In the face of rising global uncertainty and multiple crises, the EU remains firmly committed to promoting and protecting human rights and democracy. Beyond being a treaty obligation, advancing human rights, the rule of law, and democracy are key priorities that shape the EU’s external action.

The EU also invests in empowering human rights defenders and civil society that work peacefully on behalf of others to promote and protect universal human rights. Every two years, together with the Human Rights and Democracy Network, the EU co-organises the EU-NGO Human Rights Forum. An important platform for civil society to directly inform and shape the EU’s external policies on human rights.

A key component of the Human Rights Policy of the EU is a series of guidelines on specific human rights, adopted at the ministerial level to signal strong political commitment from the EU and its Member States.

From the adoption of the first Guideline on the Death Penalty in 1998 to the most recent update on Children and Armed Conflict in 2024, the EU has continued to produce targeted guidelines as part of its sustained effort to ensure the full enjoyment and realisation of all human rights. 

These documents are a practical tool, providing EU officials with guidance to react to violations, support victims, address impunity, and promote human rights on a daily basis through EU external action.

The 13 EU Guidelines on Human Rights translate the priorities into concrete tools for EU policymakers, EU Delegations and Member States:

• Torture and ill-treatment
• Death penalty
• Freedom of Religion or Belief
• Rights of the Child
• Children and Armed Conflict
• Non-discrimination
• Protecting the human rights of LGBTI persons
• Violence against women and girls   
• Freedom of expression online and offline
• Compliance with International Humanitarian Law
• Human Rights Defenders
• Safe drinking water and sanitation
• Human Rights Dialogues

The EU employs a wide variety of instruments for the implementation of its human rights policy. Such tools include public diplomacy, statements and resolutions in multilateral fora, diplomatic outreach, sanctions, projects and programmes, trial observation and human rights and political dialogues. 

The EU has launched several targeted campaigns to promote a positive narrative on human rights in the world. The EU seeks to integrate human rights into all its external actions, including trade, migration, and environmental policies.

Over the years, human rights dialogues have been established with around 60 partner countries throughout the world. They provide a platform for raising human rights concerns, exchanging best practices, and strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

The Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) programme for human rights and democracy, with a budget of €1.5 billion (2021-2027), is the successor of the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR). It assists partners, notably civil society organisations and other non-governmental stakeholders, in becoming an effective force for the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law worldwide. The programme supports actions at local, national, regional and global levels.

The EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime enables the EU to respond more forcefully to serious human rights violations and abuses worldwide. Designated individuals or entities are subject to a travel ban and an asset freeze in the EU.
 

The EU Special Representative (EUSR) for Human Rights is mandated to enhance the effectiveness, visibility and coherence of the EU’s external human rights policies and to promote a positive narrative on human rights. Apart from engaging with the UN, the EUSR chairs human rights dialogues with third countries and deepens political cooperation with relevant partners. 

The EUSR draws attention to urgent human rights violations, promotes compliance with international humanitarian law, and supports international criminal justice. While ensuring the integration of human rights in all EU external action, the EUSR plays a central role in implementing the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy.