EU's stance on Libyan crisis: International Law, democracy and human rights in euro-mediterranean relations?

Authors

  • Jaume Ferrer Lloret

Keywords:

EU External Action, European Neighbourhood Policy, Euro-Mediterranean Relations, Libya, International Sanctions, EU Common Security and Defence Policy, Irregular Migration Control, Humanitarian Assistance, Arms Trade, Democracy and Human Rights

Abstract

As a response to the armed conflict occurred in Libya during year 2011, the EU has applied those Security Council sanctions not involving the use of force. Likewise, the EU has allocated more than E 150 million to humanitarian assistance in the region; having implemented Frontex Operation «EPN Hermes Extension 2011» as well; and having designed a military operation in support of humanitarian assistance there —the so-called EUFOR Libya, never deployed before. From a more general perspective, people’s uprisings in several Southern Mediterranean States —which in the Libyan case has led to a civil war— have proved the failure of EU’s foreign policy in the region. In fact, EU’s Euro-Mediterranean Policy in the last decade has been mainly focused on financial and trade cooperation (especially in the energy field) and on irregular migration control, to the detriment of the full respect for International Law, and the promotion of democracy, the rule of Law and the respect for human rights, and the economic and social development of the peoples in Southern Mediterranean States.

Issue

Section

STUDIES