PRESS RELEASE, July 1998

The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network hereby calls for action by the Commission, the Parliament and the Council to find an immediate solution to the suspension, on 10 June 1998, of the human rights and democracy lines, and to review existing programmes without damaging the fabric of European Union commitment to human rights and democracy.

It recalls that the decision of the Commission is taken in the year of celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and that it may have a devastating impact on all practical work for the defence and promotion of human rights.

The decision of the Commission to block budget lines, of an estimated has 500 Million ECU, severely affects the Meda Democracy Programme. It is a blow to imminent projects and future human rights activities in the Euro-Mediterranean region. For instance, the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network has been compelled to suspend its programmes despite a decision of the Commission, 20 April 1998, to fund its activities. An Executive Committee meeting and two seminars in Brussels, 29 June-2 July, on the human rights dimension of the Barcelona process, have been postponed at the last moment. At present, any short or long term planning has been made impossible.

The Network, which represents more than 50 human rights organisations in the Euro-Mediterranean region, is deeply involved in the protection and promotion of human rights in the region. It works for the development of the human rights dimension of the Barcelona process, including the protection of human rights defenders and the fight against racism and xenophobia. Its work programme includes the strengthening of cooperation between North and South, and the furthering of dialogue between human rights activists and governments, parliaments and institutions.

The Network reminds that the human rights principles of the Barcelona Declaration, and the human rights commitment of the bilateral association agreements, have given rise to great expectations in civil society that a new, and needed, mechanism for the promotion and protection of human rights in the region could be established.

The credibility of the European Union´s commitment to practical work for the promotion and protection of human rights should not be cut down. Therefore, the Network urges the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers to intervene immediately to restore the human rights and democracy lines.

Abdelaziz Bennani President

Marc Schade-Poulsen Executive Director