EU-Demokratie- und Menschenrechtsförderung im auswärtigen Handeln nach dem Vertrag von Lissabon

The Treaty of Lisbon defines the promotion of democracy and human rights as an aim of the Union’s foreign policy. Is it a mere proclamation? Or does the Treaty of Lisbon create a commitment of sufficient legal quality that not only has a political declaratory character but certifies about innovative legal obligation? And how does this aim of the Union’s foreign policy relate to other objectives especially those which have to pursue the Union’s global economic and security interests and therefore may potentially conflict the external promotion of democracy and human rights.
The author explores the legal aspects of the Union’s external democracy and human rights policy with regard to its fundamental regulation, institutions and instruments. The findings, in particular exploration and systematization of instruments for worldwide promotion of democracy and human rights foreseen by the Treaty of Lisbon (diplomacy, treaty-binding, external aid, unilateral trade preferences, trade restriction for certain goods, restrictive measures and missions) should be useful for praxis by contributing insight for coherent implementation of external democracy and human right policy.