1 / 31

Human Rights Mechanisms in EU-South Mediterranean Relations especially with Israel

Human Rights Mechanisms in EU-South Mediterranean Relations especially with Israel. EU-Mediterranean Countries Relations. The Euro Mediterranean Partnership (EMP) Barcelona Declaration, 27-28 Nov.1995 The European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) EU Commission’s Communication, 11 March 2003

caesar
Download Presentation

Human Rights Mechanisms in EU-South Mediterranean Relations especially with Israel

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Human Rights MechanismsinEU-South Mediterranean Relationsespecially with Israel

  2. EU-Mediterranean Countries Relations • The Euro Mediterranean Partnership (EMP) Barcelona Declaration, 27-28 Nov.1995 • The European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) EU Commission’s Communication, 11 March 2003 • The EU Strategic Partnership with the Mediterranean and the Middle East, 2004 • Strategic Guidelines for Reinvigorating EU Actions on HR and Democratisation with Mediterranean Partners, EU Commission’s Communication, 21 May 2003

  3. The Euro-Mediterranean Partnership

  4. EMP The Euro Mediterranean Partnership /Barcelona Process • 10 Mediterranean Countries and 27 EU Member States • Objectives of the Barcelona Declaration,1995 • “to create an area of dialogue, exchange and cooperation guaranteeing peace, stability and prosperity” • “requires a strengthening of democracy and respect for human rights”

  5. Chapters Political and Security Matters Economic and Financial Issues Social, Cultural and Human Affairs Dimensions Multilateral/Regional Cooperation on common issues Bilateral/Based on Association Agreements EMP3 Chapters, 2 Dimensions

  6. EMPRegional CooperationHR Commitments of the Barcelona Declaration • Respect of the United Nations’ Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights • Development of the rule of law and democracy • Respect Human rights and fundamental freedoms • Promotion of Women’s rights • Recognition of the essential contribution of civil society • Respect for fundamental social rights • Action of support for democratic institution and for strengthening of the rule of law and civil society

  7. EMP Barcelona + 10, Nov. 2005 Evaluation • Priority to economic cooperation • Security approach (anti-terrorism + migration) • At the expenses of implementation of HR commitments • Weakening of role of civil society

  8. EMP Barcelona + 10Perspectives Five years work programme • 4 Priorities • Political and Security Partnership: Democratisation, HR, women’s rights, civil society “in accordance with national legislation” • Social and Economic Development • Education • Migration, Justice and Security

  9. EMP Barcelona + 10Perspectives Five years work programme • 2006 EuroMed Conference on HR (not done) • July 2006Euro-African Conference on Migration • Nov 2006 EuroMed Conference on Women’s rights + 1 Preparatory Conference • Nov 2007 Euro-Med Conference on Migration • 2007 Governance Facility

  10. EMP Regional CooperationGeneral Institutions • EuroMed Foreign Affairs Ministers Conferences • EuroMed Meetings of Sectorial Ministers • EuroMed Committee for the Barcelona Process • Senior Officials Meetings on the Political and Security Dialogue • EuroMed Parliamentary Assembly EuroMed Civil forum

  11. EMP Regional CooperationSpecialised Institutions • Anna Lindh Euro Med Foundation for the Dialogue between Cultures • EuroMed Economic and Social Committee • EuroMed Committee of Regions

  12. EMP Bilateral DimensionAssociation Agreements Adoption • Negotiated by the EU Commission and each Mediterranean partner • Adopted by the EU Council and the Med partner • Ratified by all EU Member States and the Med partner • Assent of the European Parliament

  13. EMP Bilateral DimensionAssociation Agreements Objectives • Political dialogue on issues of “common interest” • e.g. Regional security and stability, peace and democracy • Economic and sector cooperation • e.g. agriculture, transport, environment, tourism, energy, customs, scientific and technological, migration • Social and Cultural Cooperation

  14. EMP Bilateral Dimension Association Agreements

  15. EMP Bilateral DimensionAssociation Agreements

  16. EMP Bilateral DimensionHR Commitments Article 2 of All Association Agreements • HR mentioned as an “essential element” of the AA • HR clause is legally binding • Possibility of suspension of the AA (never with Med countries so far) • “Positive implementation” by the EU

