Institute of Human Rights on Peace in Africa

Human Rights Institutes

International Training Centre on Human Rights and Peace Teaching | CIFEDHOP [Abbr.]

Division of Human Rights, Peace and Democracy [ SHS/HRS | Division of Human Rights and Peace ]

International Training Centre on Human Rights and Peace Teaching

Commissioner of the CBSS on Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, including the Rights of Persons belonging to Minorities

Federal Act of 19 December 2003 on Measures pertaining to Civil Peace Support and the Promotion of Human Rights

Ordinance of 2 December 2005 on Personnel for Peace Support, the Promotion of Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid [ POPHAO ]

DDPS Ordinance of 25 August 2009 on Personnel for Peace Support, the Promotion of Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid [ POPHAO-DDPS ]

In line with the objectives set out in Article 21(2) TEU, development policy also contributes, inter alia, to supporting democracy, the rule of law and human rights, preserving peace and preventing conflict, improving the quality of the environment and the sustainable management of global natural resources, assisting populations, countries and regions confronting natural or man-made disasters, and promoting an international system based on stronger multilateral cooperation and good global governance.

Recognises the critical contribution of the African Peace Facility in developing the triangular partnership between the UN, the EU and the AU; believes that this Facility provides both an entry point and a potential lever for creating a stronger partnership between the EU and the AU and has proved indispensable in allowing the AU, and through it the eight Regional Economic Communities (RECs), to plan and manage their operations; considers it vital that the EU institutions ...[+++] and Member States remain closely engaged if the Facility is to be fully utilised and that the AU demonstrate higher levels of efficiency and transparency in using the funds; takes the view that the APF should focus on structural support rather than just bankrolling African forces’ pay; acknowledges that there are other funding mechanisms in use, but believes that given the Facility’s sole focus on Africa, as well as its clear goals, it is especially important with regard to PSOs in Africa; considers that Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) working on peace-building in Africa should be given the opportunity to contribute their views, as part of a more strategic engagement with CSOs on peace and security; remains concerned at the continuing problems of financing and political will on the part of African countries; notes the Council conclusions of 24 September 2012 which state that ‘funding, alternative to the funding from the EDF, will have to be considered’.

whereas the European countries and the EU itself are major contributors to the UN system, notably in providing financial support for UN programmes and projects; whereas France, Germany and the UK are the largest European contributors to the budget for UN PKOs; whereas the EU Member States are collectively the largest contributor to the UN’s peacekeeping budget, with about 37 %, and are currently contributing troops to nine peacekeeping missions; whereas, in addition, in 2014 and 2015 EU financial commitments to the AU totalled EUR 717,9 million and AU contributions amounted to just EUR 25 million; whereas European countries contribut ...[+++]e only about 5 % of UN Peacekeeping personnel, with 5 000 troops out of a total of some 92 000; whereas, however, France, for example, trains 25 000 African soldiers each year and separately deploys over 4 000 personnel in African PKOs.

The EU will continue its prominent role in support of Myanmar’s democratic transition and, against this backdrop, has taken a fresh look at its engagement on democracy and human rights, the peace process, the economy and sustainable development so as to align this engagement with the priorities of the new government.