The EU contributes to the protection and promotion of human rights in the region through a wide range of mechanisms, such as

• Bilateral dialogues
• Capacity building for civil society
• Support to the Inter-American Human Rights System.

The EU’s work with Latin America and the Caribbean contributes to

• the fight against discrimination
• promotion of gender equality
• the rights of the child
• the rights of indigenous peoples
• the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons
• protection of human rights defenders and journalists.

Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) also often labelled as 'disinformation' – is a growing political and security challenge for the EU and LAC.

Follow the link to learn more about the EU's response to FIMI.

EU Electoral Observation Mission (EOM)

The EU works together with Latin America and the Caribbean to strengthen democracy, including accountability, electoral resilience, respect for the rule of law and judicial independence.

Election Observation Missions (EOM) and their recommendations are key tools to help bolster the capacity of independent government institutions.

Follow the link to learn more about EU Election Observation Missions.

Humanitarian aid, emergency response and resilience-support

The EU’s assistance makes societies in Latin America and the Caribbean more resilient and saves lives.

The EU works with key actors in the implementation of humanitarian aid programmes managed by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)

The EU works to implement emergency response (also implemented by the Service for Foreign Policy Instruments – FPI), including through the EU Civil protection mechanism.

Health, protection, education in emergencies and food security remain key areas of work, including supporting local resilience also through the work of DG International Partnerships (INTPA).

The EU provides support and carries advocacy efforts for the humanitarian crises impacting Latin America and the Caribbean, also by co-hosting donors’ and solidarity conferences.

Recently the EU boosted the partnership on disaster preparedness, with an operational Memorandum of Understanding including most countries of the region on disaster preparedness and prevention. The purpose is to address the needs of the most vulnerable communities and enhance resilience in LAC, delivering on the 2023 EU-CELAC Summit commitment in this policy area.

EU contributing to peace processes in LAC

Through its different peace, stability and security instruments, the EU contributes to peaceful and democratic solutions, often in partnership with the Organization of American States, OAS.

Examples include

• supporting the peace process in Colombia,
• participating in the International Contact Group on Venezuela,
• addressing Haiti’s crisis
• contributing to mediation efforts between Belize and Guatemala on border demarcation.

Chile, Colombia and Brazil have contributed to EU security and defence operations in third countries.

Maritime security and space, counterterrorism, cybersecurity and tackling hybrid threats, as well as non- proliferation and disarmament, are also important areas of cooperation with the region.