Non-Governmental Organisations and the European Union’s Promotion of Human Rights in China: NGO Influence or NO Influence?

This paper examines whether lobbying the European Union’s institutions by non-governmental organisations (NGOs), concerning respect and defence of human rights in China, has a measurable impact on the EU decision-making framework of promoting human rights in China. This is especially interesting at a time when this very framework is in a relative crisis and the EU is struggling to overcome its democratic deficit. Relying on Paul A. Sabatier’s Advocacy Coalition Framework, the paper argues that although the influence of NGOs has increased over recent years and they know where to turn for their lobbying efforts, they do not have a de facto impact on EU policy-making regarding human rights in China.

In order to increase influence on the EU, NGOs should come together in sub-groups and broader trans-sector coalitions. Furthermore, they should predominantly concentrate on the scope of rights and issues defended – as should the EU –, so as to strengthen both coherence and overall convergence of strategies. Finally, the paper questions the current attitude of the EU with regard to China and suggests a modification of both European and Chinese mind patterns in order to enhance the level of receptiveness of NGO inputs.

College of Europe: Study: EU International Relations and Diplomacy Studies: Research Activities: EU Diplomacy Papers [PDF] https://www.coleurope.eu/sites/default/files/research-paper/edp_5_2014_borreschmidt.pdf

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