Human Rights Dialogues are one of the main means of implementation of EU external human rights policy in line with the Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy (2020-24).   

Several types of dialogues exist, and sometimes the dialogues are have other names.

The issues discussed during the human rights dialogue are decided jointly with a partner country. Certain topics that are of particular importance to the EU, such as the abolition of the death penalty, combatting torture, women’s and children’s rights, freedom of expression or respect for civil society, as well as the ratification of international human rights agreements, are expected to be raised at all human rights dialogues. 

It is the policy of the EU to not only meet with government representatives during human rights dialogues, but to also interact with civil society organizations and human rights defenders of a partner country. As such, consultations with civil society actors (including NGOs, human rights defenders) are an essential element of the dialogues. Civil society actors can provide a clear picture of the domestic human rights situation and possible individual cases as well as technical expertise on specific topics. Such consultations are held well in advance of the dialogue to feed into the agenda. 

Chapter Six of the EU Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030 specifically focusses on promoting the rights of persons with disabilities globally. The Strategy notes that the “EU will continue to uphold the human rights of persons with disabilities and support their social inclusion in all international relations, and as part of all external action, policy planning, funding programs and activities…this implies paying particular attention to the engagement with third countries in the framework of the EU’s enlargement and neighborhood policies and its broader development cooperation agenda.”

The Strategy continues by stating that “It is essential that external action respects and implements the UNCRPD principles alongside the Agenda 2030, mainstreaming the Universal Design approach for better accessibility and provision of reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities into all actions. The EU will do this using all its tools ranging from political, human rights and trade dialogues, to cooperation with third countries in the EU’s neighborhood, enlargement and international partnership policies covering also humanitarian action and cooperation with multinational organizations.” 

Hence, EDF’s objective in participating with these dialogues is to influence the EU to implement the CRPD in its work in humanitarian action and international cooperation and advocate for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in EU external action, including human rights dialogues. 

EDF actively participates in these dialogues by partnering with national or regional OPDs. We either attend the EEAS consultation meetings or provide written input prior to the official dialogue. Below, you’ll find a list of dialogues where EDF has submitted written input regarding the situation of persons with disabilities.

• EDF”s Written Input ahead of the EU-Ukraine Human Rights Dialogue (April)
• EDF’s Written Input ahead of the EU-Nepal Joint Commission (March)
• EDF’s Written Input ahead of the EU-African Union (AU) Human Rights Dialogue (February)

• EDF’s Written Input ahead of the EU-Tajikistan Human Rights Dialogue (November)
• EDF’s Written Input ahead of the EU-Philippines Human Rights Dialogue (October)
• EDF’s Written Input ahead of the EU-Armenia Human Rights Dialogue (October)
• EDF’s Written Input ahead of the EU-ASEAN Human Rights Dialogue (October)
• EDF’s Written Input ahead of the EU-Ukraine Human Rights Dialogue (April)

• EDF’s Written Input ahead of the EU-Armenia Human Rights Dialogue (October)
• EDF’s Written Input ahead of the EU-Pakistan Human Rights Dialogue (October)