E.E.C. links aid to human rights

Press, 23 July 1986, Page 12

E.E.C. links aid to human rights

NZPA-Reuter Brussels The European Economic Community issued a main declaration on human rights yesterday as a corner-stone of European co-operation but also a denial of South African assertions of Community meddling in its affairs. In a clear rejection of Pretoria’s accusations, the Community said expressions of concern about violations of such rights could not be considered as interference in a State’s domestic affairs. Diplomats said the longawaited human rights

statement, approved by Foreign Ministers of the 12-nation grouping in Brussels, was the Community’s equivalent of the United Nations universal declaration on human rights. British officials said it was no accident that the declaration was issued on the eve of a difficult Community peace mission to South Africa by the British Foreign Secretary, Sir Geoffrey Howe. The Dutch-sponsored declaration also made the first effective link between Community aid policies and the respect of

human rights in Third World States. The declaration first came up for discussion at last month’s Community summit meeting in The Hague but was not concluded owing to the summit meeting’s preoccupation with a row over South African sanctions, the diplomats said. Rejecting a threat of fresh sanctions made then, the South African Foreign Minister, Mr Roelof Botha, said his country rejected any outside interference in its domestic affairs. The new declaration

said the 12 deplored that “countless people around the world suffer hunger, disease, and lack of opportunity, thus being denied the enjoyment of the most basic economic and social rights.” “The promotion of economic, social and cultural rights, as well as of civil and political rights, is of paramount importance for the full realisation of human dignity and for the attainment of legitimate aspirations of every individual,” it said.

Warning States against abuse of human rights in

the name of development, it said, “Neither the lack of social and economic development, nor any persuasion or ideology may serve as a justification for the denial of civil and political rights.”

It also said the aid policies of the Community and its member States and their relations with third countries would aim to promote fundamental rights — effectively linking Community aid policies for the first time to respect of human rights. Community States "will continue action . . .

against violations in any

part of the world,” the declaration said, adding that lasting peace and security. were . unattainable without universal enjoyment of human rights. “In view of their special responsibility as Europeans, the 12 emphasise that respect for human rights by all States participating in the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe is an essential factor in achieving peace and security, justice and wellbeing in Europe,” the declaration said in a reference to the East-West conference in Stockholm.