L. whereas efforts to combat terrorism in the world have raised the need to reconcile security with respect for human rights, M. whereas the global economic and financial crisis has had a negative impact on economic, social and cultural rights; whereas the rights of the poorest people have been most affected; whereas, because of rising and volatile prices and commodity speculations, millions are struggling to meet basic needs in a number of countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America; whereas millions of people have been facing insecurity and indignity, and in some countries protests have been met with repression and violence, N. whereas economic, social and cultural rights must receive the same attention and be treated at the same level of importance as civil and political rights; whereas the human rights clauses in the agreements signed by the EU and non-EU countries must be respected and implemented, O. whereas climate change is having a lasting, long-term impact on human rights; whereas negative consequences are especially likely for vulnerable groups, such as indigenous peoples, both in the developing world and in the High North, but could have much wider ramifications as well, P. whereas the fight against impunity is crucially important as it is aimed at preventing and punishing the gravest crimes and their perpetrators; whereas impunity is a cross-cutting matter which concerns a wide range of human rights issues, such as torture, the death penalty, violence against women, the persecution of human rights defenders and the fight against terrorism, Q. whereas, according to the UN, the old human rights problem of decolonisation is still not resolved throughout the immediate EU neighbourhood, notably in the case of Western Sahara, R. having regard to its resolution of 25 November 2010 on the situation of Western Sahara1, S. having regard to the paramount importance for the life of the European institutions of the implementation and enforcement of the founding principles codified in the European Convention on Human Rights, T. whereas new forms of human rights abuses are occurring in the world, notably in the area of the new information technologies, such as internet misuse and censorship, and infringement of privacy by the use of personal data, U. whereas freedom of religion or belief is under growing threat, notably by authoritarian governments targeting religious minorities or by governments failing to prevent attacks, harassment or other harmful acts against certain individuals or religious groups, V. whereas human rights are violated in countries that have recognised the jurisdictions stemming from the International Instruments of Human Rights and in those that disregard those historically acquired rights, 1. 1 Reiterates the European Parliament’s strong determination, and recalls its long-term efforts, to defend human rights and democracy in the world through the development of a strong and effective EU human rights policy which guarantees greater coherence and consistency across all policy areas and through bilateral relations with non-EU countries and active participation in international fora, as well as by supporting international and local civil society organisations; Texts adopted, P7_TA(2010)0443.