A new generation of human rights clauses? The case of association agreements in the Eastern neighbourhood

Publishers Abstract
Human rights clauses are found in most international agreements of the EU. The Association Agreements concluded between the EU and Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia in 2014 are not an exception in this respect.

The standard human rights clauses incorporated in all three agreements contain certain variations, nevertheless. This article argues that these variations can be explained with reference to the legal and political context within which the relevant agreements have been concluded.

In addition, it argues that a much wider role should be ascribed to these provisions than merely their negative function related to treaty suspension.

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