The Special Representative on human rights will be in EU

Parliament called to appoint to the new post a high-level envoy with an international reputation, tasked with raising the EU's human rights profile worldwide.

The Foreign Affairs Council is expected to appoint the new envoy at the end of June.

This envoy must have a strong, independent and flexible mandate, which should not be too narrow, says Parliament in a recommendation adopted on Wednesday by 567 votes to 32, with 80 abstentions. It should reflect EU human rights policy and cover areas that include strengthening democracy, international justice, humanitarian law, abolition of the death penalty, freedom of expression, gender issues and children and armed conflict.

The EUSR for Human Rights will be expected to engage with the UN, chair high-level human rights dialogues and lead consultations with third countries on human rights issues, says the recommendation.

The candidate must have extensive experience and a proven track record in the field of human rights and be well known on the international stage, says Parliament. The mandate should be renewable every two and a half years and Parliament should be consulted as part of the renewal process.