Europe has got a long tradition of human rights. Actually, the idea of "the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family" as laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations is said to have its historic origins in ancient Greek philosophy and Roman law. The first official declarations of human rights, starting with the English Bill of Rights of 1688, all stand in this tradition. Hence, it is not far-fetched when Europeans see themselves as defenders of human rights principles on the international scene.
Especially the European Union′s self-perception has moved in this direction. With the end of the Cold War, the right time seems to have come for politics that increasingly take into account, defend and even fight for such values: the war of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation with Yugoslavia is only one example of this tendency. But it is a good example, because the "humanitarian catastrophe" that was triggered by Western air-strikes also highlights the fact that the "new Europe" is far from being an examplary place where human rights are widely respected.
The essay examines in a critical way the extent to which politics in the pre-9/11 "new Europe" were actually characterised by human rights principles. The foundations of these principles in the "old Europe" will be considered, as well as the double challenge to politics brought about by the fall of the Berlin wall and how this challenge has been met in the 1990s by political institutions (EU's internal and external human rights policies, NATO). The essay concludes with a discussion of the universality claim of human rights in an Western-dominated and internationalised world.
The essay critically reviews facts and fiction of European human rights policies on the pre-9/11 international scene.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- The rise of human rights in European politics after World War II
- The double challenge of the “new Europe” and political responses
- The EU’s commitment to human rights in its foreign policy
- NATO and the defence of human rights
- Human rights principles and EU internal policies
- Preserving the universality of human rights
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay explores the extent to which human rights principles are reflected in the politics of the “new Europe”. It examines how the foundation for human rights was laid in the “old Europe” and analyzes the challenges brought about by the fall of the Berlin Wall. The essay further examines the role of the European Union and NATO in promoting and defending human rights, both internally and externally. The final chapter explores the universality of human rights in a world dominated by Western influence.
- The historical development of human rights in Europe
- The impact of the end of the Cold War on human rights
- The role of international organizations like the EU and NATO in human rights
- The challenges of promoting and protecting human rights in a globalized world
- The universality of human rights in the context of Western dominance
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- The rise of human rights in European politics after World War II: This chapter examines the historical development of human rights in Europe, focusing on the aftermath of World War II. It discusses the significance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the establishment of the Council of Europe and its European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). It highlights the role of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in upholding human rights within the European Community.
- The double challenge of the “new Europe” and political responses: This chapter analyzes the challenges to human rights in the “new Europe” after the fall of the Berlin Wall. It explores the rise of nationalism, ethnic conflicts, and increased migration. The chapter also discusses the responses of international organizations like the Council of Europe and the CSCE (later OSCE) to address these challenges.
- The EU’s commitment to human rights in its foreign policy: This chapter focuses on the role of the European Union in promoting human rights in its foreign policy. It examines the EU’s approach to human rights issues in its relations with other countries, highlighting the importance of promoting democracy and human rights as core values.
- NATO and the defence of human rights: This chapter explores the role of NATO in promoting and defending human rights. It discusses the organization’s involvement in humanitarian interventions and its commitment to upholding human rights in its security operations. The chapter explores the complex relationship between military intervention and human rights protection.
- Human rights principles and EU internal policies: This chapter examines the application of human rights principles within the EU’s internal policies. It analyzes the EU’s approach to issues such as immigration, asylum, and minority rights, highlighting the challenges of reconciling national sovereignty with the protection of human rights.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This essay explores the crucial topic of human rights within the context of the “new Europe.” It examines the evolution of human rights principles after World War II, focusing on the role of international organizations like the EU and NATO in promoting and defending them. Key themes include the impact of the end of the Cold War, the challenges of ethnic conflicts and migration, and the universality of human rights in a world dominated by Western influence.
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- Christopher Selbach (Autor:in), 2001, Human rights in European politics, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/16469
