Human Rights and Democracy in EU Foreign Policy

• Main Author: Zorica Saltirovska
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Faculty of Philosophy, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje 2015-06-01
• Series: Bezbednosni Dijalozi
• Subjects: human rights; democracy; eu; eidhr; security
• Online Access: http://periodica.fzf.ukim.edu.mk/sd/SD%2006.1%20(2015)/SD%2006.1.08%20Saltirovska,%20Z.%20%E2%80%93%20Human%20Rights%20and%20Democracy%20in%20EU%20Foreign%20Policy.pdf

EU’s foreign policy is based on the firm dedication to the promotion of peace and stability in the world in which human rights will be respected, democracy will be strengthened, and rule of law will be a standard. Human rights are universal legal norms, equally significant in any aspect of human existence. Democracy is a persistent aspiration for people around the world since we all wish to live in an open democratic society where human rights are respected and where people feel safe and lead a life of freedom and dignity. The promotion and respect of human rights, democracy, and rule of law are the cornerstones of sustainable peace and prosperity for any society, as well as for the world in general. In an effort to attain these three prerequisites, the EU is collaborating devotedly and responsibly with its partners, multilateral forums, and international organizations in the field of human rights and democracy, integrating these into its policy, programmes, and projects. The EU is implementing the active policies in this area through political dialogues, clauses in contracts with partner countries, at international forums, as well as through its assisted development programmes, most notably the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), through which it is providing funding for a wide specter of human rights projects throughout the world. Alongside the promotion of human rights and freedoms, the EIDHR is focusing on the protection of human rights activists worldwide and strengthening civil society, especially in countries and regions where they are at the most risk of being under threat. Through the European Neighbourhood Policy, for the first time the EU succeeded in organising human rights discussion forums in countries where human rights were under largest risk of violation (Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Lebanon, and others), and encourage reforms in the direction of the promotion of human rights, democracy, and rule of law. Managing the most crucial issues in its foreign policy on human rights, the EU has become one of the key actors in their promotion and protection on a global scale.