For all its achievements in integrating Europe, the EU lacks a human rights policy which is coherent, balanced and professionally administered. In this text experts in the field, including individuals from every EU country, provide a critique of policies and detailed recommendations for the future.

A. INTRODUCTION ; 1. Towards an Authentic and Coherent Human Rights Policy for the EU ; B. SOME PHILOSOPHICAL DIMENSIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS POLICIES WITHIN EUROPE ; 2. Is There a European Approach to Human Rights ; 3. The Effect of Rights on Political Culture ; 4. The Legacies of Injustice and Fear: A European Approach to Human Rights and their Effects on Political Culture ; C. THE HUMAN RIGHTS CONTEXT WITHIN WHICH THE EUROPEAN UNION FUNCTIONS ; 5. The Competences of the EU in Human Rights ; 6. Human Rights in the Context of the Third Pillar ; 7. Access to Justice as a Human Right: The European Convention and the EU ; 8. Gender Equality in the EU: A Balance Sheet ; 9. The Human Rights of People with Disabilities under EU Law ; 10. The Internal and External 'Other' in the Union Legal order: Racism, religious Intolerance and Xenophobia in Europe ; 11. Non-Communitarians: Refugees and asylum Policies ; 12. The Unity and Universality of Human Rights in Light of the Disjointed Nature of EU Law ; D. SOCIAL RIGHTS: EUROPEAN UNION PERSPECTIVES ; 13. We Still have not Found what We Have Been Looking For: The Balance Between Economic Freedom and Social Rights in the EU ; 14. From Strasbourg to Amsterdam: Prospects for the Convergence of European Social Rights Policy ; E. ADDITIONAL CHALLENGES FOR THE FUTURE ; 15. Human Rights and European Identity: The Debate about European Citizenship ; 16. The Future of Environmental Rights in the EU ; F. HUMAN RIGHTS IN EXTERNAL RELATIONS ; 17. Holding Multinational Corporations accountable for Human Rights Abuses: A Challenge for the European Community ; 18. Human Rights Considerations in the Development co-operation Activities of the EC ; 19. Where is the EU's Human Rights Common Foreign Policy, and How is it Manifested in Multilateral Fora? ; G. HUMAN RIGHTS 'CONDITIONALITY', BOTH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL ; 20. Human Rights 'Conditionality' in Relation to Entry to, and Full Participation in the EU ; 21. Trade Preferences and Human Rights ; 22. Human Rights Clauses in External Agreements of the European Communities ; H. THE ROLE OF KEY INSTITUTIONS AND ACTORS ; 23. Human Rights Case-Law in the Strasbourg and Luxembourg Courts: Conflicts, Inconsistencies and Complementarities ; 24. New Instruments and Institutions for Enhancing the Protection of Human Rights in Europe? ; 25. The Role of the European Parliament in the Promotion of Human Rights: Past and Future ; 26. Reflections on the Role of the Parliament ; 27. The Role of the Council in Human Rights Matters ; 28. The Past and Future Role of the European Court of Justice in the Protection of Human Rights ; 29. Human Rights and Civil Society

`... an excellent study of the many different aspects of human rights in the EU ... The volume is all the more interesting since it has a multidisciplinary approach. It does not only focus on legal aspects of human rights policies, but also deals with anthropological, social and political views on the EU and human rights. ... exceptional ...' Maastricht Journal of European and Comparative Law, 8MJ2 (2001) `Bruno de Witte provides a succinct yet thorough analysis of the role the Court of Justice has played in protecting human rights.' Toby King, NILR 2000. `this book is undoubtedly the most comprehensive treatment to date of the role which human rights play in both the internal and external policies of the European Union. Most chapters provide a very thorough analysis of the situation in their field as well as cogent recommendations for further action. It is indispensable reading for anyone interested in either the process of European integration or the international law of human rights.' Toby King, NILR 2000. `dense, meaty book ,,, Specialists will find the analysis of EU institutions of interest.' C.E. Welch, Choice, Sept.00.

This book is written by a team of leading contributors in the field Professor Philip Alston is the author/editor of several influential books on UN and Human Rights This subject is of immense practical and scholarly interest

Philip Alston is the Professor of International Law at the European University Institute in Florence. He is currently the Global Visiting Law Professor, Law School, New York University. Previous appointments have included: Australian National University (Professor of Law); Harvard Law School; the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University; and the University of Michigan Law School. From 1978 to 1984 Philip Alston was an official of the UN Centre for Human Rights in Geneva. He has been Chairman of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 1991-98; was Rapporteur from 1987 to 1990; and has been Chairman for the Australian Capital Territory.RIVAL

This book is written by a team of leading contributors in the field Professor Philip Alston is the author/editor of several influential books on UN and Human Rights This subject is of immense practical and scholarly interest