Brussels – Rethinking human rights in EU external policies

Brussels. Photo: flickr/Luc Mercelis

ESI's Gerald Knaus participated in a policy discussion organized by the Open Society European Policy Institute (OSEPI) and the European Union Insitute for Security Studies (EUISS). The aim of the workshop was to reflect where and how the EU can improve its approach and renew its commitment to defending and promoting human rights. Participants analysed if the current EU tools are well equipped to deliver results while closely examining the drivers potentially undermining the EU's influence in partner countries. They also explored the implications of emerging and cross- cutting themes such as counter-terrorism, migration and new technologies on human rights. The results of the discussion will contribute to the work leading up to the EU Global Strategy (EUGS).

Participants:

• Neil Campbell – Acting Director, Open Society European Policy Institute
• Antonio Missiroli – Director, European Union Institute for Security Studies
• Marta Martinelli – Deputy Director, Open Society European Policy Institute
• Richard Youngs – Senior Associate, Democracy and Rule of Law Program, Carnegie Europe
• Silvio Gonzato – Director for Interinstitutional Relations, European External Action Service
• Jacqueline Hale – Member of HRDN and Head of Advocacy, Save the Children International, EU Office
• Kersty McCourt – Senior Advocacy Adviser, Open Society Justice Initiative
• Morten Kjaerum – Director, Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law
• Leila Alieva – Academic Visitor, St Antony's College, University of Oxford
• Heidi Hautala – Member of the European Parliament
• Natalie Tocci – Special Advisor to HRVP Mogherini; Deputy Director, Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI)
• Lotte Leicht – Director, Human Rights Watch Brussels
• Jean-Paul Marthoz – EU Correspondent, Committee to Protect Journalists
• Gerald Knaus – Chairman, European Stability Initiative
• Anthony Dworkin – Senior Policy Fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations
• Julia Hall – Expert on counter terrorism and human rights, Amnesty International, New York
• Pierre Vimont – Senior Associate, Carnegie Europe