ABSTRACT

The Treaty of Lisbon has endowed the EU with a normative human rights framework that confirms recognition as a fully-fledged regional mechanism for the protection of human rights. The aim of this book is to contribute to the growing discussion of the external human rights dimension of the European Union. Its theme sits at the crossroads between International and EU law, Human Rights, and Political Science. In moving beyond well-covered topics such as the protection of human rights within the EU, or their relevance for the accession of new Member States, this book asks the broader question of whether EU human rights law has any real relevance on a global scale.

In total, The EU as a 'Global Player' in Human Rights gives an overview of the international relevance of EU human rights law by means of exemplary case-studies of the EU’s institutional and substantive protection of human rights, whilst consideration of non-European perspectives from China and Japan underline its global focus. This book will be of particular interest to researchers, students, and practitioners in International and European law, Human Rights Law, European studies and International Relations.

chapter |16 pages

Introduction

chapter |15 pages

Assessing the EU's Position on Human Rights

Is It a Desirable One?

chapter |17 pages

Monitoring and Enforcing Fundamental Rights

Can the European Union Measure up Against Other International Organizations?

chapter |17 pages

European Human Rights Law as a Multi-Layered Human Rights Regime

Preserving Diversity and Promoting Human Rights

chapter |16 pages

Inconvenient Multilateralism

The Challenges of the Eu as a Player in the United Nations Human Rights Council

chapter |15 pages

The EU Commitment to International Criminal Justice

Achievements and Possibilities

chapter |16 pages

Human Rights in Trade

The EU's Experience with Labour Standards Conditionality and its Role in Promoting Labour Standards in the WTO

chapter |18 pages

Imperialistic Endeavour or Empty Rhetoric?

Analysing the EU's Promotion of Human Rights in China Since 1989 Through a ‘Normative Power’ Perspective

chapter |18 pages

Too Different to Be Relevant?

Considering the Global Influence of EU Asylum Laws and Policy with Respect to Japan

chapter |12 pages

Double Jeopardy in Europe

What Lessons for Global Players?

chapter |16 pages

Defining the Free Press

Recent European Case-Law on Political Free Speech, Anti-Terrorism Legislation and the Free Press

chapter |17 pages

Eu Equality Law

From Protecting ‘Groups' to Protection of All

chapter |6 pages

Conclusion

Looking to the Future: No Hubris, No False Modesty