The European Parliament, together with the Commission and the Council, plays a leading role in promoting and protecting human rights within the overall framework of EU activities. 

The Standing Committees of the European Parliament relevant to the human rights issue include the Subcommittee on Human Rights within the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality.

Other committees relevant to the subject under consideration are the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, the Committee on Constitutional Affairs, the Committee on Legal Affairs, the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, the Environment Commission, Public health and food safety; the Development Commission and the Petitions Committee. The latter is in particular responsible for examining petitions submitted by citizens (right enshrined in Art. 44 CFR and Arts. 24 and 227 TFEU) and taking steps to remedy any infringement of their rights under the EU law.

Parliament awards the annual Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought, Established in 1988 as a recognition of individuals and groups who have dedicated their lives to the defence of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and adopts numerous resolutions on human rights and peace issues, including the annual report on "Human rights and democracy in the world and the policy of the European Union on this matter".