Where the law stands, Dossier 2024/2081(INI)
Human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter – annual report 2024
Own-initiative report (INI): Parliament’s own position on a topic. It is not binding. · First reading
Parliament sets out its own position on a topic. The resolution is not binding but signals what Parliament wants.
Where it stands
Parliament’s position
Parliament adopted the text on 2 April 2025. This is its final position on the matter.
- Referred to committee(done) 28 November 2024
- Committee work(done) Report adopted 30 January 2025
- Tabled for plenary(done) 5 March 2025
- Plenary vote(done) Adopted 2 April 2025
- Parliament’s position(done) Final
Decided in plenary
2 April 2025 · decision 9
Foreign affairs, Resolution
Human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter – annual report 2024
Adopted 390 for · 116 against · 126 abstained by a clear majority
AI summary:It calls for action to promote and protect human rights, democracy, and fundamental freedoms globally.
What changed
Latest Tabled for plenary → Adopted by Parliament
AI summary:Adds strong positions on gender equality, SRHR, and women's rights, including calls for legal abortion and condemnation of gender-based violence. Updates journalist casualty figures and adds support for media outlets like Radio Free Europe, regretting funding cuts. Adds condemnations of specific abuses, including Sansal's arrest, ICC sanctions, and occupation, and urges action on political prisoners. Adds calls for stronger anti-corruption measures, support for international courts, and defence capabilities, while dropping a paragraph on transit agreements. Other changes are formal or wording: typo correction and rephrasing of visa coordination.
Committee draft → Tabled for plenary
AI summary:The report expands condemnation of human rights abuses to include new categories like gender apartheid and transnational repression. It strengthens calls for EU action on international justice, including support for ICC and universal jurisdiction. New paragraphs address digital threats, academic freedom, and rights of indigenous peoples. The report adds requirements for human rights assessments in trade and development projects and for Parliament's scrutiny. Other changes are formal or wording updates, including headings and terminology.
Who works on it
- Lead committee
- Foreign Affairs
- The MEP who drafts the report and negotiates it on behalf of the committee.
- Isabel Wiseler-Lima (EPP), Abir Al-Sahlani (Renew)
- An MEP who follows a report on behalf of their own group when another group holds the rapporteur.
- Barry Andrews (Renew), Francisco Assis (S&D), Matthieu Valet (Patriots), Arkadiusz Mularczyk (ECR), Catarina Vieira (Greens), Isabel Serra Sánchez (The Left), Tomasz Froelich (ESN)
- Committees giving an opinion
- Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
The text, version by version
Newest first.
Adopted by Parliament· 2 Apr 2025
AI summary:This resolution is Parliament's annual report on human rights and democracy worldwide and the EU's policy on the matter for 2024. It condemns human rights violations, supports human rights defenders, and calls for stronger EU action.
Tabled for plenary· 5 Mar 2025
AI summary:This resolution on human rights and democracy in the world in 2024 sets out Parliament's position on the EU's external human rights policy, covering challenges, tools, and specific rights.
Committee draft· 17 Sept 2024
AI summary:This draft report is Parliament's annual resolution on human rights and democracy worldwide. It condemns rights violations, supports human rights defenders, and calls for stronger EU action across many policy areas.
Committee opinions: Opinion (FEMM), Draft opinion (FEMM)
Timeline
Newest first.
Plenary stage 3 steps
2 April 2025
Plenary vote
Sitting of 2 Apr 2025 Report A10-0012/2025Adopted text TA10-0059/2025
1 April 2025
Debated in plenary
MEPs debated the text in the chamber ahead of the vote.
5 March 2025
Report tabled for plenary
This is the text all MEPs vote on. Political groups can still table amendments to it.
Committee stage 6 steps
30 January 2025
Committee vote: report adopted
AFET (Foreign Affairs) voted on the amendments and adopted the report that goes to plenary.
12 December 2024
FEMM (Women’s Rights and Gender Equality) adopted its opinion
The opinion is attached to the report for the lead committee to consider.
28 November 2024
Referred to the AFET (Foreign Affairs) committee
The lead committee prepares the report; FEMM (Women’s Rights and Gender Equality) gives an opinion.
6 November 2024
Amendments tabled in committee (3 batches)
Members of AFET (Foreign Affairs) proposed changes to the draft.
Amendments in committee (AFET)Amendments in committee (AFET)Amendments in committee (AFET)
29 October 2024
Draft opinion from FEMM (Women’s Rights and Gender Equality)
An associated committee gives its view to the lead committee.
17 September 2024
Draft report published
The rapporteur’s first text in AFET (Foreign Affairs). Members can table amendments before the committee votes.
Official record: Legislative Observatory, 2024/2081(INI)