Pictured: Training provided by EU civilian mission in Ukraine on prevention of discrimination and sexual harassment within the Law enforcement agencies.

On 19 February 2024, European Union Foreign Ministers approved the EU Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Due Diligence Policy (EU HRDDP) on Security Sector Support to third parties. The adoption of this Policy is a major step forward in consolidating EU’s long-standing commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights and International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in its external action.

The EU HRDDP provides an overarching risk management framework, which spells out core principles and defines concrete actions to manage potential human rights and IHL related risks that may be associated with the EU’s security sector support to third countries provided by Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) instruments.

Security sector support

Security sector support is a key component of EU external action. It aims to enhance the capacities and capabilities of partner countries to better protect their citizens, and defend their countries from various threats, including those related to terrorism and organised crime. Security sector support can entail risks, including with regard to human rights and IHL violations.

It is essential to have clear procedures in place to identify and assess those risks, take measures to mitigate them and to ensure accountability in case violations occur. The new Policy contributes to more human rights and IHL compliant security forces. It also contributes to EU’s broader human rights and IHL objectives, such as the protection of civilians, prevention of sexual and gender-based violence and prevention of violations of children’s rights in armed conflicts.

Human rights’ guidance

The demand for EU’s security sector support in third countries is growing, and this has increased the importance of having solid provisions and guidance on human rights and IHL risk management. Aware of this, EU Member States have expressed their support to the development and implementation of the human rights due diligence policy in the Strategic Compass for Security and Defence (2022) and the Civilian CSDP Compact (2023).

The Policy is an important deliverable of the EU Action Plan for Human Rights and Democracy 2020-2024 and in line with the implementation of the EU-wide Strategic Framework to Support Security Sector Reform.

• Follow the link to learn more about the Strategic Compass for Security and Defence.