The 7th Mexico-European Union High-Level Dialogue on Human Rights was held on October 10-11, 2017. The dialogue was chaired for Mexico by Ambassador Miguel Ruiz Cabañas, Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights of the Foreign Ministry. He was accompanied by the Interior Ministry’s Undersecretary for Human Rights, Roberto Campa, and the Deputy Attorney General for Human Rights, Crime Prevention and Community Services, Sara Irene Herrerías Guerra. Senior officials from various federal agencies also attended. The European Union delegation was headed by the Special Representative for Human Rights, Stavros Lambrinidis (via videoconference) and the Director for the Americas of the European External Action Service, Hugo Sobral. Ambassador Klaus Rudischhauser, EU delegate in Mexico, and other officials also participated.
The meeting strengthened the close relationship between Mexico and the European Union. Both sides held a frank and constructive exchange on issues of common interest and agreed on the importance of continued cooperation to promote and protect human rights in Mexico and the European Union and at the multilateral and global levels. At this year’s meeting, follow-up was given to the cooperation projects approved at previous meetings and work continued on promoting and effectively protecting human rights.
Mexico and the European Union exchanged views on strengthening cooperation within UN bodies such as the Human Rights Council to efficiently address global human rights challenges. They reaffirmed their shared values as the key focus of their strategic partnership at the bilateral, multilateral and global levels. A number of issues on the multilateral agenda were discussed, including migration and the negotiation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, the death penalty and the protection of human rights in the fight against terrorism.
The parties also agreed on the importance of continued cooperation and mutual understanding to effectively address their challenges in areas such as the rule of law, missing persons (including migrant children), torture, the use of force, freedom of expression, businesses and human rights, combating impunity, and the human rights of migrants, refugees and minorities.
In addition, a civil society seminar was held on October 10 for the fifth time with the participation of 27 Mexican and European organizations. As in previous years, the event allowed for an interactive dialogue and exchange of experiences and good practices in human rights, both in Mexico and in the European Union. The organizations presented a series of specific and substantive recommendations for their consideration and follow-up. Mexico and the European Union acknowledged the valuable work of civil society, especially that of human rights defenders and journalists. Both parties condemned any aggression that limits their rights to life, physical integrity and freedom.
The seventh dialogue demonstrated the strong ties between Mexico and the European Union, and reaffirmed their shared vision and values and commitment to human rights.