Rethinking EU support to the rule of law: taking a stand for sustainable development
External Publications (2023)
in: ecdpm Briefing Note no. 154, Maastricht: The centre for Africa-Europe Relations
This briefing note summarises key findings, conclusions and recommendations of the external evaluation of the European Union’s support to the rule of law and anti-corruption in partner countries from 2010 to 2021. The rule of law requires that public power acts within the constraints of the law, in accordance with democratic values and fundamental rights, and is under the control of independent and impartial courts. Inextricably linked to the rule of law is the fight against corruption. Most rule of law support actions are unlikely to be sustainable without it. The EU’s support to the rule of law and anti-corruption, both at home and in its external action, faces a myriad of challenges. Although the EU support has achieved incremental progress and added value in the justice and security sectors, a large amount of focus was placed on the ‘thin’ definition of the rule of law, meaning support for formal justice reforms, including access to justice. However, the EU has not focused enough on its ‘thick’ definition, one that promotes social and economic justice. Additionally, the EU has not clarified and internalised its anti-corruption policy in a way that reflects the strong link between corruption and the rule of law. The evaluation, therefore, calls for increased efforts to systematically apply a rule of law and anti-corruption perspective in practical and concrete issues experienced by citizens in their daily lives.