What is the European Parliament doing for human rights?
The European Parliament receives regular reports on the human rights situation in the EU Member States and the rest of the world. In accordance with Article 177 of the EC Treaty, it advocates the inclusion of the human rights clause in all cooperation aid agreements, such as the Convention between the European Union and 77 African, Caribbean and Pacific states (the ACP States). Under this ‘democracy clause’, aid to countries guilty of serious and persistent breaches of human rights may be suspended. Furthermore, in 1998 the European Parliament established the Sakharov Prize, awarded each year to honour individuals or organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to upholding human rights. The fundamental rights of European Union citizens are also protected by two instruments, namely: • the Charter of Fundamental Rights, in connection with the implementation of EU law by Community bodies and institutions and by the Member States (see Articles 47 and 51 of the Charter); • the