  17. EMPBilateral DimensionInstitutions Association Council Ministerial level Association CommitteeSenior Official level Sub Committees

  18. EMP Bilateral DimensionSubcommittees • e.g. EU-Israel • Political dialogue and cooperation • Economic and financial matters • Social and immigration affairs • Customs cooperation and taxation (April 2007) • Agriculture and fisheries • Internal market • Industry, trade and services • Justice and legal matters • Transport, energy and environment • Research, innovation, information society, education and culture

  19. EMPBilateral DimensionSub-Committees on human rights • Sub-Committees on human rights with • Jordan (June 2005, March 2007), Morroco (November 2006), Lebanon (Avril 2007) • Tunisia ? • Sub-Committees on Political Dialogue and cooperation • EU-Israel Ad hoc Working Group on HR, 7 June 2006, 20 Feb.2007, 2nd half 2007 ? • with Egypt ?

  20. EMP Bilateral DimensionEU-Israel AA Signed on 20.11.95 In force since 1.06.00 • Objectives • Political dialogue • Economic co-operation • Social and cultural matters • EU-Israel Association Council, • 5th AC,12 December 2004 • approved the ENP Action Plan • 6th AC, 13 June 2006 • 7th AC, 5 March 2007

  21. EMP Bilateral DimensionEU-Israel Working Group on HR • Informal Meeting held on June 2006 and February 2007 • with EU Commission, EU Presidency, EU Council secretariat and Israel MFA • Issues discussed e.g.: • Arab minority (follow up of the Or Commission' support) • Nationality and Entry Law • Extra-judicial killings • Administrative Detention • Third WG Meeting in 2nd Half of 2007 ?

  22. The European Neighbourhood Policy Source: EU Commission

  23. ENPObjectives • Launched in 2003 by the EU • To create a ‘ring of friends’(Med, Eastern European and Caucasus Countries) • “To share benefits of the EU’s 2004 enlargement” • “To strengthen Security, Stability, Well-being” • “To develop a mutual commitment to common values” especially the rule of law, good governance, the respect for HR • To enhance economic relations and closer cooperation • Access to EU internal market and programmes ?

  24. ENP Principles • Voluntary Basis • Differentiated and Progressive approach according to the “degree of commitment to common values, as well as its will and capacity to implement agreed priorities” • “Positive conditionality” Monitoring process of implementation with a financial incentive: European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) + Governance Facility

  25. ENP Means Bilateral approach • Country Reports • EU analysis of the political and economic situation • Basis for the development and assessment of the APs • Action Plans • Jointly agreed political documents • Define objectives and actions for reforms • Toward European Neighbourhood Agreements?

  26. ENP Country Reports / Action Plans

  27. ENP Action plans • Not Legally binding • Build on Association Agreements • Commitment to “Common Values” • Including rule of law, democracy, respect of HR • References to the Barcelona Declaration Principles • Monitoring by Sub-Committees • First Evaluation after 2 Years of Implementation, Dec. 2006 • EU Commission Communication on Strengthening the ENP • Progress reports on the ENP implementation: Overall assessment, sectoral progress and country report • EU Commission Communication on the general approach to enable ENP Partner countries to participate in Community agencies and community programmes

  28. ENP Action plans Priorities • Political dialogue and reforms, incl. HR • Economic and social reform • Trade • Migration, Justice and Home affairs • Transport, energy, information society, environment • People-to-People contacts

  29. ENP EU Country Report on Israel • Issued on 12/05/2004 • EU’s view of the situation in Israel on: • Political Issues including Democracy, Rule of Law, HR, Regional and Global Stability (Quartet Roadmap), Justice and Home Affairs (Migrations, Trafficking of Human Beings) • Economic and Social Situation

  30. ENP EU-Israel Action Plan • Concluded in December 2004 for 3 years • Priorities • Political dialogue and co-operation eg: HR, situation in the Middle East, combating terrorism… • Economic and social co-operation and development • Trade-related issues, market and regulatory reform • Co-operation in Justice and Home affairs • Transport, energy, information society, environment and Science and technology • People to people contacts • Weak on HR issues: Very general terms on HR, international humanitarian law, minority rights No reference to a specific Subcommittee on HR • Very weak ENP progress report on Israel, Nov.2006

  31. Thank You for Your Attention

More Related