Human rights
Find out how the EU protects and promotes human rights worldwide.
Human rights are universal, inalienable and indivisible. Everyone is entitled to exercise their human rights, without discrimination.
Respect for human rights is one of the founding values of the European Union and a fundamental aspect of the EU's relations with non-EU countries.
Human rights at the heart of the EU’s external relations
The EU Treaties stipulate that the EU's action on the international scene is to be guided by the principles that inspired its own creation, including democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
The European Union is committed to protecting and promoting human rights in its relations with non-EU countries and international organisations. The guiding reference for the EU's work in this area is the action plan on human rights and democracy.
Protecting human rights worldwide
The EU seeks to incorporate human rights into all its external action, including trade, migration and environmental policies. All agreements signed by the EU need to be consistent with human rights.
The EU guidelines on human rights provide practical guidance for EU policymakers, EU member states and EU delegations throughout the world. They cover several areas including:
Torture and ill treatment
The death penalty
Freedom of religion or belief
Rights of the child
Children in armed conflict
Non-discrimination
Protection of LGBTI persons
Violence against women
Freedom of expression
International law
Human rights defenders
Safe drinking water
Human rights instruments
The EU disposes of a wide variety of instruments to protect and promote human rights worldwide. These instruments include human rights dialogues with around 60 non-EU countries and regional groupings, statements and other forms of engagement in multilateral fora, projects and programmes, as well as election observation missions.
Sanctions against human rights abuses
Through a dedicated sanctions regime, the EU can impose sanctions on those responsible for, involved in or associated with serious human rights violations and abuses worldwide.
The framework applies, for example, to persons responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, slavery, extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions or killings, enforced disappearances and arbitrary arrests or detentions.
Latest news
- Human rights: EU appoints a new Special Representative
- Human rights violations in Russia: Council lists ten individuals over the barring of Yabloko from the State Duma elections
- International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence based on Religion or Belief: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union
Latest explainers
Last review: 13 November 2026