The EU Constitutional Treaty and Human Rights

With the increase of significance given to the political integration in the European Community, the protection of human rights in the EU has started to develop further particularly through the provisions of the Treaties. The constitutional treaty, bringing a new structure for the protection of them, has also remarkably contributed to the human rights field in the EU. Through this book -originated from my MSc thesis conducted in between 2004-2006 at Department of European Studies,METU-,it is aimed to question whether this new structure offers a better protection for human rights in the EU or not. For this purpose the incorporation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, the possible accession of the EU to the ECHR and the offers of the constitutional treaty on human rights for third countries are discussed throughout the book. Based on the findings, it is concluded that the constitutional treaty offers a better protection for human rights and its contributions can be an initial step on the way towards a human rights policy.