unions and would establish a dialogue on human rights. Nevertheless, I remain a realist. The new high-level post does not automatically guarantee new, more credible policies on human rights. We have to make sure that the new Special Representative does not become another passive bureaucrat. The new representative for human rights must have a strong, independent and flexible mandate. The report states that the new post should reflect current policies on human rights. This is not necessarily good news. Two weeks ago, the Director of Amnesty International stated that the EU has become a ‘toothless tiger’, and instead of moving forwards, it is moving backwards. The Human Rights Watch World Report 2012 states, ‘move beyond the fine words and human rights in Europe are in trouble’.