Enhancing the effectiveness of human rights clauses in EU agreements with third countries? The cases of Ethiopia, Tunisia and Vietnam:Briefing

Human Rights Clauses (HRCs), included in different agreements between the European Union (EU) and third countries, have become well-established tools in the EU’s human rights toolbox. However, despite having been updated several times to make them fit for purpose, they are rarely used in practice, which prompts questions about their effectiveness. Hence, this briefing examines proposals made in recent studies that aim to enhance the impact of HRCs. Measures considered here include making use of permanent monitoring bodies, benchmarks, appropriate measures and broadening the scope of complaints submitted under the Single Entry Point created under the new generation of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). The specific HRCs examined are those included in the EU’s agreements with Ethiopia, Tunisia and Vietnam, three countries in which the human rights situations have deteriorated over recent years. The effectiveness of recent proposals for upgrading the HRCs is tested against the background of these three case studies.