Where the law stands, Dossier 2025/2166(INI)
Human Rights and Democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter – annual report 2025
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 21 January 2026. This is its final position on the matter.
- Referred to committee(done) 11 September 2025
- Committee work(done) Report adopted 2 December 2025
- Tabled for plenary(done) 8 January 2026
- Plenary vote(done) Adopted 21 January 2026
- Parliament’s position(done) Final
Decided in plenary
21 January 2026 · decision 7
Foreign affairs, Resolution
Human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter – annual report 2025
Adopted 421 for · 120 against · 108 abstained by a large majority
AI summary:The report assesses global trends and EU tools, and feeds into preparations for a new EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy after 2027.
What changed
Latest Tabled for plenary → Adopted by Parliament
AI summary:Adds provisions on Christian persecution in the Middle East and globally, including a call for a coordinator against Christianophobia. Adds paragraphs on protecting pregnant women's rights and combating sexual exploitation and prostitution. The other change is wording: renumbers a paragraph and removes a word.
Committee draft → Tabled for plenary
AI summary:The report expands significantly, adding many new recitals and paragraphs on topics like funding cuts, UN financial crisis, gender equality, and digital surveillance. It strengthens language on multilateralism, international justice, and support for the ICC and UN, with new calls for EU unity and reform. It adds many new calls on specific human rights issues, including freedom of religion, corporate accountability, and protection of HRDs. The other changes are mostly wording and formal updates, such as rephrasing and adding references to Articles 2 and 21 TEU.
Who works on it
- Lead committee
- Foreign Affairs
- The MEP who drafts the report and negotiates it on behalf of the committee.
- Francisco Assis (S&D)
- An MEP who follows a report on behalf of their own group when another group holds the rapporteur.
- Isabel Wiseler-Lima (EPP), Bernard Guetta (Renew), Rima Hassan (The Left), Catarina Vieira (Greens), Tomasz Froelich (ESN)
- Committees giving an opinion
- Women’s Rights and Gender Equality· rapporteurLina Gálvez (S&D)
The text, version by version
Newest first.
Adopted by Parliament· 21 Jan 2026
AI summary:This resolution on the EU's annual human rights report condemns global democratic backsliding and human rights abuses, and calls for stronger EU action to defend human rights, democracy, and multilateralism worldwide.
Tabled for plenary· 8 Jan 2026
AI summary:This resolution on human rights and democracy in the world and the EU's policy on the matter assesses global challenges and the EU's toolbox, and makes recommendations for action.
Committee draft· 9 Sept 2025
AI summary:This draft report on human rights and democracy in the world and the EU's policy on the matter for 2025 notes the global deterioration of human rights and democratic backsliding, and assesses the EU's toolbox for promoting human rights.
Committee opinions: Opinion (FEMM), Draft opinion (FEMM)
Timeline
Newest first.
Plenary stage 4 steps
21 January 2026
Plenary vote
Sitting of 21 Jan 2026 Report A10-0262/2025Adopted text TA10-0014/2026
20 January 2026
Debated in plenary
MEPs debated the text in the chamber ahead of the vote.
13 January – 14 January 2026
48 amendments tabled for the plenary vote
Groups propose changes to the tabled text; each is voted on before the final vote.
Amendments 1–8Amendments 9–16Amendments 17–26Amendments 27–32Amendments 33–42Amendments 43–48
8 January 2026
Report tabled for plenary
This is the text all MEPs vote on. Political groups can still table amendments to it.
Committee stage 6 steps
2 December 2025
Committee vote: report adopted
AFET (Foreign Affairs) voted on the amendments and adopted the report that goes to plenary.
5 November 2025
FEMM (Women’s Rights and Gender Equality) adopted its opinion
The opinion is attached to the report for the lead committee to consider.
8 October 2025
Amendments tabled in committee
Members of AFET (Foreign Affairs) proposed changes to the draft.
17 September 2025
Draft opinion from FEMM (Women’s Rights and Gender Equality)
An associated committee gives its view to the lead committee.
11 September 2025
Referred to the AFET (Foreign Affairs) committee
The lead committee prepares the report; FEMM (Women’s Rights and Gender Equality) gives an opinion.
9 September 2025
Draft report published
The rapporteur’s first text in AFET (Foreign Affairs). Members can table amendments before the committee votes.
Official record: Legislative Observatory, 2025/2166(INI)