4 - Case Study: The EU’s Common Security and Defense Policy Missions

Summary

In this chapter I apply the framework developed in Chapter 3 to the first case study, namely the EU’s Common Security and Defense Policy missions. This case study focuses on two such mission in particular: NAVFOR Atalanta and EULEX Kosovo. The structure of both missions and their potential for human rights violations is discussed, before turning to the applicable accountability mechanisms. These include the Court of Justice of the EU, the European Ombudsman, domestic courts, and EULEX Kosovo’s Human Rights Review Panel. The overall assessment is that the accountability mechanisms applicable to CSDP missions are insufficient.