Euro-Med Movement

With new member states joining the European Union together with an increasing influx of immigrants hailing from beyond, Europe has become a beautiful mix of distinct cultures. The dynamics and dimensions of Europe have been broadened, incorporating new ethnic groups, customs and opinions. However, this same diversity which has indeed added further colour to Europe and its identity, has also been the cause of a number of clashes between cultures. Costly in political, social and economic terms, discrimination and racism are a big challenge to the European construction. This fact hinders greatly the whole development of Europe as a Union of numerous countries, with various lifestyles, viewpoints and norms.

Human rights include civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. These cannot be considered independently of each other. It is only when all rights are respected that the protection of the individual is complete. Thus, human rights are indivisible. They are also universal; they apply to all people.

In order to ensure that human rights are respected everywhere, it is important that every country adopt the various international human rights conventions. It is in critical and difficult situations that the responsibility for human rights is put to the test. Those who do not have a strong voice in everyday life and in the public debate, have the same rights as others. This is true whether they are children, minorities, handicapped persons or people who have committed acts that the majority despises.

Information, instruction and education are among the most important policy instruments for protecting and promoting human rights. It is estimated that around 300,000 child soldiers are taking part in armed conflicts throughout the world. Many of them are under 15 years of age. The Euro-Med Movement wants to work to incorporate an absolute ban against participation in armed conflicts by children under 18 into the optional additional protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This ban must also pertain to compulsory or voluntary recruiting of persons under age 18 into the armed forces of states and into armed resistance groups.

The international society must ensure that war crimes, genocide and other crimes against humanity are prosecuted.

The death penalty is unacceptable in relation to the most fundamental right that we have, the right to life. The Euro-Med Movement is going to work to abolish the death penalty in the countries in the world that still practice it.