How are human rights present in EU foreign policy? EU foreign policy is developed in Brussels by representatives of the governments of its member states, assisted by the EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the civil service body of the European External Action Service (EEAS). The EU delegations in third countries form part of the EEAS, and report to the office of the High Representative. In a major restructuring move, the European Union reviewed the human rights component of its foreign policy in 2012. As a result, it has committed to raise human rights in all levels of political dialogue with third countries and make use of all instruments at its disposal, including sanctions, when faced with violations. The EU campaign against the use of torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment is among the priorities for its foreign policy, alongside the provision of political and financial support for human rights defenders and increased efforts against all reprisals. The EU implements its commitments to human rights promotion through actions described in a document entitled the Action Plan on Human Rights, which lays out specific tasks for various EU institutions and mechanisms to undertake. In line with the EU’s commitment to integrate the promotion of human rights into other external policy areas such as development cooperation, trade and investment, it assigns Human Rights in EU Foreign Policy High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy EU member states European External Action Service (EEAS) EU delegations on the ground Human Rights Country Strategies 6 Cooperation on the ground + human rights working groups EU guidelines on torture – applied on the ground Engaging with European Union foreign policy on the ground – an IRCT guide EU member state embassies