Promoting human rights and democracy in the Euro-Mediterranean partnership countries of the Mashrek. (c2005)

Abstract

This thesis presents the characteristics of the European Union's external assistance programs meant to promote democracy and human rights in Middle Eastern countries of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership. It includes a case study on Lebanon, as a partner country. Finally, it provides a critical assessment to the EuroMediterranean Partnership and discusses the future role of the Arab civil society. Aim of this research is to provide a better understanding of the European Union's democratization and human rights policy within the framework of the EuroMediterranean Partnership. It provides the reader with a closer idea of the EU's external assistance programs. Lastly, this thesis considers the different obstacles that hinder an effective collaboration between the EU and Middle Eastern partner countries concerning human rights issues, and ways to overcome them. The main content of the present research was backed by a training at the European Commission in Brussels. The training lasted from the 1 st October 2004 to the 1 st Marsh 2005 and took place at the Depaltment of Social and Human Development in the Euro-Mediterranean countries of the European Office of Cooperation (EuropeAid B4).