Samenvatting

This bachelor thesis analyses the role of the European Union in the promotion of human rights in Mexico, and its possible efforts to combat human rights violations in this country. It wraps around three main themes. The first one is the current human rights situation in Mexico and the main actors involved in it. The second theme is the background of the European Union in relation to human rights and its external action in this question, in order to determine the interest of the Union to promote human rights in Mexico. The last, third theme are the exact forms of human rights aid offered to Mexico and their use in reality. The methods of analysis used in this research paper are extensive desk research and semi-structured interviews. These methods contributed to the collection of primary qualitative data, including facts, figures, and opinions and experiences with expertise. Consulted sources include legal documents such as treaties and agreements, reports, strategies and academic articles. The experts who contributed with their viewpoints consisted of a Mexican human rights expert, and two Mexican human rights NGO representatives. The most important findings are the instruments of aid from the EU to Mexico, and their practical usage. The two main human rights cooperation approaches are the political dialogues and financial aid. The political dialogues are important in order to promote human rights with the Mexican authorities, monitor the implementation of bilateral and multilateral treaties, and bring together the authorities and civil society to create strategies for human rights cooperation. The financial aid is currently offered under the Development Cooperation instrument, European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights, and the Non-State Actors Instrument. They distribute financial aid to the Mexican government and human rights NGOs for human rights development. The conclusions have shown the important role of the EU in promoting human rights in Mexico, as one of the most important international actors. However, the role of the EU in combatting the human rights violations has not met its full potential. The missing enforcement and conditioning measures that would create pressure on Mexican authorities are lacking in order to change the attitude of the government, which is otherwise irresponsive to recommendations drawn up by international actors.