Council Decision 2012/440/CFSP of 25 July 2012 appointing the European Union Special Representative for Human Rights

27.7.2012 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 200/21
COUNCIL DECISION 2012/440/CFSP
of 25 July 2012
appointing the European Union Special Representative for Human Rights
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 28, Article 31(2) and Article 33 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Whereas:
(1) On 12 December 2011, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR) presented, also on behalf of the Commission, a joint communication to the European Parliament and the Council entitled ‘Human Rights and Democracy at the heart of EU external action — towards a more effective approach’.
(2) On 25 June 2012, the Council adopted the EU Strategic Framework on Human Rights and Democracy and the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy.
(3) A European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for Human Rights should therefore be appointed to strengthen the effectiveness and the visibility of the Union’s human rights policy and contribute to the implementation of its objectives, in support of and without prejudice to the role of the HR under the Treaty in representing the Union for matters relating to the Common Foreign and Security Policy,