Stavros Lambrinidis Representative Human Rights for EU

[The LION will ROAR]

Stavros Lambrinidis appointed first EU Special Representative
for Human Rights

On a proposal by Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and
Security Policy/Vice President of the European Commission, the Council today appointed
Stavros Lambrinidis as EU Special Representative (EUSR) for Human Rights. Mr
Lambrinidis will take office on 1 September, with an initial mandate running until 30 June,
2014. His role will be to enhance the effectiveness and visibility of EU human rights
policy. He will have a broad, flexible mandate, giving him the ability to adapt to
circumstances, and will work closely with the European External Action Service, which
will provide him with full support.
EU High Representative Catherine Ashton said: "I am delighted to appoint Stavros
Lambrinidis as the first EU Special Representative for Human Rights. Human rights are
one of my top priorities and a silver thread that runs through everything that we do in
external relations. This is therefore a key portfolio for the European Union and for me
personally. With his talent and huge experience, Mr Lambrinidis will be a tremendous
asset to us. I look forward to working with him in putting the protection and promotion of
human rights and democracy at the heart of EU external action, and enhancing the
coherence, effectiveness and visibility of our work in this field."
Born in Athens, Mr Lambrinidis is an attorney, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs of
Greece and a former Vice-President of the European Parliament. Between 2004 and 2009
he served as Vice-President of the Parliament's Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
Committee. Earlier in his career he was Chairman of the Committee for Human Rights in
the Bar Association of Washington, D.C..

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/132029.pdf

How about human rights for Macedonians and other minorities in Greece, Stavros?

[Niko777]

Now all they need is to appoint a Greek as head of the European Central Bank...

[George S.]

It's like putting the wolves in charge of the sheep.

[makedonche]

It's like putting the wolves in charge of the sheep.

Nah George .....it's more like putting the brain dead in charge of brain surgery!

[Louis]

Now all they need is to appoint a Greek as head of the European Central Bank...

Luke Papademos was the Vice President from 2002-2010.

[DedoAleko]

A video of a Macedonian (MIA) reporter asking Brussels how is it possible a former minister in the greek government to be appointed in that position when greece is the biggest violator of human rights in the eu:

http://www.mkd.mk/47160/makedonija/brisel-lambrinidis-grcija-covekovi-prava/

[The LION will ROAR]

A video of a Macedonian (MIA) reporter asking Brussels how is it possible a former minister in the greek government to be appointed in that position when greece is the biggest violator of human rights in the eu:

http://www.mkd.mk/47160/makedonija/b...ovekovi-prava/

WTF WAS THAT...." I HAVE NO COMMENT".....

YES YES, you have no comment because you can't fken answer.. fken moran

[makedonche]

So what are they going to do with this clown once Greece is thrown out of EU?.........they day draws nearer and nearer!

[AMHRC]

AMHRC/MHRMI/VINOZHITO DOUBLY QUESTION THE APPOINTMENT OF A ‘CRUSADING’ EU SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

Melbourne, Toronto & Lerin
26 July 2012

The Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC), Macedonian Human Rights Movement International (MHRMI) and the European Free Alliance – Rainbow/Vinozhito, a political party of the Macedonian minority of Greece, question the wisdom of a Special Representative for Human Rights to focus on non-EU states and are deeply concerned about the appointee.

On 25 June 2012, the EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, announced that former PASOK Foreign Minister of Greece, Stavros Lambrinidis will be the inaugural Special Representative.

The appointment of a Special Representative for Human Rights follows the EU’s adoption in June of the Strategic Framework and the Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy for the purpose of dealing with the EU’s external relations i.e. with third countries.

In principle, any initiative addressing the promotion of human rights and democracy should be welcomed. However the limited scope of this plan is disappointing. Regrettably, it appears that the Special Representative won’t possess a mandate to address human rights violations and concerns within EU Member States. This is a missed opportunity to strengthen human rights protection within the Union, especially in relation to persistent human rights violators such as Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary.

