Council Decision (CFSP) 2017/346 of 27 February 2017 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for Human Rights

COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2017/346

of 27 February 2017

extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for Human Rights

Article 1

European Union Special Representative

The mandate of Mr Stavros LAMBRINIDIS as the EUSR for Human Rights is extended until 28 February 2019. The Council may decide that the EUSR's mandate be terminated earlier, based on an assessment by the Political and Security Committee (PSC) and a proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR).

Article 2

Policy objectives

The EUSR's mandate shall be based on the policy objectives of the Union regarding human rights as set out in the Treaty on European Union, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union as well as the EU Strategic Framework on Human Rights and Democracy and the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy:

• (a)enhancing the Union's effectiveness, presence and visibility in protecting and promoting human rights in the world, in particular by deepening Union cooperation and political dialogue with third countries, relevant partners, business, civil society and international and regional organisations, and through action in relevant international fora;

• (b)enhancing the Union's contribution to strengthening democracy and institution building, the rule of law, good governance, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms worldwide;

• (c)improving the coherence of Union action on human rights and the integration of human rights in all areas of the Union's external action.

Article 3

Mandate

In order to achieve the policy objectives, the EUSR's mandate shall be to:

• (a)contribute to the implementation of the Union's human rights policy, in particular the EU Strategic Framework on Human Rights and Democracy and the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy, including by formulating recommendations in this regard;

• (b)contribute to the implementation of Union Guidelines, toolkits and action plans on human rights and international humanitarian law;

• (c)enhance dialogue with governments in third countries and international and regional organisations on human rights as well as with civil society organisations and other relevant actors in order to ensure the effectiveness and the visibility of the Union's human rights policy;

• (d)contribute to better coherence and consistency of the Union's policies and actions in the area of protection and promotion of human rights, in particular by providing input to the formulation of relevant policies of the Union.

Article 4

Implementation of the mandate

Article 5

Financing

The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to the EUSR's mandate for the period from 1 March 2018 to 28 February 2019 shall be EUR 894 178 .

Article 6

Constitution and composition of the team

Article 7

Security of EU classified information

The EUSR and the members of the EUSR's team shall respect the security principles and minimum standards established by Council Decision 2013/488/EU ([^E0001]).

Article 8

Access to information and logistical support

Article 9

Security

In accordance with the Union's policy on the security of personnel deployed outside the Union in an operational capacity under Title V of the Treaty, the EUSR shall take all reasonably practicable measures, in accordance with the EUSR's mandate and on the basis of the security situation in the area of responsibility, for the security of all personnel under the EUSR's direct authority, in particular by:

• (a)establishing a specific security plan based on guidance from the EEAS, including specific physical, organisational and procedural security measures governing the management of the secure movement of personnel to, and within, the area of responsibility as well as the management of security incidents and including a contingency plan and evacuation plan;

• (b)ensuring that all personnel deployed outside the Union are covered by high-risk insurance, as required by the conditions in the area of responsibility;

• (c)ensuring that all members of the EUSR's team to be deployed outside the Union, including locally contracted personnel, have received appropriate security training before or upon arriving in the area of responsibility, based on the risk ratings assigned to that area by the EEAS;

• (d)ensuring that all agreed recommendations made following regular security assessments are implemented, and providing the Council, the HR and the Commission with written reports on their implementation and on other security issues within the framework of the progress reports and the report on the implementation of the mandate.

Article 10

Reporting

The EUSR shall regularly provide the HR and the PSC with oral and written reports. The EUSR shall also report to Council working parties, in particular the Working Party on Human Rights, as necessary. Regular reports shall be circulated through the COREU network. The EUSR may provide the Foreign Affairs Council with reports. In accordance with Article 36 of the Treaty, the EUSR may be involved in briefing the European Parliament.

Article 11

Coordination

Article 12

Review

The implementation of this Decision and its consistency with other contributions from the Union shall be kept under regular review. The EUSR shall present the Council, the HR and the Commission with regular progress reports and a comprehensive mandate implementation report by 30 November 2018.

Article 13

Entry into force

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

[^E0001]: Council Decision 2013/488/EU of 23 September 2013 on the security rules for protecting EU classified information (OJ L 274, 15.10.2013, p. 1).