2. Takes the view that the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty represents a historic opportunity to address the remaining gaps in the EU's human rights and democracy policy; calls in this respect for full compliance of the EEAS with the purpose and spirit of the Lisbon Treaty, which aims at ensuring that respect for, and promotion of, human rights are at the core of the various areas of the Union's external policy as enshrined in Articles 2, 3 and 21 of the TEU; 3. Points out that, under Title V, Chapter 1 of the EU Treaty, action on the international scene is to be guided by the principles of democracy, the rule of law, and the universality, inalienability and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms; stresses that these principles constitute a common fundamental basis for relations with non-EU countries; 4. Considers, therefore, that the decision of where to place human rights in the structure of the EEAS is of great importance; requests therefore the setting up of a Human Rights and Democracy Directorate with the tasks of developing a robust EU human rights and democracy strategy and providing overall coordination within all multilateral fora; is firmly convinced, while stressing the need to consider that expertise in human rights and democracy must be anchored as a key responsibility for every geographic or policy desk in the EEAS, that this approach prevents human rights from being isolated and is the only way to ensure full compliance with the provisions of the Lisbon Treaty; 5. Acknowledges the HR/VP’s commitment to building up an active role for the EU on the world stage with a view to improving human rights and democracy globally; urges the HR/VP in this context to take the necessary action to establish a Brussels-based COHOM with a view to effectively mainstreaming and guaranteeing timely input into other areas of EU institutions and policy; calls in the same spirit on the HR/VP to consider the importance of obligatory human rights training for EU staff, including Heads of Delegations and EEAS Directors; 6. Calls for the creation of a Special Representative for Human Rights; stresses that the appointment of EU Special Representatives on human rights, notably for human rights defenders, for IHL and international justice and for women's rights and children's rights, could help to give EU external action in this field greater coherence and visibility; stresses that these EU Special Representatives should be expert-level appointees with a proven track record on human rights; 7. Takes the view that there is a crucial need for a more coherent framework to make EU support for democracy-building throughout the world more effective; takes the view that a consistent EU foreign policy must give absolute priority to promoting democracy and human rights, given that democratic society, the rule of law, and guarantees of fundamental freedoms are the basis for upholding human rights, which are to be included in all agreements on cooperation and strategic partnership between the EU and non-EU countries; believes that the new institutional structure of the EU, and particularly the EEAS, offers an opportunity to enhance the EU’s coherence and effectiveness in this area; 8. Calls on the HR/VP to keep to her commitments on mainstreaming human rights throughout the EU’s external action, so that they will be reflected in the structure of, and the resources made available within, the EEAS, enabling the new service to ensure that human rights issues are reflected in all areas of external action, including CSDP, Development and Trade; 9. Takes the view that EU Special Representatives should be further developed rather than gradually phased out, especially to cover countries and regions where the EU does not have a diplomatic mission; considers it essential that, given the importance of human rights issues in conflict and postconflict situations, all EU Special Representatives should have a mandate which encompasses civil and political rights, economic, social and cultural rights, the rights of women and children, International Humanitarian Law and international justice, and specifically mentions promoting and