Brussels, 29 September 2022
Human rights are increasingly under threat worldwide. Against this global backdrop, reconfirming the European Union’s strong support to human rights, fundamental freedoms and democracy, and their defenders worldwide, Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen today signed €30 million, a substantial increase, for the new phase of the EU Human Rights Defenders Mechanism, in the presence of civil society organisations and human rights defenders, for the period 2022–2027.
Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, said:
“The EU stands for human rights, fundamental freedoms and democracy worldwide. Human rights defenders are the EU’s key partners in making human rights a reality on the ground. Today, their lives are increasingly at risk because of intensifying crackdowns on fundamental rights and freedoms. These courageous individuals defending universal rights, including in the most dangerous and difficult of contexts, can count on the support of the European Union. The EU Human Rights Defenders Mechanism will continue to save lives, protect human rights defenders, and support human rights work. I am proud to have signed today a commitment to significantly increase its funding – €30 million for the next four and a half years.”
Since 2015, the EU Human Rights Defenders Mechanism has assisted over 55,000 human rights defenders and their family members at risk in over 120 countries thanks to EU funding of €35 million during its first two phases. More information available online.
Source – EU Commission