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Mission, Values & Objectives

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.

Read the EMHRN Strategy Paper adopted in May 2006