On 28 February 2019, the Council appointed Eamon Gilmore as EU Special Representative for Human Rights. He took up his duties on 1 March 2019 for an initial two-year term. Mr. Gilmore was former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ireland. During this period, he was, inter alia, responsible for the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, including its core human rights provisions. Since October 2015, he has acted as the High Representative’s Special Envoy for the Colombian Peace Process.

Mr. Gilmore replaced Stavros Lambrinidis, who was appointed as the first EU Special Representative for Human Rights in 2012. The Special Representative for Human Rights has a flexible mandate. His main task is to enhance the effectiveness and visibility of the EU’s human rights policy in the Union’s external relations. He works closely with the European External Action Service.

The EU Special Representative for Human Rights is one of eight Special Representatives. The others promote EU policies and interests in certain regions and countries outside the EU. EU Special Representatives support the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (currently Federica Mogherini).