Women's rights: a priority for French EU Presidency

Brussels, 16/07/08: In a meeting at the European Parliament on 15 July, the French presidency outlined its priorities in the field of Human Rights. As the number one priority in the field, the French listed women’s rights and the fight of violence against women. The French presidency aims to foster the implementation of international agreements within the UN (the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security and 1820 on Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict) and to set out practical guidelines for the international cooperation and assistance programmes of the EU. When it comes to the inclusion of civil society, the French presidency is planning a “European Forum of non-governmental organisations on Human Rights” to be held in Paris from 10–13 December 2008.