Human rights in the world. Annual report 1999-2000

In presenting his report on human rights in the world in 2000 and the European Union Human Rights Policy (refer to previous document), Matti WUORI (Greens/EFA, FIN) welcomed the fact that the Belgian presidency had underlined the need for increased coherence and consistency in the promotion of human rights and he emphasised the need for more transparency. Furthermore, he welcomed past comments from Commissioner Chris PATTEN that it would be 'intellectual vandalism' to ignore the views of NGOs. Overall, it was necessary to establish a clealry defined strategy - otherwise tactics became the strategy. Mr. Wuori cited the case of the extradition of President Milosevic as an example of principles of universal human rights overriding national sovereignity. He believed that criticism must be fair and the EU should ensure that human rights provisions were fully implemented in applicant countries. Otherwise they would simply become 'Potemkin villages' with only cosmetic changes. He considered that a thematic approach was the best way of moving forward. He considered too that agreements with third countries should have human rights clauses. He concluded that it was time the EU out its principles into practice on the issue of freedom of expression. Against this background, the report was adopted by an overwhelming majority. Amendments to the report related to the behaviour of Russia in Chechnya, to the recent United Nations Human Rights Commission meeting in Geneva and finally, another amendment regretted that Council did not submit a resolution on human rights in China. �