The European Union, human rights and international development policy

Abstract

While acknowledging that the European Union (EU) has been to the fore in the promotion of international human rights standards among its own states and citizens, Chapter 7 critically assesses the role of the EU in relation to the promotion of rights and development in the Global South where many former colonies of EU states continue to be affected by the legacy of colonialism and ongoing neocolonial relationships with EU states and institutions. Despite a range of EU commitments and initiatives (indeed, half of the world’s development aid comes from there) it is argued that developmental and rights-based approaches in the Global South have often been frustrated by ideologically and self- interest driven economic policies promoted by the EU. This in turn has contributed to under-development and a diminution of rights in many of the most vulnerable regions around the world.