The EP highlights the benefits of the ProtectDefenders.eu mechanism, a consortium of 12 NGOs including FIDH, providing critical support to large numbers of HRDs and urges continued support for it. It also underlines the value of the small but crucial European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), the only instrument through which the EU can support civil society actions, irrespective of interference by the authorities of the State concerned, and at a time of shrinking space for civil society worldwide.
These concerns and recommendations, particularly on the way forward post 2020, are detailed in FIDH’s position paper “Make the Multiannual Financial Framework benefit Human Rights” which analyses and highlights key issues regarding the budget plans the Commission will present in May. FIDH outlines how the new instruments should be designed to enhance their ability to foster positive impacts on human rights and tackle the expanding phenomena of shrinking space for civil society.
European Parliament reviews implementation of the EU external financing instruments: mid-term review 2017 and the future post-2020 architecture
In its resolution adopted April 18, 2018, the European Parliament (EP) recalls that the EU’s external financing instruments are the main mechanism for supporting EU action on the world stage and warns that a merger of its instruments cannot be viewed as a goal in itself.