Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network

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The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) is a network of 82 human rights organisations, institutions and individuals based in 30 countries in the Euro-Mediterranean region. Established in 1997 in response to the Barcelona Declaration and the establishment of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership. With a membership adhering to universal human rights principles and convinced of the value of cooperation and dialogue across and within borders. The EMHRN promotes networking, cooperation and development of partnerships between human rights NGOs, activists and wider civil society in the Euro-Mediterranean region.

The EMHRN acts as a regional forum for human rights NGOs and a pool of expertise on promotion and protection of human rights in the region.

The EMHRN brings people together in inter-cultural settings and build capacity among its members to act in relation to:

  • Local contexts and stakeholders in relation to which the members work.
  • EU and EMP’s human rights mechanisms, such as the EU Association Agreements with the Mediterranean Partners as well as the European Neighbourhood Policy.
  • Arab reform process, strengthening and providing input to the democratisation processes in the Arab world.
  • Outreach, conveying the human rights values and principles beyond the human rights communities to other groups and societies, such as civil society groups and the public at large through co-operation.
  • Thematic and country issues in the fields of justice, human rights education, gender, migration, economic and social rights, and Palestine, Tunisia etc.

The EMHRN’s work is based on a participatory approach. Its principle task is to facilitate the work of its members by promoting:

  • Policy development and lobbying on human rights issues and procedures within the broad EU context and in relation to the EuroMed and Arab regions.
  • Capacity building and networking through regional and thematic working groups.
  • Solidarity by sending missions and trial observers, and by publishing urgent alerts in cases of deterioration of human rights and when our members are in danger.
  • Information and awareness-raising by publishing reports, policy papers and newsletters.
  • Research and training by identifying key areas of research as well as organising training seminars, thematic workshops and seminars allowing for exchange and dialogue.

The mission of the EMHRN is to promote and strengthen human rights and democratic reform within the framework of the Barcelona process and EU- Arab cooperation frameworks. The Network seeks to develop and strengthen partnerships between NGOs in the EuroMed region and facilitate development of human rights mechanisms, disseminate the values of human rights and generating capacity in this regard.

Key values that guide and shape the Network include the following:

  • the fundamental indivisibility and universality of human rights
  • respect for the rule of law democratically established and as outlined in various international conventions
  • the fundamental value of freedom of expression, assembly and association
  • the importance of civil society in the promotion and protection of human rights and the right for civil society to be an active partner in this agenda
  • gender equality and the importance of promoting the rights of women
  • intercultural approaches to human rights as well as dialogue and the promotion of intercultural understanding
  • the right to popular participation and ownership in shaping human rights agendas throughout the region

The objectives of the Network are to:

  • pro-actively support and publicise the universal principles and standards of human rights in the Partner States and the whole of the Middle Eastern region and actively highlight the abuse of rights from whatever source
  • critically engage with all dimensions of the Barcelona Process and to maintain a critical stance on the EU’s own performance in this regard
  • to strengthen, assist and co-ordinate the efforts of its members, especially in contexts where rights are systematically abused or denied
  • to support the development of democratic institutions alongside the promotion of the rule of law, the equality of men and women, public education and awareness as well as human rights education
  • set up and support all necessary structures and procedures to achieve the above.

[edit] A Brief History of the Network

1997: The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network is founded during a meeting at the Danish Institute for Human Rights (then the Danish Centre for Human Rights) in Copenhagen by a group of human rights activists from the North and the South of the Mediterranean. Founders were Morten Kjaerum (DHRC director, Danemark) and Said Essoulami (CMF MENA director, Morocco). Participants were from the Arab Human Rights Institute; Danish Centre for Human Rights; Dutch Refugee Council; Egyptian Organisation for Human Rights; European Council on Refugees and Exiles; Euro-Mediterranean Institute for Migration and Asylum; French Human Rights League; Greek Committee for International Democratic Solidarity; Al Haq; Italian Helsinki Committee; Human Rights Centre Essex; Moroccan Human Rights Organisation; Aabo Akademi; Ms Saeda Kilani, Mr Saad Djebbar.

Having followed closely the establishment of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, they believed it had the potential to make a positive impact on the region.

It was felt that creating a Network would significantly enhance human rights work by creating a civil society forum to bring the Barcelona Process forward and NGOs together across the region.

In December 1997, the Network Constitutive Assembly takes place in Copenhagen with representatives of 49 organisations from the Euro-Mediterranean region. The first Executive Committee is elected and initial statutes as well as an action plan are adopted.

1999: The Network co-organises the EuroMed Civil Forum in Stuttgart. This meeting is an important step for the Network as it provides the opportunity to establish its capacity to gather the EuroMed Human Rights community and to promote human rights within the Barcelona process.

2000: Another important step: The Network received an important European Union funding contract. On its fourth General Assembly in Marseille, a new action plan is adopted.

From 2000 to 2006: The Network multiplies its activities. It opens an office in Brussels, antennas in Rabat and Amman, publishes reports on the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, develops its strategy and diversifies its financing sources …

2007: Since its birth, the Network succeeded in establishing its credibility. The competence of the network is regularly recognized by the institutions.

The Network strengthened its influence on the political options concerning the Human rights at the regional level.

Multiple communications or recommendations of the European Parliament were directly inspired by work of the Network. Last example: The interministerial conference in Istanbul at the end of 2006, adopted a five-year plan for promotion of the role of the women in society which included proposals carried out by the Network…

Lastly, the existence of the Network stimulated the networking between members; It made it possible to protect members against arbitrary measures and organized several campaigns to support the release of imprisoned members.

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