study human rights mainstreaming in eu's external relations - EIUC
study human rights mainstreaming in eu's external relations - EIUC
study human rights mainstreaming in eu's external relations - EIUC
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DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR EXTERNAL POLICIES OF THE UNION<br />
DIRECTORATE B<br />
POLICY DEPARTMENT<br />
STUDY<br />
HUMAN RIGHTS MAINSTREAMING IN EU’S EXTERNAL<br />
RELATIONS<br />
Abstract<br />
This <strong>study</strong> <strong>in</strong>vestigates the current status of <strong>human</strong> <strong>rights</strong> <strong>ma<strong>in</strong>stream<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>in</strong> EU <strong>external</strong><br />
<strong>relations</strong>. It tracks the evolution of the concept of <strong>human</strong> <strong>rights</strong> <strong>ma<strong>in</strong>stream<strong>in</strong>g</strong> tak<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong>to account similarities and differences between the UN and the EU, and reviews the<br />
relevant policy commitments and potential tools for <strong>human</strong> <strong>rights</strong> <strong>ma<strong>in</strong>stream<strong>in</strong>g</strong> that<br />
have been put <strong>in</strong> place by the EU s<strong>in</strong>ce 2001. The current status and impact of <strong>human</strong><br />
<strong>rights</strong> <strong>ma<strong>in</strong>stream<strong>in</strong>g</strong> is then exam<strong>in</strong>ed with reference to three specific <strong>external</strong> <strong>relations</strong><br />
policy areas, i.e. the CFSP/ESDP, development cooperation and trade, and migration and<br />
asylum policy. Two cases – one thematic related to <strong>human</strong> <strong>rights</strong> defenders and one<br />
regional concern<strong>in</strong>g <strong>human</strong> <strong>rights</strong> policy vis-à-vis the Western Balkans – are focused<br />
upon <strong>in</strong> order to analyse the <strong>in</strong>tersection of different sectors and policy areas. The <strong>study</strong><br />
argues <strong>in</strong> favour of a stronger centralised structure to ensure effective <strong>human</strong> <strong>rights</strong><br />
<strong>ma<strong>in</strong>stream<strong>in</strong>g</strong>; <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g the possibility of establish<strong>in</strong>g the position of an EU Human<br />
Rights Commissioner. The authors also urge the European Union to re-design the<br />
European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights for a better <strong>ma<strong>in</strong>stream<strong>in</strong>g</strong> effect<br />
and to promote <strong>human</strong> <strong>rights</strong> based approaches to programm<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the other f<strong>in</strong>ancial<br />
<strong>in</strong>struments (most importantly regard<strong>in</strong>g neighbourhood and development<br />
<strong>in</strong>struments).<br />
EXPO/B/DROI/2008/66 September 2009<br />
PE407.003 EN
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