Governments have the responsibility to protect and promote the human rights of women and girls, and ensure their economic, legal, social and political empowerment, as a means to prevent violence against them. They should also ensure the reform of gender discriminatory laws and policies that prevent women from leaving abusive and violent relationships.
Today we celebrate Human Rights Day to mark the adoption, 66 years ago, by the United Nations General Assembly of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The theme for this year’s International Human Rights Day – Human Rights 365 – reflects the aspiration that each one of us, everywhere, at all times, is entitled to the full range of human rights, said the Declaration by High Representative Federica Mogherini on behalf of the European Union on Human Rights Day, 10 December 2014.
Closing conference of the project “Make a Difference – New System of Market Surveillance” will be held on Thursday, 11 December 2014, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, organised by Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications and EU project Strengthening of the Serbian system of market surveillance for non-food and food products
On 11 December 2014, the conference “EMAS III – The most credible environmental management system–also for organisations in Serbia. Final Event” will be held at the Chamber of Commerce, Conference hall, 2nd floor, Terazije 23, Belgrade, starting at 09.30 h. The Conference is organised by the EU funded project “Law Enforcement in the field of Industrial Pollution Control, prevention of Chemical Accidents and establishing the EMAS system”.
Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia awarded new twenty-two grants to the civil society organisations (CSOs) in the overall value of 2,4 million of EUR within the framework of the programme EU Civil Society Facility 2013.
Association for Creativity Development from Aleksinac, in charge with implementation of three projects in the field of respect for human rights and reduction of discrimination towards marginalised groups, two of which are EU-funded, marked the International Human Rights Day – 10 December.
History has recorded, especially in Europe and in this region that it is not sufficient to proclaim human rights, but that it is also necessary to fight for and protect them, said Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Michael Davenport addressing the conference held on the occasion of International Human Rights Day. He said that the EU Delegation would continue to support projects in the field of promotion and protection of human rights.
Several EU Member States involved in South Stream project asked Vice-President for Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič to clarify the situation with Russia following its announcement to stop the project. The representatives of the Member States and the Vice-President agreed that the EU must remain strongly committed to integrating Central and South-Eastern European gas markets and diversifying gas suppliers, sources and routes.
Federica Mogherini, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement negotiations hailed the formation of a new government in Kosovo and the end of political deadlock after inconclusive June 8 elections. Mogherini called for an urgent resumption of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, as Hahn urged the new government to resume European agenda as soon as possible.
It is estimated that up to 30 million girls under the age of 15 remain at risk from female genital mutilation, and more than 130 million girls and women have undergone the procedure worldwide. Worldwide, more than 700 million women alive today were married as children, 250 million of whom were married before the age of 15. Girls who marry before the age of 18 are less likely to complete their education and more likely to experience domestic violence and complications in childbirth.
