Developing and consolidating democracy and the rule of law, respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms: requirements for the implementation of development cooperation operations

PURPOSE : to amend Regulation 975/1999/EC and Regulation 976/1999/EC on he implementation of development co-operation operations which contribute to the general objective of developing and consolidating democracy and the rule of law and to that of respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms PROPOSED ACT : Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council. CONTENT : Operations within the framework of the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) focus on four thematic priorities: - support to strengthen democratisation, good governance and the rule of law; - activities in support of the abolition of the death penalty; - support for the fight against torture and impunity and for international tribunals and the International Criminal Court, and - combating racism and xenophobia, and discrimination against minorities and indigenous peoples. The EIDHR support concentrates on a limited number of identified "focus countries", while also supporting global and regional projects, election observation and assistance in selected third countries. These two Council Regulations have proved to be adequate legal instruments for the implementation of the Community's technical and financial support for human rights and democratisation activities in developing and other third countries in pursuit of the overall objectives in this field. The period of validity of those Regulations, however, expires on 31 December 2004. It is, therefore, necessary to extend that period. In addition, an extended financial framework should be included in the Regulations for the extended duration of the programme. The provisions of Regulation 975/1999/EC and Regulation 976/1999/EC on procedures for the implementation of aid will be aligned with the legal requirements of Council Regulation 1605/2002/EC on the Financial Regulation in the implementation of EU Election Observation Missions. Implementing powers need to be conferred on the Commission. The financial reference amount for the implementation of Regulation 975/1999/EC during the period 2005 to 2006 is EUR 134 million. The financial reference amount for the implementation of Regulation 976/1999/EC during the period 2005 to 2006 is EUR 78 million. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS : - Budget Headings: -19.04.03 (ex B7-7010) "Development and consolidation of Democracy and the rule of law - Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms"; -19.04.04 (ex B7-702) "Support for the activities of international criminal tribunals and the International Criminal Court"; -19.01.04.11 (ex B7-7010A) "Development and consolidation of Democracy and the rule of law - respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms - Expenditure on administrative management" - Calculation of total cost: The total cost of the operation for the period of extension of the two Regulations is the sum of the budget headings involved for 2005 and 2006. On the basis of the amounts available each year, the relevant Commission servicescarry out the annual commitments for operations in developing and other third countries taking into account the multiannual programming of interventions and the annual programming updates. - Total commitment appropriations: EUR 198 million. - Total operational expenditure for studies, experts: EUR 14 million. - Number of permanent posts: 8.5 in DG Relex and 31 in Europeaid - Number of temporary posts: 3.5 in DG Relex and 91 in Europeaid - Overall financial impact of human resources: EUR 1,095,192 in DG Relex and EUR 11,049,936 in Europeaid. - Other administrative expenditure (missions, meetings etc.): EUR 295,000 in DG Relex and EUR 570,000 in Europeaid.