The European Parliament today adopted a resolution on the annual report on human rights and democracy in the world 2014 and EU policy on the issue.
Following the vote, S&D MEP Antonio Panzeri said:
"This lengthy financial and economic crisis has been the perfect pretext for governments to slash budgets, which has had a direct and negative impact on human rights! However, we believe that in this time of recession – when many citizens are more vulnerable than ever – we should be stepping up our commitment to promoting social, economic, civil and cultural rights, and especially the rights of women and children who are the first victims of economic hardship."
Elena Valenciano, S&D MEP and chair of the European Parliament's human rights subcommittee said:
"Nobody will respect Europe if we only speak about money! In order to promote and defend the concept of the universality of human rights, which is at stake everywhere in the world, we need more and stronger Europe."