Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/758 of 26 February 2024 appointing the European Union Special Representative for Human Rights

Mr. Olof SKOOG is hereby appointed as the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for Human Rights until 28 February 2026. 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).

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 and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, as well as on the EU Strategic Framework on Human Rights and Democracy and on the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy, including:

1. enhancing the Union’s effectiveness, presence and visibility in protecting and promoting human rights in the world and bringing forward a positive narrative on human rights, 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;

2. enhancing the Union’s contribution to strengthening democracy and institution-building, the rule of law, good governance, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms worldwide;

3. improving the coherence of Union action on human rights and the integration of human rights into all areas of the Union’s external action.

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

1. contribute to the implementation of the Union’s policy on human rights, in particular of the EU Strategic Framework on Human Rights and Democracy and of the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy, as well as to the implementation of Union Guidelines, toolkits and action plans on human rights, including by formulating recommendations in this regard;

2. contribute to the implementation of the Union’s positions, as defined by the Council, on promoting compliance with international humanitarian law;

3. contribute to the implementation of the Union’s positions, as defined by the Council, on promoting support for international criminal justice, in particular those under Council Decision 2011/168/CFSP⁽²⁾ on the International Criminal Court;

4. help establish a stronger European voice through dialogues on human rights with governments in third countries and international and regional organisations, 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; lead important human rights dialogues with third countries;

5. contribute to better coherence and consistency of the Union’s policies and actions in the areas of the protection and promotion of human rights, in particular by providing input to the formulation of relevant policies of the Union;

6. contribute, in consultation with Member States, to the better coherence and consistency of the Union’s positions referred to in points (b) and (c).