Today, the EU reaffirmed its commitment to the global realisation of all human rights, working with the UN human rights fora and supporting the independence of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) during the Human Rights 75 High Level Event in Geneva.

The EU Special Representative for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore delivered a statement on behalf of the EU.

In the run up to the 75^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the EU has stepped up its support to human rights. Find out more about the EU’s work on human rights in this story.

Background

The EU’s Global Europe Programme on Human Rights and Democracy 2021-2027 has a financial envelope of €1.5 billion.  It supports human rights, through civil society actions, international, regional and national human rights institutions, and prioritises the protection of human rights defenders. It also supports the fight against torture, death penalty and impunity, has a strong focus on economic, social and cultural rights and defends and supports independent media, journalists, and freedom of association and assembly. 

In 2023, the EU has become the OHCHR’s largest voluntary contribution with USD $34 million.