The European Union External Action, Administrative Function and Human Rights Protection under the Lens of the EU Ombudsman and a Recent Strategic Initiative

Abstract

This paper examines the increasingly active role of the European Ombudsman in ascertaining by what procedures and instruments the European Union contributes to the protection of human rights in its external action. After an overview of the European Ombudsman’s competencies and activities concerning the administrative function of EU institutions, this article discusses the context and scope of a recent European Ombudsman’s strategic initiative on the incorporation of human rights clauses – and other human rights tools – in EU international trade agreements