5 CROSS-CUTTING CSDP ISSUES
5.2. HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE CSDP
European Union/EUTM Mali
by Taina Järvinen
Training on international humanitarian law in the EU Training Mission in Mali.
In the context of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), the promotion and protection of human rights and the rule of law are considered essential for lasting peace and security. Over the years the EU has mainly deployed missions focusing on capacity-building, training, advising and supporting security sector or other institutional reforms in post-conflict situations, where human rights are part of broader reconstruction efforts. However, CSDP missions increasingly operate in complex and hostile conflict settings where national institutions are fragile or non-existent and civilians are often deliberately targeted by armed groups – a clear violation of international humanitarian law.
NORMATIVE FRAMEWORK The European Union is committed to promoting and protecting human rights worldwide and the development of EU human rights policies in its external action, including the CSDP, has a strong normative basis. Human rights, democracy, the rule of law and the principles of equality and solidarity are founding principles of the EU embedded in the Treaty on European Union (TEU). In accordance with Article 21 TEU, the EU is guided by and seeks to advance these principles in its external action. Furthermore, Article 21 TEU places the EU’s external activities within a broader international normative framework by including respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law among the guiding
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