The EU human rights policy in Lebanon, a shift towards realism? The EU’s promotion of democracy and human rights in Lebanon in the normative power Europe debate: comparing the Single Support Framework and the Multiannual Indicative Programme

Abstract

This thesis aims to shed light on three interrelated questions. Firstly, it explains what the European Union (EU) human right policy in Lebanon entails: the protection and promotion of human rights and democracy with financial and non-financial means. It discovers and discusses three main policy documents: the Single Support Framework for Lebanon, the Multi-annual Indicative Programme and the European Instrument for Human Rights and Development. Secondly, it places these policy documents in EU foreign policy and in the normative power Europe debate, arguing that the EU human right policy in Lebanon displays elements of both normative and realist power Europe. Finally, it raises some concerns about the EU as a donor in the human rights development sector in Lebanon. The distribution is undemocratic and unsustainable, with funds being less accessible for smaller organisations and sustenance of a development money dependent society.