As Mark Dawson, Professor of Law at the Hertie School of Governance, has observed:

“These violations can only be tackled, however, if an EU envoy is given the necessary powers. Existing EU human rights bodies—such as the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights—have struggled to live up to expectations precisely because they have been given a highly limited mandate, able to provide “information” but not to critically and independently assess the conformity of national and EU institutions with human rights standards. The new special representative's ability to make a difference will depend on going further: this representative should not just be an external voice for human rights but should be given internal powers too, for example the ability to scrutinize legislation or even recommend legal measures against states who persistently act in violation of the EU Charter. To be a credible “external” actor, the EU must also be credible in terms of its own human rights commitments.”

In the programmatic statement of the EU Framework for the Promotion of Human Rights and Democracy, it is asserted that the EU will: “intensify the promotion of ratification and effective implementation of key international human rights treaties”. Yet it is the Greece of Mr. Lambrinidis, which is not a “third country”, but a foundation member of the ‘crusading’ EU, that has refused to ratify essential human rights instruments.

The appointment of Mr Lambrinidis to this post has tarnished the office of the Special Representative even before work has commenced. Mr Lambrinidis is a former Foreign Minister of Greece and diplomat in the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Under his leadership the Greek Foreign Ministry continued to vehemently deny the existence of Macedonian, Turkish, Vlach and other minorities within Greece. The treatment of these minority groups has been heavily criticised by the United Nations’ Independent Expert on Minority Issues, various bodies of the Council of Europe and by domestic and international human rights organisations.

Prior to becoming Foreign Minister, from 2004-2011 Mr Lambrinidis was a member of the European Parliament elected from the ranks of the PASOK party. He remained silent on the issue of minorities in Greece and in particular, in concert with fellow Greek MEPs, continued to deny the existence of Macedonian minorities in the Balkans.

Mr Lambrinidis’ profile and record demonstrate that he is unfit for the position of EU Special Representative of Human Rights, even if the position has an international (non-EU) focus. There are a number of very fine human rights advocates in Greece; however, Mr. Lambrinidis cannot be counted as one of them.

#####

Established in 1984, the Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC) is a non-governmental organisation that informs and advocates before international institutions, governments and broader communities about combating racism and promoting human rights. Our aspiration is to ensure that Macedonian communities and other excluded groups throughout the world, are recognised, respected and afforded equitable treatment. For more information please visit www.macedonianhr.org.au, email [email protected] or via +61 3 9329 8960.


Macedonian Human Rights Movement International (MHRMI) has been active on human and national rights issues for Macedonians and other oppressed peoples since 1986. For more information: www.mhrmi.org, twitter.com/mhrmi, facebook.com/mhrmi, [email protected], 1-416-850-7125.

The European Free Alliance – Rainbow is the political party of the Macedonian minority in Greece. The party has offices in Florina/Lerin and Edessa/Voden. For more information please visit www.vinozito.gr, or by email: [email protected] or on +30 23850 46548.

[Makedonska_Kafana]

Keep, up the great work AMHRC/MHRMI .. thanks

[George S.]

definitely this guy Stavros Lambrinidis as EU Special Representative (EUSR) for Human Rights.That would be huge mistake & the minorities will be even more oppressed.They shouldn't allow him to stand for that position.

[SirGeorge8600]

Now all they need is to appoint a Greek as head of the European Central Bank...

[Sovius]

Hitler chose other like minded individuals to fill his cabinet positions for what reason? The next question should avail itself without the need to communicate it.

[Phoenix]

Hitler chose other like minded individuals to fill his cabinet positions for what reason?...

Sounds like Management 101...

[Zakynthian]

EU is lucky having him appointed as the representative for human rights. His appointment makes me feel more sanguineous. Anythig else is jaundice and bs. It would be excellent if all high representatives would have been of his caliber.