Abstract (EN)

The European Union is world leader in linking human rights protection and international trade and development treaty relations. Since 1992, the European Union requires human rights clauses to be included in all its trade and preferential agreements. Often, the definition and scope of these clauses constitute the most difficult parts in the negotiations with the European Union. So far, the EU has concluded preferential and free trade agreements which contain a human rights clause with more than 100 countries in the world. The human rights clauses are both legal ground for an immediate suspension of trade cooperation with the EU but also basis for the establishment of a positive dialogue for the development of human rights in the partner country. Although the clauses are not completely identical in all European agreements, they are very similar in their structure, scope and content and can therefore be compared in their application.