The integration of EU development, trade and human rights policies

Abstract

FRAME Work Package 9 is concerned with assessing how human rights are integrated into EU policies on development and trade and to what extent this is translated in concrete policy instruments and tools. It analyses the various EU institutional structures responsible for developing and implementing human rights policies in development and trade and the challenges in creating a coherent and consistent framework for implementing human rights into EU action. It is also aimed at studying the contribution the EU can make as part of its development and trade policies to counter the erosion of basic rights in lower income countries, in particular through EU initiatives. This report follows from previous reports in the Work Package that have illustrated the contribution the EU makes to integrating human rights into trade and development policies. The report contains two case studies that explore the practical implementation of EU trade and development policies targeted at addressing complex human rights challenges facing lower income countries. In both cases these human rights challenges arise from industrialisation linked to economic development – the ready-made garment (RMG) industry in Bangladesh and the extractive industries in Mozambique. These challenges include: exploitation; gender issues; corruption; the operation of commercial interests in supply chains; rapid economic growth alongside wide inequalities; a low level of education; low skilled work and shrinking or narrow civil society space. This report proposes a number of recommendations on how the EU can tackle these challenges in its goal of supporting sustainable development and promoting human rights in the countries studied.