A human rights strategy for a post western world

Europe once had a compelling model to share with the world: that liberal democracies provided the best foundation for economic prosperity.

With the West dominant in the global economy, Europe had sufficient leverage to demand respect for human rights from trading and aid partners. Global trends seemed to show a steady progression in the direction of democracy and human rights. But Europe is now facing a world in which economic and political power is shifting away from the West and authoritarian regimes are strengthening their control. The financial crisis in Europe and the United States coupled with the rise of powers such as China, which has achieved economic success without political openness, have undermined the effectiveness and legitimacy of the Western model. Complacency about abuses within its own borders has added to the decline of Europe’s credibility.

This environment poses significant problems for Western countries and organizations that seek to support human rights and political reform around the world. Repressive regimes are quick to dismiss criticism from Europe and the United States as illegitimate and outdated. The instruments that Europe uses to promote human rights and democracy around the world are losing effectiveness. Punitive sanctions seem to have no long-term impact, dialogues take place as a matter of routine but with little effect, and collective European efforts are undermined by conflicting national approaches in a more competitive environment.

Europe now needs to develop a new, realistic and collaborative “post Western” strategy for human rights, democracy and the rule of law that responds to this increasingly challenging environment. ECFR will convene a panel discussion at the Deutsche Welle Global Media Forum with policymakers, politicians, journalists and thinkers to exchange views on how this strategy might work.

Some of the key questions which the panel will explore are: Does the association with a “Western model” of democracy and human rights help or harm the effort for its values to be taken on board? What role can different parts of European society play? The government? The media? NGOs? Trade unions? How can European media work with closed societies, in a way that promotes human rights? How can new technologies be harnessed in the promotion of rights and what should governments who seek to promote human rights do to support this? How can Europe develop new partnerships with other regional and global players who protect human rights at home, in order to engage them in an effort to support liberal values in their foreign policy?
This should prove a lively discussion at a timely moment as the EU itself reflects on how Baroness Ashton’s “silver thread” of human rights should run through the work of the new External Action Service.

Moderation:
Christian Trippe
Head of Studio Brussels, Deutsche Welle

Panelists:
Sihem Bensedrine
Editor in Chief of the Online Magazine Kalima and Radio Kalima

Susi Dennison
Policy Fellow European Council on Foreign Relations

Karnik, Jaideep
Head- Content & Localisation, Editor – Naidunia, Indore Webdunia.Com (India) Pvt Ltd