B4-1063, 1064, 1065, 1066, 1067, 1068 and 1069/98

Resolution on the management and funding of human rights and democratisation programmes

The European Parliament,

A. having regard to the Treaty provisions whereby the promotion of human rights is a fundamental objective of the Union,

B. having regard to the creation in 1993 of a separate budget chapter for human rights expenditure ('European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights¨),

C. having regard to its resolution of 19 December 1997 on the Commission report on the implementation of measures intended to promote observance of human rights and democratic principles (for 1995) (COM(96)0672 - C4-0095/97) (( OJ C 14, 19.1.1998, p. 399.)),

D. having regard to the Commission¨s failure during 1998 to inform the Parliament in time that it could not maintain the contractual provision of appropriate technical assistance in this field, a function hitherto carried out by the European Human Rights Foundation, which came first in a new tender for technical assistance at the end of May 1998,

E. whereas reports continue that the Commission¨s procedures for project selection lack transparency, are slow-moving, and lead to considerable delays in payment,

F. having regard to the 1997 evaluation report on the PHARE and TACIS Democracy Programmes which emphasised the importance and effectiveness of small and medium sized projects, and to its own commitment to a 'bottom-up¨ approach through grassroots organisations,

G. having regard to the interinstitutional agreement of 17 July 1998, which was intended to resolve short-term difficulties arising from the judgment of the Court of Justice in case C-106/94,

The European Parliament,

1. Considers that the present disruption of human rights and democratisation programmes, partly for legal and technical reasons, is a serious setback for the EU's efforts to promote human rights and democracy internationally, in accordance with its obligations as set out in the Treaty;

2. Regrets that this disruption has taken place during 1998, international year of human rights and the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;

3. Considers this to be evidence of inadequate management and organisation, during a 'transitional¨ period, when new administrative arrangements were being put in place, including the Common External Service (SCR); further underlines that the number of Commission staff responsible for the management of Chapter B7-70 have been significantly reduced during the setting up of the SCR;

4. Calls on the Commission to indicate clearly what organisational solutions are envisaged after this period of transition, and the proposed deadline for their implementation;

5. Proposes that the broad policy guidelines should be examined by an interinstitutional working group established under the 1998 budget procedure;

6. Reiterates its call for improved transparency, efficiency and effectiveness in the selection, implementation and monitoring of projects geared to the promotion of human rights, and recommends a review of the staff resources available to the Commission in this area;

7. Calls on the budgetary authority and the Commission to reach an arrangement during the current budget procedure in order to ensure continuity by amending the remarks of the relevant budget chapter to allow for necessary administrative expenditure, and commits itself to working with the Commission in order to address the understaffing in this area;

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, and the governments of the Member States.