European Union foreign ministers this afternoon agreed new guidelines on human rights defenders at a meeting in Luxembourg that was chaired by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen
The guidelines will enhance the EU's activities in the protection and support of individuals and groups that promote and protect universally recognised human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The guidelines will provide for interventions by the Union in support of human rights defenders at risk and suggest practical means to provide support and assistance.
"Human rights defenders have become increasingly active in protecting the victims of human rights violations," said Mr Cowen. "However, this has been achieved at a high price: the defenders themselves have increasingly become targets of attacks and their rights are violated in many countries."
Mr Cowen paid tribute to the contribution of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to the development of the guidelines.
He noted "in the development of these guidelines we have worked closely with members of the international human rights community, including Front Line: The International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Amnesty International."
A copy of the guidelines will be available from tomorrow morning at
http://foreignaffairs.gov.ie
