Table of contents

Presentation of the study and researchers

Executive summary and recommendations

Chapter One: Analytical and methodological considerations

1.1. Terms of reference of the study

1.2. EP competencies in the field of human rights

1.2.1. Within the framework of the Community

1.2.1.1. Deliberation powers

1.2.1.2. Legislative powers

1.2.1.3. Budgetary powers

1.2.1.4. Democratic control

1.2.2. Within the framework of the Common Foreign and Security Policy

1.2.3. Within the framework of Justice and Home Affairs

1.2.4. Current trends

1.3. Human rights activities of the European Parliament

1.4. Human Rights Impact Assessment: analytical considerations and EU trends

1.5. Methodology

1.5.1. Indicators

1.5.2. Methodological complications

1.5.3. Methodological tools employed

1.5.4. Scope redefinition

Chapter Two: Analysis of relevant activities

2.1. Resolutions as the fundamental activity of the European Parliament

2.1.1. Overview of the resolutions: statistical analysis

2.1.1.1. Legal basis

2.1.1.2. Focus and content of resolutions

2.1.2. Analysis of the impact of resolutions

2.1.2.1. Impact on human rights violators – Reactions from third countries

2.1.2.2. Impact on individuals and groups mentioned

2.1.2.3. Impact on causes and on norms and standards

2.2. General EP activities with a potential to reinforce human rights promotion

2.2.1. Delegations

2.2.1.1. Nature, objectives, powers

2.2.1.2. Impact – common features

2.2.1.3. Specific factors affecting the impact of the delegations

2.2.1.4. Trends and way forward

2.2.2. Public hearings

2.2.2.1. Secure information and raise the level of expertise

2.2.2.2. Facilitate a discussion on policy choices and strategies

2.2.2.3. Spurring public debate and mediating local disputes

2.2.2.4. Impact on participating States

2.2.2.5. Impact on participants from local civil society

2.3. Specialised activities in the field of human rights

2.3.1. Sakharov Prize

2.3.1.1. General features observed

2.3.1.2. Case study: Oswaldo José Payá Sardiñas

2.3.1.3. Policy options

2.3.2. Annual Reports on Human Rights in the World and the EU’s Policy on the Matter

2.4. Formal powers of the European Parliament

2.4.1. The use of budgetary powers

2.4.2. The use of the assent procedure to international agreements

2.4.2.1. Case 1: Refusing the assent – “The nuclear power”

2.4.2.2. Case 2: Accepting the assent – Conditions strategies

2.4.2.3. The specific case of assent for accession of new countries to the European Union

2.5. Individual actions

2.5.1. The activities of the EP President

2.5.1.1. EP President’s human rights activities

2.5.1.2. Assessing impact

2.5.2. Individual actions of the Members

2.5.2.1. Multiplication of individual actions

2.5.2.2. Personalisation of regular activities

2.5.2.3. Impact assessment and risk limitations

Chapter Three: Cross-cutting factors affecting impact

3.1. Factors internal to the European Parliament

3.1.1. Participation and support

3.1.2. Developing capacities and mobilising expertise

3.1.2.1. Quality of information

3.1.2.2. Developing expertise

3.1.3. Visibility and dissemination

3.1.4. Monitoring and follow-up

3.1.4.1. Proactively investigating effects and reactions

3.1.4.2. Ensuring consistency with commitments, priorities and language

3.1.5. Co-ordination of EP’s human rights agenda

3.1.5.1. Systemic approach to human rights activities – developing strategies

3.1.5.2. Procedural problems – the example of urgent resolutions

3.1.5.3. EP human rights agenda: issues at stake

3.1.5.4. EP actors responsible for human rights issues

3.2. The Parliament in the European Union

3.2.1. Holding the Commission and Council accountable to established human rights standards

3.2.1.1. Principle of accountability in the European Union context 

3.2.1.2. Specific instruments and mechanisms of accountability

3.2.1.3. Impact

3.2.1.4. Development of new trends

3.2.2. Co-ordination of the actions of EU institutions vis-� -vis external actors

3.2.2.1. Considering EU human rights policy as whole

3.2.2.2. An inter-institutional success story? EU and EP Election Observation Missions (the example of EOMs to West Bank and Gaza Strip – Presidential elections 2004 – Parliamentary elections 2006)

3.2.2.3. Developments and remaining difficulties

3.3. The Parliament and other international actors

3.3.1. Co-operation and synergies with regional entities

3.3.1.1. Participation in joint parliamentary assemblies

3.3.1.2. Bilateral liaison with regional organisations – The example of the Council of Europe

3.3.2. The European Parliament and the United Nations human rights protection system

3.3.2.1. Impact of the activities of the European Parliament on the Commission on Human Rights

3.3.2.2. Co-operation with the UN Special Rapporteurs and Representatives on human rights issues

Annexes

I. Summary of main findings and recommendations of relevance to the EP Sub-Committee on Human Rights

II. Statistical overview of EP resolutions on human rights outside the European Union (July 1999-April 2006)

III. Statistical overview of different plenary sessions’ activities in the year 2005 - Urgent resolutions, question time and formal sittings

IV. References to EP activities in Human Rights Watch World Reports (2002-2006)

V. Bibliography

VI. List of acronyms

VII. List of interviews held