How can civil society engage with EU human rights policy in practice? The EU policy-making process is a complex one and involves the consolidation of a number of different considerations. When it comes to human rights policy in its external relations, the EU relies heavily on input from locally based human rights NGOs. The EU delegations are required to establish partnerships that work well with civil society, in order to be able to provide credible and up-to-date information towards the policy making process in Brussels. Heads of EU delegations, EU member state embassies, civilian missions and operation commanders are required to uphold and strengthen the existing system of consultations with civil society to ensure its input is included in policy initiatives and political dialogue between the EU and third country governments. ranging from diplomatic measures to public statements to the freezing of relations (as with Belarus) or sanctions (as with Iran or Syria). EU delegations1 in third countries are tasked with monitoring political developments within their countries of posting as well as formulating policy recommendations to the EEAS and EU member states. Together with the information gathered from civil society, this information helps form EU policy towards individual states. If the human rights situation is deemed to be particularly concerning, the EU can employ a number of measures against the country, Members should arrange meetings with the human rights focal points in their country to ensure the transfer of information as well as adequate follow-up and feedback on issues relating to the practice of torture and ill-treatment and victim rehabilitation. Furthermore, any worrying developments such as discriminatory action or reprisals against IRCT member centres should be communicated immediately and directly to the EU delegation. EU delegations often form human rights working groups together with representatives of local EU member state embassies to be able to tackle issues that relate to this in a more systematic manner. All EU delegations are required to appoint a human rights focal point as well as an EU liaison officer for human rights defenders and publish their contact details on their websites. The focal points are to be the first point of contact for human rights organisations and defenders in third countries. 1. There are currently EU delegations in over 140 countries. A full list and contact details can be accessed at http://eeas.europa.eu/ delegations/web_en.htm 8 Engaging with European Union foreign policy on the ground – an IRCT guide