The Council of the European Union appointed a new EU Special Representative for Human Rights.

The Council of the European Union has nominated Eamon Gilmore as EU Special Representative for Human Rights.

The role of the Special Representative for Human Rights, established by the EU Council with decision 2012/440/CFSP of July 15, 2012, is to enhance the effectiveness and visibility of EU Human Rights policy. The mandate is broad and flexible and will be able to adapt to the evolution of the geopolitical situation and to answer promptly to new challenges in the human rights field.

Among the aims of the Special Representative are the contribution to the implementation of human rights policies within the EU, define the orientation and instruments of the Union in the fields of human rights and humanitarian law, and give more coherence to the actions taken by the EU to protect rights and liberties. The Special Representative cooperates with the European External Action Service and supports the work of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini.

Gilmore, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland (2011-14), in 2015 worked as High Representative's Special Envoy for the Colombian peace process. His contribution to the peace process was fundamental and greatly appreciated by all sides. Furthermore, Gilmore was a member of Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (2004-2007) and Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE (2012).

Gilmore, from March 1, 2019, steps in for Stavros Lambrinidis, who was in office from September 1, 2012 to February 28, 2019.

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Last update

8/3/2019